CN106450840B

CN106450840B - Clamping device, open combination unit and method for operating a clamping device

Info

Publication number: CN106450840B
Application number: CN201610599526.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 贝内迪克特·斯特劳斯
Original assignee: MD Elektronik GmbH
Current assignee: MD Elektronik GmbH
Priority date: 2015-08-04
Filing date: 2016-07-26
Publication date: 2020-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-26
Also published as: EP3128627B1; EP3128627A1; MX2016009496A; DE102016212731A1; CN106450840A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clamping device for the clamping accommodation of a plurality of conductors of a cable, comprising at least two clamping arms and clamping areas which are formed on the respective clamping arms and by means of which the conductors of the cable can be clamped in each case against a clamping surface which is assigned to the clamping area, wherein the respective clamping arm can be brought elastically into a clamping position in which the conductors can be clamped with its clamping area under prestress against the assigned clamping surface, and wherein the respective clamping arm can be pivoted out of the clamping position into a release position in which the conductors can be introduced between the clamping area and the clamping surface, and to an open combination unit and a method for operating the clamping device. In this case, an actuating region is formed on the respective clamping arm, which is spaced apart from the clamping region and is arranged such that a deflection of the clamping arm can be effected by an actuating element, which is different from the conductor to be clamped, acting on the actuating region.

Description

Clamping device, open combination unit and method for operating a clamping device

Technical Field

The present application relates to a clamping device for the clamping reception of a plurality of conductors of a cable and to an open combination unit

And a method for operating the clamping device.

Background

The clamping device comprises at least two clamping arms, on each of which a clamping region is formed, with which a conductor of the cable can be clamped against a corresponding surface (clamping surface) associated with the clamping arm, wherein the respective clamping arm can be brought, on the one hand, elastically into a clamping position in which it can clamp, with its clamping region, the conductor (introduced between the clamping region and the associated clamping surface) against the associated clamping surface under prestress, and wherein the respective clamping arm can be pivoted, on the other hand, outwardly against the prestress from its clamping position into a release position in which the conductor located between the clamping region of the clamping arm and the associated clamping surface is not clamped between the clamping region and the clamping surface.

Such a clamping arrangement is known, for example, from EP 0089779 a 1. In this arrangement, the clamping arms are tensioned against one another by means of an additional spring element and have lead-in ramps on their upper free ends. The extension of the respective clamping arm by the introduction of the conductor along the respective lead-in ramp between the two clamping arms enables the introduction of the conductor between the clamping arms in order to clamp it there.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to further develop a clamping device of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular with a view to seizing and subsequent release of the conductors of the cable by means of the clamping device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a clamping device.

In this way, in addition to the clamping region, an actuating region is provided on the respective clamping arm, which is spaced apart from the clamping region, and which is arranged and configured in such a way that a deflection of the clamping arm (against prestressing) can be achieved by an actuating element, which is different from the wire to be clamped, acting on the actuating region.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible to achieve a defined deflection of the gripper arms of the clamping device by means of the open combination unit, which is achieved by the fact that it acts on the operating region of the gripper arms with operating elements provided for this purpose. This makes it possible on the one hand to prepare the conductor to be clamped for a suitable insertion between the respective clamping area and the associated clamping surface; and on the other hand enables removal of a wire previously clamped between the clamping area and the clamping surface.

As soon as the respective line of the cable is arranged between the clamping region of the deflected clamping arm and the associated counter surface, it is possible there to automatically clamp the line and hold it in the clamped state due to the elastic tensioning of the clamping arm in its respective clamping position, without additional energy having to be supplied to this (from the clamping device or its clamping arm). That is, the clamping of the respective conductor is (solely) effected on the basis of the internal spring force of the clamping device. In this state, the assembly operation, for example the bundling of the plug-in connectors, can then be carried out using the wires clamped in the clamping device. After the assembly operation is completed, the clamping arms of the clamping device can be pivoted again by means of the opening assembly unit in order to release the previously clamped conductor.

