Wire feed device

Abstract

The invention relates to a wire feeding device (3) for feeding wires (1, 2) to a wire processing station (9), comprising along a wire conveying path (7) - a first wire pre-treatment device (10) which preferably has at least one correction mechanism for wire (1) correction, - a wire conveyor (4) with a wire input (5) for conveying the wires (1, 2) along the wire conveying path (7) in a working conveying direction (8) and - a first wire transfer device (11) which is associated with the first wire pre-treatment device (10) and which transfers the wires (1) in the region of the wire input (5) to the wire conveyor (4), characterized in that the first wire transfer device (11) is positioned in the region of the wire input (5) of the wire conveyor (4) in a working position and can preferably be moved away from the working position by means of at least one drive device (12, 31).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a conductor feeding device for feeding a conductor into a conductor processing station, to a conductor processing device and to a method for operating at least one conductor by means of a conductor feeding device. BACKGROUND

[0002] EP3219654B1 discloses a cable processing device with a pre-assembly station, a cable feeding device for feeding a cable to the pre-assembly station and a cable pre-treatment station with a correction unit for correcting the cable. A detection device connected to a control device detects the working position of the correction unit. Upon reaching the working position, the cable feeding device is activated to thread in the cable, or upon leaving the working position, the cable feeding device is activated to thread out the cable. During activation of the cable feeding device for threading in, the user can push a new cable into the cable feeding device inlet defined by a guide tube without operating a button until the cable is recognized by the belt drive of the cable feeding device. In one embodiment, the cable pre-treatment station comprises two correction units which can be moved perpendicularly to the machine longitudinal axis, wherein the two correction units form a cable exchange system which can selectively feed a cable to the pre-assembly station.

[0003] The disadvantage of this solution is that the cable has to be manually threaded into the cable feeding device or its inlet by the operator. This is not only a complex and error-prone process, but also very time-consuming, so that a large amount of standstill time has to be sacrificed in the production process. SUMMARY

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a conductor feeding device which simplifies the exchange and / or removal of the conductor. In this way, the required time expenditure should be reduced and the production standstill time caused by the cable exchange should be minimized. In addition, further possibilities for automation of the cable exchange process should be provided.

[0005] This object is achieved by the conductor feeding device mentioned at the beginning, which comprises along a conductor conveying path:

[0006] - a first conductor pre-treatment device which preferably has at least one correction mechanism for correcting the conductor;

[0007] - a conductor conveyor with a conductor input end which conveys the conductor in the working conveying direction along the conductor conveying path;

[0008] - a first conductor handover device which is associated with the first conductor pre-treatment device and hands over the conductor in the region of the conductor input end to the conductor conveyor

[0009] The first wire handover device is positioned in its working position in the region of the wire input end of the wire conveyor and can be moved away from the working position, preferably to a parking position outside the wire conveying path, by means of at least one drive device.

[0010] It is pointed out here that the term "wire" can encompass an electrical wire or also an optical wire. The wire can be insulated or bare. The wire can have one or more core wires which are bundled into a wire bundle. The wire can also be surrounded by a shielding layer and / or an insulating layer. The wire can in particular be flexible and / or soft.

[0011] Preferably, the wire is an electrical cable, for example a power cable, a data cable, an optical cable, etc. For this preferred case in which the wire is an electrical cable, the devices associated with the wire are a cable feed device, a cable handover device, a cable conveyor, a cable processing device / station, etc.

[0012] The wire handover device for handing over the wire to the wire conveyor is positioned in its working position in the region of the wire input end of the wire conveyor. By moving the wire handover device away from its working position, the wire can be moved away from the active range of the wire conveyor by means of the wire handover device or moved into the active range of the wire conveyor. That is to say, this action of the wire no longer has to be performed manually, so that not only the process can be simplified and shortened, but also automation is made possible.

[0013] The wire handover device serves both for handing over the wire to the wire conveyor and for receiving the wire or a wire end from the wire conveyor.

[0014] The wire handover device can be moved relative to the wire input end of the wire conveyor. In other words: The wire handover device can be moved from the working position (in the region of the wire input end of the wire conveyor) to a position which is further away from the wire input end.

[0015] In its working position, the wire handover device is positioned on the wire conveying path between the wire pretreatment device and the wire conveyor.

[0016] The wire is conveyed along its longitudinal extension through the cable feed device.

[0017] By wire conveying path is meant the path or line along which the wire moves through the cable feed device along its longitudinal extension. When the cable feed device is in operation, the wire passes through the wire pretreatment device, the wire handover device and the wire conveyor along the wire conveying path in the following order, in order to then be guided towards the processing station.

