Device for working an electrical cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (21) for working an electrical cable (1) which has a sheath (6) and a cable film (5) situated beneath said sheath, comprising an assembly (32) of modules (33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4), which are independent of one another, for removing a piece (6′) of sheath and a piece (5′) of cable film from the cable (1). According to the invention, provision is made for the assembly (32) to have a first module (MD1) for cutting off the piece (6′) of sheath from the cable (1), a second module (MD2), which follows the first module (MD1), for reducing the mechanical loadability of the cable (5) in an intended crack position (RP), and a third module (MD3), which follows the second module (MD2) and has the purpose of removing the piece (6′) of sheath and the piece (5′) of cable film from the cable (1) in an automated manner.

Claims

1. A device for processing an electrical cable having a sheath and, lying therebelow, a cable film, the device comprising a group of mutually independent modules for removing a piece of the sheath and a piece of the cable film from the cable, wherein the group has a first module for severing the piece of the sheath from the cable, a second module, downstream of the first module, for reducing a mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film at an envisaged tearing position (R.sub.P), and a third module, downstream of the second module, for removing in an automated manner the piece of the sheath and the piece of the cable film from the cable, and wherein the third module moreover has a first means for at least one of twisting and bending the cable in a region of the piece of the cable film to be removed.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first module, upon severing the piece of the sheath, is configured to partially strip the piece of the sheath from the cable.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the group, upstream of the first module, further has a mounting module for mounting on the cable an at least one plug connector part.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the group further has a fourth module, downstream of the third module, for attaching a support sleeve to the cable.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, further including a transport installation for successively feeding a cable portion of the cable to be processed to the modules of the group.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second module comprises one of a circular knife, a heating wire, a molding tool, a refrigerated supply installation, a stripping aid, a suctioning installation, or a supply installation for chemicals so as to treat at least one external layer of the cable film that faces away from the cable central axis (M) in order for a mechanical load-bearing capability of said at least one external layer to be reduced.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third module has a holding installation for holding the piece of the sheath at a first holding position (H) along a cable central axis (M), wherein the third module further has a fixing installation for holding the sheath of the cable at a first fixing position (F.sub.1), and wherein the holding installation and the fixing installation are configured in such a manner that said installations can be mutually converged so as to compress the piece of the cable film.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixing installation is able to be actuated along an actuating direction for the cable toward the holding installation.

9. A system for assembling an electrical cable having a sheath and, lying therebelow, a cable film, the system comprising: a first installation for cutting to length the electrical cable; a second installation for at least one of opening, erecting and inverting a braided cable shield; and a device for processing the electrical cable, wherein the device comprises a group of mutually independent modules for removing a piece of the sheath and a piece of the cable film from the cable, wherein the group includes a first module for severing the piece of the sheath from the cable, a second module, downstream of the first module, for reducing a mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film at an envisaged tearing position (R.sub.P), and a third module, downstream of the second module, for removing in an automated manner the piece of the sheath and the piece of the cable film from the cable, and wherein the third module moreover has a first means for at least one of twisting and bending the cable in a region of the piece of the cable film to be removed.

10. A method for processing an electrical cable having a sheath and, lying therebelow, a cable film, in which method a group of mutually independent modules is used for removing a piece of the sheath and a piece of the cable film from the cable, the method comprising the steps of: using a first module of the group to sever the piece of the sheath from the cable, whereupon using a second module of the group to reduce a mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film at an envisaged tearing position (R.sub.P); and whereupon using a third module of the group to remove in an automated manner the piece of the sheath and the piece of the cable film from the cable, wherein the third module moreover has a first means for at least one of twisting and bending the cable in a region of the piece of the cable film to be removed.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second module performs at least one of: subject an at least one external layer of the cable film that faces away from a cable central axis (M), at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position (R.sub.P), to an at least one of a thermal treatment, a chemical treatment, an abrasive treatment and a suctioning procedure, score the cable film, and adhesively bond a stripping aid to the cable film and then strip said stripping aid from the cable film.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second module at the envisaged tearing position (R.sub.P) incorporates in the cable film an at least partially ring-shaped encircling tear in such a manner that the tear extends through the external layer and also at least partially through an internal layer of the cable film that is situated below the external layer.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein an at least one of a heated molding tool and a heating wire is used for thermal treatment of the cable film.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third module removes the piece of the cable film from the cable in that the piece of the cable film is at least one of brushed off, blown off, unwound, wiped off, and stripped conjointly with the piece of the sheath.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third module compresses the piece of the cable film in an axial direction along a cable central axis (M) before the piece of the cable film is removed from the cable.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the third module indirectly compresses the piece of the cable film in that the piece of the sheath that sheathes the piece of the cable film is compressed.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the third module indirectly compresses the piece of the cable film in that the piece of the sheath is held at a first holding position (H.sub.1), wherein the sheath of the cable is held at a first fixing position (F.sub.1) that in the axial direction is spaced apart from the first holding position (H.sub.1), whereupon the first holding position (H.sub.1) and the first fixing position (F.sub.1) are mutually converged.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first holding position (H1) and the first fixing position (F1) are mutually converged in that the first fixing position (F1) is actuated toward the first holding position (H.sub.1).

