Automatic wire taping system

Abstract

An automated wire taping system includes a tape winding robot having a tape winding head mounted on a robot arm that, in use, winds a strip of tape around a cable or collection of cables. A tape cartridge includes a roll of tape rotatably mounted to a cartridge body and includes at least one releasable connector for connecting the cartridge to the tape winding head. A storage device includes a holder for receiving the cartridge and a release device arranged to automatically operate the at least one releasable connector to disconnect the cartridge from the tape winding head when the cartridge is received within the holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an automated wire tape winding system, including a tape winding robot and a cassette system for automatically changing tape rolls. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle wiring harnesses, or cabling, are bundles of cables used in automotive applications to transmit power or data signals around a vehicle. Wiring harnesses are pre-assembled in which cables are arranged with correct wiring lengths and construction, and are secured together using strips, clamps, cable ties, or conduits. The cable ends are equipped with connector elements for electrical connection to associated vehicle components. The wiring harness also has main clamps at various locations along its branches for mechanically connecting the cable harness to various structures within the vehicle.

[0003] In a typical assembly process, wire harnesses are manufactured on a wire harness assembly board or workbench. This assembly board typically includes a schematic diagram of the wire routing and labels indicating the components required at each associated location along the wire harness. A series of wiring forks mounted on the assembly board support the wire harness. Electrical components are held in mounting brackets on the assembly board for connection to the cables. The wire harness assembly board also includes a body clamp retainer for holding the body clamps during assembly.

[0004] A wire bundle includes multiple cables. Adhesive tape is used to bond the cables together along their length and along a common wiring section of the bundle. A tape wrapping robot (tape applicator robot) can be used to automate the process of applying tape to cables. A tape wrapping robot includes a multi-axis robot with a tape wrapping head. The tape wrapping head includes a tape reel and a winding mechanism for winding tape onto the wire bundle to wrap the cables. The winding mechanism includes a rotating plate and a feeding mechanism for feeding tape from the tape reel to the rotating plate. The rotating plate rotates about the cables to apply the tape to the cables. As the rotating plate rotates in a first rotational direction, the robot axially moves the tape wrapping head along the wire bundle in a second direction, thereby applying tape along a given length of cable. Once the tape application process is complete, a cutter mounted on the tape wrapping head cuts the tape.

[0005] Tape wrapping robots can automatically apply tape to a series of wire harnesses without human intervention. However, when the tape runs out or a different color tape is needed, the operator must change the tape roll. When the tape roll is changed, the tape wrapping robot must stop, requiring the entire assembly line to stop. The operator must then manually disconnect and remove the tape roll from the tape wrapping head and replace it with a new roll, which is manually loaded onto the tape wrapping head. Typically, the tape roll change takes between 1 and 3 minutes. During this time, the assembly line is not running. For situations where tape colors must be changed multiple times during wire harness assembly, this results in excessive downtime, thus limiting the operational efficiency of the assembly line.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved automated wire tape winding system for wire harnesses, and / or a method for assembling wire harnesses, which solves the above-mentioned problems and / or provides an overall improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, an automatic wire tape winding system (tape winding system) is provided.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, an automated wire tape winding system is provided, comprising:

[0009] A robot having an arm and a tape wrapping head mounted on the arm, the tape wrapping head being configured to wrap a strip around one or more cables;

[0010] A tape roll cassette includes a body, a roll of tape rotatably mounted to the body, and at least one releasable connector for connecting the cassette to the tape winding head.

[0011] A storage device including a retainer for receiving the box, wherein the storage device includes a release device arranged to automatically operate the at least one releasable connector to disconnect the box from the tape wrapping head.

[0012] The storage device is a docking station or any other suitable device that releasably holds and maintains the cassette. Using a tape roll cassette releasable from the robot's tape winding head allows the tape roll to automatically detach from the tape winding head when it is used up or when a replacement strip is needed. In prior art arrangements, the tape roll is mounted on a spindle permanently attached to the tape winding head, so the strip must be manually removed from and replaced, which is time-consuming. In contrast, the releasable cassette of this disclosure can dock in the storage device and automatically detach from the tape winding head, allowing the tape winding head to freely and automatically retrieve another tape roll cassette from the storage device.

[0013] The release mechanism may be arranged to operate at least one releasable connector when the housing is mated within the retainer. The releasable connector may include a button or similar pressable mechanism for releasing the connection. The release mechanism may include a linear actuator that extends to operate a push-release mechanism of the releasable connector.

