WO2021151496A1

WO2021151496A1 - Cable tie, in particular for cable harnesses, installed using an automated process and method for the use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021151496A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/052341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Dürr
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2020-01-30
Filing date: 2020-01-30
Publication date: 2021-08-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable tie comprising a defined receiving volume for a cable (10), wherein the cable tie has a first orientation for receiving a cable (10) or a plurality of cables (10), as well as a method for the use thereof. The invention is characterised in that the cable tie has an additional second orientation for fixing the cable (10) in a positionally stable manner.

Description

description

Cable ties, especially for cable harnesses, laid using an automated process and method for its application

The invention relates to a cable tie with a defined receiving volume for cables, the cable tie having a first orientation for receiving a cable or a plurality of cables, and a method for its use.

Even today, the production of cable harnesses is still a largely manual process that is increasingly reaching its limits, taking into account the cost factor and quality. There is therefore a desire to make the structured construction of cable harnesses much simpler and more cost-effective using cable ties.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to create a cable tie with a significantly simpler handling, in particular also for use in an automated process, and to provide a method for its use.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a cable tie according to claim 1 and by a method for its application according to claim 11. Advantageous training and development, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cable tie with a defined receiving volume for cables, the cable tie having a first orientation for receiving a cable or a plurality of cables. The invention is characterized in that the cable tie has an additional second alignment for the positionally stable fixation the cable, in particular reversible and with the same configuration of the cable tie.

The essence of the invention is that the cable tie according to the invention can be transferred from a first, open orientation for receiving the cables into a second, closed orientation for the positionally stable fixing of the cables, preferably by a simple rotating or pivoting movement. The changes in the alignment of the cable tie are reversible, without the functionality of the cable tie being impaired, and are designed to be free from changes in the configuration of the cable tie. The cable tie is preferably made in one piece so that it can be easily operated by a standard gripper within an automatized process for the installation and alignment of cable harnesses. The configuration of the cable tie according to the invention is designed so simply that it can be easily expanded if it should be necessary. The manufacture of the cable tie according to the invention is also possible by means of a 3-D printing process.

An advantageous embodiment of the cable tie according to the invention can consist in that the cable tie is free of locking devices connecting two parts or locking devices acted upon by springs.

The great advantage of the cable tie according to the invention is that it can be used in an automated process to create cable harnesses. A common standard gripper can fix the cables in a stable position by rotating or pivoting the cable tie. This gripper does not have to implement any further process step, for example in order to position a locking device or to loosen a spring.

It corresponds to a special embodiment of the cable tie according to the invention that the change in the alignment of the cable tie from the first alignment to the second alignment and vice versa by changing its alignment is defined to a point in space. The cable tie changes its alignment to a specific point in space through a defined movement that can be carried out by a standard gripper within an automated process. Only the cable tie has to be operated within the automated process. No further access to the cables, for example, is required. It only has to be ensured that the cables are arranged taut, although this does not have to be done automatically.

A continuation of the concept for the cable tie according to the invention can consist in changing the alignment of the cable tie from the first alignment to the second alignment and vice versa via a rotary and / or pivoting and / or similar movement. The movement of the standard gripper is only a movement in the plane of the support surface of the cable tie. The movement that ultimately has to be implemented by the gripper depends on the position and orientation of the cable harness. It therefore does not have to be a pure rotary or pivoting movement. It can also be combined movements. The essential functionality of the cable tie according to the invention is designed in such a way that it changes its orientation to a defined point in space by being moved reversibly from the first orientation into the second orientation and vice versa.

An extension of a special embodiment of the concept according to the invention for the cable tie can provide that the change in the alignment of the cable tie from the first to the second alignment and vice versa is implemented in the form of a rotation by approximately 90 °.

It corresponds to a special embodiment of the cable tie according to the invention that the cable tie has an attachment dome, a support surface for the cables and space-defining elements. A continuation of the concept for the cable tie according to the invention can consist in that space-defining extensions and / or space-defining projections are arranged on the support surface and / or on the space-defining elements. The extensions or projections serve to hold the cable together in a clearly defined receiving volume and can preferably be of claw-shaped design.

