Device for positioning electrical conductor

Abstract

The invention proposes a device for positioning the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors in a welder, the device having: a stop element configured to align the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors on the stop element; and a guide unit configured to guide the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors in the direction of the stop element, and wherein the guide unit is further configured to move away from the stop element to introduce the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors into the welding machine at a specified welding position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for positioning an electrical conductor in a welding machine. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for positioning an electrical conductor in a welding machine. Background Art

[0002] When it comes to electrical conductors to be welded, especially in the case of stranded wire welding, it is important that all conductors are positioned in a correctly aligned manner within the welding area of ​​the welding machine. To this end, the welding machine operator manually aligns the conductors outside the welding machine. The operator then inserts the aligned conductors into the welding area of ​​the welding machine. In addition, the welding process must be started with a second hand. The difficulty is that the welding machine can move freely above the structural plate, so it must be additionally held in place with a second hand. Mechanical stops are used to support the operator in holding the conductors so that the conductors are not pushed through the welding machine. However, the component geometry of the stop may mean that the conductors cannot remain correctly aligned. Instead, the conductors may be moved and pushed through. In addition, the welding area is covered by the stop and is not visible, which makes correction difficult.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an improved device for positioning a conductor for a welding machine, in particular for introducing a conductor into a welding machine, which device can be used at low cost and can reliably align the conductor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a device for aligning the ends of a plurality of electronic conductors using a construction method that is as simple as possible. The device should allow simple, reliable and reproducible alignment of the electronic conductors.

[0005] The described embodiments are also suitable for a method for positioning the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors in a welding machine.Even if not specifically described, synergistic effects can be produced by various combinations of the embodiments.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for positioning the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors in a welding machine is provided. The device comprises: a stop element, which is configured to arrange the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors on the stop element; and a guide unit, which is configured to guide the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors in the direction of the stop element, wherein the guide unit is also configured to move away from the stop element to introduce the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors into a designated welding position in the welding machine.

[0007] In other words, this device is used to correctly align a plurality of electrical conductors, in particular their ends, for a welding process, and introduce the correctly aligned ends of the electrical conductors into a specified welding position. In particular, the guiding unit can be constructed in such a way that, after aligning the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors at the stop element, the guiding unit introduces the ends into the specified welding position in the welding machine. The term "specified welding position" can be understood in particular as at least the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors to be welded are arranged in the welding space of the welding machine and can be welded to each other. By aligning the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors, all the electrical conductors are bundled together and have the same distance from the stop element, and can therefore be introduced into the welding machine in a correctly aligned manner. By means of the device, placing the electronic conductor into the welding machine is at least partially automated, and the manual process of placing it into the welding space of the welding machine is easier for the user. In addition, the position of the electrical conductor can be ensured not to change during alignment and placement into the welding machine by means of a mechanical construction. By means of the device according to the present invention, rework of the electronic conductor can be reduced, because a more accurate alignment is achieved by the stop element, which in turn brings about minimization of errors. Furthermore, the device allows for easier use and thus improves the ergonomic working conditions for the user. Furthermore, the cycle time of the welding process can be reduced, since the device according to the invention allows for optimal alignment and reduced rework. Here, the stop element according to the invention is arranged in particular outside the welding space of the welding machine, and the guide unit is constructed and aligned in such a way that the ends of the plurality of electronic wires outside the welding area, aligned by the stop element, move in an aligned state into the interior space of the welding machine.

[0008] In particular, the device can be used in the case of ultrasonic strand welding.

[0009] The term "electrical conductor" is to be understood in particular to mean an insulated electrical conductor, or also an insulated cable bundle, which is deinsulated at at least one end for welding in a welding machine. The at least one end is to be welded to other, no longer insulated ends of other electrical conductors of the plurality of electrical conductors.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guiding unit is movable along a plane perpendicular to the surface of the stop element and / or movable along a plane parallel to the surface of the stop element. Here, the surface of the stop element is the surface on which the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors are aligned. In other words, the guiding unit is movable in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of electrical conductors toward the stop element and / or is movable along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of electrical conductors. In particular, as an alternative to the movement along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the guiding unit is movable in the longitudinal direction of the electrical conductors. On the other hand, the guiding unit can also be constructed so that it is movable / displaceable in two directions of movement.

