Device for bundling cables designed as pivoting machine

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for bundling cables comprises two pivoting units (5, 6) and processing stations (21, 22) for processing cable ends of the cables, a loop-forming device (7) for forming cable loops (3) from the cables (2), a loop-stretching device (8) and a loop-retaining device (9) formed by grippers (20) for fastening the cable loops (3). The looper (7) and the second pivot unit (6) are designed in such a way that the bundled cable loops (3) can be placed on the cable storage device (10) by means of the respective cable grippers (15, 19). A cable storage device (10) designed as a feeding belt comprises retaining elements (30, 31) for retaining two cable ends of a cable loop (3).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for a bundled cable according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Art

[0002] During the bundling process of cables, the ends of the cables need to be processed. Such processing steps are, for example, crimping. "Crimping" means establishing an inseparable electrical and mechanical connection (crimp connection) through plastic deformation between a conductor and a crimp contact point. For cables with high requirements in terms of tightness, the stripped cable ends can be equipped with ferrules at a ferrule station before crimping.

[0003] A device of a similar type is known from EP 1 447 888 A1. EP 1 447 888 A1 shows a cable processing device having a wire stripping unit and two crimping stations with crimping presses. The device also has a cable feeding device designed as a belt drive for moving the cable along the longitudinal axis of the machine. The wire stripping unit for cutting the length and stripping the insulation of the cable ends is arranged on the longitudinal axis of the machine. However, since the two crimping stations are located beside the longitudinal axis of the machine, the cable must be guided from a pivot unit to the corresponding crimping press of the crimping station by means of a pivoting arm provided with a gripper. Therefore, this type of cable processing device is also referred to as a "pivoting machine" by those skilled in the art. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a device for bundling cables designed as a pivoting machine.

[0004] In order to save space in the case of long cables, the cables can be formed into cable loops. However, it is also conceivable that the bundled cables should be stored as cable loops for further processing. US5,740,608A shows a pivoting machine that forms cable loops with the cables during the processing and moves the cable loops individually to the end of the machine by means of a feed belt equipped with cams so that the cable loops fall into a removal container there. Although this pivoting machine achieves a shortening of the machine, it also has the disadvantage of only providing one batch for removal. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known art and, in particular, to provide an apparatus for bundling cables that can operate efficiently and safely.

[0006] According to the present invention, these and other objects are achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. The device for a bundled cable can have a cable feeding device running along the longitudinal axis of the machine for conveying the cable to at least one processing station in the direction of pulling or transporting the cable along the cable. Here, the cable feeding device is preferably designed as a cable feeding device. The cable conveying device preferably designed as a cable feeding device can be designed as a roller drive device or a belt drive device. The device further includes at least a first pivoting unit, which includes a pivoting arm having a cable gripper and preferably rotatable about a vertical axis, and at least one processing station assigned to the pivoting unit and arranged laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine or provided near the longitudinal axis of the machine for processing the preferably stripped end of the cable. The processing station includes one or more processing modules, and among them, as the processing module, there can be, for example, a crimping module with a crimping press, a ferrule module, and a housing mounting module. The first pivoting unit is used to send the previous cable end from the cable feeder to the processing station having the processing module. Such a structure can also include a cutting length and stripping station for cutting the length of the cable and stripping the insulation. The cutting length and stripping station is preferably arranged on the longitudinal axis of the machine. By cutting the length, a second cable end, that is, the subsequent cable end, is obtained. The subsequent cable end can be processed using the second pivoting unit and the processing station assigned to it. The second pivoting unit is preferably constructed in the same manner as the first pivoting unit, but is located on the other side of the device relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The device designed as a pivoting machine includes a knotter for forming a cable loop from the cable and a cable storage for at least temporarily accommodating a batch of completed bundled cable loops. The knotter can have a cable gripper for gripping the first end or the previous cable end of the cable and laying the cable loop. Here, the cable gripper of the knotter can, for example, rotate about an axis, so that the cable gripper forms an arcuate rotational movement for constructing the loop, and then, the cable loop can be brought to the required length by further feeding the cable by means of the aforementioned cable feeding device.

[0007] After ending this rotational movement, the previous cable end exists, for example, in the form of having turned 180°. The cable storage can be designed as a receiving groove. However, it is advantageous that: the cable storage has a flat placement surface for precise and orderly placement. This makes it more advantageous for processing batches with a large number of cable loops and even multiple batches. Here, a batch usually consists of multiple cables of the same type (same cross-sectional area and color), these cables have the same length, are bundled in the same way, and exist as cable loops; however, a batch can also consist of only one cable forming one cable loop. Different batches can be easily separated from each other, whereby further use, for example, in subsequent machines or for transportation, is significantly simplified. Particularly advantageously: the cable storage can have a horizontal placement surface.

