Inspection device for checking a cable tip of a cable and method for cleaning

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting a cable tip of a cable and a method for cleaning.

[0002] EP 3 109 624 A1 describes a prior art inspection device for inspecting a cable tip of a cable. The inspection device in EP 3 109 624 A1 comprises a camera, an illumination device, and a conical mirror collar (i.e., a conical arrangement of individual mirrors around a central axis). To inspect the cable tip or for quality control, a cable tip is inserted into the conical mirror collar, where a camera records the mirror images of the cable tip. This recording is assessed using software, i.e., the cable tip is inspected for quality. The inspection takes place before and after crimping to inspect or ensure the quality of the stripping and the connection of the crimp contact to the cable (i.e., the crimp connection).This can be done by inserting the cable tip into a single testing device twice or by using two separate testing devices.

[0003] One aspect of inspection devices to be considered is the contamination of parts of the device, especially the camera and / or mirrors, with dirt and / or dust, especially from the cable being inspected, which can lead to errors in the quality inspection using the camera. Without cleaning the camera and / or mirrors, the inspection of the cable tip using the inspection device may no longer be reliably possible after just one day under unfavorable conditions.

[0004] EP 3 109 624 A1 proposes reducing contamination by placing the elements of the inspection device (i.e., camera, illumination device, and conical mirror collar) in a housing in which an overpressure is generated. This is intended to prevent dirt particles from penetrating the housing.

[0005] The disadvantage of this is that the housing must seal off all elements or parts of the inspection device (i.e. camera, lighting device and conical mirror collar) essentially hermetically from the environment, which is technically complex. In addition, the camera usually has to be calibrated repeatedly, e.g. with regard to color, which is technically very complex with the prior art inspection device. In addition, dirt and / or dust, once it has entered the inspection device, can reach the camera and settle there, which may make the inspection of the cable tip unreliable because the dirt and / or dust negatively affects the images recorded by the camera.

[0006] WO 89 / 05468 A1 shows a device for optically scanning the surface of an object, wherein the device comprises a housing and a desk mirror arranged in the housing with a frustoconical, circumferential mirror surface.

[0007] DE 197 13 973 A1 discloses an open-design device for optically inspecting the outer surface of cylindrical bodies, such as shafts, piston rods, axles, and similar test specimens. The device comprises a rotationally symmetrical reflector body. A camera is mounted on the extension of the test specimen's longitudinal axis in such a way that the camera's field of view passes through a partially transparent mirror and over the mirrored surface of the reflector body, virtually perpendicular to the outer surface of the test specimen.

[0008] WO 2017 / 033122 A1 is directed to a bladeless dust removal system for photo cameras.

[0009] WO 2018 / 113846 A1 describes a method for testing and adjusting a digital camera using an optical test standard.

[0010] There may be a need, among other things, for an inspection device for inspecting a cable tip in which contamination of parts of the inspection device is technically easily prevented and / or in which parts of the inspection device can be technically easily cleaned of dirt and / or dust. Furthermore, there may be a need, among other things, for a method by which an inspection device for inspecting a cable tip can be technically easily cleaned.

[0011] Such a need can be met by a checking device according to independent claim 1 or by a method according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, an inspection device for inspecting a cable tip of a cable, in particular a processed cable, preferably a cable connected to a crimp contact via a crimp connection, is proposed, wherein the inspection device comprises a mirror arrangement with a central axis, wherein the cable tip can be arranged in the mirror arrangement along the central axis for inspecting the cable tip, wherein the mirror arrangement comprises a mirror collar comprising a plurality of mirrors arranged at a predetermined angle to one another and at a predetermined angle to the central axis for viewing the cable tip arranged along the central axis of the mirror arrangement from different viewing angles, wherein the inspection device further comprises a camera for generating images of the cable tip from different viewing angles by means of the mirrors, characterized in thatthat the inspection device comprises a transparent pane which is arranged to prevent dirt and / or dust from the mirror arrangement from reaching the camera, such that the mirror arrangement is arranged on a first side of the pane and the camera is arranged on a second side of the pane opposite the first side, and that the inspection device further comprises a compressed air cleaning device for cleaning the pane and / or the mirrors by means of compressed air, wherein the compressed air cleaning device is designed to expel the compressed air along the pane and / or along at least some of the mirrors.

