Material carrier for linear material

Abstract

The invention relates to a material carrier (1) for a linear material (3), the invention relates to a material carrier (1) having at least one first carrier element and a separate second carrier element (10, 10 '), the first and second carrier elements (10, 10') forming the material carrier (1) in the assembled state, and the material carrier having at least one guide (11) on the first and / or second carrier element (10, 10 '), the guide extends through the material carrier (1) along a first direction (X) in the assembled state, and a linear material (3) can be arranged in the guide, the material carrier (1) can be fastened to the linear material (3) and can be moved with the material in any direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a material carrier for linear materials, in particular electrical or optical conductors. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, cables or wires for processing or for transport between processing stations are usually clamped in so-called cargo carriers and transported by means of transport devices. The cargo carriers move on a predetermined transport path. If the cargo carrier cannot reach the subsequent processing station, the cables or wires must be removed and supplied to the subsequent processing station in another way. In this process, at least the wires must be re-identified at the subsequent processing station, possibly introduced into a new transport system and redirected.

[0003] Publication US2023 / 0041384 A1 relates to a cable holding device which can be useful in cable processing. Here, the cable holding device comprises a pivotable or rotatable clamping device in an end section for selectively clamping the cable. In particular, the pivotable clamp or clamping end is rotatably fastened to the end section by a pin or shoulder-shaped fastening element which is introduced through a hole formed in the clamping end and a corresponding coaxial opening in the end section.

[0004] The devices of the prior art have at least the disadvantage that they often cannot move freely with the wire, the insertion of the wire is difficult or requires manual work steps, and / or the structure of the device is demanding and not suitable for robust use in the workshop. In the prior art, the wire is especially manually inserted into the cargo carrier. Manual insertion is time-consuming and error-prone. In addition, after assembly, the wire continues to move in the device as a loose part. For the continued movement, a gripper or similar device is required. However, the gripper can only fix the wire imprecisely. Directed further movement or processing requires the wire to be fixed accurately again. And finally, the future wire will be more elastic, making the handling of the cargo carrier or gripper using the prior art more difficult. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which makes the handling of conductors in (automated) cable assembly simpler, faster and more process-reliable.

[0006] The above-mentioned object is achieved by the material carrier according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be gathered from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0007] In particular, the above-mentioned purpose is solved by a material carrier for linear material, which material carrier has at least one first carrier element and a separate second carrier element, wherein the first carrier element and the second carrier element constitute the material carrier in the assembled state, and the material carrier has at least one guide on the first carrier element and / or the second carrier element, which extends through the material carrier along a first direction in the assembled state, and the linear material can be arranged in the guide, wherein the material carrier can be fastened to the linear material and can move in any direction with the linear material.

[0008] The current material carrier has a very simple structure and a very robust structure at the same time. Through this structure, the operation of the current material carrier is very simple and user-friendly. Here, the operation not only includes the operation of the assembled material carrier, but also includes the operation of the individual components. The current material carrier intentionally cancels movable mechanical elements, such as hinges, in order to keep wear as small as possible. This cancellation improves the service life of the current material carrier. In addition, this simple structure enables the use or assembly of the material carrier in a fully automated manner. Due to its compact external dimensions and the fastening of the material carrier on the linear material or wire, the current material carrier can be retained on the wire through the entire (assembly) process. The wire can be simply grabbed, oriented, supplied to different processing stations and can be identified at any time through the current material carrier. The current material carrier can be reused, wherein a single carrier element can be simply replaced when worn. The current material carrier provides stability in its area, especially for flexible wires or very thin wires, so that the wire can be well oriented and handled. At least two carrier elements can be removably fastened to each other by a retaining force in the assembled state. The holding force can include magnetic forces, adhesive forces, static friction forces and / or mechanical holding forces, such as latching, snapping, elastic deformation, meshing, etc. The feature that the second carrier element is provided separately from the first carrier element means in particular that the second carrier element is only fastened to the first carrier element after the linear material has been arranged (between the first carrier element and the second carrier element). Providing the carrier element separately enables and / or simplifies automated handling of the material carrier.

[0009] Preferably, the first support element and the second support element are detachably fastened to each other via the protective element. The protective element is preferably a separate component. The protective element can preferably be arranged manually or automatically on the first support element and the second support element. In the case where the material carrier consists of more than two support elements, the protective element fixes all support elements to each other. The protective element has the purpose of fastening the support elements forming the material carrier to each other, wherein the protective element can be designed independently of the support element and vice versa. This makes a large number of possible design solutions possible, so that the material carrier can be very well adapted to the product and the process as a whole.