An advantageous embodiment of the cable tie according to the invention can consist in that the cable tie has mounting devices for fixing two cable ties to one another or to an assembly unit. In the event that the cable tie is to receive an additional fixation on a Montageein, day aids can be arranged, for example, on the top dome Mon, via which the fixation is implemented. The fixation can, for example, be a plug-in process, which can also be implemented within an automated process.

An advantageous embodiment of the cable tie according to the invention can consist in that the cable tie is designed in one piece. Cable harnesses that are easy to align can be laid with a one-piece cable tie.

An extension of a special embodiment of the concept according to the invention for the cable tie can provide that the cable tie has an axis of rotation with different locking positions between the top dome and the support surface. With the same configuration of the cable tie, it is also possible to install a rotary axis between the top dome and the support surface, preferably with defined locking positions.

In this case, a standard gripper would grip both the dome attachment and the support surface and rotate the support surface against the dome attachment in order to transfer the cable tie into the second orientation. The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for using a cable tie with a defined receiving volume for cables having different orientations with the following steps:

- Introducing a cable or a plurality of cables into the receiving volume of the cable tie in a first orientation;

- Changing the alignment of the cable tie to a point in space in the second alignment, this second process step being free of an additional process step to connect two parts using a locking device or to use a spring-loaded locking device to bring parts together.

An extension of a special embodiment of the method according to the invention for the use of the cable tie can provide that the cable tie is transferred into the respective other orientation via a rotating and / or pivoting and / or similar movement.

The cable tie according to the invention can also have further functional features in addition to the features outlined below in the special exemplary embodiments. A special embodiment of the cable tie can provide a rotation axis with different locking positions between the top dome and the support surface, as well as assembly aids, preferably on the top dome, in order to fix it in a stable position. In addition, plug-in devices in the form of plug-in openings and plugs can be provided on the top dome, so that two cable ties can be attached to one another via the top dome. It is also conceivable to arrange further room-defining elements with the same orientation one above the other in the respective plane of the room-defining elements, so that a plurality of cable levels arranged one above the other are held together in a stable position. Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below using exemplary embodiments and the drawing.

It shows:

1 shows a perspective illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a cable tie according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the cable tie according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a first orientation for receiving cables;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fiction, contemporary cable tie according to Figure 1 in a second orientation for the positionally stable fixing of the cables;

4 in a perspective illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a cable tie according to the invention with additional space-defining extensions, preferably kral len-shaped;

Fig. 5 in a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment from a cable tie according to the invention with additional space-defining projections in the form of Win angle elements;

Fig. 6 in a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment from a cable tie according to the invention with additional space-defining projections in the form of abge beveled projections.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cable tie according to the Invention. The cable tie is preferably made in one piece and has an attachment dome 1, a support surface 2 for the cables and space-defining elements 3. The attachment dome 1 can preferably be designed in the shape of a cuboid and is preferably centered under the support surface 2 arranged for the cables. The top dome 1 and the support surface 2 for the cables together preferably form a T-piece. The support surface 2 represents a plane from which the space-defining elements 3 protrude. The space-defining elements 3 preferably have two legs 4, 5 which together preferably result in an L-shape. The space-defining elements 3 are preferably arranged at diametrically opposite corner points 6, 7 of the support surface 2, the leg 4 being arranged on the support surface 2 and the leg 5 preferably positioned at an angle of approximately 90 ° to the leg 4. The legs 5 of the space-defining elements 3 are parallel to each other and together with the support surface 2 form an open cuboid, the bottom 8 of the cuboid through the top of the support surface 2 and the top 9 of the cuboid through the legs 5 of the space-defining elements 3 out forms are. The four side edges of the cuboid, which connect the bottom 8 to the top 9, are open so that the cables can be passed through two opposite open side edges. The recording volume of the cable tie for the cable is therefore formed by the underside 8, the top 9 and the two diametrically opposed space-defining elements 3.

In Fig. 2, the cable tie according to the invention of FIG. 1 is in a first orientation for receiving cables Darge provides. In the first orientation, the space-defining elements 3 are arranged in an open orientation, so that cables 10 can be stacked on the support surface 2 of the cable tie. The legs 5 of the space-defining elements

3 are aligned parallel to the course of the cables in this open orientation. The capacity of the cable tie is determined by the width of the support surface and the height of the legs

4 of the space-defining elements 3 are defined.

