POSITIONING DEVICE OF A PROCESSING MODULE OF A CABLE PROCESSING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a processing module of a cable processing machine, which is used for the assembly of cables, in particular cable ends.

[0002] Cable processing machines for assembling cables, particularly cable ends, as described in the present invention, typically have several processing modules to which the cable to be processed is fed by a swiveling and linear movement of a gripper arm, for example, to a crimping press used for crimping a connector to the stripped end of an electrical connecting cable. Such a cable processing machine is known, for example, from EP 1 447 888 B1. While many standard cables can be processed with a maximum of two processing stations per cable end or swivel arm, significantly more processing steps are required for cables with a more complex structure, such as coaxial cables.Since the number of processing stations within a cable processing machine is usually limited due to space constraints, and the processing modules sometimes have complex drives, special tools have been developed for these modules to perform multiple process steps. For example, tools are used that can execute three process steps for assembling a coaxial cable: (1) crimping a support sleeve onto the shield of a stripped coaxial cable, (2) folding the shield over the support sleeve, and (3) crimping a contact part onto the inner conductor of the coaxial cable to be stripped. This tool is designed so that each of the three process steps (1) - (3) requires a different positioning of the cable relative to the processing module, because the processing module has different processing positions for each step.The system comprises processing stations. For example, it may be designed so that (1) the crimping of the support sleeve onto the shield and (2) the folding of the shield are performed at two vertically spaced processing positions, and that after (2) the folding of the shield, the cable is additionally swiveled in a horizontal plane to a second crimping device for (3) crimping a contact part onto the inner conductor using the swiveling gripper arm. As a rule, the different processing positions are designed and arranged to maintain a consistent orientation of the longitudinal axis of the cable being processed. In the present example, all tool stations for process steps (1) - (3) are aligned parallel to a specific position of the cable's longitudinal axis.However, pivoting the cable after the shield has been folded over results in a change in the cable's angular position during process step (3), and thus a deviation of the cable's longitudinal axis from the intended, optimal position relative to the second crimping device. A similar problem exists with regard to the cable's position in the vertical direction during process steps (1) and (2).

[0003] Conventional cable processing modules, especially crimping presses, typically feature a manually operated height adjustment mechanism to raise and lower the press. This adjustment primarily serves to compensate for the different anvil heights that occur when using various crimping tools. However, the height adjustment does not allow the press position to be changed during processing.

[0004] As described, in the tool according to the example above, the processing positions for process steps (1) and (2) are located on different horizontal planes. Additionally, the cable must be lowered for both crimping processes (1) and (3), as described, for example, in EP 2 775 573 B1. Notwithstanding the swiveling issue, the processing module in the present example could be positioned in the cable processing machine such that the cable lies in the plane of process step (2) and that the two crimping positions (1) and (3) are reached by different lowering movements of the cable. However, this is technically very complex to implement and, depending on the machine design, can also lead to angular errors. Alternatively, the partial problem of vertical positioning could be solved with a program-controlled, lowering cable gripper, as described, for example, in EP 2 174 390 B1.However, such a device is also technically very complex.

[0005] To solve the problem of angular deviation during swiveling, the tool could be designed so that the second crimping unit – adapted to the swiveled cable position – is arranged at an angle. However, such a design would be technically very complex and, moreover, would only be suitable for a specific swiveling radius of the machine. Alternatively, processing could be carried out on a transfer machine, as described in EP 1 073 163 B1, which would allow the cable to be positioned freely relative to the tool, but this is significantly more expensive than other cable processing machines.

[0006] Document EP 1 032 095 A2 describes a method and device for processing and twisting a pair of conductors. A transfer module for transferring the conductor pair includes a pair of grippers that hold the conductor ends. The horizontal distance between the two grippers of the gripper pair can be changed, allowing the conductor ends to be reduced in spacing after being gripped. The two pairs of grippers are also slidably mounted on the transfer module in a vertical direction.

[0007] Document US 5,709,025 describes a device for wiring a connector with multiple contacts. A gripper has a fixed upper gripper jaw and a movable lower gripper jaw between which a cable can be clamped. The gripper is movable in three linear spatial directions x, y, z in the direction of the fixed connector.

[0008] Document EP 0 927 444 B1 discloses a device for processing cables, for example with a crimping tool that can move linearly in at least one degree of freedom.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to solve the above-described problem of cable positioning in processing modules of cable processing machines, in particular in processing modules with multiple processing positions.

