Robot Cable Feeding Tool with Centering Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable processing systems lack precision in transporting electrical lines to target stations, with robots often relying on limited gripping devices that fail to ensure accurate positioning and efficient interaction with various work modules.

Innovation Solution

A device and system where a robot's tool is equipped with a holding and transport device, along with a centering device, to precisely move and align electrical lines, using conveyor belts and a rotatable design to ensure accurate delivery to target stations, and a control system to coordinate interactions between stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional gripper is used to transport the electrical cable, then the robot can remove and transfer components, but the positioning precision relative to the workstations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent removal and transfer capabilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A cable guide device is introduced as an intermediary component between the robot's gripper and the workstation. This guide device receives the cable from the gripper and precisely guides it to the target position, decoupling the robot's positioning task from the cable delivery task. The gripper only needs to place the cable into the guide device, while the guide device ensures precise positioning at the workstation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a stationary rotary table arrangement is used, then multiple work modules can be integrated, but the system flexibility and adaptability to different cable types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated cable assembly capabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different cable types
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide device is designed with adjustable and movable components that can adapt to different cable types, lengths, and destinations. The guide device can be repositioned or reconfigured for different work modules, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining the automated assembly capability of the rotary table system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If spring-elastic means with rollers or belts are used for cable transport, then precise advancement can be achieved, but the interaction with robot-based handling systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable advancement precisionVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide device combines the advantages of both robot-based handling and spring-elastic transport mechanisms. It integrates a gripper interface for robot compatibility with internal spring-elastic advancement mechanisms for precise cable positioning, creating a unified system that achieves both precise advancement and seamless integration with robot-based handling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4456341A1Device, installation and method for feeding an electrical line
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ROBO WIRE GMBH
  • EP4456341A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4456341A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4456341A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A device, system, and method for supplying an electrical conductor (1, 30) from a pickup station (2) to at least one destination station (3-6, 33) are described. A position-variable robot (7) is provided with a tool (8) for receiving the electrical conductor (1, 30), and the electrical conductor (1, 30) can be transported to the destination station (3-6, 33) by means of the robot (7). The electrical conductor is to be supplied to the destination station precisely. The tool (8) of the device comprises a holding and transport device (9) and a centering device (10) for the electrical conductor (1, 30). The system provides that at least the destination station (3-6, 33) is aligned with and interacts with the tool (8) of the robot (7).The method solves the problem by holding, transporting and centering the electrical conductor in the tool in such a way that the electrical conductor hits the target station in the correct position and is partially inserted into it.