Cable processing machine and method for selectively receiving cable guide unit from magazine of cable processing machine

Abstract

To provide a cable processing machine and a cable processing machine capable of selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a magazine of the cable processing machine.SOLUTION: A cable processing machine 100 includes a pivot arm 120 on a cable supply side, a magazine 150 for a plurality of cable guide units 130, and a fixing device 121 for the cable guide units 130. The fixing device is disposed on the pivot arm 120, is automatically operable, and functions to selectively receive a cable guide unit 130 from the magazine 150 according to a guide unit selection signal. When receiving the guide unit selection signal, the cable processing machine rotates the pivot arm 120 to a corresponding position relative to the magazine 150 and receives a selected cable guide unit 130 from the magazine 150 using the fixing device 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cable processing machine and a method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a magazine of the cable processing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Cable processing machines are used to automatically perform one or more processing steps on cables, in particular on cable ends, where it is desirable to use one and the same cable processing machine for several cables that may have different characteristics, such as differences in cable cross-section, insulation thickness, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1548902B1 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 1548903B1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is known to change cables when a different cable needs to be processed. Such a change may require the associated guide tube through which the cable is threaded and / or the associated guide hose to be changed. In this context, EP 1548902 B1 discloses a corresponding cable threading aid. EP 1548903 B1 discloses a technique in which a cable processing machine is provided with a movable feeder in a magazine in which a number of guide tubes can be loaded. After receiving the guide tube, the cable still needs to be threaded through the aforementioned guide tube, and the cable exchange itself is not automated. There is therefore a need for a cable processing machine that can automatically perform the cable exchange. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A cable processing machine is disclosed according to claim 1 and a method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a magazine of the cable processing machine is disclosed according to claim 10. Advantageous refinements are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a cable processing machine has a cable supply pivot arm, a magazine for a plurality of cable guide units, and a fixing device for the cable guide units, the fixing device being arranged on the pivot arm and automatically operable, the fixing device serving to selectively receive a cable guide unit from the magazine according to a guide unit selection signal, the cable processing machine being configured to pivot the pivot arm to a corresponding position relative to the magazine and to receive the selected cable guide unit from the magazine by means of the fixing device upon receiving the guide unit selection signal.

[0007] According to another aspect, a method for selectively receiving a cable guide unit from a magazine of a cable processing machine is disclosed, the cable processing machine including a cable feed pivot arm, a magazine, and a fastening device for the cable guide unit, the fastening device being disposed on the pivot arm and automatically operable, the method including receiving a guide unit selection signal designating a cable guide unit in the magazine, pivoting the pivot arm to a corresponding position relative to the magazine, and receiving the selected cable guide unit from the magazine using the fastening device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a prior art cable processing machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a cable processing machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a top view of a portion of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view of a cable guide unit of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 3 is a perspective view of a cable supply side pivot arm and a magazine member of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6a] 3A to 3C are side views of a portion of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2 at different times to clarify the processing sequence according to one embodiment. [Figure 6b] 3A to 3C are side views of a portion of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2 at different times to clarify the processing sequence according to one embodiment. [Figure 6c] 3A to 3C are side views of a portion of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2 at different times to clarify the processing sequence according to one embodiment. [Figure 6d] 3A to 3C are side views of a portion of the cable processing machine shown in FIG. 2 at different times to clarify the processing sequence according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of a conventional cable processing machine 1. From the right side in FIG. 1, a cable is supplied from, for example, a reel (not shown). This side is called the cable supply side. A cable feed device 61 to which a guide hose 40 is connected functions to supply the cable. A guide tube 31 following the guide hose 30 is fixed in front of a cable gripper 21. The guide hose 40, the cable gripper 21 and the guide tube 31 are arranged on a pivot arm 20 on the cable supply side. On the opposite side of the pivot arm 20 on the cable supply side, another pivot arm 10 with a cable gripper 11 is arranged, through which the supplied cable is transported.

[0011] A cable with a certain cross section is usually clamped and processed in a cable processing machine 1. In order to be processed as perfectly as possible, the cable must be guided precisely, which is ensured by the guide hose 40 and the guide tube 31 having an appropriate inner diameter. In particular, the inner diameter of the guide tube 31 is generally only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable. The cable gripper 21 is opened during the longitudinal transport (feed) of the cable so that the cable feed device 61 can feed the cable through the guide hose 40 and the guide tube 31.

