Cable processing machine with separate cable storage

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable processing machine for processing a cable, wherein the cable processing machine comprises a cable processing region for processing the cable, an operating region for operating the cable processing machine by an operator, a feeding device which is embodied for feeding a batch of the cable being processed in the processing region from the processing region into the operating region, a cable storage having a receiving section which is accessible from the processing region for receiving an individual cable of the cable being processed in the processing region and a removal section which is accessible from the operating region for removing the individual cable without danger by the operator, and a conveying device which is designed for conveying the cable being processed in the processing region to the feeding device or to the receiving section, respectively.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a cable processing machine for processing cables and to a method for operating such a cable processing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] A cable processing machine can produce batches of a certain number of one and the same cable type fully automatically. The finished cables are usually removed by an operator by hand, for example from a removal slot provided specifically for this purpose, into which the cables are automatically tipped and conveyed to the operator once the batch is complete.

[0003] Before production of cables on such a cable processing machine can begin, one or more example cables or cable samples are usually first produced for quality purposes and to parameterize the processing process, which are checked by an operator. The process of conveying the finished cable samples to the operator using the removal slot can take several seconds. If several cable samples are to be produced one after the other, the time required to prepare the cable processing machine is greatly increased just by transporting the cable samples to the operator.

[0004] Usually, all cables produced by the cable processing machine, whether in batches, spot checks or individual example cables, are placed in one and the same removal slot. These cables are moved into the safe operating area of the cable processing machine, for example automatically, at defined points in time, for example when each batch has been completed, and the operator can then remove the cables in this operating area. It is therefore possible for different types of cable to become mixed up with one another in the removal slot. The cables then have to be sorted manually by the operator. This is time-consuming on the one hand, since the operator has to wait until a batch is complete before he can intervene with the cables, and it is prone to error on the other hand. SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the process of removing cables from a cable processing machine.

[0006] The object is achieved by a cable processing machine and a method. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the description that follows.

[0007] A first aspect of the present application relates to a cable processing machine for processing cables. The cable processing machine comprises a processing area for processing cables, an operating area for operating the cable processing machine by an operator, a feeding device designed to feed a batch of cables processed by the cable processing machine from the processing area to the operating area, a cable storage having a receiving section accessible from the processing area for receiving individual cables processed by the cable processing machine and a removal section accessible from the operating area for safely removing the individual cables by the operator, and a conveying device designed to convey the cables processed by the cable processing machine to the feeding device or the receiving section, respectively.

[0008] By being able to store individual cables, such as short example cables or sample cables or other short cables, for example cable scrap or error cables, in individual cable slots, quality control can be performed with less time expenditure and with a lower error probability than in the case where the cables are only fed out of the cable processing machine in production batches.

[0009] In particular, for the purpose of inspection during a production run of the cable processing machine, for example a machine for applying contacts to cable ends by crimping, individual cables can be removed separately from the cables of the production batch for monitoring. In addition to saving time, this also has the advantage that the spot check samples can be inspected directly without having to be manually sorted beforehand. In the event of a poor spot check sample, intervention can thus be made early. It is thus also avoided that example cables or sample cables are confused with the spot check samples, so that the plausibility of the spot check samples is limited.

[0010] The processing area can comprise a region of the cable processing machine that is potentially dangerous for the operator and which the operator should not reach at least during operation of the cable processing machine. Tools required for processing the cables and mechanisms for transporting the cables, for example conveyor belts or cable grippers, can be arranged in the processing area. In contrast, the operating area is understood to mean a region of the cable processing machine in which or from which the operator can safely operate the cable processing machine. A human-machine interface for controlling the cable processing machine, for example in the form of a screen and input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse, can also be arranged in the operating area.

[0011] The feeding device may, for example, comprise a conveyor belt, a movable or tiltable or tilting trough or a gripping system for moving the cables or a combination of at least two of the mentioned examples. For example, the feeding device can comprise two batch cable slots connected in series, which enable production of a plurality of batches after one another without interruption.

