ASSEMBLING MACHINE DESCRIPTION Technical Field

This invention relates to a machine for assembling modular markers, in particular markers for identifying electric cables or the like.

Prior Art

In the electrical industry, it is usual to identify electric cables with markers so that the cables can be connected to the correct terminals.

For this purpose, whereas in small or simple electrical systems the electric cables can be identified using sheaths of different colours, in large or complex systems, this type of identification is inadequate because different coloured sheaths are not available in sufficient numbers.

The markers used in large or complex systems comprise support rings available on the market for example in the form of a continuous transparent tube. These support rings, viewed in cross section, comprise a substantially ring-shaped fixing portion that supports a tubular housing.

The ring-shaped fixing portion is designed to be fitted around an electric cable, while the tubular housing is designed to accommodate a tag that is pre-printed with one or more symbols, such as, for example, alphanumeric characters defining a desired identification label.

The tag, which is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped with rectangular base, may be made of plastic or other suitable material.

At present, markers are assembled manually by an operator.

The operator has to pick up a support ring substantially equal in length to the tag and then inserts the latter manually into the tubular housing. This manual operation is very slow and laborious and may lead to errors.

Disclosure of the Invention

This invention has for an aim to provide an automatic machine for assembling modular markers, in particular markers for identifying electric cables or the like. The invention accordingly provides a machine for assembling modular markers, in

particular markers for identifying electric cables or the like, comprising tags and supporting elements, said supporting elements having respective housings designed to accommodate the tags, characterised in that the machine comprises means for inserting the tags into the housings. The assembling machine may also comprise means for cutting the supporting elements, with the tags inserted in them, to a desired length.

The invention permits the production of an automatic machine for assembling a plurality of markers quickly and accurately.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment of it and in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a machine for assembling modular markers;

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a marker; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the marker of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the marker of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an schematic interrupted side view of a tube of supporting elements forming part of the marker of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a side view of the assembling machine of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a front view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the assembling machine of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a front view of inserting means forming part of the assembling machine of

Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a front view of guide means forming part of the assembling machine of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an axonometric view of the guide means of Figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is a top view of the guide means of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a side view of the inserting means of Figure 8;

Figure 13 is an axonometric view of the inserting means of Figure 8; Figure 14 is a top view of the inserting means of Figure 8;

Figure 15 is a front view of supporting means forming part of the assembling machine of

Figure 1;

Figure 16 is a side view of the supporting means of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a top view of the supporting means of Figure 15; Figure 18 is an axonometric view of the supporting means of Figure 15;

Figure 19 is a front view of positioning means forming part of the assembling machine of Figure 1 ;

Figure 20 is a side view of the positioning means of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a front view of cutting means forming part of the assembling machine of Figure 1;

Figure 22 is an axonometric view of the cutting means of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is a top view of the cutting means of Figure 21 ;

Figure 24 is a top view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the assembling machine of Figure 1 in a first operating configuration; Figure 25 is a top view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the assembling machine of Figure 1 in a second operating configuration;

Figure 26 is a top view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the assembling machine of Figure 1 in a third operating configuration;

Figure 27 is a top view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of the assembling machine of Figure 1 in a fourth operating configuration;

Figure 28 is a top view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of another embodiment of the cutting means of the assembling machine of Figure 1.

Embodiments of the Invention

Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a machine 1 for assembling modular markers 78, in particular markers 78 for identifying electric cables or the like.

The markers 78 comprise supporting elements 2 available on the market, for example in the form of a continuous transparent tube 80.

Each supporting element 2 comprises a tubular housing 5 and a substantially ring-shaped fixing portion 4 with a cavity 13. The fixing portion 4 is designed to be fitted around or slipped on an electric cable, while

the housing 5 is designed to accommodate a tag 6 that has been pre-printed by a printer or other suitable device with one or more symbols 79, such as, for example, alphanumeric characters defining a desired identification label.

The tags 6, that is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped with rectangular base, may be grouped in strips 7, available on the market, and may be made of plastic or other suitable material.

The assembling machine 1 comprises a frame 3 extending along a first axis X and having the shape of a parallelepiped with a rectangular base.

The frame 3 comprises an intermediate portion 14 mounting supporting means 10 and positioning means 11 for supporting and positioning the tag strips 7, respectively.

The supporting means 10, shown in Figures 15 to 18, extend along a second axis Y substantially perpendicular to the first axis X, and have a supporting structure 17 comprising, at opposite ends of it, a first support 18 and a second support 19 being substantially in the shape of a Y. The first support 18 and the second support 19 extend along a third, substantially vertical axis Z and each comprises a pair of first holes 35 extending in a direction parallel to the first axis X (Figures 15 and 18).

The first support 18 and the second support 19 are designed to support a mounting element 15. The mounting element 15 is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped with rectangular base and has a seat 16 for accommodating the strip 7.