Description

(1) Elements of identical function are denoted by the same reference designations in the figures.

(2) In the figures, in each case schematically:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a cross section of an electrical cable having an inner conductor, a braided cable shield and a cable film;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an electrical cable having four inner conductors, a braided cable shield and a cable film;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of an electrical cable having two inner conductors, a braided cable shield and a cable film;

(6) FIG. 4 shows an isometric illustration of an electrical cable according to FIG. 1 having a cable sheath that is scored in a ring-shaped encircling manner;

(7) FIG. 5 shows an isometric illustration of the electrical cable according to FIG. 4 having a partially stripped cable sheath and an exposed cable film;

(8) FIG. 6 shows the electrical cable according to FIG. 5 after partially annular preliminary processing of the cable film for reducing the mechanical load-bearing capability of the latter;

(9) FIG. 7 shows the electrical cable according to FIG. 6 during the bending of the cable portion to be processed;

(10) FIG. 8 shows the electrical cable according to FIG. 7 during compression according to the invention;

(11) FIG. 9 shows the electrical cable according to FIG. 8 during the stripping of the cable film conjointly with the cable sheath;

(12) FIG. 10 shows the electrical cable according to FIG. 9 having an inverted braided cable shield;

(13) FIG. 11 shows the use of four actuators for bending the cable portion to be processed;

(14) FIG. 12 shows the use of a rotational installation, or an eccentric, respectively, for twisting or bending, respectively, the cable portion to the processed;

(15) FIG. 13 shows the use of two heated molding tools for the thermal treatment of the cable film;

(16) FIG. 14 shows a further example of the use of two heated molding tools for the thermal treatment of the cable film;

(17) FIG. 15 shows the use of a heating wire for the thermal treatment of the cable film;

(18) FIG. 16 shows the use of a supply installation for chemicals for the treatment of the cable film;

(19) FIG. 17 shows the use of a stripping aid for the treatment of the cable film;

(20) FIG. 18 shows the use of a wire brush for the treatment of the cable film;

(21) FIG. 19 shows the use of a circular knife for the treatment of the cable film;

(22) FIG. 20 shows an isometric illustration of an electrical cable according to FIG. 1 during the removal of the cable sheath in the form of a cable window;

(23) FIG. 21 shows the electrical cable according to FIG. 20 having an exposed and treated cable film in a window-shaped cable portion;

(24) FIG. 22 shows a device for removing in an automated manner a cable film from a cable portion of an electrical cable to be processed;

(25) FIG. 23 shows the schematic use of a device for removing in an automated manner a cable film from a cable portion of an electrical cable to be processed, for compressing the cable film according to the invention;

(26) FIG. 24 shows a device for processing an electrical cable, comprising a functional group of mutually independent modules and a transport installation; and

(27) FIG. 25 shows a system for assembling electrical cables.

(28) Illustrated in the cross section in FIG. 1 is an electrical cable to which the method according to the invention is to be advantageously applied. The electrical cable 1 which is illustrated in a purely exemplary manner and highly schematic in terms of the size ratios is a coaxial cable having an inner conductor 2 which is electrically isolated from a braided cable shield, or outer conductor 4, respectively, by an isolator/dielectric, or insulation material 3, respectively. The insulation material 3 can be silicone rubber, for example. A cable film 5 is disposed about the braided cable shield 4. The electrical cable 1 is finally surrounded by a cable sheath 6. All components of the electrical cable 1 are disposed coaxially in relation to a common cable central axis M. The braided cable shield 4 presently assumes the task of an electromagnetic shield and of the electrical return conductor and can be constructed, for example, from copper having a protective tin layer (“skin”) that is applied to the external circumference.

(29) In principle, the invention can be used for cables of arbitrary construction, in particular also for a cable in which the braided cable shield, or the outer conductor 4, respectively, is disposed directly below the cable sheath 6 and directly above the cable film 5. The insulation material 3 can in this case follow directly below the cable film 5, for example.

(30) Depending on the construction of the cable film 5, the cable film 5 can even improve the electromagnetic shield, guarantee the mechanical stability and/or the tightness, in particular in relation to moisture, and prevent wedging of the cable sheath 6 on the braided cable shield 4, or on the individual strands of the braided cable shield 4, respectively, as a result of which peeling the cable sheath 6 from the braided cable shield 4 when stripping can be made possible in the first place.

(31) It is known that a cable film 5 of this type which can in principle be disposed at any arbitrary location within the cable 1, for example also between the braided cable shield 4 and the insulation material 3, or between the insulation material 3 and the inner conductor 2, can be removed only manually and also only with high complexity in the course of assembling a cable. The reason therefor is the intended high mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5.

(32) In principle, a plurality of cable films 5 can also be provided within the electrical cable 1; for example, a further cable film 5 can be provided between the insulation material 3 and the inner conductor 2 (this not being the case in the exemplary embodiment). The invention can thus also be used for removing a plurality of cable films 5 from an electrical cable 1.

(33) The electrical cable 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely one of a multiplicity of electrical cables 1 the cable film(s) 5 of the latter being able to be removed while using the method according to the invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are to serve as a further example. In principle however, the invention is not to be understood to be limited to the use with a specific type of cable 1.