[0012] The cable storage can be understood as, for example, a container or storage area for storing the cable. It is possible that the cable storage is movably arranged in the cable processing machine. Alternatively, the cable storage can be fixed in the cable processing machine. The receiving section can open into the removal section, so that the cable placed in the receiving section can, for example, enter the removal section by gravity and there be removed separately from the respective cable of the production batch in the operating area. For example, the receiving section can comprise a slide or chute for guiding the cable into the removal section. The removal section can comprise, for example, a collection container, a trough or a channel for removing the cable.

[0013] For example, the removal section is designed in such a way that the operating personnel cannot access potentially hazardous areas of the cable processing machine or cannot access the processing area at all when removing the cable with their hands or fingers. For this purpose, the removal section can be narrowed accordingly or closed towards the processing area by suitable means when the operating personnel remove the cable.

[0014] It is possible that the removal section extends at least partially within the processing area, as long as it is ensured that the operating personnel can safely remove the cable from the removal section.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, the cable processing machine can comprise a protective wall or a protective cover which delimits the processing area and the operating area around the cable storage in such a way that an accidental access to the processing area is prevented or at least made difficult.

[0016] The transport device can comprise, for example, a combination of two transport devices which can be moved independently of one another, one for moving the cable to the feeding device and the other for moving the cable to the cable storage. This can be a combination of two cable grippers or a combination of a conveyor belt and a cable gripper. Alternatively, the transport device can be formed by a pivotable cable gripper or a pivotable conveyor belt. Here, the cable gripper or the conveyor belt can be pivoted back and forth between the feeding device and the cable storage. However, any other desired embodiment of the transport device is also possible. It is conceivable that the transport device comprises one or more movable or tiltable troughs for accommodating the cable, similar to the feeding device.

[0017] A second aspect of the application relates to a method for operating a cable processing machine as described above and below. The method comprises the steps of processing the cable in the processing area and moving the cable processed in the processing area by means of a transport device to the feeding device to form a batch of cables and to feed it from the processing area into the operating area or to the receiving section of the cable storage for providing the cable separately from the batch in the operating area.

[0018] As described above and below, features of the wire processing machine may also be features of the method and vice versa.

[0019] The possible features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention are considered to be based in particular, but not exclusively, on the concepts and findings described below.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the cable storage is designed to prevent an operator from entering an area of ​​the cable processing machine that could endanger the operator when removing the cable.

[0021] For example, the cable storage section can be designed to completely block access to the processing area for operators. To this end, the cable storage section can be curved or narrowed accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, the removal section can be closed off from the processing area, for example, by a flap that can only be moved in one direction. This can prevent operators from being injured while removing cables, for example by accidentally contacting moving parts of the cable processing machine located in the processing area.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine further comprises a protective wall that at least partially surrounds the processing area during operation of the cable processing machine to prevent operators from entering the processing area. The protective wall has a first channel and a second channel. The feed device is designed to convey the (cable) batch through the first channel, while the removal segment is formed in the second channel.

[0023] For example, during operation of the cable processing machine, the protective wall can circumferentially enclose the processing area. Alternatively, the protective wall can cover the processing area from above. The protective wall can be removed, for example, for maintenance or repair purposes, or moved to a position where the processing area is freely accessible. The first and second access openings can, for example, be arranged adjacent to each other, allowing an operator to access the cables in the cable storage area and the batches being fed by the feed device from the same location.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the cable storage is designed as a container having a container opening. The container is arranged in the second passage so as to be movable between a receiving position and a removal position. In the receiving position, the container opening is accessible from the processing area, while in the removal position, the container opening is accessible from the operating area.

[0025] In other words, the container opening can be arranged at least partially in the processing area in the receiving area to form a receiving section, and at least partially in the operating area in the removal position to form a removal section.

[0026] For example, the cable storage can be designed as a drawer or a compartment which can be tilted about a point of rotation. Here, the cable storage can be opened towards the top. The container opening can be the only opening in the cable storage, for example. The container opening can be located completely in the processing area in the receiving position. In combination with a protective wall separating the processing area from the operating area, it can be prevented that an operating person enters the container opening when feeding the cable into the cable storage.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the second passage is closed by a wall of the container in the receiving position.