[0011] For example, the guide unit can have a linear slide, which realizes the movement in one or both of the above-mentioned movement directions. Here, the device according to the invention is not limited to linear slides, and other elements / components for motion transmission can also be used, such as ball bearings, circular guides, etc.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide unit can reciprocate between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the ends of a plurality of electric wires are arranged outside the welding machine by the device, wherein in the second position, the ends of a plurality of electric wires are at least partially arranged in the welding machine by the device. Thus, at least the ends of a plurality of electric wires to be welded can be arranged in the welding machine. In particular, the first position can be understood as a position in which the ends of a plurality of electric wires are placed on the stop element and aligned with it. This first position is located outside the welding space (or, also referred to as the welding area) of the welding machine. Thus, the alignment of the ends of a plurality of electric wires at or near the welding space can be achieved, while the inspection of the aligned ends before welding in the welding machine is achieved. In addition, the second position can be understood as a position in which a plurality of electric wires or their ends to be welded are arranged in the welding space in the welding machine and can be welded together. The guide unit can move between these two positions.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, after aligning the ends of a plurality of electric conductors at the stop element, the stop element can move away from the plurality of electric conductors. In other words, the stop element can move away from the guide unit, and can move away from the aligned ends of the plurality of electric conductors. After the ends of the plurality of electric conductors are aligned, the stop element can move away from the electric conductor, which simultaneously includes moving away from the guide unit. Moving away can particularly include the removal, folding (or a combination of the two) of the stop element in the direction opposite to the guide unit. The stop element can move away from the guide unit, that is, for example, can move away upward, downward or laterally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of electric conductors. Therefore, the stop element can be aligned relative to the guide element. On the other hand, the stop element can also move away from the plurality of electric conductors. This means that the stop element can move in the longitudinal direction of the electric conductor, so that the stop element moves away from the guide unit and / or the guide element in the longitudinal direction of the electric conductor. These two features can be combined with each other. By moving the stop element away from the end of the electric conductor, scratches on the stop element can be avoided when the electric conductor is moved by the guide unit. This ensures an undamaged surface of the stop element, which is advantageous, for example, in a further exemplary embodiment of a transparent stop element for a clear view of the electrical lines.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the device can also have a base plate, on which the stop element and the guide unit are fixed. The base plate can have corresponding openings and gaps, which enable the electrical conductor to be moved from the stop element (i.e., from outside the welding machine) into the interior space of the welding machine by the movement of the guide unit.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the device may also have a guiding element arranged on the guiding unit. The guiding element may be configured to clamp the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors after being arranged on the stop member. The plurality of electrical conductors may be manually clamped in the guiding element by an operator. Advantageously, the aligned ends of the plurality of electrical conductors are fixed by clamping and sliding is prevented. For example, the guiding element may be configured so that the plurality of electrical conductors are fixed by a press fit and clamped in the guiding element. For example, the guiding element may further be formed in such a way that, if the plurality of electrical conductors are clamped in the guiding element, they may be moved along the longitudinal axis of the electrical conductor by the guiding element and moved into the guiding element by pressing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrical conductor.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide element may have a first opening for receiving a plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the first opening forms a guide channel through which the plurality of electrical conductors pass through the guide element. This can achieve targeted guidance of the plurality of electrical conductors. In addition, the sliding of the electrical conductors when they move along the guide channel can be reduced. For example, the first opening is designed as a through hole through the guide element. On the other hand, the first opening can also be a U-shaped opening on one side of the guide element. The first opening can also be configured so that a user can manually clamp the plurality of electrical conductors in the first opening.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the guide element can be configured so that a plurality of electrical conductors can be automatically clamped. Thus, the alignment of the electrical conductors and their subsequent introduction into the welding space of the welding machine can be at least partially automated, and the manual process of inserting into the welding space of the welding machine can be made easier for the user.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described embodiments, the guide element may also have a second opening, wherein the second opening may be configured to receive a user's finger to manually support the plurality of electrical conductors. The second opening may be arranged adjacent to the first opening. In particular, the first opening may be arranged above the second opening when viewed perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the plurality of electrical conductors. Thus, the plurality of electrical conductors may be guided through the first opening, and during the welding process, the user may support the plurality of electrical conductors through the second opening. This prevents the plurality of electrical conductors from sliding during the welding process, and the position of the plurality of electrical conductors can be easily maintained. In addition, the support may also include pivoting into the welding space of the welding machine. The second opening may also be used to clamp the plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the clamping may be performed manually by the user (as described above) or automatically.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the stop element may have a transparent material. The transparent material ensures a better view of the plurality of electrical conductors. This makes it easier for the operator to handle and introduce the electrical conductors and to check the correct alignment of the plurality of electrical conductors on the stop element. Additionally and / or alternatively, the stop element may also comprise any other material and is not limited to transparent materials.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of electrical conductors may have a plurality of twisted wires. In other words, the plurality of electrical conductors may be regarded as a plurality of twisted wires. In particular, the plurality of electrical conductors may be electrical conductors composed of a plurality of twisted wires, the insulation of which is partially removed, wherein each electrical conductor may be composed of a plurality of electrical twisted wires, and / or wherein each of the plurality of electrical conductors is a respective twisted wire.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stop element can have at least three adjacent faces for receiving a plurality of electrical conductors, which are stretched into a partially open space, similar to the welding space in a welding machine. For example, the three faces are adjacent to each other at at least one corner, wherein the first face forms the bottom side, the second face forms a first side wall protruding vertically upward from the bottom side, and the third face forms a second side wall protruding vertically upward from the bottom side. The first side wall and the second side wall can be perpendicular to each other on an edge, for example at right angles, and can contact each other. In particular, the shape of the stop element is at least partially adapted to the shape of the welding space in the welding machine, so that a plurality of electrical conductors can be aligned by the stop element so that they are placed in the welding space in the manner required for welding. In addition, at least one or more of the three faces can have an introduction bevel. In particular, all faces forming the open space can have an introduction bevel. In this way, the introduction of the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors can be improved.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the device may further comprise a sensor device configured to detect whether the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors are arranged in a designated welding position. Any capacitive, inductive or mechanically operating sensor may be used. For example, a pneumatic cylinder may be used as a sensor for detecting the designated welding position. This ensures that the aligned ends of the plurality of electrical conductors are in the correct, designated position for welding. This may reduce the error rate of the welding process.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the device may also have a controller, which is configured to automatically trigger welding of the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors in the welding machine when the sensor device detects that the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors are arranged in a specified welding position. In this way, automatic start of the welding process can be achieved. By means of sensors and welding control, the cycle time of welding of the electrical conductors can be shortened.

