Installation designed as pivot machine for assembling cables

Abstract

To avoid the disadvantages of the known installation and, in particular, to provide an installation for assembling cables that can be operated efficiently and safely.SOLUTION: An installation 1 for assembling cables includes two pivot units 5 and 6 and a processing station processing cable ends of the cable, a loop forming device 7 for forming cable loops from the cable, a loop stretcher 8 and a loop holder 9 having a gripper 20 securing the cable loop. The loop forming device 7 and the second pivot unit 6 are designed so that the fully assembled cable loop may be placed on a cable tray using respective cable grippers 15 and 19. The cable tray designed as a conveyor is equipped with holding elements that hold both cable ends of the cable loop.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to an installation for assembling cables according to the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] When assembling cables, the cable ends of the cables are processed. One such processing step is, for example, crimping. "Crimping" is understood to mean the creation of an irremovable electrical and mechanical connection (crimp connection) between the conductor and the crimp contact by plastic deformation. For higher requirements regarding gas tightness, the stripped cable ends can be equipped with sleeves in a sleeving station before crimping.

[0003] A generally equivalent system is known from EP 1 447 888 A1. EP 1 447 888 A1 discloses a cable processing device with a stripping unit and two crimping stations with crimping presses. The device also has a cable feeder designed as a belt drive for moving the cable along the longitudinal axis of the machine. The stripping unit for cutting the cable ends to length and stripping them is located on the longitudinal axis of the machine. However, because the two crimping press stations are located side by side on the longitudinal axis of the machine, the cable must be guided from the swivel unit to the respective crimping presses for the crimping stations by a swivel arm with a gripper. For this reason, this type of cable processing device is commonly known and referred to in the art as a "swivel machine." An installation designed as a swivel machine for assembling cables is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0004] To save space on long cables, the cables can be formed into cable loops. However, it is also conceivable that the assembled cables can be used as cable loops for further processing. U.S. Patent No. 5,740,608 discloses a turning machine that forms loops with the cable during processing and then moves the cable loops individually to the end of the machine by a conveyor belt with a cam so that the cable loops fall into a container for removal. This turning machine achieves a shortened machine, but also has the disadvantage that only one batch is fed for removal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1447888 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5,740,608 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the drawbacks of known installations and in particular to devise an installation for assembling cables that can be operated efficiently and safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, these and other objects are achieved by an installation having the features of claim 1. The installation for assembling cables can include a cable conveying device extending along the longitudinal axis of the machine for conveying the cable in the cable feed direction or cable transport direction to at least one processing station. The cable conveying device is preferably configured as a cable feeder. The cable conveying device, preferably configured as a cable feeder, can be designed as a roller drive or a belt drive. The installation also includes at least one first pivoting unit with a pivoting arm, preferably rotatable about a vertical axis, equipped with a cable gripper, and at least one processing station, preferably for processing stripped cable ends, assigned to the pivoting unit and arranged transversely or adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The processing station can include one or more processing modules; for example, a crimping module with a crimping press, a sleeve module, and a housing module can be considered processing modules. The first pivoting unit is used to convey the cable ends coming from the cable conveying device to the processing station equipped with the processing module. The apparatus may also include a cutting and stripping station for cutting and stripping the cable. This cutting and stripping station is preferably located on the longitudinal axis of the machine. The cutting forms a second cable end, i.e., a cable trailing end. The cable trailing end can be processed in a second swivel unit and its assigned processing station. The second swivel unit is preferably configured similarly to the first swivel unit but is located on the opposite side of the equipment relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The equipment, designed as a swivel machine, then includes a loop forming device for forming cable loops from the cable and a cable tray for at least temporarily receiving a batch of fully assembled cable loops. The loop forming device may include a cable gripper for gripping the first cable end or the cable leading end of the cable and forming a cable loop.For example, the cable gripper of the loop forming device can be rotatable around an axis, resulting in an arcuate rotational movement to form the loop. The loop can then be adjusted to the desired length by further feeding the cable through the aforementioned cable conveying device. At the end of this rotational movement, the cable end has been rotated, for example, 180°. The cable tray can also be designed as a receiving trough. However, it is advantageous if the cable tray has a flat loading surface for accurate and orderly placement. This allows for convenient handling of batches with numerous cable loops, even multiple batches. In principle, a batch consists of multiple cables of the same type (same cross section and color) that have the same length, are assembled in the same way, and are presented as cable loops. However, a batch can also consist of only one cable that forms a cable loop. Different batches can be easily separated from each other, greatly simplifying their further use, for example, in subsequent machines or for transport. It can be particularly advantageous if the cable tray has a horizontal loading surface.

