Method for manufacturing an electric cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electric cable (2), according to which the cable (2) is successively processed in processing modules (41, 43) that are independent from one another. According to the invention, at least one sheath clamp (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4), which is independent from the plug connectors (22) that are to be mounted on the cable (2) during manufacturing, is attached to a cable sheath (9) of the cable (2) in a non-positive fit at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis (L) of the cable (2). Alternatively or in addition, the cable (2) is attached to a cable carrier (4), wherein the cable carrier (4) comprises at least one stop element (44) which is arranged at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis (L) of the cable (2).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electric cable comprising the steps: providing an electric cable that defines a longitudinal axis, and which has a front free end, and which has a cable sheath; providing one or more plug-in connector components for fitting to the cable sheath of the electric cable; providing plural processing modules for processing of the electric cable, and wherein each of the plural processing modules is mutually independent from others of the plural processing modules, and wherein each of the plural mutually independent processing modules processes the electric cable in succession; providing a cable carrier and fitting the electric cable to the cable carrier, and wherein the cable carrier has at least one stop element which is arranged at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis of the electric cable; and wherein the at least one stop element of the cable carrier is arranged axially adjacent to the one or more plug-in connector components along the longitudinal axis of the electric cable to block a displacement path of the one or more plug-in connector components on the cable sheath in a positively locking fashion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the Figures, in each case schematically:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an electric cable fastened to a cable carrier with two sheath clamps fastened to the cable sheath.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an orthographic side view of an exemplary two-core electric cable fitted with four plug-in connector components and a plurality of sheath clamps.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an orthographic side view of an exemplary single-core electric cable fitted with three plug-in connector components and a plurality of sheath clamps.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view illustration of a fitting module with an actuator device.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the fitting module of FIG. 4 after leading the electric cable through the plug-in connector components.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a detail view of the fitting module of FIG. 4 during removal of the electric cable.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective sectional illustration of two chambers of the fitting module of FIG. 4.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a system for manufacturing an electric cable with a device for manufacturing the electric cable and with at least two mutually independent processing modules.

(10) FIG. 9 shows a cable carrier with various stop elements in order to block the displacement path of plug-in connector components on the cable sheath.

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(11) This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the Constitutional purposes of the US Patent Laws “to promote the progress of Science and the useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

(12) FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for manufacturing an electric cable 2 in the course of processing the cable 2 in mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 (cf. FIG. 8).

(13) A workpiece carrier system 3 is provided, which has a cable carrier 4 to which the electric cable 2 is fastened. The electric cable 2 can therefore be assigned to the cable carrier 4 as it is being processed throughout the manufacturing process or during part of the manufacturing process, for example during processing by one of the independent processing modules 41, 43. It should be noted that, in principle, a plurality of cable carriers 4 may also be provided, which are each assigned to different processing modules 41, 43 (however, for reasons of simplicity, this variant is not illustrated in the exemplary embodiments). For example, a first cable carrier may transport the cable 2 between processing modules of a first group of processing modules and a second cable carrier may transport the cable 2 between processing modules of a second group of processing modules. Even more cable carriers 4 and assigned processing modules may also be provided, wherein even one single cable carrier 4 for each processing module 41, 43 is possible. In principle, the cable 2 may also be fastened to an immovable cable carrier 4, for example if, on the contrary, a tool carrier system feeds one or more tools of the processing modules 41, 43 or the processing modules 41, 43 to the cable 2. The cable 2 may be transferred between individual cable carriers 4, for example by means of a gripping device or some other transportation device, preferably with a known or unchanged alignment or orientation.

(14) The cable carrier 4 has clamping jaws 5 in order to fix the first cable end 6 and/or the second cable end 7 of the cable 2, in the exemplary embodiment both cable ends 6, 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the cable 2 is clamped into the cable carrier 4 in such a way that a U-shaped profile is formed between the two cable ends 6, 7. In principle, a profile deviating from this may also be provided, for example a helical winding in the case of a relatively long cable 2. Provision may also be made for only one of the two cable ends 6, 7 to be received in the cable carrier 4. The actual configuration of the cable carrier 4 and the manner of fastening of the cable 2 on the cable carrier 4 are not of importance in the context of the invention.