[0010] Preferably, the first support element and the second support element have at least one first fixing mechanism. The first fixing mechanism enables the first support element and the second support element to be aligned with each other. In addition, the first fixing mechanism prevents the first support element and the second support element from moving relative to each other along the central axis.

[0011] Preferably, the first support element and the second support element have at least one second fixing mechanism, wherein the second fixing mechanism is configured to be complementary to the first fixing mechanism. In particular, the first fixing mechanism and the second fixing mechanism engage with each other in the assembled state. The complementary second fixing mechanism improves the reliability of the arrangement of the first support element and the second support element with respect to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the first carrier element and the second carrier element each have an identification feature or each have a partial identification feature, which produces a common identification feature in the assembled state of the material carrier. The (partial) identification feature includes in particular an optically or electronically identifiable feature, such as an RFID tag or a QR code, with which the carrier element or the material carrier can be clearly identified. In the case where each carrier element has an identification feature, the use of the carrier element, such as its wear after repeated use, can be inferred from the identification feature. In the case where each carrier element only has a partial identification feature, the identification feature is only valid after the material carrier is assembled and the enclosed wire can be clearly identified. The latter case has the advantage that the number of identification features can be kept small, so that, for example, a QR code with fewer elements is sufficient.

[0013] Preferably, the first support element and the second support element each comprise a front region with an inclined surface, wherein the front region preferably forms a cone in the assembled state of the material carrier. The inclined surface or the cone enables an automatically centered orientation of the material carrier when it is introduced into a corresponding opening at the processing station. The cone is radially symmetrical, so that a centered orientation can be achieved regardless of the rotation angle of the conductor.

[0014] Preferably, the first carrier element and the second carrier element each have a positioning element, wherein the positioning elements form a common positioning element in the assembled state. The common positioning element can ensure a fast and reliable positioning of the material carrier relative to the clamping device or the processing station. The common positioning element can also be used to provide a fixed second length to the tip of the free end.

[0015] Preferably, the material carrier is designed so that the material carrier can accommodate the free end of the linear material in the material carrier. In particular, the free end can be arranged inside the material carrier simply by moving the material carrier relative to the wire or vice versa. The arrangement of the free end in the material carrier protects the free end from unwanted damage.

[0016] Preferably, the first carrier element and the second carrier element are designed identically. Identical carrier elements make the structure of the material carrier very simple and user-friendly. In practice, any (two) carrier elements can be combined with one another to form a material carrier.

[0017] Preferably, the first support element and the second support element and in particular the entire material carrier are formed from a plastic. The plastic makes the material carrier light but robust. Plastic is an inexpensive material and the material carrier can be easily formed by suitable processes, such as injection molding. In addition, when using plastic, in contrast to harder materials such as metal, the risk of damaging the conductor is at least reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The following description of the embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Here it is shown:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an embodiment of a material carrier in a mounted state on a linear material;

[0021] Figure 2 a perspective view showing an embodiment of a first carrier element; and

[0022] Figure 3 A perspective view of an embodiment of a first carrier element and a second carrier element when assembled is shown.

[0023] Preferred embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1An embodiment of a material carrier 1 for a linear material 3 in an assembled state with an inserted material or an inserted conductor 3 is shown. The material carrier 1 shown has at least one first carrier element and a separate second carrier element 10, 10'. The first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' form the material carrier 1 in the assembled state. In a preferred embodiment, the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' are detachably fastened to each other via a protective element 7. In an alternative embodiment, the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' are attached to each other via a retaining force. For this purpose, in one embodiment, the inner surface 19 of the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' is magnetically constructed. In other embodiments, for this purpose, the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' can be fastened to each other via other (chemical or mechanical) retaining forces.

[0025] Figure 2 An embodiment of a first carrier element 10 is shown. Preferably, the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' are constructed identically. The first (and second) carrier element 10 (10') shown has at least one first fixing mechanism 12 (12'). In the embodiment shown, the first fixing mechanism 12 is configured as a protrusion. The first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' can be visually and tactilely oriented to each other by the first fixing mechanism 12. In addition, the first (and second) carrier element 10 (10') shown has at least one second fixing mechanism 13. The second fixing mechanism 13 is configured complementary to the first fixing mechanism 12. In the embodiment shown, the second fixing mechanism 13 is a recess into which the protrusion of the first fixing mechanism 12 can be appropriately inserted.