[0008] The equipment includes a loop stretcher and / or a loop holder configured with a gripper for securing the cable loop, so that the cable can be optimally guided during loop formation and stretching. In this context, "securing" primarily refers to preventing undesired cable reversal during loop formation. The loop stretcher is a means for stretching a cable loop, acting on the loop in its apex region. Thus, the loop stretcher can apply a tensile load to the cable at the apex of the loop so that the loop is stretched (and guided). The loop stretcher may, for example, be a pull-out gripper. However, the loop stretcher may also be a moving element, i.e., a passive element that is wound or becomes wound by the cable, in contrast to a pull-out gripper. The loop holder acts not on the apex but on one of the lateral regions of the cable loop, i.e., not on the apex, but on one of the regions that extend in approximately the same direction, ideally approximately parallel to each other, leading to or merging with the apex. The loop holder may also be a gripper that loosely grips the cable of the cable loop from the side. Thus, the gripping of the loop holder from the side by the gripper can be performed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine along or relative to which the loop is aligned. The fixing of the cable loop can advantageously be performed at least during loop formation by the loop forming device, preferably during placement on the cable tray. This placement also has the advantage that the space below the loop can be left free, thereby ensuring easy and unobstructed placement of the cable loop.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the loop forming device is provided with a device that can be rotated around an axis in an arcuate motion. In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation for the described motion to form the loop may be such that a cable loop lying in a substantially vertical plane can be formed by the loop forming device. The axis of rotation referred to may be a horizontal axis. However, it may also be advantageous if the axis is inclined in space. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the installation can be constructed compactly. Little space is required for the arrangement of the cable loop.

[0010] The loop stretcher can have a moving element that can be moved linearly by a drive. For linear movement, a linear axis with a belt drive can be used, for example. It is particularly advantageous if the moving element is a moving element that can be moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine or parallel to the cable conveying direction. Instead of a belt drive, the drive can also be another drive, such as a linear drive.

[0011] The moving element may have a horizontal engaging element extending transversely, preferably at right angles, to the moving direction of the moving element (generally coinciding with the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine or the direction of cable transport). The engaging element penetrates the cable loop and applies pressure to the loop from the inside. The moving element is obviously a passive element and forms a stop around which the cable can be attached over 180° so that the cable loop has cable sections that run parallel to each other. However, other wrapping angles are also conceivable, in particular they may be smaller than 180°. This results in a loop with cable sections that run at an obtuse angle to each other.

[0012] The installation can preferably comprise a loop stretcher with a movable transfer element and a loop holder constituted by a gripper. If the installation is provided with both machine components for fastening the cable loop, i.e. both the loop stretcher and the loop holder, the installation can operate particularly efficiently and safely without risk of tipping over.

[0013] The linear drive of the loop stretcher may comprise a fixed bearing and a movable carriage guided on the bearing, on which a moving element is arranged, and the movement of the carriage is performed by electromagnetic force. Furthermore, a horizontal carrier structure may be provided on which a predetermined fixed bearing of the linear drive or the linear axis of the loop stretcher is arranged. A carrier part for carrying a gripper for the loop holder can also be fixed to the carriage.

[0014] A further embodiment relates to an installation in which the loop holder is arranged in the area of a second swivel unit within the installation, and while the loop holder holds the cable, the cable trailing end of the cable formed into a loop can be brought into a processing station by the second swivel unit, so that the cable loop retains its original shape at least in the top area.

[0015] If the installation comprises a second swivel unit and at least one processing station assigned to it, it may be advantageous for the loop forming device and the second swivel unit to be designed in such a way that the fully assembled cable loop can be placed on the cable tray by the respective cable grippers of the loop forming device on the one hand and the second swivel unit on the other hand.

[0016] Each of the pivoting units may include a base frame for pivotally mounting a pivot arm, the pivot arm being connected so that the pivot arm can pivot about a vertical axis. A drive for pivoting the pivot arm may be disposed on the base frame. The pivot arm of the first pivoting unit may be disposed on an upper side of the base frame for pivotally mounting the pivot arm. The pivot arm of the second pivoting unit may be disposed on a lower side of the base frame for pivotally mounting the pivot arm.

[0017] For safe and reliable operation of the installation, it may be advantageous if the cable tray for a production batch comprises at least one holding element for holding the arranged cable loop in the region of one cable end, preferably two holding elements for holding both cable ends of the cable loop. The holding of the cable ends can be performed loosely relative to the arrangement. It is not necessary to actually hold or fix the cable in a fixed position. Of course, in certain applications, it is conceivable that the holding element fixes the cable so that the cable is held restrained, for example by crimping force.

[0018] In particular, the retaining elements have the function of separating the cable ends of one batch from the cable ends of the next batch, but they may also optionally be designed to further secure the cable ends.

[0019] The at least one holding element may advantageously be designed so that a plurality of cable loops of a production batch can be held, and thus the holding element may hold a plurality of cable ends.

[0020] At least one holding element can be detachably connected to the cable tray so that it can be separated from the cable tray as needed and transported together with the cable loop for further processing. Other processing stations can be, for example, placement boards for cable harnesses. Mechanical connection means, such as plug-in or latch connections, can be used for the detachable connection. Actively activated locking mechanisms are particularly contemplated as mechanical connection means. However, it can also be advantageous if at least one holding element is magnetically attached to the cable tray. A permanent magnet can be integrated into the holding element for magnetic connection, and the cable holder can consist of or be equipped with a ferromagnetic material.