[0008] The device includes a loop stretcher and / or a loop holder formed by a gripper to fasten the cable loop, so that the cable can be guided in an optimal way when forming and extending the loop. Here, fastening mainly means that the cable should be prevented from unwanted flipping when forming the loop. Here, the loop stretcher is a mechanism for stretching the cable loop, and this mechanism acts on the loop in the apex region; thus, the loop stretcher can subject the cable to a tensile load at the apex of the loop, so that the loop is stretched (and guided). The loop stretcher can be, for example, a pull-out gripper. However, the loop stretcher can also be a driven member, that is, contrary to the pull-out gripper, a passive element that is wound or wrapped by the cable. The loop holder acts on the cable loop in the lateral region of the cable loop, that is, not on the apex side, but on one of the regions that are adjacent to or intersect at the apex, are generally in the same direction and ideally even approximately parallel to each other. Here, the loop holder can be a gripper for the cable that loosely holds the cable loop from the side. Thus, the gripping from the side by the gripper of the loop holder can be carried out transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine, and the loop is aligned along this longitudinal axis or relative to this longitudinal axis. Here, the fastening of the cable loop can advantageously be carried out at least during the formation of the loop by the loop former and preferably during the placement on the cable storage. Another advantage of this structure is that there is free space below the loop, which ensures that the cable loop can be easily and unobstructedly placed down.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a loop former that can rotate in an arcuate motion about an axis. In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation of the loop-forming motion can enable a cable loop located in a substantially vertical plane to be formed by the loop former. Here, the axis of rotation mentioned can be a horizontal axis. However, it can also be advantageous that the axis is inclined in space. The device can be constructed compactly, especially in a preferred embodiment. Only a small space is required to place the cable loop.

[0010] The loop stretcher can have a driven member that can be linearly moved by a drive. For the linear movement, for example, a linear shaft with a belt drive can be used. It is particularly advantageous that the driven member here is a driven member that can move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine or parallel to the cable conveying direction. Instead of a belt drive, the drive can also be other drives, such as a linear drive.

[0011] The driving member may have a horizontal engagement member that extends transversely, preferably at a right angle, with respect to the moving direction of the driving member (which generally corresponds to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine or the cable conveying direction). The engagement member penetrates into the cable loop and loads the cable loop from the inside. Apparently, the driving member is a passive element that forms a stop around which the cable can rotate by 180°, such that the cable segments of the cable loop are parallel to each other. However, other wrapping angles can also be considered, especially angles that can be less than 180°. This results in a loop with cable segments that converge at an obtuse angle at the ends.

[0012] The device preferably has a loop stretcher with a movable driving member and a loop retainer formed by a gripper. If two machine components for fastening the cable loop are provided in the device, namely the loop stretcher and the loop retainer, the device can operate particularly efficiently and safely without tipping over.

[0013] The linear drive of the loop stretcher may have a fixed bearing and a movable slide guided on the bearing, with the driving member arranged on the slide, where the movement of the slide is achieved by electromagnetic force. Additionally, a horizontal load-bearing structure can be provided in which the fixed bearing of the linear drive or the linear shaft of the loop stretcher is arranged. The carrier member for the gripper that carries the loop retainer can also be fixed to this slide.

[0014] Another embodiment relates to a device in which the loop retainer is arranged in the device in the region of a second pivot unit such that the rear cable end of the cable forming the loop can be brought to a processing station by means of the second pivot unit while the loop retainer holds the cable, and the cable loop retains its original shape at least in the region of the apex.

[0015] If the device has a second pivot unit and at least one processing station assigned to the second pivot unit, it is advantageous that the looping device and the second pivot unit are designed such that the completed bundled cable loop is placed on the cable storage device on the one hand by means of the corresponding cable grippers of the looping device and on the other hand by means of the second pivot unit.

[0016] Each pivot unit can respectively have a base frame for pivotally supporting the pivot arm, with the pivot arm pivotally connected to the base frame about a vertical axis. A drive for pivoting the pivot arm can be arranged in the base frame. The pivot arm of the first pivot unit can be positioned on the upper side of the base frame for pivotally supporting the pivot arm. The pivot arm of the second pivot unit can be positioned on the lower side of the base frame for pivotally supporting the pivot arm.

[0017] For the safe and reliable operation of the device, it is advantageous that the cable storage for a manufacturing batch includes at least one retaining element for holding the stored cable loops in the region of one cable end, and preferably includes two retaining elements for holding the two cable ends of the cable loops. The cable ends can be held loosely to facilitate sorting. It is not actually necessary to tightly grip or fix the cables. Of course, for certain applications, it can be considered that the retaining element fixes the cable, for example, by means of a clamping force, so that the cable is held inseparably.

[0018] Here, the retaining element especially has the function of separating the cable ends of one batch from the cable ends of the next batch, but can also be selectively designed to additionally fix the cable ends.

[0019] At least one retaining element can advantageously be designed such that it can hold a plurality of cable loops of a manufacturing batch. Thus, the retaining element can hold a plurality of cable ends.

[0020] At least one retaining element can be detachably connected to the cable storage such that the retaining element can be separated from the cable storage when necessary and transported together with the cable loops for further processing. For example, other processing stations can be laying boards (Verlegebretter) for cable harnesses. For example, the detachable connection can employ mechanical connection mechanisms such as plug-in connections or locking connections. Here, a latch that can be actively opened can especially be used as a mechanical connection mechanism. However, it would be advantageous if at least one retaining element is magnetically mounted on the cable storage. For magnetic connection, a permanent magnet can be integrated in the retaining element; the cable storage can be composed of or include ferromagnetic material.

