WIRE FEEDING APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to a wire feeding apparatus (3) for feeding a wire (1, 2) to a wire processing station (9), comprising, along a wire transport path (7): —a first wire pre-treatment device (10), which preferably has at least one straightening unit for straightening a wire (1), —a wire conveyor (4) for conveying the wire (1, 2) along the wire transport path (7) in a working transport direction (8), comprising a wire input (5), and—a first wire transfer device (11), which is associated with the first wire pre-treatment device (10), for transferring the wire (1) to the wire conveyor (4) in the region of the wire input (5), characterised in that the first wire transfer device (11) is positioned, in its working position, in the region of the wire input (5) of the wire conveyor (4) and can be moved out of its working position, preferably by means of at least one drive (12, 31).

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A wire feeding apparatus, in particular a cable feeding apparatus, for feeding a wire, in particular a cable, to a wire processing station having a wire transport path, the apparatus comprising: a first wire pre-processing device including at least one straightening unit for straightening a wire; a wire conveyor for conveying the wire along the wire transport path in a working transport direction, the wire conveyor having a wire input; and a first wire transfer device assigned to the first wire pre-processing device for transferring the wire to the wire conveyor in the area of the wire input, wherein the first wire transfer device, in its working position, is positioned in the area of the wire input of the wire conveyor and is movable out of its working position.

29. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the wire feeding apparatus has a second wire pre-processing device including at least one straightening unit for straightening a wire, and a second wire transfer device assigned to the second wire pre-processing device for transferring the wire to the wire conveyor in the area of the wire input, and that in its working position the second wire transfer device is located in the area of the wire input of the wire conveyor, and is movable out of its working position, preferably into an idle position outside of the wire transport path, preferably by at least one drive.

30. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein in its working position the first wire pre-processing device is arranged in the wire transport path, and is movable out of the working position into an idle position outside of the wire transport path preferably by a drive, and/or that in its idle position the second wire pre-processing device is located outside of the wire transport path, and is movable out of the idle position into a working position in which the second wire pre-processing device is positioned in the wire transport path.

31. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the first wire transfer device is movable, preferably by a drive, along the wire transport path relative to the wire conveyor, and/or that the second wire transfer device is moveable, preferably by a drive, along the wire transport path relative to the wire conveyor.

32. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the first and second wire pre-processing devices and/or the first and second wire transfer devices are supported by a shared carrier, wherein the carrier is transversely movable perpendicularly to the wire transport path.

33. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the first wire transfer device, by a first drive, is movable relative to the carrier and parallel to the wire transport path, and that the second wire transfer device, by a second drive, is movable relative to the carrier and parallel to the wire transport path.

34. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a first cable guide extends between the first wire pre-processing device and the first wire transfer device, wherein the length of the first wire guide can preferably be varied in the guide direction, and/or that a second wire guide extends between the second wire pre-processing device and the second wire transfer device, wherein the length of the second wire guide can be varied in the guide direction.

35. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the wire guide(s) is/are made from at least two guide sections that are slidable into each other, in telescoping manner, and/or that the wire guide(s) is/are formed by at least one spring assembly.

36. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the first wire transfer device and/or the second wire transfer device is/are movable along the wire transport path and/or is/are movable out of the wire transport path into an idle position.

37. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein in its/their working position the wire transfer device(s) has/have a wire guide element facing the wire input, in the form of a guide tube or guide nozzle, wherein with the wire transfer device in the working position, the wire guide element preferably protrudes into a convergent orifice area of the wire conveyor, and in a position in which it is moved out of the working position, is located outside of the convergent orifice area.

38. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the wire transfer device(s) has/have a wire fixing device, which is operable between a position that fixes the wire and a position that releases the wire, wherein the wire fixing device includes at least one movable fixing element for clamping the wire.

39. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the wire fixing device is movable relative to the wire guide element along the wire transport path, by means of a drive.

40. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the wire conveyor can be brought, by an actuator which is actuated by a controller from a working position, in which the wire can be transported by the wire conveyor, into a position in which the wire is released.

41. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the wire feeding apparatus has a controller designed to actuate the wire pre-processing device, the wire transfer device and the wire conveyor.

42. The wire feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the wire transfer device(s) has/have at least one sensor connected to the controller of the wire feeding apparatus for detecting and/or determining the position of a wire, wherein the sensor is connected to the controller.