[0013] The advantage of this is that dirt and / or dust (especially soot or similar, e.g., caused by laser cutting of the cable) that is or has been introduced into the inspection device through the screen typically cannot reach the camera due to the screen. Thus, the camera is generally technically easily protected from dirt or dust from the cable or the cable tip. Furthermore, the screen and / or mirrors are typically technically easy and quick to clean.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for cleaning a mirror arrangement of the above-described inspection device is proposed, wherein the mirror arrangement comprises a plurality of mirrors, and / or a transparent pane of an inspection device, wherein the inspection device further comprises a camera for generating images of the cable tip from different viewing angles by means of the mirrors, wherein the mirror arrangement comprises a plurality of mirrors arranged at a predetermined angle to one another and at a predetermined angle to a central axis of the mirror arrangement for viewing the cable tip arranged along the central axis of the mirror arrangement from different viewing angles, wherein the transparent pane is arranged to prevent dirt and / or dust from the mirror arrangement from reaching the camera in such a way that the mirror arrangement is arranged on a first side of the pane and the camera is arranged on a second side of the pane opposite the first side, the method comprising the following step: ejecting compressed air from a compressed air cleaning device along the pane and / or along at least part of the mirror to remove dust and / or dirt from the pane and / or the mirrors.

[0015] An advantage of this method is that a pane that keeps dirt and / or dust (especially soot or similar, e.g., resulting from laser cutting of the cable) that is or was introduced into the inspection device by the cable away from the camera is typically technically simple and quick to clean. Furthermore, the mirrors are typically technically simple and quick to clean. Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention can be considered, among other things, and without limiting the invention, to be based on the ideas and findings described below.

[0016] According to the invention, the inspection device is designed such that the compressed air cleaning device can be removed from and reinserted into the inspection device without opening a housing of the inspection device, which protects the area on the first side and / or the second side of the pane from the ingress of dirt and / or dust from the environment. This is advantageous in that, typically, no further dirt or grime enters the housing or the mirror assembly during removal or insertion. Furthermore, the compressed air cleaning device can generally be replaced with another device in a technically simple manner.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the inspection device is designed such that, when the compressed air cleaning device is inserted into the inspection device or the compressed air cleaning device is arranged in the inspection device, a compressed air channel arranged stationary with respect to the inspection device for supplying the compressed air cleaning device with compressed air is fluidly connected to the compressed air cleaning device. As a result, the compressed air supply can generally be connected to the compressed air cleaning device in a technically simple manner such that compressed air enters the compressed air cleaning device through the compressed air supply. Consequently, the compressed air cleaning device typically does not need to have an active element. Thus, the compressed air cleaning device can usually be designed to be particularly simple, reliable, and cost-effective.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the compressed air emitted by the compressed air cleaning device is ionized compressed air. This has the advantage that the cleaning effect or cleaning performance of the compressed air cleaning device is generally particularly high.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the inspection device is designed such that a cable receiving opening for inserting the cable tip into the mirror assembly along the central axis can be closed by a cable centering device for holding the cable, except for an opening in the cable centering device for receiving and holding the cable. This typically allows the compressed air emitted by the compressed air cleaning device to be guided in the mirror assembly in a technically simple manner such that, after flowing along a first mirror, the compressed air is deflected at the cable receiving opening, so that, after being deflected, the compressed air flows along at least one further, second mirror.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the inspection device is designed such that a calibration element, in particular a gray card, for calibrating the camera without opening a housing of the inspection device, which protects the area on the first side and / or the second side of the pane from the ingress of dirt and / or dust from the environment, can be inserted into the inspection device, in particular on the first side of the pane, preferably into an opening for receiving the compressed air cleaning device, in such a way that at least some of the mirrors, in particular all of the mirrors, of the mirror arrangement are covered by the calibration element as seen from the viewing direction of the camera. As a result, the camera can generally be calibrated without dust and / or dirt getting into the mirror arrangement as a result of opening the housing.Particularly when a color camera is used, the camera should typically be calibrated for color at regular intervals. The gray card can typically be inserted into the same recess of the inspection device into which the compressed air cleaning device can be inserted. This usually prevents dust and / or dirt from entering the mirror assembly even more effectively, since the opening for accommodating the compressed air cleaning device or the calibration element can be closed at any time, namely either by the compressed air cleaning device when no calibration needs to be performed, or by the calibration element when a calibration process is currently in progress.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the inspection device further comprises a discharge opening for discharging the compressed air from an interior of the mirror assembly, wherein the discharge opening is arranged, in particular, opposite the compressed air cleaning device with respect to the central axis. This is advantageous in that the compressed air, together with dust and / or dirt, can typically be transported out of the mirror assembly or the inspection device in a technically simple manner. This generally increases the cleaning efficiency of the compressed air.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the compressed air cleaning device is designed such that the compressed air cleaning device expels the compressed air for cleaning the mirrors in the direction of a cable receiving opening for inserting the cable tip into the mirror assembly. This is advantageous in that the mirrors can usually be cleaned technically simply and efficiently, since when the cable receiving opening is closed, the compressed air is redirected and can flow along another mirror, in particular toward the discharge opening (if present).