The mounting element 15 is associated, through a connecting plate 20, with first drive means 23.

The first drive means 23 comprise a rod 21 that slides in a cylinder 22 under the action of an actuator, not illustrated, for example a pneumatic actuator.

The first drive means 23 are designed to move the mounting element 15 along the second axis Y between a first working position A, shown in Figure 24, and a second working position B, shown in Figures 25 to 27.

More specifically, in the first working position A, it is possible to insert into the seat 16 a strip 7 of tags 6 without the supporting elements 2, or to remove from the seat 16 a

strip 7 after the tags 6 have been inserted into the supporting elements 2, as described below.

In the second working position B, on the other hand, the strip 7 is positioned in a working area 24 in which the markers 78 can be assembled, as described below. The supporting means 10 also comprise a first crossbar 26 extending along the second axis Y and having associated with it a pair of first actuators 27, for example pneumatic actuators.

The first actuators 27 are associated with, and designed to move, retaining means 25 designed to engage/release the strip 7 when the supporting means 10 are in the second working position B.

The retaining means 25 comprise a presser 28 which, when the supporting means 10 are in the second working position B, faces the strip 7.

The presser 28 is mobile between a first released position C, shown in Figures 15 to 18, and a first engaged position, not illustrated, for releasing/engaging the strip 7, respectively.

In other words, in the first engaged position, the presser 28 is in contact with the strip 7 and keeps it pressed against the respective seat 16, whilst in the first released position C, the presser 28 is raised relative to the strip 7.

The positioning means 11 , illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 are operatively positioned under the supporting means 10.

The positioning means 1 1 are designed to place the tags 6 of the strip 7 in a suitable position in the working area 24.

More specifically, if one of the tags 6 on the strip 7 is bent downwards, the positioning means 11 line it up in such a way that each of the tags 6, in the appropriate operating step, faces a respective housing 5 in the tubes 80.

Even if a tag 6 on the strip 7 is bent upwards, the presser 28 lines it up it in such a way that each of the tags 6 faces a respective housing 5 in the tubes 80.

The positioning means 11 comprise a pair of second actuators 29, for example pneumatic actuators. The second actuators 29 are associated with a positioning element 30 and are designed

to move the latter along an axis substantially parallel to the third axis Z between a raised position E and a lowered position F (drawn with a dashed line) in which the positioning element 30 is, respectively, in contact with, or at a certain distance from, the tags 6 on the strip 7. Looking in more detail, the positioning element 30 is substantially U-shaped and, at its ends, has substantially co-planar contact portions 31 designed to come into contact with the tags 6 on the strip 7.

The frame 3 also comprises a first end portion 32 and a second end portion 33 with which respective pairs of supports 34, each being substantially in the shape of an upturned L, are associated.

Each support 34 comprises a second hole 36 facing the corresponding first hole 35 made in the supporting means 10.

Thus, each first hole 35 and second hole 36 pair cooperates to support a sliding rod 37 extending along the first axis X. Each pair of rods 37 is in turn designed to slidably support guide means 8 and inserting means 9 of the assembling machine 1.

The guide means 8, shown in Figures 9 to 11 are designed to guide the tubes 80 along a direction of feed G substantially parallel with the first axis X.

The guide means 8 comprise a first slide 38 extending along a direction substantially parallel with the second axis Y.

A pair of first through holes 39 enable the first slide 38 to move along the rods 37, as described in more detail below.

The guide means 8 further comprise a first central portion 40 having in it a through slot

41 extending in a direction parallel with the second axis Y and being substantially elliptic in shape to enable a plurality of tubes 80 to slide in it.

The guide means 8 also comprise a first guide element 42 located substantially in correspondence of the first central portion 40 and equipped with a plurality of first grooves 43 extending parallel with the first axis X and each designed to accommodate a tube 80 of supporting elements 2. Each first groove 43 has guide protrusions 44 designed to engage the respective cavity

13 of the tube 80 in such a way as to position the latter as required in the working area 24.

The guide means 8 yet further comprise a second crossbar 46 with which a first actuator 45, for example of the pneumatic type, is associated. The first actuator 45 is associated with an engagement element 47 having, for example, the shape of a parallelepiped with rectangular base, and is designed to move the latter along an axis substantially parallel with the third axis Z between a second engaged position and a second released position for engaging/releasing the tubes 80, respectively, as described in more detail below. In other words, in the second engaged position, the engagement element 47 is in contact with the tubes 80, whilst in the second released position, the engagement element 47 is raised relative to the tube 80.

Inserting means 9 are positioned downstream of the guide means 8 in the feed direction G, said means 9 are provided for inserting the tags 6 into the respective housings 5 in the tubes 80.

