Patent Application
20210249159
The present invention relates to a cable processing machine for processing cables and to a method for operating such a cable processing machine.
Cable processing machines can produce batches of cables, i.e. a certain number of cables of the same cable type, fully automatically. The finished cables are usually removed by hand by an operator, for example from a removal tray which is specially provided for removal and into which the cables are automatically thrown and transported to the operator as soon as a batch has been completed.
Before cable production can be started on such a cable processing machine, one or more training cables or cable samples are usually produced first for quality purposes and for parameterizing a processing process, and these cables are checked by the operator. Transporting the finished cable samples to the operator by means of the removal tray can take a few seconds at a time. If a plurality of cable samples are to be produced one after the other, the time required to prepare the cable processing machine can increase significantly simply on account of the transport of the cable samples to the operator.
Usually, all cables produced by the cable processing machine, regardless of whether they are cables from a batch, a random sample or individual training cables, are placed in the same removal tray. This is automatically moved, for example, to a safe operating region of the cable processing machine at certain times, for example every time a batch has been completed, and the operator can then remove the cables. It may therefore be the case that different types of cables mix with one another in the removal tray. The cables must then be sorted by hand by the operator. This is time-consuming, partly because the operator has to wait until a batch has been completed to access the cables, and partly because it is prone to errors.
It is thus an object of the invention to improve the removal of cables from a cable processing machine.
This object is achieved by a cable processing machine and a method according to the following description.
A first aspect of the invention relates to a cable processing machine for processing cables. The cable processing machine comprises a processing region for processing the cables, an operating region for operation of the cable processing machine by an operator, a conveying device which is designed to convey batches of cables processed by the cable processing machine from the processing region to the operating region, a cable storage means comprising a receiving portion accessible from the processing region for receiving individual cables processed by the cable processing machine and a removal portion accessible from the operating region for safe removal of the individual cables by the operator, as well as a feed device which is designed to feed the cables processed by the cable processing machine either to the conveying device or to the receiving portion.
With the option of storing individual cables such as short training or sample cables or other short cables, e.g. cable waste or faulty cables, in a separate cable storage means, quality controls can be carried out in less time and with less susceptibility to errors than if the cables are discharged from the cable processing machine only in production batches.
In particular, during a production operation of the cable processing machine, for example a machine for attaching contacts to cable ends by means of crimping, the individual cables can be removed separately from the cables of a production batch for inspection. In addition to saving time, this has the advantage that random samples can be checked immediately without prior manual sorting. This means that it is possible to intervene early if the random sample is poor. This also avoids training or sample cables mixing with a random sample and thus limiting the informative value of the random sample.
The processing region can comprise a region of the cable processing machine that is potentially hazardous to the operator and that should not be accessible to the operator at least during operation of the cable processing machine. Tools that are required for processing the cables and means for transporting the cables, such as conveyor belts or cable grippers, can be arranged in the processing region. By contrast, an operating region can be understood to mean a region of the cable processing machine in or from which the operator can safely operate the cable processing machine. A human-machine interface for controlling the cable processing machine, for example in the form of a screen and an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, can also be arranged in the operating region.
The conveying device can, for example, comprise a conveyor belt, a movable or tiltable tray or a gripping system for moving the cables, or a combination of at least two of the examples mentioned. For example, the conveying device can comprise two batch trays connected in series, which allow for uninterrupted production of a plurality of batches one after the other.
A cable storage means can be understood to mean a container or a storage area for storing cables, for example. It is possible for the cable storage means to be movably arranged in the cable processing machine. Alternatively, the cable storage means can be fixed in the cable processing machine. The receiving portion can open into the removal portion so that cables that are placed in the receiving portion can get into the removal portion, for example by the effect of gravity, and can be removed in the operating region separately from the respective cables of a production batch. For example, the receiving portion can comprise a chute or a duct for guiding the cables into the removal portion. The removal portion can comprise a collecting container, a tray or a channel for removing the cables, for example.