[0023] According to one embodiment, the compressed air cleaning device is manufactured in one piece, in particular by means of a metal printing process and / or by means of 3D printing. This has the advantage that the compressed air cleaning device is typically particularly cost-effective and easy to handle.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the compressed air cleaning device is constructed in multiple parts and / or is manufactured using a casting process. This generally allows the inspection device to be manufactured particularly cost-effectively.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the compressed air cleaning device has a plurality of compressed air guide channels for guiding the compressed air in the compressed air cleaning device. When the compressed air cleaning device is used or arranged in the inspection device, two of the compressed air guide channels are arranged along the pane for expelling the compressed air, and three of the compressed air guide channels are arranged along one or more mirrors of the mirror arrangement for expelling the compressed air. The advantage of this is that the pane and the mirrors can usually be cleaned simultaneously in a technically simple manner. The compressed air can usually be expelled along a plurality of mirrors, in particular directly adjacent mirrors, so that a plurality of mirrors are cleaned simultaneously.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the pane is made of shatter-resistant glass and / or shatter-resistant plastic. This generally makes the inspection device particularly stable. This typically essentially prevents the pane from being destroyed or damaged.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the inspection device further comprises an illumination device for illuminating the cable tip arranged along the central axis. The illumination device comprises a plurality of illuminating means arranged along an ellipse, in particular along a circle, wherein the illuminating means each have a main radiation direction directed away from the mirror arrangement, and a reflector for reflecting the light emitted by the illuminating means. As a result, the cable tip can generally be illuminated or illuminated in a technically simple manner without shadows and / or glare.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the reflector has the shape of a paraboloid of revolution. This typically has the advantage that the cable tip can be illuminated particularly evenly.

[0029] It should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments of the inspection device. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be combined, adapted, or exchanged as appropriate within the scope of the granted claims to achieve further embodiments of the invention.

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein neither the drawings nor the description are to be construed as limiting the invention. Fig. 1 shows a perspective, partially cut-away view of an embodiment of the checking device according to the invention; Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of the checking device from Fig. 1 with housing or cover; Fig. 2b shows a perspective view of the inspection device from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a without housing or cover; Fig. 3a shows the section of the sectional view of Fig. 3b ; Fig. 3b shows a sectional view of the checking device from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b along line BB of the Fig. 3a ; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the checking device from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b or Fig. 3a or Fig. 3b with the unplugged gray card and the unplugged compressed air cleaning device; Fig. 5a shows a side view of the compressed air cleaning device; Fig. 5b shows a top view of the compressed air cleaning device; Fig. 5c shows a sectional view of the compressed air cleaning device along the line CC of the Fig. 5b ; Fig. 5d shows a sectional view of the compressed air cleaning device along the line DD of the Fig. 5a ; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the checking device from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b or Fig. 3a or Fig. 3b or Fig. 4 without housing or cover with the inserted grey card; Fig. 7 shows a top view of the grey card of the checking device from Fig. 2a or Fig. 4 or Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 shows a device with the checking device Fig. 1-4 or Fig. 6 captured image of the cable tip.