The number of clamping arms of the clamping device corresponds here to the minimum number of wires of the cable to be clamped. At least two gripper arms, in particular four, six or eight gripper arms, are provided. Advantageously, there is an even number of gripper arms, so that the gripper arms can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central section of the clamping device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping device consists of an integrally formed part. This means on the one hand that the gripper arms are not formed by separate elements which are connected to one another via the fastening elements, but rather form an integrally formed component of a single part. On the other hand, this means that the elastic tensioning of the clamping arms in their respective clamping position is not achieved by additional external elements, for example helical springs, but by the elastic design itself which forms an integral component of the clamping device. Such a component can consist, for example, of a metal sheet, i.e. be embodied as a so-called spring sheet.

According to one inventive variant, the actuating region of the respective gripper arm is designed as a guide region along which an associated (external) actuating element can be guided in order to pivot the respective gripper arm from its gripping position into the release position. According to the invention, the respective actuating region in the form of the guide region is designed separately and separately from the clamping arm, by means of which the conductors of the cable can be clamped against the associated clamping surface.

Furthermore, the respective operating region on the clamping arm can be distinguished from its clamping region in that the clamping arm in the operating region has a different curvature or a different spatial extension curve on its surface (to be contacted by the operating element) than in the clamping region or to be contacted by the conductor to be clamped.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a separating region, in particular in the form of a projection on the gripper arm, is arranged between the gripping region and the operating region of the respective gripper arm, which prevents a wire or an operating element to be gripped from being able to slide along the gripper arm from the gripping region to the operating region or vice versa.

Advantageously, the respective operating or guide region has an extension which is inclined with respect to the main extension direction of its gripper arm, so that a deflection of the gripper arm (transversely to the direction of the longitudinal movement) is brought about by a longitudinal movement of the operating element in the main extension direction of the gripper arm under the action of the operating or guide region thereof. In particular, the individual gripper arms of the clamping device can extend substantially parallel to one another.

Furthermore, the clamping device can comprise a first group of gripper arms and a second group of gripper arms, wherein the first group of gripper arms is prestressed in each case in the opposite direction in their gripping position, as is the case with the second group of gripper arms, and is correspondingly also deflected in the opposite direction into their release position, as is the case with the second group of gripper arms. The first group of clamping arms and the second group of clamping arms can be arranged on both sides of the central section of the clamping device (advantageously, the deflection of the clamping arms for their passage from the clamping position into the release position takes place counter to the direction in which the clamping arms are prestressed into their clamping position); that is, a first set of clamp arms is disposed on one side with respect to the central section and a second set of clamp arms is disposed on the other side with respect to the central section.

In particular, when the clamping device has more than two gripper arms, it can be arranged relative to one another such that at least a part of the gripping surfaces, which respectively form the corresponding surfaces of the gripping areas of the opposite gripper arm, is formed by the one gripping surface of the last-mentioned gripper arm facing away from the gripping area of the one gripper arm. That is to say that at least in a part of the gripper arms, a gripping surface serving as a counter surface for the gripping area of the other gripper arm is located on the side facing away from the gripping area.

Furthermore, a fastening point can be provided on the clamping device, via which the clamping device can be fastened to the associated support body.

An open combination unit is provided, by means of which a plurality of gripper arms of a clamping device according to the invention can be pivoted simultaneously in order to be pivoted into their respective release positions.

The opening combination unit then has a guide unit and an operating unit guided on the guide unit in a longitudinally movable manner, wherein the latter is equipped with a plurality of operating elements via which the operating unit can simultaneously act on operating regions of a plurality of gripper arms of the clamping device in order to deflect it-by means of a longitudinal movement of the operating element guided by means of the guide unit-counter to its direction of prestressing. In this case, a positioning unit is also arranged on the guide unit, by means of which the operating unit can be positioned in a defined longitudinal position on the guide unit before being moved from this position outwards in the longitudinal direction along the guide unit, in order to act by means of its operating elements on the operating region of the clamping arm of the clamping device to be deflected.

The actuating unit is guided on the guide unit, for example, in such a way that it can be moved longitudinally along an axis on the guide unit in order to act via its actuating element on the actuating region of the gripper arms of the clamping device in such a way that it is deflected and thereby in each case turned into its release position.

In order to trigger a longitudinal movement of the actuating unit along the guide unit, the actuating element can be provided, which is supported on the guide unit and which can be adjusted relative to the actuating unit, in particular along the same axis along which the actuating unit is moved longitudinally relative to the guide unit.

