Double Gripper Wedge Mechanism for Short Twisted Cable End Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper units for handling cable ends of twisted cable harnesses require long untwisted cable lengths and are not highly variable, making them inefficient for use with cables of different diameters and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A gripper unit with transversely movable jaws and an activatable engagement member that can adjust the distance between cables, allowing for precise handling and insertion of cable ends into connector housings, even with short untwisted lengths, and accommodating various cable diameters and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If one individual cable end is pushed forward a few millimeters in the cable direction relative to the other, then the contact parts can be aligned and inserted one after the other into the corresponding inlet openings, but comparatively long untwisted or untwisted cable ends of the twisted cable harness are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transverse dimension for jaw movement, allowing the gripper to adjust cable positions not only in the longitudinal direction (pushing forward) but also in the transverse direction (moving jaws closer together or farther apart). This dimensional addition enables precise alignment of contact parts while reducing the required untwisted cable length, as the jaws can laterally adjust cable positions to achieve proper alignment without requiring excessive longitudinal cable extension.
2Ease of manufacture
If the gripper jaws are specifically designed for predetermined cable diameters and a fixed distance between the two cables, then the gripping and handling is simplified, but the gripper unit lacks variability and is not suitable for a wide range of applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the gripper dynamic by enabling movement of the jaw elements relative to each other in the transverse direction. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the gripper to adapt to different cable diameters and spacing configurations without requiring multiple fixed designs. The jaw elements can be positioned flexibly to match various cable arrangements, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper unit is designed with universal functionality through its movable jaw elements that can accommodate different cable diameters and configurations. By allowing transverse movement of the jaws, a single gripper design can serve multiple applications and cable types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized gripper designs for different cable specifications.
3Length of moving object
If both cable ends are inserted into the connector housing at approximately the same time, then the length of the cable ends that are not twisted can be kept as small as possible, but the alignment and insertion process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic jaw movement in the transverse direction to facilitate simultaneous insertion of both cable ends. The movable jaw elements can independently adjust their positions to guide each cable end into the connector housing at the same time, simplifying the insertion process while maintaining short untwisted cable lengths. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for sequential insertion and reduces the required cable length.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A double gripper (1) for gripping and handling the cable ends of two cables (8, 9) of a twisted cable strand (13) for a placement station for assembling connector housings has two gripper jaws (2, 3), each with two jaw elements (4, 4'; 5, 5') arranged one above the other. The double gripper (1) further comprises two engagement elements (11) arranged between the jaw elements (4, 4'; 5, 5'), with which the cables (8, 9) can be supported from the inside. The engagement elements (11) can be moved independently of the gripper jaws (2, 3). By moving the engagement elements (11) between the cables (8, 9) or by retracting them, the distance (H) between the cables (8, 9) can be varied. The respective attacking member (11) is a wedge (21, 22) with at least one effective wedge surface (25, 25'; 26, 26').