[0026] In addition, the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' can each have an identification feature. In a preferred embodiment, the identification feature includes an RFID tag or a QR code. In other embodiments, alternative identification features can be used to clearly identify the carrier element. In particular, optically or electronically readable identification features are suitable. In an alternative embodiment, the first carrier element and the second carrier element 10, 10' each have partial identification features, which produce a common identification feature in the assembled state of the material carrier. Here, in one embodiment, each carrier element 10, 10' can have a part of a QR code, which is arranged on the carrier element so that they produce a complete QR code in the assembled state. The wire 3 can be clearly identified by the QR code as long as the wire remains in the assembled material carrier 1.

[0027] Furthermore, the first and second carrier elements 10, 10' shown each comprise a front region 14, 14'. The front regions 14, 14' end with a front end 16, 16', respectively. A first length L1 can be defined between the front end 16, 16' and the tip of the free end 5 of the conductor 3. The first length L1 indicates how far the free end 5 protrudes forward from the material carrier 1 along the first direction X. The front regions 14, 14' shown each have an inclined surface. The front regions 14, 14' form a cone in the assembled state of the material carrier 1. The cone is particularly suitable for automatically centering the material carrier 1 on a processing station.

[0028] Furthermore, when the material carrier 1 shown is oriented at a processing station, it is advantageous if the first and second carrier elements 10, 10' each have a positioning element 18, 18', wherein the positioning elements 18, 18' form a common positioning element in the assembled state. In the embodiment shown, the common positioning element comprises a circumferential depression. The material carrier 1 can be clearly grasped or oriented by means of the depression. Furthermore, a second length L2 from the depression to the tip of the free end 5 of the conductor 3 can be determined by means of the common depression. Over the second length L2, the conductor 3 can be precisely oriented, for example at a processing station.

[0029] The material carrier 1 shown also has at least one guide 11 on the first carrier element and / or the second carrier element 10, 10' (see Figure 2 ). The guide 11 extends in the assembled state along the center axis M in a first direction X through the material carrier 1. The linear material or the wire 3 shown can be arranged in the guide 11. If necessary, the wire 3 can be arranged completely in the guide 11 with its free end 5. This requirement can arise, for example, during (longer) transportation of the wire 3 in order to protect the free end 5. At the front end 16, 16', the guide 11 forms a first opening 15 for the wire 3. At the opposite end of the material carrier 1, the guide 11 forms a second opening 17.

[0030] In such Figure 1In the illustrated assembled state, the material carrier 1 is fastened to the linear material or conductor 3 and can move with the material / conductor in any direction. Due to the elongated and compact shape of the material carrier 1 along the conductor 3, the material carrier 1 can remain on the conductor 3 without the risk of being severely damaged. By the permanent fastening of the material carrier 1 on the conductor 3 (during cable assembly), the material carrier 1 stabilizes, for example, thin or very elastic conductors 3, so that these conductors can be grasped and processed more simply. In particular, the linear material or conductor 3 is held in the guide 11 by force fit. And the material carrier 1 can provide the conductor 3 to any processing station in any direction. Preferably, the first and second carrier elements 10, 10' and in particular the entire material carrier 1 are formed from a synthetic material.

[0031] See especially below Figure 3 An embodiment of the use of the material carrier 1 is described. The use can be performed manually or automatically.

[0032] In order to use the material carrier 1 shown, at least one material carrier 1 is placed on each conductor 3 to be processed / assembled. The placement can be automated, for example after cutting or shortening the conductor 3. Preferably, the material carrier 1 is placed on the conductor 3 at the beginning of the conductor assembly and is removed from the conductor 3 again at the end, for example just before packaging the conductor 3. By keeping the material carrier 1 on the conductor 3 at all times, the conductor 3 can be simply and precisely fixed by the material carrier 1, processed at the processing station and always identified.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the material carrier 1 is composed of two identical synthetic material carrier elements 10, 10'. For installation, a first carrier element 10 is provided so that the guide 11 is well visible as a recess. The wire 3 is then arranged in the guide 11. The size of the guide 11 or the recess is adapted to the wire 3 to be held. There can be different carrier elements 10 with different guide sizes. The distinction can be made, for example, by colored markings. The wire 3 should be adaptively located in the guide 11 so that the wire 3 is retained in the material carrier 1 by force fit in the assembled state. The length L1 can be adaptively selected when the wire 1 is placed. If the wire 3 is arranged in the guide 11 of the first carrier element 10, the second carrier element 10' is adaptively placed on the first carrier element 10 so that the wire 3 is arranged in the assembled guide 11 of the two carrier elements 10, 10' and the two carrier elements 10, 10' are arranged relative to each other.