[0031] The figures are merely schematic and not to scale. The same reference numerals designate the same or equivalent features in the various figures.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a perspective, partially cut-away view of an embodiment of the checking device 1 according to the invention. Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of the checking device 1 from Fig. 1 with housing 16 or cover. Fig. 2b shows a perspective view of the checking device 1 from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a without housing 16 or cover. Fig. 3a shows the section line of the sectional view of Fig. 3b. Fig. 3b shows a sectional view of the checking device 1 from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b along line BB of the Fig. 3a .

[0033] The inspection device 1 is designed to check or inspect a cable tip 18 or a cable end of a cable 21. For this purpose, the inspection device 1 comprises a mirror arrangement 22, an illumination device 3, and a camera 2. These elements are arranged on a base plate 17.

[0034] The cable 21 or the cable tip 18 is inserted into the mirror assembly 22 along a central axis 60 of the mirror assembly 22, which runs horizontally, through a cable receiving opening 20. The cable 21 is held in this position by a cable centering device 15.

[0035] The cable centering device 15 has a first vertically movable parallel gripper 40, which can move two clamping plates 41, 42 toward each other, and a second horizontally movable parallel gripper 50, which can also move two clamping plates 51, 52 toward each other. The four clamping plates 41, 42, 51, 52 hold the cable 21 and simultaneously center it, so that the cable 21 or the cable tip 18 runs along the central axis 60 in the mirror arrangement 22.

[0036] The mirror arrangement 22 comprises a plurality of mirrors 70-77 in the form of a mirror collar 7 around the central axis 60 or the cable tip 18.

[0037] The mirrors 70-77 of the mirror arrangement 22 are each arranged at the same angle to one another and completely surround the central axis 60. For example, the mirror arrangement 22 can comprise eight mirrors 70-77, so that each mirror 70-77 is aligned at an angle of 360° / 8 = 45° to the immediately adjacent mirror 70-77. It is also conceivable for the mirror arrangement 22 to comprise only five or six mirrors 70-77 that completely surround the cable tip 18.

[0038] In addition, the mirrors 70-77 are arranged in such a way that they taper conically towards the cable receiving opening 20, ie the distance of the mirrors 70-77 to the central axis 60 becomes smaller the closer one moves to the cable receiving opening 20.

[0039] The mirrors 70-77 each have an angle of approximately 45° to the central axis 60. The mirrors 70-77 are each trapezoidal in plan view.

[0040] One or more mirrors 70-77 may each have distance markings to serve as a reference for measuring operations when evaluating the images taken by the camera 2.

[0041] The mirror assembly 22, the disk 9 and the cable centering 15, which almost completely closes the cable receiving opening 20, together delimit the interior or the interior of the mirror assembly 22.

[0042] The lighting device 3 comprises a reflector 5 in the form of a paraboloid of revolution, which has a viewing opening 25 for the camera 2. In Fig. 3b the viewing opening 25 is located on the left side, ie the side of the reflector 5 facing away from the mirror arrangement 22.

[0043] The illumination device 3 also comprises a ring light 4. The ring light 4 is mounted on the inner edge of the reflector 5 at the end facing the mirror arrangement 22 (in Fig. 3b The ring light 4 is arranged at the center of the reflector 5 (the right end). The ring light 4 is circular and has a plurality of light sources 6, e.g., LEDs, evenly distributed around the circumference of the ring light 4. The light sources 6 are arranged such that their main radiation direction is parallel to the central axis 60, away from the mirror arrangement 22. As a result, the emitted light reaches the reflector 5 and then the cable tip 18, which is thus illuminated or illuminated from many sides.

[0044] The reflector 5 or the inner surface of the reflector 5 can be made of a white plastic (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyoxymethylene (POM)) and / or have a white surface or paint layer. The inner surface, which is designed to reflect the light from the lamps 6, is rough to achieve good light dispersion. Due to its roughness and its function as a reflective surface, the inner surface of the reflector 5 is particularly sensitive to dirt. Therefore, it is particularly important to keep dirt away from the inner surface of the reflector 5. The lamps 6 all radiate in the direction of the reflector 5.