[0018] The wire pretreatment device preferably comprises at least one correction mechanism for correcting the wire. The correction mechanism comprises a series of rollers which contact the wire being conveyed from opposite sides and "correct" the wire in a manner similar to a rolling operation. The correction mechanism can have an actuator by means of which the arrangement of the rollers can be transitioned to a position in which the wire is released. This simplifies the wire change. The correction mechanism can have shaft pins or strips between the correction rollers and also in front of and behind the correction mechanism or between the correction mechanisms, so that the entire correction mechanism region forms a kind of "channel" which likewise prevents the wire from deviating from the axis of the conveying direction or from being bent when the wire is conveyed in the reverse direction with the correction mechanism open.

[0019] The correction mechanism preferably comprises two sections, wherein the rotational axes of the rollers of the first section are inclined relative to the rotational axes of the rollers of the other section, preferably at an angle of substantially 90°.

[0020] If two pretreatment devices are arranged as described below, their correction mechanisms can have the same or a similar design.

[0021] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire feed device comprises a second wire pretreatment device which preferably has at least one correction mechanism for correcting the wire and a second wire transfer device which is associated with the second wire pretreatment device and transfers the wire in the region of the wire input end to the wire conveyor, and the second wire transfer device is positioned in the region of the wire input end of the wire conveyor in its operating position and can preferably be moved away from the operating position by means of at least one drive device, preferably to a parking position outside the wire conveying path. The first wire transfer device and the second wire transfer device can be selectively placed in their respective operating position. That is, when the first wire transfer device is in its operating position, the other wire transfer device is arranged outside its operating position. In this way, the wire which is required can always be conveyed from the wire conveyor to the wire processing station, while the other wire is in the waiting or parking position. In addition, the wire can be changed by means of the wire transfer device which is in the waiting or parking position, while the other wire can be conveyed by means of the wire transfer device which is in the operating position, thus enabling an uninterrupted production process.

[0022] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first wire pretreatment device is arranged in its operating position on the wire conveying path and can preferably be moved away from the operating position by means of a drive device to a parking position outside the wire conveying path.

[0023] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the second wire pretreatment device is arranged outside the wire conveying path in its rest position and can be moved from the rest position outside the wire conveying path to a working position in which the wire pretreatment device is arranged in the wire conveying path, preferably by means of a drive.

[0024] In this way, the wire can be fed into or through the wire pretreatment device arranged in the rest position, while the other wire pretreatment device arranged in the working position can be used for production.

[0025] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first wire handover device can be moved along the wire conveying path relative to the wire conveyor and / or the second wire handover device can be moved along the wire conveying path relative to the wire conveyor. In this way, the wire handover devices can be moved away from the wire conveyor or moved towards the wire conveyor, which is particularly advantageous if the wire input is designed in the form of an inlet and the wire handover device or a protruding part thereof extends into the inlet in the working position.

[0026] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first and second wire pretreatment devices and / or the first and second wire handover devices are supported by a common support, wherein the support can be moved perpendicular to the wire conveying path, preferably by means of a drive. The switching between the working position and the rest position of the individual devices is in this way simple and synchronized, while only a small number of drives is required.

[0027] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first wire handover device can be moved relative to the support, preferably parallel to the wire conveying path, preferably by means of a first drive, and the second wire handover device can be moved relative to the support, preferably parallel to the wire conveying path, preferably by means of a second drive. In this way, the movement of the wire handover devices away from or towards the wire conveyor can be realized in a simple manner with a degree of freedom of movement.

[0028] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that a first wire guide is arranged between the first wire pretreatment device and the first wire handover device, wherein the first wire guide preferably has a variable length in the guide direction, and / or a second wire guide is arranged between the second wire pretreatment device and the second wire handover device, wherein the second wire guide preferably has a variable length in the guide direction. By means of the wire guides, it is possible to ensure that the wire does not hang down or kink between the wire pretreatment device and the associated wire handover device when the wire is moved out of the active range of the wire conveyor, in particular in the direction opposite to the working conveying direction. The wire guides with variable length also take into account the fact that the distance between the wire pretreatment device and the associated wire handover device can vary (for example, when the wire handover device is moved away from the wire conveyor and then towards the wire pretreatment device, or vice versa).

[0029] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire guide is formed by at least two guide sections which can be nested in one another, preferably telescopically, and / or the wire guide is formed by at least one spring tube. In this way, it is possible to respond to the distance between the wire pretreatment device and the associated wire handover device in a simple manner.

[0030] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first wire handover device and / or the second wire handover device can be moved along the wire conveying path and / or can be moved away from the wire conveying path into a parking position. The transition of the wire handover device between its working position and its parking position can take place in two stages and be effected by at least two degrees of freedom (movement parallel to the wire conveying path and movement perpendicular to the wire conveying path). However, it is also possible to envisage a swivel movement of the wire handover device away from the wire conveying path.

