Method for operating a device for bandaging bundled products and device for bandaging bundled products

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a device for bandaging bundled products and to a device (1) for bandaging bundled products (2) such as a wiring harness of a motor vehicle, the device having an input unit (15) comprising a graphical user interface (16). A drawing of the bundled products (2) is input into the user interface (16) and a programming unit calculates parameters for controlling a winding head (13) and an advancing unit (12) from the drawing data.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating a device for bandaging a bundled material and device

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a device for bandaging a bundled material, in which a control unit controls a feed unit of the bundled material and a winding head which wraps the bundled material with a band and with an input unit for controlling the control unit, the method comprising the following steps:

[0004] - Entering data, in particular length and diameter of individual sections of the bundled material via the input unit into a programming unit

[0005] Calculation of the program sequence for controlling the feed unit and the winding head in the program unit

[0006] - Start of the program sequence via the input unit,

[0007] Start the control unit after the

[0008] Program sequence stored in the programming unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for bandaging a bundled material with a feed unit for moving the bundled material, with a winding head for wrapping the bundled material with a band, with a control unit for controlling the feed unit and the winding head and with an input unit for controlling the control unit and for entering the data of the bundled material and with a programming unit for calculating a program sequence for controlling the control unit.

[0010] Such bundled goods are particularly known from practice as cable harnesses. Cable harnesses are usually

[0011] Replacement sheet Electrical cables are referred to as cable harnesses, but can also have fluid lines, such as washer fluid lines in motor vehicles. Cable harnesses with multiple cables often have numerous branches and connectors and are usually wrapped with self-adhesive tape. The cable harness is wrapped with tape section by section between branches and the ends created by the connectors. The problem here is that each section requires a corresponding length of tape depending on its length and the cross-section of the cables. In practice, data such as the length and diameter of individual sections are calculated manually and entered into a table. The feed unit and the winding head for the respective section are controlled using the data from the table.The disadvantage here is that the handling of the procedure is very complex due to the processing of the data of the individual sections.

[0012] The invention is based on the problem of developing a method of the type mentioned above in such a way that it can be used particularly conveniently. Furthermore, a particularly simple and easy-to-operate device for bandaging bundled goods is to be created.

[0013] The first-mentioned problem is solved according to the invention in that the input unit has a graphical user interface for entering a drawing of the bundled goods and in that the programming unit determines the data of the bundled goods from the drawing of the bundled goods.

[0014] This design eliminates the need to create a table containing the data for each section of the bundled goods. This step is performed by the programming unit using the drawing of the bundled goods, which is usually already available. Since the programming unit calculates the required data for the bundled goods, this data can then be used by the control unit. This makes the process particularly convenient to use.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, different cross-sections of the bundled material sections can be wrapped particularly evenly if the control unit adjusts a wrapping table arranged in the winding head to a height at which an axis of the respective section of the bundled material is arranged in the rotational axis of the winding head. Since the axis of the bundled material is thereby aligned with the axis of the winding head, no additional forces, for example those caused by eccentric wrapping, act on the bundled material. Wobbling of the bundled material during wrapping is also avoided.

[0016] According to another advantageous development of the invention, further homogenization is achieved if signals corresponding to the tension of the belt are detected by the control unit, and if the control unit drives a belt roller guiding the belt to the bundled material in response to the signals corresponding to the tension of the belt. With this design, the pretension of the belt at the section of the bundled material is adjusted by driving the belt roller.

[0017] The second problem, namely the creation of a particularly simply constructed and comfortable to operate device for bandaging a bundled item, is solved according to the invention in that the input unit has a graphical user interface for entering a drawing of the bundled item and in that the programming unit is designed to calculate the data of the bundled item from the drawing of the bundled item.

[0018] This design allows programming the device simply by entering the drawing of the bundled goods. This input is particularly convenient thanks to the graphical user interface. Since the drawing of the bundled goods is usually already available, there is no need for the time-consuming entry of the bundled goods data via additional interfaces. This makes the device particularly simple to construct.

