DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A PLUG CONNECTOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for assembling a plug connector (2) on a front end portion of at least one first cable (3.1). The device (1) has a first holding element (13) for holding the first cable (3.1) at a holding portion. The holding portion is arranged downstream of the front end portion along the longitudinal axis (L) of the first cable (3.1) in the direction of a rear cable end. The first holding element (13) is designed to pivot about the front end portion of the first cable (3.1).

Claims

1. A device for assembling a plug connector on a front end portion of at least one first line, having a first holding element for holding the first line on a holding portion which is arranged downstream of the front end portion along the longitudinal axis of the first line in the direction of a rear line end, wherein the first holding element is configured to pivot the front end portion of the first line, and a second holding element for holding a second line on a holding portion is arranged downstream of the front end portion along the longitudinal axis of the second line in the direction of a rear line end, wherein the second holding element is configured to pivot the front end portion of the second line, and wherein the first and second holding elements are configured to either pivot the first and second lines independently from each other or synchronously in opposing directions.

2. (canceled)

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element have one respective line receiver which is configured to fix the corresponding line positively and/or non-positively to a sheath.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element can be advanced onto the line for receiving the line and can be moved away from the line for releasing the line (3.1, 3.2).

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element are configured to pivot the front end portion in an angular range of between 0 and 120.

9. (canceled)

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element are rotatably mounted about one respective pivot axis.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first holding element and/or the second holding element are fastened in the region of a first end of one respective extension arm, and wherein the extension arm is rotatably mounted about the pivot axis in the region of a second end.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the extension arm has an actuating pin which is configured to pivot the extension arm and thus the respective holding element about the pivot axis.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator unit which is configured to pivot the first holding element and/or the second holding element by means of the actuating pin of the extension arm.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one actuator unit is configured to introduce a rotational movement into the actuating pin which is arranged coaxially to the pivot axis.

17. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one actuator unit is configured to displace the actuating pin, which is arranged axially offset to the pivot axis, in a linear manner in order to move the actuating pin inside the sliding guide.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fixing unit for fixing the at least one line to a fixing portion which is arranged downstream of the holding portion along the longitudinal axis of the line in the direction of the rear line end.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fixing unit is configured as a pneumatic fixing unit, wherein the fixing unit fixes the line in a state without the application of compressed air and releases the line(s) in a state with the application of compressed air.

20. The device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a compressed air coupling unit (34) configured to supply compressed air to the fixing unit exclusively at processing stations for introducing and removing the lines.

21. (canceled)

22. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one stop element arranged along the at least one line at a stop position assigned to the stop element in order to block positively the displacement path of the plug connector components on the line, wherein the stop position is arranged downstream of the holding portion along the longitudinal axis of the at least one line in the direction of the rear line end.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transport apparatus including a workpiece carrier for the transport of the at least one line between individual processing modules and/or processing tools in a line transport direction.

26. The device as claimed in claim 25, wherein a line carrier is fastened to the workpiece carrier, with the first holding element, the second holding element, the fixing unit and/or the stop elements being arranged thereon.

27. The device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the line carrier is movable on the workpiece carrier in an advancing direction in order to advance the front end portion of the at least one line onto at least one processing module and/or processing tool for the processing.

28. (canceled)

29. A method for assembling a plug connector on a front end portion of at least one first line, according to which a first holding element holds the first line on a holding portion which is arranged downstream of the front end portion along the longitudinal axis of the first line in the direction of a rear line end, and the first holding element pivots the front end portion of the first line, as required, and a second holding element holds a second line on a holding portion which is arranged downstream of the front end portion along the longitudinal axis of the second line in the direction of a rear line end, wherein the second holding element pivots the front end portion of the second line, as required, and wherein the first and second holding elements either pivot the first and second lines independently from each other or synchronously in opposing directions.