[0024] The designated welding position may be an end position within a welding volume of a welding machine, at which position a plurality of electrical conductors are arranged such that a welding process may be started.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for positioning the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors in a welding machine is described. The method comprises the following steps: guiding the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors in the direction of a stop element by means of a guide unit, aligning the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors on the stop element, and introducing the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors into a specified welding position in the welding machine by means of the guide unit.

[0026] In other words, the method can be carried out as follows, for example. The user collects individual electrical conductors. The end segments of each individual electrical conductor are deinsulated so that the electrical conductor is exposed. Multiple electrical conductors are positioned in the device by means of a stop element and a guide element. This positioning is carried out by guiding the ends of multiple electrical conductors in the direction of the stop element. The ends of multiple electrical conductors are then aligned on the stop element. For example, a transparent end stop enables the operator to visually check whether the length of the bundle consisting of multiple electrical conductors is correct. The bundle consisting of multiple electrical conductors can be clamped, for example, by a guide element to prevent it from sliding. By the movement of the guide unit, the aligned ends of multiple electrical conductors are introduced into the welding space of the welding machine. Here, the aligned ends of multiple electrical conductors are introduced by the guide unit at the specified welding position. Further method steps can then be performed. For example, after reaching the specified welding position, the sensor unit can automatically trigger the welding process of the welding machine.