[0045] The viewing direction of camera 2 runs along the central axis 60. Camera 2 captures images or recordings of the cable tip 18 from different viewing angles via reflections of the mirrors 70-77 arranged around the cable tip 18. The number of viewing angles depends on the number of mirrors 70-77. It is also possible for camera 2 to capture only one image, which is divided into several images, namely one image per mirror 70-77. It is also possible for camera 2 to capture a separate image for each mirror 70-77.

[0046] The camera 2 is connected to an evaluation system (not shown). The evaluation system comprises, for example, a computer with evaluation software, wherein the evaluation software analyzes the images of the cable tip 18 from the different viewing angles. The evaluation software can include or be image recognition software. The evaluation software can, for example, detect irregularities and / or asymmetries and / or other errors, such as pulled out and / or splayed strands of the cable 21 or the cable tip 18. If one or more errors and / or quality defects are detected by the evaluation software, a corresponding error message can be generated. In response to the error message, for example, the cable 21 can be disposed of as scrap, the production of further cables can be temporarily stopped until manual approval, or something similar. A mere recording of the detected variables can also take place.

[0047] The cable 21 can be examined, checked or inspected by means of the inspection device 1 before and / or after processing the cable 21 with a cable processing machine (e.g. a crimping machine) in order to determine changes made to the cable 21 by the cable processing machine.

[0048] Camera 2 can be a digital still camera or digital video camera.

[0049] A transparent disk 9 is arranged between the reflector 5 and the mirror assembly 22, which runs perpendicular to the central axis 60. The disk 9 separates, in particular in a substantially airtight manner, the mirror assembly 22 from the reflector 5 and the camera 2. Thus, no dirt and / or grime from the mirror assembly 22 or from the cable 21 or the cable tip 18 can enter the reflector 5 and / or the camera 2. The mirror assembly 22 and the reflector 5 / the camera 2 are thus located on two opposite sides of the disk 9.

[0050] A housing 16 of the inspection device 1 encloses the components or parts of the inspection device 1 (i.e., camera 2, reflector 5, screen 9, and mirror assembly 22), protecting them from dust and / or dirt. When the housing 16 is closed, only the cable receiving opening 20 remains, through which dust and / or dirt can penetrate into the inspection device 1.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the checking device 1 from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b or Fig. 3a or Fig. 3b with the unplugged gray card 14 and the unplugged compressed air cleaning device 10. Fig. 5a shows a side view of the compressed air cleaning device 10. Fig. 5b shows a top view of the compressed air cleaning device 10. Fig. 5c shows a sectional view of the compressed air cleaning device 10 along the line CC of the Fig. 5b. Fig. 5d shows a sectional view of the compressed air cleaning device 10 along the line DD of the Fig. 5a .

[0052] The inspection device 1 also includes a compressed air cleaning device 10. The compressed air cleaning device 10 is designed to clean the windshield 9 and the mirror assembly 22 of dirt and / or grime using compressed air. The cable 21 can be stripped, for example, using a laser, which can result in the formation of soot particles that can also settle on the cable tip 18 and were not removed before the cable tip 18 was inserted into the inspection device 1.

[0053] The compressed air cleaning device 10 can be inserted into a recess of the inspection device 1 or inserted into the compressed air cleaning device 10 and removed from the compressed air cleaning device 10. For insertion, the compressed air cleaning device 10 is pushed from top to bottom between the pane 9 and the mirror collar 7 or the mirror assembly 22. The multiple outlets 11, 12 of the compressed air cleaning device 10 protrude slightly beyond the edge of the mirror collar 7 and are aligned either parallel to the surfaces of the mirrors 70-77 and / or to the surface of the pane 9.

[0054] The compressed air cleaning device 10 is used to clean the window 9 and the mirrors 70-77 using compressed air. When the compressed air cleaning device 10 is inserted into the inspection device 1, the compressed air cleaning device 10, or the outlets 11, 12 of the compressed air cleaning device 10, are fluidically connected to a stationary compressed air duct 13. When the compressed air cleaning device 10 is removed from the inspection device 1, the fluid connection is severed again. An air supply duct of the compressed air cleaning device 10, which is located in a lateral region of the compressed air cleaning device 10, can have a seal for an airtight connection to the stationary compressed air duct 13. Compressed air or air is introduced into the compressed air cleaning device 10 via the compressed air duct 13.