[0010] This problem is solved by a processing module according to claim 1 and a cable processing machine according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] The positioning device of the processing module according to the invention is intended for positioning a processing module of a cable processing machine and is characterized in that it comprises at least a first displacement device for displacing the processing module relative to the cable to be processed along a first axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cable to be processed and furthermore at least a second displacement device for displacing the processing module relative to the cable to be processed along a second axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cable to be processed and transverse to the first axis.

[0012] Preferably, the first axis and / or the second axis are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable to be processed and preferably also perpendicular to each other. In particular, the first axis may extend horizontally and the second axis vertically. In this preferred embodiment, the positioning device allows the processing module to be moved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable to be processed.

[0013] The two displacement mechanisms perpendicular to the cable's longitudinal axis allow the processing module to be adjusted to various processing positions along two axes relative to the cable being processed. This eliminates the need to position the cable relative to a stationary processing module perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, as was previously required. Instead, the cable can maintain a constant orientation / position perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and only needs to be shifted along its longitudinal axis for specific processing steps, if at all. This eliminates the previously described problem of angular deviation, as pivoting the cable relative to the processing module is no longer necessary. Furthermore, this allows for the advantageous use of all processing positions.The tools of the machining module must be aligned in a technically simple manner parallel to the constant orientation / position of the cable's longitudinal axis.

[0014] Preferably, the positioning device is designed such that the displacement movement along the first or second axis is oriented along a direction of movement of a tool of the processing module, which can be positioned relative to the cable to be processed with the aid of the positioning device. For example, it can be provided that a processing module with a crimping tool can be positioned with the positioning device according to the invention, wherein the crimping tool comprises a crimping anvil and a crimping press, which can be moved in the direction of the crimping anvil, for example, in a vertical direction. In this case, according to a preferred embodiment of the positioning device according to the invention, the second axis of the second displacement device can be oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the crimping press.This allows for a significantly improved crimping process, as the previously described travel distance parallel to the direction of movement of the crimping press when lowering a cable gripper holding the cable to be processed can be greatly reduced due to the now possible positioning of the processing module relative to the cable. If the second axis or direction of movement of the crimping press is vertically oriented, the height of the processing module can advantageously be adjusted via the second sliding mechanism of the positioning device.

[0015] It is of course conceivable that, in addition to the first and second displacement devices, the positioning device also includes at least one third displacement device for moving the processing module relative to the cable along a third axis transverse to the first and second axes. Preferably, the third axis extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable to be processed. This allows, in particular, variable positioning of the tool(s) of the processing module to different longitudinal sections of the cable to be processed.

[0016] According to the invention, the first displacement device is arranged in the moving system of the second displacement device, and the machining module can be arranged in the moving system of the first displacement device. Conversely, it is also conceivable that the second displacement device is arranged in the moving system of the first displacement device, and the machining module can be arranged in the moving system of the second displacement device. In both of these cases, the first and second displacement devices are coupled to each other. For example, the first displacement device can be designed for displacement along a horizontal axis, and the second displacement device, designed for height adjustment along a vertical axis, can be arranged on it. As a result, a displacement along the first axis always causes a horizontal movement of the second displacement device.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first displacement device and / or the second displacement device can comprise at least one, in particular a straight, linear guide device. It is conceivable, for example, that the at least one linear guide device comprises at least one ball bearing, crossed roller bearing, spherical bearing, or dovetail guide.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first or the second displacement device can have at least one lifting device. Preferably, the lifting device comprises at least one lifting gear, in particular at least one lifting gear with at least one lifting rod. Preferably, the lifting gear is self-locking, for example as a worm gear, to prevent the weight of the machining module from causing an unintended displacement in the vertical direction. To guide the lifting movement of the lifting device, the lifting device can further comprise at least one guide rod or guide column slidably guided by a linear guide bushing. Preferably, several such guide columns or guide rods are provided, each slidably guided in a linear guide bushing. The at least one guide rod or guide column can, for example, have a round cross-section.Alternatively, the guide rod or guide column can also have a polyhedral, in particular triangular or quadrilateral, cross-section. The cross-section of the linear guide bushing is designed accordingly to be complementary. It is advantageous to achieve anti-rotation of the moving system relative to the stationary system of the lifting device by appropriately designing the cross-section of the guide column / guide rod and the complementary cross-section of the linear guide bushing. For example, the guide rod / guide column – and correspondingly complementary, the linear guide bushing – can have a polyhedral or partially flattened cross-section to simultaneously provide guidance along the displacement axis of the lifting device and to prevent the positioning device from unintentionally rotating around the displacement axis of the lifting device.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first sliding device and / or the second sliding device can comprise a spindle drive, in particular a ball screw drive or a roller screw drive. Additionally or alternatively, the first and / or the second sliding device can also comprise a toothed belt drive.

