Patent ID: 12212109

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

FIG.1shows a measurement arrangement1for assembling an electrical cable2having a reference device3. InFIG.1, the electrical cable2to be measured by means of the measurement method according to the invention is still located outside the reference device3. InFIG.2, the electrical cable2is illustrated inserted into the reference device3.

For reasons of clarity, inFIGS.1to6, the reference device3is in each case illustrated in sectioned form, whereas the cable2and the sensor device14(yet to be described below) are merely illustrated in an unsectioned side view.

As part of the assembly of electrical cables2, it is necessary to consider a series of measures, in particular relative spacings of components of a plug-type connector to be fitted on the cable2and of the cable relative to one another in order, as a result, to be able to provide high-quality plug-type connections. A selection of relevant measures is illustrated using the electrical cable2illustrated by way of example inFIG.1. The invention is suitable for measuring any desired electrical cables2, but in particular for measuring coaxial cables which are already prepared, as is illustrated inFIG.1.

The cable2illustrated by way of example inFIG.1has a front section from which a cable sheath4has been removed. A supporting sleeve6is fastened, preferably crimped, on the outer conductor5, in this case a braided cable shield, which is located beneath the cable sheath4. The outer conductor5or the braided cable shield can also have been folded back onto the supporting sleeve6, as illustrated inFIGS.1,2,5,6and7, the outer conductor5is in each case not illustrated in a section on the supporting sleeve6in order to show the supporting sleeve6located therebeneath. In the exemplary embodiment, the supporting sleeve6is positioned on the outer conductor5of the cable2in such a way that another exposed section of the outer conductor5remains between a rear, cable-side end6.2of the supporting sleeve6and the cable sheath4. In principle, provision may also be made, however, for the supporting sleeve6to be positioned axially on the cable2in such a way that said supporting sleeve6directly adjoins the cable sheath4. In principle, the supporting sleeve6can also be fastened on the cable sheath4or partially on the cable sheath4.

The electrical cable2illustrated by way of example also has a cable film7, which is optionally located underneath the braided cable shield and under which there is a dielectric8, which guides an inner conductor9of the cable2in it. An inner conductor part10has been fastened, in particular crimped, on the inner conductor9of the cable2.

Probably one of the most relevant measures which needs to be taken into consideration in the assembly of such an electrical cable2is the terminal spacing y between the front, free end10.1of the inner conductor part10and a front end6.1, which faces the inner conductor part10, of the supporting sleeve6. From the terminal spacing y it is also possible to derive other relevant measures, for example a spacing, referred to as “assembly spacing” x, between the front, free end10.1of the inner conductor part10and the rear end6.2, remote from the inner conductor part10, of the supporting sleeve6. The assembly spacing x is also referred to in the field as “measure x” and results, for example, from the addition of the terminal spacing y and the total length L of the supporting sleeve6.

As part of the measurement method according to the invention, provision is made for an end-side end6.1,6.2of the supporting sleeve6, which is fastened on the cable2, to be brought to stop against a reference stop11of the reference device3. As a result, an axial spacing a1, a2between the front, free end10.1of the inner conductor part10and the reference stop11is detected, and from this the terminal spading y between the front, free end10.1of the inner conductor pail10and the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6is derived.

InFIG.2, the electrical cable2is brought with the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6to stop against the reference stop11of the reference device3. In this case, the detected axial spacing a1corresponds directly to the terminal spacing y, possibly taking into consideration a layer thickness of the outer conductor5, which is turned back over the supporting sleeve6, which layer thickness can generally be neglected, however.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to6, the reference device3has a receptacle12for the inner conductor part10or for the cable2, as a result of which the inner conductor part10can be inserted axially into the reference device3until the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6stops against the reference stop11. Preferably, the supporting sleeve6can be pressed mechanically against the reference stop11in order to enable as flat and ideal bearing as possible and therefore sufficiently accurate detection of the axial spacing a1, a2. In addition, by means of a sufficient contact pressure, the layer thickness of the outer conductor5, which has been turned back over the supporting sleeve6, can be of particularly little importance.

In order to bring the supporting sleeve6to stop against the reference stop11, an infeed device13can be provided in order to move the cable2and/or the reference device3. In the exemplary embodiments, an infeed device13is provided which has a gripping device (not illustrated in any more detail) for clamping the cable sheath4of the cable2and then performing a linear or axial movement in the feed direction V towards the reference device3. The specific configuration of the infeed device13is not a matter of the invention, however.