[0019] According to another advantageous development of the invention, adapting the center of the winding head to the diameter of the section of the bundled material to be wrapped is particularly simple if a winding table arranged in the winding head and provided for supporting the bundled material is adjustable in height.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sections of the bundled material can be wrapped with tape, particularly close to branches or connectors, if the wrapping table is movable parallel to the intended longitudinal axis of the bundled material. The wrapping table preferably has a drive motor controlled by the control unit for its displacement.

[0021] According to another advantageous development of the invention, it contributes to the uniform winding of the tape up to the branch or to the plug if a deflection roller for the tape arranged on the winding table can be tilted transversely to the intended longitudinal axis of the bundled material.

[0022] The drive of a particularly long section of the

[0023] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bundled goods are particularly easy to move if the feed unit has at least one feed module with rollers or chains for the continuous movement of the bundled goods. Such a feed module with rollers or a conveyor belt enables continuous movement of each section of the bundled goods.

[0024] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, particularly precise movement of each section of the bundled material can be easily achieved if the feed unit has at least one feed module with a gripper movable along a guide for pulling the bundled material. This design allows the gripper to grip the bundled material at a connector or branch. Since the position of the gripper in the device is known, good dimensional accuracy can be ensured.

[0025] Cable harnesses usually have several branches with multiple connectors. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, such cable harnesses can be easily manufactured if the guides of several feed modules are arranged parallel to one another.

[0026] Particularly versatile cable harnesses with differently designed sections can be bandaged according to another advantageous development of the invention if the feed module with rollers or a conveyor belt and the feed module with a gripper movable along a guide are arranged one behind the other.

[0027] The tape could, for example, be passively unwound from a supply roll during operation of the winding head. However, this leads to a strong variation in the pull-off force of the tape during operation. A high pull-off force has an undesirable torsional effect on the bundled material. According to another advantageous development of the invention, the pull-off force of the tape can be easily adjusted if a conveyor drive for conveying the tape to the bundled material is arranged between a tape roll and the winding table. This design allows the conveyor drive to actively unwind the tape from the tape roll and feed it to the winding head. Alternatively, the conveyor drive can also brake the unwinding of the tape from the tape roll. This ensures a uniform pull-off force of the tape.

[0028] According to another advantageous development of the invention, controlling the motor connected to the roller is particularly simple if the tension of the band can be measured using a load cell. This design allows the tension of the band to be controlled while wrapping the bundled material, and this tension can also be documented. The use of the load cell thus contributes to quality assurance during the wrapping of the bundled material.

[0029] According to another advantageous development of the invention, it contributes to a further improvement in quality assurance during the bandaging of the cable harness if the control unit has a memory for storing the data of the bundled material and the parameters of the feed unit and the band used during the bandaging.

[0030] The invention permits numerous embodiments. To further clarify its basic principle, one of them is shown in the drawing and is described below. This shows in

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a device for bandaging a bundled material, Fig. 2 shows a winding head of the device from Figure 1,

[0032] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of a winding table arranged in the winding head of Figure 2,

[0033] Fig. 4 a feed module with a conveyor belt for moving the bundled goods,

[0034] Fig. 5 several parallel arranged feed modules with grippers for moving the bundled goods,

[0035] Fig. 6 shows a schematic circuit diagram for controlling the device of Figure 1,

[0036] Fig. 7 shows a method for operating the device for bandaging the bundled material.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a device 1 for bandaging a bundle 2. By way of example, the bundle 2 to be bandaged is shown with a plurality of sections 3 - 5 with connectors 6 - 8 arranged at their ends. The device 1 has a linear hood 9, a winding head hood 10 and a process hood 11. The linear hood 9 covers a feed unit 12 for moving the bundle 2. A winding head 13 for wrapping the bundle 2 is arranged below the winding head hood 10. The bundle 2 is fed to the device 1 through a central opening 14 in the process hood 11. The device 1 also has an input unit 15 with a graphical user interface 16 for entering a drawing of the bundle 2 to be bandaged. In the input unit 15 there is also arranged a programming unit 35, shown in more detail in Figure 6, for calculating the data of the bundled material 2 and a control unit 33 for controlling the device 1.Figure 2 shows a portion of the winding head 13 from Figure 1. The winding head 13 has a winding table 17 for supporting the bundled material 2 and a raceway 18 with a front opening 19 for introducing the bundled material 2. The raceway 18 is driven by an electric motor-driven belt drive 20.