[0014] At least one releasable connector includes a locking element and a release mechanism. The locking element is reconfigurable between a locking configuration that prevents the connector from releasing and a release configuration that allows the tape reel to disconnect from the tape winding head. The release mechanism is configured to allow the locking element to move to the release configuration, and wherein the release mechanism is arranged to operate to allow the tape winding head to disconnect from the tape reel. The locking element may be a ball bearing or the like biased to a locked position, and the release mechanism allows the ball bearing to move away from the locked position for release. The locking mechanism may be configured to automatically move to the locking configuration when received by the tape winding head. For example, the ball bearing may be spring-loaded such that it is pressed when inserted into the tape winding head and then automatically extends when aligned with a corresponding locking pawl in the tape winding head.

[0015] The retainer is configured to hold and retain the tape reel when it is disconnected from the tape winding head. This includes retaining the tape reel when it is disconnected from or connected to the tape winding head. The retainer may include a bracket or sleeve for slidably receiving the tape reel. The tape reel may include a mounting element on its upper surface, which is slidably received within the retainer. The mounting element may include a stop element for positioning and retaining the mounting element within the retainer. The mounting element and the retainer may be arranged such that the tape reel is vertically inserted into and removed from the retainer.

[0016] The automated wire tape winding system also includes multiple tape roll cassettes, and the storage device includes multiple corresponding retainers for holding each of the respective multiple tape roll cassettes. At any given time, if a tape roll cassette is connected to the tape winding head, at least one retainer is empty and can be used to receive the tape roll cassette from the tape winding head.

[0017] Each retainer may include a release device associated with the retainer, the release device being arranged to release the tape reel held by the respective retainer.

[0018] Each tape reel cassette includes an upper surface on which the tape reel is mounted and an opposing lower surface. At least one releasable connector protrudes from the lower surface, and a retainer is configured to hold the tape reel cassette in an orientation opposite to the storage device on the lower surface for connection to the storage device via a tape wrapping head. A releasable controller preferably extends from the upper surface through the body and protrudes distally from the lower surface. The proximal end at the upper surface includes a release mechanism, which may be a button.

[0019] The automated wire tape winding system may further include a processor for operating a tape winding robot, wherein the processor is programmed with information relating to the position of each holder on the storage device and the position of each tape roll cassette, and is operable to control the tape winding robot to place the tape roll cassette on and / or connect to the selected tape roll cassette held by one of the plurality of holders. The processor may also include information relating to the type and / or color of the tape held by each tape roll cassette.

[0020] The tape winding head may include a mounting element such as a disc rotatable relative to a body and a drive mechanism for rotating the mounting disc, and a tape cassette is releasably connected to the mounting disc such that rotation of the mounting disc causes rotation of the tape cassette. Rotation of the tape cassette causes the tape to wind onto the wire. The tape cassette includes a feeding mechanism comprising one or more feed rollers for feeding the tape from the tape reel to the application point on the wire.

[0021] The mounting tray may include a first channel for receiving cables, and the tape reel includes a second channel for receiving cables, with the first and second channels aligned when the tape reel is attached to the mounting tray. These channels are open, allowing the tape wrapping head to be positioned around the cable.

[0022] The storage device may include one or more vertically arranged support structures to which a retainer is mounted and configured to hold a corresponding tape reel such that the lower surface of the tape reel is arranged in a vertical plane, and at least one releasable connector extends horizontally away from the storage device.

[0023] The storage device may have an outer surface, with multiple retainers located at different positions around the outer surface. The storage device can be reconfigured to move selected retainers to a mating position where they can approach the tape winding head for mating or removal of the tape reel. The storage device may have a base section and a drive mechanism arranged to rotate the base section to rotate the body of the support member and rotatably move the retainers about the support member.

[0024] In another aspect of this disclosure, a system for assembling wire harnesses is provided, the system comprising:

[0025] An assembly board, which includes multiple wire supports for holding the wires of the wire harness in proper position on the assembly board;

[0026] A robot having an arm and a tape wrapping head mounted on the arm;

[0027] A tape reel cassette, comprising a body, a roll of tape rotatably mounted to the body, and at least one releasable connector for connecting the cassette to a tape winding head; and

[0028] A storage device including a retainer for receiving a box, wherein the storage device includes a release device arranged to operate at least one releasable connector to disconnect the box from the tape wrapping head when the box is mated within the retainer.