The measurement arrangement1also provides a sensor device14, which is designed to detect the axial spacing a1, a2. In principle, the sensor device14can have a sensing probe, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor and/or an optical sensor or can be designed in accordance with another technology. Preferably, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, a sensing probe14is used. Sensing probes are known in principle, for which reason the specifics of this technology will not be discussed in detail. The illustrated sensing probe14has a housing and a measurement tip15, which is axially movable within a predetermined measurement range in order to detect an axial deviation from a defined zero point or a calibrated mid-position.

The sensor device14, in particular the sensing probe14, can be positioned and/or calibrated using the axial spacing of the front, free end of the inner conductor part of a reference cable (not illustrated). Such a reference cable has a setpoint terminal spacing and is brought to stop against the reference stop11for positioning and/or calibrating the sensor device or the sensing probe14. By means of the sensor device, in particular the sensing probe14, therefore, a deviation of the terminal spacing y of the cable2to be assembled from the setpoint terminal spacing of the reference cable can advantageously be determined.

In order to determine the terminal spacing y between the front, free end10.1of the inner conductor part10and the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6, an open-loop control device16can be provided, which receives the axial spacing a1, a2between the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10and the reference stop11, detected by means of the sensor device, in this case the sensing probe14, as input signal and from this generates an output signal, which reflects the terminal spacing y. This is illustrated by way of example inFIG.2and inFIG.6.

A reference device3which differs from that in the exemplary embodiment inFIG.1is illustrated inFIG.3. In the case of the reference device3illustrated inFIG.3, positioning and/or calibration of the sensor device, in particular the sensing probe14, by means of a reference cable can be avoided. The reference device3illustrated inFIG.3has a measurement stop17. The measurement stop17is arranged opposite the reference stop11. In this case, the measurement stop17and the reference stop11are arranged at opposite ends of a through-bore18which extends axially through the reference device3, and are formed by a change in cross section of the through-bore18of the receptacle12.

The sensor device, in this case the sensing probe14, can be brought to stop against the measurement stop18of the reference device3. The sensor device can be pressed mechanically against the measurement stop18, for example, or fixed on the measurement stop18. For example, the sensor device can also have a housing section formed integrally with the reference device18. The sensor device and the electrical cable2are not shown inFIG.3in order to simplify the illustration.

Owing to the known spacing between the measurement stop13and the reference stop11, the sensor device can be positioned and/or calibrated, in particular taking into consideration an ideal terminal spacing ySET.

Within the scope of the exemplary embodiment inFIG.2, it is illustrated how the terminal spacing y can be determined using the axial spacing a1when the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6is stopped against the reference stop11of the reference device3. Alternatively, it is also possible to bring the rear end6.2of the supporting sleeve6to stop against the reference stop11. A corresponding exemplary embodiment is illustrated inFIGS.4to6. The reference device3can in this case have a reference stop11in the form of a web protruding into the receptacle12, wherein the supporting sleeve6, as illustrated inFIG.5, can first be pushed axially past said web and then, as a result of the electrical cable2being shifted in the receptacle12substantially orthogonally with respect to the insertion movement or feed direction, and possibly an axial movement drawing back counter to the insertion movement, can be stopped at the rear side against the reference stop11.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the terminal spacing y in this variant embodiment can be calculated (for example using the open-loop control device16) by virtue of a total length L of the supporting sleeve6being subtracted from the detected axial spacing a2. The total length L of the supporting sleeve6can in this case be detected in advance by measurement or used as constant and sufficiently accurately known.

A computer program product having program code means can be provided in order to implement the described measurement method on the open-loop control device16.

The invention also relates to a positioning method for assembling an electrical cable2, which is illustrated using a positioning arrangement19inFIGS.7to10. The features of the measurement arrangement1described inFIGS.1to6can also be provided in the exemplary embodiments relating to the positioning arrangement19; this applies in particular to the design of the prepared cable2and to the sensor device or the sensing probe14. Subassemblies of the measurement arrangement1can therefore be reused in a sensible manner in the positioning device19—this is not necessarily provided, however.