(15) In order to transport the cable 2 between the independent processing modules 41, 43 for processing said cable, the cable carrier 4 is fitted, by way of example, on a transportation device 8 in the form of a conveyor belt. In principle, however, the cable 2 may be moved between the processing modules 41, 43 in any desired manner, for example including by a production technician using a roller track.

(16) In the context of the invention, provision is made for at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to be fastened to a cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 in a non-positively locking fashion at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis L of the cable 2. Two sheath clamps 10.1 (one sheath clamp 10.1 at each cable end 6, 7) are illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1. The sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is not part of what will later be the plug-in connector.

(17) Provision may be made for the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to be made identifiable by an information carrier 11.1, 11.2 in order to be able to uniquely identify the cable 2 while it is being processed. By way of example, an optical information carrier 11.1 is illustrated on the sheath clamp 10.1 assigned to the first cable end 6, and an electronic information carrier 11.2 is illustrated on the sheath clamp 10.1 assigned to the second cable end 7.

(18) The optical information carrier 11.1 is illustrated, by way of example, as a barcode. However, the optical information carrier 11.1 may also be, for example, and without limitation, a numerical code and/or 2D code, for example a data matrix code or a QR code.

(19) In the context of the invention, the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 may be applied to the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, for example by means of a laser, not illustrated. Provision may also be made to modify an existing information carrier 11.1, 11.2, for example a serial number already printed on the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 or an existing barcode. Instead of a laser, any desired device for applying and/or modifying an optical information carrier 11.1, for example even an inkjet printer, may be provided in principle.

(20) The electronic information carrier 11.2 may be, for example, at least one programmable memory module, for example only, and without limitation, an RFID transponder, which can be modified to identify the cable 2 and/or to document the processing of the cable 2. For example, a read/write device 12 for communicating with the RFID transponder 11.2 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

(21) Provision may be made for documentation 13 of the processing of the cable 2 to be compiled for at least one processing process of one of the processing modules 41, 43 and to be assigned to the cable 2.

(22) For this purpose, for example, a unique identifier 14 for the cable 2 may be imprinted into the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 and/or a unique identifier 14 that has already been imprinted on the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 is temporarily assigned to the cable 2 for manufacturing said cable.

(23) The identifier 14 may be, for example only, and without limitation, a binary, decimal or hexadecimal numerical value or a numerical sequence. The identifier 14 may be encoded or imprinted, for example, in the barcode or some other code. The identifier 14 may also be imprinted or stored in an electronic component, for example a memory module, for example in the RFID transponder 11.2.

(24) For example, provision may also be made for different sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to already have a respective information carrier 11.1, 11.2 with a respectively unique identifier 14. Owing to the fastening of the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to the cable 2 during the manufacture or at least during a sub-process of the manufacture, the documentation 13 can ultimately be assigned. However, provision may also be made, for example, for the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 to be provided in a targeted fashion with an identifier 14 for the identification of the cable 2 for the manufacturing process to be documented.

(25) Provision may be made for the documentation 13 to be at least partially imprinted into the information carrier 11.1, 11.2. This may be advantageous in particular when the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 is an electronic information carrier 11.2 on which sufficient storage space is available (indicated in FIG. 1). However, provision may also be made, for example, for a continuous numerical sequence or a similar code to be provided in order to record the documentation 13 continuously in the course of the cable manufacture, for example in optical form on the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4.

(26) For example, one, some or all of the processing modules 41, 43 may have a read/write unit 12 and/or a scanner for reading out a barcode (or some other code) and/or a laser or a printer in order to augment the documentation 13 or to evaluate said documentation for the cable processing operation.

