Abstract
A cable processing apparatus has a crimping device loadable with an exchangeable crimping cassette, the cable processing apparatus including a crimping cassette exchanging device. The crimping cassette exchanging device includes carriages, each carriage having a crimping cassette holding device adapted to attach to and to detach from a crimping cassette; a horizontal carriage guide for providing a substantially horizontal guided movement of the carriages; a vertical carriage guide for providing a substantially vertical guided movement of a carriage from an initial vertical position to the crimping device or vice-versa, wherein the vertical carriage guide is arranged relative to the horizontal carriage guide such that one of the carriages is vertically movable at a time; a carriage shifting device adapted to controllably perform the horizontal guided movement; and a carriage lifting device adapted to controllably perform the vertical guided movement.
Claims
1. A cable processing apparatus (100) having a crimping device (110) loaded with an exchangeable crimping cassette (200, 200a, 200b), the cassette having a crimping tool attached thereto, the cable processing apparatus (100) comprising a crimping cassette exchanging device (120), wherein the crimping cassette exchanging device (120) comprises: a plurality of carriages (130a, 130b), each carriage (130a, 130b) having a crimping cassette holding device (140a, 140b) adapted to attach to and to detach from a crimping cassette (200, 200a, 200b); a horizontal carriage guide for providing a substantially horizontal guided movement of the carriages (130a, 130b); a vertical carriage guide (165) for providing a substantially vertical guided movement of a carriage (130a, 130b) from an initial vertical position to the crimping device (110) or vice-versa, wherein the vertical carriage guide (165) is arranged relative to the horizontal carriage guide such that one of the plurality of carriages (130a, 130b) is vertically movable at a time; a carriage shifting device (150) adapted to controllably perform the horizontal guided movement; a carriage lifting device (160) adapted to controllably perform the vertical guided movement; wherein the cable processing apparatus further comprises a control device adapted to control the horizontal guided movement or the vertical guided movement according to a carriage selection signal.
2. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, the carriages (130a, 130b) each comprising a coupling mechanism (136a, 136b, 137b) having mutually matching counterparts to couple to neighboring ones when each of the respective neighboring carriages (130a, 130b) is in its respective initial vertical position, wherein the coupling mechanism (136a, 136b, 137b) is designed such that the counterparts are detached from one another when any one of the neighboring carriages (130a, 130b) is lifted from its respective initial vertical position.
3. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal carriage guide comprises at least one first horizontal guiderail (156a, 156b) and at least one second horizontal guiderail (157a, 157b) arranged such that a horizontal gap (158) is provided in between the horizontal guiderails (156a, 157a, 156b, 157b) in the horizontal direction, the vertical carriage guide (165) being arranged such that it extends, at least partially, through the horizontal gap.
4. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 3, wherein the gap width of the horizontal gap substantially corresponds to a total width of a carriage (130a, 130b) in the horizontal direction.
5. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the crimping cassette holding device (140a, 140b) comprises at least one clamping holder (141a, 141b, 142a, 142b) for attaching to the crimping cassette (200, 200a, 200b).
6. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 5, wherein the clamping holder (141a, 141b, 142a, 142b) is adapted to lift the crimping cassette (200, 200a, 200b) for establishing the attachment.
7. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the carriage shifting device (150) and/or the carriage lifting device (160) is operated pneumatically.
8. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the carriage shifting device (150) and/or the carriage lifting device (160) is operated electrically.
9. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein each carriage (130a, 130b) comprises an arresting device (131a, 131b) for releaseably arresting at least one carriage (130a, 130b) with the carriage lifting device (160).
10. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the crimping device (110) comprises a locking device (111) for releaseably locking the loaded crimping cassette (200, 200a, 200b).
11. The cable processing apparatus (100) according to claim 10, wherein the locking device (111) comprises a centering unit for centering the loaded crimping cassette, typically a centering hole (112) for mating with a corresponding centering bolt (202) of the crimping cassette (200, 200a, 200b).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The subject matter of the disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are assigned to like or corresponding parts.