[0012] In the conventional cable processing machine 1, when the cable being processed is replaced with a cable having a larger or smaller outer diameter, in order to enable stable and accurate guidance, at least the guide tube 31 needs to be replaced, and in some cases, the guide hose 40 also needs to be replaced. For this reason, the new cable needs to be passed through a new guide tube 31, but this is a manual task that takes a considerable amount of time.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a perspective view, similar to Figure 1, of a portion of a cable processing machine 100 according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 shows the components of Figure 2 in top view form. Figures 2 and 3 are illustrated together for clarity.

[0014] The cable is again fed from the right hand side in the drawing of Fig. 1, e.g. from a reel (not shown). This side is referred to as the cable feed side. For the cable feed a cable changer 160 with a cable feed device 161 serves. The cable changer is for example a linear cable changer configured as described in EP 1 213 800, the disclosure content of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, this configuration is merely exemplary and it is also conceivable to use different types of cable changers, such as rotary or swivel cable changers.

[0015] A number of guide hoses 140...145 are led into the cable changer 160, said guide hoses possibly having different inner diameters and therefore respectively accommodating cables with different properties, for example different outer diameters. An associated guide unit 130-1...130-6 follows each guide hose 140...145. The guide units 130-1...130-6 are accommodated in a magazine 150 (see also FIG. 5 and the corresponding description). A fixing device 121 is arranged on the cable supply side pivot arm 120 (see also FIG. 5 and the corresponding description). Opposite the cable supply side pivot arm 120 another pivot arm 110 is arranged with a cable gripper 111, through which the supplied cable is transported.

[0016] The fixing device 121 can be automatically activated, for example, by a higher-level machine control. When the cable processing machine 100 receives the guide unit selection signal, it is configured to swivel the pivot arm 120 to a magazine position that can receive the guide unit (for example a certain type of guide unit) specified by the guide unit selection signal. The guide units 130-1...130-6 thus selected are then taken or received from the magazine 150 by means of the fixing device 121. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the magazine 150 is arranged below the pivot range of the pivot arm, and as an example, the first of the guide units (cable guide unit 130-1) is received on the fixing device 121 of the pivot arm 120.

[0017] The multiple cable guiding units 130-1...130-6 are different insofar as at least one of the cable guiding units 130-1...130-6 differs from another of the cable guiding units 130-1...130-6 in terms of suitability for the type of cable guided by it. Typically, this relates to the outer diameter of the cable being guided. For example, the inner diameter of one cable guiding unit 130-1...130-6 differs from the inner diameter of at least one other of the cable guiding units 130-1...130-6.

[0018] Furthermore, a cable to be guided is attached to at least one of the cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6. It is preferable that a cable to be guided is attached to each of the cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6.

[0019] All cables are inserted into the cable changer 160 and run through the associated guide hoses 140...145 and the associated guide tubes, i.e. remain in this position even if the associated guide units 130-1...130-6 are located in the magazine 150. The exchange of cables is performed by moving the cable changer 160 to transport the desired cable and removing the corresponding guide units 130-1...130-6 from the magazine 150, i.e. received in the fixing device 121.

[0020] It should be noted that although the number of the cable guide units 130-1...130-6 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is six, it does not have to be six. In particular, the number of the cable guide units 130-1...130-6 is at least two.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a representative guide unit, each of the cable guide units 130-1 to 130-6, identified by the reference number 130, even if the diameter of the guide tube 131 and / or the guide hose 140 is different. The guide unit 130 comprises a carrier 135, on which the guide tube 131 and the guide hose 140 are fixed. The cable 180 is routed through the guide hose 140 and the guide tube 131 and exits from the end of the guide tube 131. A recess 190 allows gripping of the cable and allows closing of a cable threading aid (not shown) when the cable gripper is opened. The carrier 135 is configured, for example, wedge-shaped and has one or more coupling surfaces 132, 133 that allow fixing to the respective associated counterpiece on the pivot arm 120 or the magazine 150, respectively.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the gripper arm 120 and a part of the magazine 150. As an example, two magazine members 150-1, 150-2 are shown in this figure, with the cable guide unit 130 received in the magazine member 150-1. It should be noted that the number of magazine members of the magazine 150 corresponds to the number of cable guide units that can be accommodated therein. The magazine members 150-1, 150-2 are preferably of the same configuration. The configuration of the magazine member 150-1 is described as an example. The magazine member 150-1 includes a lifting plate 151, a lifting cylinder 155 and a clamping device 152, such as a clamping cylinder. The fixing device 121 on the pivot arm 120 includes a clamping device 122, such as a clamping cylinder. The guide unit 130 accommodated in the magazine 150 (in the respective magazine unit 150-1) is aligned with the lower coupling surface 133 and is fixed with the aid of the clamping device 152 by applying pressure to the lower coupling surface 133. The lifting plate 151 can be moved vertically by means of a lifting cylinder 155. In the fixing device 121, the upper coupling surface 132 is aligned with the clamping device 122 and fixed thereon by applying pressure.

[0023] 6a-6d show a series of steps of a method for transferring the guide unit 130 from the pivot arm 120 to the magazine 150. In FIG. 6a, the pivot arm is pivoted so that the fixing device 122 is located above the free space in the magazine 150 (empty magazine member 150-1, 150-2). In FIG. 6b, the lifting cylinder 155 of the associated magazine member 150-1, 150-2 moves upwards so that the clamping device 152 arranged on the lifting plate 151 is aligned relative to the lower coupling surface 133 of the guide unit 130. In FIG. 6c, the clamping device 152 on the fixing device 122 of the pivot arm 120 is released and the clamping device 152 moves outwards, thereby clamping the guide unit 130. In FIG. 6d, the lifting cylinder 155 moves downwards, thus accepting the guide unit 130. In case of a cable exchange, the guide units 130 that are no longer required are placed in the free space in the magazine 150 (in the empty magazine members 150-1, 150-2), thereby preparing the pivoting arm 120 to receive another guide unit 130 of the type that is now required. During the transfer from the magazine 150 to the pivoting arm 120, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse order to receive the required guide unit 130. The steps for transferring the guide unit 130 from the pivoting arm 120 to the magazine 150 do not of course have to be carried out if the pivoting arm 120 has already been released from the guide unit 130; indeed, in this case the pivoting arm 120 can receive the required guide unit 130 directly from the magazine 150, i.e. the steps described above are carried out in the reverse order.

Claims

1. A cable processing machine (100) comprising a cable supply side pivot arm (120), a magazine (150) for a plurality of cable guide units (130-1...130-6), and a fixing device (121) for the cable guide units (130-1...130-6), the fixing device is disposed on the pivot arm (120), is automatically operable, and serves to selectively receive a cable guide unit (130-1...130-6) from the magazine (150) in accordance with a guide unit selection signal; The cable processing machine (100) is configured to, upon receiving the guide unit selection signal, rotate the pivot arm (120) to a corresponding position relative to the magazine (150) and receive the selected cable guide unit (130-1...130-6) from the magazine (150) using the fixing device (121).

2. 2. A cable processing machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cable guide units (130-1...130-6) differs from one of the other cable guide units (130-1...130-6) in terms of suitability for the type of cable guided thereby, in particular in terms of the cable cross-section and / or the thickness of the insulation.

3. 3. A cable processing machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the cable guide units (130-1...130-6) in the magazine, in particular each of the cable guide units (130-1...130-6), is attached with a cable to be guided.

4. A cable processing machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cable guide units (130-1...130-6) include a carrier (135) having at least one coupling surface (132, 133), the coupling surface (132, 133) being configured to interact with the fixing device (121).

5. 5. The cable processing machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein the coupling surfaces (132, 133) are configured in a wedge shape.

6. A cable processing machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixing device (121) comprises at least one clamping device (122), the clamping device (122) being configured to interact with the cable guide unit (130-1...130-6), in particular with at least one coupling surface (132, 133).

7. The cable processing machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the magazine (150) includes a plurality of magazine members (150-1, 150-2) each for accommodating one of the cable guide units (130-1...130-6).

8. The cable processing machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the magazine members (150-1, 150-2), in particular each of the magazine members (150-1, 150-2), comprises a clamping device (152), in particular a clamping cylinder, for fixing a received cable guide unit (130-1...130-6).

9. A cable processing machine (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one of the magazine members (150-1, 150-2), in particular each of the magazine members (150-1, 150-2), comprises a lifting plate (151) coupled to a lifting cylinder (155) and serving to hold at least one coupling surface (132, 133) of a cable guide unit (130-1...130-6), in particular of the cable guide unit (130-1...130-6).

10. A method for selectively receiving cable guide units (130-1...130-6) from a magazine (150) of a cable processing machine (100), comprising the steps of: the cable processing machine (100) comprises a cable supply side pivot arm (120), a magazine (150) and a fixing device (121) for the cable guide units (130-1...130-6), the fixing device being arranged on the pivot arm (120) and automatically operable, The method includes the steps of receiving a guide unit selection signal designating the cable guide unit (130-1...130-6) in the magazine (150), pivoting the pivot arm (120) to a corresponding position relative to the magazine (150), and receiving the selected cable guide unit (130-1...130-6) from the magazine (150) using the fixing device (121).

Images