[0028] It can be prevented in this way that an operating person enters the processing area through the second passage if the cable storage is loaded with cables. For example, the second passage can be closed by a front wall of the cable storage which faces the operating area. The front wall can have a handle for opening or closing the cable storage, for example.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the second passage is closed by a wall of the container in the receiving position.

[0030] It can be prevented in this way that an operating person enters the processing area through the second passage when removing the cable. For example, the second passage can be closed by a rear wall of the cable storage which faces the processing area.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the cable storage is fixed to the protective wall.

[0032] In this way, the cable can be removed or moved together with the protective wall, if it can be removed or moved.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the receiving section comprises a slide tube and the removal section comprises a storage slot, the slide tube opening into the storage slot, and the feeding device is designed to feed the cable to the feeding device or to the slide tube.

[0034] The slide tube can be understood as an elongated hollow body or a tubular element. The slide tube can extend into the processing area. In order to prevent an operating person from entering the processing area through the slide tube, the slide tube can be shaped, for example, angularly or curvedly. In particular, the slide tube can comprise an upper end and a lower end. Here, the upper end can be arranged in the processing area and further away from the storage slot in the vertical direction than the lower end, which can open into the storage slot.

[0035] If the processing area is surrounded by a protective wall, the storage slot can extend through the second passage on both sides of the protective wall, as described above, for example. Alternatively, the storage slot can end at the protective wall. For example, the storage slot can also end at the side of the protective wall which faces the processing area without passing through the second passage. An operating person can reach into the storage slot from the operating area through the second passage.

[0036] The second passage can be formed, for example, by a respective small opening, whereby it is possible to prevent the operator from entering a danger zone of the cable processing machine when the cable is removed from the storage slot.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the cable storage comprises at least two separate cable compartments. Each of the at least two cable compartments has a receiving section accessible from the processing area for accommodating a cable and a removal section accessible from the operating area for safely removing the cable by an operator. Thus, the transport device is designed to transport the cable to the conveyor or to one of the receiving sections of the at least two cable compartments.

[0038] The cable compartments can be separate from each other so that cables transported to different cable compartments cannot be mixed with each other. Thereby, different types of cables can be provided in a sorted manner. This eliminates the need for a time-consuming and error-prone manual sorting.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the cable processing machine further comprises a machine table. Here, the cable storage is fixed to the machine table.

[0040] Thus, the cable storage can be equipped with cables even in the case of a removal protection wall, for example in a special mode of operation of the cable processing machine.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the transport device comprises a first transport device for loading the cable to the feeding device and a second transport device for loading the cable to the cable storage. The first transport device and the second transport device can be controlled independently of each other.

[0042] Thereby, the cable storage and the feeding device can be equipped with cables independently of each other, for example in parallel to each other.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the cable processing machine further comprises a signal transmitter for providing a signal indicating whether a cable is present in the removal section and a control unit for controlling the cable processing machine using the signal.

[0044] The signal transmitter can be, for example, a sensor, a button or a switch or a combination of at least two of the examples mentioned. This means that the quality assurance workflow can be controlled purposefully. For example, if it is determined by means of the signal transmitter that the cable in the removal section has not been removed within a certain time window, the control unit can interrupt an ongoing production run of the cable processing machine.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the signal transmitter comprises a sensor for providing the signal. Additionally or alternatively, the signal transmitter can comprise a button or a switch for providing the signal.

[0046] The sensor can be, for example, a light-sensitive, pressure-sensitive or touch-sensitive sensor. The operator can operate the button or switch directly or indirectly, for example via the cable storage.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the switch is coupled with the cable storage and can be operated by moving the cable storage.

[0048] The switch can be operated, for example, in such a way that the cable storage presses the switch due to its weight and operates the switch as soon as the weight reaches a certain threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the switch can be operated by a corresponding deformation of the cable storage, for example by slightly bending the side walls or the bottom of the cable storage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0049] Embodiments of the application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not to be construed as limiting the application.

[0050] Figure 1 A front view of a cable processing machine according to an embodiment of the application is shown.

