Device for handling cables

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for handling cables (L1 to Ln) with a holding tool (2) which is configured to release at least one cable (L1 to Ln) in a release position and to hold at least one cable (L1 to Ln) in a holding position. According to the invention, the holding tool (2) has at least one holding element (2.1, 2.2) comprising a shape-changing cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1). An outer form of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) is adjustable for transferring the holding tool (2) from the release position to the holding position such that the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) with a holding outer surface (HA1, HA2) encompasses and clamps the at least one line (L1 to Ln) in a holding section at least partially and / or clamps the at least one line (L1 to Ln) between the holding outer surface (HA1, HA2) of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) and another holding element (2.1, 2.2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for handling cables according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2019 110 975 B4, a device for handling a cable harness is known. The device comprises - a shaft with a gripper which is arranged at one end of the shaft and rotates with the shaft when the shaft rotates, wherein the gripper is arranged to release the cable set in a first position and to hold the cable set in a second position; - a holder designed to hold the shaft with the gripper; - a guide configured to guide the shaft with the gripper, wherein the guide has a rotating structure and is configured to rotate the gripper about the axis of the shaft from the first position to the second position upon axial displacement of the shaft in the guide.

[0003] The device is movable in order to handle the held cable set.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a novel device for handling cables.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a device which has the features specified in claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A device for handling lines comprises a holding tool which is configured to release at least one line in a release position and to hold at least one line in a holding position.

[0008] According to the invention, the holding tool comprises at least one holding element having a shape-changing cushion arrangement. An outer shape of the cushion arrangement is adjustable for transferring the holding tool from the release position to the holding position such that the cushion arrangement, with a holding outer side, at least partially encompasses and clamps the at least one line in a holding section of the same and / or clamps the at least one line between the holding outer side of the cushion arrangement and another holding element.

[0009] In an automatic processing of cables, for example electrical cables in a manufacturing process of a cable set comprising several cables, for example a wiring harness for a vehicle, the cables must be held at certain points for processing or transport.

[0010] This device makes it possible to securely and gently hold one or more cables without damaging the material. At the same time, the device is characterized by a simple and cost-effective design and easy-to-implement control. The device can be used for gripping, collecting, and / or transporting cables and / or cable sets.

[0011] In one possible embodiment of the device, an interior of the cushion assembly is coupled to a media source for filling it with a gas and / or a liquid. This enables a simple and reliable pneumatic and / or hydraulic change in the shape of the cushion assembly, wherein, by adjusting the internal pressure in the cushion assembly, a shape of the retaining outer surface can be adjusted very easily and reliably to match an external shape of the at least one line.

[0012] In another possible embodiment of the device, a cover of the cushion arrangement comprises, at least in sections, an electroactive material whose shape can be changed by electrical control. For example, the material is formed from an electroactive polymer. For example, the material is an electroactive foil. By controlling the electroactive material, it can be contracted and decontracted, so that the shape of the outer surface of the holder can be easily and reliably adapted to the external shape of the at least one line.

[0013] In a further possible embodiment of the device, a holding structure is formed on the holding outer side of the cushion arrangement, by means of which a force for holding and / or clamping the at least one line can be increased.

[0014] In a further possible embodiment of the device, the holding structure has at least one depression and / or elevation formed by dividing the cushion arrangement into a plurality of chambers and / or dividing the holding outer side, which enables / enables a secure clamping of the at least one line.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment of the device, the cushion arrangement comprises a plurality of cushions, in particular cushions whose outer shape can be adjusted independently of one another, wherein the holding structure has at least one recess and / or elevation formed between several cushions. The recess and / or elevation enables / allows secure clamping of the at least one cable.

[0016] In another possible embodiment of the device, at least sections of the holding structure are designed in a brush-like manner. Such brushes enable a particularly gentle and secure clamping of the at least one cable.

[0017] In another possible embodiment of the device, a brush attachment of the holding structure is formed from needles, so that, for example, a so-called needle gripper can be formed. This also enables particularly secure clamping of the at least one cable.

[0018] In another possible embodiment of the device, the additional holding element is designed analogously to the holding element. This enables a two-sided, secure, and particularly variable clamping of the at least one cable.

[0019] In another possible embodiment of the device, the distance between the holding elements is variably adjustable. This allows the holding tool to be easily adapted to different cable cross-sections and / or different numbers of cables to be held.

[0020] In a further possible embodiment of the device, the at least one holding element is fastened to a gripping robot or to a stationary processing station, for example a so-called cable forming board, and thus enables a secure holding of the at least one cable during movement thereof in a manufacturing and / or transport process or a secure holding in the stationary processing station during processing.

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0022] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a device for handling lines in a first state, Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 in a second state, Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a holding element for a device for handling cables and Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a device for handling cables.

[0023] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0024] In Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a device 1 for handling lines L1 to Ln in a first state. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the device 1 according to Fig. 1 in a second state.

[0025] The device 1 comprises a holding tool 2, which is arranged on a stationary processing station 3, designed, for example, as a cable forming board. The processing station 3 comprises several cable holders 3.1, 3.2.

[0026] The holding tool 2 has two holding elements 2.1, 2.2 attached to the processing station 3, between which the lines L1 to Ln are arranged. The holding elements 2.1, 2.2 each have a shape-changing cushion arrangement 2.1.1, 2.2.1. Several holding tools 2 for holding the lines L1 to Ln can be arranged along a longitudinal extent of the processing station 3, i.e., along a longitudinal extent of the lines L1 to Ln.