(27) However, a global database 15 may preferably be used, in which documentation 13 compiled in the course of the manufacture production line may be assigned to individual cables 2, preferably on the basis of the respective unique identifier 14. The addressing in the database 15 may thus be implemented in a manner dependent on the identifier 14 of the respective cable 2.

(28) A control unit 16 may be provided in the context of the device 1 according to the invention for manufacture in order to carry out the described method. The control unit 16 may be communicatively connected, for example, to the devices for imprinting and/or reading out and/or modifying the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 (indicated with regard to the read/write unit 12) and may furthermore be communicatively connected to the database 15.

(29) For example, information relating to a successful processing process, an incorrect processing process, a failed processing process and/or at least one process parameter of the processing process may be recorded in the documentation 13. The documentation 13 may be used in the context of quality management. In the context of quality management, provision may for example be made to sort the cable 2 or to approve it for post-processing in a manner dependent on the information contained in the documentation 13. In particular, removal of an incorrectly processed cable 2 may be provided in the context of quality management.

(30) The information for the documentation 13 may be recorded by the control unit 16 using a communication interface, for example. For example, the control unit 16 may be communicatively connected to the individual processing modules 41, 43 via a respective communication interface in order to obtain information relating to the processing processes from the respective processing modules 41, 43 and record said information in the documentation 13.

(31) FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged side view of an exemplary multicore electric cable 2.

(32) The inner conductors 17 of the cable 2 extend from the first cable end 6 to the second cable end 7 (not illustrated in FIG. 2). In the present case, the first cable end 6 is referred to as a front, free end of the cable 2.

(33) The multicore electric cable 2 has already been partially processed at its front end 6. However, in general, the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 described further herein are pushed onto an unprocessed cable end 6, 7. In particular, for better illustration of possible constituent parts of the electric cable 2, the front, free end 6 of the cable in FIG. 2 is however already stripped of insulation in regions in the present case. This also applies to the single-core cable 2 in FIG. 3.

(34) The two-core cable 2 has a cable shielding braid 18 running underneath the cable sheath 9. A shielding foil or film may optionally run above the cable shielding braid 18 (not illustrated). The two inner conductors 17 run within a filler layer 19 below the cable shielding braid 18. The electrical conductors 20 or cores of the inner conductors 17 are each encased by an insulation 21. In the course of cable manufacture, the electrical conductors 20 of the inner conductors 17 may be exposed in the region of the inner conductor ends, as illustrated. Inner conductor contact elements (not illustrated) of an electrical plug-in connector 22 (cf. FIG. 8) may then be fastened, in particular crimped, to the respective inner conductor ends. In the course of the cable manufacture, the cable shielding braid 18 may be folded back over the cable sheath 9, preferably over a metal sleeve or supporting sleeve, not illustrated, and optionally fixed to a fabric tape 23 (cf. FIG. 8).

(35) The two-core cable 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 is to be understood merely by way of example for use with the invention. In principle, the invention is suitable for use with any desired type of cable, for example also including for use with an electric cable 2 having just one inner conductor 17, for example of coaxial design, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

(36) FIG. 3 shows the front, free end 6 of a single-core electric cable 2 that has already been partially stripped of insulation. The single-core cable 2 likewise has a cable sheath 9 and a cable shielding braid 18 running underneath the cable sheath 9. The cable shielding braid 18 may likewise be folded over onto a supporting sleeve, not illustrated. The insulation 21 or the primary insulation of the inner conductor 17 runs underneath the cable shielding braid 18. The electrical conductor 20 of the inner conductor 17 may be formed, for example, as a stranded wire comprising several individual wires, as indicated in FIG. 3. In principle, however, the exact structure of the single-core cable 2 is not of importance.