(34) FIG. 2 shows a cable 1 which is substantially identical to that in FIG. 1. Said cable 1 of FIG. 2 however has four inner conductors 2 which are in each case electrically isolated from one another (not illustrated for the sake of simplicity). The invention is thus in particular not to be understood to be limited to the use of a cable 1 having a specific number of inner conductors 2. Furthermore, the invention is not to be understood to be limited to a cable 1 in which an insulation material 3 and/or braided cable shield 4 are present in the first place. The invention can also be used, for example, for removing the cable film 5 of an electrical cable 1 which has only one or a plurality of inner conductors 2 in the form of strands which are in each case or conjointly surrounded by a cable film 5.

(35) FIG. 3 in an exemplary manner shows a further electrical cable 1 which can be processed according to the invention. The electrical cable 1 illustrated is particularly suitable as a cable 1 for use with electrical vehicle propulsion systems. The cable 1 has two inner conductors 2 which are in each case surrounded by the insulation material 3. In order for an ideally round overall cross section to be obtained for the cable 1, the two separately isolated inner conductors 2 are surrounded by a filler material 3′ (filler). The braided cable shield 4 which is encased by the cable film 5 runs on the filler material 3′. A cable sheath 6 which encases the cable film 5 is finally also provided for the cable 1 of FIG. 3.

(36) A processing of a cable by method steps according to the invention is demonstrated in an exemplary manner in FIGS. 4 to 9.

(37) FIG. 10 shows a further optional step in order for the braided cable shield 4 to be inverted. To the extent that the braided cable shield 4 is disposed directly below the cable sheath 6 and above the cable film 5, the inversion of the braided cable shield 4 can take place in the context of exposing the cable film 5, or else optionally after the cable sheath 6 has been stripped.

(38) FIGS. 4 to 10 show in each case the electrical cable 1 having the cable portion A to be processed in an isometric illustration. The illustrated cable portion A to be processed is presently an end portion of the electrical cable 1.

(39) It can be provided that the cable film 5 is initially at least partially exposed in the cable portion A to be processed, as is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. This preferably takes place in the context of processing the cable by a first module MD1 of a functional group 32 of mutually independent modules, as will yet be described hereunder in particular in the context of FIG. 24. To this end, the cable sheath 6, in particular while using a knife 7 indicated only in a schematic manner, can be scored in an at least partially encircling manner in a manner known, preferably in such a manner that one or a plurality of webs remain, or a narrow encircling ring of the cable sheath remains, and the underlying cable film 5 thus ideally remains undamaged. FIG. 4 shows a fully encircling cut 8 which along the longitudinal axis, or the cable central axis M, defines the length of the cable portion A to be processed.

(40) The scoring and the stripping, or the partial stripping, respectively, of the cable sheath 5 by the knife 7 is preferably performed in an automated manner.

(41) In the context of this method step, or in the context of the processing by the first module MD1, respectively, or in the context of the processing of the cable 1 by a mounting module 33, upstream of the first module MD1, it can optionally be provided that at least one plug connector part is mounted on the cable 1, for example having a seal ring 34 which is illustrated with dashed lines in FIG. 4.

(42) It is illustrated in FIG. 5 that, upon incorporating the cut 8, the severed cable sheath, or the severed piece 6′ of the cable sheath, respectively, in the direction of the arrow is at least in part stripped from the electrical cable 1 in the longitudinal direction, or in the axial direction (along the cable central axis M), in such a manner that the cable film 5 is at least partially exposed and becomes accessible for the following method steps. This method step can also take place in the context of processing the cable by the first module MD1.

(43) In most instances, the cable film 5 is wound in the form of strips, or helically wound, respectively, onto the components of the cable 1 that are situated below the former, this presently being the braided cable shield 4, as is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10 and in FIGS. 21 to 23. This is however not mandatory.

(44) As is indicated in FIG. 6, upon exposing the cable film 5 and prior to removing the cable film 5, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment, at least in an external layer 9 of the cable film 5 that faces away from the cable central axis M, that the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 is reduced at least in the region of an envisaged tearing position R.sub.P. The envisaged tearing position R.sub.P is indicated in FIG. 6 and is preferably located on or close to the cutting edge of the remaining cable sheath 6. This preferably takes place in the context of processing the cable by a second module MD2 of the functional group 32, downstream of the first module MD1, as will yet be described hereunder in particular in the context of FIG. 24.

(45) Furthermore shown in FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, showing a schematic section through the cable film 5, wherein surrounding and inner parts of the cable 1 are not illustrated for the sake of simplification. Illustrated in the detailed view are first the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, and also an internal layer 10 of the cable film 5 that is situated below the external layer 9. The cable film 5 illustrated in the exemplary embodiment is a composite film of at least two individual layers, wherein the internal layer 10 is formed from at least one of the individual layers, and the external layer 9 is formed from the further individual layer/layers (presently a second individual layer), and wherein the internal layer 10 is preferably formed in such a manner that the latter in mechanical terms breaks more easily than the external layer 9. It can be in particular provided here that a composite film of a plastics material, preferably PET, and a metal, preferably aluminum or copper, is used, wherein the external layer 9 is composed of an individual layer of the plastics material, and the internal layer 10 is composed of a further individual layer of the metal.

