Cable processing machine and method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a stock of

Abstract

A cable processing machine (100) includes: a rotating arm (120) located on a cable supply side; a stock bin (150) for the plurality of cable guide units (130-1-130-6) and a fixing device (121) for the cable guide units (130-1-130-6); wherein the fixing device is arranged on the rotating arm (120), can be automatically actuated and is used for selectively receiving cable guiding units (130-1-130-6) from the stock bin (150) according to a guiding unit selection signal. When the guide unit selection signal is received, the cable processing machine (100) rotates the rotating arm (120) to the corresponding position relative to the stock bin (150) and receives the selected cable guide units (130-1-130-6) from the stock bin (150) through the fixing device (121).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a wire processing machine and a method for selectively receiving a wire guide unit from a magazine of the wire processing machine. Background Art

[0002] Cable processing machines are used to perform one or more processes on cables, especially on the ends of cables, in an automated manner. In this case, it is desirable to use the same cable processing machine to process multiple cables that may have different characteristics. These differences include, for example, cable cross-section, insulation thickness, etc.

[0003] It is well known that when different cables need to be processed, the cables need to be replaced. This replacement sometimes also requires the replacement of the relevant guide tubes and relevant guide hoses that need to be passed through by the cables. In this context, patent EP1548902B1 discloses a corresponding threading auxiliary device. Patent EP1548903B1 discloses a technology, in which a cable processing machine includes a feeding device, which can be moved to a silo that can be loaded with multiple guide tubes. After receiving the guide tube, the cable still needs to be passed through the guide tube, that is, the replacement of the cable itself is not automatic. Therefore, there is a need for a cable processing machine that can replace the cable in an automated manner. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention discloses a cable processing machine as claimed in claim 1 and a method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a magazine of the cable processing machine as claimed in claim 10. Advantageous technical developments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to one aspect, a cable processing machine has a swivel arm on the cable supply side, a magazine for a plurality of cable guide units and a fixture for the cable guide units, wherein the fixture is arranged on the swivel arm and can be automatically actuated. The fixture is used to selectively receive a cable guide unit from the magazine according to a guide unit selection signal. The cable processing machine is configured so that, upon receiving the guide unit selection signal, it rotates the swivel arm to a corresponding position relative to the magazine and receives the selected cable guide unit from the magazine via the fixture.

[0006] According to another aspect, the invention discloses a method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a silo of a cable processing machine. The cable processing machine has a swivel arm on the cable supply side, a silo, and a fixture for the cable guide unit, wherein the fixture is arranged on the swivel arm and can be automatically actuated. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a guide unit selection signal specifying a cable guide unit in the silo; rotating the swivel arm to a corresponding position relative to the silo; and receiving the selected cable guide unit from the silo by means of the fixture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In these drawings: Figure 1 A perspective view showing a portion of a prior art wire processing machine; Figure 2 A perspective view showing a portion of a wire processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A top view of a portion of the wire processing machine is shown; Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a cable guide unit of a cable processing machine is shown; Figure 5 Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of the rotating arm and silo components on the wire supply side of the wire processing machine is shown; and Figures 6(a) to 6(d) show Figure 2 A section of a cable processing machine is shown in side views at different points in time in order to illustrate the processing sequence according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a conventional wire processing machine 1 is shown. The wire is, for example, drawn from a reel (not shown) or the like. Figure 1 The cable feeder 61 is supplied on the right side of the figure. This side is called the cable supply side. Behind the cable feeder 61 is a guide hose 40 for supplying cables. The guide tube 31 behind the guide hose 40 is fixed in front of the cable clamp 21. The guide hose 40, the cable clamp 21 and the guide tube 31 are arranged on the rotating arm 20 on the cable supply side. Another rotating arm 10 with a cable clamp 11 is arranged opposite to the rotating arm 20 on the cable supply side, and the supplied cable is transferred to the cable clamp 11.

[0009] Cables with a certain cross section are usually clamped on the cable processing machine 1 and processed there. The cable must be guided precisely in order to be processed as flawlessly as possible, which requires suitable inner diameters of the guide hose 40 and the guide tube 31. The inner diameter, especially of the guide tube 31, is usually only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable. During the longitudinal transport (feeding) of the cable, the cable clamp 21 is opened so that the cable feeder 61 can feed the cable through the guide hose 40 and the guide tube 31.

[0010] In order to achieve stable and accurate guidance in a conventional cable processing machine 1, when the processed cable is replaced with a cable with a larger or smaller outer diameter, it is necessary to replace at least the guide tube 31 and, if necessary, the guide hose 40. To this end, the new cable needs to be inserted into the new guide tube 31, which is a manual process and is therefore relatively time-consuming.

[0011] Similar to Figure 1 , Figure 2 A perspective view of a portion of a wire processing machine 100 of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 Shown in top view Figure 2 For clarity, Figure 2 and Figure 3 Describe together.

[0012] The cable is again drawn from a reel (not shown) or the like. Figure 1 The cable is supplied on the right side of the figure. This side is called the cable supply side. A cable changer 160 with a cable feeder 161 is used to supply the cables. For example, the cable changer is a linear cable changer having a construction as described in patent EP 1213800B1, the disclosure of which is included in the present invention by reference. However, this construction is only exemplary and it is also conceivable to use a different type of cable changer, such as a rotary or rotating cable changer.

[0013] A plurality of guide hoses 140-145 are introduced into the cable changer 160, wherein, if possible, the guide hoses have different inner diameters and can therefore accommodate cables with different characteristics (e.g., different outer diameters) accordingly. An associated guide unit 130-1-130-6 follows each guide hose 140-145. The guide units 130-1-130-6 are accommodated in a silo 150 (see also Figure 5 The fixing device 121 is arranged on the rotating arm 120 on the cable supply side (see also Figure 5 Another swivel arm 110 having a cable holder 111 to which the supplied cable is transferred is arranged opposite to the swivel arm 120 on the cable supply side.

[0014] The fixture 121 can be automatically actuated, for example, by means of a superior machine control. The cable processing machine 100 is configured such that, upon receiving a guide unit selection signal, it rotates the rotating arm 120 to a certain position in the silo, wherein at this position, the guide unit specified by the guide unit selection signal (for example, a certain type of guide unit) can be received. The guide units 130-1 to 130-6 thus selected are then removed or received from the silo 150 by the fixture 121. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the magazine 150 is arranged below the swivel range of the swivel arm and, by way of example, a first one of the guide units (cable guide unit 130 - 1 ) is received on the fixing device 121 of the swivel arm 120 .

[0015] The cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6 differ in at least one of the cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6 in terms of suitability for the type of cable being guided. Typically, this is related to the outer diameter of the guided cable. For example, the inner diameter of one cable guide unit 130-1 to 130-6 is different from the inner diameter of at least one other cable guide unit 130-1 to 130-6.

[0016] In addition, at least one of the cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6 is equipped with a cable to be guided. Preferably, all of the cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6 are equipped with cables to be guided.

[0017] All cables are inserted into the cable changer 160, extend through the associated guide hoses 140-145 and the associated guide tubes, and remain in this position, even if the associated guide units 130-1-130-6 are located in the silo 150. When changing cables, the cable changer 160 is shifted so as to transfer the required cables, and the corresponding guide units 130-1-130-6 are moved out of the silo 150, i.e., received on the fixture 121.

[0018] It should be noted that the number of the cable guide units 130 - 1 to 130 - 6 is 6 in total in the exemplary embodiment shown, but may also be different from 6. In particular, the number of the cable guide units 130 - 1 to 130 - 6 is at least 2.

[0019] Figure 4A perspective view of a guide unit is shown, which is denoted by reference numeral 130 and represents each cable guide unit 130-1 to 130-6, even though, for example, the diameters of the guide tube 131 and / or the guide hose 140 may be different. The guide unit 130 comprises a carrier 135, to which the guide tube 131 and the guide hose 140 are fixed. The cable 180 passes through the guide hose 140 and the guide tube 131 and exits at the end of the guide tube 131. The recess 190 is able to clamp the cable and close a threading aid (not shown) when the cable clamp is open. The carrier 135 has one or more engagement surfaces 132, 133, which are designed, for example, in a wedge shape, so that they can be fixed to the corresponding corresponding parts of the rotating arm 120 or the silo 150, respectively.

[0020] Figure 5 A partial perspective view of a rotating arm 120 and a silo 150 is shown. As an example, two silo components 150-1, 150-2 are shown, wherein the cable guide unit 130 is received in the silo component 150-1. It should be noted that the number of silo components on the silo 150 corresponds to the number of cable guide units that can be accommodated therein. Preferably, the configuration of the silo components 150-1, 150-2 is the same. The following is an explanation taking the construction of the silo component 150-1 as an example. The silo component 150-1 includes a lifting plate 151, a lifting cylinder 155 and a clamping device 152 such as a clamping cylinder. The fixing device 121 on the rotating arm 120 includes a clamping device 122 such as a clamping cylinder. The guide unit 130 accommodated in the silo 150 (in the corresponding silo unit 150-1) is aligned with the lower joint surface 133 and fixed by applying pressure to the lower joint surface 133 with the help of the clamping device 152. The lifting plate 151 can be vertically moved by the lifting cylinder 155. In the fixing device 121, the upper engaging surface 132 is aligned with the clamping device 122 and fixed thereto by applying pressure.

