Crimping device and method for crimping crimping sleeve to conductor

Abstract

The invention relates to a crimping device (1) having a line tensioner (2), which is prepared for supplying a line end (3) of a conductor (4) for a cable to a crimping device (5), the crimping device (5) being designed such that the conductor end (3) is connected to the crimping device (5). A crimp sleeve (6) is fastened to the line end (3) by pressing a movable portion (7) of the crimp (5) on top of a fixed portion (8) of the crimp (5). Here, the crimping device (1) has a control unit which is arranged and designed to set the position of the line tensioner (2) as a function of the detected position of the movable part (7) of the crimp (5) during the movement of the movable part (7) of the crimp (5). The invention also relates to a method for crimping a crimping sleeve (6) to / to a line end (3) of a conductor (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a crimping device with a line tensioner receiving portion for a line tensioner, wherein the line tensioner is configured to supply the line end of a conductor for a cable to the crimper, and wherein the crimper is designed to secure a crimp sleeve to the line end by pressing a movable portion of the crimper onto a fixed portion of the crimper. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for crimping a crimp sleeve onto a conductor. Background Technology

[0002] A conventional crimping machine has a movable punch-like component that moves vertically relative to an anvil-like component to press a crimping sleeve between the movable part and the anvil-like component. Through pressing, the crimping sleeve undergoes plastic deformation via cold forging, i.e., by crimping, thereby enabling a mechanical and conductive connection to the conductor's line end through deformation of the crimping flanges. Before the actual crimping process, i.e., before the plastic deformation of the crimping flanges of the crimping sleeve, the line end previously exposed by the stripped sheath of the cable is supplied to the crimping machine using a retainer or gripper; and the movable part of the crimping machine, typically the crimping punch, is driven, for example, by an eccentric component or servo drive. The punch-like component of the crimping machine descends onto the line end and presses the conductive connection section of the crimping sleeve onto the exposed conductor of the cable.

[0003] It is known from cable assembly practice that cables to be processed are preferably housed in a U-shape or loop within a cable tensioner, such that the two stripped ends of the cable can be processed or pressed at the same height by a crimping machine. The cable tensioner is guided between different processing stations via a transport system and, if the processing station is a crimping machine, is detachably secured in a cable tensioner housing in front of the crimping machine. After processing, the cable tensioner is detached from the cable tensioner housing and transported via the aforementioned transport system to another processing station connected downstream of the crimping machine. Here, the cable tensioner is detachably secured in the cable tensioner housing for the duration of processing by the crimping machine. The cable tensioner housing is assigned to the corresponding crimping machine.

[0004] During the processing in the crimping device, the end of the line to be processed should be held in a defined position relative to the crimping device in order to ensure a proper connection between the crimping sleeve and the line end with the sheath removed, the crimping sleeve being plastically deformed around the line end with the sheath removed.

[0005] Typically, the contacts to be processed are connected to each other on a carrier belt due to their manufacturing method, and are thus defined and spaced apart, positioned with sufficient precision, and capable of being conveyed, thereby reducing processing complexity. Conversely, during processing, it is necessary to separate the contacts from the carrier belt. This is achieved through the vertical movement of the cutting machine. Therefore, it is additionally necessary that the wire ends can follow the vertical movement of the cutting machine without causing undesirable repositioning or movement of the wire ends.

[0006] As is known in the prior art, the line tensioner is constructed to be elastically supported in order to eliminate sudden acceleration of the line end during the critical process step of crimping, that is, during the placement of the crimp sleeve on the line end of the conductor, because otherwise there would be a risk of the line end being pulled out of the crimper by the squeezing motion of the punch-like component. This is particularly suitable for conductors with small cross-sections.

[0007] DE 20 2018 103 289 U1 describes a crimping device with a crimper designed to crimp a sleeve onto the line end of a cable by pressing a movable portion of the crimper, configured as a crimping punch, onto a fixed portion of the crimper, configured as an anvil. The stripped line end of the cable, held by a cable clamping module, is supplied to the crimping device. In addition to the crimper, the crimping device includes a descending member with a descending punch, wherein the descending punch is movably supported relative to the crimper, and wherein the descending punch is movable in a descending direction by an additional descending member driver independent of the driver of the crimper, such that the lower side of the descending punch contacts the upper side of a section of the cable clamping module from above and presses the cable clamping module downward synchronously with the crimping punch. The cable clamping module has its own driver, so the descending actuator driver must work synchronously with not only the crimping machine's driver but also the cable clamping module's driver, which requires corresponding coordinated upper-level control. At the start of the crimping process, the cable clamping module is in a horizontal processing position below the descending punch; however, this is an uncertain initial position, requiring the descending punch to descend in order to press the cable clamping module into a defined position for further processing. After the crimping process ends and the descending punch no longer presses down on the cable clamping module, the cable clamping module returns to this uncertain initial position.

