Device and method for bundling cables

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for bundling cables (L), comprising - a receiving unit (2) for receiving the cables (L), which has a receiving space for the cables (L) formed by a lower support and lateral boundaries and an upper insertion opening for inserting the cables (L), and - two hold-down devices (N1, N2). According to the invention, the hold-down devices (N1, N2) can each be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space as well as upwards and downwards again. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for bundling cables (L).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for bundling cables according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method for bundling cables.

[0002] A cable receiving device is known from the prior art, as described in DE 100 61 240 A1. The cable receiving device comprises a receiving body open for receiving cables, which has a longitudinally extending cable duct and in which, at least at its ends, cable fastening or cable holding elements are provided for the respective cable duct. Transverse to the cable duct, a cable receiving buffer zone is provided, associated with the respective cable duct, in which a cable path is defined such that the cable can be led out transversely from its longitudinal direction of the respective cable duct, corresponding to an open loop.

[0003] DE 10 2019 110 975 A1 describes a device for handling a cable harness. The device comprises a shaft with a gripper that is arranged at one end of the shaft and rotates with the shaft when the shaft rotates. The gripper is configured to release the cable harness in a first position and to hold the cable harness in a second position. The device further comprises a holder that is configured to hold the shaft with the gripper. The device also comprises a guide that is configured to guide the shaft with the gripper. 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 when the shaft is axially displaced in the guide. The device is movable in order to handle the held cable harness.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a device for bundling cables that is improved compared to the prior art and a method for bundling cables that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a device for bundling cables having the features of claim 1 and a method for bundling cables having the features of claim 9.

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

[0007] A device for bundling cables has a receiving unit for receiving the cables, which has a receiving space for the cables formed by a lower support and lateral limits, and an upper insertion opening for inserting the cables. The respective lateral limits are thus located, in particular in the direction of the cables inserted or to be inserted into the receiving unit, to the left or right of the cables when the cables are inserted into the receiving unit. The receiving unit forms, in particular, a cable duct or cable channel. Furthermore, the device has two hold-down devices. The hold-down devices serve, in particular, to fix the cables inserted into the receiving unit against moving upwards out of the receiving unit through the upper insertion opening.

[0008] According to the invention, the hold-down devices can each be moved laterally, i.e. in particular transversely to the direction of the cables inserted into the receiving unit, correspondingly in particular to the left or right, out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space, and can also be moved upwards and downwards again. They are particularly designed for this purpose. The respective hold-down device can be moved in particular past the respective lateral boundary and / or through it, out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space. For example, the respective lateral boundary has at least one opening for this purpose to enable this movement.

[0009] The movement of the respective hold-down device is advantageously not carried out manually, but by means of at least one actuator, for example, electrically, hydraulically, and / or pneumatically driven, i.e., in particular, by means of a correspondingly designed actuator. For example, the hold-down devices are each arranged on a holder so that they can be moved accordingly, in particular so that they can be moved by an actuator, or the respective hold-down device is arranged, for example, on a robot, in particular on a robot arm, and can be moved accordingly by means of the robot, in particular the robot arm.

[0010] The device, or at least the receiving unit of the device, is arranged, for example, on a cable forming board, also referred to as a laying board, laying plate, laying level, laying receptacle, cable harness production field, or assembly receptacle. It is thus, in particular, a component of the cable forming board. Such a cable forming board serves, in particular, to produce a wiring harness, also referred to as a wiring harness, using the wires and, for example, other wires. The cable forming board can have one such device or receiving unit or several such devices or receiving units.

[0011] In a method according to the invention for bundling cables using the device, a cable is inserted into the receiving unit and then at least the first hold-down device above the cable is moved laterally into the receiving space and downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cable is pressed against the lower support. After that, another cable is inserted into the receiving unit and then the second hold-down device above the further cable is moved laterally into the receiving space and downwards in the receiving space, whereby the further cable is pressed against the first hold-down device. After that, the first hold-down device is moved laterally out of the receiving space and then the second hold-down device is moved further downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cables are pressed against the lower support. This procedure can be continued accordingly with further cables, i.e.Another cable is then inserted into the receiving unit and the first hold-down device above the additional cable is moved sideways into the receiving space and downwards in the receiving space, whereby the additional cable is pressed against the second hold-down device. The second hold-down device is then moved sideways out of the receiving space and the first hold-down device is moved further down in the receiving space, whereby the cables are pressed against the lower support. This process can be continued with additional cables, i.e. another cable is then inserted into the receiving unit and the second hold-down device above the additional cable is moved sideways into the receiving space and downwards in the receiving space, whereby the additional cable is pressed against the first hold-down device.The first clamp is then moved sideways out of the receiving space, and the second clamp is then moved further down within the receiving space, pressing the cables against the lower support. This process can be continued with additional cables.