[0021] The cable tray may be designed as a conveying device for transporting at least one production batch, preferably several production batches, with fully assembled cable loops, in which case holding elements are arranged one behind the other on the cable tray. These holding elements can be advantageously arranged on the cable tray, preferably at regular intervals in the conveying direction. The arrangement of the holding elements can be a fixed arrangement or a temporary arrangement (e.g., magnetic).

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the cable tray for forming the tray belt is designed as a conveyor, and the cable loops are arranged on top of the conveyor, which can move or be moved in the cable conveying direction. For example, the installation can be operated so that the conveyor is stationary during placement of the cable loops and then moved after the last cable loop of the batch is placed. The conveying distance traveled by the conveyor can correspond to the distance to the next holding element. This preferred embodiment with a cable tray designed as a conveyor can also be used with installations for assembling cables other than the above-mentioned slewing machine. A cable tray designed as a conveyor can also be advantageous, for example, for a generally similar installation as described in the preamble of claim 1, which does not have loop stretchers and loop holders.

[0023] Preferably, the cable tray designed as a conveyor may comprise a conveyor belt running endlessly around end rollers, on top of which a base is arranged to designate a docking position, from which a holding element can be separated and to which a holding element can be attached.

[0024] For secure positioning of the cable loops, two holding elements can be provided per production batch, each of which is advantageously positioned at the edge of the conveyor belt of the conveyor.

[0025] The holding elements can be arranged on the conveyor belt of the conveyor in such a way that the holding elements or the cable ends held by them form a V-shape when viewed from above. This arrangement allows optimal use of the system's swivel units.

[0026] As an alternative to the variant with a conveyor, the cable trays can be designed to be detachable from the installation. In particular, the cable trays can be designed as or be a component of a mobile cable tray unit, so that the mobile cable tray unit can be detached from the installation and transported separately from the installation by a transport device. This alternative embodiment with a mobile cable tray unit can also be used in other installations for assembling cables. A mobile cable tray unit can also be advantageous, for example, in a generally similar installation according to the preamble of claim 1, which does not have loop stretchers and loop holders.

[0027] The mobile cable tray unit may be configured to receive multiple cable trays, which can be moved by an exchange device from a standby position to a docking position where each cable tray can be docked to the installation.

[0028] The mobile cable tray unit may, for example, comprise a flange for temporarily receiving a plurality of cable trays, the flange comprising a turret-like exchange device by means of which the cable trays can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation for exchange, i.e. for movement from a standby position to a docking position.

[0029] The mobile cable tray unit may also be provided with a double-sided carrier unit, which may be configured with, for example, the flanges described above, allowing the cable tray to be temporarily fastened onto the carrier unit from two opposite directions. The advantage of this type of carrier unit designed with two sides for loading and unloading is that the mobile cable tray unit only needs to be rotated 180°.

[0030] The cable tray of the mobile cable tray unit may comprise a tray plate at least in the front region where the cable ends of the cable loops can be placed, preferably in the region where at least one retaining element is provided. For example, the cable tray may be designed as a plate in the front region. In the rear region of the cable tray opposite the front, the cable tray may be designed as a trough.

[0031] The mobile cable tray unit for constructing an autonomous conveyor cart includes a transport device that can move autonomously, making it largely independent of control signals that must be provided by an operator during travel. The conveyor cart can be moved relative to the floor by wheels. The conveyor cart can include at least one electric motor that can drive at least one of the wheels.

[0032] A further aspect of the invention can relate to a system comprising the above-mentioned installation and a transport device designed as an autonomous conveyor cart for transporting the mobile cable tray units. The system may comprise a plurality of autonomous conveyor carts.