43. A cable processing apparatus, having at least one wire processing station, the wire processing station including a station for cutting to length and/or an insulation stripping station and/or an assembly station, and a wire feeding apparatus for feeding a wire to the at least one wire processing station, wherein the wire feeding apparatus is embodied according to claim 28.

44. A method for handling a cable by means of a wire feeding apparatus, the apparatus configured for feeding a wire to a wire processing station and/or for replacing or removing a wire wherein the wire feeding apparatus is embodied according to claim 28.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein in order to replace or remove a wire in/from the wire feeding apparatus, a wire is automatically moved out of the operating range of the wire conveyor, wherein the wire is preferably moved automatically into an idle position outside of the wire transport path, and/or that in order to replace a wire in the wire feeding apparatus a wire is automatically moved out of an idle position outside of the wire transport path and into the operating range of the wire conveyor.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein in order to replace or remove a wire in/from the wire feeding apparatus, in a step (a) the wire conveyor moves the wire backwards, in the opposite direction to the working transport direction, preferably until the end of the wire is in the area of the wire input of the wire conveyor, and in a step (b) the first wire transfer device together with the wire is moved out of its working position in the area of the wire input of the wire conveyor and into an idle position outside of the wire transport path, preferably by at least one drive.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein after step (a) a wire fixing device of the wire transfer device fixes the wire, wherein the end of the wire is preferably brought entirely out of the operating range of the wire conveyor by a movement of the wire fixing device in the direction opposite to the working transport direction.

48. The method according to claim 46, wherein in order to perform step (a) the wire pre-processing device is brought into the position in which the wire is released by opening of the at least one straightening unit of the wire pre-processing device.

49. The method according to claim 46, wherein the movement of the first wire transfer device according to step (b) comprises a movement of the first wire transfer device transversely to the working transport direction, wherein the movement of the wire transfer device according to step (b) preferably comprises a movement that precedes said transverse movement in the opposite direction to the working transport direction.

50. The method according to claim 44, wherein the wire feeding apparatus is embodied according to claim 29, and that in a step (c), which is carried out during or after step (b), the second wire transfer device together with a second wire is moved out of its idle position into its working position in the area of the wire input of the wire conveyor, and the end of the second wire is brought into the operating range of the wire conveyor by the second wire transfer device.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein a wire fixing device of the second wire transfer device fixes the second wire before and/or during step (c), and/or that the end of the second cable is brought into the operating range of the wire conveyor by moving a fixing device of the second wire transfer device that fixes the second wire in the working transport direction.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein after the end of the second wire has been brought into the operating range of the wire conveyor, the wire conveyor is brought from a releasing position into a closed position, preferably by means of an actuator actuated by a controller, and the wire fixing device is brought into a position in which the wire is released, preferably by means of an actuator actuated by a controller.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein after the wire fixing device has been brought into a position in which the wire is released, the wire conveyor transports the wire in the working transport direction, preferably until the leading end of the wire reaches a predetermined reference position.

54. The method according to claim 44, wherein the wire pre-processing device(s), the wire transfer device(s) and the wire conveyor, in particular the drives and/or actuators thereof, are actuated by a controller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] In the drawing:

[0058] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wire feeding apparatus according to the invention,

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a wire feeding apparatus according to the invention,

[0060] FIG. 3 shows the wire feeding apparatus of FIG. 2 after replacement of a wire,

[0061] FIG. 4 is an enlarged representation of the wire transfer device,

[0062] FIG. 5 is an enlarged representation of the wire fixing device,

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates the control level of a wire feeding apparatus with the controller and the drives, actuators and sensors connected to the controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a wire feeding apparatus 3. It is used to feed a wire 1 to a wire processing station 9. Along a wire transport path 7, the wire feeding apparatus 3 comprises a (first) wire pre-processing device 10, with which the wire 1 is pre-processed. This may be for example a straightening unit for straightening the wire 1. In addition to or instead of straightening, one or more other pre-processing operation(s) might also be carried out in the wire pre-processing device 10, e.g., marking, labelling, colouring and/or insulation stripping (parts and/or sections thereof), incisions, etc.