[0038] Figure 3 shows the wrapping table 17 from Figure 2 in an enlarged view. The wrapping table 17 has a longitudinal guide 21 in the wrapping head 13. The wrapping table 17 can be moved along the longitudinal guide 21 parallel to the section of the bundled material 2 that is to be wrapped. Furthermore, the height of the wrapping table 17 can be adjusted via a height adjustment 24. Figure 3 also shows a tape roll 22 with the tape 23, with which the bundled material 2 is bandaged. The tape 23 is guided by means of a conveyor drive 25 to a central recess 26 in the wrapping table 17. The conveyor drive 25 drives the tape 23 with a predetermined force and speed. A load cell 27 records the tension of the tape. The tape roll 22 and the wrapping table 17 are fastened to the race 18 of the wrapping head 13.A deflection roller 36 for the belt 23 arranged on the winding table 14 is pre-tensioned by a spring element (not shown) and is mounted so as to be able to swing relative to the longitudinal axis of the bundled goods 2 located on the winding table 17.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a feed module 28 with two opposing conveyor belts 29 for driving the bundled material 2. The conveyor belts 29 can be moved toward each other to clamp the cable harness 2. By driving the conveyor belts 29, the cable harness 2 is moved in the longitudinal direction. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the feed module 28 can also have driven rollers instead of the conveyor belts 29.

[0040] Replacement sheet| Figure 5 shows a feed module 30 with several grippers 31 arranged parallel to one another for moving individual sections 3-5 of the bundled material 2. The grippers 31 are guided in guides 32 arranged parallel to one another.

[0041] Figure 6 shows a schematic circuit diagram for controlling the device 1 by means of a control unit 33. The control unit has an electronic memory 34 with data on the bundled material 2 and is connected to the winding hood 10, the feed unit 12 and the numerous actuators and sensors in the winding head 13. To simplify the drawing, the winding hood 10, the feed unit 12 and the numerous actuators and sensors in the winding head 13 are shown schematically. The control unit 33 is also connected to the input unit 15, which has the graphical user interface 16, and to a programming unit 35. The programming unit 35 receives data from the input unit 15 and calculates the data on the bundled material 2 from the drawing Z entered into the input unit 15.

[0042] Figure 7 shows a method for operating the device 1 from Figure 1 for bandaging the bundled material 2. When the device 1 described in Figures 1 to 6 for bandaging a bundled material 2 is started up, the method is ready to start. A drawing Z with the parameters of the bundled material 2 to be bandaged is available. In a step S1, the operator transfers the drawing of the bundled material 2 via the graphical user interface 16 to the input unit 15 of the device 1. In an alternative embodiment, a graphical user interface separate from the device 1 can also be used and the drawing transferred to the input unit 15. In step S2, the programming unit 35 of the device 1 determines the data of the cable harness 2 and the program sequence from the input drawing. In step S3, the operator activates the start routine. In step S4, the grippers 31 of one feed module 28 move into the intended positions.First, the winding head cover 10 is closed and then opened again. In step S5, the operator places one end of a section 3 - 5 of the bundled material 2 into the specified gripper 31. The operator receives the precise instructions regarding the section of the bundled material 2 and the designated gripper 31 from the graphical user interface 16. In step S6, the operator applies the band 23 to the bundled material 2. In step S7, the operator activates the start routine. In step S8, the device 1 closes the winding head cover 10 and wraps the band 23 around the designated section 3 - 5 of the bundled material 2. The individual feed modules 29, 30 are controlled independently by the program sequence calculated in step S2. When the bundled material 2 is thus completely bandaged, the device stops in step S9.

[0043] 1 an automated ejection of the bandaged bundled material 2. Subsequently, in step S10, the winding head cover 10 is opened so that the operator can cut the band 23 in step S11 and in step S12 the bandaged bundled material

[0044] 2. The process can then be terminated. The operator can then return to step S3 to bandage another bundle 2.

[0045] If the bundled material 2 has multiple branches, several sections 3-5 must also be bandaged individually. If, after step S8, only one of several sections 3-5 has been wrapped, the grippers 31 are moved again to a determined position in a step S13 after step S8. The operator can then, in step S14, place an end of another section 3-5 of the cable harness 2 into the designated gripper 31.

[0046] Insert replacement sheet. The start routine is then reactivated in step S7.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating a device (1) for bandaging a bundled item (2) in which a control unit controls a feed unit (12) of the bundled item (2) and a winding head (13) which wraps the bundled item (2) wrapped with a tape (23) and with an input unit (15) for controlling the control unit (33) , the method comprising the following steps: - Input of data, in particular length and diameter of individual sections of the bundled goods (2) via the input unit (15) into a programming unit (35) Calculation of the program sequence for controlling the feed unit (12) and the winding head (13) in the programming unit (35) - Start of the program flow via the input unit (15) , Start of the control unit after the in the Programming unit (35) stored program sequence, characterized in that the input unit (15) has a graphical user interface (16) for inputting a drawing (Z) of the bundled goods (2) and that the programming unit (35) determines the data of the bundled goods (2) from the drawing (Z) of the bundled goods (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit adjusts a winding table (17) arranged in the winding head (13) to a height in which an axis of the respective section of the bundled material (2) is arranged in the axis of rotation of the winding head (13).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that signals corresponding to a tension of the belt (23) are detected by the control unit and that the control unit selects a belt roller (22) leading the belt (23) to the bundled material (2) depending on the signals corresponding to the voltage of the tape (23) drive .

4. Device for bandaging a bundled item (2) comprising a feed unit (12) for moving the bundled item (2), a winding head (13) for wrapping the bundled item (2) with a band (23), a control unit for controlling the feed unit (12) and the winding head (13), an input unit for controlling the control unit and for inputting the data of the bundled item (2), and a programming unit for calculating a program sequence for controlling the control unit, characterized in that the input unit (15) has a graphical user interface (16) for inputting a drawing (Z) of the bundled item (2) and that the programming unit for calculating the data of the bundled item (2) is formed from the drawing (Z) of the bundled item (2).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that a winding table (17) arranged in the winding head (13) and provided for supporting the bundled material (2) is adjustable in height.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the winding table (17) is displaceable parallel to the intended longitudinal axis of the bundled material (2).

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a deflection roller (36) arranged on the winding table (17) for the belt (23) is mounted so as to be pivotable transverse to the intended longitudinal axis of the bundled material (2).

8. Device according to at least one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the feed unit (12) has at least one feed module (28) with rollers or a conveyor belt (29) for the continuous movement of the bundled material (2).

9. Device according to at least one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the feed unit (12) has at least one feed module (30) with a gripper (31) movable along a guide (32) for pulling the bundled material (2).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that guides (32) of several feed modules (30) are arranged parallel to each other.

11. Device according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the feed module (28) is equipped with rollers or a conveyor belt (29) and the feed module (30) are arranged one behind the other with a gripper (31) movable along a guide (32).

12. Device according to at least one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that between a tape roll (22) and the changing table (17) a conveyor drive (25) for conveying the belt (23) to the bundled goods (2) is arranged.

13. Device according to at least one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the tension of the band (23) can be detected at a force transducer (27).

14. Device according to at least one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the control unit has a memory for storing the data of the bundled goods (2) and the parameters of the feed unit (12) and the tape used (23) during bandaging.

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