[0033] Further advantages and individual features of the invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of an installation designed as a slewing machine for assembling cables according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the swing machine according to FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of an installation for assembling cables designed as a slewing machine according to the invention; [Figure 4] 4 shows the pivoting machine of FIG. 3 in various positions during the formation and assembly of the cable loop; [Figure 5]4 shows the pivoting machine of FIG. 3 in various positions during the formation and assembly of the cable loop; [Figure 6] 4 shows the pivoting machine of FIG. 3 in various positions during the formation and assembly of the cable loop; [Figure 7] 4 shows the pivoting machine of FIG. 3 in various positions during the formation and assembly of the cable loop; [Figure 8] 4 shows the pivoting machine of FIG. 3 in various positions during the formation and assembly of the cable loop; [Figure 9] 4 shows the pivoting machine of FIG. 3 in various positions during the formation and assembly of the cable loop; [Figure 10] 1 is a simplified diagram of a cable loop after an undesired overlap; [Figure 11] 4 is a perspective view of an installation according to the invention with a slewing machine according to FIG. 3 and a cable tray designed as a conveyor. [Figure 12] 1 is a simplified diagram of a side view of a cable tray designed as a conveyor for a slewing machine. FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a perspective view of an installation according to the invention with a slewing machine of the type shown in FIG. 3 and an autonomous conveyor carriage for transporting cable trays for the slewing machine. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 shows another design view of the arrangement of FIG. 13, in which the conveyor carriage for transporting the cable trays is disconnected from the slewing machine and removed therefrom. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a conventional installation for assembling cables, generally designated 51. The installation 51 includes a cable conveyor 4, designed as a belt conveyor, which moves the cable along the machine's longitudinal axis 50 toward swivel units 5 and 6. The cable conveyor 4 transports the cable in the direction f. A cutting and stripping station, designated 13, is located on the machine's longitudinal axis 50, where the cable is cut to length and the two cable ends are stripped. The cutting and stripping station 13 is clearly located on the machine's longitudinal axis 50. Further processing stations 21 and 22 are located next to the machine's longitudinal axis 50 in a top view. The swivel units 5 and 6, which can rotate about vertical axes, each include a cable gripper for holding the cable. The respective cable ends can be fed to the processing stations 21 and 22 using the cable grippers of the swivel units 5 and 6. The processing station 21 is used to process the cable ends of the cable and interacts with the first swivel unit 5. The processing station 22 is used to process the rear cable ends of the cables and interacts with the second turning unit 6. An installation 51 with such a turning unit is also known to those skilled in the art by the term "turning machine". Electric cables, for example insulated stranded or solid conductors made of copper or steel, can be processed and assembled in the turning machine 51. The cables to be processed are provided as drums, rollers or bundles (not shown).

[0036] In the design variant according to FIG. 1, each processing station 21, 22 of the installation 51, designed as a swivel machine, includes, by way of example, a crimping module, both of which include a crimping press. During the assembly described here by way of example, the cable ends are first cut to length, stripped, and then crimped. The cable ends can also be fitted with sleeves, if necessary. In this case, the processing stations 21, 22 also include a sleeve module. Thus, each processing station may include multiple processing modules, and other modules, such as a crimping module with a crimping press, a sleeve module, and a housing module, can be considered processing modules. If applicable, a straightening unit (not shown) located on the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine can also be arranged in front of the cable conveying device 4. FIG. 1 relates to an installation 51 for assembling a cable (not shown) while maintaining its straightness. The installation 51 includes a conveyor belt 41 for unwinding the cable. The fully assembled cable sections then reach a cable trough 42, which is used for arrangement and temporary storage. From the cable trough 42, the cable sections can be transported into an unloading trough 43. Details of the design of such an assembly installation, in particular with regard to the troughs, can be found in EP 2028732. The perspective view of Figure 2 shows the same installation 51 again.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a novel type of installation 1, designed as a swivel machine for assembling cables, whereby straight cable sections are not produced but rather the cables are formed into cable loops. For simplicity's sake, only the most important components of the swivel machine 1 relevant to the present invention are shown in FIG. 3. In a manner known per se, the swivel machine 1 comprises a first swivel unit 5 with a swivel arm 11 that can be rotated about a vertical axis together with a cable gripper 12. The swivel machine 1 further comprises a second swivel unit 6 with a swivel arm 18 that can be rotated about a vertical axis together with a cable gripper 19. Processing stations assigned to the swivel units 5 and 6 are also present but are not shown here. The upper peeling blade of the cutting and peeling station 13 is visible in FIG. 3; the lower peeling blade opposite the upper peeling blade is not shown to better understand the structure of the swivel machine 1. The basic structure of the swivel machine 1 with respect to the swivel units is the same as or at least similar to the basic structure of the swivel machine 51 shown in FIG. 1. However, the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 differs in the area following the second swivel unit 6.

[0038] Each of the swivel units 5, 6 comprises a base frame for pivotally mounting the swivel arms 11, 18, to which the swivel arms are connected so that they can pivot about a vertical axis. A drive for pivoting each of the swivel arms 11, 18 can be arranged on the base frame. The swivel arm 11 of the first swivel unit 5 can be arranged on an upper side of the base frame for pivotally mounting the swivel arm. The swivel arm 18 of the second swivel unit 6 can be arranged on a lower side of the base frame for pivotally mounting the swivel arm.

[0039] The turning machine 1 is characterized by comprising a loop forming device 7 for forming cable loops from the cable, a loop stretcher 8 and a loop holder 9 constituted by a gripper 20 for fixing the cable loop. The turning machine 1 may also comprise a cable tray (not shown here) for at least temporarily receiving a batch of fully assembled cable loops.

[0040] The loop forming device 7 includes a cable gripper 15 for gripping the tip of a cable and forming a cable loop. The cable gripper 15 can be rotated around a horizontal axis, and can form a loop from the cable by an arc-shaped rotational movement.