(37) In the course of manufacturing the electric cable 2, provision may be made to fit the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 with two or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for plug-in connector fitting starting from one of the cable ends 6, 7 of the cable 2. These plug-in connector components may be, for example, a shielding sleeve 24 (cf. FIG. 2), a plug-in connector housing 25 (cf. FIG. 2), a line seal 26 (cf. FIG. 2 or FIG. 3), a cable retainer 27 (cf. FIG. 3), a retaining cap or closure cap 28 (cf. FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) or an angle cap. In principle, the configuration of the plug-in connector component is not of importance in the context of the invention. The invention is suitable for fitting a single-core or multicore electric cable 2 with any desired plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

(38) In the course of manufacturing a two-core or multicore electric cable 2, it may however be the case in particular that fitting in accordance with the sequence, illustrated in FIG. 2, of a shielding sleeve 24, followed by a socket housing or a plug-in connector housing 25, followed by a line seal 26, followed by a retaining cap 28 (or an angle cap in the case of an angled plug-in connector) is highly suitable. In the case of manufacturing a single-core electric cable 2, fitting in accordance with FIG. 3, whereby a line seal 26, followed by a cable retainer 27, followed by a retaining cap 28 are pushed onto the cable sheath 9 starting from the front end 6 of the cable 2, may preferably be highly suitable.

(39) As an alternative or in addition, besides making the cable 2 identifiable, the abovementioned sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may also be suitable for holding the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 attached to the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 in the course of fitting at the desired axial positions along the center axis or longitudinal axis L of the cable 2. For this purpose, the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may be attached to the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 at the respectively intended defined axial positions radially in the direction of the center axis or longitudinal axis L of the cable 2. By way of example, a few sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 of different types are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(40) In principle, it may be advantageous to surround each of the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 with two sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 in order to prevent undesired displacement of the plug-in connector component 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 in both directions along the longitudinal axis L of the cable 2. Depending on the plug-in connector component 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, the need for this may, however, also be dispensed with, for example if the plug-in connector component 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 is a seal, for example a line seal 26, which is generally already clamped sufficiently firmly on the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2.

(41) In principle, different types of sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may be provided. For example, the clamps 10.1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be provided, these having an actuation region 29 and a fastening region 30. By means of the actuation region 29, the clamping jaws which are situated at the opposite end of two clamping limbs and which form the fastening region 30 can be opened counter to the spring force of a resetting spring 31, and the sheath clamp 10.1 may thus be radially attached to the cable 2. As an alternative, however, sheath clamps 10.2 with lashing elements 32 in the form of a cable tie (cf. FIG. 3) may also be provided. A further exemplary sheath clamp 10.3, which has a metallic partial ring that can be clamped on the cable sheath 9, is likewise illustrated in FIG. 3. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary sheath clamp 10.4 which has an elastic ring, for example a rubber ring, similar to a sealing ring. The exact design of the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is not of absolute importance in the context of the invention. The sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 are preferably fastened in a non-positively locking and reversible fashion to the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2.

(42) The at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may be removed from the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 again after processing by at least one of the processing modules 41, 43, preferably after processing by all of the processing modules 41, 43 (after complete manufacture of the electric cable 2).

(43) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a sectional side illustration of a fitting module 33 with individual chambers 34 for receiving plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. The fitting module 33 is designed in order to fit the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 with two or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for later plug-in connector fitting starting from one of the two cable ends 6, 7. The fitting module 33 for fitting the two-core cable 2 according to FIG. 2 is illustrated merely by way of example.

(44) In addition, the fitting module 33 may be designed to receive one or more sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 in a respective chamber 34 in order to also push the sheath clamp(s) 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 onto the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 starting from the free cable end 6, 7 of the cable 2 until the defined axial position is reached. However, this is not shown in FIG. 4 for reasons of simplifying the illustration. However, in principle, the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may be handled in the fitting module 33, like the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

(45) It should be noted that the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may also be axially pushed onto the front, free end 6, 7 of the cable sheath 9, without a fitting module 33 of the illustrated form being used. In principle, a device 1 for manufacturing the electric cable 2 may have any desired fitting module for non-positively fastening a sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2.

(46) The chambers 34 are arranged in such a way that the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) received in the chambers 34 form a common channel K (cf. illustration using dashed lines in FIG. 4) with a common center axis M.