[0029] The robot is operable and arranged to wrap tape around wires held on an assembly plate and to retrieve and / or place tape rolls at a storage device.

[0030] The system may include a processor for operating a robot, wherein the processor is programmed with information relating to: the wire segment of the tape to be applied, the tape application operation required for each wire segment of the tape to be applied, and the tape roll cassette necessary to perform the required tape application operation, the position of each holder on the storage device, and the position of each tape roll cassette on the storage device, and is operable to control the tape winding robot to pick up a tape roll from one of the holders and to control the robot to perform the tape application operation using the tape roll cassette.

[0031] According to the automatic wire tape winding system described in the preceding paragraph, the processor is further operable to control the root to place the tape reel at a selected location among the plurality of retainers when the tape reel needs to be replaced. Attached Figure Description

[0032] This disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 A tape-winding robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a tape roll cassette according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a tape reel according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a cassette docking station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 5 It is a cassette retainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 6 The tape reel and release mechanism are embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0039] Figure 7 From Figure 4View taken from below the tape cassette docking station. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The following description presents exemplary embodiments, and is consistent with the appendix. Figure 1 This disclosure is intended to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments or exact compliance with all method steps. Variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered to be included in the specification. The terminology used herein should be given a broad interpretation, including equivalent functions and features. In some cases, several alternative terms (synonyms) are provided for structural features, but these terms are not exhaustive.

[0041] Descriptive terms should also be interpreted as broadly as possible; for example, the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "at least partially comprising," such that when interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising," features other than the one or more features introduced at the beginning of that term may also exist. Related terms such as "including" and "containing" will be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "upper part," and "lower part" are relative terms, often used with reference to illustrations for ease of interpretation, and are not intended to ultimately limit whether equivalent functionality can be achieved by substituting dimensions and / or orientations.

[0042] The description herein refers to embodiments having a specific combination of construction steps or features. However, it is conceivable that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible steps or features between embodiments will be possible. The description of multiple features of any particular embodiment does not imply that these features are indivisibly linked together; isolated features may function independently of other features and do not necessarily need to be implemented as a complete combination.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 The multi-axis automated tape-applying robot 2 includes a body 4 and an arm 6 rotatable relative to the body 4 about a rotation axis AA. The tape-applying robot 2 also includes a tape wrapping head 8 mounted on the distal end 10 of the arm 6. The tape wrapping head 8 includes a substrate 12 having a planar mounting surface 14. A mounting member 16 secures the proximal end 18 of the substrate 12 to the arm 6 such that the substrate 12 extends axially away from the distal end 10 of the arm 6. The distal end 20 of the substrate 12 includes a channel 22 having an opening at one end for receiving a cable to be taped during use.

[0044] A rotating mounting disc 24 is located at the inner end of the channel 22. The mounting disc 24 is a circular disc with a diameter greater than the width of the channel 22. The mounting disc 24 includes a U-shaped cut section 26 that forms a channel extending from the opening into the center of the mounting disc 24, such that the rotating mounting disc 24 is substantially C-shaped. The U-shaped cut section 26 has a width corresponding to the width of the channel 22. In a first rotational position, the U-shaped cut section 26 is aligned with the channel 22 of the substrate and forms a continuation of the channel 22 of the substrate. The mounting disc 24 is rotatably mounted to the substrate 12 within a corresponding circular aperture intersecting the channel 22. The mounting disc 24 is held in place by C-shaped locking plates 27 located on both sides of the substrate 12 and secured to the substrate by fasteners 29. A bushing provides a low-friction interface between the mounting disc 24 and the substrate 12. The mounting disc 24 is rotatably supported within the substrate 12 such that it rotates about a fixed axis of rotation arranged perpendicular to the mounting surface 14 of the substrate 12.

[0045] Motor 28 is mounted to substrate 12. A drive mechanism, including a drive chain and a series of gears, is arranged on the lower surface 30 of substrate 12, on the opposite side of mounting surface 14. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to mounting disk 24 via one or more gears to transmit drive from motor 28 to mounting disk 24, thereby rotating mounting disk 24 relative to and within substrate 12. Mounting disk 24 includes a plurality of mounting holes 32.