[0041] The loop stretcher 8 for stretching a cable loop includes a moving element 17 that acts on the loop in its apex region. The moving element 17 can be moved by a drive 16 in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine. The moving element 17 can grip the cable and pull it in a direction e, axially parallel to the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine, thereby stretching and guiding the loop. The moving element 17 applies a tensile load to the apex of the loop. The loop holder 9 is essentially a gripper 20 that can loosely grip and hold the cable from the side. Therefore, the loop holder 9 acts on the cable loop in a lateral region of the cable loop, i.e., not at the apex, but in one of the regions of the cable loop that run parallel to each other. In other words, the loop stretcher 8 can be displaced along a linear axis parallel to the cable feed direction. This longitudinal movement depends on the desired cable length of the loop and should ideally be coordinated with the cable feed device to optimally stretch the loop. The cable stretcher 8 is shaped so that the cable is passively held while the loop is being stretched. The loop stretcher 8 reliably prevents undesired cable reversal during or after loop formation. The loop holder 9 also helps prevent the cable from reversing. The position of the loop holder 9 depends on the loop length. The linear motion of the loop stretcher 8 can be used for its positioning. Figure 10 illustrates undesired cable loop reversal. The loop holder 9, which uses its gripper 20 to pull the loop stretched by the loop stretcher 8, ensures that the loop stretcher 8 can be returned to its starting position before the next loop is formed. Instead of the moving element 17 shown here, other variations of the loop stretcher are also conceivable. Instead of a passive moving element, the loop stretcher may also be equipped with a pulling gripper that wraps around the cable and pulls it in the e direction. It is also conceivable that the gripper 20 of the loop holder 9 takes over the stretching of the loop.In this case (not shown here), the gripper 20 is a type of pull-out gripper which grips the cable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the machine rather than axially.

[0042] If the linear shaft 16 of the loop stretcher 8 is designed as a linear drive, it comprises a fixed bearing and a movable carriage 24, which is guided on the bearing and on which the moving element 17 is arranged. In this case, the movement of the carriage 24 is carried out by electromagnetic forces. The bearing is integrated into the horizontal carrier structure 35. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the linear shaft 16 comprises a belt drive, preferably a toothed belt drive, installed in the housing 23. It can also be seen from FIG. 3 that a carrier part for carrying the gripper 20 for the loop holder 9 is fixed to the carriage 24. When the carriage 24 is moved to move the loop stretcher 8, the loop holder 9 is also moved as a result.

[0043] The operation of the swivel machine 1 according to the present invention is illustrated in the following figures. Figures 4 to 9 show how a cable loop is formed from a cable and how an assembled cable loop is produced. Figure 4 shows the swivel machine 1 before the start of the loop formation. The cable, designated 2, is gripped by the cable gripper 12 of the first swivel unit 5. The cable end of cable 2 has already been assembled. For this purpose, cable 2 was stripped in the cutting and stripping station 13. As can be seen in Figure 3, the cable gripper 15 of the loop forming device 7 is arranged in an initial position next to the cutting and stripping station 13, so that the cable gripper 15 does not need to be moved laterally from the blade area during cutting and stripping. By pivoting the arm 11, cable 2 is introduced into a processing station module (not shown here), where it is processed, e.g., crimped, and then returned to the slightly turned position shown in Figure 3, where it is aligned with the cable gripper 15. The cable end thus assembled can now be taken up by the loop forming device 7. As shown in FIG. 4, the cable end is brought into the open cable gripper 15 of the loop forming device 7. Here, the cable can be gripped by the cable gripper 15. The closed state of the cable gripper 15 is shown in FIG. 5. The cable gripper 15 now rotates about its axis and forms a loop by a circular rotational movement. The cable is positioned around the moving element 17. As shown in FIG. 6, the cable gripper 15 of the loop forming device 7 is rotated 180° in this state. At the end of this rotational movement, the cable end is rotated 180°. The aforementioned axis for the rotational movement to form the loop is slightly inclined in space in this exemplary embodiment so that, after the 180° rotation, the cable gripper 15 is positioned so that the cable loop lies in a vertical plane. Thanks to the axis slightly inclined relative to the horizontal, the cable gripper 15 does not need to be laterally displaced from its initial position shown in FIG. 3, which is positioned laterally adjacent to the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine, so that it can grip the cable and then reach the position shown in FIG. 6.The cable gripper 15 of the loop forming device 7 remains in this position. A cable loop can then be formed with the desired cable length. To this end, the cable is further fed by a cable transport device (not shown here) to the desired length, and the moving element 17 of the loop stretcher is synchronously moved in the direction e to keep the cable loop stretched. This corresponding situation is shown in FIG. 7. It can also be clearly seen here that the moving element 17 is equipped with a horizontal engaging element extending perpendicular to the moving element's direction of movement. The engaging element penetrates the cable loop and applies pressure to it from the inside. The moving element is a passive element that forms a stop around which the cable is attached over 180°, so that the cable loop forms cable sections extending parallel to each other. Once the moving element has been fully moved and the cable loop has reached the desired loop length, the second pivoting unit 6 can be activated. The cable gripper 19 of the second pivoting unit 6 grips the cable. At the same time, or even before, the gripper 15 of the loop holder 9 encircles the cable at the upper section of the cable loop (FIG. 8). The cable 2 is cut to length in the cutting and stripping station 13, and the resulting cable end is stripped. The trailing cable end of the cable loop, gripped by the cable gripper 19 of the second pivoting unit 6, is then pivoted and brought into a processing station module (not shown here), where it is processed, e.g., crimped. FIG. 9 shows the situation with the pivoting arm 18 of the second pivoting unit 6 in its turned position. Once all necessary processing has been performed on the second cable end, the cable loop 3 is fully assembled and can be placed on a cable tray (not shown here). For this purpose, the loop forming device 7 and the second pivoting unit 6 can be designed so that the fully assembled cable loop 3 can be placed on a cable tray by the respective cable grippers 15, 19 of the loop forming device 7 on the one hand and the second pivoting unit 6 on the other hand.The cable loop 3 preferably remains under the influence of the loop holder 9 even when it is deployed so that retention of the cable prevents the cable loop from inverting when deployed. Thus, the loop holder 9 advantageously remains closed during deployment, or alternatively, a loop stretcher may remain in place to prevent the loop from inverting.