(2) In the drawings:
(3) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
(4) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary crimping cassette useable in connection with the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(5) FIG. 3 is a perspective detailed view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(7) FIG. 5 is a perspective detailed view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective detailed view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective detailed view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(10) FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1 and parts of the crimping cassette of FIG. 2;
(11) FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1 and parts of the crimping cassette of FIG. 2;
(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective detailed view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
(13) FIG. 11 is a sectional top view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1 and parts of the crimping cassette of FIG. 2; and
(14) FIG. 12 is a sectional top view of parts of the cable processing apparatus of FIG. 1 and parts of the crimping cassette of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
(15) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 provides an overview of the parts to be described in the following in more detail. In FIG. 1, the cable processing apparatus 100 has a crimping device 110 attached to it. The crimping device 110 comprises e. g. a crimping press, and it is loadable with exchangeable crimping cassettes 200a, 200b, each crimping cassette 200a, 200b comprising a reel of crimping elements, such as crimping contacts. For loading a crimping cassette 200a, 200b to the crimping device 110, it has to be taken into a proper position with respect to the crimping device 110 and attached in an operable or working manner to the crimping device 110, i. e. lifted to the crimping device 110.
(16) FIG. 2 illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary crimping cassette 200 to be used with a cable processing apparatus 100 of an embodiment. Each of the crimping cassettes 200a, 200b may be configured as a general crimping cassette 200 of FIG. 2. The crimping cassette 200 comprises a roller 204 for rolling it to and from a proper position of the cable processing apparatus 100 as described in more detail below.
(17) A crimping tool 210 may be attached to the crimping cassette 200. In a loading operation to the crimping device, the crimping tool 210 is inserted into the crimping press of the crimping device 110.
(18) The crimping cassette 200 comprises an indentation 203 on each of its sides (one of them not shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2) for mating with corresponding parts of a clamping bracket, which is described in more detail below. Furthermore, the crimping cassette 200 comprises a centering bolt 202 for centering the cassette 200 in a proper position in the crimping device 110. Here, centering may refer to a general alignment procedure of the cassette 200 to achieve a proper alignment or arrangement. Moreover, the crimping cassette 200 is provided with an upper holding bolt 206 and a lower holding bolt 207 for clamping the cassette to a corresponding clamping holder, as described in more detail below.
(19) FIG. 3 shows, in a perspective view, a crimping cassette exchanging device 120 in relation with the crimping device 110. The crimping cassette exchanging device 120 is located below a supporting table 115 of the crimping device 110.
(20) The crimping device 110 comprises the crimping press, and a locking device 111 for releasably locking a loaded crimping cassette. The locking device 111 comprises a centering hole 112 for mating with a corresponding centering counterpart on the crimping cassette.
(21) The crimping cassette exchanging device 120 comprises a pair of first horizontal guiderails 156a, 156b and a pair (not shown in FIG. 3) of second horizontal guiderails 157a, 157b arranged such that a horizontal gap 158 (see FIG. 5) is present in between the pair of first horizontal guiderails 156a, 156b and the pair of second horizontal guiderails 157a, 157b. The horizontal guiderails 156a, 156b, 157a, 157b constitute a horizontal carriage guide. Substantially in the same vertical plane, and crossing the horizontal gap 158, there is a vertical carriage guide 165.
(22) A carriage 130a and a carriage 130b (partially hidden in FIG. 3 and better recognizable in FIG. 4) are each provided with a pair of casters or rollers. The carriages 130a, 130b can be moved in the horizontal direction along the horizontal carriage guide. In FIG. 3, both the carriage 130a and the carriage 130b are at a vertical level substantially corresponding to a ground level of a crimp cassette to be attached.
(23) Each of the carriages 130a, 130b is provided with a crimping cassette holding device 140a, 140b for attaching to a crimp cassette. The crimping cassette holding devices 140a, 140b each comprise a shifting plate 143a, 143b for establishing a clamping operation, as described below in more detail.
