Cable holder and method for manufacturing an electrical wiring harness

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cable holder according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manually and / or automatically assembling a connector housing of a motor vehicle wiring harness according to claim 8.

[0002] From DE 38 38 706 A1 a cable harness with a plurality of electrical wires forming a trunk line section and branch line sections, laid on a wiring board to form a specific shape of the cable harness is known.

[0003] From JP H11 185548 A a method for manufacturing a cable harness is known.

[0004] From DE 93 16 599 U1 an arrangement for ordering and binding an elongated object, in particular a cable harness, is known.

[0005] The production of electrical wiring harnesses for vehicles, for example, requires precise handling and coordinated hand movements when assembling a connector housing into a wiring harness connector. This involves correctly orienting and positioning the electrical terminals with locking mechanisms, including their connected wires, into the respective connector housing.

[0006] The complexity of the intricate assembly movements of the electrical terminals and their associated electrical leads makes complete automation of this process step in cable harness production very difficult for efficient series production. This means that the movements are difficult or only partially automatable, for example, by robots. Furthermore, the use of different electrical terminals with different electrical leads and many different connector housings in cable harnesses complicates matters.

[0007] A state-of-the-art automation solution must follow a specific insertion sequence for the electrical terminals. This is hardly feasible for larger and more complex cable harnesses without significant modifications to the placement automation system. Such a machine would need to be very large to handle all cable lengths. Considerable modifications would be necessary to insert a large number of different terminals. A production-ready implementation would involve extreme cost increases and long lead times. Existing automation solutions are often limited to a small number of electrical terminals due to the aforementioned problems. Furthermore, a placement machine must insert these few electrical terminals in a specific sequence, e.g., from bottom right / left to top left / right.

[0008] This is because, due to dangling electrical leads in the assembly matrix of the connector housing, the terminal chambers located below them in the housing cannot be populated by the pick-and-place machine. Furthermore, a pick-and-place machine can only process electrical leads of a certain length, as otherwise there is a risk of entanglement. This problem has only been partially solved to date, and even this is associated with longer cycle times. In addition, current pick-and-place machines are limited in the number of possible connector housings. This applies to both the quantity and the type of connector housing.

[0009] The object of the invention is to improve the manual assembly of a connector housing of an electrical vehicle wiring harness with electrical terminals and the electrically connected wires (i.e., pre-assembled wires) to them, or to enable semi-automated or automated assembly of a connector housing of a wiring harness. This should be cost-effective, i.e., achievable through a simple setup, a simple assembly method, and / or with a reasonable expenditure of time.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by means of a cable holder for the manual and / or automated assembly of a connector housing of a cable harness; by means of a method for the manual and / or automated assembly of a connector housing of a cable harness; by means of a cable harness forming board for the manual and / or automated production of a cable harness; and by means of an electrical cable harness, in particular a motor vehicle cable harness, according to the independent claims. Advantageous further developments, additional features and / or advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0011] A term containing the prefix 'K / kabel' in the following always refers to a physical entity comprising multiple electrical conductors (cf. the term 'cable harness'). In this context, a conductor consists of a single terminal with at least, or in particular exactly, one electromechanically connected, preferably electrically insulated, conductor. The actual electrical conductor within the electrical insulation of the conductor can be a stranded conductor and / or a solid conductor.

[0012] The cable holder according to the invention for mounting a connector housing of a cable harness with terminal-assembled cables is designed such that a plurality of cables for mounting the connector housing can be pre-sorted and preferably held on a cable harness form board by means of the cable holder in such a way that the connector housing can be and preferably is mounted with the cables in a targeted manner. Furthermore, the cables can of course also be routed while they are firmly clamped in the cable holder.

[0013] Errors in the assembly of the connector housing with the terminals can be avoided by the pre-sorting according to the invention using the cable holder. For the assembly of the connector housing with the terminals located on the cables, the cable holder is provided on a mounting board, wherein the mounting board and the cable holder constitute the cable harness forming board.

[0014] The manual, semi-automated, or automated assembly of the connector housing—that is, the insertion of the terminals of the wires into the final connector housings for the cable harness connector and the (partially) assembled cable harness—is simplified according to the invention by a manual, semi-automated, or automated preliminary stage. The cable holder according to the invention receives the wires directly on the cable harness formboard and prepares them for subsequent assembly. The wires are sorted and preferably held in the cable holder so that the assembly of the connector housing can be carried out simply and efficiently.