[0044] Because the loop forming device 7 can rotate around its axis in an arc-like motion, the cable loop 3 is clearly formed in a substantially vertical plane. This arrangement has the advantage that the cable loop can be easily positioned because there are no interfering parts or obstacles below the loop. The vertical positioning of the entire cable loop during loop formation can be clearly seen, particularly in Figures 7 and 8. In the situation shown in Figure 9, some parts of the cable loop, namely from the front or tip of the cable to the loop holder 9, still lie in a vertical plane. Parts of the cable loop are no longer located in the designated vertical plane. The cable is already horizontally aligned by turning from the loop holder 9 to the rear end of the cable. Starting from this turned position, at least the rear part of the cable loop can be positioned, for example, by moving the cable gripper 19 downward. The front part of the cable loop, which is the part assigned to the tip of the cable, can be positioned by moving the cable gripper 15 downward.

[0045] 11 shows a further installation 1 designed as a swivel machine for assembling cables, used to produce cables in which the cables are assembled in looped form. This swivel machine 1 comprises a cable conveying device 4 extending along the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine for conveying the cable 2 along the cable conveying direction f to a processing station, two swivel units 5, 6, a loop forming device 7, a loop stretcher 8 and a loop holder 9 constituted by a gripper 20. The swivel machine 1 also comprises special cable trays 10, which will be described in more detail below, for receiving batches of fully assembled cable loops 3.

[0046] In this case, the cable conveyor 4 of the slewing machine 1, which is designed as a cable feeder, is designed as a belt conveyor. The cable 2 can be clamped and transported between two belts. The cable conveyor 4 could also, in principle, be designed as a roller drive. The cable conveyor can also be equipped with a length measuring device, which is arranged downstream of the belt drive and by which the length of the cable loop can be measured or checked.

[0047] With regard to the two swivel units 5, 6, the loop former 7, the loop stretcher 8 and the loop holder 9, the swivel machine 1 is designed substantially similarly to the swivel machine 1 shown in Figures 3 to 9. In the present application, cable tray is understood to mean a tray for cables in the form of cable loops. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 11, the cable tray 10 is designed as a conveyor for forming a tray belt, with the cable loops being placed on top of the conveyor moving in the cable conveying direction. The conveyor conveying direction is indicated by an arrow t, which clearly extends in the same direction as the aforementioned cable conveying direction f. The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt 25 running endlessly around end rollers 26, 27.

[0048] Since the cables may still become misaligned after placement due to their elasticity and the movement of the slewing machine 1, it is advantageous to receive at least the front or rear end of the batch in a holding element. The holding element prevents the cable ends of one batch from mixing with the cable ends of the next batch. According to this exemplary embodiment for a production batch, the cable tray 10 comprises two holding elements 30, 31 for holding the placed cable loops 3, each holding element 30, 31 holding one cable end of a cable loop, as can be seen in Figure 11.

[0049] Thus, two holding elements 30, 31 are provided for each production batch, each of which is arranged on the edge of the conveyor belt 25 of the conveyor. The two holding elements 30, 31 for holding the arranged cable loops, indicated by 3, are not in the same longitudinal position relative to the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine or the cable conveying direction f or t, but are offset from each other by a certain distance.

[0050] The cable tray, designed as a conveying device for transporting a number of production batches with fully assembled cable loops, comprises holding elements 30 and 31, 30' and 31', 30'' and 31'', which are arranged at regular intervals one behind the other in the conveying direction and which are permanently or only temporarily connected to the conveyor or, more precisely, to the conveyor belt 25 of the conveyor.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, exactly one cable loop is held by the two holding elements 30, 31. Of course, it can also be advantageous if the holding elements 30, 31 hold several cable loops. Each holding element 30, 31 can therefore be designed in such a way that several cable loops of a production batch can be held.

[0052] In this type of cable tray 10, the batches are placed on a tray belt that moves a fixed distance along the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine, or in the t direction, after each batch is placed. The holding elements on the tray belt are positioned to accommodate this distance.