(47) As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, the fitting module 33 may have a magazine 35 in order to keep ready the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) for fitting further cables 2. In the exemplary embodiment, a shaft-type magazine is illustrated; in principle, however, any desired magazine may be provided.

(48) The chambers 34 of the fitting module 33 may be arranged in such a way that the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) received in the chambers 34 are spaced apart from one another along the center axis M at defined distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4. Depending on the respective plug-in connector component 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and the subsequent fitting process, provision may be made for different plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 to be spaced apart from one another by different distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4 which may be specified, for example, by a corresponding wall thickness of the chambers 34 and/or of the magazine 35.

(49) For example, a first distance d.sub.1 may be provided between the frontmost plug-in connector component (in the exemplary embodiment, the shielding sleeve 24) and the second plug-in connector component (in the exemplary embodiment, the plug-in connector housing 25), a second distance d.sub.2 may be provided between the second plug-in connector component or the plug-in connector housing 25 and a third plug-in connector component (in the exemplary embodiment, the line seal 26) and a third distance d.sub.3 may be provided between the third plug-in connector component or the line seal 26 and a fourth plug-in connector component (in the exemplary embodiment, the retaining cap 28). A defined distance d.sub.4 between the first plug-in connector component or the shielding sleeve 24 and the cable end 6, 7 of the cable 2 may also be provided when the electric cable 2 has been fully pushed into the fitting module 33. The distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4 are ultimately reproduced on the fitted cable (cf. FIG. 2). In order that the distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4 are maintained, in particular in the event of handling of the cable 2 during manufacture, for example in the event of transportation between the individual processing modules 41, 43, and also plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 do not become lost or slide one into the other, the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 may be fastened between the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

(50) Advantageously, the chambers 34 of the fitting module 33 may also be designed in such a way that passage bores which run through the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) and which serve for receiving the cable 2 are aligned coaxially with one another when the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) have been received in the chambers 34. For this purpose, for example, the support surface or a lower base 36 of the fitting module 33 in the respective chambers 34 may have a depth respectively configured for the plug-in connector component 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4), as illustrated in FIG. 4. In addition, provision may be made for the chambers 34 of the fitting module 33 to be designed to hold the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) in twist-proof fashion, in particular if a specific alignment or orientation of individual plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 is provided in the course of the subsequent manufacture of the electric cable 2.

(51) The fitting module 33 further has an actuator device 37 which is designed to conduct the cable 2, by way of its front end 6, 7, along the center axis M through the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) in order to push the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) onto the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2. As an alternative to an actuator device 37, the cable 2 may also be manually transported by a production technician. The cable 2 may thus be led, by way of its front end 6, 7, along the center axis M through the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) until it reaches a predetermined end position P.sub.END, as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the actuator device 37 has a roller conveyor device with two rollers, between which the cable 2 is guided in order to linearly displace said cable.

(52) In order to monitor the position of the cable 2 along the center axis M, a sensor device 38 may be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, a light barrier is illustrated by way of example in order to identify when the electric cable 2 has reached the end position P.sub.END in the fitting module 33 and to stop the cable feed (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5). It may also be possible for yet further light barriers or other sensors to be provided in order to detect yet further discrete positions of the cable 2. In principle, continuous detection of the position of the cable 2 or its front, free end 6, 7 may also be provided in addition or as an alternative to detecting one or more discrete positions.

(53) In particular, in order to prevent the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) from being displaced along the center axis M while the electric cable 2 is being led through, provision may be made for the chambers 34 of the fitting module 33 to be designed to block the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) in the axial direction, in particular in the push-in direction (cf. arrow in FIG. 4) of the electric cable 2, along the center axis M in a positively locking fashion. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, for the walls of the magazine 35 to be continued, wherein a corresponding opening can allow the cable 2 to be led through.