[0055] The compressed air cleaning device 10 has a plurality of compressed air guide channels for guiding the compressed air in the compressed air cleaning device 10 or for expelling the compressed air or air from the compressed air cleaning device 10 in different directions.

[0056] A portion of the compressed air is expelled from the top to the bottom of the compressed air cleaning device 10 along the disc 9. For this purpose, the Fig. 5d two second outermost compressed air channels from top to bottom, ie the respective opening points downwards.

[0057] Three of the compressed air channels of the compressed air cleaning device 10, in Fig. 5d The two outer compressed air channels and the central compressed air channel are each designed to expel compressed air along a mirror 70-77. The compressed air from each of these three compressed air channels is thus expelled toward the cable receiving opening 20. When the cable receiving opening 20 is closed by the cable centering device 15 except for an opening for receiving or holding the cable 21, the compressed air or air is subsequently "reflected" by the cable centering device 15 and then flows along one or more mirrors 70-77 in the lower half of the mirror assembly 22 or along one or more mirrors 70-77 extending from top to bottom when moving away from the cable receiving opening 20 from the disc 9.

[0058] The compressed air in the compressed air cleaning device 10 is divided into a fork shape by means of the compressed air channels.

[0059] The discharge of compressed air by the compressed air cleaning device 10 can be carried out continuously.

[0060] However, it is also possible for the compressed air to be emitted only intermittently, rather than continuously. The intervals between the emission of compressed air and the duration of the emission of compressed air can be predetermined or depend on the degree or presence of contamination on the mirror assembly 22 and / or the pane 9.

[0061] On the lower side, the inspection device 1 has an exhaust opening 23. The air expelled by the compressed air cleaning device 10, which has flowed along the pane 9 or along the mirrors 70-77, can exit the mirror assembly 22 through the exhaust opening 23. This allows the dust and / or dirt that was removed from the mirrors 70-77 and / or the pane 9 and is now in the air to be removed from the mirror assembly 22. It is possible for the air to be actively extracted from the mirror assembly 22 through the exhaust opening 23 by means of an air extraction system and a corresponding connection 19.

[0062] The compressed air cleaning device 10 can be removed or taken out of the inspection device 1. For this purpose, the compressed air cleaning device 10 is Fig. 3b pulled upwards out of the recess of the compressed air cleaning device 10. By pulling out or moving the compressed air cleaning device 10 upwards, the connection between the stationary compressed air duct and the compressed air cleaning device 10 is severed.

[0063] Fig. 4 shows the inspection device 1 without cover or with removed cover and the removed compressed air cleaning device 10 as well as a gray card 14.

[0064] The camera 2 of the inspection device 1 must be recalibrated at regular intervals. Especially if the camera 2 is a color camera, the color camera must be recalibrated for color from time to time. Calibration is performed using a calibration element that is inserted into the inspection device 1 in such a way that the camera 2 no longer sees the mirror arrangement 22, but instead the calibration element is in the field of view of the camera 2.

[0065] The calibration element may be a gray card 14, ie a flat card which is rectangular in plan view and in which a rectangular calibration area 30 has a surface in a precisely defined shade of gray.

[0066] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the checking device 1 from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b or Fig. 3a without housing 16 or cover with the inserted gray card 14. Fig. 7 shows a top view of the grey card 14 of the checking device 1 from Fig. 1 .

[0067] The gray card 14 is inserted into the same recess into which the compressed air cleaning device 10 can be inserted or from which the compressed air cleaning device 10 was previously removed. The gray card 14 is inserted into the compressed air cleaning device 10 to such an extent that the area through which the camera 2 sees the mirrors 70-77 of the mirror assembly 22 or the cable tip 18 is completely obscured by the gray card 14 or the calibration area 30 of the gray card 14.