[0021] The cable storage can be designed as a feeding device for transporting at least one manufacturing batch, preferably a plurality of manufacturing batches with completed cable loops bundled together, wherein, in the case of a plurality of manufacturing batches, retaining elements are arranged on the cable storage in sequence. Here, these retaining elements can advantageously be arranged on the cable storage at a preferably uniform interval relative to the feeding direction. Here, the arrangement of the retaining elements can be a fixed or only temporary (e.g., magnetic) structure.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the cable storage device for forming the placement tape is designed as a feed tape, wherein the cable loops are placed on the upper segment of the feed tape that moves or is capable of moving along the cable conveyance direction. The device can operate, for example, in such a way that the feed tape remains stationary during the laying of the cable loops, and after the last cable loop of a batch of cables is laid, the feed tape moves. The feed distance by which the feed tape moves can correspond to the distance to the next holding element. The preferred embodiment with a cable storage device designed as a feed tape also serves as the above-mentioned pivoting machine even in other devices for bundling cables. The cable storage device designed as a feed tape is also advantageous, for example, for a similar type of device according to the preamble of claim 1 that does not have a loop stretcher and a loop holder.

[0023] Preferably, the cable storage device designed as a feed tape can have a feed section that circulates around end-side rollers, and on the feed section, bases are arranged for predefining docking sites, the holding elements can be separated from the bases, and the holding elements can be mounted on the bases.

[0024] For safely storing the cable loops, two holding elements can be provided for each manufacturing batch, and the respective holding elements are advantageously positioned on the feed section of the feed tape.

[0025] The holding elements can be positioned on the feed section of the feed tape in such a way that the holding elements or the cable ends held by them form a V-shaped configuration in a top view. Thanks to such a structure, the pivoting unit of the device can be optimally utilized.

[0026] As an alternative to the variant with a feed tape, the cable storage device can be designed in such a way that it can be disconnected from the device. In particular, the cable storage device can be designed as a mobile cable storage unit, or as a component of a mobile cable storage unit, whereby the mobile cable storage unit can be disconnected from the system and transported separately from the system by means of a transport device. The alternative embodiment with a mobile cable storage unit can also be used in other devices for bundling cables. For example, the mobile cable storage unit is also advantageous for a similar type of device according to the preamble of claim 1 that does not have a loop stretcher and a loop holder.

[0027] The mobile cable storage unit can be configured to accommodate a plurality of cable storage devices. Here, the cable storage devices can be moved from a waiting position to a connection position by means of a switching device, in which connection position the respective cable storage device can be connected to the device.

[0028] A mobile cable storage unit may, for example, have a flange for temporarily accommodating a plurality of cable storage devices. The flange has a turret-like conversion device by which the cable storage devices can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation for conversion, i.e., from a waiting position to a connection position.

[0029] The mobile cable storage unit may also include a carrier unit with a bilateral design. Among them, the carrier unit is formed by the above-mentioned flange, for example, and the cable storage devices can be temporarily installed on the carrier unit from two opposite sides. The advantage of such a carrier unit with a bilateral design for loading and unloading is that the mobile cable storage unit only needs to be rotated by 180°.

[0030] The cable storage device of the mobile cable storage unit may have a placement plate at least in the front-side area of the cable end where cable loops can be stored and preferably in the area where at least one holding element is provided. Therefore, the cable storage device is designed in a plate shape in the front-side area. In the rear area of the cable storage device opposite to the front side, the cable storage device can be designed in a trough shape.

[0031] The mobile cable storage unit for forming an autonomous feeding cart has a conveying device that can move autonomously and thus largely independently of control signals that otherwise have to be provided by an operator during travel. The feeding cart can move relative to the ground by means of wheels. The feeding cart may include at least one electric motor by which at least one wheel can be driven.

[0032] Another aspect of the present invention may relate to a system having the previously described device and a conveying device designed as an autonomous feeding cart for transporting the mobile cable storage unit. Here, the system may include a plurality of autonomous feeding carts. Description of the Drawings

[0033] Other advantages and individual features can be derived from the following description of the embodiments and the drawings. Among them:

[0034] Figure 1 A top view of a device for bundling cables designed as a pivoting machine according to the prior art is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the pivoting machine in

[0036] Figure 3 A perspective view of a device for bundling cables designed as a pivoting machine according to the present invention is shown.

[0037] Figures 4 to 9 Shown in different positions when forming and bundling cable loops Figure 3 The pivoting machine in

[0038] Figure 10 Shows a simplified representation of a cable loop after an unwanted twist has occurred.

[0039] Figure 11 Shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention, the device having a pivoting machine according to Figure 3 and a cable storage device designed as a feed belt.

[0040] Figure 12 Shows a simplified illustration of a cable storage device designed as a feed belt for a pivoting machine in a side view.

