Device for producing a cable harness

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for producing an electrical cable harness (2) with a plurality of transport means (9.1 to 9.k), wherein each transport means (9.1 to 9.k) has a fastening structure for fastening at least one contact carrier (3.1 to 3.n) connected to at least one electrical line (4.1 to 4.m), at least one feed rail (5) which is designed to receive at least one of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) and to move the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) along a longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5), at least one receiving arrangement (7) for receiving a plurality of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k), and at least one distribution rail (6) arranged between the at least one feed rail (5) and the at least one receiving arrangement (7), which - for receiving at least one of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) from the at least one feed rail (5), - is designed to move the at least one received transport means (9.1 to 9.k) along a longitudinal axis running parallel to a vertical direction (z) of the at least one receiving arrangement (7) and to transfer the at least one transport means (9.1 to 9.k) in a defined height position in the vertical direction (z) to the at least one receiving arrangement (7).

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a line set.DE 10 2017 206 140 A1 discloses a system for the automated production of a cable set which has a branched structure and a plurality of individual line elements. The plant comprises:a control unit for controlling the installation,a distribution station for distributing the line elements into a predetermined distribution structure corresponding to the branched structure of the cable set; anda second transport system havinga second rail system having a plurality of second rails oriented parallel to one another, which rails are adjustable in a first direction independently of one another and depending on the predetermined branched structure of the cable set, anda plurality of second transporters, each configured to receive a line end of a respective line element and which are movable along the second rails in a second direction.By moving the second rails in the first direction and by moving the second transporters along the second rails, the desired distribution structure can be generated. In this case, the second transporters are moved on their respective second rail in the longitudinal direction to a predefined position. At the same time, the second rails arranged parallel to one another are pulled apart in the vertical direction, so that the desired branched structure results. Moreover, EP 2 814 042 A1 shows a power line displacement device, DE 10 2017 206 139 A1 shows an installation and a method for automatically producing a cable set, and JP 2018-73 735 A shows a production device for a cable set.The present invention is based on the object of specifying a novel device for producing a line set.The object is achieved according to the invention by a device which has the features specified in claim 1.Possible embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.The device according to the invention for producing an electrical line set comprisesa plurality of transport means, each transport means having a fastening structure for fastening at least one contact carrier connected to at least one electrical line,at least one feed rail which is designed to receive at least one of the transport means and to move the transport means along a longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail,at least one receiving arrangement which is designed to receive a plurality of the transport means side by side in a longitudinal direction pointing in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail and a plurality of the transport means one above the other in a vertical direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, andat least one distributor rail arranged between the at least one feed rail and the at least one receiving arrangement,receiving at least one of the transport means from the at least one feed rail,for moving the at least one accommodated transport means along a longitudinal axis running parallel to the vertical direction of the at least one accommodation arrangement, andfor transferring the at least one transport means in a defined height position in the height direction to the at least one receiving arrangement.The device makes it possible in a simple and reliable manner to realize a spatial shaping of line sets with a system technique of simple design without the need for a movement of the at least one feed rail and the receiving arrangement in the vertical direction. This results from the movement of the transport means with the contact carriers and lines arranged thereon on the feed rail and the distribution of these transport means by means of the distribution rail onto the receiving arrangement.The device can be coupled in a simple manner to an existing transfer installation for line set production. In this case, both a distribution of contact elements arranged in a row to a plurality of rows and a distribution of contact elements arranged in a plurality of rows to a different number of rows are possible.In one possible embodiment of the device, the at least one feed rail and / or the distribution rail and / or the receiving arrangement are / is realized in or on a robot, for example as a pick-place system or other axis system or as a robot gripper. This enables simple integration of the device into already existing, at least partially automatedly operated systems for line set production.In a further possible embodiment of the device, a plurality of feed rails are arranged parallel to one another in a feed plane, wherein the feed plane extends in a longitudinal direction running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the feed rails and in a vertical direction running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail. This enables a transfer of already prefabricated line set sections to the distribution rail and from the latter to generate the line set to the receiving arrangement. It is also possible in this way to process a plurality of line sets or line sections from different prior finishing steps. It is also possible with a plurality of feed rails to distribute a line set distributed over a plurality of feed rails to positions which are situated at different heights on the receiving arrangement by the same number, more or less.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the at least one feed rail has a motorized drive for moving all the transport means located on the feed rail or is coupled to such a drive. Such a drive enables the movement of the transport means on the feed rail without the need for a separate drive for each transport means.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the distribution rail has a motor drive for a movement of all the transport means located on the distribution rail which is independent of one another or is coupled to such a transport means. This enables the mutually independent movement of the transport means on the distribution rail to different or equal heights for transfer to the receiving arrangement.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the receiving arrangement comprises a plurality of receiving rails arranged parallel to one another and one above the other, wherein a respective longitudinal direction of the receiving rails runs in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the feed rail and a plane in which the parallel receiving rails extend extends in a vertical direction running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail and a longitudinal direction running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the feed rail. In this case, the receiving rails are designed in a possible embodiment analogously to the at least one feed rail. This enables a simple distribution of the transport means from the feed rail via the distribution rail to the receiving arrangement, wherein the transport means can be fastened to the receiving arrangement at different heights for a desired spatial arrangement.In a further possible embodiment of the device, a plurality of receiving rails arranged parallel to one another each extend in a plurality of planes running parallel to one another, wherein the parallel planes each extend in the vertical direction running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail and in the longitudinal direction running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the feed rail. This makes it possible to use the device for producing a plurality of and / or different line sets and to receive these line sets in parallel in the receiving arrangement.In a further possible embodiment of the device, a respective distance of the parallel mounting rails running in the vertical direction of the plane of the mounting arrangement can be variably adjusted. This variable setting can be effected in connection with a setup process. This makes it possible to realize a plurality of different shapes for line sets with only one receiving arrangement.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the planes of the receiving arrangement are displaceable in a transverse direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail. This enables positioning of the receiving rails arranged in the respective planes relative to the distribution rail in such a way that transfer of the transport means from the distribution rail to the receiving rails is possible.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the receiving rails each have a motor drive for moving all the transport means located on the respective receiving rail or are coupled to such a drive. Such a drive enables the movement of the transport means on the feed rail without the need for a separate drive for each transport means.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the receiving arrangement is configured in the form of a strip, wherein the strip-shaped receiving arrangement is configured to be movable along its longitudinal direction running in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the feed rail at least in a section which is provided for transferring the transport means from the distribution rail to the receiving arrangement. By such a belt-shaped configuration of the receiving arrangement and its movement in the region of the distribution rail, an arrangement of the transport means at different, non-fixedly predefined heights on the belt can easily be effected. This enables a particularly flexible shaping of differently configured line sets with very little effort and with only one device.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the strip-shaped receiving arrangement is at least partially magnetic and the transport means can be fastened to the receiving arrangement by means of magnetic force. This enables a particularly simple and reliable fastening of the transport means to the band-shaped receiving arrangement. In this case, the fastening at freely selectable positions on the receiving arrangement is possible, so that the positions are not fixedly predefined.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the transport means have coupling elements, by means of which, in an arrangement one behind the other on the feed rail and / or in the longitudinal direction on the receiving arrangement, they are mechanically coupled or couplable to one another. Such a coupling enables a movement of a plurality of transport means in a composite on the feed rail and / or the receiving arrangement.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the coupling between the transport means produced by means of the coupling elements can be released in a non-destructive manner by a relative movement of the transport means with respect to one another in a direction running in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail. This enables decoupling of the transport means during the transfer thereof from the at least one feed rail to the distribution rail by movement of the transferred transport means along the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the distribution rail is designed such that the transport means accommodated by it are arranged on the device such that they can be pivoted about at least one axis. This enables pivoting of the transport means from a position taken over by the feed rail into a position deviating therefrom and thus an increase in flexibility in the shaping of a line set.In a further possible embodiment of the device, the distribution rail is designed to be pivotable about at least one axis in order to pivot it from a delivery direction of the feed rail in a delivery direction of the receiving arrangement deviating therefrom. This also enables an increase in flexibility in the shaping of a line set.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings:The following are shown: FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a device for producing an electrical line set in a first state, FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the detail of the device according to FIG. 1 in a second state, FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the detail of the device according to FIG. 1 in a third state, FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the detail of the device according to FIG. 1 in a fourth state, FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of the detail of the device according to FIG. 1 in a fifth state, FIG. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of the detail of the device according to FIG. 1 in a sixth state, FIG. 7 schematically shows a perspective view of a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a device for producing an electrical line set, FIG. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a device for producing an electrical line set, and FIG. 9 schematically shows a view of a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a device for producing an electrical line set.Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for producing an electrical line set 2 in a first state.The line set 2 comprises a plurality of contact carriers 3.1 to 3.n and a plurality of lines 4.1 to 4.m connected to the contact carriers 3.1 to 3.n.The device 1 comprises a feed rail 5, a distribution rail 6 and a receiving arrangement 7 with a plurality of receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a plurality of transport means 9.1 to 9.k, 10.1 to 10.l.The receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i are arranged parallel to one another and one above the other, wherein a respective longitudinal direction x of the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i runs in the same direction as a longitudinal axis of the feed rail 5. A plane in which the parallel receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i extend extends in a vertical direction z running in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the distribution rail 6 and in a longitudinal direction x running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the feed rail 5. the vertical direction z runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x. In a possible embodiment, a respective distance of the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i arranged parallel to one another running in the vertical direction z of the plane can be variably adjusted.The transport means 9.1 to 9.k are designed, for example, as so-called transport carriages and can be moved on the feed rail 5 and the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i by means of motor drives, not shown in more detail, in the longitudinal direction x of the feed rail 5 and the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i, respectively. The transport means 10.1 to 10.l are likewise designed as so-called transport carriages and are movable on the distribution rail 6 by means of motor drives, not shown in more detail, in the longitudinal direction x of the distribution rail 6.In this case, the feed rail 5 and the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i each have at least one motor drive or are each coupled to such a drive. In one possible embodiment, these drives are each designed to move all transport means 9.1 to 9.k located on the feed rail 5 or all transport means 9.1 to 9.k located on one or more receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i. In an alternative embodiment, the drives are designed to move the transport means 9.1 to 9.k individually.The distribution rail 6 has a motor drive for a mutually independent movement of all the transport means 10.1 to 10.l located on the distribution rail 6 or is coupled to such a drive.The transport means 9.1 to 9.k each have a fastening structure for fastening at least one contact carrier 3.1 to 3.n connected to at least one electrical line 4.1 to 4.m. An electrical connection of the electrical lines 4.1 to 4.m to the contact carriers 3.1 to 3.n is effected in a component placement process, not shown in more detail. Such fitting is carried out, for example, in a so-called "block loading system" coupled to the device 1 and mounted upstream thereof for the production and for the placement of line sets 2.The transport means 10.1 to 10.l each have a fastening structure for fastening at least one of the transport means 9.1 to 9.k.For a spatial shaping of the line set 2, the contact carriers 3.1 to 3.n with the electrical lines 4.1 to 4.m connected to them are first fastened to the transport means 9.1 to 9.k. The transport means 9.1 to 9.k thus loaded are then arranged one behind the other on the feed rail 5 in the longitudinal direction x. In one possible embodiment, a direct transfer of the transport means 9.1 to 9.k already loaded in a previous method step, for example in the block loading installation, from this onto the feed rail 5 can also be carried out.Subsequently, the transport means 9.1 to 9.k are moved in the longitudinal direction x on the feed rail 5 in the direction of the distribution rail 6.As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 4, the transport means 9.1 to 9.k are then individually transferred to the transport means 10.1 to 10.l on the distribution rail 6 on the distribution rail 6. For this purpose, first a transport means 10.1 to 10.l is arranged offsetless in the height direction z relative to the feed rail 5 in the longitudinal direction x behind the latter. In this case, the transport means 10.1 to 10.l are in particular designed in such a way that they have a cross section analogous to the feed rail 5 and the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i. It is thus possible, in the case of the offset-free arrangement behind the feed rail 5, to move the transport means 9.1 to 9.k directly from the latter in the longitudinal direction x onto the corresponding transport means 10.1 to 10.l on the distribution rail 6.As shown by way of example in FIG. 2, first the transport means 10.1 is arranged on the distribution rail 6 in the height direction z without offset with respect to the feed rail 5 in the longitudinal direction x behind the latter and the transport means 9.1 is moved onto the transport means 10.1 with the contact carrier 3.1 fastened thereto.As is shown by way of example in FIG. 3, the transport means 10.1 is then moved upward on the distribution rail 6 in the vertical direction z in such a way that it is arranged offsetless in front of the receiving rail 8.2 in the vertical direction z. At the same time or in a time-offset manner, the transport means 10.l is arranged on the distribution rail 6 in the height direction z without offset with respect to the feed rail 5 in the longitudinal direction x behind the latter. At the same time, the transport means 10.l is arranged in this position in the height direction z without offset with respect to the receiving rail 8.3 in front of the latter.As is shown by way of example in FIG. 4, the transport means 9.2 with the contact carrier 3.2 fastened thereto is then moved onto the transport means 10.l.As shown in more detail in FIG. 5, the transport means 9.1 and 9.2 are now moved onto the receiving rails 8.2 and 8.3. Simultaneously or in a time-shifted manner, the next transport means 9.3 is moved onto the transport means 10.l onto the distribution rail 6.As shown in FIG. 5, the transport means 10.l remains in the position arranged in front of the receiving rail 8.3 without offset in the height direction z.As shown in more detail in FIG. 6, the transport means 9.3 is then moved onto the receiving rail 8.3 behind the transport means 9.2.The movement of the transport means 9.k onto the transport means 10.l and from there onto the receiving rail 8.3 is carried out analogously to the movement of the transport means 9.3.Depending on which of the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i the transport means 9.3 to 9.k are to be arranged on, a movement of the transport means 10.1 to 10.l, on which the corresponding transport means 9.3 to 9.k is arranged, takes place alternatively into a position on the distribution rail 6 arranged on the corresponding receiving rail 8.1 to 8.i without offset in the height direction z. Subsequently, a movement of the corresponding transport means 9.3 to 9.k from this position onto the corresponding receiving rail 8.1 to 8.i is carried out.As a result, the line set 2 is arranged on the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i in accordance with a predetermined spatial shape.In an embodiment of the device 1, not shown in more detail, as an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a plurality of feed rails 5 are arranged parallel to one another in a feed plane, wherein the feed plane extends in the longitudinal direction x running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the feed rails 5 and in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the distribution rail 6.The transfer of the transport means 9.1 to 9.k from the feed rails 5 to the distribution rail 6 and from this to the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i takes place analogously to the description of FIGS. 1 to 6.It is also possible that in this embodiment fewer than the illustrated receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i, for example only one receiving rail 8.1 to 8.i, are present, and the line set 2 of a plurality of feed rails 5 is distributed to a smaller number of receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i. The contact carriers 3.1 to 3.n can also be repositioned from a plurality of feed rails 5 to the same number of receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i.In a further possible embodiment of the device 1, the distribution rail 6 is designed such that the transport means 9.1 to 9.k accommodated by it are arranged on the device such that they can be pivoted about at least one axis. This enables the transport means 9.1 to 9.k to be pivoted from a position taken over by the feed rail 5. Alternatively or additionally, the distribution rail 6 can also be pivoted about at least one axis in order to pivot it from a delivery direction of the feed rail 5 in a delivery direction of the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i deviating therefrom.In a further possible embodiment of the device 1, the at least one feed rail 5 and / or the distribution rail 6 and / or the receiving arrangement 7 are / is realized in or on a robot, for example as a pick-place system or other axis system or as a robot gripper.FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for producing an electrical line set 2.In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the receiving arrangement 7 comprises in each case a plurality of receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i which are arranged parallel to one another and extend in a plurality of planes running parallel to one another. The planes extend in each case in the vertical direction z and the longitudinal direction x. This makes it possible to use the device 1 for producing a plurality of and / or different line sets 2 and to receive these line sets 2 in parallel in the receiving arrangement 7.The planes are designed to be displaceable in a transverse direction y running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x. This displacement can be effected, for example, by means of a motor drive. By means of the displacement, a positioning of the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i relative to the distribution rail 6 is possible in such a way that the transfer of the transport means 9.1 to 9.k from the distribution rail 6 to the receiving rails 8.1 to 8.i can take place.Incidentally, the structure and the function of the device 1 are designed as described in the description relating to FIGS. 1 to 6.FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for producing an electrical line set 2.In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the receiving arrangement 7 comprises a receiving belt 11 which, in a section which is provided for transferring the transport means 9.1 to 9.k from the distribution rail 6 to the receiving arrangement 7, is designed to be movable along its longitudinal direction x running in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the feed rail 5. The receiving belt 11 can be formed to be finite or endless.The receiving tape 11 is at least partially magnetic, so that the transport means 9.1 to 9.k can be fastened to the receiving tape 11 by magnetic force. For this purpose, the transport means 9.1 to 9.k each also have at least one magnetic section.In exemplary embodiments not shown in more detail, other fastening means for fastening the transport means 9.1 to 9.k can alternatively also be arranged on the receiving band 11. These can have, for example, a cross section analogous to the feed rail 5, so that the transport means 9.1 to 9.k can be moved onto the receiving belt 11.Otherwise, the structure and the function of the device 1 are designed as described in the description relating to FIGS. 1 to 6.FIG. 9 shows a view of a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for producing an electrical line set 2.In contrast to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the transport means 9.1 to 9.k have coupling elements 12, by means of which these are mechanically coupled or can be coupled to one another or to one another in an arrangement one behind the other on the feed rail 5 and / or one behind the other in the longitudinal direction x on the receiving arrangement 7. This makes it possible that for a movement of all coupled transport means 9.1 to 9.k, only the drive of one of the transport means 9.1 to 9.k is required. Furthermore, the transport means 9.1 to 9.k are positioned securely relative to one another in the coupled state.In this case, the coupling between the transport means 9.1 to 9.k produced by means of the coupling elements 12 can be released in a non-destructive manner by a relative movement of the transport means 9.1 to 9.k in a direction running in the same direction as the vertical direction z, for example after the reception on the distribution rail 6 and movement of the transport means 10.1 to 10.l thereon.Otherwise, the structure and the function of the device 1 are configured as embodied in the description relating to FIGS. 1 to 6 or 7 or 8.List of reference characters1 Device 2 Line set 3.1 to 3.n Contact carrier 4.1 to 4.m Line 5 Feed rail 6 Distribution rail 7 Receiving arrangement 8.1 to 8.i Receiving rail 9.1 to 9.k Transport means 10.1 to 10.l Transport means 11 Receiving tape 12 Coupling element x Longitudinal direction y Transverse direction z Vertical direction

Claims

Device (1) for producing an electrical line set (2), having - a plurality of transport means (9.1 to 9.k), wherein each transport means (9.1 to 9.k) has a fastening structure for fastening at least one contact carrier (3.1 to 3.n) connected to at least one electrical line (4.1 to 4.m), - at least one feed rail (5) which is designed to receive at least one of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) and to move the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) along a longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5), - at least one receiving arrangement (7), which is designed to accommodate a plurality of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) side by side in a longitudinal direction (x) pointing in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5) and a plurality of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) one above the other in a vertical direction (z) running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (x), and - at least one distribution rail (6) arranged between the at least one feed rail (5) and the at least one accommodation arrangement (7), which distribution rail - is designed to accommodate in each case at least one of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) from the at least one feed rail (5), for moving the at least one accommodated transport means (9.1 to 9.k) along a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the vertical direction (z) of the at least one accommodation arrangement (7), and for transferring the at least one transport means (9.1 to 9.k) in a defined height position in the vertical direction (z) to the at least one accommodation arrangement (7).Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of feed rails (5) are arranged parallel to one another in a feed plane, wherein the feed plane extends in a longitudinal direction (x) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plurality of feed rails (5) and a vertical direction (z) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one distribution rail (6).Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one feed rail (5) has a motor drive for moving all transport means (9.1 to 9.k) located on the at least one feed rail (5) or is coupled to such a drive.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one distribution rail (6) has a motor drive for a movement of all the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) located on the at least one distribution rail (6) independently of one another or is coupled to such a drive.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one receiving arrangement (7) comprises a plurality of receiving rails (8.1 to 8.i) arranged parallel to one another and one above the other, wherein a respective longitudinal direction (x) of the receiving rails (8.1 to 8.i) runs in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5) and a plane in which the parallel receiving rails (8.1 to 8.i) extend extends in a vertical direction (z) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one distribution rail (6) and in a longitudinal direction (x) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5).Device (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that in each case a plurality of receiving rails (8.1 to 8.i) arranged parallel to one another extend in a plurality of planes running parallel to one another, wherein the parallel planes each extend in the vertical direction (z) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one distribution rail (6) and in the longitudinal direction (x) running in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5).Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a respective distance of the receiving rails (8.1 to 8.i) arranged parallel to one another running in the vertical direction (z) of the plane can be variably adjusted.Device (1) according to 6 or 7, characterised in that the planes are displaceable in a transverse direction (y) running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the at least one distribution rail (6).Device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the receiving rails (8.1 to 8.i) each have a motor drive for moving all transport means (9.1 to 9.k) located on the respective receiving rail (8.1 to 8.i) or are coupled to such a drive.Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one receiving arrangement (7) is designed in the form of a strip, wherein the at least one strip-shaped receiving arrangement (7) is designed to be movable along its longitudinal direction (x) running in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the at least one feed rail (5) at least in a section which is present for transferring the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) from the at least one distribution rail (6) to the at least one receiving arrangement (7).Device (1) according to claim 10, further characterized in that the at least one strip-shaped receiving arrangement (7) is designed magnetically at least in sections and the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) can be fastened to the at least one receiving arrangement (7) by means of magnetic force.Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) have coupling elements (12), by means of which these are mechanically coupled or can be coupled to one another or to one another in an arrangement one behind the other on the at least one feed rail (5) and / or in one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (x) on the at least one receiving arrangement (7).Device (1) according to claim 12, further characterized in that the coupling between the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) generated by means of the coupling elements (12) is non-destructively releasable by a relative movement of the transport means (9.1 to 9.k) with respect to one another in a direction running in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the at least one distribution rail (6).

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