[0020] The first and second displacement devices according to the present invention are in particular actuated, preferably mechanically or electromechanically. Actuated, as used in the present invention, means that the first and second displacement devices each have at least one actuator device that converts signals, for example from a controller, into a mechanical movement. To generate the corresponding displacement movement, the first and / or the second displacement device can in particular have a pneumatic, magnetic, or electromechanical actuator device. Linear actuator devices or rotary actuator devices are preferably considered. Examples include piezoelectric actuators, linear motors, stepper motors, servo motors, or pneumatic cylinders.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the positioning device has a base element, in particular a base plate, on which the first and the second sliding devices are arranged. This ensures the stability and secure footing of the positioning device in a particularly simple manner.

[0022] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the positioning device may have a receiving element, in particular a receiving plate for receiving the processing module, which is displaceable along the first and second axes relative to the cable to be processed by means of the first and second displacement device.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the displacement movements of the entire positioning device are program-controlled. For this purpose, the positioning device may include a control unit for controlling the displacement movements of the first and second displacement units. This control unit is preferably operatively connected to, or operatively connectable to, a control unit of the processing module and / or the cable processing machine, or even integrated or integrable therein. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cable processing machine comprising at least one processing module with at least one positioning unit according to the invention.

[0024] Further objectives, advantages and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention and from the accompanying figures.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 Perspective view of a possible embodiment of a positioning device according to the invention, on which a processing module of a cable processing machine is arranged; Fig. 2 Side view of the positioning device according to Fig. 1 without machining module; and Fig. 3 perspective view of the positioning device according to Fig. 1 without a mounting plate and without a processing module.

[0026] The Fig. 1-3 Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a positioning device 1 according to the invention, which serves to move a processing module 100 of a cable processing machine (not shown here) relative to a cable 200 to be processed or assembled by the processing module 100. The cable 200 to be processed or assembled is shown schematically in Fig. 1 indicated by a dashed line.

[0027] According to the invention, the positioning device 1 comprises at least one first displacement device 10 for displacing the processing module 100 relative to the cable 200 to be processed along a first, horizontal axis X perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the cable 200 to be processed. Furthermore, the positioning device 1 comprises at least one second displacement device 20 for displacing the processing module 100 relative to the cable 200 to be processed along a second, vertical axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and perpendicular to the first axis X. This allows the processing module 100 to be freely positioned relative to the cable 200 to be processed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the cable 200 in order to achieve different processing positions.The tools of the processing module (not shown here) are brought into contact with the cable to be assembled, so that the cable 200 no longer needs to be positioned relative to a stationary processing module perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, as was previously the case. Instead, the cable 200 can maintain a constant orientation / position perpendicular to its longitudinal axis L and only needs to be moved along its longitudinal axis for specific processing steps, if at all. Of course, it is also possible for the cable 200 to be moved perpendicular to its longitudinal axis using a gripping device (not shown here).

[0028] In the present case, in the Fig. 1-3In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning device 1 comprises a base plate 30 on which two linear guides 11, 12 are arranged, extending in the direction of the first axis x and forming the first displacement device 10. A lifting device 21 is further arranged on these two linear guides 11, 12, which is horizontally displaceable along the first axis x via the two linear guides 11, 12 and forms the second displacement device 20. The lifting device 21 has a total of three vertical linear guides 25. Each of the three vertical linear guides 25 comprises a guide rod 25.1, 25.2, 25.3 slidably guided in a linear guide bushing 25.4, 25.5, 25.6, which together support a mounting plate 40, which serves to receive the machining module 200 to be positioned.In order to adjust the height of the mounting plate 40 and thus the machining module 200 in a vertical direction, the lifting device 21 comprises a self-locking lifting gear 22, such as a worm gear, with a lifting rod 23 adjustable in the second direction z, which engages the mounting plate 40 from below.