The inserting means 9, shown in Figure 8 and in Figures 12 to 14, comprise a second slide 48 extending in a direction parallel with the second axis Y and running, by means of a pair of second through holes 49, along the rods 37, as described in more detail below. The inserting means 9 also comprise a second central portion 50 having a second guide element 51 with a plurality of second grooves 52.

The second grooves 52, facing the first grooves 43, extend in a direction parallel with the first axis X and are designed to accommodate one tube 80 of supporting elements 2 each. The second guide element 51 comprises a first part 53 and a second part 54, the second part 54 being designed to accommodate a tube 80 end portion 81 whose length, measured along the first axis X, is substantially equal to the length of the tags 6, and said second part 54 being positioned downstream of the first part 53 in the feed direction G. Between the first part 53 and the second part 54 there is an indentation 55 extending along the second axis Y and designed to be crossed by cutting means 12a, 12b which cut

the supporting elements 2 to a required length, as described in more detail below.

The inserting means 9 further comprise a third crossbar 56 with which a second actuator

57, for example of the pneumatic type, is associated.

The second actuator 57 is associated with a support 58 mounting a plurality of pointed elements 59 arranged in a row and suitably spaced in a direction parallel with the second axis Y.

More specifically, the pointed elements 59 are positioned in proximity and upstream, in the feed direction G, of the indentation 55 that defines a cutting line for the tubes 80.

The second actuator 57 is designed to move the support 58 along an axis substantially parallel with the third axis Z between a third released position H, shown in Figure 8, and a third engaged position, not illustrated, where the pointed elements 59 respectively release and engage the tubes 80, as described in more detail below.

In other words, in the third engaged position, the pointed elements 59 are inserted at least partially in the tubes 80, whereas in the third released position H the pointed elements 59 are raised relative to the tubes 80.

The assembling machine 1 further comprises drive means 60, shown in Figures 1 and

25, for driving the guide means 8 and the inserting means 9 slidably along the rods 37.

The drive means 60 comprise first drive means 64 and second drive means 65 positioned laterally and on the outside of the rods 37. Looking in more detail, the first drive means 64 and the second drive means 65 are each associated at one end 61 with the guide means 8 and, at their further end 62, opposite the end 61, with a bar 63, for example a threaded bar, which is in turn associated with a hole, not illustrated, made in a respective support 34.

The first drive means 64 and the second drive means 65 each comprise a body 66 internally provided with a first and a second chamber, not illustrated, designed to accommodate first actuating means 200 and second actuating means 201, for example of the pneumatic type.

The first actuating means 200 comprise a first rod 82 (Figure 26) associated at one end of it with fixing elements 68 of the inserting means 9, while the second actuating means 201 comprise a second rod 67 (Figures 24-27) associated at one end of it with the bar 63.

The assembling machine 1 also comprises first limit stop means 69 and second limit stop means 70, each comprising, for example, a pair of rings that can be associated with the rods 37, and designed to define respectively a first end limit position (Figure 27) for the inserting means 9, and a second end limit position (Figures 24-26) for the guide means 8.

As stated above, the assembling machine 1 further comprises means 12a and 12b for cutting the supporting elements 2 to the required length.

The cutting means 12a and 12b comprise first cutting means 12a, illustrated in detail in

Figures 21 to 23, and second cutting means 12b positioned respectively on opposite sides of the supporting means 10 and under the inserting means 9.

The first cutting means 12a comprise a mounting plate 71 associated with the frame 3 and mounting a guide 72 on which a carriage 73 runs.

The carriage 73 mounts a blade 74, having a cutting edge 77 and which, in use, slides along the indentation 55 of the inserting means 9. The carriage 73 is associated, by means of a connecting element 75, with a third actuator

76, for example of the pneumatic type.

The third actuator 76 is designed to move the blade 74 to and fro in a direction parallel with the second axis Y along a forward stroke, during which the blade cuts the tubes 80, and a return stroke. The second cutting means 12b are functionally and substantially similar to the first cutting means 12a and are not therefore described.

It should be noticed that the first cutting means 12a and the second cutting means 12b are mounted on the frame 3 in such a way that their blades 74 move in opposite directions during the respective forward and return strokes. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 28, the first cutting means 12a and the second cutting means 12b are mounted on the frame 3 in such a way that their blades 74 move in the same direction during the respective forward and return strokes.

Below is a description of the operation of the assembling machine 1 with reference to the right-hand portion of Figures 24 to 27. Figure 24 shows the assembling machine 1 in a first operating configuration Wl where a

strip 7 of tags 6 can be placed on the supporting means 10 or where a strip 7, in which the supporting elements 2 have already been fitted around the tags 6, can be removed from the supporting means 10.

In the first operating configuration Wl the supporting means 10 are positioned in the first working position A, the presser 28, not shown, is in the first released position and the positioning means 11 are lowered.