[0027] In addition, it should be noted that all embodiments of the present invention relating to the method can be performed in the order of the steps described. However, this is not necessarily the only possible and required order of steps of the method. The method described herein can be performed in different orders of the disclosed steps without departing from the corresponding embodiment of the method, unless explicitly stated otherwise below.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, a welding machine for welding a plurality of electrical conductors is described. The welding machine comprises an apparatus according to the embodiments described herein relating to positioning the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors in the welding machine. In particular, the welding machine is suitable for welding the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors by using the apparatus described herein. The welding machine according to the invention enables at least partially automated alignment of a plurality of electrical conductors in the welding machine and enables a manual process of placing into a welding space of the welding machine to be easier for the user.

[0029] Further features, advantages and application possibilities of the invention result from the following description of advantageous exemplary embodiments and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following is an explanation of advantageous embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 An apparatus for locating an electrical conductor according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 A method for positioning an electrical conductor in a position corresponding to a position of the conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 devices in different locations.

[0033] Figure 3 A stop element of the device according to the invention is shown according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0034] The drawings are only schematic representations and serve only to explain the invention. Elements that are identical or have the same function are consistently provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 The device 100 for positioning an electrical conductor 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 100 has a stop element 103, a guide element 104 and a guide unit 105. A plurality of electrical conductors 101 are guided and supported by the guide element 104 up to the stop element 103. The electrical conductor 101 rests on the stop element 103 with one side perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the electrical conductor 101. This ensures uniform alignment of the plurality of electrical conductors 101. Figure 1In the embodiment, the stop element 103 is arranged so that at least one side extending in the longitudinal direction of the electrical conductor 101 is fixed to the device 100. In addition, a second surface 109 forming a first side wall extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the electrical conductor 101, is perpendicular to the first surface (i.e. the bottom side) and is arranged on the first surface. Here, the second surface 109 serves as a stop or a surface with which the electrical conductor 101 can come into contact. In other words, the stop element 103 can be embodied as a right angle. The guide rail is illustrated here as a guide unit 105, in particular a linear slide rail. Alternatively, ball bearings, circular guides or the like can also be used here. In the embodiment, the stop element 103 is arranged in a manner that is perpendicular to the first surface (i.e. the bottom side) and is arranged on the first surface ... Figure 1 In the embodiment, the electrical conductor 101 is aligned outside the welding machine 102 by means of the stop element 103. The user can then move the aligned electrical conductor 101 to the second position, i.e. into the interior of the welding machine 102, by means of the guide unit 105 and the guide element 104 arranged thereon. The guide element 104 has a first recess 106 which is designed in the shape of a U in the present figure, so that the electrical conductor 101 can be inserted into the "U" shape from above on the one hand, or can also be pushed from the side through the two sides of the "U".

[0036] Figure 2 A method for positioning an electrical conductor 101 in a position corresponding to a position of the conductor 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 100 in different positions in the apparatus 100. In this figure, the movement of the electrical conductor 101 into the welding machine 102 is illustrated. It can be seen that the introduction into the welding machine 102 requires movement through the so-called S-shaped part 210 or movement with the S-shaped part 210, which can be achieved by the guide unit 105. The user can support the movement of the electrical conductor 101 by the guide unit 105 through the second recess 107 on the guide element 104, so as to also hold the electrical conductor 101 in place.