[0046] The tape cassette 34 is mounted to the mounting plate 24 via a plurality of connectors 25 fixed within mounting openings 32. The connectors 25 are described in more detail below. When the tape cassette 34 is attached to the mounting plate 24, it rotates as the mounting plate 24 rotates. Figure 2 As shown, the tape reel 34 includes a substrate 36 having a forward edge 38. A channel 40 is formed at the forward edge 38 of the substrate 36, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the channel defined by the U-shaped cut segment 26 in the mounting tray 24. When the substrate 36 is secured to the mounting tray 24, the semi-circular ends of the U-shaped cut segment 26 and the channel 40 are concentric. The radial center of the semi-circular end segment is aligned with and coaxial with the axis of rotation of the mounting tray 24. The substrate 36 includes a plurality of mounting holes 41 aligned with mounting holes 32 of the mounting tray 24. A connector 25 is inserted into the mounting holes 32 of the mounting tray 24 through the mounting holes 41 to secure the substrate 36 to the mounting tray 24. The mounting holes 41 are arranged such that when the substrate 36 is secured to the mounting tray 24, the channel 40 of the substrate 36 is aligned with the U-shaped cut segment 26 of the mounting tray 24.

[0047] A spindle 44 is mounted to a substrate 36 and extends substantially vertically away from the substrate 36. A tape reel 46, including a spool 48 supporting a length of tape 50, is rotatably mounted to the spindle 44, allowing the tape reel 46 to rotate relative to the substrate 36. A tape guide 52 is located at the inner end of a channel 40. The tape guide 52 has a curved, semi-circular inner surface 54 that corresponds in shape to the curved inner edge of the channel 40, receiving and guiding the cable as the tape reel 34 rotates relative to the cable during tape application. When the cable is located at the inner end of the channel 40 within the curved inner surface of the tape guide 52, the cable is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cassette, meaning that the cable maintains a fixed distance from the surrounding substrate 36 as the tape reel 34 winds around the cable.

[0048] The belt guide 52 comprises two portions arranged on opposite sides of the channel 40, separated by a gap 56 that receives and guides the strip. A roller 60 is arranged in a space above the belt guide 52, between the belt guide 52 and the belt roll 46. The strip travels from the belt roll 46 through the roller 60 and then into the gap 56 of the belt guide 52. The strip extends from the belt guide 52 to a cutter 62. The cutter 62 comprises a body and a movable jaw including a cutting blade.

[0049] The tape wrapping head 8 includes a linear actuator 53, such as a rack and pinion assembly, for actuating the cutter's jaws between a clamping position, a closed cutting position, and an open position. In the clamping position, the tape wrapping head holds and constrains the ends of the tape. In the closed cutting position, the tape wrapping head cuts through and releases the ends of the tape. In the open position, the tape wrapping head can receive the free ends of the tape when it is applied to a cable. The tape travels from the tape guide 52 to the cutter 62 and is held by the cutter 62 in a first state, wherein the cutting jaws are in the clamping position.

[0050] Connector 25 is a quick-release connector configured to releasably connect tape reel 34 to mounting disc 24. Connector 25 includes a push-button locking connector having a shaft 64 and a head 66 including a release button 68. A pair of ball bearings 70 are located on opposite sides of shaft 64. The ball bearings are spring-loaded and biased to positions protruding above the outer surface of shaft 64. The proximal end of shaft 64 includes a threaded section. Each mounting port 41 includes a corresponding threaded section in its inner bore, allowing connector 25 to be threadedly engaged within the bore of mounting port 41. The length of shaft 64 is designed such that, when connector 25 is threadedly received within mounting port 41, the distal end of shaft 64 extends from opposite sides of base plate 36. The protruding sections of shaft 64 are received within corresponding mounting ports 32 of mounting disc 24. Each mounting port 32 includes a pair of pawls or orifices within the bore, configured to receive the spring-loaded ball bearings 70 of connector 25.

[0051] When shaft 64 is inserted into mounting hole 32, the spring-loaded ball bearing locks into the corresponding hole of mounting hole 32, thereby locking the shaft within the mounting hole. The spring force of ball bearing 70 is sufficient to firmly hold connector 25 within mounting hole 32. Therefore, connector 25 is inserted into mounting hole 32 to provide quick and easy locking of tape cassette 34 and mounting disc 24 together. Release button 68 is located at the opposite axial ends of shaft 64 and has an end face coplanar with the upper surface of base plate 36. Pressing release button 68 releases the spring force on ball bearing 70 and allows shaft 64 to be removed from mounting hole 32. Therefore, pressing release button 68 on both connectors 25 allows for quick release of tape cassette 34 from mounting disc 24.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, mounting block 43 is also connected to substrate 36, which will be described in further detail below. Mounting block 43 includes a front positioning plate 45 and a guide channel 47 located along the side edge of mounting block 43 at the opposite lateral side between positioning plate 45 and substrate 36.

[0053] Reference Figure 4 A storage device including a docking platform 72 is provided for storing multiple tape reels 34a-34c. The docking platform 72 includes a base 74 and a tower 76, which includes multiple vertical walls 78. A first vertical wall 80 includes multiple retainers 82a-82c for slidably receiving and retaining tape reels 34a-34c. Each retainer 82 includes a bracket configured to slidably receive a mounting block 43 located on a base plate 36 of the corresponding tape reel 34.

[0054] like Figure 5As shown, the bracket 86 includes a body 88 fixed to the outer surface of an upright wall 80. The outer surface of the bracket 86 includes a slot 90 extending vertically through the body 88. The slot 90 is configured to slidably receive a positioning plate 45 of the mounting block 43. A vertically extending guide 92 is located in front of the slot 90, which is located within a corresponding guide channel 47 of the mounting block 43. A stop element 94 protrudes forward from the front surface of the bracket 86 and is located at the lower edge of the front surface. The stop element 94 is arranged to engage the base plate 36 of the tape reel 34 to hold and vertically constrain the tape reel 34 and prevent the mounting block 43 from sliding completely through the slot 90.

[0055] Mounting block 43 is mounted to the outer surface of substrate 36 with reel 34. Therefore, when reel 34 is inserted into bracket 86, the outer surface of substrate 36 faces inward toward tower 76. Consequently, the rearwardly extending portion of shaft 64 of connector 25, passing through the rear surface of substrate 36, protrudes outward and horizontally away from tower 76.

[0056] In use, the robot 2 moves the tape winding head 8 toward the desired position of the tape cassette 34 on the docking table 72. The arm 6 is rotated to orient the base plate 12 of the tape winding head 8 so that the mounting surface 14 is vertically oriented and faces the rear surface of the corresponding tape cassette 34. The base plate 12 is moved to engage with the tape cassette 34 so that the shaft 64 of the connector 25 is received within the corresponding mounting hole 32 of the mounting plate 24. As the base plate 12 moves further into engagement with the tape cassette 34, the ball bearing 70 of the connector 25 is positioned within the corresponding pawl of the mounting hole 32, thereby locking the base plate 12 and the tape cassette 34 together. The base plate 12 is moved vertically by the robot 2 to lift the tape cassette 34, causing the mounting block 43 to slide out of the corresponding slot 90 of the bracket 86. Once the mounting block 43 has vertically moved away from the bracket 86, the robot 2 can move the tape cassette 34 from the docking table 72 to the wire harness assembly plate for bundling wire harnesses.

[0057] When tape cassette 34 needs to be replaced, either because the tape reel has been fully used, or because a different tape color or type is required, robot 2 returns tape cassette 34 to docking station 72 and inserts it into empty bracket 86. This empty bracket can be the bracket 86 where the tape cassette 34 was initially removed, or it can be a replacement bracket 86. Mounting block 43 slides into slot 90 of bracket 86 until base plate 36 contacts stop element 94. In this position, end face 66a of connector 25 faces inward toward tower 76.

[0058] Refer again Figure 4Multiple linear actuators 77 are mounted on the tower 76, each actuator positioned adjacent to a corresponding bracket 86. For each retainer, a corresponding linear actuator 57 is arranged such that a piston rod 79 can extend to an extended position, in which the piston rod 79 engages the end face 66a of the connector 25 and presses the button 68 of the connector 25, as... Figure 6 As shown. This causes the ball bearing 70 to release from the corresponding mounting hole 32 and unlock the shaft 64 of the connector 25. The linear actuator continues to press the button 68 to keep the ball bearing 70 in the unlocked state, while the robot 2 moves the base plate 12 away from the tape cassette 34 to disconnect the base plate 12 from the tape cassette 34. The base plate 12 is then moved by the robot 2 to connect to another bracket 86 on the docking station 72 and to retrieve a second tape cassette 34 from that bracket.

[0059] The processor is programmed with information relating to the color and / or type of the tape rolls mounted on each tape cassette 34 and the position of each tape cassette 34 on the docking station 72. The processor is also programmed with sequence information specifying the tape cassette 34 required for each assembly stage. The system may also include sensors arranged to determine when a tape roll has expired, and the processor operates in response to signals from the sensors to control the robot 2 to replace empty tape cassette 34s with full ones.

[0060] The docking platform 72 includes additional supports 86 mounted on other vertical walls on other surfaces of the tower 76. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the base 74 of the docking station 72 includes a rotary drive mechanism 76a, which is arranged to rotate the base 74 and the tower 76 to provide an additional upright wall to the robot 2, thereby providing an additional tape reel 34. The processor is programmed with information related to the circumferential and vertical positions of each support 86 and the rotational motion required to rotate the tower 76 to provide a given tape reel 34 to the robot 2.

Claims

1. An automatic wire tape winding system, comprising: A robot having an arm and a tape wrapping head mounted on the arm, the tape wrapping head being configured to wrap tape around one or more cables; A tape roll cassette includes a body, a roll of tape rotatably mounted to the body, and at least one releasable connector for connecting the tape roll cassette to the tape winding head. as well as A storage device including a retainer for receiving the tape roll cassette, wherein the storage device includes a release device arranged to automatically operate the releasable connector to disconnect the tape roll cassette from the tape winding head.

2. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The release device is arranged to operate the releasable connector when the tape reel is mated within the retainer.

3. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The releasable connector includes a locking element and a release mechanism. The locking element is reconfigurable between a locking configuration and a release configuration. The locking configuration prevents the releasable connector from being released. The release configuration allows the tape roll to disconnect from the tape winding head. The release mechanism allows the locking element to move to the release configuration. The release mechanism is arranged to operate to allow the tape winding head to disconnect from the tape roll.

4. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The release mechanism includes a linear actuator.

5. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking element is configured to automatically move into the locking configuration when received by the tape wrapping head.

6. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The retainer is configured to hold and maintain the tape roll when it is disconnected from the tape winding head.

7. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 6, characterized in that, It includes multiple tape reel cassettes, wherein the storage device includes multiple corresponding retainers for retaining each of the respective multiple tape reel cassettes.

8. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each retainer includes a release device arranged to release the tape roll held by the respective retainer.

9. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each tape reel cassette includes an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, to which the tape reel is mounted, the releasable connector protrudes from the lower surface, and the retainer is configured to hold the tape reel cassette oriented with the lower surface facing away from the storage device for connection to the storage device via the tape wrapping head.

10. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a processor for operating the robot, wherein the processor is programmed with information relating to the position of each retainer and the position of each tape roll on the storage device, and the processor is operable to control the tape winding robot to place the tape roll on a selected one of the plurality of retainers and / or to control the tape winding robot to connect to a selected tape roll held by one of the plurality of retainers.

11. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tape winding head includes a mounting plate rotatable relative to the body and a drive mechanism for rotating the mounting plate, and the tape cassette is releasably connected to the mounting plate such that rotation of the mounting plate causes rotation of the tape cassette.

12. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The mounting tray includes a first channel for receiving cables, and the tape reel includes a second channel for receiving cables, and when the tape reel is connected to the mounting tray, the first channel and the second channel are aligned.

13. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The storage device includes one or more vertically arranged support structures, the retainer is mounted to the support structures, and the retainer is configured to hold a corresponding tape reel such that the lower surface of each tape reel is arranged in a vertical plane, and the at least one releasable connector extends horizontally away from the storage device.

14. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The storage device has an outer surface, and a plurality of the retainers are located at different positions around the outer surface. The storage device can be reconfigured to move a selected retainer to a mating position, where the selected retainer can approach the tape winding head to mate with or remove the tape roll.

15. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an assembly plate with multiple wire supports for holding the wires of the wire harness in place on the assembly plate, wherein the robot is operable and arranged to wind tape around the wires held on the assembly plate and to retrieve and / or place tape reels at the storage device.

16. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 15, characterized in that, It also includes a processor for operating the robot, wherein the processor is programmed with information relating to: the wire segment to be taped, the tape application operation required for each wire segment to be taped, the tape roll cassette necessary to perform the required tape application operation, the position of each holder on the storage device, and the position of each tape roll cassette on the storage device, and is operable to control the robot to retrieve a tape roll from one of the holders and to control the robot to perform the tape application operation using the tape roll cassette.

17. The automatic wire tape winding system according to claim 16, characterized in that, The processor is also operable to control a robot to place the tape reel at a selected location among the plurality of holders when the tape reel needs to be replaced.

Images