30. (canceled)

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first holding element holds the front end portion of the first line in a pivoted state, while the front end portion of the second line is processed for assembling the plug connector, and wherein the second holding element holds the front end portion of the second line in a pivoted state, while the front end portion of the first line is processed for assembling the plug connector.

32. (canceled)

33. A computer program product with program code means, in order to carry out a method as claimed in claim 29 when the program is executed on a control apparatus of a device for assembling a plug connector.

Description

[0139] In the figures, schematically:

[0140] FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for assembling a plug connector on a front end portion of a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable in a plan view;

[0141] FIG. 2 shows a workpiece carrier and a line carrier of the device according to the invention of FIG. 1 in a perspective view;

[0142] FIG. 3 shows the holding elements of the device according to the invention of FIG. 1 in a perspective individual view in an uninfluenced state;

[0143] FIG. 4 shows the holding elements according to FIG. 3, wherein one of the holding elements is shown by way of example in a deflected state;

[0144] FIG. 5 shows the holding elements according to FIG. 3 in a further perspective view;

[0145] FIG. 6 shows a perspective individual view of the line carrier of the device according to the invention of FIG. 1 with the stop elements;

[0146] FIG. 7 shows the individual view according to FIG. 6 with a deflected stop element by way of example;

[0147] FIG. 8 shows a detail of a device according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment in a perspective view;

[0148] FIG. 9 shows the compressed air coupling unit of the device according to FIG. 8 in a side view;

[0149] FIG. 10 shows the holding elements of the device of FIG. 8 in a perspective individual view; and

[0150] FIG. 11 shows the holding elements of FIG. 10 in an even more detailed individual view.

[0151] FIG. 1 shows a device for assembling a plug connector 2 on at least one line 3.1, 3.2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0152] Merely by way of example, the device 1 is described for use with two lines which are configured as electrical cables 3.1, 3.2. However, in principle, a line can be any line, for example an internal conductor 4 of a cable 3.1, 3.2, an optical cable or an optical fiber. Moreover, the invention can also be advantageously suitable for use with only a single line or for use with more than two lines.

[0153] The electrical plug connector 2 shown is also understood to be merely by way of example.

[0154] Within the scope of the invention, it can optionally be provided to attach a plug connector 2 to both ends of the at least one line 3.1, 3.2 (potentially also plug connectors of different construction). In the processing state of the cables 3.1, 3.2, shown in FIG. 1 for example, a fully assembled plug connector 2 is already shown on the rear line ends of the two cables 3.1, 3.2.

[0155] The device 1 can carry out any assembly steps in the course of assembling a plug connector. By way of example, two processing modules 5, 6 of the device 1 are shown in FIG. 1. The device 1, however, can also be part of a higher-order system for the plug connector assemblyaccordingly the processing modules 5, 6 which are shown do not necessarily have to be assigned to the device 1.

[0156] For the transport of the cables 3.1, 3.2 between the individual processing modules 5, 6 or processing tools, a transport apparatus 7 can be provided, in particular a transport apparatus 7 with a workpiece carrier 8 (see in particular FIG. 2) which can be moved in a line transport direction T. In the exemplary embodiment, the workpiece carriers 8 are guided along two rails 9 of a linear actuator 10 and are preferably movable individually in, or counter to, the line transport direction T, for example by a magnetic drive. Purely by way of example, two workpiece carriers 8 are shown.

[0157] A line carrier 11 or cable carrier, on which the cables 3.1, 3.2 are held for transport and processing, can be fastened to the workpiece carrier 8. An individual workpiece carrier 8 with a line carrier 11 and several further components of the device 1 connected to the line carrier 11 are shown perspectively in an individual view in FIG. 2.

[0158] It can also be provided that the line carrier 11 is movable on the workpiece carrier 8 in an advancing direction Z, for example by using a rail system (not shown) in order to advance the cables 3.1, 3.2 onto at least one of the processing tools and/or onto at least one of the processing modules 5, 6 for the processing. Alternatively or additionally, however, the processing tools or the processing modules 5, 6 can also be advanced onto the cables 3.1, 3.2 as indicated in FIG. 1.