(24) A carriage shifting device 150 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises a pneumatic drive, such as a double-action pneumatic cylinder, which can be controlled to move, or shift, the carriages 130a, 130b in the horizontal direction along the horizontal carriage guide. Likewise, a carriage lifting device 160 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises a pneumatic drive, such as a rodless pneumatic cylinder, which can be controlled to move, or shift, the carriages 130a, 130b in the vertical direction along the vertical carriage guide 165. These are examples, and one or both of the carriage shifting device 150 and the carriage lifting device 160 may comprise drives other than pneumatic drives, e. g. linear electric drives.
(25) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the crimping cassette exchanging device 120 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the crimping cassette holding devices 140a, 140b are not shown for convenience. Each of the carriages 130a, 130b comprises an arresting device 131a, 131b, which can be controlled to mate with a corresponding counterpart, e. g. an opening, provided on the carriage lifting device 160.
(26) In addition, counterparts such as openings 121, 122 for the arresting devices 131a, 131b can also be provided on fixed parts of the crimping cassette exchanging device 120. The carriages 130a, 130b which are not lifted at a specific point in time when another carriage has been lifted, such as the carriage 130a of FIG. 5 to be discussed below, can be locked into its position by the arresting device 131a being inserted into the opening 121, which can be helpful to prevent an undesirable horizontal movement of the carriage 130a in question. Thus, the carriages which remain in an unlifted position at a certain point in time can be blocked or locked in place, and the carriage which is lifted and finally brought back to its initial vertical position can be coupled to the unlifted carriages in a reliable manner.
(27) In FIG. 4, the carriage 130b has been brought, or shifted, into a position in which it can be moved, by means of the carriage lifting device 160, towards the crimping device. This position is an initial vertical position, and from this position, the carriage 130b is vertically moveable. A catch device 132 is provided to transmit the horizontal movement of the double-action pneumatic cylinder of the carriage shifting device 150 to the carriage 130b. As an example, the catch device 132 is configured with a gripping section which is bifurcated in the downward direction. The two arms of the gripping section are configured to engage with a part of the plunger of the pneumatic cylinder. When the carriage 130b is lifted by the carriage lifting device 160, the two arms of the gripping section disengage from the plunger, such that the upward movement of the carriage 130b is not adversely affected by the catch device 132.
(28) FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4, where the carriage 130b has been lifted, or vertically moved, out of its initial vertical position. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the carriage 130b, as each of the plurality of carriages, is provided with intermediate elements 156c, 157c of the first horizontal guiderail and the second horizontal guiderail, respectively.
(29) In the initial vertical position, e. g. of FIGS. 3 and 4, the carriages 130a, 130b can be guided, or shifted, in rolling engagement via the intermediate elements 156c, 157c. Particularly when more than two carriages 130a, 130b are coupled with each other at the time when the carriage lifting device 160 has brought all carriages 130a, 130b into the initial vertical position, the entire chain of more than two carriages 130a, 130b can be moved, in the horizontal direction, along the paths composed of the first horizontal guiderails 156a, 156b with the intermediate element 156c arranged in the horizontal gap 158 between the guiderails 156a, 156b, and the second horizontal guiderails 157a, 157b with the intermediate element 157c arranged in the horizontal gap 158 between the guiderails 157a, 157b. Thereby, the horizontal gap 158 is bridged by the intermediate elements 156c, 157c. It is noted that the intermediate elements 156c, 157c are configured and arranged such that the upward and downward movement of the carriage 130a, 130b to be lifted or lowered is not negatively affected, e. g. by providing a sufficient space between the horizontal ends of the intermediate elements 156c, 157c and their respective opposite horizontal ends of the horizontal guiderails 156a, 156b and 157a, 157b.
(30) As shown in more detail in the perspective partial view of FIG. 6, each of the carriages 130a, 130b comprises a first part 136a, 136b of a coupling mechanism and a second part 137b of a coupling mechanism. The first parts 136a, 136b are designed such that they mate with a neighboring second part 137b to transmit a movement in the horizontal direction from one carriage 130a to a neighboring carriage 130b. In other words: The first parts 136a, 136b and the second parts 137b form corresponding counterparts of the coupling mechanism.
(31) In this way, a horizontal chain of carriages can be established having a desired length, such as a chain of two, three, four or even more carriages. Initially, some or each of the carriages of the chain may have a crimping cassette 200 attached thereto, wherein the crimping cassettes 200 may each comprise a different crimping tool 210, a different crimping contact, or both.