[0008] However, asynchronous positioning of the conductor relative to the crimper or the crimping motion can be helpful in optimizing process quality and reducing scrap rates. Therefore, it is necessary to release the rigid mechanical coupling between the crimper and the line tensioner, as otherwise relative movement of the crimper relative to the conductor would be impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to avoid or at least mitigate the above-mentioned disadvantages and, in particular, to provide a crimping device that does not have a rigid mechanical coupling between the line tensioner and the crimper, and should be able to flexibly respond to the pressing requirements for crimping sleeves with different constructions at the ends of lines with different diameters.

[0010] This task is accomplished by the crimping device according to the invention and by the method for crimping conductors according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments will be derived from the following description.

[0011] Herein, the present invention relates to a crimping device having

[0012] - A crimping device, designed to secure a crimp sleeve to the line end of a cable by pressing its movable portions onto its fixed portions.

[0013] - A line tensioner housing for a line tensioner, wherein the line tensioner is configured to supply the line end of the conductor of the cable to the crimper.

[0014] The line tensioner receiving portion can loosely and securely accommodate the line tensioner during the duration of the stacking and pressing.

[0015] The crimping device also includes a control unit, which is configured to set the position of the line tensioner by operating a motor, which is part of the line tensioner housing, during movement of the movable part of the crimper, based on the detected position of the movable part of the crimper.

[0016] The crimping device therefore includes a crimper, a line tensioner housing, and a control unit for at least one motor that is part of the line tensioner housing as its basic components.

[0017] Here, the line tensioner housing has at least one motor, and the control unit is configured and set to operate at least one motor of the line tensioner housing.

[0018] Therefore, the present invention first relates to a crimping device having a line tensioner receiving portion configured to releasably securely receive a line tensioner, wherein the line tensioner is fixed to the line end of a conductor of a cable, and wherein the line tensioner receiving portion supplies the line tensioner to a crimping device. The crimping device is particularly designed to secure a crimp sleeve to the line end by pressing a movable portion of the crimping device onto a fixed portion of the crimping device. Here, the crimping device has a control unit configured to set the position of the line tensioner by operating a motor, which is part of the line tensioner receiving portion, during movement of the movable portion of the crimping device, based on a detected position of the movable portion of the crimping device.

[0019] In other words, the crimping device has a higher-level control unit / programmable logic controller (SPS) whose input value (master value) is the detected position of the movable part of the crimper and whose output value (slave value) is the coordinated position of the wire tensioner. Therefore, the wire tensioner is constructed as part of the crimping device during the crimping process. In other words, the crimping device has a crimper and a wire tensioner housing with at least one motor controlled by the control unit. The wire tensioning position is set, particularly during the movement of the movable part of the crimper, i.e., during the actual crimping process. Furthermore, the wire tensioner housing is configured such that the wire tensioner, and thus the cable housed within it, is aligned with the wire end to be processed relative to the crimper. In other words, the wire tensioner housing of this crimping device can be independently controlled by the crimper, particularly servo-electrically, and the wire tensioner can be positioned independently of the crimper driver but in a freely selectable, particularly operator-settable, and reproducible manner.

[0020] The setting of the line tensioner's particularly vertical position and the crimping / pressing motion (the movement of the movable part of the crimper along the crimping axis) are coupled via a control unit or software. Therefore, the movement (ascending and descending) of the line tensioner parallel to the crimping axis is coupled to the position of the movable part of the crimper via the control unit. Here, the movable part of the crimper for pressing the crimping sleeve can move vertically upwards or downwards onto the fixed part of the crimper. That is, the crimper can also be configured such that the crimping sleeve is pressed by the upward movement of the movable part.