The positioning arrangement19has a transport device20, which is designed to position a front, free end10.1of an inner conductor part10, which is fastened on an inner conductor9of the cable2, by means of an infeed movement along a feed direction V in an outer conductor part21, which is to be fitted on the cable2, in an axial setpoint position PSET(cf.FIG.8) along a longitudinal axis A of the outer conductor part21. The transport device20can therefore be identical to the infeed device13.

For example, in order to clarify the positioning method, or the mode of operation of the positioning arrangement19, a prepared cable2having an identical design to the above embodiments is used. In principle, the positioning method can nevertheless be usable for any desired electrical cable2, but in particular a coaxial cable having a single inner conductor9.

The geometric relationships are illustrated in particular inFIG.8, which shows a side view of the positioning arrangement19according to the invention.

In principle, the transport device20can be designed to move the electrical cable2and/or the outer conductor part21in order to insert the inner conductor part10into the outer conductor part21. Preferably, the transport device20is nevertheless designed to only move the electrical cable2. In the exemplary embodiments, the cable2is clamped in a gripping device, which can then be shifted linearly along the longitudinal axis A of the outer conductor part21in the feed direction V in order to position the inner conductor part10in the outer conductor part21. The specific configuration of the transport device20is not a matter covered by the scope of the invention.

Provision is made for the setpoint position PSETof the inner conductor part10in the outer conductor part21to be calculated taking into consideration a terminal spacing y between the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10and a front end6.1, which faces the inner conductor part10, of a supporting sleeve6, which is fastened on the cable2, wherein during the infeed movement, an axial actual position PACTof the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10relative to the outer conductor part21is measured.

The axial actual position PACTof the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10relative to the outer conductor part21is measured in the exemplary embodiment by means of a sensor device14(illustrated inFIGS.9and10). In principle, the sensor device14can have a sensing probe, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor and/or an optical sensor. Preferably, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, a sensing probe14is provided, which can have an identical design, for example, to the sensing probe14of the measurement arrangement1.

The terminal spacing y for determining the setpoint position PSETcan be assumed to be known within the scope of the positioning method according to the invention, but can preferably be detected by means of a previously implemented measurement method for assembling an electrical cable2, in particular using the measurement method described within the scope of the invention.

The setpoint position PSETcan furthermore be calculated on the basis of an axial ideal position PIDEAL(cf.FIG.8) of the supporting sleeve6in the outer conductor part21for subsequent fastening of the outer conductor part21on the supporting sleeve6. In particular, the axial ideal position PIDEALof the supporting sleeve6in the outer conductor part21can be determined corresponding to the position of the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6on an inner shoulder22of the outer conductor part21.

As a result of the fact that the supporting sleeve6can now be positioned optimally on the inner shoulder22of the outer conductor part21by virtue of the setpoint position PSETbeing determined taking into consideration the individual terminal spacing y of the electrical cable2to be assembled and being monitored using measurement technology, it is possible to avoid an air gap between the supporting sleeve6and the shoulder22of the outer conductor part21which would cause a sudden change in impedance and therefore an impairment of the electrical transition between the electrical cable2and the plug-type connector to be fitted.

The front end10.1of the inner conductor part10and therefore the setpoint or actual position PSET, PACTof the inner conductor part10in the outer conductor part21can be detected advantageously using measurement technology in particular when the sensor device or the sensing probe14is positioned and arranged fixedly in a defined manner relative to the outer conductor part21, as illustrated inFIGS.9and10. Using the sensing probe14, the actual position PACTof the cable2to be assembled can be measured, in particular in the front section, which is relevant for the positioning, of the outer conductor part21. The sensing probe14can in this case be positioned and/or calibrated taking into consideration the ideal position PIDEALof a reference cable (not illustrated) in the outer conductor part21using the determination of a setpoint position for the reference cable.

The actual position PACTof the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10can be measured continuously or time-discretely during the infeed. Preferably, provision can be made for the inner conductor part10to be positioned in the outer conductor part21taking into consideration the measured actual position PACTas part of a closed-loop position control.

An open-loop and/or closed-loop control device23(cf.FIG.9) can be provided and set up to calculate the setpoint position PSETtaking into consideration the measurement of the actual position PACTof the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10and taking into consideration the terminal spacing y between the front end10.1of the inner conductor part10and the front end6.1of the supporting sleeve6, which is fastened on the cable2, and to position in the setpoint position PSETby means of the transport device20, as indicated inFIG.9. A computer program product having program code means can be provided in order to implement a positioning method described here on the closed-loop and/or open-loop control device23.