FIG. 3 shows the cable tie according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a second orientation for the positionally stable fixing of the cables 10. In the second orientation, the space-defi- Ning elements 3 are arranged in a closed orientation, so that the cables stacked on the support surface 2

10 are held together in a stable position. The closed alignment of the cable tie is characterized in that the legs 5 of the space-defining elements 3 are now aligned transversely to the course of the cables 10. They are also arranged point-symmetrically so that they form a clearly delimited space. The cable tie is preferably transferred clockwise from the first alignment to the second alignment by rotating or pivoting about 90 °.

In Fig. 4, a second embodiment of a cable tie according to the invention is shown with additional claw-shaped extensions. This second embodiment of the cable tie according to the invention is characterized by further spacing-defining extensions 11. These space-defining extensions are preferably arranged on the exposed end regions 12 of the legs 5 of the space-defining elements 3 and at the free diametrically opposite corner points 13, 14 of the support surface 2. The space-defining extensions

11 are preferably claw-shaped, i.e. the extensions 11 are slightly curved and point into the interior of the receiving volume or are aligned with the support surface 2.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of a cable tie according to the invention with additional space-defining projections 15 in the form of angle elements. The space-defining projections 15 are preferably positioned at the corner points 13, 14 of the support surface 2. The space-defining projections 15 on the support surface 2 make it possible to hold the cable 10 together better in the lower area.

6 shows a fourth embodiment of a cable tie according to the invention with additional space-defining projections 16 in the form of a cuboid with a beveled side surface. The geometry of this space-defining Renden projection 16 is composed of a cuboid base body and a wedge, with two parallel zueinan the aligned side edges correspond to an uneven trapezoidal surface. The space-defining projections 16 are preferably positioned at the corner points 13, 14 of the support surface 2, the beveled side surfaces being aligned with the legs 4 in each case. The space-defining protrusions 16 on the support surface 2 also serve to hold the cables 10 together in the area below.

The cable tie according to the invention and the method for its application are characterized in that this cable tie can be used in an automated process. The cable tie can only be positioned largely free of force by placing it on the tightened cable harness and rotating it by approx. 90 °. This can be implemented in an automated process by a standard gripper.

List of reference symbols

1 on top dome

2 support surface for cables

3 Space-defining element

4 legs

5 legs

6 corner point

7 corner point

8 bottom

9 top

10 cables

11 Space-defining extension

12 Exposed end area of the leg 5

13 corner point

14 corner point

15 Space-defining projection in the form of angle elements

16 Space-defining projection in the form of a cuboid with a beveled side surface

Claims

1. Cable tie with a defined receiving volume for cables, the cable tie having a first alignment for receiving a cable (10) or a plurality of cables (10), characterized in that the cable tie has an additional second alignment for the positionally stable fixing of the cables (10).

2. Cable tie according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable tie is free of two parts with one another of the connecting locking devices or locking devices acted upon by springs.

3. Cable tie according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the change in the alignment of the cable tie from the first alignment in the second direction and vice versa is defined by changing its alignment to a point in space.

4. Cable tie according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the change in the orientation of the cable tie from the first orientation to the second orientation and vice versa is formed via a rotating and / or pivoting and / or a similar movement.

5. Cable tie according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the change in the orientation of the cable tie from the first orientation to the second orientation and vice versa is designed in the form of a rotation through approximately 90 °.

6. Cable tie according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cable tie has an attachment dome (1), a support surface (2) for the cables (10) and space-defining elements (3).

7. Cable tie according to claim 6, characterized in that on the support surface (2) and / or on the raumdefi nating elements (3) space-defining extensions (11) and / or space-defining projections (15, 16) are angeord net.

8. Cable tie according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cable tie has Montagevorrichtun gene for fixing two cable ties to one another or on an assembly unit.

9. Cable tie according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cable tie is formed out in one piece.

10. Cable tie according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cable tie has an axis of rotation with different locking positions between the attachment dome (1) and the support surface (2).

11. A method for using a cable tie with a defined receiving volume for cables (10) with different orientations with the following steps:

- Introducing a cable (10) or a plurality of cables (10) into the receiving volume of the cable tie in a first orientation;

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the cable tie has a rotating and / or pivoting and / or a similar movement is converted into the respective other orientation.