[0029] To generate the displacement movements of the first and second displacement devices 10, 20, the positioning device 1 has a first and second servomotor 14, 15. The first servomotor 14 is connected to a spindle drive 13 via a toothed belt drive 16. The spindle drive 13 comprises a spindle 13.1, which is driven by the first servomotor 14, and a spindle nut 13.2, which is located in the moving system of the first displacement device 10 and is connected to the lifting device 21, so that a rotary movement of the first servomotor 14 causes a linear displacement of the first displacement device 10 and thus of the lifting device 21, the mounting plate 40, and ultimately the machining module 100 along the first axis x. The first servomotor 14, the toothed belt drive 16, and the spindle 13.1 are accordingly arranged on or connected to the base plate 30.The second servomotor 24 serves as a lifting motor for the lifting device 21 and is also operatively connected to the lifting gear 22 via a toothed belt drive 26, so that a rotary movement of the lifting motor 24 causes a vertical up and down movement of the lifting rod 23 and thus of the mounting plate 40 and the machining module 100 arranged on it. The respective displacement and positioning movements of the first and second displacement devices 10, 20 are controlled by a controller (not shown here) depending on the machining processes to be carried out by the machining module 100. Advantageously, the controller is directly operatively connected to the motors 14, 20 of the first and second displacement devices 10, 20. To control the displacement and positioning movements of the first and second displacement devices 10, 20, the controller is connected to the motors 14, 20 of the first and second displacement devices 10, 20.To control the positioning movements of the first and second displacement device 10, 20 along the first and second axes x, y, position detection means (not shown here) or at least one position detection device or at least one common position detection device may be provided for each axis, which is / are designed to detect the respective position of the first and second displacement device 10, 20 and / or the machining module 100 along the first or second axis x, y and to transmit it to the control system.

Claims

1. A processing module (100) of a cable processing machine for manufacturing a cable, having at least one positioning device (1), wherein the processing module comprises a crimping tool, wherein the positioning device comprises a first displacement apparatus (10) for displacing the processing module (100) relative to the cable (200) to be processed along a first, in particular horizontal axis (x) transversely, preferably perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cable (200) to be processed, and a second displacement apparatus (20) for displacing the processing module (100) relative to the cable (200) to be processed along a second, in particular vertical axis (z) transversely, preferably perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cable (200) to be processed, and transversely, preferably perpendicularly to the first axis (x), wherein the first displacement apparatus (10) is arranged in the moved system of the second displacement apparatus (20), wherein the processing module (100) can be arranged in the moved system of the first displacement apparatus (10); or wherein the second displacement apparatus (20) is arranged in the moved system of the first displacement apparatus (10), wherein the processing module (100) can be arranged in the moved system of the second displacement apparatus (20).

2. The processing module (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first displacement apparatus (10) and / or the second displacement apparatus (20) has at least one linear guide apparatus (11, 12, 25), in particular at least one ball-bearing, crossed-roller-bearing or dovetail guide.

3. The processing module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first displacement apparatus (10) or the second displacement apparatus (20) has at least one lifting apparatus (21).

4. The processing module (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the lifting apparatus (21) has at least one preferably self-locking lifting gear mechanism (22), in particular at least one lifting gear mechanism (22) having at least one lifting rod (23) .

5. The processing module (100) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lifting apparatus (21) has at least one guide rod or guide pillar (25.1, 25.2, 25.3) that is guided in a displaceable manner in a linear guide bush (25.4, 25.5, 25.6).

6. The processing module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first displacement apparatus (10) and / or the second displacement apparatus (20) comprises a spindle gear mechanism (13), in particular a ball screw drive or a roller screw drive, and / or a toothed belt gear mechanism (16, 26).

7. The processing module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first displacement apparatus (10) and / or the second displacement apparatus (20) has a pneumatic, magnetic or electromotive actuator apparatus (14, 24), in particular linear actuator apparatus or rotary actuator apparatus, for generating a displacement movement, preferably a piezo actuator, a linear motor, a stepping motor, a servomotor or a pneumatic cylinder.

8. The processing module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning device (1) has a base element (30), particularly a base plate, on which the first and the second displacement apparatus (10, 20) are arranged.

9. The processing module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning device (1) has a mounting element (40), particularly a mounting plate, for mounting the processing module (100), which can be displaced along the first and second axis (x, z) relative to the cable (200) to be processed by means of the first and the second displacement apparatus (10, 20) .

10. The processing module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning device (1) has a control apparatus for controlling the displacement movements of the first and second displacement apparatus (10, 20).

11. A cable processing machine for manufacturing a cable comprising at least one processing module (100) having at least one positioning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.