The operating element provided on the operating unit can be formed by a plurality of operating pins arranged side by side protruding from the surface of the operating unit.

According to another aspect of the invention, an arrangement is proposed which comprises a clamping device and an open combination unit for operating such a clamping device.

Drawings

Further details and advantages of the invention are clearly set forth in the following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Shown here are:

fig. 1 is a clamping device for clampingly receiving a plurality of wires of a cable, which for this purpose comprises a plurality of clamping arms;

FIG. 2 is the clamping device of FIG. 1 with the clamping arms deflected so that the wires of the cable can be arranged therein for clamping thereof;

FIG. 3 is the clamping device of FIG. 1 together with a fixing member for fixing the clamping device to a support body;

fig. 4 is the clamping device of fig. 1 and 3, secured to a support body;

FIG. 5A is an open combination unit for simultaneously deflecting the plurality of gripper arms of the clamping device of FIG. 1, including a guide unit, an operating unit, and an actuator;

FIG. 5B is a guide unit of the open combination unit of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is the open combination unit of FIG. 5A together with a clamping device of the type shown in FIG. 1 to operate therewith;

FIG. 6B is a section of the arrangement in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a further view of the arrangement in FIG. 6A;

fig. 7A is the arrangement of fig. 6A to 6C after engagement of the operating element of the open combination unit with the clamping means to be operated;

FIG. 7B is an additional view of a section of the arrangement in FIG. 7A;

fig. 8A is the arrangement in fig. 7A and 7B after deflecting the gripper arms of the gripping device by means of the open combined unit;

FIG. 8B is a further view of the arrangement in FIG. 8A;

fig. 9 is the arrangement of fig. 8A and 8B after insertion of the wires of the cable into the clamping device (also with deflected clamping arms);

FIG. 10A is the arrangement of FIG. 9 after the clamping arms have been rebounded to the clamping position, thereby clamping the wires of the cable in the clamping device;

FIG. 10B is a further view of the arrangement in FIG. 10A;

fig. 11A is the arrangement in fig. 10A and 10B after removal of the clamping device from the open combination unit;

fig. 11B is a further view of the arrangement in fig. 11A.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a view of a clamping device 1 for clampingly receiving a plurality of wires of a cable. The clamping device is embodied in one piece in the exemplary embodiment; that is to say it consists of a single, integrally formed part.

The clamping device 1 comprises a base body 10. A plurality of (longitudinally extending) clamping

arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b project from the base body along the longitudinal extension direction y, to be precise four clamping arms in this exemplary embodiment. The

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b extend here substantially parallel to one another along the aforementioned direction y.

The

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are broadly divided into a first set of

gripper arms

2a, 3a and a second set of

gripper arms

2b, 3b, wherein the

first set

2a, 3a is arranged on one side of the central section 12 of the gripping device 1 and the

second set

2b, 3b is arranged on the other, opposite side. In this case, the central section 12 of the clamping device 1, like the

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, projects from the base body 10 of the clamping device 1 in the longitudinal extension direction y. In this case, the

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are integrally molded on the base body 10. The same applies to the central section 12 of the clamping device 1.

The

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b respectively comprise: a

transition section

21 or 31, on which the clamping arm is integrated into the base body 10 of the clamping device 1; and also a

free end

22 or 32, which faces away from the basic body 10.

The central section 12 of the clamping device 1, which section extends between the two sets of

gripper arms

2a, 3a or 2b, 3b, has on the one hand a fastening region with fastening points 13 in the form of fastening openings, via which the clamping device 1 can be fastened to the supporting body 4, as shown in fig. 3 and 4. Furthermore, the central section 12 of the clamping device 1 has a free end 15 which faces away from the base body 10 and which is arranged in this embodiment between the free ends 22, 32 of the gripping

arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3 b. In addition, a further fastening point 11, also in the form of a fastening opening, is provided on the holding device 1, specifically on its base body 10, in order to be able to fasten the clamping device 1, which cooperates with the first fastening point 13, to the support body in a rotationally fixed manner.