[0015] The orientation of a terminal during insertion / attachment and holding of the cable in the cable holder is irrelevant. This means that no time-consuming camera inspection and subsequent reorientation of the terminals are necessary. The typical push-back movement used to check the terminal's seating in the connector housing is also eliminated. Therefore, the process of assembling a connector housing can be significantly faster, as these steps can later be performed manually, semi-automatically, or fully automatically.

[0016] According to the invention, the cable holder comprises a cable holder that is movable up and down within a holder housing and has a plurality of cable receptacles in which the cables can be held. The cable receptacles of the cable holder are, in particular, arranged to be movable up and down independently of one another within the cable holder. The cable holder, i.e., its cable receptacles, can be designed to accommodate a certain range of different cable cross-sections. That is, a fixation, in particular a clamping, of the cable can be effective for a plurality of cable diameters.

[0017] Depending on the position of the cable holder or the position of the cable receptacles on / in the cable holder, the cables can be inserted into the cable holder or receptacles. Furthermore, the cables can be clamped into the cable holder or receptacles. Additionally, the cables can be loosely guided within the cable holder or receptacles. Finally, the cables can be released from the cable holder or receptacles.

[0018] Each cable holder's cable receptacle can be arranged to cooperate with a corresponding clamping device of the cable holder, preferably of the holder housing, in the cable holder, wherein, depending on the position of the respective cable receptacle relative to the corresponding clamping device, the respective cable can be received, clamped, loosely guided and / or released again in the cable receptacle.

[0019] Each individual cable receptacle is designed as a essentially pin-shaped cable receptacle. Furthermore, the cable receptacle has a clamping section. The cable can, of course, be inserted into and removed from this clamping section. Additionally, the cable receptacle has a guide section for supporting the cable receptacle within the cable holder. A transition section may be provided between the cable receptacle clamping section and the guide section.

[0020] The cable receiving section can include a cable clamp. The cable clamp can have a receiving space of variable dimensions for clamping and / or loosely guiding the cable, without any electrical connection. The cable clamp can be designed as an annular arc section in which the cable is received. An annular arc section is, for example, understood to be a longitudinally slotted hollow cylinder, preferably short compared to its diameter, i.e., a hollow cylinder with a preferably semicircular arc section as a base, or a sleeve open at both ends and longitudinally slotted. The width of the slot is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the cable or slightly larger.

[0021] The cable clamp can have a clamping leg at one free end for actuating the clamp. Preferably, the cable clamp has such a clamping leg at both of its free ends. An insertion opening for the cable holder section leading to the clamping chamber can then be provided between these two clamping legs. The two clamping legs can be arranged obliquely, e.g., in a V-shape, extending radially away from the annular arc section. For example, at least one tapered clamping section (see below) of a clamping device, or pressure (from above) on the cable, causes the cable holder to move downwards and actuates the at least one clamping leg, thus closing the clamp and reducing the clamping chamber for the cable.

[0022] The cable receptacle guide section can, for example, be designed as a solid or hollow cylindrical section with a rectangular, in particular square, or elliptical base. Of course, other base shapes for the cable receptacle guide section are also applicable, particularly those that provide anti-rotation protection for the cable receptacle.

[0023] The clamping device in question may have a substantially U- or V-shaped clamping device receiving section for the cable receiving section(s). Furthermore, a clamping device clamping section for mechanically clamping and, if necessary, guiding the cable receiving section may be provided within the clamping device receiving section. Additionally, the clamping device clamping sections of a single clamping device receiving section may taper conically towards each other (analogous to a V-shaped arrangement of two opposing clamping legs).

[0024] A cable clamping device can have multiple clamping elements. The clamping device can be constructed using a multitude of clamping modules. That is, the clamping elements of the clamping device are modular or assembled. Furthermore, the clamping device can consist of only one, two, or three types of clamping modules. Additionally, a single clamping element can be formed using two directly adjacent clamping modules.

[0025] The mechanical coupling areas of two clamping modules that interact with each other are designed, in particular, according to the lock-and-key principle or are at least partially complementary to each other. Specifically, the mechanical coupling areas of a repeatable middle module in the clamping device are designed such that their two mechanical coupling areas are ideally designed according to the lock-and-key principle or are at least partially complementary to each other. This can analogously apply to the two opposing coupling areas of a first and a second end module.