The removal portion can be designed, for example, in such a way that the operator cannot reach into the potentially hazardous region of the cable processing machine or cannot reach into the processing region at all with his hand or individual fingers when removing the cables. For this purpose, the removal portion can be appropriately narrowed or closed by a suitable mechanism toward the processing region, for example, when the operator removes the cables.
It is possible for the removal portion to extend at least partially within the processing region, provided that it is ensured that the operator can safely remove the cables from the removal portion.
Additionally or alternatively, the cable processing machine can comprise a protective wall or protective cover which separates the processing region and the operating region around the cable storage means in such a way that inadvertent reaching into the processing region is prevented or at least made more difficult.
The feed device can comprise a combination of two feed devices that are movable independently of one another, for example, one for moving cables to the conveying device and another for moving cables to the cable storage means. This may be a combination of two cable grippers or of a conveyor belt and a cable gripper. Alternatively, the feed device can be formed by a pivotable cable gripper or a pivotable conveyor belt. The cable gripper or the conveyor belt can be pivoted back and forth between the conveying device and the cable storage means. However, any other desired embodiments of the feed device are also possible. It is conceivable, for example, for the feed device to comprise one or more movable or tiltable trays for receiving the cables, similarly to the conveying device.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a cable processing machine as described above and below. The method comprises the following steps: processing a cable in the processing region and moving the cable processed in the processing region by means of the feed device either to the conveying device in order to form a batch of cables and convey it from the processing region to the operating region, or to the receiving portion of the cable storage means in order to provide the cable separately from the batch in the operating region.
Features of the cable processing machine, as it is described above and below, can also be features of the method and vice versa.
Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention may be considered, inter alia and without limiting the invention, to be dependent upon the concepts and findings described below.
According to one embodiment, the cable storage means is designed to prevent the operator, when removing the cables, from reaching into a region of the cable processing machine that is potentially hazardous to the operator.
For example, the cable storage means can be designed to prevent the operator from reaching into the processing region at all. For this purpose, the cable storage means can be curved or narrowed accordingly. Additionally or alternatively, the removal portion can be closed toward the processing region, for example by a flap or the like that is movable in only one direction. This can prevent the operator from injuring himself when removing the cables, for example by accidentally coming into contact with moving parts of the cable processing machine located in the processing region.
According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine further comprises a protective wall which at least partially surrounds the processing region during operation of the cable processing machine in order to prevent the operator from reaching into the processing region. The protective wall has a first passage and a second passage. The conveying device is designed to convey the batches through the first passage, while the removal portion is formed on the second passage.
For example, the protective wall can close off the processing region all around during the operation of the cable processing machine. In addition, the protective wall can cover the processing region at the top. The protective wall can be removed for maintenance or repair purposes or moved into a position in which the processing region is freely accessible, for example. The first passage and the second passage can be arranged adjacent to one another, for example, such that the operator has access from the same location both to the cables in the cable storage means and to the batches brought out by the conveying device.
According to one embodiment, the cable storage means is designed as a container with a container opening. The container is arranged in the second passage such that it is movable between a receiving position and a removal position. The container opening is accessible from the processing region in the receiving position and from the operating region in the removal position.
In other words, the container opening can be arranged at least partially in the processing region in the receiving position in order to form the receiving portion, and can be arranged at least partially in the operating region in the removal position in order to form the removal portion.
For example, the cable storage means can be designed as a drawer or a compartment that can be tilted about a pivot point. The cable storage means can be open at the top. The container opening can be the only opening in the cable storage means, for example. It is possible that the container opening is located completely in the processing region in the receiving position. In combination with the protective wall which separates the processing region from the operating region, the operator can thus be prevented from reaching into the container opening while cables are being conveyed into the cable storage means.
According to one embodiment, the second passage is closed in the receiving position by a wall surface of the container.
This can prevent the operator from reaching into the processing region through the second passage while the cable storage means is being loaded with cables. For example, the second passage can be closed by a front wall of the cable storage means that faces the operating region. The front wall can have a handle for opening or closing the cable storage means, for example.
According to one embodiment, the second passage is closed in the removal position by a wall surface of the container.