The clamping

region

23 or 33 is designed on the surface of the

respective clamping arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b which points inward, i.e. in the direction of the central section 12 of the clamping device 1, respectively, said clamping region being furthermore characterized in that the

respective clamping arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b on the surface thereof which forms the clamping

region

23, 33 has a substantially arcuate curvature (Kr ü mmung), respectively.

Each of the clamping

areas

23, 33 is provided with a corresponding surface in the form of a clamping

surface

14 or 24, respectively, in such a way that a component, in particular a conductor of a cable in the present case, can be clamped between the clamping

area

23 or 33 and the associated clamping

surface

14 or 24. In this regard, the clamping device 1 in this exemplary embodiment is embodied in such a way that the

respective clamping arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b assumes the clamping position shown in fig. 1 due to the internal spring force of the clamping device 1 (or more precisely of the clamping

arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b themselves), in which the

respective clamping arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b is only slightly spaced apart from the associated clamping

surface

14 or 24 by means of its

clamping region

23 or 33. As a result, the line between the

respective clamping region

23 or 33 and the associated clamping

surface

14 or 24 is held clamped there (automatically under the influence of an elastic prestress), as explained below with reference to fig. 10A, 10B and 11A, 11B.

In this case, the corresponding surfaces of the

inner clamping arms

2a, 2b or of their clamping areas 23 are formed in the form of clamping surfaces 14 on the central section 12 of the clamping device 1, which is arranged between the two

inner clamping arms

2a, 2 b. In contrast, the corresponding surface associated with the

outer clamping arm

3a, 3b or its fastening region 33 is formed on one of the

inner clamping arms

2a, 2b in the form of the clamping surface 24, that is to say on the side of the

respective clamping arm

2a or 2b facing away from the respective clamping region 23 of the

inner clamping arm

2a, 2 b.

Since the two groups of clamping

arms

2a, 3a and 2b, 3b are each prestressed in the direction of the central section 12 of the clamping device 1 when clamping a conductor therebetween, this means that the first group of clamping

arms

2a, 3a is prestressed in the direction of the central section 12 in the opposite direction x transversely to the longitudinal extension direction y, as is the case with the second group of clamping

arms

2b, 3b with the tensioning direction x.

Spaced apart from the clamping

areas

23, 33 of the clamping

arms

2a, 2b or 3a, 3b in the longitudinal extension direction, in the

respective clamping arm

2a, 2 b; 3a, 3b are arranged with an

operating area

26 or 36, respectively. The

respective actuating region

26, 36 of the

gripper arms

2a, 2b or 3a, 3b is also characterized in that the

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b extend on their surface forming the

respective actuating region

26 or 36 in each case at an angle to the main direction of extension (longitudinal direction of extension y) of the respective gripper arm.

In this case, the gripping

area

23, 33 of the respective

gripping arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b is located closer to its

free end

22, 32 than the operating

area

26, 36 of the gripping arm.

As explained below, in particular with reference to fig. 7A to 8B, the

actuating regions

26, 36 serve as guide regions for the actuating elements, by whose effect the

respective clamping arms

2a, 2B, 3a, 3B can be deflected away from their prestressing direction in order to enlarge the distance between the clamping

region

23, 33 of the respective clamping arm and the associated counter surface or clamping

surface

14, 24 and thus to enable the insertion of a conductor to be clamped therebetween or the release of a conductor L clamped therebetween.

Here, the clamping

arms

2a, 2 b; 3a, 3b and the

operating region

26, 36, there is arranged a separating

region

25, 35 in the form of a projection or projection on the gripping

arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b in this embodiment, which prevents the conductor L or the operating element 66 to be gripped from being able to move along the gripping

arms

2a, 2 b; 3a, 3b slide from the clamping

area

23, 33 into the operating

area

26, 36 or vice versa from the operating

area

26, 36 into the clamping

area

23, 33.

Fig. 2 shows the clamping device of fig. 1 in the state mentioned at the time, in which the clamping

arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are moved from the clamping position shown in fig. 1 into their release position by deflection, which allows the insertion of a conductor to be clamped or the removal of a previously clamped conductor. For this purpose, the integral components forming the clamping device 1 are correspondingly embodied elastically. It can be designed in particular as an integral sheet metal part or rather as a spring plate.