(32) In FIG. 6, as an example, the respective second parts 137b are designed as coupling bolts which mate with a suitable matching profile of the respective first parts 136a, 136b. When moved in the vertical direction, the first parts 136a, 136b detach from their corresponding second parts 137b, allowing an unhindered movement in the horizontal direction.
(33) FIG. 7 shows a variant of FIG. 5, where the carriage lifting device has been moved, while having lifted a carriage, towards the crimping device (not shown in FIG. 7) on a carriage lifting device guiderail 161. This may help to facilitate the handling of a crimping cassette to be loaded to or unloaded from the crimping device 110.
(34) FIG. 8 illustrates, in a sectional side view, parts of the crimping cassette exchanging device 120 and parts of the crimping cassette 200 according to an embodiment.
(35) In FIG. 8, the shifting plate 143b of the crimping cassette holding device 140b is an unlock position. In the unlock position, the upper clamping holder 141b and the lower clamping holder 142b of the shifting plate 143b are released with respect to the upper holding bolt 206 and the lower holding bolt 207 of the crimping cassette 200, respectively. In this position, the crimping cassette 200 has ground contact and is removable from the crimping cassette holding device 140b, for example in order to refill the crimping contacts, to replace it by another crimping cassette 200 and the like.
(36) By means of a clamping cylinder 144b, e. g. a pneumatic cylinder, the shifting plate 143b is selectably moveable vertically into a clamping position, which is shown in FIG. 9. Here, the upper clamping holder 141b engages the upper holding bolt 206, and the lower clamping holder 142 engages the lower holding bolt 207. Selecting the unlock position and the clamping position may be performed manually by a switch, or automatically, e. g. by means of a sensor device or the like.
(37) In the clamping position, the crimping cassette 200 is slightly lifted, such that—while still being close to the ground—it is freely moveable in the horizontal direction together with the movement of the carriage 130b which it is attached to. The shifting plate 143b is shaped such that both the upper holding bolt 206 and the lower holding bolt 207 are aligned in the sideways direction.
(38) FIG. 10 shows, in a perspective illustration, a detailed view of the locking device 111. Further to the centering hole 112, the locking device 111 is provided with brackets 113 on each of the sides of the locking device.
(39) FIGS. 11 and 12 show, each in a sectional top view, the locking device 111 and parts of a cassette 200 relative to the locking device 111. In FIG. 11, the brackets are in an open position, allowing the cassette 200 to be moved to and from the locking device. A centering bolt provided on the crimping cassette (not shown) mates with the centering hole 112 (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) of the locking device 111, such that the cassette 200 is centered and aligned. In FIG. 12, the brackets 113 are closed, and each bracket 113 engages with one of the indentations 203 provided laterally on the cassette 200. Thereby, the brackets 113 push the cassette 200 towards the locking device 111 and have it tightly fixed thereon.
(40) The locking device 111 is guided, in the horizontal direction, by means of guiding rods (not shown) and can be moved away from the crimping press, e. g. by a pneumatic cylinder.
(41) In this state, the brackets 113 are brought into the open or unlocked position, e. g. by torsion springs. In this open state, the cassette 200 may be moved to or from the locking device, e. g. by the horizontal movement of the carriage lifting device 160 on the carriage lifting device guiderail 161.
(42) For example, the force limit of the device which performs the movement of the locking device 111 is higher than the force limit of the device which performs the horizontal movement of the carriage lifting device 160. The locking device 111 then serves as a mechanical stop for this horizontal movement. In a subsequent retraction movement of the locking device 111, the carriage lifting device 160 continues its movement, and the cassette 200 is brought into its final position. Then, parts of the brackets 113 come into contact with a control surface of the press of the crimping device 110, such that the brackets 113 are closed.
(43) Although the invention has been described on the basis of some preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should appreciate that those embodiments should by no way limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and concept of the present invention, any variations and modifications to the embodiments should be within the apprehension of those with ordinary knowledge and skills in the art, and therefore fall in the scope of the present invention which is defined by the accompanied claims.