[0065] The wire feeding apparatus 3 further comprises a wire conveyor 4 for conveying the wire 1 along the wire transport path 7 in a working transport direction 8, with a wire input 5 and a wire output 6 (as may also be seen in FIG. 2). The wire input 5 faces the wire transfer device 11. The wire output 6 faces the processing station 9.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, the wire conveyor 4 is constructed in the form of a belt conveyor, wherein the belt conveyor comprises a first (circulating) belt and a second (circulating) belt, and the wire transport path 7 passes between the first and second belts. The first belt may be movable away from the second belt (in order to reach a position in which the wire 1 is released).

[0067] The wire feeding apparatus 3 further comprises a (first) wire transfer device 11 assigned to the (first) wire pre-processing device 10 for transferring the wire 1 to the wire conveyor 4 in the area of the wire input 5.

[0068] In its working position, the first wire transfer device 11 is positioned in the area of the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4, and is preferably movable from its working position by at least one drive.

[0069] In FIG. 1, the wire transfer device 11—as well as the wire pre-processing device 10—is in the working position (solid lines). The standby or idle position of the wire transfer device 11—as well as that of the wire pre-processing device 10—is indicated by dashed lines. In the idle position, the wire transfer device 11 is positioned at a (greater) distance from the wire conveyor 4 and/or outside of the wire transport path 7 (FIG. 1).

[0070] In the idle position of the wire transfer device 11 (represented with dashed lines), the wire 1 can be replaced or way for its next insertion. The wire held by the wire transfer device 11 may be brought automatically into the wire transport path and into the operating range of the wire conveyor 4 again. For this, the wire transfer device 11 only needs to be moved in the direction of the double-headed arrows.

[0071] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a further embodiment, in which the wire feeding apparatus 3 comprises a second wire pre-processing device 20—in addition to the first wire pre-processing device 10 —, which preferably also includes a straightening unit for straightening a wire 2.

[0072] The straightening units of the wire pre-processing devices 10, 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may each by brought into a position in which the wire 1 is released by means of an actuator 33, 34—actuated by a controller 32 (see FIG. 6) preferably by opening of the respective straightening unit (i.e. the rollers are moved apart).

[0073] A second wire transfer device 21 (for transferring a second wire 2 to the wire conveyor 4 in the area of the wire input 5) is assigned to the second wire pre-processing device 20. In its working position (FIG. 3), the second wire transfer device 21 is positioned in the area of the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4, and is movable from its working position preferably by at least one drive 22, 31. In FIG. 2, the second wire transfer device 21 together with the second wire pre-processing device 20 is in the idle position.

[0074] The first wire transfer device 11 together with the first wire pre-processing device 10 is in its working position in FIG. 2 and in its idle position in FIG. 3.

[0075] In its working position, the first wire pre-processing device 10 is arranged in the wire transport path 7 (FIG. 2). It may be movable from the working position into an idle position outside of the wire transport path 7 by a drive 31 (FIG. 3). In its working position, the second wire pre-processing device 20 is arranged in the wire transport path 7 (FIG. 3). It may be movable from the working position into an idle position outside of the wire transport path 7 by a drive 31 (FIG. 2).

[0076] The first wire transfer device 11 and the second wire transfer device 21 may each be movable relative to the wire conveyor 4 along the wire transport path 7 by means of a (dedicated) drive 12, 22.

[0077] As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second wire pre-processing devices 10, 20, and optionally also the first and second wire transfer devices 11, 21, may be supported on a shared support or carrier 30. The carrier 30 may be movable transversely, preferably perpendicularly to the wire transport path 7 by a drive 31.

[0078] In this context, the first wire transfer device 11 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier 30 (in this case parallel to the wire transport path 7) by means of a first drive 12. The second wire transfer device 21 is also mounted so as to be movable relative to the carrier 30 (in this case parallel to the wire transport path 7) by means of a second drive 22.

[0079] In this way, it may be ensured simply that the first wire transfer device 11 and/or the second wire transfer device 21 is/are movable along the wire transport path 7 and/or is/are movable into an idle position out of the wire transport path 7—that is to say transversely to the wire transport path 7.

[0080] A wire guide 13, 23 may be provided in each case between the first wire pre-processing device 10 and the first wire transfer device 11 and between the second wire pre-processing device 20 and the second wire transfer device 21. The lengths of the wire guide(s) 13, 23 are preferably variable in the direction of travel (that is to say along the wire transport path 7).