[0034] In order to fasten the two carrier elements 10, 10 to each other, in the described embodiment, a protective element 7 in the form of a ring is pushed onto the material carrier 1. This step can also be automated. In alternative embodiments, the protective element 7 can be realized differently, for example in the form of a bayonet lock, a clamping strap, a buckle, a winding, etc.

[0035] The material carrier 1 is then fastened to the conductor 3 and can move with the conductor in any direction. On the material carrier 1, the conductor 3 is easier to grasp and has a defined position. In particular, since the material carrier 1 can be simply and guided in any direction, the conductor 3 can be handled in real time by the material carrier 1. If necessary, the (unassembled) free end 5 of the conductor 3 can be protected, in which the free end is pulled into the material carrier 1. For this purpose, the protective element 7 must be loosened for a short time if necessary to reduce or cancel the force fit. After the conductor is assembled, the material carrier 1 shown can be simply disassembled by removing the protective element 7 and removing the first and second supporting elements 10, 10' from each other. In the case where the protective element 7 includes a ring as shown, the (inner) diameter of the protective element 7 is usually larger than the plug connector mounted on the free end 5 of the conductor 3. As a result, the protective element 7 can be simply removed via the free end 5 of the conductor 3 in the embodiment shown in the ring. The two support elements 10 , 10 ′ can therefore be moved away from one another transversely to the first direction X, in particular along the second or third direction Y, Z, independently of the installation of the conductor 3 .

[0036] Each material carrier 1 or individual component can be reused. For example, identical carrier elements 10, 10' can be provided in a storage for later use. In later use, two arbitrary carrier elements 10, 10' can be taken out of the storage and assembled into a material carrier 1.

[0037] Reference numerals list

[0038] 1 Material carrier

[0039] 3 Linear materials

[0040] 5 Free end

[0041] 7 Protection components

[0042] 10 First load-bearing element

[0043] 10' Second load-bearing element

[0044] 11 Guides

[0045] 12. 12' First fixing mechanism

[0046] 13 Second fixing mechanism

[0047] 14, 14' front area

[0048] 15 First Opening

[0049] 16, 16' front end

[0050] 17 Second Opening

[0051] 18, 18' positioning piece

[0052] 19 Inner surface

[0053] L1 First length

[0054] L2 Second length

[0055] M Central axis

[0056] X first direction

[0057] Y Second direction

[0058] Z third direction.

Claims

1. A material carrier (1) for a linear material (3), comprising: a) at least one first load-bearing element and a separate second load-bearing element (10, 10'), wherein: The first carrier element and the second carrier element (10, 10') form the material carrier (1) in an assembled state; and b) at least one guide (11) on the first carrier element and / or the second carrier element (10, 10'), which in the assembled state extends through the material carrier (1) along a first direction (X) and in which the linear material (3) can be arranged; wherein: c) The material carrier ( 1 ) can be fastened to the linear material ( 3 ) and can be moved with the linear material in any direction.

2. The material carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The first supporting element and the second supporting element (10, 10') are detachably fastened to each other via a protective element (7).

3. The material carrier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first supporting element and the second supporting element (10, 10') have at least one first fixing means (12, 12').

4. The material carrier (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The first and second support elements (10, 10') have at least one second fixing means (13), wherein the second fixing means (13) is designed to be complementary to the first fixing means (12, 12').

5. The material carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first carrier element and the second carrier element (10, 10') each have an identification feature or each have a partial identification feature which, in the assembled state of the material carrier, produces a common identification feature.

6. The material carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The first and second carrier elements (10, 10') each comprise a front region (14, 14') having an inclined surface, wherein the front region (14, 14') preferably forms a cone in the assembled state of the material carrier (1).

7. The material carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The first supporting element and the second supporting element (10, 10') each have a positioning element (18, 18'), wherein the positioning elements (18, 18') form a common positioning element in the assembled state.

8. The material carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The material carrier (1) is provided in such a way that it can accommodate a free end (5) of the linear material (3) therein.

9. The material carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first support element and the second support element (10, 10') are designed identically.

10. The material carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The first and second carrier elements (10, 10') and in particular the entire material carrier (1) are formed from plastic.

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