[0012] In one embodiment, after at least the cable or the plurality of cables newly inserted into the receiving unit has been pressed onto the lower support by means of the respective hold-down device, the respective other hold-down device above the cable or the plurality of cables is also moved laterally into the receiving space and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cable or the plurality of cables is / are pressed onto the lower support by means of both hold-down devices.

[0013] Thus, it is then provided in particular that first a cable is inserted into the receiving unit and then both hold-down devices are moved sideways above the cable into the receiving space and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cable is pressed against the lower support. After that, another cable is inserted into the receiving unit and then one of the two hold-down devices is moved sideways out of the receiving space, moved upwards, moved sideways above the other cable into the receiving space and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the other cable is pressed against the other hold-down device. After that, the other hold-down device is moved sideways out of the receiving space and then one hold-down device is moved further downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cables are pressed against the lower support.The other hold-down device is then moved upwards, moved sideways above the cables into the receiving space and then moved downwards within the receiving space, whereby the cables are pressed against the lower support by means of both hold-down devices. As mentioned, the process can be continued with further cables, i.e. another cable is then placed in the receiving unit and then one of the two hold-down devices is moved sideways out of the receiving space, moved upwards, moved sideways above the further cable into the receiving space and then moved downwards within the receiving space, whereby the further cable is pressed against the other hold-down device. The other hold-down device is then moved sideways out of the receiving space and then one of the hold-down devices is moved further down within the receiving space, whereby the cables are pressed against the lower support.The other clamp is then moved upwards, laterally above the cables into the receiving space, and downwards within the receiving space, pressing the cables against the lower support by both clamps. This process is repeated for additional cables to be inserted into the receiving space.

[0014] The insertion of the respective cable into the receiving unit as described above is carried out in particular by inserting the respective cable through the upper insertion opening into the receiving space of the receiving unit.

[0015] The inventive solution enables the bundling of multiple cables in the receiving unit, in particular with a predetermined contact pressure exerted by the respective hold-down device. In particular, the inventive solution makes it possible to accommodate additional cables, in particular one after the other, in the receiving unit without losing the fixation of the cables already inserted in the receiving unit. The two hold-down devices, arranged offset from one another, for example, ensure that the predetermined contact pressure is always exerted on the already inserted cables by at least one of the hold-down devices.

[0016] In one embodiment, the hold-down devices can be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space in opposite directions. Thus, it is particularly provided that one hold-down device can be moved transversely to the direction of the cables inserted into the receiving unit to the left out of the receiving space and moved to the right back into the receiving space, and the other hold-down device can be moved transversely to the direction of the cables inserted into the receiving unit to the right out of the receiving space and moved to the left back into the receiving space.

[0017] In one embodiment, the receiving unit has two fork-shaped receptacles that are offset from one another, i.e., in particular, offset from one another in the direction of the cables inserted or to be inserted into the receiving unit. In this case, it is particularly provided that the fork tines of the fork-shaped receptacles form the lateral boundaries, i.e., the left lateral boundary is formed by the two left fork tines, i.e., by the respective left fork tines of the two fork-shaped receptacles, and the right lateral boundary is formed by the two right fork tines, i.e., by the respective right fork tines of the two fork-shaped receptacles. The above-mentioned opening for the movement of the hold-down devices in the respective lateral boundary is thus formed by the spaced-apart respective lateral fork tines of the two fork-shaped receptacles, i.e.,by the two spaced-apart left fork tines or by the two spaced-apart right fork tines.

[0018] In one embodiment, the lower support is formed by a connecting base, via which the two fork-shaped receptacles are connected to each other. The receptacle unit thus has a closed base as the lower support. This reliably prevents the cables inserted into the receptacle unit from being pushed downward between the two fork-shaped receptacles due to the predetermined contact pressure exerted by the respective hold-down device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the hold-down devices can be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space between the fork tines of one fork-shaped receptacle and the fork tines of the other fork-shaped receptacle.

[0020] In one embodiment, one hold-down device is positioned closer to one fork-shaped receptacle, and the other hold-down device is positioned closer to the other fork-shaped receptacle. The two hold-down devices are thus arranged offset from one another. The device is thus, in particular, a line collector with offset hold-down devices.

[0021] In one embodiment, the hold-down devices each have a comb-like hold-down section, wherein the two comb-like hold-down sections mesh with each other when arranged at the same height in the receiving space. For example, each comb-like hold-down section has three comb teeth.

[0022] The comb teeth of the respective comb-like hold-down section can, for example, be designed to be partially flexible. In one embodiment, the comb teeth of the respective comb-like hold-down section are designed to be flexible at least in sections and / or at least in one direction.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0024] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a device for bundling cables during a method step of a method for bundling cables, Fig. 2 schematically shows the device during a further step of the method, Fig. 3 schematically shows the device during a further step of the method, and Fig. 4 schematically shows the device during a further step of the method.

[0025] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0026] Based on the Fig. 1 to 4, an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for bundling lines L and an implementation of a method for bundling lines L by means of this device 1 are described below.

[0027] The device 1 has a receiving unit 2 for receiving the cables L, which has a receiving space for the cables L formed by a lower support and lateral boundaries and an upper insertion opening for inserting the cables L.

[0028] Furthermore, the device 1 has two hold-down devices N1, N2. The hold-down devices N1, N2 serve, in particular, to secure the cables L inserted into the receiving unit 2 against upward movement out of the receiving unit 2 through the upper insertion opening.

[0029] The hold-down devices N1, N2 can each be moved laterally, ie in particular transversely to the direction of the cables L inserted into the receiving unit 2, correspondingly in particular to the left or right, out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space and can also be moved upwards and downwards again.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the hold-down devices N1, N2 can be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space in opposite directions. It is thus particularly provided that one hold-down device N1 can be moved transversely to the direction of the cables L inserted into the receiving unit 2 to the right out of the receiving space and can be moved to the left back into the receiving space, as shown in Fig. 4 by means of movement arrows P1 for this hold-down device N1, and the other hold-down device N2 is movable transversely to the line direction of the lines L inserted into the holding unit 2 to the left out of the holding space and is movable to the right back into the holding space, as in Fig. 3 by means of movement arrows P2 for this hold-down device N2.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving unit 2 has two fork-shaped receptacles 3 arranged offset from one another, ie in particular offset from one another in the line running direction of the lines L inserted or to be inserted into the receiving unit 2. In particular, it is provided that fork tines ZL, ZR of the fork-shaped receptacles 3 form the lateral boundaries of the receiving unit 2, ie the left lateral boundary is formed by the two left fork tines ZL and the right lateral boundary is formed by the two right fork tines ZR.

[0032] The fork tines ZL, ZR of the respective fork-shaped receptacle 3 are connected to one another by a lower connection UV. These lower connections UV of the fork-shaped receptacles 3 form the lower support of the receptacle unit 2, on which the cables L inserted into the receptacle unit 2 advantageously finally rest. In an embodiment not shown, the lower support, in particular in addition to the lower connections UV of the two fork-shaped receptacles 3, is formed by a connecting base, via which the two fork-shaped receptacles 3, in particular their lower connections UV, are connected to one another. The receptacle unit 2 thus has a closed base as the lower support.

[0033] The upper insertion opening of the receiving space is formed by the upper free ends of the fork tines ZL, ZR.

[0034] In particular, due to this design of the receiving unit 2 by means of the two fork-shaped receptacles 3 arranged at a distance from one another, a lateral opening is formed in the respective lateral boundary of the receiving space between the respective two lateral fork tines ZL, ZR, ie between the two left fork tines ZL and between the two right fork tines ZR, which enables the above-described movements of the respective hold-down device N1, N2.

[0035] In the embodiment shown, the hold-down devices N1, N2 can therefore each be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space between the fork tines ZL, ZR of one fork-shaped receptacle 3 assigned to their respective side and the fork tines ZL, ZR of the other fork-shaped receptacle 3 assigned to this side.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, one hold-down device N1 is positioned closer to one fork-shaped receptacle 3, and the other hold-down device N2 is positioned closer to the other fork-shaped receptacle 3. The two hold-down devices N1, N2 are thus arranged offset from one another, in particular offset in the direction of the lines L inserted or to be inserted into the receptacle unit 2.

[0037] Furthermore, the hold-down devices N1, N2 in the illustrated embodiment each have a comb-like hold-down device section A1, A2, in the illustrated example with three comb teeth each. Due to the offset arrangement of the two hold-down devices N1, N2, the two comb-like hold-down devices A1, A2 mesh with each other when they are arranged at the same height in the receiving space, as in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, ie the comb teeth of the two comb-like hold-down sections A1, A2 do not hinder each other during the movements of the hold-down devices N1, N2, but move past each other.

[0038] The comb teeth of the respective comb-like hold-down section A1, A2 can, for example, be designed to be partially flexible.

[0039] In the Fig. 1 to 4, the exemplary process sequence of the method for bundling cables L using the device 1 is shown in succession. In a first process step, a cable L is inserted into the receiving unit 2 by inserting it through the upper insertion opening into the receiving space of the receiving unit 2. Subsequently, in the example shown, both hold-down devices N1, N2 above the cable L are moved laterally into the receiving space and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cable L is pressed against the lower support by means of both hold-down devices N1, N2 with a predetermined contact pressure. Fig. 1, the movement of the respective hold-down device N1, N2 downwards, whereby the cable L is pressed against the lower support with the specified contact pressure, is schematically shown by means of a respective movement arrow P1, P2.

[0040] Then, in a second method step, another cable L is inserted into the receiving unit 2 by inserting it through the upper insertion opening into the receiving space of the receiving unit 2, as shown in Fig. 2. The previously inserted cable L continues to be pressed against the lower support of the receiving unit 2 by means of the two hold-down devices N1, N2 with the specified contact pressure and thus remains fixed in the receiving unit 2, as schematically shown by the corresponding movement arrows P1, P2.

[0041] Then, as in Fig. 3, in a third method step, the second hold-down device N2 is moved laterally out of the receiving space, moved upwards, moved laterally above the further cable L into the receiving space, and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the further cable L is pressed against the first hold-down device N1. In this case, the previously inserted cable L continues to be pressed against the lower support of the receiving unit 2 by means of the first hold-down device N1 with the predetermined contact pressure and thus remains fixed in the receiving unit 2 during this time, as schematically illustrated by the corresponding movement arrow P1.

[0042] As in Fig. 4, in a fourth method step, the first hold-down device N1 is moved laterally out of the receiving space and then the second hold-down device N2 is moved further downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cables L are pressed against the lower support by means of the second hold-down device N2 with the specified contact pressure. The first hold-down device N1 is moved upwards, moved laterally above the cables L into the receiving space and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cables L are pressed against the lower support by means of both hold-down devices N1, N2 with the specified contact pressure. The movements of the two hold-down devices N1, N2 are shown in Fig. 4 by means of the corresponding movement arrows P1, P2.

[0043] This procedure can be continued accordingly with further lines L.

[0044] The described solution enables the bundling of several cables L in the receiving unit 2, in particular with the predetermined contact pressure exerted by the respective hold-down device N1, N2. In particular, the described solution makes it possible to accommodate further cables L, in particular one after the other, in the receiving unit 2 without losing the fixation of the cables L already inserted into the receiving unit 2. The two hold-down devices N1, N2, which are arranged in particular offset from one another, ensure that the predetermined contact pressure is always exerted on the already inserted cables L by at least one of the hold-down devices N1, N2. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 Recording unit 3 fork-shaped holder A1, A2 comb-like hold-down section L Line N1, N2 hold-down device P1, P2 movement arrow UV lower connection ZL, ZR forks 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 100 61 240 A1

[0002] DE 10 2019 110 975 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for bundling cables (L), comprising - a receiving unit (2) for receiving the cables (L), which has a receiving space for the cables (L) formed by a lower support and lateral boundaries and an upper insertion opening for inserting the cables (L), and - two hold-down devices (N1, N2), characterized by that the hold-down devices (N1, N2) can be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space as well as upwards and downwards again. [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the hold-down devices (N1, N2) can be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space in opposite directions. [3] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving unit (2) has two fork-shaped receptacles (3) arranged offset from one another. [4] Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the lower support is formed by a connecting base via which the two fork-shaped receptacles (3) are connected to one another. [5] Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the hold-down devices (N1, N2) can each be moved laterally out of the receiving space and back into the receiving space between a fork tine (ZL, ZR) of one fork-shaped receptacle (3) and a fork tine (ZL, ZR) of the other fork-shaped receptacle (3). [6] Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that one hold-down device (N1, N2) is positioned closer to one fork-shaped receptacle (3) and the other hold-down device (N2, N1) is positioned closer to the other fork-shaped receptacle (3). [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the hold-down devices (N1, N2) each have a comb-like hold-down device section (A1, A2), wherein the two comb-like hold-down devices sections (A1, A2) mesh with one another when they are arranged at the same height in the receiving space. [8] Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that comb teeth of the respective comb-like hold-down section (A1, A2) are designed to be flexible at least in sections and / or at least in one direction. [9] Method for bundling lines (L) by means of a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - a cable (L) is inserted into the receiving unit (2) and at least the first hold-down device (N1) above the cable (L) is moved laterally into the receiving space and downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cable (L) is pressed against the lower support, - a further cable (L) is inserted into the receiving unit (2), the second hold-down device (N2) above the further cable (L) is moved laterally into the receiving space and is moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the further cable (L) is pressed against the first hold-down device (N1), then the first hold-down device (N1) is moved laterally out of the receiving space and then the second hold-down device (N2) is moved further downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cables (L) are pressed against the lower support. [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized bythat after at least the cable (L) newly inserted into the receiving unit (2) has been pressed onto the lower support by means of the respective hold-down device (N1, N2), the respective other hold-down device (N2, N1) above the cable (L) or the plurality of cables (L) is also moved laterally into the receiving space and moved downwards in the receiving space, whereby the cable (L) or the plurality of cables (L) is / are pressed onto the lower support by means of both hold-down devices (N1, N2).

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