[0159] For simpler handling of longer cables 3.1, 3.2, the line carrier 11 can optionally have a cable receiver 12 in which the rear end portion of at least one of the cables 3.1, 3.2 can be received wound-up (in FIG. 1 indicated in dashed-dotted lines for the right-hand line carrier 11, see also FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0160] The device 1 has a first holding element 13 for holding a first cable 3.1 and a second holding element 14 for holding a second cable 3.2. The holding elements 13, 14 are fastened to the line carrier 11 and initially shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in an individual view.

[0161] The holding elements 13, 14 hold the cables 3.1, 3.2 on a holding portion which is arranged downstream of the front end portion (on which the plug connector 2 is assembled) along the longitudinal axis L of the respective cable 3.1, 3.2 in the direction of the rear line end or cable end. As a result, it is possible to process the cables 3.1, 3.2 in a convenient manner in the portion upstream of the respective holding elements 13, 14.

[0162] For an advantageous fixing of the cables 3.1, 3.2 to the line carrier 11, a fixing unit 15 can also be provided on the line carrier 11 for fixing the at least one cable 3.1, 3.2 to a fixing portion. The fixing portion is preferably arranged downstream of the holding portion along the longitudinal axis L of the cable 3.1, 3.2 in the direction of the rear cable end. Preferably, the fixing unit 15 fixes all of the cables 3.1, 3.2 together. The fixing unit 15 can be actuatable manually and/or mechanically in order to fix or release the cables 3.1, 3.2 selectively. A manual fixing unit 15 is shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0163] As already mentioned in FIG. 1 by way of example, two processing modules 5, 6 of the device 1 are shown.

[0164] A first processing module 5 can be configured, for example, for inserting the cables 3.1, 3.2 and, in particular, to this end have a stop 16 or a light barrier in order to assist production personnel, or an insertion apparatus when inserting the cables 3.1, 3.2. Individual plug connector components 17 can be already pushed onto the cables 3.1, 3.2 in advance. During the processing by the first processing module 5, the cables 3.1, 3.2 can be finally fixed on the line carrier 11 by the fixing unit 15 and introduced into the holding elements 13, 14.

[0165] The cables 3.1, 3.2 which are fastened to the line carrier 11 can then be transported by the transport apparatus 7 in the line transport direction T to a second processing module 6.

[0166] The second processing module 6 can be, for example, a stripping station in order to strip a cable sheath 18 of the cable 3.1, 3.2 in the region of the front end portion to a defined length, and/or to remove a cable foil (not shown) and/or to cut to length a cable shielding braid 19 and optionally to fold over and/or to strip a filling layer encasing a plurality of internal conductors 4 together (not shown) to a predefined length and/or in order to strip an insulator 20 of an internal conductor 4 to a predetermined length.

[0167] In principle, in the context of assembling the plug connector 2 any processing modules can be provided as part of the device 1 or an additional further device or a higher-order system.

[0168] So that the processing of an individual cable 3.1, 3.2 is advantageously possible and/or for advancing the front end portion of the cable 3.1, 3.2 to the processing modules 5, 6 and/or processing tools, the holding elements 13, 14 are configured to pivot the front end portion of the respective cable 3.1, 3.2.

[0169] In FIG. 1 a variant is shown by way of example in which the first holding element 13 holds the front end portion of the first cable 3.1 in a pivoted state, while the front end portion of the second cable 3.2 is processed (in this case stripped) for assembling the plug connector 2. After processing the first cable 3.1, the second cable 3.2 can be finally processed by the second holding element 14 pivoting the front end portion of the second cable 3.2, while the front end portion of the first cable 3.1 is held in a non-pivoted state by the first holding element 13.

[0170] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the respectively pivoted cable 3.1, 3.2 is processed while the non-pivoted cable 3.1, 3.2 is not processed. Moreover, both cables 3.1, 3.2 can be pivoted and optionally processed at the same time.