(46) In principle, it can also be provided that a cable film 5 is composed of only a single individual layer, or of a single base material, respectively. The external layer 9 here can comprise the complete cable film 5 or else a sub-region, wherein the internal layer 10 comprises the remaining sub-region, or no internal layer 10 is provided. It can also be provided that a plurality of cable films 5 which are in each case composed of an individual layer (or a plurality of individual layers) are used so as to be layered on top of one another. This is also to be understood to be a cable film 5, or a composite film, respectively, according to the invention.

(47) In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the mechanical load-bearing capability is reduced at least in a partially ring-shaped manner, completely or encircling in portions along the circumference of the cable film 5.

(48) The mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 can be reduced in particular by (partially) removing the external layer 9, embossing the external layer 9, or perforating the external layer 9. It can be provided, for example, that a tear 11 at the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P is incorporated in the cable film 5 in such a manner that the tear 11 extends through the external layer 9 (as is illustrated in FIG. 6) and preferably at least partially through the internal layer 10 of the cable film 5 that is situated below the external layer 9.

(49) In the exemplary embodiment, the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 can be reduced in particular in that the torsional strength and/or the flexural strength of the cable film 5, in particular of the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, is reduced, and/or in that the brittleness of the external layer 9 of the cable film 5 is increased. A tear 11, or any other optically visible influence on the cable film 5 here is not mandatory—the mechanical influence can also take place in an invisible manner, for example by chemical modifications in the cable film 5.

(50) Illustrated in the detailed view of FIG. 6 is a partially ring-shaped tear 11 at the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, or the external layer 9 has been subtracted/removed in a partially ring-shaped manner along the circumference of the cable film 5, respectively. The predetermined breaking point created as a result can optionally be sufficient for the cable film 5 to be subsequently easily removed. However, the mechanical load-bearing capability is preferably ideally reduced in a completely encircling manner along the circumference of the cable 5, or the external layer 9 is ideally completely subtracted, respectively. A partially ring-shaped tear 11 is presently shown predominantly for highlighting and illustrating the external layer 9 and the internal layer 10 in a common illustration.

(51) According to the invention, a thermal treatment, a chemical treatment, and an abrasive treatment, a suctioning procedure and/or adhesive bonding and stripping of a stripping aid 12 can be provided in order for the cable film 5 to be removed, or for facilitating the removal of the cable film 5, in particular in that the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 is reduced, in particular at the tearing position R.sub.P, by the aforementioned measures. The cable film 5 can also be scored.

(52) The thermal treatment here can in particular comprise a melting process. Two possibilities of thermal pre-processing in the form of a melting process are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15.

(53) It is shown in FIG. 13 how two heated molding tools 13 in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P are moved to the cable film 5, or to the cable 1, respectively, on both sides. The heated contact faces 14 of the molding tools 13 can be, for example, blunt tool blades, for example having a width of 1 mm or more, which are however not capable of scoring the cable film 5. As an alternative to the use of two molding tools 13, only one molding tool 13, or three, four or even more molding tools 13 can be used; after the melting, webs along the circumference of the cable film 5 between the molding tools 13 can optionally also remain in the external layer 9 of the cable film 5. When one molding tool, or a plurality of molding tools 13, that does/do not fully comprise the cable film 5 have/has been used, the molding tool 13 and/or the electrical cable 5 can be optionally rotated during the thermal pre-processing so as to enable melting along the circumference of the cable 1.

(54) In principle, it can be optionally provided that the at least one molding tool 13 during the processing is moved along the circumference of the cable 1 about the cable 1.

(55) A further potential design embodiment for the thermal treatment in which two heated molding tools 13 are again actuated toward the cable film 5, or toward the cable 1, respectively, on both sides is illustrated in FIG. 14. The molding tools 13 here are offset in the axial direction and, when actuated toward the cable 1, move past one another. Advantageous centering of the cable 1 between the molding tools 13 can advantageously be enabled as a result, this potentially improving the processing of the cable film 5.

(56) A further example of a thermal treatment for fusing or melting the cable film 5, at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, is illustrated in FIG. 15. Instead of a heated molding tool 13, a heating wire, or a heating coil 15, respectively, is used here, wherein the cable 1 (alternatively or additionally also the heating wire 15) can be rotated during the pre-processing, as is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 15.

(57) A melting temperature which is higher than the melting temperature of the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, but lower than the melting temperature of the internal layer 10 of the cable film 5 and/or the melting temperature of other components of the cable 1, in particular of the braided cable shield 14, of the insulation material 3 and/or of the at least one inner conductor 2 of the cable 1 is preferably used for the melting process. For example, a melting temperature of 100° C. to 1000° C. or more, preferably 200° C. to 800° C., particularly preferably 300° C. to 700° C., and most particularly preferably 300° C. to 400° C., for example 360° C. to 380° C., can be provided. The melting temperature can be controllable.

(58) As opposed to the detailed view in FIG. 6, it can also be provided that not only the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, but also the internal layer 10 of the cable film 5 is subtracted, or the mechanical load-bearing capability of the latter is reduced (by an arbitrary variant according to the invention for removing or facilitating the removal of the cable film).