[0026] The cable holder can be configured as a single-row cable holder rail or as a multi-row cable holder block. In particular, the cable holder is configured as a single-row system. Multiple single-row cable holders can be arranged in various configurations; for example, offset vertically and / or horizontally on a mounting board, in a star-shaped arrangement, etc. This also allows for the use of single-row cable holders in multi-row connector housings. Furthermore, individual cable holder rails can be pushed together to form a block after insertion. Multi-row or multi-column cable holders are also explicitly permitted as cable holder blocks.

[0027] The cable holder allows the cables to be held directly, rather than their terminals. The cable holder or the respective cable receptacle and / or a corresponding clamping module can be integrally designed. An integral design is understood to mean a cable holder, cable receptacle, or clamping module in which there is only a single component that can only be divided by destroying it. The component is manufactured from a single original piece (sheet metal, blank, etc.) and / or a single original material (molten metal / plastic), which is itself necessarily integral. Internal cohesion is achieved through adhesion and / or cohesion. An integral coating, deposition, electroplating, etc., may also be present.

[0028] The cable holder can be attached to the assembly board by means of at least one fastening element. One fastening element can be external to the cable holder, particularly its housing. Such a fastening element can be, for example, a screw, a clip, an adhesive, etc. Alternatively, a fastening element can be internal to the cable holder, particularly its housing. That is, the fastening element can be located on or within the cable holder, particularly its housing. Such a fastening element can be, for example, a snap-in mechanism, a clip, etc. Finally, a fastening element can be designed for plug-in, slide-in, and / or surface mounting of the cable holder to the assembly board.

[0029] In the inventive method for equipping a connector housing of a cable harness with terminal-pre-assembled cables, in a first step a plurality of cables are pre-sorted and pre-routed in a cable holder, and in a second step following the first step, the majority of the terminals of the cables are inserted into the connector housing. The terminals then lock into place in the connector housing. In a third step, before, during, or especially after the terminals have been inserted into the connector housing, the cables can be removed from the cable holder.

[0030] In the first step, the cables can be pre-routed separately in / onto the cable holder. This means, for example, that to populate a specific number of terminal compartments, such as all terminal compartments, in the connector housing, the cable holder must have at least or exactly the corresponding number of cable slots. Furthermore, the cables can be inserted into the cable holder and / or clamped in it. The order in which the cables are processed is irrelevant for clamping in the cable holder, as each cable can be clamped individually.

[0031] Furthermore, the cables themselves, or possibly their terminals, can be clamped in the cable holder. Specifically, the cables can be clamped at the cable itself, rather than at the terminal. This eliminates the need to ensure correct terminal orientation, as is necessary when plugging in cables. This method is independent of the terminal's type and / or geometry. However, clamping at the terminals is still possible if required. - In the second step, the cables can be held and / or guided within the cable holder. Additionally, in the second step, the cable terminals can be inserted into the connector housing. - In the third step, the cables can be released from the cable holder.

[0032] For example, the cables, especially their end sections, can be held in place during pre-routing (routing) on ​​the cable holder, particularly within the cable holder itself, and especially clamped (fixed) securely. After pre-routing, the terminals can be inserted (pinned) into the connector housing. During this process, the cables can be guided by the cable holder, particularly within the cable holder, and can be guided loosely. Furthermore, after inserting the terminals into the connector housing for the cable harness connector, the cables can be removed from the cable holder, particularly from within the cable holder itself, and especially released. This results in a (pre-)assembled cable harness.

[0033] The assembly process for a connector housing with multiple terminal chamber rows can be carried out such that the wires for the connector housing are bundled in corresponding rows and / or columns in the terminal chamber rows by means of at least one or multiple cable holders. This means, for example, that multiple cable holders can be used, with a number of cable holders corresponding to a number of terminal chamber rows of the connector housing. For example, n separate cable holders for n rows of the connector housing.

[0034] In this process, a robot or a worker can have essentially unobstructed access to a cable from only one side of at least one or more cable holders, and from this side, preferably grasp the cable itself or, if applicable, its terminal, and insert the terminal into the terminal chamber provided for it in the connector housing. The terminal can preferably lock itself into this terminal chamber.