[0171] Preferably, the holding elements 13, 14 are configured to pivot the front end portions of the cables 3.1, 3.2 in opposing directions.

[0172] In particular, the holding elements 13, 14 can be configured to pivot the front end portion in an angular range of between 0 and 120, preferably 20 to 100, particularly preferably 45 to 90. In particular, it can also be provided that the holding elements 13, 14 control a defined pivoting angle .

[0173] For carrying out the proposed assembly method, a computer program product can be provided with program code means, wherein the program is executed on a control apparatus 21 of the device 1 (shown in FIG. 1 in dashed lines).

[0174] The holding elements 13, 14 are now to be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0175] The holding elements 13, 14 have one respective line receiver 22 which is configured to fix the corresponding line 3.1, 3.2 positively and/or non-positively on its sheath, in particular the cable sheath 18 or the insulator 20.

[0176] It is possible for the holding elements 13, 14 to be advanced onto the cable 3.1, 3.2 for receiving the cable 3.1, 3.2 and to be moved away from the cable 3.1, 3.2 for releasing the cable 3.1, 3.2. By way of example in FIG. 4, the line receiver 22 of the second holding element 14 is shown in a state advanced onto the second cable 3.2, and the line receiver 22 of the first holding element 13 is shown in a state spaced apart from the first cable 3.1.

[0177] The line receivers 22 are fastened to one respective first end of two guide pins 23 and are displaceable together with the guide pins 23 at right angles to the longitudinal axis L of the cable 3.1, 3.2. To this end, the guide pins 23 extend through recesses 24 in a support surface 25 and are displaceable in a linear manner in the respective recess 24.

[0178] One respective compression spring 26, circulating around the guide pin 23, is arranged between the support surface and the line receiver 22 in order to advance the line receiver 22 onto the cable 3.1, 3.2 in an uninfluenced basic state for receiving the cable 3.1, 3.2 (see the line receiver 22 of the second holding element 14 in FIG. 4), wherein the line receiver 22 is displaceable together with the guide pins 23 for releasing the cables 3.1, 3.2 counter to the spring force of the compression spring 26 (see the line receiver 22 of first holding element 13 in FIG. 4).

[0179] The holding elements 13, 14 are rotatably mounted about one respective pivot axis S. To this end, the holding elements 13, 14 are fastened in the region of a first end of one respective extension arm 27 which is rotatably mounted in the region of its second end about the pivot axis S.

[0180] The extension arm 27 is connected to an actuating pin 28 (see in particular FIG. 5) which runs coaxially to the pivot axis S and which is configured to pivot the extension arm 27 and thus the respective holding element 13, 14 about the pivot axis S. To this end, at least one actuator unit can be provided (not shown).

[0181] The actuating pins 28 of the extension arm 27 can preferably be guided in a guide groove 29 (see FIG. 1) of the transport apparatus 7. An actuator unit or a plurality of actuator units can be arranged at defined positions along the guide groove 29 for pivoting the extension arm 27.

[0182] As already explained above, it can be provided to push various plug connector components 17 onto the lines 3.1, 3.2, for example onto the cable sheath 18 of the respective cables 3.1, 3.2. The plug connector components 17 can be configured, in particular, in order to be pushed at the same time onto both cables 3.1, 3.2.

[0183] Stop elements 30 can be provided in order to hold the plug connector components 17 in a captive manner during the assembly of the plug connector 2 and preferably to hold the plug connector components at a defined position on the lines 3.1, 3.2 (see in particular FIGS. 2, 6 and 7). The stop elements 30 are arranged along the cables 3.1, 3.2 at respective stop positions in order to block the displacement path of the plug connector components 17 in a positive manner. The stop positions are arranged downstream of the holding portion along the longitudinal axis L of the cables 3.1, 3.2 in the direction of the rear line end or cable end.

