Assembly and packaging of flat-cable harnesses

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packing a cable harness ( 1 ) completed and/or resting on a carrier ( 2 ), preferably consisting of or containing flat cables. The invention is characterized in that the cable harness ( 1 ) is gripped and held by a packaging device ( 3 ) by means of holding elements ( 4,5,6,7 ) at holding points ( 12 ), e.g., connectors; the carrier ( 2 ) is removed; the holding points ( 12 ) are brought closer to each other, wherein the cable harness ( 1 ) forms loops ( 10 ); the cable harness ( 1 ) is laid on a holder ( 8 ), wherein the loops ( 10 ) pass through slots ( 11 ) in the holder ( 8 ) and the cable harness and as a whole the holder ( 8 ) are placed in a packaging enclosure ( 9 ); the packaging device ( 3 ) releases the holding points ( 12 ); and finally the packaging enclosure ( 9 ) is closed. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method and to a package.

1 . Method for packing a cable harness ( 1 ), which was completed and/or is resting on a carrier ( 2 ), preferably consisting of or containing flat cables, characterized in that the cable harness ( 1 ) is gripped and held by a packaging device ( 3 ), which is, if necessary, part of the production device for the cable harness, by means of holding elements ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) at predetermined positions, holding points ( 12 ), e.g., connectors; the carrier ( 2 ) is removed at least in regions lying between these holding points; the holding points ( 12 ) are brought closer together parallel to a common direction (F, −F), wherein the cable harness ( 1 ) forms loops ( 10 ); the cable harness ( 1 ) is laid on an optionally multiple part, template-like holder ( 8 ) with fixing points for the holding points ( 12 ), wherein the loops ( 10 ) pass through slots ( 11 ) in the holder ( 8 ) and the holding points ( 12 ) are fixed by the fixing points; the cable harness and as a whole the holder ( 8 ) are placed in a packaging enclosure ( 9 ); the packaging device ( 3 ) releases the holding points ( 12 ); and, finally, the packaging enclosure ( 9 ) is closed.  
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the holder is one piece and after the holding points ( 12 ) are brought closer together, the holder is brought under the cable harness ( 1 ) and raised, so that the loops ( 10 ) pass through the slots ( 11 ) in the holder ( 8 ).  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the holder ( 8 ) is formed in multiple parts; parts of the holder are brought directly under the cable harness ( 1 ) before bringing the holding points ( 12 ) closer together and moved with the holding points, so that the loops form between the individual parts; and then the parts are fixed relative to each other in their positions.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to one of claims  1 - 3 , characterized in that the cable harness ( 1 ) and, as a whole, the holder ( 8 ) are placed from above, but in the diagonal direction, into the packaging enclosure ( 9 ).  
     
     
         5 . Method for unpacking a cable harness ( 1 ) lying on a template-like holder ( 8 ) in its packaging with a packaging enclosure ( 9 ), characterized in that the packaging enclosure ( 9 ) is opened; the position of the fixing points is set; holding elements ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) of an unpacking device ( 3 ) grip and hold the holding points ( 12 ); the cable harness is lifted out of its packaging enclosure ( 9 ) and separated from its holder ( 8 ); and finally the holding points ( 12 ) are brought into their original position.  
     
     
         6 . Packaging for a cable harness ( 1 ) with a packaging enclosure ( 9 ) and an optionally multiple part, template-like carrier ( 8 ), characterized in that the carrier ( 8 ) contacts and if necessary is fixed to contacts and fixings of the packaging enclosure ( 9 ); and the carrier ( 8 ) has fixing points for receiving and fixing holding points ( 12 ) of the cable harness ( 1 ).  
     
     
         7 . Packaging according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the carrier ( 8 ) has markings, which allow the packaging device or unpacking device ( 3 ) to identify the position of the carrier and its fixing points, e.g., optically, magnetically, electrically, or by touch.  
     
     
         8 . Packaging according to  claim 6  with a cable harness ( 1 ), characterized in that the holding points ( 12 ) of the cable harness ( 1 ) represent markings, which allow the packaging device or unpacking device ( 3 ) to identify the position of the carrier and its fixing points, e.g., optically, magnetically, electrically, or by touch.  
     
     
         9 . Packaging according to one of claims  6 - 8 , characterized in that the packaging enclosure ( 9 ) and/or the carrier ( 8 ) consists of corrugated cardboard.  
     
     
         10 . Packaging according to  claim 6  or  9 , characterized in that the fixing points for the holding points ( 12 ) are cut-outs in the carrier ( 8 ).