(59) For example, it can be provided that a melting temperature is chosen in such a manner that the external layer 9 and the internal layer 10 of the cable film 5 are melted while the components of the electrical cable 1 that are situated therebelow remain undamaged.

(60) The thermal treatment can also be designed in such a manner that the cable film 5 is firmly removed, or melted, across at least a partial length, optionally across the entire length of the cable portion A to be processed.

(61) In the course of a thermal treatment it can also be provided that a refrigeration process is carried out. For example, icing while using liquid nitrogen or any other refrigerant can be provided here at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, as a result of which the brittleness at least of the external layer 9 of the cable film 5 can be increased.

(62) Further possibilities for reducing the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5, optionally also for the direct complete removal of the cable film 5, are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19.

(63) A supply installation 16 for chemicals is shown in FIG. 16, as a result of which a chemical treatment can take place. For example, an add, a base or any other chemical which initiates a reaction with the material of the cable film 5, in particular with the external layer 9, for example in the form of oxidation, can be supplied by the supply installation 16, as a result of which the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 is reduced. The mentioned liquid nitrogen can furthermore be supplied by the supply installation 16 (however, a dedicated refrigerated supply installation can also be is provided to this end). The cable 1 (or the supply installation 16) can preferably be rotated while the chemical is being supplied.

(64) Pre-processing by way of a stripping aid 12 is illustrated in FIG. 17. It is provided here that the stripping aid 12 is adhesively bonded to the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, or connected in a materially integral manner, respectively, to the external layer 9, at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, whereupon the stripping aid 12 is moved in the direction of the arrow, in the radial direction, away from the cable central axis M, as a result of which the cable film 5, but at least the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, tears/tears off. Optionally, the cable film 5 can already be completely removed as a result thereof. A plurality of stripping aids 12, for example two, three, four or even more stripping aids 12, can also be disposed so as to be distributed along the circumference of the cable film 5. The stripping aid(s) 12 can have a concave shape so as to be able to be adhesively bonded to the cable film 5 over an ideally lame area. A rotating movement of the stripping aid 12 of the cable 1 can optionally also lead to the cable film 5 tearing.

(65) In a similar, alternative variant, a suctioning process can also be provided instead of the stripping aid 12. The cable film 5, or the external layer 9 of the cable film 5, respectively, here can be suctioned by a suctioning installation (not illustrated) at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P and as a result thereof be torn/torn off or stripped, respectively.

(66) As an example of an abrasive treatment, a wire brush 17 which is moved across the surface of the cable film 5, or across the external layer 9, respectively, for example in that the electrical cable 1 is rotated, the external layer 9 and/or the internal layer 10 as a result thereof being subtracted, is schematically illustrated in FIG. 17. Instead of a wire brush 17, comparable abrasive means, for example a grinding installation or a plastics brush, can also be provided.

(67) With a view to scoring the cable film 5, the knife 7 which has been indicated and described in FIG. 4 can be reused, for example, or the cutting installation 22 yet to be described hereunder can be used. A circular knife 35 as is illustrated in FIG. 19 can preferably also be used for treating the cable film 5. The circular knife 35 can roll on the circumference of the cable 1, or on the circumference of the cable film 5, respectively, as a result of which damage to components of the cable 1 that are situated below the cable film can be avoided. The circular knife 35 can selectively be moved about the cable 1, or the cable 1 can be rotated during the processing, as is illustrated. Moving or rolling the circular knife 35 along the circumference of the cable film 5 and simultaneously rotating the cable 1 is also possible.

(68) Prior to removing the cable film 5, it can be provided that the cable portion A to be processed is twisted and/or bent in such a manner that the cable film 5 in the cable portion A, in particular at the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, tears in a ring-shaped encircling manner, as is indicated in FIG. 7. This preferably takes place in the context of processing the cable by a third module MD3 of the functional group 32, downstream of the second module MD2, as is yet to be described hereunder in particular in the context of FIG. 24. In particular when the brittleness of the cable film 5, thus the tendency to break under mechanical stress, is increased by reducing the mechanical load-bearing capability at least of the external layer 9 of the cable film 5 at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, the cable film 5 easily tears at the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P upon corresponding mechanical stress. An optionally already existing, for example partially ring-shaped encircling, tear 11 which has been incorporated by one of the aforementioned treatments, in particular as per FIGS. 12 to 19, can be reinforced as a result thereof, until the cable film 5 has been completely torn. A tear 11 may however be formed in the first place only as a result thereof. After the mechanical stress on the cable portion A to be processed, the cable film 5 is preferably completely severed.

(69) Actuators can be used for twisting and/or bending the cable portion A to be processed. For example, FIG. 11 shows the use of four linear actuators 18 for bending the cable portion A to be processed in two degrees of freedom. As a result thereof, a movement as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 7 can be generated. Of course, arbitrary actuators can be provided for carrying out a movement of this type or a similar movement that leads to mechanical stress on the cable film 5 and ultimately to the latter tearing.

(70) For example, a rotational installation, for example an eccentric 19, can also be used for twisting the cable portion A to be processed, as is illustrated in FIG. 12. The illustration of FIG. 12 in terms of the dimensions thereof is exaggerated and is to be understood as merely schematic

(71) It can be provided for the cable 1 during the method step of twisting and/or bending to be fixed in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P. For example, the previously described molding tools 13 in the case of a thermal treatment of the cable film 5 can still remain closed until the method step of twisting and/or bending is completed.