[0021] 6(a) to 6(d) show a series of method steps for transferring the guide unit 130 from the rotating arm 120 to the silo 150. In FIG6(a), the rotating arm has been rotated so that the fixing device 121 is located above the empty space (empty silo components 150-1, 150-2) in the silo 150. In FIG6(b), the lifting cylinder 155 of the relevant silo component 150-1, 150-2 moves upward so that the clamping device 152 arranged on the lifting plate 151 is aligned relative to the lower engagement surface 133 of the guide unit 130. In FIG6(c), the clamping device 122 on the fixing device 121 of the rotating arm 120 is released and the clamping device 152 moves outward, thereby clamping the guide unit 130. In FIG6(d), the lifting cylinder 155 moves downward and thus receives the guide unit 130. In the case of a cable replacement, the guide unit 130 that is no longer needed is positioned on a vacant position of the silo 150 (empty silo parts 150-1, 150-2), so that the swivel arm 120 is ready to receive a different guide unit 130 of the type currently required. During the transfer from the silo 150 to the swivel arm 120, the above steps are performed in reverse order in order to receive the required guide unit 130. If there is no guide unit 130 on the swivel arm 120, it is naturally not necessary to perform the steps for transferring the guide unit 130 from the swivel arm 120 to the silo 150; in fact, in this case, the swivel arm 120 can directly receive the required guide unit 130 from the silo 150, i.e., the above steps are performed in reverse order.

Claims

1. A cable processing machine (100), comprising: a rotating arm (120) located on the cable supply side; A silo (150) for a plurality of cable guide units (130-1 to 130-6); and A fixing device (121) for a cable guide unit (130-1 to 130-6), wherein the fixing device is arranged on the rotating arm (120), can be automatically actuated and is used to selectively receive the cable guide unit (130-1 to 130-6) from the silo (150) according to a guide unit rotation signal; The cable processing machine (100) is configured such that, when receiving the guide unit selection signal, it rotates the rotating arm (120) to a corresponding position relative to the material bin (150), and receives the selected cable guide unit (130-1~130-6) from the material bin (150) through the fixing device (121).

2. The cable processing machine (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one cable guide unit (130-1-130-6) differs from another cable guide unit (130-1-130-6) in terms of suitability for the type of cables guided thereby, in particular in terms of the cross-section and / or insulation thickness of the cables.

3. The cable processing machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: At least one cable guiding unit (130-1~130-6) in the silo, in particular each cable guiding unit (130-1~130-6) is equipped with a cable to be guided.

4. The cable processing machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The cable guide unit (130-1-130-6) comprises a carrier (135) having at least one engagement surface (132, 133), wherein the engagement surface (132, 133) is designed to interact with the fixing device (121).

5. The cable processing machine (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The engagement surfaces (132, 133) are designed in a wedge shape.

6. The cable processing machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The fixing device (121) comprises at least one clamping device (122), wherein the clamping device (122) is designed to interact with the cable guiding units (130-1 to 130-6), in particular to interact with at least one joint surface (132, 133).

7. The cable processing machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The silo (150) comprises a plurality of silo components (150-1, 150-2) for respectively accommodating one of the cable guide units (130-1 to 130-6).

8. The cable processing machine (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one silo component (150-1, 150-2), in particular each silo component (150-1, 150-2) comprises a clamping device (152), in particular a clamping cylinder, for fixing the received cable guide unit (130-1~130-6).

9. The cable processing machine (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: At least one silo component (150-1, 150-2), in particular each silo component (150-1, 150-2) comprises a lifting plate (151) engaged with a lifting cylinder (155) for holding a cable guide unit (130-1 to 130-6), in particular for holding at least one engaging surface (132, 133) of the cable guide unit (130-1 to 130-6).

10. A method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit (130-1-130-6) from a silo (150) of a cable processing machine (100), wherein: The cable processing machine (100) comprises a rotating arm (120) located at a cable supply side, the material bin (150), and a fixing device (121) for the cable guide units (130-1 to 130-6), wherein the fixing device is arranged on the rotating arm (120) and can be automatically actuated; the method comprises the following steps: receiving a guide unit selection signal designating a cable guide unit (130-1 to 130-6) in the silo (150); Rotating the rotating arm (120) to a corresponding position relative to the silo (150); and The selected cable guide unit (130-1 to 130-6) is received from the silo (150) using the fixing device (121).

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