(54) In particular if the passage bores of the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 correspond or at least approximately correspond to the diameter of the cable sheath 9, it may be advantageous for at least one of the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 to be pushed onto the cable sheath 9 using a lubricant, preferably an alcohol or a silicone oil. A lubricant may possibly also be suitable for attaching or pushing-on the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4. Provision may be made, for example, to provide the cable sheath 9, the plug-in connector component(s) 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and/or the sheath clamp(s) 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 with a lubricant. In the exemplary embodiment, means 39 are provided (cf. FIG. 4) in order to apply the lubricant to the front end 6, 7 of the cable 2 by means of two brushes before the cable 2 is inserted into the fitting module 33.

(55) A suitable fitting method may be carried out by means of a computer program product with program code means on the control unit 16 of the device 1 for manufacturing the cable 2, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(56) The cable 2 fitted with the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) may, after the cable 2 has been led through the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4), be removed from the fitting module 3, for example, laterally with respect to the push-in direction of the cable 2 or counter to the push-in direction of the cable 2, as indicated in FIG. 6.

(57) FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective sectional illustration of a detail of the fitting module 33. The detail shows, by way of example, two chambers 34 of the fitting module 33. The chambers 34 are separated from one another by partition walls 34.1, which may have different wall thicknesses in order to realize the distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4. The partition walls 34.1 simultaneously serve as a stop for the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) that have been inserted into the chambers 34. The partition walls 34.1 are further designed to leave a cutout around the center axis M, in the region of the channel K, for leading the cable 2 through the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4). The base 36 of the fitting module 33 has steps in order to provide different height levels for the respective plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) within the chambers 34 in order to render possible a continuous channel K or coaxial positioning of the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4). In order to prevent the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) from falling out laterally, side walls 34.2 may also be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, only one rear side wall 34.2 is provided in order to still be able to remove the fitted cable 2, as indicated in FIG. 6, laterally from the fitting module 33. However, the magazine 35 (hidden in FIG. 7) arranged above the fitting module 33 preferably has side walls 34.2 on both sides. The base 36, the side walls 34.2 and/or the partition walls 34.1 may optionally be designed to keep ready the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 (and/or sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) with a predefined alignment or orientation.

(58) Finally, FIG. 8 shows a system 40 for manufacturing an electric cable 2. The illustrated system 40 comprises the device 1 for manufacturing the electric cable 2 with a fitting module 33 for fastening at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2. The device 1 is preferably designed as described above. The device 1 may also be designed for fitting the cable sheath 9 with the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. The device 1 may also be designed for documenting the cable processing.

(59) The system 40 comprises further processing modules 41, 43, independent of the device 1, for manufacturing the electric cable 2.

(60) In the context of the system 40, the device 1 is preferably arranged downstream of a processing module, not illustrated in any detail, for aligning, receiving and orienting the cable 2. The cable 2 is preferably fitted with the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and/or the sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 on an initially still unprocessed electric cable 2.

(61) FIG. 8 shows, once again by way of example, a workpiece carrier system 3 in order to feed the cable section, to be processed, of the cable 2 to the individual processing modules 41, 43 or to the device 1 in succession. Depending on the quantities to be manufactured, the illustrated transportation device 8 may also be dispensed with. In this case, the cable 2 or the cable sections may also be transported between the individual processing modules 41, 43 or the device 1 by a production technician, for example including with the aid of a roller track. By way of example, the transportation device 8 is designed in the form of a transporting belt and transports a plurality of cables 2 fastened to a cable carrier 4 from processing module 41, 43 to processing module 41, 43 in order to utilize all of the processing modules 41, 43 to capacity as far as possible continuously and therefore to achieve a high throughput during cable processing.

(62) By way of example, a first processing module 41 for fitting a contact parts carrier 42 is illustrated downstream of the device 1. After fitting the contact parts carrier 42, the frontmost sheath clamp 10.1 may be removed in order to push the shielding sleeve 24 onto the contact parts carrier 42, starting from the cable sheath 9, and to compress said shielding sleeve with the contact parts carrier 42.