(72) After the method step of twisting and/or bending, preferably prior to further method steps, it can moreover be provided for the cable 1, or at least the cable portion A to be processed, first to be straightened. For example, two molding tools or blunt blades can be actuated toward the cable 1 to this end.

(73) After tearing, the cable film, or the severed piece 5′ of the cable film, respectively, can optionally be compressed in the axial direction along the cable central axis M, as is indicated by the two arrows in FIG. 8. This preferably likewise takes place in the context of processing the cable by the third module MD3 of the functional group 32.

(74) The compression takes place prior to the piece 5′ of the cable film being removed from the portion A to be processed, or otherwise however at any arbitrary point in time during the processing of the cable. The previously described sequence of the method steps is thus to be understood as merely exemplary. The cable film 5 or the piece 5′ of the cable film is preferably compressed once the cable film 5 has at least been partially exposed, particularly preferably once the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 has been reduced, and most particularly preferably once the piece 5′ of the cable film has been torn off by the twisting and/or bending.

(75) The piece 5′ of the cable film is preferably indirectly compressed in that a sheath encasing the cable film 5 is compressed. In the exemplary embodiment, the piece 5′ of the cable film is indirectly compressed by compressing the piece 6′ of the cable sheath. In principle however, indirect compressing can also take place by compressing another sheath, for example by compressing a casing (not illustrated) that has been subsequently applied to the exposed cable film 5.

(76) After compressing, the piece 5 of the cable film is finally removed from the cable portion A to be processed. This also preferably takes place in the context of processing the cable by the third module MD3 of the functional group 32. When the cut-off cable sheath, or the piece 6′ of the cable sheath, respectively, has not yet been completely removed from the cable 1, as is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, the piece 5′ of the cable film can be stripped conjointly with the piece 6′ of the cable sheath (cf. FIG. 9) because the cable film 5, depending on the embodiment, in most instances readily adheres to the cable sheath 6. In principle however, the piece 5′ of the cable film after compressing can be removed from the cable portion A to be processed in an arbitrary manner, for example in that the piece 5′ of the cable film is brushed off, blown off, unwound and/or wiped off. It can also be provided for the piece 5′ of the cable film and/or for the piece 6′ of the cable sheath to be removed in that the cutting installation 22, for example a knife 7 described in FIG. 4, is actuated radially toward the cable central axis M and an axial movement of the cable 1 and/or of the knife 7 is subsequently carried out in order for the piece 5′ of the cable film and/or the piece 6′ of the cable sheath to be wiped off. The component of the electrical cable 1, presently the braided cable shield 4, that is situated below the cable film 5 is subsequently exposed.

(77) Once the piece 5′ of the cable film has been removed, further customary and known measures can be provided for assembling or for further stripping the electrical cable 1 (depending on the requirement). It is illustrated in an exemplary and schematic manner in FIG. 10 how the exposed braided cable shield 4 has been folded back toward the rear along the cable central axis M so as to be fastened to a plug connector (not illustrated) and to be electrically connected to the latter, for example. Subsequently, the insulation material 3 could still be removed, and the inner conductor 2 will be exposed and be contacted by a plug connector not illustrated.

(78) It can also be provided that the functional group 32 has a fourth module MD4, downstream of the third module MD3, which is configured for attaching a support sleeve or any other component of a plug connector to the cable 1.

(79) Even further modules can be provided in the context of the processing of the cable 1 by the functional group 32.

(80) The cable portion A to be processed can be a cable end piece already illustrated. This can however also be a cable window as is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21. A cable window here can be stripped in a known manner, for example in that two ring-shaped encircling cuts 8 and one longitudinal cut 20 are incorporated in the cable sheath 6 between the ring-shaped cuts 8, as is indicated in FIG. 20. These method steps also preferably take place in an automated manner. Subsequently, the cable sheath, or a severed piece 6′ of the cable sheath, respectively, can be removed as a result of which the cable film 5, which in the exemplary embodiment is situated therebelow, is exposed. Finally, the steps already mentioned above can be carried out in an analogous manner in order for the cable film 5 to be removed. In this case, for example, two tearing positions RP can also be provided, or it can be provided that the mechanical load-bearing capability is reduced in an at least partially ring-shaped manner, completely, or in portions encircling, at two locations disposed so as to be distributed along the cable central axis M, respectively, whereupon the cable film 5 is twisted between the envisaged tearing positions RP, for example, as a result of which said cable film 5 tears off at the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P. The cable film 5 can subsequently be compressed, for example in that the two ends of the open cable sheath 6 are converged so as to indirectly compress the cable film 5. The severed central portion of the cable film 5 can consequently be easily removed. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided for the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 to be reduced along the cable central axis M, as is indicated by the tearing position R.sub.P illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 21.

(81) A device 21 for removing in an automated manner the cable film 5 from a cable portion A of an electric cable 1 to be processed is schematically illustrated in FIG. 22. FIG. 22 in terms of an overview shows a device in which, inter alia, the features of the modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 of the functional group 32 have been combined. According to the invention, the features which have been illustrated in combination in FIG. 22 are however preferably distributed among the individual modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 of the functional group 32. In the context of the invention, an arbitrary combination of the features shown in the context of FIG. 22.