[0021] Therefore, the movement of the line tensioner is no longer rigidly connected to the crimper, thus advantageously allowing for more degrees of freedom throughout the crimping process. If the crimper of the crimping device is to press a crimp sleeve with a different geometry, for example, the control unit of the crimping device can be configured such that the movement of the line tensioner housing, and thus the movement of the line tensioner loosely fixed in the line tensioner housing, takes into account this new geometry of the crimp sleeve. In particular, it can be specified that the control unit has a program customized for each crimp sleeve to be pressed. Experience values ​​can be stored and provided to other crimping devices through the corresponding program. This applies if the diameter or geometry of the cable end to be processed changes.

[0022] In an advantageous aspect of the invention, the line tensioner has a z-linear motor for setting the stroke of the line tensioner. A separate drive for setting the vertical position along the z-axis of the line tensioner (for raising and lowering) can preferably be configured as a linear motor. Linear motors are capable of providing linear motion directly and, unlike rotary motors, do not require the conversion of rotary motion into linear motion via a spindle or the like.

[0023] For the z-linear motor, it is particularly preferably positioned below the line tensioner and at least partially supports the weight of the line tensioner. Because the z-linear motor persistently overcomes the gravity of the line tensioner, which is releasably fixed in the line tensioner housing, it ensures precise control of the line tensioner. In particular, it prevents undefined initial positions of the line tensioner and the cable housed within it relative to the crimping device. Especially, in addition to the z-linear motor, a pneumatic weight balance can be provided to additionally accommodate the weight of the line tensioner, so that the power of the z-linear motor is essentially fully available for acceleration in either the positive or negative z-direction.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the crimper has a crimper driver configured to cause the movable portion of the crimper to move perpendicularly to / from the fixed portion of the crimper, preferably periodically, for example, as a sinusoidal curve. Here, the signal tapped by the crimper driver, for example, the instantaneous power consumption performed by the crimper driver, is supplied as an input parameter to the control unit of the motor of the line tensioner housing.

[0025] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the control unit is configured to set the vertical position of the line tensioner via a z-linear motor based on the position of the movable portion of the crimper.

[0026] In other words, the driver used to set the vertical position of the line tensioner depends on the movement of the crimper and can be controlled by a higher-level control unit. Therefore, the stroke setting of the line tensioner is coordinated with the crimper during the crimping process, or the operation of the linear motor is synchronized with the crimper driver.

[0027] Preferably, the linear motor of the line tensioner housing is coordinated by the crimper driver based on the position of the movable part of the crimper, and then the control unit instructs the linear motor of the line tensioner to indicate the rated position based on the preset position of the movable part of the crimper. The control unit is thus configured to cause the line tensioner to synchronously follow the movable part of the crimper via the linear motor. The detection of the position of the movable part is performed at a defined trigger point. For example, it is possible to define the start of the crimping process (i.e., when the downward-moving movable part of the crimper begins to deform the crimp sleeve) as such a trigger point. Alternatively, a reference point freely chosen in space, reached by the movable part of the crimper, can also be defined as the trigger point. Preferably, the coordination or correlation between the linear motor and the crimper driver is determined by a predetermined profile initiated by the line tensioner. This profile may, for example, be stored as a recipe and based on the operator's experience.

[0028] Here, the crimping device includes the control unit exemplarily described above, which is configured and constructed to set the position of the line tensioner by operating a motor, which is part of the line tensioner receptacle, during movement of the movable portion of the crimper, based on a detected position of the movable portion of the crimper. Here, the motor has an actuator whose movement is transmitted via the line tensioner releasably fixed within the line tensioner receptacle.

[0029] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the line tensioner receiving portion has an x-linear motor for laterally moving the line tensioner relative to the crimper and a y-linear motor for guiding the line tensioner into and out of the crimper.

[0030] The x-linear motor is configured to orient and position the line tensioner and the cable housed within it relative to the crimping device along the x-axis. In other words, the x-linear motor is configured to correctly orient the line tensioner, and thus the cable clamped within it, relative to the crimping device, such that the axis of the line at both ends of the cable lies at least in a virtual plane that passes perpendicularly through the crimping sleeve in the crimping device, and the axis of the crimping sleeve also lies in this plane.

[0031] A Y-linear motor is constructed to guide the line tensioner and thus the line end back and forth along the Y-axis to or away from the crimper. In particular, the Y-linear motor is constructed and configured to correctly orient the line end along the longitudinal direction of the cable in the gap between the movable part of the crimper and the fixed part of the crimper.