[0068] This means that at the point where the cable tip 18 was visible to camera 2 via the reflections of mirrors 70-77, the gray card 14 or calibration area 30 for camera 2 is now visible. Using the known color tone of calibration area 30, camera 2 can now be color calibrated or adjusted.

[0069] The grey card 14 has an oval recess in the upper area of ​​the grey card 14 to facilitate removal of the grey card 14 from the inspection device 1.

[0070] The housing 16 has a holder 80 on its outer side for holding the gray card 14 when the gray card 14 is not inserted into the inspection device 1 or is not in use. The holder 80 can comprise five circular discs protruding from the housing 16.

[0071] Fig. 8 shows a with the checking device 1 from Fig. 1-4 or Fig. 6 captured image of the cable tip 18. In Fig. 8 eight mirrors 70-77 are arranged such that the mirrors 70-77 are respectively arranged at the clockwise positions 6 o'clock, 7:30 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 10:30 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 1:30 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 4:30 o'clock. In Fig. 8 It is clearly visible how the eight mirrors 70-77 of the mirror arrangement 22 provide / result in different views of the cable tip 18 or the cable 21, or views from different angles. In the reflection of the cable tip 18 of the right mirror 76 ("at 3 o'clock") and the left mirror 72 ("at 9 o'clock"), it is particularly clear that one of the strands of the cable 21 or the cable tip 18 is cut too short. This is more difficult to detect or determine in the other reflections of the other mirrors 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, and 77.

[0072] This unevenness of the strands can be detected by the evaluation software and the cable 21 can be marked as faulty and / or directly sorted out as reject.

[0073] Further errors that can be technically easily detected or checked by the checking device 1 are, among others, that a strand of the cable 21 has been pulled out, that a strand of the cable 21 has been spread out, that the cut made to strip the cable 21 has resulted in a non-straight stripping edge, that the strands of the cable 21 have been cut off at an angle, that a strand of the cable 21 has not been crimped with a crimp contact, whether strands run parallel to one another in a control hole of the cable 21, whether a contact element, e.g. a crimp element that has been connected to the cable 21, runs completely along the central axis 60 or not (or is bent).

[0074] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having," "comprising," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. The actual scope of protection is defined exclusively by the granted patent claims. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. List of reference symbols

[0075] 1 Inspection device camera 3 Lighting device 2 4 Ring light 5 Reflector 6 Light source 7 Mirror collar 9 Screen 10 Compressed air cleaning device 11 Mirror cleaning outlet 12 Screen cleaning outlet 13 Compressed air duct 14 Gray card 15 Cable centering device 16 Housing (cover) 17 Base plate 18 Cable tip 19 Air extraction connection 20 Cable receiving opening 21 Cable 22 Mirror assembly 23 Exhaust opening 25 Reflector viewing opening 30 Calibration area 40 First parallel gripper 41, 42 Clamping plates of the first parallel gripper 50 Second parallel gripper 51, 52 Clamping plates of the second parallel gripper 60 Central axis 70-77 Mirror 80 Gray card holder

Claims

1. Inspection device (1) for inspecting a cable tip (18) of a cable (21), in particular a processed cable (21), preferably a cable (21) connected to a crimp contact via a crimp connection, the inspection device (1) having a mirror arrangement (22) with a central axis (60), the cable tip (18) being able to be arranged in the mirror arrangement (22) along the central axis (60) for inspecting the cable tip (18), the mirror arrangement (22) comprising a plurality of mirrors (70-77) arranged at a predetermined angle to one another and at a predetermined angle to the central axis (60) for viewing the cable tip (18) arranged along the central axis (60) of the mirror arrangement (22) from different viewing angles, the inspection device (1) further comprising a camera (2) for generating images of the cable tip (18) from different viewing angles by means of the mirrors (70-77), the inspection device (1) having a transparent pane (9) which, to prevent dirt and / or dust from the mirror arrangement (22) from reaching the camera (2), is arranged in such a way that the mirror arrangement (22) is arranged on a first side of the pane (9) and the camera (2) is arranged on a second side of the pane (9) opposite the first side, characterized in that the inspection device (1) further comprises a compressed air cleaning device (10) for cleaning the pane (9) and / or the mirrors (70-77) using compressed air, the compressed air cleaning device (10) being designed to expel the compressed air along the pane (9) and / or along at least some of the mirrors (70-77), and in that the inspection device (1) comprises a housing (16), the inspection device (1) being designed such that the compressed air cleaning device (10) can be removed from the inspection device (1) and reinserted into the inspection device (1) without opening the housing (16) of the inspection device (1), which protects the region on the first side and / or the second side of the pane (9) against the ingress of dirt and / or dust from the environment, the compressed air cleaning device (10) being insertable into an opening between the pane (9) and the mirror arrangement (22) and being removable therefrom.