[0037] Figure 3A stop element 103 of a device 100 according to the invention is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The stop element 103 has at least three mutually adjacent faces 109, 311, 312 for receiving the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors 101, said faces forming a partially open space, similar to the welding space in a welding machine. The three faces 109, 311, 312 are adjacent to each other at at least one corner. The first face 312 forms the bottom side, the second face 109 forms a first side wall protruding vertically upwards from the bottom, and the third face 311 forms a second side wall protruding vertically upwards from the bottom, wherein the first side wall 109 and the second side wall 311 are perpendicular to each other at the edge, for example at right angles, and contact each other. In particular, the shape of the stop element 103 is at least partially adapted to the shape of the welding space in the welding machine, so that the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors 101 can already be aligned by the stop element 103, as they are placed or should be placed in the welding space for welding. The stop element 103 may optionally have another inclined surface 313 in a plane parallel to the second surface 311. This inclined surface 313 can be used as a guide for the electrical conductor 101, so that a plurality of electrical conductors 101 are better placed on the stop element 103. In addition, Figure 3 A fixing device 314 is shown, which connects the stop element 103 with the guide unit 105. For example, the stop element 103 can be fixed to a base plate having an S-shaped part 210 by the fixing device 314, wherein the guide unit 105 is attached to the same base plate. For example, guide rails and screws etc. can be used as the fixing device 314.

[0038] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the above description, these drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art who implement the claimed invention in light of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0039] It should also be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other above embodiments. Reference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limitations.

[0040] Reference numerals list

[0041] 100 devices

[0042] 101 Electrical wire

[0043] 102 Welding Machine

[0044] 103 Stop element

[0045] 104 Guide element

[0046] 105 Guidance Unit

[0047] 106 First Vacancy

[0048] 107 Second Vacancy

[0049] 109 Side 2

[0050] 210 S-shaped parts

[0051] 311 The third side

[0052] 312 Page 1

[0053] 313 bevel

[0054] 314 Fixed equipment

Claims

1. A device (100) for positioning the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors (101) in a welding machine (102), the device (100) having A stopper element (103), the stopper element (103) being configured to align ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) on the stopper element (103); a guide unit (105) configured to guide ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) in the direction of the stop element (103), in, The guide unit (105) is also configured to move away from the stop element (103) to guide the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) into a designated welding position within the welding machine (102).

2. The device according to claim 1, in, The guide unit (105) is movable along a plane perpendicular to the surface of the stop element (103) and / or movable along a plane parallel to the surface of the stop element (103). The surface of the stop element (103) is the surface on which the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are aligned.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The guide unit (105) is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are arranged outside the welding machine (102) by means of the device, Wherein, in the second position, ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are arranged within the welding machine (102).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: After the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are aligned on the stop element (103), the stop element (103) can be moved away from the plurality of electrical conductors (101).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, The device further comprises a guide element (104) arranged on the guide unit (105), in, The guide element (104) is configured to clamp the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) after being arranged on the stop element (103).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The guide element (104) has a first recess (106) for receiving the plurality of electrical conductors (101), wherein the first recess (106) forms a guide channel for the plurality of electrical conductors (101) to pass through the guide element (104).

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The guide element (104) is configured to automatically clamp the plurality of electrical conductors (101).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The guide element (104) has a second recess (107) configured to receive an operator's finger to manually support the plurality of electrical conductors (101).

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stop element (103) comprises a transparent material.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stop element (103) has at least three mutually adjacent surfaces (109) for receiving the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101), the surfaces forming a partially open space, similar to the welding space in a welding machine.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor device configured to detect whether the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are arranged in a designated welding position.

12. The device according to claim 11 further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to automatically trigger welding of the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) in the welding machine (102) when the sensor device detects that the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are arranged at a specified welding position.

13. A method for positioning ends of a plurality of electrical conductors (101) within a welding machine (102), the method comprising: The ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are guided toward the stop element (103) by means of a guide unit (105), aligning the ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) on the stop element (103), The ends of the plurality of electrical conductors (101) are introduced into the welding machine (102) to designated welding positions through the guiding unit (105).

14. A welding machine for welding the ends of a plurality of electrical conductors (101), the welding machine comprising the device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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