[0041] Figure 13 Shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention, the device having a pivoting machine of the Figure 3 type and an autonomous feed trolley for transporting a cable storage device for the pivoting machine, and

[0042] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13 an alternative design of the structure in, where the feed trolley for transporting the cable storage device has been disconnected from the pivoting machine and removed from the pivoting machine. Detailed Description

[0043] Figure 1 Shows a device 51 for bundling cables, which is of a conventional design and is generally labeled. The device 51 includes a cable feed device 4 designed as a belt feeder, which feeds the cables along the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine to the pivoting units 5 and 6. Here, the cable feed device 4 feeds the cables in the f direction. The cut length and insulation stripping station 13, by means of which the cable is cut to length and the insulation is stripped from the two cable ends, is visibly located on the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine. The other processing stations 21 and 22 are located beside the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine in a top view. The pivotable pivot units 5, 6 each have a cable gripper for holding the cables. The cable grippers of the pivot units 5, 6 can be used to feed the respective cable ends to the processing stations 21, 22. Here, the processing station 21 is for processing the front end of the cable and cooperates with the first pivot unit 5. Here, the processing station 22 is for processing the rear end of the cable and cooperates with the second pivot unit 6. A device 51 including such pivot units is also known to those skilled in the art and is referred to as a "pivoting machine". In the pivoting machine 51, electrical cables, such as insulated stranded wires or solid conductors made of copper or steel, can be processed and bundled. The cables to be processed are provided in the form of (not shown) barrels, reels or bales.

[0044] In accordance with Figure 1In an implementation variant, each processing station 21, 22 of the device 51 designed as a pivoting machine, for example, respectively has a crimping module with a crimping press. In the bundling scheme introduced by way of example here, first the length of the cable end is intercepted, then the insulation is stripped, and finally crimping is performed. If necessary, a ferrule can also be provided at the cable end. In this case, the processing stations 21, 22 additionally have a ferrule module. Therefore, each processing station can include multiple processing modules, where the processing modules can be a crimping module with a crimping press, a ferrule module, and other modules (such as a housing assembly module). If necessary, a (not shown) straightening unit can be arranged in front of the cable feeding device 4, and this straightening unit is also located on the machine longitudinal axis 50. Figure 1 Relates to a device 51 for bundling (not shown) cables that are kept straight. The device 51 has a conveyor belt 41 for stretching the cables. Then, the bundled cable segments enter a cable trough 42 for placement and temporary storage. The cable segments can be placed in and removed from the removal trough 43 from the cable trough 42. Design details of such a bundling device, especially details about the troughs, can be obtained from EP 2 028 732 A2. Figure 2 The perspective view shows the same device 51 again.

[0045] Figure 3 Shows a new device 1 designed as a pivoting machine for bundling cables, in which straight cable segments are not manufactured, but the cables are formed into cable loops. For simplicity, Figure 3 only shows the most important components of the pivoting machine 1 related to the present invention. The pivoting machine 1 includes a first pivoting unit 5 in a manner known per se, and this first pivoting unit has a pivoting arm 11 that can rotate around a vertical axis and is provided with a cable gripper 12. The pivoting machine 1 also includes a second pivoting unit 6, and this second pivoting unit has a pivoting arm 18 that can rotate around a vertical axis and is provided with a cable gripper 19. Processing stations assigned to the pivoting units 5 and 6 are also provided, but are not shown here. In Figure 3 one can see the insulation stripping knife above the length interception and insulation stripping station 13; for a better understanding of the structure of the pivoting machine 1, the insulation stripping knife below opposite the upper insulation stripping knife is not shown. The basic structure of the pivoting units of the pivoting machine 1 is the same as or at least similar to that of the pivoting machine 51 shown in Figure 1 . However, Figure 3 the structure shown in

[0046] Each pivot unit 5, 6 respectively has a base frame for pivotally supporting pivot arms 11, 18, and the pivot arms are pivotally connected to the base frame about a vertical axis. The drive for pivoting the respective pivot arms 11, 18 can be arranged in the base frame. The pivot arm 11 of the first pivot unit 5 can be positioned on the upper side of the base frame for pivotally supporting the pivot arm. The pivot arm 18 of the second pivot unit 6 can be positioned on the lower side of the base frame for pivotally supporting the pivot arm.

[0047] The advantage of the pivoting machine 1 is that the pivoting machine has a knotter 7 for forming a cable loop from a cable, a loop stretcher 8, and a loop retainer 9 formed by a gripper 20 for fastening the cable loop. The pivoting machine 1 can also include a cable storage (not shown here) for at least temporarily accommodating a batch of completed bundled cable loops.

[0048] The knotter 7 has a cable gripper 15 for gripping the front end of the cable and laying the cable loop. The cable gripper 15 can rotate about a horizontal axis and can form a loop from the cable by an arcuate rotational movement.