[0051] Figure 2 A top view of the cable processing machine in Figure 1 is shown;

[0052] Figure 3 A perspective view of the cable processing machine in Figure 1 and 2 is shown;

[0053] Figure 4 A detailed view of the cable processing machine in Figure 3 is shown;

[0054] Figure 5 A perspective view of the cable processing machine in Figures 1 to 4 with the protective wall removed is shown;

[0055] Figure 6 A perspective view of a cable processing machine according to another embodiment of the application is shown.

[0056] Figure 7 A perspective view of the cable processing machine in Figure 6 with the protective wall removed is shown;

[0057] Figure 8 A perspective view of a cable storage with three cable compartments according to an embodiment of the application is shown;

[0058] Figure 9 A simplified view of a trough-shaped cable storage according to an embodiment of the application is shown;

[0059] Figure 10simplified view of a cable storage with a slide tube according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 11 simplified view of an inclinable cable storage according to an embodiment of the present application in a receiving position;

[0061] Figure 12 simplified view of a cable storage in Figure 11 simplified view of a cable storage in

[0062] Figure 13 perspective view of a cable storage in Figure 11 and 12 perspective view of a cable storage in

[0063] Figure 14 perspective view of a cable storage in Figures 11 to 13 and

[0064] Figure 15 simplified view of a deformable cable storage with a confirmation function according to an embodiment of the present application in a deactivated position;

[0065] Figure 16 simplified view of a cable storage in Figure 15 and

[0066] Figure 17 simplified view of a cable storage in the form of a rod with a confirmation function according to an embodiment of the present application in a deactivated position;

[0067] Figure 18 simplified view of a cable storage in Figure 17 and

[0068] Figure 19 flow chart of a method for operating a cable processing machine according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0069] The figures are only schematic and are not drawn to scale. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs identify the same or similar features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Figure 1A front view of a cable processing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The cable processing machine 100, for example a crimping machine, is divided into a processing area 102, in which the cable is processed, and an operating area 104, in which the cable processing machine 100 is operated by an operator. The operator can take the cable processed by the cable processing machine 100 out of the operating area 104. On the other hand, the operator can control the cable processing machine 100 from the operating area. To this end, the operating area 104 can have, for example, a screen 106 and a keyboard 108. In order to prevent the operator from coming into contact with moving parts in the processing area 102, the processing area 102 can be at least partially surrounded by a protective wall 110. A conveying device 112 conveys the cable processed in the processing area 102 from the processing area 102 into the operating area 104 in batches, respectively, where the operator can take the cable out.

[0071] For example, the feeding device 112 here comprises an upper batch wire trough 114 and a lower batch wire trough 116. Here, the cable is first placed into the upper batch wire trough 114, for example by a cable gripper, and then poured or tipped from the upper batch wire trough into the lower batch wire trough 116, from which the operator finally takes the cable out. The advantage of this construction is that the cable processing machine 100 can be filled with an upper batch wire trough 114 in production operation, while the operator can simultaneously take the cable out of the lower batch wire trough 116. This makes it possible to produce several batches of products after one another almost without interruption.

[0072] For safety reasons, the upper batch wire trough 114 is located within the processing area 102 in production operation and thus not accessible to the operator due to the protective wall 110 (in Figure 1 The upper batch wire trough 114 is only shown outside the processing area for better visibility in

[0073] Figure 2 A top view of the cable processing machine 100 in Figure 1 is shown. In Figure 1A cable storage 200 can be seen. The cable storage 200 serves to store cables in the operating area 104 separately from the lower active trough 116. The cable storage 200 comprises a receiving section 202 for receiving cables and a removal section 204 for removing cables from the cable storage 200. The receiving section 202 is located within the processing area 102, which is surrounded by the protective wall 110. The removal section 204 is accessible from the operating area 104 and is designed such that an operator can remove cables without entering potentially dangerous areas. The protective wall 110 here extends, for example, along the outer edge of a machine table 206 of the cable processing machine 100. The cable storage 200 can be fixed to the machine table 206 or to the protective wall 110.

