Capacitive Cable Detection Device for Wiring Loom Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and labor-intensive process of laying cables for cable harness production often results in errors and inefficiencies, as users must manually identify and route cables along specific paths without intuitive guidance, leading to potential malfunctions and incorrect installations.
Innovation Solution
A detection device that utilizes capacitive coupling to enable natural user guidance by transmitting detection frequency signals through the user's body, allowing for automatic recognition of cables and display of intended laying paths on a display device, reducing the need for additional steps and minimizing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual identification and routing of cables is used, then the process allows flexibility in handling, but the complexity of the laying process increases and errors occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and mechanical routing operations with an automated detection system. The detection device automatically identifies cables and determines laying paths, substituting the mechanical process of manual inspection and decision-making with automated electronic detection and control, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device enables the cable laying system to identify and route cables autonomously without requiring manual intervention for identification. The system self-determines the laying paths based on detected cable characteristics, allowing the process to serve itself rather than relying on operator expertise and manual decision-making.
2Productivity
If display devices are used to show laying paths, then the duration and effort of laying is reduced, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device serves as an intermediary between the cable harness system and the display device. It automatically detects cable characteristics and translates them into laying path information for display, mediating the complex detection processes while presenting simplified visual guidance to operators, thus improving productivity without requiring operators to directly manage system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by detecting cable identification marks or characteristics and automatically displaying the corresponding laying paths. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to self-regulate and guide operators based on actual cable properties, reducing laying time while managing complexity through automated control rather than manual coordination.
3Manufacturing precision
If automatic detection is implemented, then manufacturing precision of cable routing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device creates a digital representation or copy of the cable's identification characteristics and uses this copy to determine the laying path. By working with informational copies rather than physically manipulating the cables themselves, the system achieves precise routing control while managing complexity through information processing rather than complex mechanical control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables safe, efficient, and user-friendly cable harness production by allowing users to intuitively follow displayed laying paths, reducing errors and streamlining the process while ensuring accurate cable routing and installation.
Implementation Method 1
The unit has a capacitive coupler, in particular a coupling pad, which capacitively couples detection frequency signals of a suitable frequency into the user's skin. Thus, if the user grips a line of a cable with his hand, i.e. his fingers, the electrical capacitive detection frequency signals can be capacitively coupled into the line via the user's skin and hand without any health risk to the user, with no galvanic contact between the metallic wire of the line and the hand is required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a detection device for a laying system for laying a wiring loom and to such a laying system, and also to a method of manufacture for the wiring loom. The detection device (8, 10) for a laying system (30) for producing a wiring loom (2), wherein the detection device has: a mobile unit (10) having a mounting device (7) for attachment to a user (9) and a capacitive coupler (12) for coupling detection frequency signals (S1) into the body of the user (9), a control and evaluation device (8) for outputting display signals (S3) to a display device (6), wherein the control and evaluation device (8) is configured for data communication with the mobile unit (10) via plug holders (22) and cable (3) connected to the plug holders (22), wherein the control and evaluation device (8) is designed so that, when a detection frequency signal (S1) of the mobile unit (10) is picked up via a plug holder (22), said control and evaluation device subsequently detects the connected cable (3) and/or single lines (4) of the cable (3) and outputs display signals (S3) to the display device (6) to display a laying path (26) for the connected cable (3) and/or lines (4) of the cable.