2. Inspection device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inspection device (1) is designed such that, when the compressed air cleaning device (10) is inserted into the inspection device (1) or the compressed air cleaning device (10) is arranged in the inspection device (1), a compressed air channel (13) arranged in a stationary manner with respect to the inspection device (1) for supplying the compressed air cleaning device (10) with compressed air is, or can be, fluidly connected to the compressed air cleaning device (10).

3. Inspection device (1) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection device (1) has a cable receiving opening (20) and a cable centering device (15), wherein the inspection device (1) is designed such that the cable receiving opening (20) for inserting the cable tip (18) into the mirror arrangement (22) along the central axis (60) can be closed by the cable centering device (15) for holding the cable (21) except for an opening of the cable centering device (15) for receiving and holding the cable (21).

4. Inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection device (1) comprises a housing (16), wherein the inspection device (1) is designed such that a calibration member, in particular a gray card (14), for calibrating the camera (2) without opening the housing (16) of the inspection device (1), which housing protects the region on the first side and / or the second side of the pane (9) from the ingress of dirt and / or dust from the environment, can be inserted into the inspection device (1), in particular on the first side of the pane (9), in the opening for receiving the compressed air cleaning device (10), in such a manner that at least some of the mirrors (70-77), in particular all the mirrors (70-77) of the mirror arrangement (22) are covered by the calibration member when viewed from the viewing direction of the camera (2).

5. Inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection device (1) further has a discharge opening (23) for discharging the compressed air from an interior of the mirror arrangement (22), wherein in particular the discharge opening (23) is arranged opposite the compressed air cleaning device (10) with respect to the central axis (60).

6. Inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compressed air cleaning device (10) is designed such that the compressed air cleaning device (10) ejects the compressed air for cleaning the mirrors (70-77) in the direction of the cable receiving opening (20) for inserting the cable tip (18) into the mirror arrangement (22).

7. Inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compressed air cleaning device (10) is manufactured in one piece, in particular by a metal printing method and / or by 3D printing.

8. Inspection device (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the compressed air cleaning device (10) is designed in several parts and / or is manufactured by a casting method.

9. Inspection device (1) according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the compressed air cleaning device (10) has a plurality of compressed air guide channels for guiding the compressed air into the compressed air cleaning device (10), wherein when the compressed air cleaning device (10) is inserted or arranged in the opening of the inspection device (1), two of the compressed air guide channels for ejecting the compressed air are arranged along the pane (9) and three of the compressed air guide channels for ejecting the compressed air are arranged along one mirror (70-77) or a plurality of mirrors (70-77) of the mirror arrangement (22).

10. Inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pane (9) consists of shatterproof glass and / or shatterproof plastics material.

11. Inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection device (1) further comprises a lighting device (3) for illuminating the cable tip (18) arranged along the central axis (60), wherein the lighting device (3) has multiple illuminants (6) arranged along an ellipse, in particular along a circle, wherein the illuminants (6) each have a main radiation direction which is directed away from the mirror arrangement (22), and a reflector (5) for reflecting the light emitted by the illuminants (6).

12. Inspection device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the reflector (5) has the shape of a paraboloid of revolution.

13. Method for cleaning a mirror arrangement (22) of an inspection device (1), wherein the mirror arrangement (22) comprises multiple mirrors (70-77), and / or a transparent pane (9) of an inspection device (1), wherein the inspection device (1) is an inspection device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps: ejecting compressed air from a compressed air cleaning device (10) along the pane (9) and / or along at least some of the mirrors (70-77) in order to remove dust and / or dirt from the pane (9) and / or the mirrors (70-77).