Fig. 3 shows the clamping device in fig. 1 and 2 together with the

fastening elements

41, 42, which engage through the fastening points 11, 13, wherein the fastening element 41 is embodied as a stepped pin and the other fastening element 42 is embodied as a simple pin or dowel, which is intended in particular to be able to realize a rotational lock. The clamping device 1, which is fixed to the support 4 by means of the mentioned fixing

elements

41, 42, is shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 5A shows an open combination unit, by means of which the clamping device described above with reference to fig. 1 to 4 can be deflected from its clamping position (see fig. 1) into its release position (see fig. 2). The operation combination unit includes a guide unit 5, an operation unit 6, and an actuator 7.

The guide unit 5, which is additionally shown separately in fig. 5B, forms a guide rail 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of extension y (which defines the adjustment axis), which is bounded on both sides by

guide blades

51, 52, which in turn form a

guide channel

53 or 54, respectively. Furthermore, a positioning element 55, which is designed here as a positioning projection, is arranged on the guide unit 5, to be precise in this embodiment on its guide rail 50.

The operating unit 6 is guided on the guide unit 5, specifically on its guide 50 (and between the guide blades 51, 52). It has two lateral guide edges 63, 64 which engage longitudinally displaceably in each of the

guide channels

53, 54 of the guide unit 5.

In order to influence the respective operating region of the clamping device 1 or of the

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b provided thereon, an operating element 66 is provided on the opening and closing unit 6 (in the section 60). Which in this embodiment is embodied as an operating pin projecting from the open assembly 6 transversely to the longitudinal extension direction y and transversely to the guide rail 50.

Further, an actuator 7 is supported on the operation unit 6. In this regard, the operating unit 6 has a bearing region 67. Which is delimited laterally by in each case one delimiting

wall

68, 69 extending in the longitudinal extension direction y. The actuator 7 is guided in a movable manner in the bearing region 67 of the actuating unit 6 in the longitudinal direction of extension y, i.e. in a direction in which the actuating unit 6 is guided on the guide unit 5 in a movable manner in the longitudinal direction.

The bearing region 67 of the actuating unit 6 also has a bearing region 65 (facing away from the actuating element 66 in the longitudinal extension direction y), on which an adjusting element 75 is supported, which can be adjusted in the longitudinal extension direction y, for example can be extended and retracted in that direction, for example in the form of a piston rod, and is additionally connected to the adjusting element 75, if applicable. As described below, in particular with reference to fig. 7A to 8B, a longitudinal movement of the actuating unit 6 in the same longitudinal extension direction y, with reference to the guide unit 5, can be triggered by a movement of the actuating mechanism 7 with reference to the actuating unit 6 (in the longitudinal extension direction y), as a result of which the actuating element 66 of the opening and closing unit 6 (under the action of the

actuating regions

26, 36 of the

gripper arms

2a, 2B or 3a, 3B) can be caused to simultaneously deflect (counter to its elastic tensioning) the

gripper arms

2a, 2B, 3a, 3B of the clamping device of fig. 1.

Fig. 5A shows the actuator 7 in the retracted state, in which its operating element-side surface 71 has the greatest distance from the operating element 66 of the operating unit 6 (in the longitudinal direction of extension y).

In this state, the actuating unit 6 is positioned in a defined manner together with the actuating element 7-viewed in the longitudinal extension direction y-with reference to the guide unit 5, which is achieved in that the actuating element 7 is supported with a surface 72 on the support region side in the longitudinal extension direction y on the positioning element 55 of the guide unit 5.

According to fig. 6A to 6C, the actuating unit 6 is brought into engagement with the clamping device 1 in this state according to the specification in order to be able to deflect the

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b of the clamping device 1 via the actuating element 66. The clamping device 1 is positioned in a defined manner along the longitudinal extension y, i.e., for example, as shown in fig. 4, by its attachment to the supporting body 4. At the same time, the operating unit 6 is also positioned in a defined manner along the longitudinal extension direction y, to be precise, as described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B, by means of a positioning element 55 (in the form of a support element) provided on the guide unit 5. In this situation of the entire arrangement, the transition from fig. 6A to 6B is recognizable and the clamping device 1 is guided to the actuating unit 6, to be precise to the actuating element 66, as is illustrated again in fig. 6C.

The actuating element 66 of the actuating unit 6 is positioned here on the

actuating region

26, 36 of the

respective gripper arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension y of the

gripper arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b (and not by a movement along the respective gripper arm in the longitudinal extension y). For this purpose, the

respective gripper arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b has a recess in its

operating region

26, 36, which allows the operating element 66 of the operating unit 6 to be introduced perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension y of the

respective gripper arm

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b in order to position the operating element 66 on the

operating region

26, 36.

Fig. 7A and 7B show the clamping device 1 after being placed according to regulations on the open combination unit in order to deflect the

gripper arms

2a, 2B, 3a, 3B of the clamping device 1 by means of the open combination unit. The clamping device 1 is fixed (using the support 4 shown in fig. 4) with reference to the longitudinal extension direction y in such a way that the actuating element 66 of the actuating unit 6 is in contact with the first (upper)

section

26a, 36a of the

actuating region

26, 36 on the

gripper arm

2a, 2b or 3a, 3b (in inlage geraten). At the same time, the vertical position of the actuating unit 6 and of the actuating element 66 is fixed along the longitudinal extension direction y in such a way that, on the one hand, the guide unit 5 is spatially fixed, in which the actuating unit 6 is guided, and, on the other hand, the actuating unit 6 is positioned in a defined manner along the longitudinal extension direction y by means of the positioning element 55 arranged on the guide unit 5. The actuator 7 is spaced apart from the clamping device 1, more precisely from the base body 10 thereof, in the longitudinal direction of extension y.

In order to deflect the clamping

arms

2a, 2B, 3a, 3B of the clamping device 1 in order to be able to equip them with the conductor to be clamped, the actuator 7 is moved in the direction of the clamping device 1 or rather in the direction of its base body 10 in accordance with the transition from fig. 7A and 7B to fig. 8A and 8B by means of an adjusting element 75 (for example, electrically or pneumatically driven) along the longitudinal extension direction y.

As soon as the actuator 7 comes into contact with the clamping device 1 or its base body 10 (via its actuating-element-side surface 71) during this movement, a further movement of the actuator 7 in that direction cannot be achieved due to the fastening of the clamping device 1 in the longitudinal extension direction y. In other words, the actuating unit 6, which is mounted in the guide unit 5 so as to be longitudinally movable (in the opposite direction as the previous actuator 7), is moved parallel to the longitudinal extension direction y (downward in the direction y) by the actuating force of the actuating element 75 (more precisely the counteracting or counteracting force generated thereby). Here, the operating element 66 provided on the operating unit 6 runs along the

gripper arms

2a, 2 b; 3a, 3b, the

operating region

26, 36 designed as a guide region is moved from the direction of the

first section

26a, 36a above it and the

second section

26b, 36b below it. In this case, the oblique extension of the

actuating region

26, 36 between its

end sections

26a, 26b or 36a, 36b causes the

gripper arms

2a, 2b, 3a, 3b of the clamping device 1 to be deflected outward (away from its central section 12). Due to the strong inclination of the actuating region 36 of the

outer gripper arms

3a, 3b, they are deflected more significantly here than the

inner gripper arms

2a, 2b of the actuating region 26 with the less pronounced inclination.

In this case, the deflection of the gripper arms results in an enlargement of the distance between the gripper arm-

side gripper region

23, 33 and the

gripper surface

14, 24 respectively associated as counter surface. This allows for a simple and reliable clamping of the clamping

arms

2a, 2 b; 3a, 3b and the corresponding surface assigned as clamping

surface

14, 24, one conductor L of the cable K is led in between the

respective clamping area

23, 33 of the clamping surfaces 3a, 3 b. This is illustrated in terms of the transition from fig. 8A and 8B to fig. 9.

Subsequently, according to fig. 10A and 10B, the actuating element 7 is moved again by means of the adjusting element 75 into its initial position, in which it is spaced apart from the clamping device 1 along the longitudinal extension direction y. The clamping

arms

2a, 2b of the clamping device 1 are thus prestressed under the influence of their elasticity; 3a, 3B are deflected from their release position (occupied by the movement of the actuating unit 6 and the associated actuating element 66 according to fig. 8A, 8B) back into the clamping position again, so that the individual wires L of the cable K are clamped to the clamping arms 2a, 2B; 3a, 3b and the clamping surfaces 14, 24 assigned as counter surfaces.

After the conductor L has been clamped on the clamping device 1, the latter can be removed from the

open combination unit

5, 6, 7, as shown in fig. 11A and 11B. The conductor L held on the clamping device 1 can thereafter be subjected to further processing steps, for example for connection to an electrical plug. An open modular unit of the type described above with reference to fig. 5A to 11B can be applied after the assembly work has been completed in order to release the wires clamped in the clamping device again.

The clamping device 1 is a component that can be produced at low cost, with which it can be held clamped automatically (without additional external forces) during the assembly work on the basis of the elastic tensioning of the clamping arms. The force supply is required only for deflecting the clamping arm when the conductor is introduced into the clamping device on the one hand and when the conductor is removed from the clamping device on the other hand.

The geometry of the clamping device can easily be matched to the shape, size and number of wires. The number of gripping arms should correspond to the conductors of the cable to be gripped. The shape of the clamping region on the clamping arm and its distance from the associated clamping surface can be selected depending on the shape and size of the conductor to be clamped.

Furthermore, the clamping force which is built up on the clamping device, with which the conductor is held by the clamping arm, can be adjusted depending on the size of the clamping arm.

The above-described exemplary embodiments show an open combination unit, by means of which the clamping device can be actuated by a movement of the actuating element in the longitudinal extension direction, which is achieved in that this actuating unit acts on the actuating region of the clamping arm during its longitudinal movement and deflects the clamping arm on the basis of the oblique extension of the actuating region. Alternatively, the pivoting of the gripper arm can also be effected, for example, by an eccentric, which acts on the operating region of the gripper arm and pivots the gripper arm when it is rotated.

Claims

1. Clamping device for the clamped accommodation of a plurality of conductors (L) of a cable (K), having at least two clamping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and clamping areas (23, 33) which are formed on the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and by means of which the conductors (L) of the cable (K) can be clamped in each case against a clamping surface (14, 24) which is associated with the clamping area (23, 33), wherein the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be brought elastically into a clamping position in which the conductors (L) can be clamped in a prestressed manner against the associated clamping surface (14, 24) by means of the clamping area (23, 33) of the clamping arm, and wherein the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be deflected outward from the clamping position into a release position in which the line (L) can be introduced or removed between the clamping region (23, 33) and the associated clamping surface (14, 24), characterized in that,

an operating region (26, 36) which is spaced apart from the clamping region (23, 33) is designed on the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and is arranged such that a deflection of the clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be achieved by an operating element (66) which is different from the conductor (L) to be clamped acting on the operating region (26, 36), the clamping device being formed as an integral component, the clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of the clamping device being elastically prestressed in the clamping position of the clamping arm.

2. The clamping device as recited in claim 1,

the respective gripper arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) has a different surface curvature in the operating region (26, 36) of the gripper arm than in the gripper region (23, 33).

3. Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2,

between the clamping region (23, 33) and the operating region (26, 36) of the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) a separating region (25, 35) is arranged, which prevents a wire (L) to be clamped from being able to slide along the clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) from the clamping region (23, 33) to the operating region (26, 36).

4. Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2,

the clamping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) each extend in a longitudinal direction of extension (y) and in this case extend substantially parallel to one another.

5. The clamping device as recited in claim 4,

the actuating region (26, 36) of the respective gripper arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) is designed as a guide region on which an actuating element (66) can be guided for deflecting the gripper arm, wherein the guide region extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal extension direction (y) of the associated gripper arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3 b).

6. Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2,

a first and a second set of gripper arms are arranged on the clamping device, wherein one set of gripper arms is prestressed in the clamping position of the set of gripper arms in opposite directions and can be deflected out of the clamping position of the set of gripper arms, and the other set of gripper arms is embodied identically to the set of gripper arms, and wherein the one set of gripper arms is arranged on one side of a central section (12) of the clamping device (1) and the other set of gripper arms is arranged on the other side of the central section (12).

7. Clamping device according to claim 1 or 2,

the gripper arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are arranged relative to each other such that at least a part of the gripping surface of the gripping device (1) is formed by a surface of one gripper arm facing away from the operating area of the gripper arm.

8. Clamping device for the clamped accommodation of a plurality of conductors (L) of a cable (K), having at least two clamping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and clamping areas (23, 33) which are formed on the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) and by means of which the conductors (L) of the cable (K) can be clamped in each case against a clamping surface (14, 24) which is associated with the clamping area (23, 33), wherein the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be brought elastically into a clamping position in which the conductors (L) can be clamped in a prestressed manner against the associated clamping surface (14, 24) by means of the clamping area (23, 33) of the clamping arm, and wherein the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be deflected outward from the clamping position into a release position in which the line (L) can be introduced or removed between the clamping region (23, 33) and the associated clamping surface (14, 24), characterized in that,

an actuating region (26, 36) which is spaced apart from the clamping region (23, 33) and is arranged such that a deflection of the clamping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) can be achieved by actuating an actuating element (66) which is different from the conductor (L) to be clamped and acts on the actuating region (26, 36), the clamping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) each extending in a longitudinal direction of extension (y) and in this case extending substantially parallel to one another, the actuating region (26, 36) of the respective clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) being designed as a guide region on which the actuating element (66) can be guided for deflecting the clamping arm, wherein the guide region is formed opposite the associated clamping arm (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal extension direction (y).

9. An open combined unit for simultaneously deflecting a plurality of gripper arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of a gripping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in order to turn them into their release position, having: a guide unit (5); an operating unit (6) guided in a longitudinally movable manner on the guide unit (5); a plurality of actuating elements (66) spaced apart from the actuating unit (6), with which the actuating unit (6) can act simultaneously on a plurality of actuating regions (26, 36) of the clamping device (1) in order to deflect the gripper arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of the clamping device guided by the guide unit (5) by means of a longitudinal movement of the actuating elements (66); and a positioning element (55) arranged on the guide unit (5), by means of which the operating unit (6) can be positioned in a defined manner on the guide unit (5) in the longitudinal direction of movement of the guide unit before the operating element (66) of the operating unit (6) engages with the operating region (26, 36) of the clamping device (1).

10. Open combined unit according to claim 9,

an actuator (7) is mounted on the operating unit (6) so as to be longitudinally movable, said actuator being movable relative to the operating unit (6) along an axis along which the operating unit (6) is longitudinally movable relative to the guide unit (5).

11. Open combined unit according to claim 10,

the actuator (7) is supported on the operating unit (6) such that movement of the actuator (7) in a first direction parallel to the axis exerts a resistive force on the operating unit (6) in an opposite direction.

12. The open combined unit according to any one of claims 9 to 11,

the actuating elements (66) of the actuating unit (6) are embodied as actuating pins which are arranged next to one another and project from a common surface of the actuating unit (6).

13. An arrangement for clampingly holding a plurality of conductors (L) of a cable (K), comprising a clamping device (1) for clampingly receiving the conductors (L) having the features of any one of claims 1 to 8 and an open combination unit according to any one of claims 9 to 12 for simultaneously deflecting a plurality of clamping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of the clamping device (1) in order to be able to clamp or remove the conductors (L) of a cable (K) outwards.

14. Method for simultaneously deflecting a plurality of gripping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of a clamping device (1) having the features of one of claims 1 to 8 in order to clampingly hold a conductor (L) on the clamping device (1) or to remove the conductor (L) from the clamping device (1) while applying an open combined unit having the features of one of claims 9 to 12, wherein,

a) an operating unit (6) is positioned by means of a guide unit (5) on the one hand and the clamping device (1) is positioned by means of a support (4) on the other hand, such that an operating element (66) of the operating unit (6) engages with an operating region (26, 36) on the gripping arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of the clamping device (1), and

b) the operating unit (6) is moved on the guide unit (5) in order to slide the operating element (66) along the operating region (26, 36), wherein the gripper arms (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) are deflected from their gripping position into their release position.

15. The method of claim 14,

the longitudinal movement of the actuating unit (6) on the guide unit (5) is activated in that an actuator (7) is moved relative to the actuating unit (6) until it comes into contact with the clamping device (1), so that a further movement of the actuator (7) is prevented and the actuating unit is moved along the guide unit (5) by the resulting force action of the actuator (7) on the actuating unit (6).