[0031] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire handover device has a wire guide element which is directed towards the wire input, preferably can be exchanged, in the working position of the wire handover device, preferably in the form of a guide tube or guide nozzle, wherein the wire guide element preferably projects into an entry region of the wire conveyor in the working position of the wire handover device and is positioned outside the entry region in a position which is removed from the working position. The wire guide element makes the handover of the wire to the wire conveyor possible in a particularly reliable manner, with a high degree of safety.

[0032] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire handover device has a wire holding device which can be switched between a wire holding position and a wire releasing position, preferably by means of an actuator, wherein the wire holding device preferably has at least one movable holding element for clamping the wire. The advantage of this is that the wire is held in a defined position if the wire handover device (and the wire) is moved between its operating position and its parking position. Furthermore, it is also ensured that the wire is held in a defined position when it is fed into the effective range of the wire conveyor and does not shift relative to it during the movement of the wire handover device. In this way, the wire end can be reliably handed over to the wire conveyor.

[0033] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire holding device can be moved relative to the wire guide element along the wire conveying path, preferably by means of a drive device. In this way, the wire end, which is to be recognized by the wire conveyor, can be positioned in such a way that it protrudes from the wire guide element to the desired extent. The protruding wire end portion can then be conveniently placed in the effective range of the wire conveyor.

[0034] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire conveyor can be brought from an operating position, in which it can convey the wire, into a wire releasing position, preferably by means of an actuator which is actuated by a control system. Once the wire has been released, the wire handover device can move the wire or the wire end held by it into or out of the effective range of the wire conveyor.

[0035] Preferably, the wire conveyor is designed as a conveyor belt conveyor, wherein the conveyor belt conveyor preferably comprises a first (endless) conveyor belt and a second (endless) conveyor belt, wherein the wire conveying path is located between the first and the second conveyor belt. The first conveyor belt can be moved away from the second conveyor belt (in order to reach the wire releasing position).

[0036] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire feeding device has a control system which is designed to actuate the wire pretreatment device, the wire handover device and the wire conveyor, in particular their drive devices and / or actuators. In this way, not only an automated production process is achieved, but also a maximum degree of automation of the wire exchange or removal.

[0037] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire handover device has at least one sensor for recognizing the wire and / or determining the position, which is connected to the control system of the wire feeding device, wherein the sensor is preferably connected to the control system. In this way, the correct position of the wire in the wire handover device and / or to it, for example by means of the wire holding device, can be determined.

[0038] The object is also achieved by a wire processing device having at least one wire processing station, in particular a cutting station and / or a stripping station and / or an assembly station, and a wire feeding device according to the application for feeding a wire to the at least one wire processing station.

[0039] The object is also achieved by a method for handling at least one wire by means of a wire feeding device according to the application, in particular a method for feeding a wire to a wire processing station and / or for exchanging or removing a wire.

[0040] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, for exchanging or removing a wire in the wire feeding device, a (first) wire, at least one section of which is located in the active range of the wire carrier, is automatically moved out of the active range of the wire carrier, wherein, preferably, the (first) wire is moved to a parking position outside the wire transport path,

[0041] and / or, for exchanging a wire in the wire feeding device, a (second) wire is automatically moved from a parking position outside the wire transport path into the active range of the wire carrier. Here, automatically means that the operations described above are no longer performed manually, but are performed fully automatically by means of drive devices and actuators actuated by a control system.

[0042] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, for exchanging or removing a wire in the wire feeding device,

[0043] In step (a), the wire carrier moves the wire in the direction opposite to the working transport direction, preferably until the wire end is located in the wire input region of the wire carrier, and

[0044] In step (b), the first wire handover device is moved from its working position together with the wire in the wire input region of the wire carrier to a parking position outside the wire transport path, preferably by means of at least one drive device.

[0045] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, after step (a), preferably before and / or during step (b), a wire fixation device of the wire handover device fixes the wire, wherein, preferably, the wire end is completely removed from the active range of the wire carrier by moving the wire fixation device in the direction opposite to the working transport direction.

[0046] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, for performing step (a), the wire pretreatment device is brought into a wire-releasing position, preferably by means of an actuator actuated by a control system, for which, preferably, at least one calibration mechanism of the wire pretreatment device is opened, preferably automatically.

[0047] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the movement of the first wire handover device according to step (b) comprises a movement of the first wire handover device perpendicular to the work conveying direction, wherein preferably the movement of the wire handover device according to step (b) comprises a movement in the direction opposite to the work conveying direction once before the lateral movement.

[0048] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire feed device comprises a second wire pretreatment device and a second wire handover device, as described above, and

[0049] In step (c), which is preferably carried out during or after step (b), the second wire handover device and the second wire are moved together from their parking position to their work position in the wire input region of the wire conveyor, and the wire end, preferably the wire tip, of the second wire is brought into the active range of the wire conveyor by the second wire handover device.

[0050] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, before and / or during step (c), a wire fixation device of the second wire handover device fixes the second wire and / or the wire end, preferably the wire tip, of the second wire is brought into the active range of the wire conveyor, for which a wire fixation device of the second wire handover device is moved in the work conveying direction.

[0051] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, after the wire end, preferably the wire tip, of the second wire is brought into the active range of the wire conveyor, the wire conveyor is brought from a release position to a closed position, preferably by means of an actuator actuated by the control system, and the wire fixation device is brought to a wire-releasing position, preferably by means of an actuator actuated by the control system.

[0052] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, after the wire end of the second wire is brought into the active range of the wire conveyor and / or the wire conveyor is brought from a release position to a closed position, at least one correction mechanism of the second wire pretreatment device is automatically closed (to a closed position adapted to the second wire). The values of the closed positions are stored in the data record of the control system and can be retrieved there.

[0053] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that, after the wire fixation device is brought to a wire-releasing position, the wire conveyor conveys the wire in the work conveying direction, preferably until the front end of the wire reaches a defined reference position.

[0054] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the wire pretreatment device, the wire handover device and the wire conveyor, in particular their drive devices and / or actuators, are actuated by a control system.

[0055] Further advantages, features and details of the application are described in the following description, in which embodiments of the application are explained with reference to the drawings.

[0056] The list of reference signs and the technical content and legends in the claims are part of the patent disclosure. The drawings are introduced in a context-related and comprehensive manner. Identical parts are indicated by identical reference signs, and reference signs with different indices indicate functionally identical or similar parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 An embodiment of a wire feeding device according to the application;

[0058] Figure 2 A further embodiment of a wire feeding device according to the application;

[0059] Figure 3 Figure 2 The wire feeding device in

[0060] Figure 4 Wire handover device shown enlarged;

[0061] Figure 5 Wire fixing device shown enlarged;

[0062] Figure 6 The control technology of the wire feeding device, with a control system and drive, actuators and sensors connected to the control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a wire feeding device 3 is shown. It serves to feed a wire 1 into a wire processing station 9. The wire feeding device 3 comprises a (first) wire pre-processing device 10 along a wire conveying path 7, with which the wire 1 is pre-processed. It can be a correction mechanism for correcting the wire 1. In addition or as an alternative to the correction, other pre-processing of the wire, such as marking, lettering, coloring and / or (partial and / or in sections) stripping, slitting, etc., can also be carried out in the wire pre-processing device 10.

[0064] In addition, the wire feeding device 3 comprises a wire conveyor 4 along the wire conveying path 7, which conveys the wire 1 in a working conveying direction 8, with a wire input end 5 and a wire output end 6 (also shown in Figure 2 ). The wire input end 5 is oriented towards a wire handover device 11. The wire output end 6 is oriented towards the processing station 9.

[0065] In the embodiment shown, the wire conveyor 4 is designed as a conveyor belt conveyor, wherein the conveyor belt conveyor comprises a first (endless) conveyor belt and a second (endless) conveyor belt, and the wire conveying path 7 is located between the first and the second conveyor belt. The first conveyor belt can be moved away from the second conveyor belt (in order to reach a position in which the wire 1 is released).

[0066] In addition, the wire feed device 3 comprises a (first) wire handover device 11 which, in conjunction with the first wire pretreatment device 10, hands over the wire 1 in the region of the wire input 5 to the wire conveyor 4.

[0067] The first wire handover device 11 is located in its operating position in the region of the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4 and can preferably be moved away from the operating position by means of at least one drive device.

[0068] In Figure 1 , the wire handover device 11 as well as the wire pretreatment device 10 are located in the operating position (solid line). By means of the dashed line, a waiting position or a parking position of the wire handover device 11 as well as of the wire pretreatment device 10 is shown. In the parking position, the wire handover device 11 and the wire conveyor 4 are kept at a (greater) distance and / or are located outside the wire conveying path 7 Figure 1 ).

[0069] In the parking position of the wire handover device 11 (shown by the dashed line), the wire 1 can be exchanged or can wait for the next use. The wire held by the wire handover device 11 can be automatically replaced in the wire conveying path and brought into the active range of the wire conveyor 4. For this purpose, the wire handover device 11 is moved along the double arrow.

[0070] Figure 2 and 3 A further embodiment is shown, in which the wire feed device 3 comprises, in addition to the first wire pretreatment device 10, a second wire pretreatment device 20 which preferably also has at least one correction mechanism for correcting the wire 2.

[0071] In Figure 2 and 3 , the correction mechanisms of the wire pretreatment devices 10, 20 can be brought into a position in which the wire 1 is released by means of an actuator 33, 34 which is actuated by a control system 32 (see Figure 6 ), for which purpose the corresponding correction mechanism is preferably opened (that is to say, the rollers are moved apart)

[0072] The second conductor pre-treatment device 20 is matched with a second conductor handover device 21 (for handing over the second conductor 2 to the conductor conveyor 4 in the region of the conductor input 5). The second conductor handover device 21 is positioned in its working position ( Figure 3 ) in the region of the conductor input 5 of the conductor conveyor 4 and can be moved away from the working position, preferably by means of at least one drive device 22, 31. In Figure 2 , the second conductor handover device 21 and the second conductor pre-treatment device 20 together are in a parked position.

[0073] The first conductor handover device 11 and the first conductor pre-treatment device 10 together are in a working position in Figure 2 and in a parked position in Figure 3 .

[0074] The first conductor pre-treatment device 10 is arranged in its working position in the conductor conveying path 7 ( Figure 2 ). By means of a drive device 31 it can be moved from the working position to a parked position outside the conductor conveying path 7 ( Figure 3 ). The second conductor pre-treatment device 20 is arranged in its working position in the conductor conveying path 7 ( Figure 3 ). By means of a drive device 31 it can be moved from the working position to a parked position outside the conductor conveying path 7 ( Figure 2 ).

[0075] The first conductor handover device 11 and the second conductor handover device 21 can be moved relative to the conductor conveyor 4 along the conductor conveying path 7 by means of a (separate) drive device 12, 22, respectively.

[0076] As shown in Figure 2 and 3 , the first and second conductor pre-treatment devices 10, 20 and the first and second conductor handover devices 11, 21 can be supported, if necessary, by the same support 30. The support 30 can be moved transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the conductor conveying path 7 by means of a drive device 31.

[0077] Here, the supported first conductor handover device 11 can be moved relative to the support 30 (here parallel to the conductor conveying path 7) by means of a first drive device 12. Likewise, the supported second conductor handover device 21 can be moved relative to the support 30 (here parallel to the conductor conveying path 7) by means of a second drive device 22.

[0078] In this way, it is possible in a simple manner to ensure that the first conductor handover device 11 and / or the second conductor handover device 21 can be moved along the conductor conveying path 7 and / or can be moved away from the conductor conveying path 7 (i.e. perpendicularly to the conductor conveying path 7) into a parked position.

[0079] Between the first wire pretreatment device 10 and the first wire handover device 11 and between the second wire pretreatment device 20 and the second wire handover device 21, respectively, a wire guide 13, 23 can be designed. The wire guide 13, 23 can preferably change in length in the guide direction, i.e. along the wire conveying path 7.

[0080] The change in length can be realized by at least two guide sections 14, 15; 24, 25 which can be nested into each other, preferably telescopic. Likewise, the wire guide 13; 23 can also be designed as at least one spring tube which can change in length.

[0081] The wire handover device 11, 21 can have a wire guide element 16, 26 which, in its working position, is directed towards the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4, preferably exchangeable. It can be designed in the form of a guide tube or guide tube nozzle. Preferably, the wire guide element 16, 26 in the working position of the corresponding wire handover device 11, 21 reaches into an entry region of the wire conveyor 4. Figure 2 、 3 ) In a position away from the working position, the wire guide element 16, 26 is positioned outside the entry region of the wire conveyor 4.

[0082] In detail, as shown in Figure 2 and 3 and Figure 4 and 5 the wire handover device can have a wire securing device 17, 27, respectively, which can be switched between a position securing the wire 1, 2 and a position releasing the wire 1, 2 by means of an actuator 37. Figure 5 A securing element 38 which can be moved to the other securing element 38 by means of the actuator 37 can clamp the wire.

[0083] The wire securing device 17, 18 can be moved relative to the wire guide element 16, 26 along the wire conveying path 7. For this purpose, a drive device 18, 28 is designed.

[0084] The wire conveyor 4 can be brought from a working position in which the wire 1, 2 can be conveyed through the wire conveyor 4 to a position releasing the wire 1, 2, preferably by means of an actuator 35 actuated by the control system 32.

[0085] The conveying drive 36 of the wire conveyor 4, i.e. the drive responsible for conveying the wire, is shown schematically in Figure 2 and 3 .

[0086] As shown in Figure 6As shown, the wire feeding device 3 also has a control system 32 which is designed to actuate the wire pretreatment device 10, 20; the wire handover device 11, 21 and the wire conveyor 4, in particular their drive devices 12, 22, 18, 28, 31, 36 and / or actuators 33, 34, 35, 37.

[0087] Preferably, the wire handover device 11, 21 has at least one sensor 19, 29 for recognizing the wire 1, 2 and / or for determining the position, which is connected to the control system 32 of the wire feeding device 3, wherein the sensor 19, 29 is preferably connected to the control system 32.

[0088] By connecting the wire feeding device 3 with at least one subsequent wire processing station 9, in particular a cutting station and / or a stripping station and / or an assembly station, a wire processing device is formed.

[0089] Each of the drive devices 12, 22, 18, 28, 31, 36 can comprise an electric, electromagnetic, pneumatic and / or hydraulic drive device and can be designed as a motor, a cylinder or a cylinder-piston unit, a rack, etc. The actuators 33, 34, 35, 37 can likewise be designed identically or similarly. In this way, the brakes can be operated electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically. Preferably, at least some, preferably all drive devices and actuators have a control interface with which they are connected to the control system 32 (wired or wirelessly). The sensors 19, 29 of the wire handover device 11, 21 for detecting the wire and / or for determining the position can be optical sensors (including cameras), contact sensors, electromagnetic sensors or capacitive sensors.

[0090] Next, the method of handling the wire 1, 2, in particular the method of feeding the wire 1, 2 into the wire processing station 9 and / or the method of changing or removing the wire 1, 2, which can be performed with the wire feeding device 3, will be described in more detail.

[0091] For example, in order to change or remove the wire 1, 2 in the wire feeding device 3, the wire 1 (which is currently located in the wire conveyor 4) is automatically moved out of the wire conveyor 4. To this end, the wire conveyor 4 is driven in the opposite direction to the working conveying direction, so that the wire leaves the wire input end 5. Next, the wire 1 is automatically moved by means of the wire handover device 11 to a parking position outside the wire conveying path 7 (i.e. the wire is moved perpendicularly to the wire conveying path 7). In Figure 3 The parking position of the wire handover device 11 is shown in

[0092] In this case, in step (a), the conductor carrier 4 can be moved back against the working conveying direction 8, preferably until the conductor end is located in the region of the conductor input 5 of the conductor carrier 4.

[0093] In step (b), the first conductor handover device 11 can be moved from its working position, together with the conductor 1, in the region of the conductor input 5 of the conductor carrier 4, to a parking position outside the conductor conveying path 7 (see Figure 1 or Figure 3 the dashed portion thereof). Preferably, this is carried out by means of at least one drive device 12, 31.

[0094] After step (a), preferably before and / or during step (b), the conductor fixation device 17 of the conductor handover device 11 can fix the conductor 1. In this process, preferably, the conductor end is completely removed from the effective range of the conductor carrier 4 by means of a movement of the conductor fixation device 17 against the working conveying direction 8.

[0095] In order to carry out step (a), the conductor pre-treatment device 10 can be brought, preferably by means of an actuator 33 actuated by the control system 32, into a position in which it releases the conductor 1, for which purpose at least one correction mechanism of the conductor pre-treatment device 10 is opened.

[0096] The movement of the first conductor handover device 11 according to step (b) can comprise a movement perpendicular to the working conveying direction 8 and, if necessary, a movement against the working conveying direction 8 prior to the transverse movement.

[0097] In the case of two conductor handover devices Figure 2 and 3 , in step (c), which is preferably carried out during or after step (b), the second conductor handover device 21 and the second conductor 2 together can be moved from its parking position to its working position in the region of the conductor input 5 of the conductor carrier 4, and the end of the second conductor 2, preferably the conductor tip, is brought into the effective range of the conductor carrier 4 by means of the second conductor handover device 21.

[0098] Furthermore, in step (c) and / or during step (c), the conductor fixation device 27 of the second conductor handover device 21 can fix the second conductor 2. Furthermore, the end of the second conductor 2 can be brought into the effective range of the conductor carrier 4 by means of a movement of the conductor fixation device 27 of the second conductor handover device 21, which fixes the second conductor 2, in the working conveying direction 8.

[0099] After the wire end of the second wire 2 has been placed in the active range of the wire conveyor 4, the wire conveyor 4 can be brought from a release position into a closed position by means of an actuator 35 actuated by the control system 32. Preferably, the wire fixing device 27 is then also brought into a position releasing the wire 2 by means of an actuator 37 actuated by the control system 32.

[0100] After the wire fixing device 27 has been brought into a position releasing the wire 2, the wire conveyor 4 conveys the wire 2 in the working conveying direction 8, preferably until the front end of the wire 2 reaches a defined reference position which is essential for the machining station.

[0101] For automated operation, the wire pre-processing device 10, 20; the wire handover device 11, 21 and the wire conveyor 4, in particular their drive devices 12, 22, 18, 28, 31, 36 and / or actuators 33, 34, 35, 37, are actuated by means of a control system 32.

[0102] The application is not limited to the embodiments described and the properties emphasized therein. Rather, numerous professional refinements can be implemented under the concept of the application. Also, the measures and properties described can be combined and other further embodiments can be realized under the framework of the application.

[0103] List of reference signs

[0104] 1 first wire

[0105] 2 second wire

[0106] 3 wire infeed device

[0107] 4 wire conveyor

[0108] 5 wire input end

[0109] 6 wire output end

[0110] 7 wire conveying path

[0111] 8 working conveying direction

[0112] 9 machining station

[0113] 10 first wire pre-processing device

[0114] 11 first wire handover device

[0115] 12 drive device of the first wire handover device 11

[0116] 13 wire guide

[0117] 14 guide section

[0118] 15 guide section

[0119] 16 wire guide element

[0120] 17 wire fixing device

[0121] 18 drive device of wire fixing device 17

[0122] 19 sensor

[0123] 20 second wire pre-processing device

[0124] 21 second wire handover device

[0125] 22 drive device of second wire handover device 11

[0126] 23 wire guide

[0127] 24 guide section

[0128] 25 guide section

[0129] 26 wire guide element

[0130] 27 wire fixing device

[0131] 28 drive device of wire fixing device 27

[0132] 29 sensor

[0133] 30 support

[0134] 31 drive device of support 30

[0135] 32 control system

[0136] 33 actuator of first wire pre-processing device 10

[0137] 34 actuator of second wire pre-processing device 20

[0138] 35 actuator of wire conveyor 4

[0139] 36 wire conveyor 4 conveying drive device

[0140] 37 actuator of wire fixing device 27

[0141] 38 fixing element of wire fixing device 27

Claims

1. A wire feeding device (3), the wire feeding device being used to feed a first wire or a second wire to a wire processing station (9), the wire feeding device comprising, along a wire conveying path (7): - A wire conveyor (4) with a wire input end (5) that conveys a first wire and a second wire along the wire conveying path (7) in the working conveying direction (8); and - A support (30), the support comprising: A first feeding device, the first feeding device comprising: The first wire pretreatment device (10) for the first wire, and A first wire transfer device (11), which is paired with the first wire pretreatment device (10) and transfers the first wire to the wire conveyor (4) in the area of ​​the wire input end (5), The second feeding device includes... The second conductor pretreatment device (20) for the second conductor, and A second wire transfer device (21), which is paired with the second wire pretreatment device (20) and transfers the second wire to the wire conveyor (4) in the area of ​​the wire input end (5), The bracket (30) is movable to position the first wire transfer device (11) and / or the second wire transfer device (21) in the area of ​​the wire input end (5) of the wire conveyor (4) at their respective working positions and to move away from their respective working positions. Its features are, The first conductor pretreatment device (10) has a first correction mechanism for correcting the first conductor, and The first wire transfer device (11) is capable of moving relative to the wire conveyor (4) along the wire transport path (7), and The second conductor pretreatment device (20) has a second correction mechanism for correcting the second conductor, and The second wire transfer device (21) is movable relative to the wire conveyor (4) along the wire transport path (7). A first wire guide is arranged between the first wire pretreatment device (10) and the first wire transfer device (11), wherein the first wire guide is capable of changing its length in the guiding direction, and / or a second wire guide is arranged between the second wire pretreatment device (20) and the second wire transfer device (21), wherein the second wire guide is capable of changing its length in the guiding direction.

2. The wire feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first or second conductor is a cable.

3. The wire feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire feeding device is a cable feeding device.

4. The wire feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (30) is movable to position the first wire transfer device (11) and / or the second wire transfer device (21) in the area of ​​the wire input end (5) of the wire conveyor (4) at the working position of the first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device, respectively, and to move away from the working position of the first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device to a stopping position outside the wire conveying path (7).

5. The wire feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wire transfer device (11) is capable of moving relative to the wire conveyor (4) along the wire transport path (7) via a drive device.

6. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first wire pretreatment device (10) is arranged on the wire transport path (7) at the working position of the first wire pretreatment device, and can be moved away from the working position to a docking position outside the wire transport path (7) by a drive device, and / or the second wire pretreatment device (20) is arranged outside the wire transport path (7) at the docking position of the second wire pretreatment device, and can be moved from the docking position to a working position of the second wire pretreatment device (20) in the wire transport path (7) by a drive device.

7. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The bracket (30) is capable of moving laterally along the wire transport path (7).

8. The wire feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bracket (30) can be moved perpendicular to the wire conveying path (7) by a drive device.

9. The wire feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first wire transfer device (11) is able to move relative to the bracket (30) parallel to the wire transport path (7) via a first drive device, and the second wire transfer device (21) is able to move relative to the bracket (30) parallel to the wire transport path (7) via a second drive device.

10. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first wire guide and / or the second wire guide are each formed by at least two guide segments that can nest with each other and are telescopic, and / or by at least one spring tube.

11. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device each have a replaceable wire guide element (16, 26) facing the wire input end (5) at the working position of the first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device. The wire guide element is in the form of a guide tube or a guide nozzle. The wire guide element (16, 26) extends into the inlet area of ​​the wire conveyor (4) at the working position of the first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device and is positioned outside the inlet area at the position away from the working position.

12. The wire feeding device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device each have wire fixing devices (17, 27), which can be switched between a fixed wire position and a released wire position by an actuator, wherein the wire fixing device (17, 27) has at least one movable fixing element (38) for clamping the wire.

13. The wire feeding device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The wire fixing device (17, 27) can be moved relative to the wire guiding element (16, 26) along the wire transport path (7) by means of a drive device.

14. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The wire conveyor (4) can be moved from a working position where wires can be conveyed through the wire conveyor (4) to a position where wires are released by means of an actuator actuated by the control system (32).

15. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The wire feeding device (3) has a control system (32) designed to actuate the first wire pretreatment device (10) or the second wire pretreatment device (20), the first wire transfer device (11) or the second wire transfer device (21) and the wire conveyor (4), and to actuate the drive and / or actuator of the first wire pretreatment device or the second wire pretreatment device or the first wire transfer device or the second wire transfer device or the wire conveyor.

16. The wire feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first wire transfer device and / or the second wire transfer device have at least one sensor (19, 29) connected to the control system (32) of the wire feeding device (3) for identifying the wire and / or determining its position, wherein the sensor (19, 29) is connected to the control system (32).

17. A wire processing apparatus comprising at least one wire processing station (9) and a wire feeding device (3) for feeding wires to at least one of the wire processing stations (9), characterized in that, The wire feeding device (3) is the wire feeding device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The wire processing apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The wire feeding device is a cable feeding device.

19. The wire processing apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The wire processing station (9) is a cutting station and / or a stripping station and / or an assembly station.

20. A method for manipulating a wire, the method being used to manipulate a first wire or a second wire to be fed to a wire processing station (9) and / or to replace or remove the first wire or the second wire by means of a wire feeding device (3), characterized in that, The wire feeding device (3) is the wire feeding device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, In order to replace or remove the first or second wire in the wire feeding device (3), the first or second wire is automatically moved out of the effective range of the wire conveyor (4), wherein the first or second wire is automatically moved to a stopping position outside the wire conveying path (7). And / or in order to replace the first or second wire in the wire feeding device (3), the first or second wire is automatically moved from a stopping position outside the wire conveying path (7) into the effective range of the wire conveyor (4).

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, In order to replace or remove the first or second wire in the wire feeding device (3), in step a), the wire conveyor (4) feeds the first or second wire back in the opposite direction of the working conveying direction (8) until the wire end is located in the area of ​​the wire input end (5) of the wire conveyor (4), and In step b), the first wire transfer device (11) is moved from its working position to a stopping position outside the wire transport path (7) in the area of ​​the wire input end (5) of the wire conveyor (4) along with the first wire or the second wire by at least one drive device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, After step a), and before and / or during step b), the wire fixing device of the first wire transfer device (11) fixes the first wire or the second wire, wherein the wire end is completely removed from the effective range of the wire conveyor (4) by moving the wire fixing device in the opposite direction to the working conveying direction (8).

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, In order to perform step a), the first wire pretreatment device (10) is placed in a position to release the first wire or the second wire by means of an actuator actuated by the control system (32) by opening at least one first correction mechanism of the first wire pretreatment device (10).

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The movement of the first wire transfer device (11) according to step b) includes a movement of the first wire transfer device (11) laterally to the working transport direction (8), wherein the movement of the first wire transfer device (11) according to step b) includes a movement in the opposite direction to the working transport direction (8) prior to the lateral movement.

26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, During step b) or in step c) thereafter, the second wire transfer device (21) and the second wire together are able to move from the docking position of the second wire transfer device to the working position of the second wire transfer device in the area of ​​the wire input end (5) of the wire conveyor (4), and the wire end of the second wire is placed within the effective range of the wire conveyor (4) by the second wire transfer device (21).

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that, Before and / or during step c), the wire fixing device of the second wire transfer device (21) is moved toward the working conveying direction (8) to fix the second wire, and / or the wire end of the second wire is placed within the effective range of the wire conveyor (4).

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, After the end of the second conductor is placed within the effective range of the conductor conveyor (4), the conductor conveyor (4) is moved from the release position to the closed position by means of an actuator actuated by the control system (32), and the conductor fixing device is moved to a position to release the second conductor by means of an actuator actuated by the control system (32).

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, After the wire fixing device is placed in a position to release the second wire, the wire conveyor (4) conveys the second wire in the working conveying direction (8) until the front end of the second wire reaches a predetermined reference position.

30. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The control system (32) actuates the first wire pretreatment device (10) and / or the second wire pretreatment device (20), the first wire transfer device (11) and / or the second wire transfer device (21) and the wire conveyor (4), and actuates the drive device and / or actuator of the first wire pretreatment device or the second wire pretreatment device or the first wire transfer device or the second wire transfer device or the wire conveyor.

Images