[0074] Figure 3 A perspective view of the cable processing machine 100 is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 . The protective wall 110 has a first passage 300 and a second passage 302. The protective wall 110 is here, for example, open upwards. The lower batch cable trough 116 can be moved between the processing area 102 and the operating area 104 via the first passage 300. The second passage 302 serves to remove cables from the cable storage 200 via the removal section 204. The cable removal trough 200 can be designed, for example, with a storage trough 304. This storage trough 304 can project into the operating area 104 through or, respectively, the second opening 302, so that an operator can remove cables without having to remove the protective wall 110.

[0075] The cable processing machine 100 can have, for example, an acknowledgement button 306 as a signal transmitter, which can be operated by an operator. By pressing the acknowledgement button 306, it can be notified to the cable processing machine 100 that the storage trough 304 is empty. The acknowledgement button 306 can be suitably arranged near the second passage 302 on the protective wall 110.

[0076] This monitoring of the removal section 204 makes it possible to control the work process with regard to quality. It can be considered, for example, that the cable processing machine 100 interrupts production if no cables have been removed from the removal section 204 within a production cycle, which can comprise a certain number of cables produced one after the other (e.g. a sample).

[0077] Figure 4 An enlarged portion of the cable processing machine 100 is shown in Figure 3 , in which the removal section 204 with the storage trough 304 can be seen better.

[0078] Figure 5 The cable processing machine 100 is shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the cable processing machine 100 according to Fig. 1, wherein the protective wall 110 is removed from the machine table 206. As shown in Fig. 6, the second passage 302 is not slit-shaped as shown in Fig. 5, but is realized as a notch on the outermost lower edge of the protective wall 110, which is adapted to the outer contour of the storage slot 304.

[0079] Figure 6 Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the cable processing machine 100 according to Fig. 1, wherein the protective wall 110 is removed from the machine table 206, and the cable storage 200 is removed from the protective wall 110. Figures 3 to 5 In contrast, the cable storage 200 is only fixed to the machine table 206, so that the cable storage 200 remains on the machine table 206 when the protective wall 110 is removed, as shown in Fig. 6, wherein the protective wall 110 is removed from the machine table 206. As shown in Fig. 7, the second passage 302 is not slit-shaped as shown in Fig. 6, but is realized as a notch on the outermost lower edge of the protective wall 110, which is adapted to the outer contour of the storage slot 304. Figure 7 Figure 6 Figures 3 to 5 In contrast, the cable storage 200 is only fixed to the machine table 206, so that the cable storage 200 remains on the machine table 206 when the protective wall 110 is removed, as shown in Fig. 6, wherein the protective wall 110 is removed from the machine table 206. As shown in Fig. 7, the second passage 302 is not slit-shaped as shown in Fig. 6, but is realized as a notch on the outermost lower edge of the protective wall 110, which is adapted to the outer contour of the storage slot 304.

[0080] Figure 8 Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the cable storage 200 with a plurality of cable compartments 800. As an example, the cable storage 200 is designed here with three separate or rather partitioned cable compartments 800 for separately storing cables. Each of the three cable compartments 800 comprises a storage slot 304 and a slide tube 802, which in the assembled state of the cable removal slot 200 extends from the processing area 102 to the storage slot 304. The three slide tubes 802 are open towards the processing area 102 in the upper region and open into the respective storage slot 304 in the lower region, thus forming a removal section 204 of the respective cable compartment 800. In contrast, the respective opening of the slide tube 802 into the processing area 102 can be summarized as a receiving section 202 of the respective cable compartment 800. If a cable is thrown into one of the three slide tubes 802, the cable ends up in the respective storage slot 304.

[0081] Here, the three storage slots 304 are arranged on top of each other, i.e. the cable storage 200 is designed in a three-layer construction. However, the storage slots 304 can alternatively or additionally also be arranged next to each other.

[0082] The cable storage 200 can have more or less than three partitioned cable compartments 800.

[0083] For example, the storage location of the cable can be changed by positioning a cable gripper above the respective slot 802. This makes it possible to store different types of cables in different storage locations. For example, the cable processing machine 100 can store faulty cables, cable sections or other cables that are not required in the lower batch wire slot 116 separately from the lower batch wire slot 116. This prevents cable confusion.

[0084] Figure 9 ​​A simplified illustration of the trough-shaped cable storage 200 is shown, which on the one hand extends into the processing area 102 through the second opening 302 and on the other hand into the operating area 104. The section of the cable storage 200 that extends into the operating area 104 serves as a storage trough 304. The section of the cable storage 200 that extends into the processing area 102 forms a kind of channel 900 together with the section of the protective wall 110.

[0085] The transport device 902, which here comprises, for example, a cable gripper 903a for gripping and moving the cable 904 processed by the cable processing machine 100 in the processing area 102, for example, positions a single cable of the cable 904 above the channel 900 and then lets it drop. The channel 900 guides the dropped cable 904 into the storage trough 304, as is shown schematically in dashed lines.

[0086] The transport device 902 can also be designed, for example, to deliver the cable 904 into the upper batch wire slot 114 instead of into the channel 900.

[0087] In addition to the cable gripper 903a, the transport device 902 can also comprise a further cable gripper 903b. The further cable gripper 903b can only be used, for example, to deliver the cable 904 to the feeding device 112, for example, into the upper batch wire slot 114.

[0088] Figure 10 A cable storage 200 similar to the cable storage in Figure 9 The cable storage 200 has a slide 802 instead of the channel 900, which on the one hand opens into the processing area 102 and on the other hand opens into the storage trough 304. The transport device 902 here drops the cable 904 into a slide opening 1000 of the slide 802. The shape of the slide 802 is such that the operating personnel cannot reach with his hand or a single finger into the processing area 102 or at least not very far out of the operating area 104.

[0089] In contrast to Figure 8 Here, the cable storage 200 is designed, for example, to have two instead of three cable compartments 800, one cable compartment each having one storage trough 304.

[0090] Figure 11 A simplified illustration of a rocker-shaped cable storage 200 is shown, which is tiltable supported on a pivot point 1100 between a receiving position and a removal position. In other words, the cable storage 200 is here designed to open upwards and to have a container opening 1102 corresponding to the container. Here, the container opening 1102 represents the only opening of the container. In Figure 11In the receiving position shown in FIG, the container opening 1102 is arranged in the processing area 102 so that the cable storage 200 can be filled from above with one or more cables 904 by means of the conveying device 902. In this case, the second channel 302 is closed by a front wall 1104 of the cable storage 200 facing the operating area 104, so that an operator cannot reach from the operating area 104 into the processing area 102.

[0091] The pivot point 1100 may be positioned relative to the center of gravity of the cable storage 200 in such a manner that the cable storage 200 automatically moves to the receiving position when an operator is not holding the cable storage 200 .

[0092] Figure 12 Shown in the removed position Figure 11 In the cable storage 200, in the removal position, the container opening 1102 is located in the operating area 104, so that the operator can remove one or more cables 904. In this case, the second channel 302 is closed by the rear wall 1200 of the cable storage 200 facing the processing area 102, so that in this case, the operator cannot enter the processing area 102 from the operating area 104.

[0093] Figure 13 Shown in the removed position Figure 11 and Figure 12 As can be seen here, the cable storage portion 200 can have a handle 1300 on the front wall 1104 for moving the cable storage portion 200 between the receiving position and the removal position.

[0094] Figure 14 Shown in the removal position from Figures 11 to 13 A perspective view of the cable storage portion 200 in FIG.

[0095] Figure 15 The cable storage portion 200 with the confirmation function is shown. The cable storage portion 200 basically corresponds to Figure 9 The cable storage shown in FIG. 1 differs in that the cable storage 200 is here elastically deformable in the region of the storage groove 304. Furthermore, the cable storage 200 is coupled to a signal transmitter in the form of a mechanically operable switch 1500, for example a micro switch. The switch 1500 is arranged opposite the bottom 1502 of the cable storage 200 and can be brought into an operating position by correspondingly bending the storage groove 304. Figure 15 In FIG. 1 , the cable storage 200 or the switch 1500 coupled thereto is shown in an inactive position.

[0096] If the operator 1600 presses the extraction groove 304 by hand, that is, if the extraction groove 304 is subjected to the downward pushing force 1602 and thereby elastically deforms in the direction of the switch 1500 (such as in Figure 16 ), the switch 1500 is placed in the operating position. Here, the switch 1500 outputs a corresponding signal 1604, which can then be processed in a suitable manner, for example, by a control unit 1606 of the cable processing machine 100. For example, the operator 1600 operates the switch 1500 in this manner if they wish to confirm that they have removed all cables 904 from the storage trough 304.

[0097] When the storage slot 304 is released, the storage slot 304 or the switch 1500 connected thereto returns to the inactive position. The cable storage portion 200, more specifically the elastically deformable storage slot 304, thus functions together with the switch 1500 as a confirmation button, similar to a Figure 3 and 4 shown.

[0098] As an alternative or supplement to the elastically deformable storage slot 304, the cable storage portion 200 is movably supported between the rest position and the operating position, for example pivotably supported at a suitably positioned pivot point 1100. In this case, the cable removal slot 200 serves as a lever for operating the switch 1500.

[0099] Figure 17 An example of a cable storage portion 200 used as a pole is shown in an inactive position.

[0100] exist Figure 18 middle, Figure 17 The cable storage portion 200 in FIG. 1 is shown in an operational position.

[0101] The cable storage portion 200 can be similar to Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the cable storage portion 200 is brought into the operating position by applying a pushing force 1602 to the storage slot 304. A restoring element 1700, such as a compression spring, can be used to apply a restoring force opposite to the pushing force 1602 to the cable storage portion 200. This restoring force enables the cable removal slot 200 or the switch 1500 to return to the inactive position when the removal slot 200 is released.

[0102] Additionally or alternatively, the cable processing machine 100 may include a sensor 1800 as a signal transmitter that monitors whether the cable 904 is present in the cable storage portion 200, such as Figure 18 For example, the sensor 1800 can be part of a light barrier, and when a light beam emitted by the light barrier light source is interrupted by one or more cables 904 located in the storage tank 304 , the sensor 1800 can output a signal 1604 .

[0103] Figure 19 The process of a method 1900 for operating the above cable processing machine 100 is exemplarily shown. The method 1900 can be executed, for example, in a normal production process or in a special process, for example in the case of a removal of a protection wall.

[0104] In a first step 1910 of the method 1900, the cable is processed in the processing area 102, for example by crimping one or both of the respective cable ends of the cable with a plug or the like.

[0105] Then, in a second step 1920, depending on whether the cable is from one production batch or is to be sorted out of this production batch, for example a spot check cable, a sample cable or a waste cable, the cable is fed by means of the cable gripper 903a into the receiving section 202 of the cable storage 200 or by means of another cable gripper 903b to the feeding device 112, for example into the upper batch cable trough 114.

[0106] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having", "including", etc. do not exclude any other elements or steps, and terms such as "one" or "said" do not exclude a plurality. Further it is indicated that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of another of the above embodiments. Reference signs in the claims shall not be considered as limiting the scope.