(82) Provided can be at least one heating wire 15, at least one molding tool 13, at least one refrigerated supply installation (not illustrated), at least one stripping aid 12, at least one suctioning installation (not illustrated) and/or at least one supply installation 16 for chemicals, so as to treat at least one external layer 9 of the cable film 5, the latter in the region of the cable portion A to be processed being at least partially exposed, that faces away from the cable central axis M, so as to remove the cable film 5 or, for facilitating the removal of the cable film 5, so as to reduce the mechanical load-bearing capability of the latter at least in the region of the envisaged tearing position R.sub.P. Means for twisting and/or bending the cable portion A to be processed (for example at least one linear actuator 18 and/or one rotational installation, or an eccentric 19, respectively) can be provided here.

(83) A cutting installation 22 for scoring and optionally for stripping, or for partially stripping, respectively, the cable sheath 6 can finally also be provided. All components can be configured so as to be actuatable, as is indicated by the respective double arrows in FIG. 22. As a means for twisting and/or bending the cable portion to be processed, a single linear actuator 18 is illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIG. 22; as has been described above however, an arbitrary number of actuators of an arbitrary construction mode can be provided.

(84) Furthermore illustrated is a roller 23 for stripping off the piece 6′ of the cable sheath. When the piece 5′ of the cable film is not, or not completely, removed by the piece 6′ of the cable sheath being stripped off, a nozzle 24 for blowing off the piece 5′ of the cable film from the cable 1 while using compressed air can also be provided, for example.

(85) In a preferred embodiment it can be provided for the cable sheath 6, or the piece 6′ of the cable sheath/the stripped piece, respectively, to be stripped conjointly with the piece 5′ of the cable film from the cable portion A to be processed. A gripping installation, for example the fixing installation, holding installation, at least one molding knife etc., can be provided to this end, said gripping installation gripping the piece 6′ of the cable sheath at an advantageous location, whereupon the gripping installation is and/or the cable 1 are/is moved in the axial direction in order for the piece 6′ of the cable sheath and the piece 5′ of the cable film to be stripped. The advantageous location is preferably situated ideally close to the exposed cable portion. It can be provided for a specific pressure to be exerted on the piece 6′ of the cable sheath by means of the gripping installation, so as to ensure that the piece 5′ of the cable film is indeed stripped conjointly with the piece 6′ of the cable sheath. For this reason, the actuation of the gripping installation toward the cable 1 can be controlled by way of the contact pressure and not by way of a radial position.

(86) Finally, the device 21 illustrated in an exemplary manner moreover has a cable supply installation 25 for the electrical cable 1.

(87) The invention can advantageously be provided within a system 26 for assembling electrical cables 1. A system 26 for assembling electrical cables 1 is illustrated in FIG. 25. Here, an end portion of the cable 1 is provided with a plug connector part, for example a support sleeve 27, while using a plurality of installations operating in a cycled manner, or a device according to the method according to the invention, respectively. The system 26 can comprise, for example, an installation 28 for cutting to length the cable 1, an installation 30 for opening, erecting and/or inverting a braided cable shield 4, an installation 31 for attaching and contacting a plug connector part, and a device 21 for processing the cable 1 according to the above embodiments, or as described in the exemplary embodiment by means of FIGS. 1 to 23, respectively. Of course, even further devices, or the multiple use of devices or modules within the system 26, can also be provided. The sequence of the processing of the electrical cable 1 can vary depending on the application. The system 26 illustrated is to be understood as merely exemplary.

(88) A fragment of the module MD3 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3 for visualizing some advantageous refinements of the invention.

(89) It can be provided that the cable film 5 or the piece 5′ of the cable film is compressed in that the sheath 6 or the piece 6′ of the sheath is held at a first holding position H.sub.1, and wherein the cable 1 is held at a first fixing position F.sub.1 that in the axial direction is spaced apart from the first holding position H.sub.1, whereupon the first holding position H.sub.1 and the first fixing position F.sub.1 are mutually converged. The portion a.sub.1 of the cable film 5, or of the piece 5′ of the cable film, respectively, that in the axial direction extends between the first holding position H.sub.1 and the first fixing position F.sub.1 can thus be compressed so as to facilitate the subsequent removal of the piece 5′ of the cable film.

(90) The first fixing position F.sub.1 is preferably situated outside the cable portion A to be processed, as is illustrated in FIG. 23. As a result thereof, an existing installation for supplying the cable, for example the cable supply installation 25 of FIG. 22, can in particular be reused for fixing the cable 1 at the first fixing position F.sub.1 and for the subsequent relative movement. The first fixing position F.sub.1 is preferably actuated toward the first holding position H.sub.1.

(91) It can be advantageous for the cable film 5 or the piece 5′ of the cable film to be compressed sequentially in a plurality of portions a.sub.1, a.sub.2, a.sub.3 along the cable central axis M. Compressing in portions can be particularly suitable for long cable portions A. An arbitrary number of portions can be provided, in particular as a function of the axial length of the cable portion A. Three portions a.sub.1, a.sub.2, a.sub.3 are indicated in an exemplary manner in FIG. 23.