(63) In turn, by way of example, a second processing module 43 for fitting the plug-in connector housing 25 of the plug-in connector 22 is shown arranged downstream of the first processing module 41. In order to clear the displacement path for the plug-in connector housing 25, a further sheath clamp 10.1 may be removed.

(64) Any desired further processing modules may be provided below in order to assemble the plug-in connector 22 bit by bit.

(65) As an alternative, or in addition, to the use of sheath clamps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, provision may also be made for the cable 2 to be fastened to a cable carrier 4 which has stop elements 44 arranged at defined axial positions along the longitudinal axis L, as illustrated in FIG. 9 by way of example.

(66) FIG. 9 shows a cable carrier 4 as part of a workpiece carrier system 3, similar to the cable carriers 4 already described above. The cable 2 is held by clamping jaws 5. Various stop elements 44 are provided, for example in the form of webs or pins, in order to block the displacement path of the plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 of the cable 2 in a positively locking fashion. Different types of stop elements 44 are shown in FIG. 9 for illustration purposes. In each case two mutually opposite stop elements 44 or two stop elements 44, each located at the same axial position along the longitudinal axis L of the cable 2, which form a common stop element pair are preferably provided.

(67) The stop elements 44 may be able to be flexibly fitted or positioned on the cable carrier 4 in order to assume various axial positions as required. The stop elements 44 may be able to be positioned on the cable carrier freely or in a specified pattern

(68) The stop elements 44 may optionally be able to be fed in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the cable 2, for example manually along a respective guide rail 45, wherein the end position of the stop elements 44 may be able to be fixed, for example by tightening a screw 46.

(69) The stop elements 44 may optionally also be of elastic form in order to bear against the cable sheath 9 in a non-positively locking fashion when the cable 2 is in the inserted state (cf., for example, the frontmost stop element pair).

OPERATION

(70) Having described the structure of our Electrical Plug Connector, Connecting Element, and Printed Circuit Board Arrangement, its operation is briefly described.

(71) A principal object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable according to which method the electric cable 2 is processed in mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 in succession, and wherein a cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 is fitted with one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 28 for later fitting of a plug-in connector 22 by the mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 starting from a front, free end 6, 7 of the electric cable 2, characterized in that at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, which is independent of the plug-in connector 22 to be fitted on the electric cable 2 in the course of the manufacturing process, is fastened to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 in a non-positively locking fashion and at a defined axial position along a longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2, and the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is arranged axially adjacent to the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 to block a displacement path of the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 in positively locking fashion.

(72) A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2, according to which method the electric cable 2 is processed in mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 in succession, and wherein a cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 is fitted with one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for later plug-in connector 22 fitting by the mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 starting from a front, free end 6, 7 of the electric cable number 2, characterized in that the electric cable 2 is fastened to a cable carrier 4, and wherein the cable carrier 4 has at least one stop element 44 which is arranged at a defined axial position along a longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2, and the at least one stop element 44 of the cable carrier 4 is arranged axially adjacent to the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 along the longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2 in order to block a displacement path of the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 in a positively locking fashion.

(73) A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 comprising the steps: providing an electric cable 2 that defines a longitudinal axis L, and which has a front free end 6, 7, and which has a cable sheath 9; providing one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for fitting to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2; providing plural processing modules 41, 43 for fitting the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2, and wherein each of the plural processing modules 41, 43 is mutually independent from others of the plural processing modules 41, 43, and wherein each of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 processes the electric cable 2 in succession; fitting the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 by means of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43, starting from the front free end 6, 7 of the electric cable 2; providing at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 which is independent of a plug-in connector 22 to be fitted on the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2; fastening the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 in a non-positively locking fashion and at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2; and wherein the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is axially adjacent to the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 to block a displacement path of the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 in a positively locking fashion.