Following the positioning of the inner conductor part10in the setpoint position PSETwithin the outer conductor part21, the outer conductor part21can be fastened, preferably crimped, on the cable2, in particular the supporting sleeve6and/or the outer conductor5of the cable2, as is indicated inFIG.10.

An electrical cable2which has been prepared with the inner conductor part10and the outer conductor part21is illustrated inFIG.11. In a subsequent step, the cable2prepared in this way can be inserted and latched into a housing part of a plug-type connector (not illustrated).

The invention also relates to an assembly method for assembling an electrical cable2. An exemplary assembly method is illustrated inFIG.12.

The principal required steps in the assembly of the electrical cable2are known and can be performed using one or more assembly arrangements or automatic assembly machines. The arrangement described below should merely be understood by way of example and sometimes is also only reproduced incompletely.

In a first step S1, as part of an assembly method according to the invention, a supporting sleeve6is fastened, preferably crimped, on an outer conductor21of an electrical cable2.

Then, in a second step S2, an inner conductor part10can be fastened, preferably crimped, on an inner conductor9of the cable2.

In a third step S3, a measurement method according to the invention in accordance with the above embodiments can be implemented.

In a fourth step S4, a positioning method in accordance with the above embodiments is implemented.

Finally, in a fifth step S5, the supporting sleeve6can be fastened, preferably crimped, in the outer conductor part21.

In a sixth step S6, the thereby prepared electrical cable2can be introduced and possibly latched into a housing, preferably a plastic housing, of a plug-type connector.

Operation

Having described the structure of our Measurement and Positioning Methods and Arrangements for Assembling an Electrical Cable, its operation is briefly described.

A first object of the present invention is a measurement method for assembling an electrical cable (2), the electrical cable (2) having a supporting sleeve (6) with an end-side end, the supporting sleeve (6) being fastened on the electrical cable (2), and having an inner conductor part (10) with a front, free end (10.1), the inner conductor part (10) being fastened on an inner conductor (9) of the electrical cable (2), comprising the steps: providing a reference device (3) that has a reference stop (11); bringing the end-side end of the supporting sleeve (6) to stop against the reference stop (11) of the reference device (3); detecting an axial spacing (a1, a2) between the front, free-end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) and the reference stop (11); and deriving a terminal spacing (y) between the front, free end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) and the end-side end of the supporting sleeve (6) which faces the inner conductor part (10) from the detected axial spacing (a1, a2).

A second object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the detected axial spacing (a1) corresponds to the terminal spacing (y) when a front end (6.1) of the supporting sleeve (6) is brought to stop against the reference stop (11) during the detection of the axial spacing (a1).

A third object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the inner conductor part (10) is inserted axially into a receptacle (12) of the reference device (3) until the front end (6.1) of the supporting sleeve (6) stops against the reference stop (11).

A fourth object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the terminal spacing (y) is calculated by a total length (L) of the supporting sleeve (6) being subtracted from the detected axial spacing (a2) when a rear end (6.2), of the supporting sleeve (6), which is remote from the inner conductor part, is brought to stop against the reference stop (11) during the detection of the axial spacing (a2).

A fifth object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the supporting sleeve (6) is fastened, preferably crimped, on an outer conductor (5) of the electrical cable (2).

A sixth object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the supporting sleeve (6) is pressed mechanically against the reference stop (11).

A seventh object of the present invention is a measurement method and further comprising: a sensor device, and the sensor device detects the axial spacing (a1, a2) between the front, free end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) and the reference stop (11).

An eighth object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the sensor device is an inductive sensor, or a capacitive sensor and/or an optical sensor.

A ninth object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the reference device (3) defines a through-bore (18), and the through-bore (18) has mutually remote ends, and the sensor device (14) is brought to stop against a measurement stop (17) of the reference device (3), and wherein the measurement stop (17) and the reference stop (11) are arranged at the mutually remote ends of the through-bore (18).

A tenth object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the sensor device (14) is pressed mechanically against the measurement stop (17) or fixed on the measurement stop (17).

An eleventh object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the supporting sleeve of a reference cable, which has a setpoint terminal spacing, is brought to stop against the reference stop (11), and whereafter the sensor device (14) is positioned and/or calibrated using the detected axial spacing between the front, free end of the inner conductor part of the reference cable and the reference stop (11).