(92) To this end it can be provided that different holding positions H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3 (and/or fixing positions) that in the axial direction are spaced apart along the cable central axes M are used, wherein the portions a.sub.1, a.sub.2, a.sub.3 to be compressed run between holding pairs which are in each case formed from one holding position H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3 and one fixing position F.sub.1, whereupon for all formed holding pairs the holding position H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3 thereof and the fixing position F.sub.1 are sequentially mutually converged. It can be particularly advantageous for the first fixing position F.sub.1 to be used so as to form corresponding pairs with a plurality of holding positions H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3, wherein the fixing position F.sub.1 is sequentially actuated toward the respective holding position H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3, while the holding positions H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3 remain unchanged. This is illustrated in FIG. 23. For example, compressing can first take place in the first portion a.sub.1, between the first holding position H.sub.1 and the first fixing position F.sub.1, subsequently in the second portion a.sub.2, between the second holding position H.sub.2 and the first fixing position F.sub.1, and again subsequently in the third portion a.sub.3, between the third holding position H.sub.3 and the first fixing position F.sub.1. In this way, an arbitrary number of portions (even only one or two portions) can ultimately be compressed in a temporal sequence.

(93) The sheath 6 or the piece 6′ of the sheath is preferably held at the at least one holding position H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3 and/or at the at least one fixing position F.sub.1 by means of the cutting installation 22 and/or by means of the molding tool 13. In order for the sheath 6 to be held at the first fixing position F.sub.1, the cable supply installation 25 can also be advantageously used. In principle however, an arbitrary holding installation and/or an arbitrary fixing installation can be provided.

(94) It can be provided that a single holding installation (for example, a single cutting installation 22 or a single molding tool 13) is used for sequentially holding the sheath 6 or the piece 6′ of the sheath at the different holding positions H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3. To this end, it can be provided, for example, that the holding installation first holds the piece 6′ of the sheath at the first holding position H.sub.1, whereupon the fixing installation is actuated toward the holding installation, or compressing takes place along the first portion a.sub.1, respectively. The holding installation can subsequently be released from the first holding position H.sub.1 and actuated toward the second holding position H.sub.2 in that the holding installation and/or the cable 1 are/is moved in the axial direction. Compressing can subsequently take place along the second portion a.sub.2, followed by the third portion a.sub.3, where the procedure is analogous. It can however also be provided that the plurality of holding installations which are in each case assigned to one holding position H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3 and are successively actuated for sequentially fixing the sheath 6, or the piece 6′ of the sheath, are used. The holding installations can thus be configured so as to be mobile, or an axial displacement of the cable 1 in the course of the sequential compression can be dispensed with.

(95) It can also be provided for the sheath 6 or the piece 6′ of the sheath to be simultaneously held at more than one holding position H.sub.1, H.sub.2, H.sub.3, while the sheath 6 or the piece 6′ of the sheath, respectively, is compressed according to the invention.

(96) FIG. 24 finally shows a device 21 for processing an electrical cable 1 having a sheath 6 and, lying therebelow, a cable film 5, comprising a functional group 32 of mutually dependent modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 for removing a piece 6′ of the sheath and a piece 5′ of the cable film from the cable 1′.

(97) The functional group 32 has a first module MD1 for severing the piece 6′ of the sheath from the cable 1, a second module MD2, downstream of the first module MD1, for reducing the mechanical load-bearing capability of the cable film 5 at an envisaged tearing position R.sub.P, and a third module MD3, downstream of the module MD2, for removing in an automated manner the piece 6′ of the sheath and the piece 5′ of the cable film from the cable 1.

(98) Further modules can optionally also be provided. A mounting module 33, upstream of the first module MD1, for mounting at least one plug connector part, for example the seal ring 34, on the cable 1, is illustrated in the exemplary manner by dashed lines. A fourth module MD4, downstream of the third module MD3, for attaching a support sleeve 27 to the cable 1 is likewise illustrated by dashed lines as a further example.

(99) Provided in the exemplary embodiment is a transport installation 36 for successively actuating a cable portion A, of the cable portion 1, to be processed toward the modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 of the functional group 32. The transport installation 36 can also be dispensed with, depending on the volumes to be produced. The cables 1, or the cable portions A, respectively, in this case can also be transported between the modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 of the functional group 32 by a production operator, for example also while resorting to a roller conveyor. The transport installation 36 is preferably configured in the manner of a workpiece carrier system or of a production line, and transports a plurality of cables 1 from one module to the next module so as to ideally keep all modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 permanently busy and to thus obtain a high throughput in the processing of the cables.

(100) The transport installation 36 can have one or a plurality of gripping installations 37 or workpiece carriers, so as to fix one or a plurality of cables 1 for transporting or for processing by the modules 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4, for example to fix said cables 1 also so as to be secured against rotation. The gripping installations 37, upon approaching module 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4, can moreover be configured for actuating the cable 1, or at least the cable portion A to be processed, to the module 33 MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4 for processing, in particular for introducing said cable 1 into the corresponding module 33, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4.

(101) The invention also relates to a computer program product having program code means for carrying out a method according to the above embodiments when the program is executed on a control unit of a device 21 for processing an electrical cable 1.