[0049] The loop stretcher 8 for stretching the cable loop includes a driving member 17 that acts on the loop in the apex region. The driving member 17 can be moved parallel to the machine longitudinal axis 50 by a drive 16. The driving member 17 can grip the cable and pull it in the e direction parallel to the machine longitudinal axis 50, thereby stretching and guiding the loop. The driving member 17 subjects the loop to a tensile load at the apex. The loop retainer 9 is essentially a gripper 20 that can loosely grip and hold the cable from the side. Therefore, the loop retainer 9 acts on one of the regions where the cable loops extend parallel to each other in its lateral region, that is, not on the top side. In other words, the loop stretcher 8 can move on a straight axis parallel to the cable pulling direction. This longitudinal movement depends on the cable length required for the loop and should ideally be coordinated with the cable feed to stretch the loop in the best way. The cable stretcher 8 is shaped such that it passively holds the cable while stretching the loop. Thanks to the loop stretcher 8, it can be ensured that the cable does not flip undesirably during or after loop formation. The loop retainer 9 also helps to prevent the cable from flipping. The position of the loop retainer 9 depends on the loop length. The linear movement of the loop stretcher 8 can be fully utilized for its positioning. Figure 10Shows an unwanted flip of the cable loop. Since the loop retainer 9 receives the loop stretched by the loop stretcher 8 through its gripper 20, it can be ensured that the loop stretcher 8 can move back to its starting position before forming the next loop. Instead of the drive member 17 shown here, other variants of the loop stretcher can also be envisioned. Instead of the drive member as a passive element, the loop stretcher can also include a pull-out gripper for surrounding the cable and pulling it in the e direction. It is also conceivable that the gripper 20 of the loop retainer 9 takes over the stretching of the loop. In this case (not shown here), the gripper 20 is a pull-out gripper that grips the cable not from the axial side but transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

[0050] If the linear axis 16 of the loop stretcher 8 is designed as a linear drive, the linear axis includes a fixed bearing and a movable slide 24 guided on this bearing, and the drive member 17 is arranged on the movable slide 24. In this case, the movement of the slide 24 is caused by electromagnetic force. This bearing is integrated in the horizontal bearing structure 35. However, in this embodiment, the linear axis 16 has a belt drive, preferably a toothed belt drive, which is constructed in the housing 23. In addition, it can be seen from Figure 3 that a carrier member for carrying the gripper 20 of the loop retainer 9 is fixed on the slide 24. Thus, when the moving slide 24 moves the loop stretcher 8, the loop retainer 9 is driven along.

[0051] The working principle of the pivoting machine 1 according to the present invention is shown as follows. Figures 4 to 9 Shows how to form cable loops from the cable and how to form bundled cable loops. Figure 4 Shows the pivoting machine 1 before starting to form the loop. The cable marked as 2 is gripped by the cable gripper 12 of the first pivoting unit 5. The front end of the cable 2 has been bundled. For this purpose, the cable 2 is stripped of insulation at the cut length and insulation stripping station 13. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the cable gripper 15 of the looping device 7 is located beside the cut length and insulation stripping station 13 in the starting position, so that the cable gripper 15 does not have to move out laterally from the area of the tool during the cut length and insulation stripping process. By rotating the pivoting arm 11, the cable 2 is brought to the module of the processing station (not shown here) and processed there, for example, crimped, and then brought back to Figure 3 the slightly pivoted and swung-out position shown, in which the cable is aligned relative to the cable gripper 15. The bundled cable end that has been completed can now be taken over by the looping device 7. As shown in Figure 4 , the cable end is fed into the open cable gripper 15 of the loop belt layer 7. Now, the cable can be gripped by the cable gripper 15. The state of the closed cable gripper 15 is as shown in Figure 5As shown. The cable gripper 15 now rotates about the axis and forms a loop by an arcuate rotational movement. Here, the cable loop is placed around the driving member 17. As Figure 6 shown, the cable gripper 15 of the loop former 7 rotates 180° in this position. After this rotational movement is completed, the previous cable end exists in a state of having rotated 180°. In the present embodiment, the axis for forming the rotational movement is slightly inclined in space such that after rotating 180°, the cable gripper 15 is positioned such that the cable loop lies in a vertical plane. Due to the axis being slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the cable gripper 15 does not have to move laterally from Figure 3 the starting position shown (in which the cable gripper 15 is located beside the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine) in order to be able to grip the cable and then be able to reach Figure 6 the position shown in. The cable gripper 15 of the loop former 7 now remains in this position. Now, a cable loop with the required cable length can be formed. For this purpose, the cable is fed further by means of a cable feeding device (not shown in the figure) so that the cable reaches the required length, and the driving member 17 of the loop stretcher moves synchronously in the e direction, and the driving member keeps the cable loop stretched. The corresponding position is as Figure 7 shown. It can also be clearly seen here that the driving member 17 has a horizontal engagement member extending at a right angle to the moving direction of the drive. The engagement member penetrates into the cable loop and loads the loop from the inside. The driving member is a passive element, and the passive element forms a stop around which the cable rotates by 180° such that the cable loop forms cable segments running parallel to each other. After the driving member has moved completely and the cable loop has reached the required loop length, the second pivot unit 6 can now be activated. The cable gripper 19 of the second pivot unit 6 grips the cable. At the same time or even beforehand, the gripper 15 of the loop retainer 9 surrounds the cable loop in the upper segment of the cable loop ( Figure 8 ). The cable 2 is cut to length in the cut-to-length and insulation-stripping station 13, and the insulation of the resulting cable end is stripped off. The subsequent end of the cable of the cable loop gripped by the cable gripper 19 of the second pivot unit 6 is pivoted and brought to the module of a processing station (not shown here) and processed there, for example, crimped. Figure 9Shows such a position in which the pivot arm 18 of the second pivot unit 6 is in a pivot-out position. After all necessary processing of the second cable end, the cable loop 3 has been fully bundled and can be placed on a cable storage device (not shown here). For this purpose, the knotter 7 and the second pivot unit 6 can be designed in such a way that the bundled cable loop 3 can be placed on the cable storage device on the one hand by means of the respective cable grippers 15, 19 of the knotter 7 and on the other hand by means of the second pivot unit 6. The cable loop 3 preferably remains under the action of the loop retainer 9 even during placement, so that by holding the cable, flipping during storage can be prevented. During placement, the loop retainer 9 advantageously remains closed; alternatively, it is also conceivable to hold the loop stretcher in its position to prevent the loop from flipping.

[0052] Since the knotter 7 can rotate in an arcuate motion about an axis, a cable loop 3 is formed which is visibly located in a substantially vertical plane. The advantage of this arrangement is that the cable loop can be easily removed since there are no interfering components or obstacles below the cable loop. In Figure 7 and Figure 8 the vertical alignment of the entire cable loop during the knotting process can be clearly seen. In Figure 9 the position shown, the cable loop is still partially located in the vertical plane, i.e., from the front end or the guiding cable end to the loop retainer 9. The area of the cable loop is no longer in the said vertical plane. From the loop retainer 9 to the trailing cable end, the cable is pivoted out and has been horizontally aligned. Starting from this outwardly pivoted position, at least the rear part of the cable loop can be placed, for example, by moving the cable gripper 19 downwards. The front side of the cable loop, i.e., the part assigned to the cable at the front end, can be stored by moving the cable gripper 15 downwards.

[0053] Figure 11 Shows another device 1 for cable bundling designed as a pivot machine, with which bundled cables in the form of cable loops can be produced. The pivot machine 1 includes a cable feeding device 4 running along the machine longitudinal axis 50 for conveying the cable 2 to a processing station along the cable conveying direction f, and includes two pivot units 5, 6, a knotter 7, a loop stretcher 8 and a loop retainer 9 formed by a gripper 20. The pivot machine 1 also includes a dedicated cable storage device 10, which will be described in detail below, for accommodating batches of bundled cable loops 3.

[0054] The design of the pivoting machine 1, the cable feeding device 4 for the cable feeding device is designed as a belt conveyor in this case. The cable 2 can be clamped and transported between the two belts. In principle, the cable feeding device 4 can also be designed as a roller drive device. The cable feeding device can also include a length measuring device, which is arranged on the output side behind the belt drive and can be used to measure or check the length of the cable loop.

[0055] The pivoting machine 1 is basically designed in the same way as the pivoting machine 1 shown in Figures 3 to 9 with respect to the two pivoting units 5, 6, the loop former 7, the loop stretcher 8 and the loop holder 9. In this application, the cable storage means refers to a storage means for the cable in the form of a cable loop. In the embodiment according to Figure 11 , the cable storage means 10 is designed as a feeding belt in order to form a placement belt, wherein the cable loop is placed on the upper section moving along the cable conveying direction of the feeding belt. The conveying direction of the feeding belt is indicated by the arrow t, and it is obvious that the conveying direction is the same as the direction of the previously mentioned cable conveying direction f. Here, the feeding belt includes a feeding section 25 that circulates around the end rollers 26, 27.

[0056] Since the cable will still move after placement due to the elasticity of the cable and the movement of the pivoting machine 1, it is advantageous to hold at least the front end or the rear end of a batch of cables in the holding elements. Here, the holding elements prevent the cable ends of one batch from being confused with the cable ends of the next batch. According to this embodiment, the cable storage means 10 includes two holding elements 30, 31 for holding the stored cable loops 3, wherein, as Figure 11 shown, the corresponding holding elements 30, 31 respectively hold one cable end of the cable loop.

[0057] Therefore, two holding elements 30, 31 are provided for each manufacturing batch, wherein the corresponding holding elements 30, 31 are positioned on the feeding section 25 of the feeding belt on the edge side. The two holding elements 30, 31 for holding the placed cable loops marked with 3 are not located at the same longitudinal position with respect to the machine longitudinal axis 50 or the cable conveying direction f or the conveying direction t, but are offset from each other by a certain distance.

[0058] The cable storage means designed for transporting the completed bundles of cable loops of multiple manufacturing batches has holding elements 30, 31; 30', 31'; 30'', 31'' arranged one after the other at regular intervals with respect to the conveying direction, and these holding elements are permanently or only temporarily connected to the feeding belt or more precisely to the feeding section 25 of the feeding belt.