This can prevent the operator from inadvertently reaching into the processing region through the second passage when he removes the cables. For example, the second passage can be closed by a rear wall of the cable storage means that faces the processing region.
According to one embodiment, the cable storage means is fastened to the protective wall.
As a result, the cable storage means can be removed or moved together with the protective wall, provided that it is removable or movable.
According to one embodiment, the receiving portion comprises a chute and the removal portion comprises a storage tray, with the chute opening into the storage tray and the feed device being designed to feed the cables either to the conveying device or to the chute.
A chute can be understood to mean an elongate hollow body or a tubular element. The chute can protrude into the processing region. In order to prevent the operator from reaching into the processing region via the chute, the chute can be angled or curved, for example. In particular, the chute can comprise an upper end and a lower end. The upper end can be arranged in the processing region and can be further away from the storage tray in the vertical direction than the lower end, which can open into the storage tray.
If the processing region is surrounded by a protective wall, as described further above, the storage tray can extend through the second passage on both sides of the protective wall, for example. Alternatively, the storage tray can end at the protective wall. For example, the storage tray can also end on a side of the protective wall that faces the processing region without passing through the second passage. The operator can reach into the storage tray from the operating region through the second passage.
The second passage can be formed, for example, by a correspondingly small opening, which can prevent the operator from reaching into a hazardous region of the cable processing machine when removing the cables from the storage tray.
According to one embodiment, the cable storage means comprises at least two separate cable compartments. Each of the at least two cable compartments has a receiving portion accessible from the processing region for receiving the cables, and a removal portion accessible from the operating region for the operator to safely remove the cables. Accordingly, the feed device is designed to feed the cables either to the conveying device or to one of the receiving portions of the at least two cable compartments.
The cable compartments can be separated from one another in such a way that cables that are fed to different cable compartments do not mix with one another. This allows different types of cables to be provided in a sorted manner. This eliminates the need for time-consuming and error-prone manual sorting.
According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine further comprises a machine table. The cable storage means is fastened to the machine table.
As a result, the cable storage means can be loaded with cables even when the protective wall has been removed, for example during a special operation of the cable processing machine.
According to one embodiment, the feed device comprises a first feed device for loading the conveying device with the cables and a second feed device for loading the cable storage means with the cables. The feed device and the second feed device can be controlled independently of one another.
As a result, the cable storage means and the conveying device can be loaded with cables independently of one another, for example in parallel with one another.
According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine further comprises a signal transmitter for providing a signal which indicates whether or not there are cables in the removal portion, and a control unit for controlling the cable processing machine using the signal.
The signal transmitter can for example be a sensor, a button or a switch or a combination of at least two of the examples mentioned. This means that quality assurance workflows can be controlled in a targeted manner. For example, the control unit can interrupt an ongoing production operation of the cable processing machine if it is determined by means of the signal transmitter that the cables in the removal portions were not removed within a specific time window.
According to one embodiment, the signal transmitter comprises a sensor for providing the signal. In addition or as an alternative, the signal transmitter can comprise a button or a switch for providing the signal.
The sensor can be a light-sensitive, pressure-sensitive or touch-sensitive sensor, for example. The button or the switch can be actuated by the operator either directly or indirectly, for example by means of the cable storage means.
According to one embodiment, the switch is coupled to the cable storage means and can be actuated by moving the cable storage means.
For example, the switch can be actuated in that the cable storage means presses on the switch due to its weight force and actuates the switch as soon as the weight force reaches a certain threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the switch can be actuated by corresponding deformation of the cable storage means, for example by slightly bending a side wall or a bottom of the cable storage means.
Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, although neither the drawings nor the description should be construed as limiting the invention.
The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:
The drawings are merely schematic and not to scale. Like reference signs designate like or equivalent features in the various figures.