Further, in the first operating configuration Wl, the second actuating means 201 keep the guide means 8 in contact with the second limit stop means 70, while the first actuating means 200 keep the inserting means 9 in contact with the guide means 8. Moreover, in the first operating configuration Wl, the engagement element 47 is in the second released position, while the pointed elements 59 are in the third engaged position, i.e. the pointed elements 59 are inserted at least partially in the tubes 80. Figure 25 shows the assembling machine 1 in a second operating configuration W2 where the strip 7 is positioned in the working area 24. In the second operating configuration W2 the supporting means 10 are positioned in the second working position B, the presser 28, not shown, is in the first engaged position and the positioning means 11 are raised.

Further, in the second operating configuration W2, the second actuating means 201 keep the guide means 8 in contact with the second limit stop means 70, while the first actuating means 200 keep the inserting means 9 in contact with the guide means 8.

Moreover, in the second operating configuration W2, the engagement element 48 is in the second released position, while the pointed elements 59 are in the third engaged position, that is to say, the pointed elements 59 are inserted at least partially in the tubes 80. Figure 26 shows the assembling machine 1 in a third operating configuration W3 where the tags 6 are partly inserted into the tube 80 end portions 81 accommodated in the second part 54 of the second guide elements 51 of the inserting means 9. In the third operating configuration W3 the supporting means 10 are positioned in the second working position B, the presser 28, not shown, is in the first engaged position and the positioning means 11 are raised.

Further, in the third operating configuration W3, the second actuating means 201 keep the guide means 8 in contact with the second limit stop means 70, while the first actuating means 200 position the inserting means 9 in a first position Pl .

In the first position Pl the inserting means 9 are moved away from the guide means 8 by a first distance Dl, measured along the first axis X, long enough to partly insert the tags

6 into the end portions 81 of the tubes 80.

Moreover, in the third operating configuration W3, the engagement element 47 is held in the second released position, while the pointed elements 59 are in the third engaged position, that is to say, the pointed elements 59 are inserted at least partially in the tubes 80.

In this way, the tubes 80 can be made to advance in the feed direction G by a length equal to the distance Dl relative to the guide means 8.

Figure 27 shows the assembling machine 1 in a fourth operating configuration W4 where the tags 6 are fully inserted into the end portions 81 of the tubes 80. In the fourth operating configuration W4 the supporting means 10 are positioned in the second working position B, the presser 28, not shown, is in the first released position and the positioning means 11 are lowered.

Further, in the fourth operating configuration W4, the second actuating means 201 position the guide means 8 in a second position P2 away from the respective supports 34.

In the second position P2 the second actuating means 201 move the inserting means 9 into contact with the first limit stop means 69.

Thus, the inserting means 9 insert the tags 6 fully into the end portions 81 of the tubes

80. Moreover, in the fourth operating configuration W4, the engagement element 47 is held in the second released position, while the pointed elements 59 are in the third engaged position, that is to say, the pointed elements 59 are inserted at least partially in the tubes

80.

The pointed elements 59 are then moved into the third released position H, in such a way as to release the tube 80 so that it can return elastically.

Next, the pointed elements 59 are moved into the third engaged position and the first and second cutting means 12a and 12b are driven to cut respective opposite rows of supporting elements 2 fitted with respective tags 6.

Next, the pointed elements 59 are moved into the third released position, i.e. the pointed elements 59 are not inserted in the tubes 80, and the engagement element 47 is moved into the second engaged position.

Next, the first actuating means 200 are driven to move the inserting means 9 into contact with the guide means 8, while the latter are held in the second position P2 by the second actuating means 201. After that, the pointed elements 59 are moved into the third engaged position and the engagement element 47 is moved into the second released position. Next, the second actuating means 201 are driven to move the guide means 8 into contact with the second limit stop means 70, while the first actuating means 200 hold the inserting means 9 in contact with the guide means 8. The presser 28 can now be moved into the first released position and the supporting means 10 into the first working position A in order to respectively remove the strip 7 on which the supporting elements 2 have already been fitted around the tags 6 and to insert another strip 7 on which the supporting element 2 inserting operation can be repeated. It should be noticed that the invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of pointed element 59 mounting units 58, of first elements 42 for guiding the guide means 8 and of second elements 51 for guiding the inserting means 9, which can be mounted on the assembling machine 1 as needed, in accordance with the size of the strip 7 and of the tubes 80. Moreover, in accordance with the size of the tags 6, it is also possible to change the positions of the first and second limit stop means 69 and 70 on the rods 37, as well as the positions of the second rods 67 along the bars 63.

More specifically, the bars 63 are designed to permit adjustment of the second position P2 of the guide means 8 along the rods 37. It should also be noticed that the assembling machine 1 described above is symmetrical about the supporting means 10, which considerably increases the productivity of the machine itself.