[0059] In the embodiment shown here, for example, exactly one cable loop is held in the two holding elements 30, 31. Of course, it would also be advantageous if the holding elements 30, 31 held a plurality of cable loops. Thus, the corresponding holding elements 30, 31 can be designed in such a way that a plurality of cable loops of a manufacturing batch can be held.

[0060] In such a design of the cable storage 10, the batch is placed on the placement belt, and after each placement of the batch, the placement belt moves a certain distance along the machine longitudinal axis 50 or the t direction. Thus, the holding elements are arranged on the placement belt at this distance.

[0061] In an embodiment of the cable storage, the holding elements 30, 31 are arranged one after the other at a certain distance from each other in the direction corresponding to the conveying direction t along the machine longitudinal axis 50 on the feeding belt; and when a batch is placed, the feeding belt moves this distance. The holding elements 30, 31 can be firmly connected to the feeding belt or can be detachably fixed, for example magnetically, so that the batch can be taken out together with the holding elements.

[0062] The removal of the batch is carried out manually by an operator at the end of the feeding belt or by an autonomous system such as a robot. The empty holding elements 30, 31 are moved back to the start of the placement belt on the underside of the placement belt. At the end of the placement belt, there can be sensors, such as gratings, to ensure that the pivoting machine 1 only continues production after the batch has been removed from the last position.

[0063] The holding elements 30, 31 are positioned on the feeding section 25 of the feeding belt in such a way that the holding elements or the cable ends held by the holding elements form a V-shaped structure in a top view.

[0064] Figure 12 A variant is concerned, in which the holding element can be detachably connected to the cable storage 10. If necessary, the holding element 30 can be separated from the cable storage, which is also designed as a feeding belt here, and transported together with the cable loop for further processing. A base 32 is arranged on the feeding section 25 for predefining the docking site, and the holding element 30 can be separated from the base 32 and the holding element 30 can be reinstalled on the base 32. Here, the separation of the holding element advantageously takes place on the upper side in the rear end region of the feeding belt relative to the conveying direction t. On the underside of the feeding belt, the empty holding element 30 can be docked again to the corresponding base 32. In Figure 12 the docking is indicated by an upward arrow. For this purpose, docking devices can be used for an automated process. Thus, after the batch has been removed, the holding element 30 can be fixed again on the feeding belt, which can be done by an automatic return system in the return part of the feeding belt below the support surface of the batch. And the docking can also be done manually.

[0065] In order to achieve a separable connection of the holding element 30, for example, a permanent magnet can be used. The process of magnetically setting or applying the holding element 30 to the cable storage 10 is easy to operate and is particularly suitable for an automated process. Alternatively or additionally, a mechanical connection mechanism for separably connecting the holding element 30 to the cable storage 10 can also be considered, wherein for automatic removal, a latch that can be actively opened is particularly advantageous.

[0066] The cable storage 10 can also be formed, for example, by a placement plate. Thus, the cable storage does not necessarily have to be designed as a feeding device for transporting at least one manufacturing batch and preferably a complete set of cable coils of multiple manufacturing batches. However, the cable storage can also be separated from the pivot machine as a whole. Therefore, the device 1 according to the present invention can be designed such that the cable storage can be disconnected from the device. Figure 13 A feasible design of a cable storage for a pivot machine is shown. In an embodiment according to Figure 13 the cable storage 10 is part of a mobile cable storage unit labeled 33. The mobile cable storage unit 33 can be disconnected from the pivot machine 1 and can be transported separately from the pivot machine to any location.

[0067] In this embodiment of the cable storage 10, one or more batches are placed on the placement plate, and after placement, the placement plate is removed by a transport device 40 described in detail below. The placement plate also has holding elements 30, 31, which perform the functions already mentioned. If only one batch is placed on the placement plate, the holding element may not be used.

[0068] The mobile cable storage unit 33 has a transport device 40 for forming an autonomous feeding cart that can move autonomously. The feeding cart can move relative to the ground by means of wheels 37. The feeding cart can include at least one electric motor by which at least one wheel 37 can be driven.

[0069] In this embodiment, the transport device 40 constituted by the autonomous feeding cart transports batches of cables independently from the pivot machine 1 to a further processing station, such as a laying plate for a cable harness. However, other transport systems, such as an overhead rail or a horizontal feeding system with tracks or conveyor belts, can also be used as the transport device.

[0070] Here, a mobile cable storage unit 33 is configured, for example, to accommodate a plurality of cable storage devices 10. Here, the cable storage devices 10 in the mobile cable storage unit 33 can be fed from a waiting position into a coupling position by means of a switching device, in which coupling position the respective cable storage device 10 can be coupled to the pivoting machine 1. For the above-mentioned switching of the cable storage device, the device 1 designed as a pivoting machine can have a mobile cable storage unit 33, which mobile cable storage unit 33 has a flange 34 for temporarily accommodating a plurality of cable storage devices 10, and the flange has a turret-type switching device by means of which the cable storage device 10 can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation for switching.

[0071] The cable storage device 10 of the mobile cable storage unit 33 or for the mobile cable storage unit has at least in the front region a placement plate 38 on which the cable ends of the cable coils can be placed. Here, the cable storage device 10 is visibly designed in a plate shape in the front region. In the rear region of the cable storage device opposite to the front side, the cable storage device is designed in a trough shape. The side wall segments for predetermining the shape of the trough are marked 39.

[0072] The feed trolley 33 accommodates a plurality of placement plates 38 on both sides, and these placement plates are fixed to the rotatable flange 34. By rotation, the empty placement plates can be successively sent to the uppermost position so that a batch can be placed thereon. When one side of the feed trolley is full, the feed trolley leaves the pivoting machine 1, rotates 180 degrees, and places the empty placement plates on the other side into the pivoting machine.

[0073] From Figure 14 It can be seen that the mobile cable storage unit 33 of the device 1 can have a carrier unit designed bilaterally and formed here by the flange 34, and the cable storage devices 10 can be temporarily installed on the carrier unit from two opposite sides.

[0074] In a variant according to Figure 14 the currently to-be-equipped placement plate 10 can remain at the pivoting machine, while the feed trolley 40 is already on the way to transport away the full placement plate 10. It is also conceivable that the pivoting machine 1 itself has a converter (not shown here) for a plurality of placement plates to increase the autonomy of the pivoting machine.

[0075] The respective cable storage device 10 can be accommodated by the mobile cable storage unit 33 in the following manner. By Figure 14Also shown is a bolt-shaped connecting part 44 of the cable storage device 10, which can be inserted into a complementary receiving part in the flange 34. For this purpose, when needed, the flange 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow until it reaches the empty receiving position, and then the mobile cable storage unit 33 designed as an autonomous feeding trolley is moved to the pivoting machine 1, and a plug-in connection is established between the cable storage device 10 and the carrier unit of the mobile cable storage unit 33. A plurality of such mobile cable storage units 33 designed as autonomous feeding trolleys can be provided, and the cable storage unit forms a system together with at least one pivoting machine 1.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for a bunch of cables, comprising at least one first pivot unit (5) and at least one processing station (21) for processing the ends of the cables (2), and a looping device (7) for forming cable loops (3) from the cables (2), characterized in that, the apparatus comprises a loop stretcher (8) and / or a loop holder (9) formed by grippers (20) for fastening the cable loops (3).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The loop stretcher (8) has a driving member (17) that can be linearly moved by means of a drive.

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The apparatus (1) has a loop stretcher (8) with a movable driving member (17) and a loop holder (9) formed by grippers (20).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The apparatus has a second pivot unit (6) and a cable storage (10) for at least temporarily accommodating a batch of completed bunched cable loops (3), characterized in that the looping device (7) and the second pivot unit (6) are designed in such a way that the completed bunched cable loops (3) can be placed on the cable storage (10) on the one hand by means of the respective cable grippers (15, 19) of the looping device (7) and on the other hand by means of the pivot unit (6).

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The apparatus has a cable storage (10) for at least temporarily accommodating a batch of completed bunched cable loops (3), characterized in that the cable storage (10) comprises at least one holding element (30, 31) for holding the placed cable loops (3) in the region of the cable ends, and preferably comprises two holding elements (30, 31) for holding the two cable ends of the cable loops (3).

6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The at least one holding element (10) is designed in such a way that a plurality of cable loops (3) of a manufacturing batch can be held.

7. The device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The at least one holding element (30, 31) is detachably connected to the cable storage (10).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The cable storage (10) is designed as a feeding device for transporting at least one manufacturing batch and preferably a plurality of manufacturing batches of completed bunched cable loops (3, 3').

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cable storage (10) is designed as a conveyor belt.

10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, On the feeding section (25) of the conveyor belt, a base (32) is arranged for predefining a docking site, and the holding element (30) can be separated from the base (32) and can be fixed to the base (32).

11. The device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, Two holding elements (30, 31) are provided for each manufacturing batch, wherein the respective holding elements (30, 31) are positioned on the edge side on the feeding section (25) of the conveyor belt.

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The holding elements (30, 31) are positioned on the feeding section (25) of the conveyor belt in such a way that the holding elements or the cable ends held by the holding elements form a V-shaped configuration in a top view.

13. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The cable storage (10) is designed as a movable cable storage unit or as part of a movable cable storage unit (33), whereby the movable cable storage unit (33) can be disconnected from the apparatus (1) and can be transported by means of a transport device (40).

14. The device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The mobile cable storage unit (33) is configured to accommodate a plurality of cable storage devices (10), wherein the cable storage devices (10) can be fed from a waiting position into a coupling position by means of a conversion device, in which the respective cable storage device (10) can be coupled to the device (1).

15. The device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The mobile cable storage unit (33) has a flange (34) for temporarily accommodating a plurality of cable storage devices (10), the flange having a turret-type conversion device by means of which the cable storage devices (10) can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation for conversion.

16. The device (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, The cable storage device (10) of the mobile cable storage unit (33) has a placement plate (38) at least in the front-side region of the cable end where a cable loop can be placed, preferably in the region where at least one holding element (30, 31) is provided.

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