By way of example, the conveying device 112 here comprises an upper batch tray 114 and a lower batch tray 116. The cables are first placed in the upper batch tray 114, for example by means of a cable gripper, and from there tipped into the lower batch tray 116, from which they are finally removed by the operator. The advantage of this arrangement is that the cable processing machine 100 can fill the upper batch tray 114 in a production operation, while the operator can simultaneously remove the cables from the lower batch tray 116. This allows almost uninterrupted production of a plurality of batches one after the other.
For safety reasons, the upper batch tray 114 is located within the processing region 102 in the production operation and is therefore not accessible to the operator due to the protective wall 110 (in
The cable processing machine 100 can have an acknowledgment button 306 as a signal transmitter which can be actuated by the operator, for example. By pressing the acknowledgment button 306, the cable processing machine 100 can be informed that the storage tray 304 is empty. The acknowledgment button 306 can expediently be arranged in the vicinity of the second passage 302 on the protective wall 110.
Such monitoring of the removal portion 204 allows for targeted control of quality assurance workflows. For example, it is conceivable for the cable processing machine 100 to interrupt production if the cables, for example a random sample, are not removed from the removal portion 204 within a production cycle that can include a certain number of cables produced one after the other.
The three storage trays 304 are arranged one above the other, i.e. the cable storage means 200 has a three-tier structure. However, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, for the storage trays 304 to be arranged next to one another.
The cable storage means 200 can have more or also less than three separate cable compartments 800.
For example, a storage location for the cables can be varied by positioning a cable gripper (not shown) over the corresponding chute 802. This makes it possible to store different types of cables in different storage places. For example, the cable processing machine 100 can store faulty cables, cable portions or other cables that are not wanted in the lower batch tray 116 separately from the lower batch tray 116. This prevents the cables from being mixed up.
A feed device 902, which in this case comprises, for example, a cable gripper 903a for gripping and moving cables 904 processed by the cable processing machine 100 in the processing region 102, positions a single cable 904 above the channel 900 and lets it fall there, for example. The channel 900 guides the dropped cable 904 into the storage tray 304, as indicated schematically with a dashed line.
The feed device 902 can also be designed to transport the cable 904 into the upper batch tray 114 instead of to the channel 900, for example.
It is possible for the feed device 902 to comprise a further cable gripper 903b in addition to the cable gripper 903a. The further cable gripper 903b can be used, for example, only to transport cables 904 to the conveying device 112, for example into the upper batch tray 114.
In contrast with
The pivot point 1100 can be positioned with respect to a center of gravity of the cable storage means 200 in such a way that the cable storage means 200 moves automatically into the receiving position when it is not being held by the operator.
If the operator 1600 presses on the storage tray 304 with his hand, i.e. if the storage tray 304 is subjected to a downward pressure force 1602 and is thereby elastically deformed in the direction of the switch 1500, as shown in
When the storage tray 304 is released, the storage tray 304 or the switch 1500 coupled thereto returns to the rest position. The cable storage means 200, more precisely the elastically deformable tray 304, thus functions together with the switch 1500 as a type of acknowledgment button, similar to that shown in
As an alternative or in addition to the elastically deformable storage tray 304, the cable storage means 200 can be mounted so as to be movable between the rest position and the actuation position, for example so as to be pivotable on a suitably positioned pivot point 1100 (see
In
The cable storage means 200 can in this case, similarly to that shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the cable processing machine 100 can comprise a sensor 1800 as a signal transmitter, which monitors whether or not there are cables 904 in the cable storage means 200, as is shown in
In a first step 1910 of the method 1900, cables are processed in the processing region 102, for example by crimping one or two of their respective cable ends with a plug or the like.
In a second step 1920, the processed cables 904 are then, depending on whether it is a cable from a production batch or a cable to be sorted out from the production batch, such as a random sample, a training or sample cable or scrap, either placed in the receiving portion 202 of the cable storage means 200 by means of the cable gripper 903a, or placed in the conveying device 112, for example the upper batch tray 114, by means of the further cable gripper 903b.
Finally, it should be noted that terms such as “comprising,” “including,” etc. do not preclude other elements or steps, and terms such as “a” or “an” do not preclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20156382.2 | Feb 2020 | EP | regional |