[0035] The cable harness forming board according to the invention for the production of a cable harness comprises a plurality of wires pre-assembled with terminals, wherein the cable harness forming board includes a component placement board and at least one cable holder according to the invention. The cable holder can be detachably or permanently fixed to the component placement board. Furthermore, the cable holder can be fixed to the component placement board by means of a plug-in, sliding, and / or snap-on mounting. In addition, the component placement board can include a further device for the production of the cable harness. Such a device can be designed as a device integrated into the component placement board or as a device manufactured separately on the component placement board.

[0036] The cable harness according to the invention is produced, for example, using a cable harness forming board according to the invention and / or by an assembly method according to the invention. The cable harness can, for example, be connected to or plugged into an entity. The entity, which can be, for example, mechanical, (power) electrical, fluidic, and / or optical, can be designed as a device; a unit; a module, e.g., an HV distribution box for an electric vehicle; an apparatus; a system; etc.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying schematic drawing, which is not to scale. Sections, elements, components, units, and / or schemes that have an identical, univocal, or analogous design and / or function are identified by the same reference numerals in the description of the figures (su), the list of reference numerals, the claims, and in the figures (Fig.) of the drawing. A possible alternative not explained in the description of the invention (so), not shown in the drawing, and / or not exhaustive, a static and / or kinematic inversion, a combination, etc., of the exemplary embodiments of the invention or of a component, scheme, unit, component, element, or section thereof, can also be found in the list of reference numerals and / or the description of the figures.

[0038] In the invention, a feature (section, element, component, unit, function, size, etc.) can be positive, i.e., present, or negative, i.e., absent. In this specification (description (invention description (so), figure description (su)), list of reference numerals, claims, drawing), a negative feature is not explicitly described as a feature unless the invention specifically emphasizes its absence. That is, the actual invention, rather than one constructed by the prior art, consists of omitting this feature.

[0039] A feature of this specification can be applied not only in one specified manner, but also in another (isolation, summarization, replacement, addition, singularization, omission, etc.). In particular, it is possible, by means of a reference numeral and a feature associated with it, or vice versa, in the description, the list of reference numerals, the claims, and / or the drawing, to replace, add, or omit a feature in the claims and / or the description. Furthermore, this can be used to interpret and / or further specify a feature in a claim.

[0040] The features described can also be interpreted as optional features (given the (initially mostly unknown) prior art); that is, each feature can be understood as optional, arbitrary, or preferred, i.e., as non-binding. Thus, it is possible to extract a feature, possibly including its periphery, from an exemplary embodiment, whereby this feature can then be transferred to a generalized inventive concept. The absence of a feature (negative feature) in an exemplary embodiment indicates that the feature is optional with respect to the invention. Furthermore, a generic term for a feature can also be inferred from a specific type of feature (possibly with further hierarchical subdivision into subgenres, etc.), which allows for a generalization of the feature, e.g., taking into account equivalence and / or similarity.

[0041] The figures shown (Fig.) are merely examples: the Fig. 1 bis 3 in front-view perspective views an embodiment of a cable holder according to the invention in different positions during the execution of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for equipping a connector housing of a cable harness with terminal-assembled cables, which Fig. 4 in a three-dimensional front view an embodiment of a cable holder according to the invention in a holder housing made of the Fig. 1 bis 3 movable cable receptacle with a cable receptacle receiving section, a cable receptacle transition section and a cable receptacle guide section, and the Fig. 5 bis 8 in front-end perspective views a first end module ( Fig. 5 ), essentially a first page of a first middle module ( Fig. 6 ), essentially a second side of a second middle module ( Fig. 7 ) and a second end module ( Fig. 8 ) a modularly designed clamping device for the cable holder.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments of a variant of a cable holder 10 for assembly and to embodiments of a variant of a method according to the invention for assembling a connector housing of a cable harness with electrical conductors 910 pre-assembled with electrical terminals. Although the invention is described and illustrated in more detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed embodiments but is of a more fundamental nature. Other variations can be derived from these and / or from the above (invention description) without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The invention is generally applicable in the mechanical, (power) electrical (including electrical energy technology and analogues), fluidic, and / or optical fields.

[0043] The drawing shows only those sections of an object of the invention that are necessary for an understanding of the invention. Fig. 1 bis 3 Figure 1 shows the cable holder 10, which is provided or intended for a cable harness to be manufactured, on a component board 1 (not shown). In this case, the cable holder 10 is designed as a single-row cable holder rail 10; however, it is possible to design the cable holder 10 as a multi-row cable holder block 10 (not shown). In this case, the component board 1 and the cable holder 10 form a cable harness form board 0 (also not shown).

[0044] The cable holder 10 comprises a holder housing 13 and a clamping device 12 provided on or in it. The clamping device 12 is designed analogously to the cable holder 10 as a single-row clamping device rail 12 or as a multi-row clamping device block 12 (also not shown). The clamping device 12 can be integrally formed with the holder housing 13 (not shown), or the clamping device 12 can be mounted separately from the holder housing 13 on / in the holder housing 13. In the latter case, the clamping device 12 can be multi-part, e.g., modular (see the Fig. 5 bis 8 ), be formed in one piece or as an integral part.

[0045] The clamping device 12 comprises a plurality of clamping devices 200. The clamping devices 200, through mechanical interaction with cable receptacles 100 of a cable holder 11 (see below), serve the cable holder 10, a pre-sorted holder of the cables 910 on the cable harness formboard 0, for the assembly of the connector housing and thus for the production of the cable harness. This allows the connector housing to be assembled with the cables 910 more easily and precisely by a worker and / or a robot than in the prior art. When carrying out a process for assembling the connector housing and thus for producing the cable harness, the connector housing is assembled with the aid of the cable holder 10.

[0046] A single clamping device 200 has a clamping device receiving section 201 for that section of a respective cable receptacle 100 in which the cable can be received, clamped, loosely guided and / or released again during the assembly process. For this purpose, at least one clamping device clamping section 203 is provided in the clamping device receiving section 201 (see the Fig. 5 bis 8 ) set up. In particular, two opposing clamping device clamping sections 203 are set up in a single clamping device receiving section 201.

[0047] The clamping device clamping section 203 or clamping device clamping sections 203 serve, depending on the position of the cable holder 11 or the respective cable receptacle 100 on / in the cable holder 10, to receive, clamp, loosely guide and / or release the respective cable 910. The cable holder 11 or the respective cable receptacle 100 is used for receiving / releasing ( Fig. 1 ), the clamping ( Fig. 2 ) and loose leading ( Fig. 3 , (inserting) the terminals into the connector housing) preferably each in a different position on / in the cable holder 10.

[0048] Terminal modules 250; 251, 252, 253 for a modular terminal device 12 are, for example, in the Fig. 5 bis 8 This shows how three different clamping modules 250, 251, 252, 253 are used for any number of clamping devices 200. It is, of course, possible to implement a modular design with just one, two, or more than three clamping modules 250. In this example, a single clamping device 200 is formed by means of two directly adjacent clamping modules 250 / 250, 251 / 252, 252 / 252, ... 252 / 253. Here, a single first end module 251, a single second end module 253, and, depending on the required number of clamping devices 200, a specific number of intermediate modules 252 are used. In this example, for n clamping devices 200, in addition to the two end modules 251, 253, n-1 intermediate modules 252 are required.

[0049] Adjacent clamping modules 250, 251, 252, 253 are preferably mechanically connected to one another by means of at least partially complementary mechanical coupling areas 260, 261, in particular connected in such a way that mechanical compressive forces can be transmitted between the clamping modules 250, 251, 252, 253. Instead of partially complementary coupling areas 260, 261, coupling areas 260, 261 can also be abutted and / or fixed to one another according to the lock-and-key principle. An entire assembly of the clamping modules 250, 251, 252, 253 can, for example, be connected from below (with bending towards the Fig. 1 bis 3 ) be inserted into a holder housing 13 and held or fixed there, so that the assembly of the clamping modules 250; 251, 252, 253 is dimensionally stable in the cable holder 10.

[0050] The cable holder 11 is arranged to move up and down in the holder housing 13 and the clamping device 12 for the conductors 910. The cable holder 11 comprises a plurality of conductor receptacles 100 which are arranged to move up and down collectively (not shown) or independently of one another in the cable holder 10. In the second case, a conductor receptacle 100, preferably pin-shaped and designed in particular for a single conductor 910, comprises a conductor receptacle receiving section 101, an optional conductor receptacle transition section 102, and a conductor receptacle guide section 103 (see figure). Fig. 4 ).

[0051] The cable holder guide section 103 serves to guide the respective cable holder 100 up and down on / in the holder housing 13, for which the holder housing 13 has corresponding guides (not shown), in particular linear guides. The cable holder receiving section 101 serves, after a cable 910 has been received therein, to clamp it (step I of the placement process) and subsequently, if necessary, to loosely guide it (step II of the placement process), after which the cable 910 can be removed again from the cable holder receiving section 101 (releasing the cable 910, step III of the placement process).

[0052] In this case, the cable receiving section 101 has an actual receiving area 110 for the cable 910. The receiving area 110 can be, for example, clamp-shaped, partially ring-shaped, V-shaped, etc. The receiving area 110 comprises a cable clamp 113 with an actual receiving chamber 114 located therein for clamping and / or loosely guiding the cable 910. In this case, the cable clamp 113 is designed as an annular arc section 113. Furthermore, the receiving area 110 comprises at least one clamping leg 111 for the cable clamp 113, on or between which an inwardly tapered insertion opening 112 for the cable 910 towards the receiving chamber 114 is located.

[0053] The single clamping leg 111 in question, or a single clamping leg 111, extends essentially radially from a free end of the conductor clamp 113, which is designed, for example, as an annular arc section 113. In particular, it is possible to have only a single clamping leg 111 and, in comparison to the Fig. 4 The other clamping leg 111 is omitted, so that this single clamping leg 111 then leads into the receiving space 114 for the cable 910, and thus the cable clamp 113 can be compressed. - Instead of having the cable clamp 113 compressed via the clamping leg(s) 111, it is alternatively or additionally possible to have the cable clamp 113 itself compress the cable clamp 113.

[0054] By means of the at least one clamping leg 111 and / or the cable clamp 113 itself, the receiving space 114 in the cable clamp 113 can be reduced in size depending on a compressive force on the at least one clamping leg 111 and / or the cable clamp 113 itself. This compressive force results from the clamping device clamping sections 203 of the respective clamping device 200, which are explained in more detail below. In particular, the cable 910 itself is forced downwards (see the Fig. 1 pressable according to 2). Because the clamping device 200 in question preferably tapers conically, the single clamping leg 111 or clamping legs 111 close, and / or the conductor clamp 113 closes.

[0055] Other configurations of the cable receptacle section 101, in particular a modified design of the clamping arms 111 or their substitution, e.g. by an insertion chamfer on the cable clamp 113, are of course applicable. The function of a clamping arm 111 can, for example, be taken over by a circumferential end of the cable clamp 113.

[0056] Within a clamping device receiving section 201, at least one clamping device clamping section 203 serves to mechanically clamp the respective cable receiving section 101 of the cable receiving 100 in a position-dependent manner. Furthermore, the cable receiving section 101 can be mechanically guided by the clamping device clamping section 203. For guiding the cable receiving section 101, the relevant clamping device clamping section 203 can, for example, be designed as a groove (see the Fig. 5 bis 8 ).

[0057] For the position-dependent mechanical clamping of the cable receiving section 101, the clamping device clamping section 203 can be arranged at an angle to the opposite side of the same clamping device receiving section 201. In particular, two clamping device clamping sections 203 opposite each other in a single clamping device receiving section 201 can be arranged conically towards each other.

[0058] Depending on the position of the respective cable receptacle section 101 or the respective cable clamp 113 or of at least one clamping leg 111 on / in the holder housing 13, the cable 910 can be received in the respective cable receptacle section 101 or the respective cable clamp 113 (receiving and holding the cable 910, in a temporal connection to a previous end position IV, cf. Fig. 1 ), clamped (Clamping and holding the cable 910, step I, Fig. 2 ), (loosely) guided ((loose) Guiding and holding the line 910, Step II, Fig. 3 ) and released again (final position IV, Fig. 1 ) become.

[0059] If the respective cable receiving section 101 or the at least one clamping leg 111 on / in the cable holder 10 is substantially fully extended, then preferably no mechanical clamping of the cable 910 takes place in the cable receiving section 101 or the cable clamp 113 ( Fig. 1 In such a position of the cable receptacle 100, the cable 910 can simply be inserted into or released from the cable receptacle receptacle section 101 (end position IV, Fig. 1 The clamping legs 111, if present, facilitate the forward movement of the line 910 into the line receiving section 101.

[0060] If the respective cable receptacle section 101 or at least one clamping leg 111 on / in the cable holder 10 is essentially fully retracted, a clear mechanical clamping of the cable 910 takes place in the cable receptacle section 101 or the cable clamp 113 ( Fig. 2 In such a position of the cable receptacle 100, the cable 910 can no longer move significantly in the cable receptacle receptacle section 101 (Step I, Fig. 2 This means that line 910 can no longer move along its length. Movements originating from line 910 are transmitted to cable holder 10 and vice versa. Once lines 910 are clamped, the wiring harness can be routed, i.e., the individual lines 910 can be laid. The wiring harness actually begins to take shape at this stage, not just when the terminals are inserted into the connector housing.

[0061] If the respective cable receptacle section 101 or at least one clamping leg 111 on / in the cable holder 10 is in a middle position between the substantially fully extended and the substantially fully retracted position, there is no significant mechanical clamping of the cable 910 in the cable receptacle section 101 or the cable clamp 113 (step II, Fig. 3 ) more. In this position, the conductor 910 can be loosely guided in the conductor receiving section 101, i.e., the conductor 910 can be threaded through the conductor receiving section 101 without the conductor 910 simply being able to leave the conductor receiving section 101 through the insertion opening 112.

[0062] In this position (Step II, Fig. 3The terminals can be inserted into the connector housing of the cable receptacle section 101. This applies analogously to the cable receptacles 100 and collectively to the cable holder 11. The more terminals are inserted into the connector housing in this way, the more the cable harness is formed. The connector, populated with terminals, is also gradually created. Once all terminals are inserted, the connector and the cable harness are complete. Reference symbol list

[0063] 0 Cable harness form board 1 Component board 10 (single-row or multi-row) cable holder 11 Cable holder for wires 910 12 (one-piece or modular) clamping device 13 Holder housing 100 (Movable up and down) cable holder for, in particular, a single cable 910 101 Cable holder section 110 Holder, e.g., clamp-shaped, semi-ring-shaped, V-shaped, etc. 111 Clamping leg for cable clamp 113 (optional) 112 Insertion opening between clamping legs 112 towards the holding space 114 (optional) 113 Cable clamp, e.g., ring-shaped section 114 (Actual) holding space for clamping and / or loosely guiding, preferably a single cable 910 102 (Optional) Cable holder transition section 103 Cable holder guide section 200 Clamping device for, in particular, a single conductor 100 201 Clamping device receiving section 203 Clamping device clamping section 250 Clamping module of a modular clamping device 12 251 (first) end module 252 Middle module with preferably complementary coupling areas 260, 261 253 (second) end module 260 (mechanical) coupling area (lock / key) preferably at least partially complementary to coupling area 261 261 (mechanical) coupling area (key / lock) preferably at least partially complementary to coupling area 260 910 (electrical) conductor I (First) step of the placement process II (Second) step of the placement process III (Third) step of the placement process IV Starting / final position of the cable holder 11 or a respective cable receptacle 110 on / in the cable holder 10

Claims

1. Cable holder (10) for the manual or automated fitting of a connector housing of an electrical motor vehicle cable harness with electrical lines (910) which are assembled with electrical terminals, wherein the cable holder (10) can be used and is preferably used to hold a plurality of lines (910), for fitting of the connector housing, in a pre-sorted manner on a cable harness mould board (0) in such a way that the connector housing can be fitted and is preferably fitted with the lines (910) in a targeted manner, wherein the cable holder (10) has a cable clip (11) which is movable up and down in a clip housing (13) and has a plurality of line receptacles (100) in which the lines (910) can be held, characterized in that the line receptacles (100) of the cable clip (11) are designed so as to be movable up and down independently of one another in the cable holder (10) between a first position (IV) and a second position, wherein the respective individual line receptacle (100): • is designed as a substantially pin-shaped line receptacle (100), • has a line-receptacle receiving portion (101) for clamping purposes, and • has a line-receptacle guiding portion (103) for the mounted guiding of the line receptacle (100) in the cable holder (10), wherein, in the first position, the respective line-receptacle receiving portion (101) on / in the cable holder (10) is substantially extended in such a way that the line (910) is not mechanically clamped in the line-receptacle receiving portion (101), wherein, in the second position, the respective line-receptacle receiving portion (101) on / in the cable holder (10) is substantially retracted in such a way that the line (910) is mechanically clamped in the line-receptacle receiving portion (101) of the line clamp (113).

2. Cable holder (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that, depending on a position of the cable clip (11) or on positions of the line receptacles (100) on / in the cable holder (10): • the lines (910) can be clamped and are preferably clamped (I) in the cable clip (11) or in the line receptacles (100), and / or • the lines (910) can be guided and are preferably guided loosely in the cable clip (11) or in the line receptacles (100), and / or • the lines (910) are releasable and are preferably released from the cable clip (11) or from the line receptacles (100).

3. Cable holder (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case one line receptacle (100) of the cable clip (11) is designed so as to be able to interact with a relevant clamping device (200) of the cable holder (10), preferably of the clip housing (13), in the cable holder (10), wherein depending on a position of the respective line receptacle (100) with respect to the relevant clamping device (200), the respective line (910) can be received, clamped, and guided in the line receptacle (100) and can be released again.

4. Cable holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the line-receptacle receiving portion (101) has a line clamp (113), wherein: • the line clamp (113) has a receiving space (114), which is variable in terms of its dimensions, for clamping and / or guiding the line (910), • the line clamp (113) is embodied as an annular arc portion (113), in which the line (910) can be received, and / or • the line clamp (113) has a tensioning limb (111) at a free end for actuating the line clamp (113).

5. Cable holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relevant clamping device (200): • has a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped clamping-device receiving portion (201) for a line-receptacle receiving portion (101) of the line receptacle (100), • in the clamping-device receiving portion (201), a clamping-device bracing portion (203) is designed for mechanically bracing the line-receptacle receiving portion (101), and / or • the clamping-device bracing portions (203) of an individual clamping-device receiving portion (201) converge conically towards each other.

6. Cable holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping apparatus (12) of the cable holder (10) has a plurality of clamping devices (200), wherein: • the clamping apparatus (12) is constructed from a multiplicity of clamping modules (250; 251, 252, ..., 253), • the clamping apparatus (12) is formed from only one, two or three forms of clamping modules (250; 251, 252, ..., 253), and / or • an individual clamping device (200) is formed by two directly adjacent clamping modules (252).

7. Cable holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: • the cable holder (10) is formed in one row as a cable holder rail or in multiple rows as a cable holder block, • the lines (910) can be held and are preferably held directly by the cable holder (10), and / or • the cable clip (11), the respective line receptacle (100) or a relevant clamping module (250; 251, 252, 253) are formed integrally.

8. Method for the manual or automated fitting of a connector housing of an electrical motor vehicle cable harness with electrical lines (910) which are assembled with electrical terminals, characterized in that a cable holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims is provided, wherein the respective line-receptacle receiving portion (101) on / in the cable holder (10) is substantially completely extended in the first position, wherein, in a first step (I), a plurality of lines (910) are routed in a definitively pre-sorted manner on / in a cable holder (10), wherein the respective line-receptacle receiving portion (101) on / in the cable holder (10) is brought into a central position between the substantially completely extended first position and the substantially completely retracted second position, wherein, in a second step (II) temporally following the first step (I), the plurality of terminals of the lines (910) are plugged into the connector housing.

9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in a third step (III), the lines (910) are removed from / out of the cable holder (10) temporally before, during or after the terminals are plugged into the connector housing.

10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, in the first step (I): • the lines (910) are routed, separated from one another, on / in the cable holder (10), • the lines (910) are inserted into the cable holder (10) and / or clamped in the cable holder (10), and / or • the lines (910) themselves or their terminals are clamped in the cable holder (10).

11. Method according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: • in the second step (II), the lines (910) are held and / or guided in the cable holder (10), • in the second step (II), the terminals of the lines (910) are plugged into the connector housing, and / or • in the third step (III), the lines (910) are released from the cable holder (10).

12. Cable harness mould board (0) for manual and / or automated production of an electrical motor vehicle cable harness having a plurality of electrical lines (910) which are assembled with electrical terminals, characterized in that the cable harness mould board (0) has a fitting board (1) and at least one cable holder (10), the cable holder (10) being configured according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.