[0081] The length adjustment capability may be realised for example by at least two guide sections 14, 15; 24, 25 which are slidable into each other, preferably in telescoping manner. The wire guide(s) 13, 23 might also be formed by at least one spring assembly whose length is variable.

[0082] The wire transfer device(s) 11, 21 may include a preferably replaceable wire guide element 16, 26 which in its working position faces the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4. This may be constructed in the form of a guide tube or a guide nozzle. In the working position of the respective wire transfer device 11, 21, the wire guide element 16, 26 preferably protrudes into a convergent orifice area of the wire conveyor 4 (FIGS. 2, 3). In a position in which it is moved out of the working position, the wire guide element 16, 26 is located outside the convergent orifice area of the wire conveyor 4.

[0083] FIGS. 2 and 3 show, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show in detail that the wire transfer devices may each include a wire fixing device 17, 27 which is operable, in this case by an actuator 37 (FIG. 5), between a position in which it fixes the wire 1, 2 and a position in which the wire 1, 2 is released. The wire can be clamped by a fixing element 38, which is movable towards another fixing element 38 by means of the actuator 37.

[0084] The wire fixing device 17, 18 is movable relative to the wire guide element 16, 26 along the wire transport path 7. For this purpose, drives 18, 28 may be provided.

[0085] The wire conveyor 4 may be brought from a working position, in which the wire 1, 2 is transportable by the wire conveyor 4, into a position in which the wire 1, 2 is released, preferably by means of an actuator 35 which is actuated by a controller 32.

[0086] The transport drive 36 of the wire conveyor 4—that is to say the drive which causes the wire to be transported—is represented schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0087] As may be seen in FIG. 6, the wire feeding apparatus 3 also has a controller 32, which is designed to actuate the wire pre-processing device 10, 20, the wire transfer device 11, 21 and the wire conveyor 4, in particular the drives 12, 22, 18, 28, 31, 36 and/or actuators 33, 34, 35, 37 thereof.

[0088] The wire transfer device(s) 11, 21 preferably has/have at least one sensor 19, 29 which is connected to the controller 32 of the wire feeding apparatus 3 for detecting and/or determining the position of a wire 1, 2, wherein the sensor 19, 29 is preferably connected to the controller 32.

[0089] The combination of a wire feeding apparatus 3 with at least one downstream wire processing station 9, in particular a station for cutting to length and/or an insulation stripping station and/or an assembly station, makes up a wire processing apparatus.

[0090] Each of the drives 12, 22, 18, 28, 31, 36 described above may include an electric, magnetic, pneumatic and/or hydraulic drive among others, and may be embodied for example as a motor, cylinder or cylinder-piston unit, toothed rack etc. The actuators 33, 34, 35, 37 described above may be embodied in the same or similar manner. Accordingly, the actuators may be designed to be actuated electrically, magnetically, pneumatically and/or hydraulically. It is preferable if at least some, preferably all drives and actuators have a control interface, via which they are connected to the controller 32 (by cable or wirelessly). The sensors 19, 29 of the wire transfer device 11, 21—which serve to detect and/or determine the position of a wire—may be for example optical sensors (including cameras), contact sensors, magnetic sensors or capacitive sensors.

[0091] In the following text, the processes that may be carried out with the wire feeding apparatus 3 for handling a wire 1, 2, in particular for feeding a wire 1, 2 to a wire processing station 9 and/or replacing or removing a wire 1, 2 are described in greater detail.

[0092] Thus for example, in order to replace or remove a wire 1, 2 in/from the wire feeding apparatus 3, the wire 1 (currently in positioned in the wire conveyor 4) may be moved out of the wire conveyor 4 automatically. To do this, the wire conveyor 4 is operated in the direction opposite to the working transport direction, so that the wire in the wire input 5 comes out. Then, the wire 1 is automatically moved to an idle position outside of the wire transport path 7 (i.e. the wire is moved transversely to the wire transport path 7) by means of the wire transfer device 11. The idle position of the wire transfer device 11 with the wire 1 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0093] In this context, in a step (a) the wire conveyor 4 may transport the wire 1 backwards, in the direction opposite to the working transport direction 8, preferably until the end of the wire is positioned in the area of the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4.