[0032] Shortly before or after the crimp sleeve is pressed onto the line end, the Y-linear motor guides the line tensioner, which is releasably fixed in the line tensioner housing, toward or away from the line. The X-linear motor and Y-linear motor are thus configured to position the line tensioner in a horizontal plane, wherein, on an imaginary horizontal plane, the direction of the interaction between the movable part of the crimper and the fixed part of the crimper is perpendicular.

[0033] Therefore, it is preferable to install three linear motors in the crimping device, one for each of the x, y, and z axes. The control unit transmits control signals to the corresponding linear motors / actuators and connects to each linear motor via signal transmission cables.

[0034] Here, at least the z-linear motor used for the line tensioner to move along the z-axis (for setting the stroke) synchronously follows the crimper driver.

[0035] According to an advantageous improvement of the invention, the control unit is configured and constructed to determine the position of the line tensioner by means of a position sensor on the corresponding linear motor. For example, the position sensor is configured as a Hall sensor on the corresponding linear motor of the line tensioner.

[0036] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a control unit is configured to check the detected position of the line tensioner and output a fault signal if a deviation is determined between the detected position of the line tensioner and the desired position. In other words, the actual position of the line tensioner is additionally checked by the control unit using a rated position determined, particularly based on the detected position of the movable part of the crimping device. This control unit operates at least one motor, which is part of the line tensioner housing. Therefore, when there is a deviation between the actual position and the rated position, an alarm is triggered to the operator, or the crimping device can automatically interrupt the crimping process in this situation.

[0037] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the control unit is configured and arranged to determine the position of the movable portion of the crimper by means of a rotary encoder in the crimper driver. That is to say, the position of the movable portion is preferably determined by the position determination of the crimper driver. This position can be measured, for example, by the rotary encoder in the crimper driver, and this position is transmitted to the control unit.

[0038] Preferably, non-contact, such as magnetic, position sensors are arranged in the x, y, and z directions respectively, which detect the current position of the line tensioner.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a method for crimping a sleeve to the line end of a conductor of a cable, the method comprising the steps of:

[0040] Move the conductor-containing line tensioner toward the crimper to its initial position and secure the line tensioner in the line tensioner housing of the crimper;

[0041] The conductor's line end is supplied to the crimper via a Y-linear motor in the line tensioner housing;

[0042] The crimping sleeve is secured to the end of the line by stacking and pressing the movable part of the crimping device onto the fixed part of the crimping device;

[0043] The position of the movable part of the crimper is detected by the control unit;

[0044] The stroke of the line tensioner is set by the control unit based on the detected position of the movable part via the z-linear motor of the line tensioner housing.

[0045] The line tensioner with the conductor is returned to the initial position through the line tensioner housing of the crimper, and

[0046] The line tensioner is loosened by using the line tensioner receiving part of the crimper to fix the line tensioner.

[0047] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to advantageous embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 A perspective side view of a crimping device having a crimper and a line tensioner according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 A three-dimensional isometric front view of the line tensioner of a crimping device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0050] Figure 3 A three-dimensional isometric rear view of the line tensioner of a crimping device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0051] Figure 4 A partially enlarged view of the crimping device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown; and

[0052] Figure 5A flowchart illustrating a method for crimping a crimp sleeve to the line end of a conductor according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0053] Wherein: 1-crimping device; 2-line tensioner housing; 2a-line tensioner; 2b-gripper; 2c-operating section; 2d-coupling plate; 3-line end; 4-conductor; 5-crimper; 6-crimping sleeve; 7-(crimper's) movable part, especially the crimping punch; 8-(crimper's) fixed part, especially the anvil; 9-z linear motor; 10-y linear motor; 11-z linear motor shaft; 12-y linear motor shaft; 13-housing. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and intended only to illustrate the invention. It should be noted that features of the various embodiments can be interchanged and can appear in specific combinations.

[0055] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 5 The present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments. Herein, Figure 1 The crimping device 1 is shown in a three-dimensional side view. Figure 2 and Figure 3 An isometric view of the line tensioner 2 of the crimping device 1 is shown. Figure 4 An enlarged view of the crimper 5 of the crimping device 1 is shown. Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary method process for crimping using a crimping device 1 according to the invention is shown.

[0056] Figure 1 A perspective side view of a crimping device 1 having a crimper 5 and a line tensioner 2a is shown, wherein the line tensioner 2a is detachably fixed and accommodated in a line tensioner accommodating portion 2.

[0057] The crimper 5 has a vertically movable part 7, namely a crimping punch, and a fixed part 8, namely an anvil. Here, the movable part 7, namely the crimping punch having a closed profile open toward the crimping side, functions as a punch-shaped component, which periodically moves upward and downward relative to the fixed part 8, namely the anvil, and is constructed as a corresponding anvil-shaped component to press the crimping sleeve 6 arranged on the fixed part 8 of the crimper 5.

[0058] The conductor 4 for the cable is housed in the line tensioner 2a, and the line end 3 of the conductor 4 protrudes in the horizontal line for supply to the crimper 5. Additionally, a line tensioner housing 2, having the line tensioner 2a releasably fixed thereto, is shown and configured to center the line end 3 relative to the crimper 5 (along the x-axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in this figure) and simultaneously supply the line end 3 to the crimper 5 (along the y-axis located in the plane of the drawing and on the axis of the conductor 4 and the crimping sleeve 6), so that the crimping sleeve 6 can be pressed against the line end 3 by the crimper 5, particularly by the vertical movement of the movable portion 7. Furthermore, the line tensioner housing 2 is configured to allow the line tensioner 2a to move along the z-axis, which extends vertically upward in this figure. This means that the stroke of the line tensioner 2a can be set by a separate actuator; for this purpose, the line tensioner housing 2 has at least one motor, which is part of the line tensioner housing 2. Here, the actuator of the corresponding motor used to set the position of the line tensioner 2 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) that acts on the corresponding motor, which is part of the line tensioner housing 2.

[0059] exist Figure 1 The line tensioner 2a shown has pneumatically operable grippers 2b and an operating section 2c, between which the end section of the cable is accommodated. The operating section is pneumatically operable to open or close the grippers 2b. The lower side of the line tensioner 2a is planarly, and particularly shape-locked, placed on a coupling plate 2d. The line tensioner 2a is additionally and releasably locked onto the coupling plate by means of a device not shown. In addition to motors 9 and 10 and a motor (not shown) for the x-direction, the coupling plate 2d also has components, i.e., portions, of the line tensioner receiving part 2, particularly the actuator of the y-linear motor 10, which acts directly laterally on the coupling plate 2d. The composite of the y-linear motor 10 and the coupling plate 2d is supported or movable in the z-direction, i.e., in the direction of gravity, by the z-linear motor 9. The composite consisting of the coupling plate 2d, the y linear motor 10 and the z linear motor 9 arranged below the y linear motor 10 is supported by an x ​​linear motor (not shown) arranged on the housing 13 below the z linear motor. The housing 13 is another component, namely, another part of the line tensioner housing 2.

[0060] Therefore, the line tensioner housing 2 has a coupling plate 2d, linear motors 9 and 10, and a linear motor for movement in the x-direction as its main components. During the movement of the crimping punch 7, the linear motor 10 in at least the z-direction is controlled by a control unit, which controls the position of the line tensioner 2a based on the position detected by the movable part 7 of the crimping machine of the crimper 5, i.e., the crimping punch. This is especially true for the descending movement of the line tensioner 2 when the line tensioner 2a is releasably locked in the coupling plate 2d of the line tensioner housing 2 with its lower side.

[0061] It is understood that, as will be further explained, the control unit can also be configured to control the y-linear motor 10 and the motor for movement in the x-direction. This control of the y-linear motor 10 and / or the motor (especially the linear motor) for movement in the x-direction can also be performed before or after the control of the z-linear motor 9, or alternatively during the control of the z-linear motor 9, such that in the latter case, the downward motion in the z-direction is superimposed on the motion in the y-direction and / or x-direction.

[0062] Figure 1 The crimping device 1 shown is part of a modular assembly for cable assembly, wherein the crimping device 1 is one of a plurality of processing modules. The modular assembly for cable assembly also includes a transport system (not shown) that transports the line tensioner 2a from one module to another. Figure 1 The cable tensioner 2a shown is positioned such that it is brought close to the crimping device 1 from the upstream processing station via a transport system along the X direction to the front of the crimping device 1 and towards the crimping device 1 along the Y direction, allowing the cable tensioner 2a to be loosely secured in the cable tensioner receiving portion 2 of the crimping device 1. After processing is completed, the cable tensioner 2a is removed along the negative Y direction via a transport system (not shown) and transported along the X direction to the processing station located downstream of the crimping device 1. The modular transport system (not shown) of the cable assembly apparatus thus transports the corresponding cable tensioner 2a along the X or Y direction, and if necessary, along the Z direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions, from one module to the next. Before reaching the crimping device 1, the line tensioner 2a is placed on the line tensioner receiving portion 2 of the crimping clamp 1, such that the supply of the line end 3 housed in the line tensioner 2a to or from the crimper 5 of the crimping device 1 is controlled by a control unit, which is part of the crimping device 1 and is described in more detail above or below. The control unit assigned to the crimping device 1 is independent of the control unit of the transport system (not shown further), however, the two control units work in coordination with each other.

[0063] Figure 2 and 3 Showing has Figure 1 The image shows a three-dimensional isometric front or rear view of the line tensioner housing 2 of the crimping device 1, which is detachably fixed to the line tensioner housing 2. A conductor 4 with a line end 3 can be seen, which is fixedly clamped in the upper section of the line tensioner 2a. This section, along with the conductor 4, can be vertically raised or lowered by a z-linear motor 9. The z-linear motor 9 moves along the z-linear motor axis 11 to set the position (or stroke) of the line tensioner 2a along the z-axis based on the detected position of the movable portion 7 of the crimper 5 during movement, i.e., during the actual crimping process. A y-linear motor 10 is provided to guide the upper section of the line tensioner 2a toward or away from the crimper 5 along the y-axis. Here, the y-linear motor moves along the y-linear motor axis 12 shown to guide the clamped wire end 3 toward the crimping sleeve 6 before the crimping process or to remove it from the crimper 5 after the crimping process is completed. An x-linear motor (not shown) is configured to guide the wire tensioner 2a along the x-axis, which is arranged perpendicular to the y and z axes, so that the wire end 3 is laterally oriented relative to the crimper 5. Each linear motor is controlled here by a control unit (not shown) of the crimping device 1. The z-linear motor 9 is controlled at least according to the detected position of the movable portion 7 of the crimper 5. Furthermore, the control unit of the crimping device 1 can be set and configured such that the x-linear motor and / or y-linear motor 10 are also controlled according to the detected position of the movable portion 7 of the crimper 5. Additionally, the wire tensioner housing 2 has a housing 13 that surrounds the motors 9 and 10, as well as the motor for movement in the x-direction.

[0064] Figure 4 An enlarged view of the crimper 5 of the crimping device 1 according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0065] Figure 4Multiple crimping sleeves 6 are shown, arranged on the fixed portion 8 of the crimper 5. These crimping sleeves can be pressed against the fixed portion 8 (i.e., the anvil) by means of the vertically downward moving movable portion 7 (i.e., the crimping machine) using the wire end 3 of the conductor 4 (not shown here). The control unit detects the particularly vertical position of the movable portion 7 of the crimper 5, so that the conductor 4 can be followed synchronously in time and parallel in space, i.e., in the z-direction, for the pressing process by the z-linear motor 9, thereby preventing the conductor 4 from potentially harmfully bending due to the pulse input of the contact portions 7, 8. Therefore, the relative movement of the wire tensioner 2a relative to the crimper 5 can be realized synchronously in time and parallel in space by means of the z-linear motor 9 of the wire tensioner housing 2.

[0066] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary and preferred method for crimping a crimp sleeve 6 onto the line end 3 of a conductor 4 is shown. In a first step S1, the line tensioner 2, in which the conductor 4 is clamped, is moved toward the crimper 5, i.e., by manipulating the x-linear motor 9 of the line tensioner receptacle 2 to an initial position, with the line tensioner 2a pre-loosely fixed in the line tensioner receptacle 2. Subsequently, in a second step S2, the line end 3 of the clamped conductor 4 is supplied to the crimper 5 by manipulating the y-linear motor 10 of the line tensioner receptacle 2, and in a subsequent step S3, the crimp sleeve 6 on the line end 3 is fastened to / crimped onto the fixed portion 8 of the crimper 5 by stacking and pressing the movable portion 7 of the crimper 5. In a fourth step S4, the control unit detects the position of the movable portion 7. Preferably, the detection of the spatial position of the movable portion 7 is performed continuously. In the fifth step S5, the travel of the line tensioner 2a in the z-direction is set by the control unit using the z-linear motor 9 of the line tensioner 2a, based on the detected position of the movable part 7. In the final step S6, the line tensioner 2a with the clamped conductor 4 returns to its initial position via the x-linear motor, y-linear motor 10, and / or z-linear motor 9 of the line tensioner housing 2. Finally, the line tensioner 2a is released from its fixation in the line tensioner housing 2. The steps of tightening the crimp sleeve 6 (S3), detecting the position of the movable part 7 (S4), and setting the travel of the line tensioner 2 (S5) can be performed in parallel / simultaneously, or the order of these steps S3 to S5 is not fixed. Regarding steps S4 (detecting the position of the movable part 7 of the crimper 5 by the control unit) and S5 (setting the stroke of the line tensioner 3 by the control unit via the z-linear motor 9 of the line tensioner housing 2 based on the detected position of the movable part 7 of the crimper 5), it is to be determined that the movement between the movable part 7 of the crimper 5 and the line tensioner 2a is continuously synchronized with each other.

Claims

1. A crimping device (1), comprising: A crimping device (5), the crimping device being designed to secure a crimping sleeve (6) to the line end (3) of a cable by pressing the movable portion (7) of the crimping device (5) onto the fixed portion (8) of the crimping device (5), and The line tensioner receiving part (2) for the line tensioner (2a), wherein, The line tensioner (2a) is configured to supply the line end (3) of the conductor (4) of the cable to the crimper (5). The line tensioner receiving part (2) can loosely and securely receive the line tensioner (2a) during the duration of the stacking and pressing. The crimping device (1) also has a control unit, which is configured to set the position of the line tensioner (2a) by operating a motor, which is part of the line tensioner housing (2), during movement of the movable part (7) of the crimper (5) according to the detected position of the movable part (7) of the crimper (5).

2. The crimping device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The line tensioner housing (2) has a z-linear motor (9) for setting the stroke of the line tensioner (2a).

3. The crimping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The crimper (5) has a crimper driver configured to move the movable portion (7) of the crimper (5) perpendicular to or from the fixed portion (8) of the crimper (5), wherein a signal tapped from the crimper driver is supplied to the control unit.

4. The crimping device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to set the vertical position of the line tensioner (2a) by means of the z-linear motor (9) according to the position of the movable part (7).

5. The crimping device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The line tensioner receiving portion (2) has an x ​​linear motor for laterally moving the line tensioner (2) relative to the crimper (5) and a y linear motor (10) for guiding the line tensioner (2a) to the crimper (5) and guiding it away from the crimper.

6. The crimping device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to set the horizontal position of the line tensioner (2a) according to the position of the movable part (7) via the x linear motor and the y linear motor (10).

7. The crimping device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to determine the position of the line tensioner (2a) by means of a position sensor on the corresponding linear motor.

8. The crimping device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to check the detected position of the line tensioner (2a) and output a fault signal if a deviation is found between the detected position of the line tensioner (2a) and the position of the section to be set.

9. The crimping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to determine the position of the movable portion (7) of the crimper (5) by means of a rotary encoder in the crimper driver.

10. The crimping device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The specification stipulates that the z-linear motor (9) is arranged below the line tensioner (2a) and at least partially supports the weight of the line tensioner (2a).

11. The crimping device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, It is specified that the y linear motor (10) and / or the x linear motor are arranged below the line tensioner (2a).

12. A method for crimping a crimp sleeve (6) to the line end (3) of a conductor (4), characterized by the following steps: The line tensioner (2a) with conductor (4) is moved (S1) toward the crimper (5) to the initial position and the line tensioner (2a) is fixed in the line tensioner receiving part (2) of the crimper (5); The line end (3) of the conductor (4) is supplied to the crimper (5) via the y-linear motor (10) of the line tensioner housing (2) (S2); By stacking and pressing the movable part (7) of the crimper (5) onto the fixed part (8) of the crimper (5), the crimping sleeve (6) is fastened (S3) to the end of the line (3); The position of the movable part (7) of the crimper (5) is detected by the control unit (S4); The linear motor (9) of the line tensioner housing (2) sets (S5) the stroke of the line tensioner (2a) according to the detected position of the movable part (7) by means of the control unit; The line tensioner (2) having the conductor (4) is led back (S6) to the initial position through the line tensioner receiving part (2) of the crimper (5), and The line tensioner (2a) is loosened by the line tensioner receiving part (2) of the crimper (5).

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