[0053] In this embodiment of the cable tray, the holding elements 30, 31 are arranged one behind the other on the conveyor at a distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis 50 of the machine, which corresponds to the conveying direction t, and the conveyor is moved by this distance after the batch has been deposited. The holding elements 30, 31 can be rigidly connected to the conveyor or can be removably fixed, for example magnetically, to allow the batch to be removed together with the holding elements.

[0054] The batches are removed at the end of the tray belt either manually by an operator or by an automated system such as a robot. The empty holding elements 30, 31 are returned to the start of the tray belt underneath. A sensor, e.g., a light barrier, may be positioned at the end of the tray belt to ensure that the turning machine 1 continues production only when the batch has been removed in its final position.

[0055] The holding elements 30, 31 are arranged on the conveyor belt 25 of the conveyor so that they or the cable ends held by them form a V-shape when viewed from above.

[0056] FIG. 12 shows a variant in which the holding elements 30 are detachably connected to the cable tray 10. If necessary, the holding elements 30 can be removed from the cable tray, which is also designated here as a conveyor, and transported together with the cable loops for further processing. A base 32 is placed on the conveyor belt 25 of the conveyor to designate a docking position, from which the holding elements 30 can be detached and reattached. The detachment of the holding elements is advantageously performed above the rear end of the conveyor in the conveying direction t. Empty holding elements 30 can be docked and returned to the respective base 32 on the lower side of the conveyor. Docking is indicated in FIG. 12 by an upward arrow. A docking device for an automated procedure can also be used for this purpose. Thus, the holding elements 30 can be reattached to the conveyor after removing the batch. This can be done by an automatic return system in the return section of the conveyor, located below the batch contact surface. However, docking can also be performed manually.

[0057] For example, permanent magnets may be used for the releasable connection of the retaining element 30. Magnetic attachment or application of the retaining element 30 to the cable tray 10 is easy to handle and particularly suitable for automated processes. Alternatively or additionally, mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the retaining element 30 to the cable tray 10 are also contemplated, with actively operating locking mechanisms being particularly advantageous for automated removal.

[0058] The cable tray 10 may be constituted, for example, by a tray plate. Therefore, the cable tray does not necessarily have to be designed as a transport device for transporting at least one production batch, preferably several production batches, with fully assembled cable loops. However, the cable tray may also be separated from the slewing machine as a whole. The installation 1 according to the invention may therefore be designed so that the cable tray can be separated from the installation. FIG. 13 shows a possible design of such a cable tray for a slewing machine. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 13, the cable tray 10 is a component of a mobile cable tray unit, designated 33. The mobile cable tray unit 33 can be separated from the slewing machine 1 and transported to any desired location separately from the slewing machine.

[0059] In this type of cable tray 10, the placement of one or more batches is in each case carried out on a tray plate, which, after placement, is moved by a conveying device 40, which will be described in detail below. The tray plate also comprises holding elements 30, 31, which perform the functions already mentioned above. If only one batch is placed on the tray plate, it is also conceivable to omit the holding elements.

[0060] The mobile cable tray unit 33 includes a transport device 40 that can move autonomously to form an autonomous conveyor cart. The conveyor cart can be moved relative to the floor by wheels 37. The conveyor cart can include at least one electric motor, by which at least one of the wheels 37 can be driven.

[0061] In the present exemplary embodiment, a transport device 40 consisting of an autonomous conveyor carriage independently transports the cable batches from the slewing machine 1 to a further processing station, such as a placement board for cable harnesses. However, other transport systems such as overhead conveyors or horizontal conveyor systems with rails or conveyors are also conceivable as transport devices.

[0062] In this case, as an example, the mobile cable tray unit 33 is configured to receive a plurality of cable trays 10. The cable trays 10 in the mobile cable tray unit 33 can be moved from a standby position to a coupling position by an exchange device, and at the coupling position, each cable tray 10 can be coupled to the slewing machine 1. For the aforementioned cable tray exchange, the facility 1 designed as a slewing machine may be equipped with the mobile cable tray unit 33 having flanges 34 for temporarily receiving a plurality of cable trays 10, the flanges having a turret-like exchange device by means of which the cable trays 10 can be rotated about a horizontal rotation axis for exchange.

[0063] The cable tray 10 of or for the mobile cable tray unit 33 comprises a tray plate 38 at least in the front region, where the cable ends of the cable loops can be placed. In this example, the cable tray 10 is clearly designed plate-like in the front region. In the rear region of the cable tray opposite the front, the cable tray is designed trough-shaped. The side walls defining the inner trough shape are indicated at 39.

[0064] The conveyor carriage 33 receives on both sides a plurality of tray plates 38 fixed to rotatable flanges 34. By rotating, empty tray plates can be successively moved to an upper position to allow batches to be placed on the tray plates. When one side of the conveyor carriage is full, the conveyor carriage leaves the turning machine 1 and rotates 180 degrees to place the empty tray plates on the other side into the turning machine.

[0065] As can be seen from FIG. 14, the mobile cable tray unit 33 of the installation 1 can be designed with two sides and can comprise a carrier unit, in this case constituted by flanges 34, to which the cable tray 10 can be temporarily attached from two opposite sides.

[0066] 14, the tray plate 10 currently being loaded can remain on the turning machine while the conveyor carriage 40 is in transit to remove the already full tray plate 10. In order to increase the autonomy of the turning machine, it is also conceivable that the turning machine 1 itself is equipped with an exchanger (not shown here) for several tray plates.

[0067] Each cable tray 10 can be received by the mobile cable tray unit 33 as follows: Also visible in Figure 14 is a bolt-like connection 44 of the cable tray 10, which can be inserted into a complementary socket in the flange 34. If necessary, the flange 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow until an empty receiving position is reached, and then the mobile cable tray unit 33, designed as an autonomous conveyor carriage, moves towards the slewing machine 1, and a plug-in connection is made between the cable tray 10 and the carrier unit of the mobile cable tray unit 33. A plurality of such mobile cable tray units 33, designed as autonomous conveyor carriages, can be provided, which together with at least one slewing machine 1 form a system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1, 51 equipment 2 Cables 3, 3' cable loop 4 Cable carrier device 5 First turning unit 6 Second swivel unit 7 Loop forming device 8 Loop Stretcher 9 Loop Holder 10 Cable Tray 11, 18 Swivel arm 12, 15, 19 Cable gripper 13 Cutting and Peeling Station 16 linear axis 17 Movement Elements 20 Gripper 21, 22 Processing Station 23 Housing 24 Carriage 25 Conveyor Belt 26, 27 End rollers 30, 31, 30', 31', 30'', 31'' holding element 32 base 33 Mobile cable tray unit 34 flange 35 Horizontal carrier structure 37 wheels 38 Tray Plate 39 Side wall 40 Conveyor 41 Conveyor belt 42 Cable Trough 43 Extraction trough 44 bolted connection 50 Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. An installation (1) for assembling cables, comprising at least one first swivel unit (5), at least one processing station (21) for processing cable ends of the cables, and a loop forming device (7) for forming cable loops (3) from the cables (2), The installation (1) is characterized in that it comprises a loop stretcher (8) and / or a loop holder (9) constituted by a gripper (20) for fixing a cable loop (3).

2. 2. The installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the loop stretcher (8) comprises a moving element (17) which can be moved linearly by a drive.

3. 3. The installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a loop stretcher (8) with a movable transfer element (17) and a loop holder (9) constituted by a gripper (20).

4. 4. The installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the installation comprises a second swivel unit (6) and a cable tray (10) for at least temporarily receiving a batch of fully assembled cable loops (3), the loop forming device (7) and the second swivel unit (6) being designed in such a way that the fully assembled cable loops (3) can be placed on the cable tray (10) by respective cable grippers (15, 19) of the loop forming device (7) on the one hand and of the second swivel unit (6) on the other hand.

5. 5. The installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the installation comprises a cable tray (10) for at least temporarily receiving a batch of fully assembled cable loops (3), the cable tray (10) comprising at least one holding element (30, 31) for holding the arranged cable loops (3) in the region of one cable end, preferably two holding elements (30, 31) for holding both cable ends of the cable loops (3).

6. 6. Installation (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one holding element (10) is designed so that several cable loops (3) of a production batch can be held.

7. 7. The installation (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one holding element (30, 31) is detachably connected to the cable tray (10).

8. 8. The installation (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the cable tray (10) is designed as a conveying device for conveying at least one production batch, preferably several production batches, with fully assembled cable loops (3, 3').

9. 9. The installation (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cable tray (10) is designed as a conveyor.

10. 10. The equipment (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a base (32) is arranged on the conveyor belt (25) of the conveyor to designate a docking position, and the holding element (30) can be separated from the base (32) and can be attached to the base.

11. 11. Installation (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that two holding elements (30, 31) are provided for each production batch, each holding element (30, 31) being arranged at the edge of the conveyor belt (25) of the conveyor.

12. 12. The installation (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the holding elements (30, 31) are arranged on the conveyor belt (25) of the conveyor so that they or the cable ends held by them form a V-shape when viewed from above.

13. 8. The installation (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the cable tray (10) is designed as a mobile cable tray unit or is a component of a mobile cable tray unit (33), so that the mobile cable tray unit (33) can be detached from the installation (1) and transported by a transport device (40).

14. The equipment (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the mobile cable tray unit (33) is configured to receive a plurality of cable trays (10), and the cable trays (10) can be moved by an exchange device from a standby position to a coupling position where each cable tray (10) can be coupled to the equipment (1).

15. 15. The installation (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the mobile cable tray unit (33) comprises a flange (34) for temporarily receiving a plurality of cable trays (10), the flange comprising a turret-like exchange device by means of which the cable trays (10) can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation for exchange.

16. 16. The installation (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the cable tray (10) of the mobile cable tray unit (33) comprises a tray plate (38) at least in the front area where the cable ends of the cable loops can be placed, preferably in the area where at least one holding element (30, 31) is provided.

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