[0107] List of reference signs

[0108] 100 cable processing machine

[0109] 102 processing area

[0110] 104 operating area

[0111] 106 screen

[0112] 108 keyboard

[0113] 110 protection wall

[0114] 112 feeding device

[0115] 114 upper batch cable trough

[0116] 116 lower batch cable trough

[0117] 200 cable storage

[0118] 202 receiving section

[0119] 204 removal section

[0120] 206 machine table

[0121] 300 first channel

[0122] 302 second channel

[0123] 304 storage slot

[0124] 306 confirmation button

[0125] 800 cable compartment

[0126] 802 slide

[0127] 900 groove

[0128] 902 conveying device

[0129] 903a cable gripper

[0130] 903b further cable gripper

[0131] 904 cable

[0132] 1000 slide opening

[0133] 1100 rotation point

[0134] 1102 container opening

[0135] 1104 front wall

[0136] 1200 rear wall

[0137] 1300 handle

[0138] 1500 switch

[0139] 1502 bottom

[0140] 1600 operator

[0141] 1602 pressing force

[0142] 1604 signal

[0143] 1606 control unit

[0144] 1700 reset element

[0145] 1800 sensor

[0146] 1900 method for operating a cable processing machine

[0147] 1910 step of processing

[0148] 1920 step of moving

Claims

1. A cable processing machine (100) for processing a cable (904), wherein: The cable processing machine (100) comprises: a processing area (102) for processing cables (904); An operating area (104) for an operator (1600) to operate the cable processing machine (100); A feeding device (112) is designed to feed a batch of cables (904) processed in the processing area (102) from the processing area (102) to the operating area (104); A cable storage section (200) comprising: a receiving section (202) accessible from a processing area (102) for receiving a single cable from cables (904) processed in the processing area (102); and a removal section (204) accessible from an operating area (104) for an operator (1600) to safely remove the single cable (904); and A conveying device (902) is designed to convey the cables (904) processed in the processing area (102) to the feed device (112) or to the receiving section (202).

2. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The cable storage portion (200) is designed to prevent an operator (1600) from entering an area of ​​the cable processing machine (100) that poses a potential risk to the operator (1600) when removing the cable (904).

3. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A protective wall (110) at least partially surrounds a processing area (102) during operation of the cable processing machine (100) in order to prevent an operator (1600) from entering the processing area (102); wherein The protective wall (110) has a first channel (300) and a second channel (302); The feeding device (112) is designed to feed the batch through the first channel (300); The removal section (204) is constructed on the second channel (302).

4. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The cable storage portion (200) is implemented as a container having a container opening (1102); The container is arranged in the second channel (302) so as to be movable between a receiving position and a removal position; The container opening (1102) is accessible from the processing area (102) in the receiving position and from the operating area (104) in the removal position.

5. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The second channel (302) is closed by a wall (1104) of the container in the receiving position.

6. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The second channel (302) is closed by the wall (1200) of the container in the removal position.

7. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The cable storage portion (200) is fixed on the protective wall (110).

8. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The receiving section (202) includes a slide (802), and the taking-out section (204) includes a storage tank (304); The slide (802) leads to the storage tank (304); The conveying device (902) is designed to convey the cable (904) to the feed device (112) or to the slide (802).

9. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cable storage portion (200) comprises at least two cable compartments (800) separated from each other; Each of the at least two cable compartments (800) has a receiving section (202) accessible from the processing area (102) for receiving the cable (904) and a removal section (204) accessible from the operating area (104) for safely removing the cable (904) by an operator (1600); The conveying device (902) is designed to convey the cables (904) to the feed device (112) or to one of the receiving sections (202) of the at least two cable compartments (800).

10. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: Machine (206); The cable storage portion (200) is fixed on the machine platform (206).

11. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The conveying device (902) comprises: a first conveying device (903b) for equipping the feeding device (112) with a cable (904) and a second conveying device (903a) for equipping the cable storage portion (200) with a cable (904); The first conveying device (903b) and the second conveying device (903a) can be controlled independently of each other.

12. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a signal transmitter (306; 1500; 1800) for providing a signal (1604) indicating whether a cable is present in the removal section (204); and A control unit (1606) is configured to control the wire processing machine (100) using the signal (1604).

13. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 12, wherein: The signal transmitter (306; 1500; 1800) includes a sensor (1800) for providing a signal (1604); and / or The signal transmitter (306; 1500; 1800) includes a key (306) for providing a signal (1604); and / or The signal transmitter (306; 1500; 1800) includes a switch (1500) for providing a signal (1604).

14. The wire processing machine (100) according to claim 13, wherein: The switch (1500) is coupled to the cable storage portion (200) and can be operated by moving the cable storage portion (200).

15. A method (1900) for operating a wire processing machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (1900) comprises: processing (1910) the cable (904) in the processing area (102); and The cables (904) processed in the processing area (102) are moved to the feeding device (112) by means of the conveying device (902) to form a batch of cables (904) and feed them from the processing area (102) to the operating area (104), or to the receiving section (202) of the cable storage part (200) so that the cables (904) can be provided separately from the batch in the operating area (104).

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