(74) A further object of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 comprising the steps: providing an electric cable 2 that defines a longitudinal axis L, and which has a front free end 6,7, and which has a cable sheath 9; providing one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for fitting to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2; providing plural processing modules 41, 43 for fitting the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2, and wherein each of the plural processing modules 41, 43 is mutually independent from others of the plural processing modules 41, 43, and wherein each of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 processes the electric cable 2 in succession; fitting the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 by means of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43, starting from the front free end 6, 7 of the electric cable 2; providing a cable carrier 4 and fitting the electric cable 2 to the cable carrier 4, and wherein the cable carrier 4 has at least one stop element 44 which is arranged at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis L of the electric cable 2; and wherein the at least one stop element 44 of the cable carrier 4 is arranged axially adjacent to the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 along the longitudinal axis L of the electric cable 2 to block a displacement path of the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on the cable sheath 9 in a positively locking fashion.

(75) A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is pushed onto the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 starting from the front, free end 6, 7 of the electric cable 2 until the defined axial position is reached.

(76) A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is attached to the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 at a defined axial position radially in the direction of a center axis (M) of the electric cable 2.

(77) A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is removed from the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 again after processing by at least one of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43.

(78) A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 and further comprising: providing an information carrier 11.1, 11.2 on the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4; and the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is made identifiable by the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 in order to be able to uniquely identify the electric cable 2 while the electric cable 2 is being processed.

(79) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein documentation 13 of the processing of the electric cable 2 is compiled for at least one processing process of at least one of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43 and is assigned to the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 which is fastened to the electric cable 2.

(80) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the documentation 13 is at least partially imprinted into the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 on the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4.

(81) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 and further comprising: a unique identifier 14 for the electric cable 2 that is imprinted into the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 or a unique identifier 14 which is already present on the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 is assigned to the electric cable 2.

(82) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the information carrier 11.1, 11.2 is of optical form and/or electronic form.

(83) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the optical information carrier 11.1 is a barcode, numerical code, a 2D code, a data matrix code or a QR code.

(84) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the optical and/or electronic information carrier 11.2 comprises at least one programmable memory module, for example an RFID transponder, which is modified to identify the electric cable 2 and/or to document the processing of the electric cable 2.

(85) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 and further comprising the steps providing a fitting module 33 that has individual chambers 34 for receiving the one or more plug-in connector component 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and the individual chambers 34 of the fitting module 33 are arranged in such a way that the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 which are received in the individual chambers 34 form a common channel (K) that defines a common center axis (M); and providing an actuator 37 that conducts the electric cable 2, by way of the electric cable front free end 6, 7, along a center axis (M) through the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to push the one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and the at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 axially onto the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2.

(86) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein the fitting module 33 has a magazine 35 to keep ready further one or more plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or further sheath clamps (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) for fitting further electric cables 2.

(87) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device 1 for manufacturing an electric cable 2 comprising: a fitting module 33—to fasten a sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 to a cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2, and the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is independent of a plug-in connector 22 to be fitted on the electric cable 2 in the course of the manufacturing of the electric cable 2, and the sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is fitted onto the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 in a non-positively locking fashion, and at a defined axial position along a longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2.

(88) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cable carrier 4 for receiving an electric cable 2 to be manufactured, the cable carrier 4 comprising: a least one stop element 44 at a defined axial position along a longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2 received by the cable carrier 4—to block a displacement path of plug-in connector components 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 on a cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 in a positively locking fashion, and wherein the at least one stop element 44 is formed as pin or web on the cable carrier 4.

(89) A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electric cable 2 wherein at least one sheath clamp 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is removed from the cable sheath 9 of the electric cable 2 again after processing by all of the plural mutually independent processing modules 41, 43.

(90) An even still further objet of the present invention is to provide a device for manufacturing an electric cable 2 comprising a cable carrier 4 to which the electric cable 2 can be fastened, and wherein the cable carrier 4 has at least one stop element 44 which is arranged at a defined axial position along the longitudinal axis (L) of the electric cable 2.

(91) In compliance with the statute, the present invention has been described in language more or less specific, as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalents.