Cable Harness Bundling Strip Application Without Strand Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automating the bundling of strands, such as cable harnesses, and attaching additional elements to them is complex and typically done manually, especially in the production of motor vehicles, where manual wrapping with wrapping tape is labor-intensive and difficult to mechanize.
Innovation Solution
A strand bundling device with a bundling unit that lays a bundling strip in a bay shape around a linear strand, allowing for efficient bundling and attachment of additional elements, featuring a carrier device, bundling strip dispenser, feeder device, and lock mechanism to manage the bundling process, enabling automated operation and integration with robots for enhanced efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual wrapping with wrapping tape is used to bundle strands, then the bundling process can be performed with simple equipment, but the labor intensity is high and automation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical wrapping operations with an automated application device that deposits adhesive material directly onto the strand. The adhesive applicator uses a nozzle system controlled by a computer to automatically apply adhesive in predetermined patterns, eliminating the need for manual tape wrapping while achieving precise bundling results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adhesive material as an intermediary substance between the application device and the strand. Instead of directly wrapping mechanical tape around the strand, the system uses adhesive to bond bundling elements to the strand, enabling automated application through spray, dip, or brush methods
2Extent of automation
If automated bundling machines are introduced to replace manual wrapping, then automation capability increases, but the technical complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The application device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can apply adhesive to bundle strands, attach additional elements to the strand, and secure components during assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate machines for each operation, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a computer-controlled, dynamically adjustable application device that can modify adhesive deposition patterns, quantities, and locations in real-time based on the specific bundling requirements. This dynamic control allows a single device to handle various bundling scenarios without requiring complex reconfiguration or multiple specialized machines
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are attached to the strand during assembly, then the strand can be secured to the vehicle body, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adhesive application process with the additional element attachment process into a single integrated operation. The application device applies adhesive to both the strand and the additional elements simultaneously, bonding them together in one step. This merging of operations eliminates separate attachment steps and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining versatility in securing strands to vehicle bodies
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a strand bundling device (1) and a system (2) for forming a bundling strip (5) in a bay-like manner around a strand (3). The strand (3) is moved only along a straight bundling direction (b) parallel to a longitudinal direction (x) of a strand bundling unit (4) of the strand bundling device (1) through a bundling area (6) of the strand bundling unit (4) – movement of the strand (3) along its longitudinal direction (v) is completely avoided. The strand bundling unit (4) has a support device (7) and a bundling strip dispenser (8) which is configured to provide the bundling strip (5) in the bundling area (6).An application device (11) arranged on the carrier device (7) and in the bundling area (6) is designed to take the bundling strip (5) from the bundling strip dispenser (8) from the strand (36) and to lay it in a bay-like shape around and onto the strand (36) by moving the strand (3) along the bundling direction (b) relative to the application device (11) and thereby through the bundling area (6).