[0027] The cushion arrangements 2.1.1, 2.2.1 are in the first state according to Fig. 1 in a release position in which the lines L1 to Ln are not held and released. In the second state according to Fig. 2, the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 are in a holding position in which the lines L1 to Ln are held and clamped between the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1.

[0028] An outer shape of the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 is adjustable for transferring the holding tool 2 from the release position into the holding position such that the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 with a respective holding outer side HA1, HA2 encompasses the lines L1 to Ln in a holding section of these at least in sections and / or clamps the lines L1 to Ln between the holding outer sides HA1, HA2 of the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1.

[0029] In a possible embodiment of the device°1 not shown in detail, only one of the holding elements 2.1, 2.2 comprises such a cushion arrangement 2.1.1, 2.2.1, wherein the outer shape of these cushion arrangements 2.1.1, 2.2.1 is adjustable in the holding position such that the corresponding cushion arrangement 2.1.1, 2.2.1 with its holding outer side HA1, HA2 encompasses and clamps the lines L1 to Ln in the holding section at least in sections and / or the lines L1 to Ln are clamped between the holding outer side HA1, HA2 of the corresponding cushion arrangement 2.1.1, 2.2.1 and the further holding element 2.1, 2.2.

[0030] To transfer the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 from the release position to the holding position with a media source, the volume of the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.1.2 can be variably adjusted, for example, by filling them with a gas and / or a liquid. For this purpose, the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 are coupled to at least one media source in a manner not shown in detail.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, a respective cover of the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 comprises, at least in sections, an electroactive material for transferring from the release position to the holding position, the shape of which can be changed by electrical control. For example, the material is formed from an electroactive polymer, such as an electroactive film.

[0032] In a further possible embodiment, a holding structure 4 is formed on each of the holding outer sides HA1, HA2 of the cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1, wherein the holding structures 4 have, for example, at least one recess and / or elevation formed by dividing the respective cushion assembly 2.1.1, 2.2.1 into several chambers for receiving and / or at least partially enclosing the lines L1 to Ln. The holding structures 4 can also be realized by appropriately preforming the holding outer sides HA1, HA2, for example by dividing them by seams. The cushion assemblies 2.1.1, 2.2.1 can also have several cushions, in particular independently adjustable in their outer shape, wherein the holding structures 4 each have at least one recess and / or elevation formed between several cushions for receiving and / or at least partially enclosing the lines L1 to Ln.

[0033] At least sections of the holding structures 4 can also be brush-shaped, which in Fig. 3 is shown in more detail. Here, a brush attachment of the holding structure 4 is formed from needles 4.1 to 4.m, wherein the cushion arrangement 2.1.1 can be adapted in shape such that the holding outer side HA1 with the needles 4.1 to 4.m at least partially wraps around or encloses the illustrated line L1.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the device 1 for handling lines L1 to Ln.

[0035] The stationary processing station 3 is, for example, in accordance with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown processing station 3.

[0036] In addition, the holding tool 2, which is in accordance with the Fig.1 to 3, on a gripping robot 5.

[0037] After the gripping robot 5 has been positioned in a gripping position shown, the holding tool 2 is moved from the release position to the holding position so that the lines L1 to Ln are securely held between the holding elements 2.1, 2.2.

[0038] The cables L1 to Ln can then be transported by means of the gripping robot 5 to other processing or storage stations not shown in detail.

[0039] Analogously, the cables L1 to Ln are deposited in the processing station 3, whereby the gripping robot 5 is positioned in a deposit position and then the holding tool 2 is transferred from the holding position to the release position so that the cables L1 to Ln can be deposited in the cable holders 3.1, 3.2. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 holding tools 2.1 Holding element 2.1.1 Pillow arrangement 2.2 Holding element 2.2.1 Cushion arrangement 3 processing stations 3.1 Cable intake 3.2 Cable intake 4 Support structure 4.1 to 4.m needle 5 gripper robots HA1 outside stop HA2 outside stop L1 to Ln line QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 110 975 B4

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for handling cables (L1 to Ln) with a holding tool (2) which is designed to release at least one cable (L1 to Ln) in a release position and to hold at least one cable (L1 to Ln) in a holding position, characterized by , that - the holding tool (2) has at least one holding element (2.1, 2.2) having a shape-changing cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) and - an outer shape of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) for transferring the holding tool (2) from the release position into the holding position is adjustable such that the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) with a holding outer side (HA1, HA2) at least partially encompasses and clamps the at least one line (L1 to Ln) in a holding section thereof and / or clamps the at least one line (L1 to Ln) between the holding outer side (HA1, HA2) of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) and a further holding element (2.1, 2.2). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that an interior of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) is coupled to a media source for filling with a gas and / or a liquid. [3] Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a cover of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) has, at least in sections, an electroactive material which can be changed in shape by electrical control. [4] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a holding structure (4) is formed on the holding outer side (HA1, HA2) of the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1). [5] Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the holding structure (4) has at least one depression and / or elevation formed by dividing the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) into several chambers and / or dividing the holding outer side (HA1, HA2). [6] Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the cushion arrangement (2.1.1, 2.2.1) has a plurality of cushions, in particular independently of one another in their external shape adjustable, wherein the holding structure (4) has at least one depression and / or elevation formed between a plurality of cushions. [7] Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that at least sections of the holding structure (4) are brush-shaped. [8] Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that a brush trim of the holding structure (4) is formed from needles (4.1 to 4.m). [9] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the further holding element (2.1, 2.2) is designed analogously to the holding element (2.1, 2.2). [10] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one holding element (2.1, 2.2) is fastened to a gripping robot (5) or to a stationary processing station (3).

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