A twelfth object of the present invention is a measurement method characterized in that any deviation of the terminal spacing (y) of the electrical cable (2) to be assembled from the setpoint terminal spacing of the reference cable is determined by means of the sensor device (14).

A thirteenth object of the present invention is a measurement arrangement (1) for assembling an electrical cable (2), comprising: a reference device (3) having a reference stop; (11), an infeed device (13), which is designed to bring an end-side end (6.1,6.2) of a supporting sleeve (6), which is fastened on the electrical cable (2), to stop against, the reference stop; and (11), a sensor device (14), which detects an axial spacing (a1, a2) between a front, free end (10.1) of an inner conductor part (10), which is fastened on an inner conductor (9) of the electrical cable (2), and the reference stop (11).

A fourteenth object of the present invention is a measurement arrangement (1), and further comprising: providing an open-loop control device (16) to derive a terminal spacing (y) between the front, free end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) and a front end (6.1), of the supporting sleeve (6), which faces the inner conductor part (10), from the detected axial spacing (a1, a2).

A fifteenth object of the present invention is a measurement arrangement (1) wherein the reference device (3) has a receptacle (12) for the inner conductor part (10) of the electrical cable (2).

A sixteenth object of the present invention is a measurement arrangement (1) wherein the reference device (3) has a measurement stop (17), and the measurement stop (17) and the reference stop (11) are arranged at mutually remote ends of a through-bore (18), which extends axially through the reference device (3).

A seventeenth object of the present invention is a positioning method for assembling an electrical cable (2), the electrical cable (2) having an inner conductor part (10) with a front, free end (10.1), the inner conductor part (10) being fastened on an inner conductor (9) of the electrical cable (2), and having a supporting sleeve (6) with a front end (6.1), which faces the inner conductor part (10), the supporting sleeve (6) being fastened on the electrical cable (2), comprising the steps: providing an outer conductor part (21) that has a longitudinal axis (A); determining a terminal spacing (y) between the front, free-end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) and the front end (6.1) of the supporting sleeve (6); feeding-in and positioning the front, free-end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) in the outer conductor part (21) in an axial set point (Pset) position along the longitudinal axis (A) of the outer conductor part (21), and wherein the axial set point (Pset) position is calculated taking into consideration the determined terminal spacing (y); and wherein during the infeed movement, an axial actual position (Pact) of the front, free-end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) relative to the outer conductor part (21) is measured.

A twentieth object of the present invention is a positioning method characterized in that the axial setpoint position (PSET) is calculated on the basis of an axial ideal position (PIDEAL) of the supporting sleeve (6) in the outer conductor part (21) for subsequent fastening of the outer conductor part (21) on the supporting sleeve (6).

A twenty-first object of the present invention is a positioning method characterized in that the electrical cable (2) is clamped in a gripping device, whereafter the gripping device is shifted linearly along the longitudinal axis (A) of the outer conductor part (21) in order to position the inner conductor part (10) in the outer conductor part (21).

A twenty-second object of the present invention is a positioning arrangement (19) for assembling an electrical cable (2), comprising: a transport device (20) that provides infeed movement to position a front, free end (10.1) of an inner conductor part (10) that is fastened on an inner conductor (9) of the electrical cable (2) in an outer connector part (21) in an axial set point position (Pset) along a longitudinal axis (A) of the outer connector part (21); a sensor device (14) to measure an axial actual position (Pact) of the front, free end (10.1) of the inner connector part (10) relative to the outer conductor part (21) during the infeed movement; and wherein an open loop and/or closed-loop control device (23) calculates the setpoint position (Pset) taking into consideration the axial actual position (Pact) of the front, free end (10.1) of the inner connector part (10) and taking into consideration a terminal spacing (y) between the front, free end (10.1) of the inner connector part (10) and a front end (6.1) of a supporting sleeve (6) which is fastened on the electrical cable (2), the front end (6.1) facing the inner conductor part (10), and wherein the open loop and/or closed loop control device (23) is set up to position the front, free end (10.1) of the inner conductor part (10) in the set point position (Pset) by means of the transport device (20).

A twenty-third object of the present invention is a measurement method wherein the sensor device is fixed on the measurement stop.

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 Equivalence.