[0094] In a step (b), the first wire transfer device 11 together with the wire 1 may be moved from its working position in the area of the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4 into an idle position outside of the wire transport path 7 (see dashed line representation of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3). This is brought about preferably by at least one drive 12, 31.

[0095] After step (a), preferably before and/or during step (b), the wire fixing device 17 of the wire transfer device 11 may fix the wire 1. In such case, the end of the wire is preferably brought out of the operating range of the wire conveyor 4 by a movement of the wire fixing device 17 in the direction opposite to the working transport direction 8.

[0096] In order to carry out step (a), the wire pre-processing device 10 may be brought into a position in which the wire 1 is released, preferably by means of an actuator 33 which is actuated by a controller 32, for example by opening of the at least one straightening unit of the wire pre-processing device 10.

[0097] The movement of the first wire transfer device 11 according to step (b) may include a movement transversely to the working transport direction 8, optionally with a movement opposite to the working transport direction 8 preceding said transverse movement.

[0098] In the case of two wire transfer devices (FIGS. 2 and 3), in a step (c), which preferably takes place during or after step (b), the second wire transfer device 21 together with a second wire 2 is moved out of its idle position and into its working position in the are of the wire input 5 of the wire conveyor 4, and the end (preferably the wire tip) of the second wire 2 is brought into the operating range of the wire conveyor 4 by the second wire transfer device 21.

[0099] In addition, the wire fixing device 27 of the second wire transfer device 21 may fix the second wire 2 before and/or during step (c). The end of the second wire 2 may further be brought into the operating range of the wire conveyor 4 by moving the wire fixing device 27—which is fixing the second wire 2—of the second wire transfer device 21 in working transport direction 8.

[0100] After the end of the second wire 2 has been brought into the operating range of the wire conveyor 4, the wire conveyor 4 may be moved from a releasing position into a closed position, preferably by means of an actuator 35 which is actuated by a controller 32. The wire fixing device 27 is then also brought into a position in which the wire 2 is released, preferably by means of an actuator 37 which is actuated by a controller 32.

[0101] After the wire fixing device 27 has been brought into a position in which the wire 2 is released, the wire conveyor 4 transports the wire 2 in working transport direction 8, preferably until the leading end of the wire 2 reaches a predetermined reference position (e.g. definitive for the processing station).

[0102] In automated operation, the wire pre-processing device(s) 10, 20, the wire transfer device(s) 11, 21 and the wire conveyor 4, in particular the drives 12, 22, 18, 28, 31, 36 and/or actuators 33, 34, 35, 37 thereof, are actuated by a controller 32.

[0103] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and the aspects highlighted therein. Rather, a wide variety of variations are possible within the inventive thought, which fall within the scope of activities by a person skilled in the art. By combining the means and features described, it is also possible to realise further variants without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0104] 1 First wire [0105] 2 Second wire [0106] 3 Wire feeding apparatus [0107] 4 Wire conveyor [0108] 5 Wire input [0109] 6 Wire output [0110] 7 Wire transport path [0111] 8 Working transport direction [0112] 9 Processing station [0113] 10 First wire pre-processing device [0114] 11 First wire transfer device [0115] 12 Drive for the first wire transfer device 11 [0116] 13 Wire guide [0117] 14 Guide section [0118] 15 Guide section [0119] 16 Wire guide element [0120] 17 Wire fixing device [0121] 18 Drive for wire fixing device 17 [0122] 19 Sensor [0123] 20 Second wire pre-processing device [0124] 21 Second wire transfer device [0125] 22 Drive for the second wire transfer device 21 [0126] 23 Wire guide [0127] 24 Guide section [0128] 25 Guide section [0129] 26 Wire guide element [0130] 27 Wire fixing device [0131] 28 Drive for wire fixing device 27 [0132] 29 Sensor [0133] 30 Carrier [0134] 31 Drive for the Carrier 30 [0135] 32 Controller [0136] 33 Actuator for the first wire pre-processing device 10 [0137] 34 Actuator for the second wire pre-processing device 20 [0138] 35 Actuator for the wire conveyor 4 [0139] 36 Transport drive of the wire conveyor 4 [0140] 37 Actuator of the wire fixing device 27 [0141] 38 Fixing element of the wire fixing device 27