[0184] Particularly preferably, the stop elements 30 are arranged between the two cables 3.1, 3.2, as can be clearly identified in FIG. 2. The stop elements 30 are preferably fastened to the line carrier 11.

[0185] In order to move the stop elements 30, if required, out of the displacement path of the plug connector components 17, for example in order to push the plug connector components 17 onto the cables 3.1, 3.2, or to make the stop elements available for the plug connector assembly, the stop elements 30 can be mechanically coupled, for example, to actuating elements 31. The principle is shown clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7. By way of example in FIG. 7, the front stop element 30 together with its actuating element 31 is actuated from its basic state, in which the stop element 30 blocks the displacement path of the plug connector component 17, in the direction of a release position.

[0186] The stop elements 30 are connected to the actuating elements 31 via one respective connecting web 32. So that the stop elements 30 are always located in the displacement path of the plug connector components 17, in a basic state without the application of force, corresponding compression spring elements 31 are arranged around the actuating elements 33.

[0187] A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. The features of the second exemplary embodiment correspond largely to the features of the first exemplary embodiment, which is why the differences between the exemplary embodiments are substantially discussed hereinafter. The individual features and combinations of features can also be exchanged between the exemplary embodiments, provided this is not technically impossible.

[0188] The second exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, of the device 1 according to the invention differs from the first exemplary embodiment, primarily in the design of the pivoting mechanism of the holding elements 13, 14 and the fixing unit 15.

[0189] The fixing unit 15 in the second exemplary embodiment is configured as pneumatic fixing unit 15 and thus can be particularly easily automated. The fixing unit 15 fixes the line 3.1, 3.2, preferably in a state without the application of compressed air, and releases it again for removal, in a state with the application of compressed air. To this end, a compressed air coupling unit 34 is provided (see in particular FIG. 9), the compressed air coupling unit being configured to supply compressed air to the fixing unit 15 preferably exclusively at processing stations for the dedicated introduction and removal of the lines, for example when the tool carrier 8 is located on the first processing module 5. The compressed air coupling unit 34 has two pivot arms 35 which are designed to introduce a first compressed air connector 36, which is arranged at the free end of the respective pivot arm 35, into a corresponding second compressed air connector 37 which is pneumatically connected to the fixing unit 15.

[0190] The pivoting mechanism of the second exemplary embodiment is to be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0191] The holding elements 13, 14 are in turn rotatably mounted about one respective pivot axis S and to this end fastened in the region of a first end of one respective extension arm 27. The extension arm 27 has a round actuating pin 28 in order to pivot the extension arm 27 about the pivot axis S by means of the actuator unit. In contrast to the coaxial arrangement, however, the actuating pin 28 of the second exemplary embodiment is arranged axially offset to the pivot axis S and forcibly guided in a sliding guide 38 about the pivot axis S (only shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11). The sliding guide 38 is configured as a recess in a support plate 39 and describes a circular arc about the pivot axis S. The actuator unit, not shown in more detail, is configured to displace in a linear manner the actuating pin 28, which is arranged axially offset to the pivot axis S, (see arrow in FIG. 10) in order to move the actuating pin 28 inside the sliding guide 38. To this end, the actuator unit has corresponding transport slides 40 which for the displacement of the actuating pin 28 are brought into engagement therewith.

[0192] Separate transport pins 41, which are guided in the guide groove 29 of the transport apparatus 7, are provided for guiding the support plate 39 in the line transport direction T (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 8).

[0193] Optional latching bolts 42 are also shown in FIG. 8. The latching bolts 42 can be used in order to block one of the actuating elements 31 or a plurality of the actuating elements 31 in their actuated state. Fitting the line 3.1, 3.2 with the plug connector components 17 can be particularly user-friendly in this case.

[0194] For reasons of technical cleanliness it can be provided to cover any openings/bores etc. of the device 1, for example of the workpiece carrier 8 or the line carrier 11, for example for the openings/bores to be provided with cover caps or to be masked off.