Device for winding and retaining elongated conductors with robotic manipulation capability

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025368444-A1
Application number	US-202519049353-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 10, 2025
Priority date	May 29, 2024
Publication date	Dec 4, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device designed for the efficient handling and organization of elongated conductors. The device includes a pallet specifically configured for winding an elongated conductor around it, ensuring orderly storage and transport. Connector retaining features are incorporated to secure terminating connectors of the conductor at predetermined locations on the pallet's surface, facilitating easy removal by a robotic device. Additionally, the device is equipped with manipulation features that enable a robotic device to effectively manipulate the pallet, enhancing automation in processes involving the handling of elongated conductors. This configuration allows for streamlined operations in environments where robotic devices are employed for tasks such as assembly, storage, or transportation of conductors.

First claim

1 . A device, comprising:
a pallet configured for winding an elongated conductor around the pallet; connector retaining features configured to retain terminating connectors of the elongated conductor to the pallet in a predesignated location on a surface of the pallet, the connector retaining features configured to allow removal of the elongated conductor by a robotic device; and manipulation features configured to allow the robotic device to manipulate the pallet.

2 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connector retaining features further comprise locating features selected from a list consisting of a bar code, a QR code, and an RFID tag.

3 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pallet has a generally cylindrical shape.

4 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pallet comprises a support plate and a shaft extending from the support plate, the pallet configured to rotate on its axis around the shaft.

5 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the pallet defines a helical groove configured to guide placement of the elongated conductor on the outer surface of the pallet.

6 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pallet has a generally planar shape.

7 . The device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the pallet defines notches on outer edges of the pallet in which the elongated conductor is wrapped around the pallet.

8 . The device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the pallet defines a sub-pallet configured to retain a portion of the elongated conductor in a predesignated location on a surface of the sub-pallet, the sub-pallet being detachable from the pallet by the robotic device.

9 . The device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the pallet defines internal cavities that are configured to provide a gripping location for the robotic device.

10 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connector retaining features are configured to be in a friction fit with the terminating connectors.

11 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connector retaining features are configured to lock the terminating connectors in place.

12 . The device in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
the robotic device which is configured to hold and manipulate the pallet in order to allow removal of the elongated conductor from the pallet and further configured to interconnect the terminating connectors with corresponding connectors.

13 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the robotic device and the pallet cooperate to unwind the elongated conductor from the pallet.

14 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the elongated conductor is an electrical wiring harness, and the terminating connectors are electrical connectors.

15 . The device in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the electrical wiring harness comprises a flat flexible electrical cable.

16 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the elongated conductor further comprises an attachment clip and wherein the robotic device is further configured to secure the attachment clip to a structure.

17 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the robotic device to rotate the pallet around an axis.

18 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the pallet defines a sub-pallet that is configured to retain a portion of the elongated conductor in a predesignated location on a surface of the sub-pallet, the sub-pallet configured to be detached from the pallet by the robotic device.

19 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the pallet defines internal cavities that are configured to provide a gripping location for the robotic device.

20 . The device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the robotic device comprises a first arm configured to grip and manipulate the pallet, and a second arm configured to grip and manipulate the elongated conductor.

Assignees

• Aptiv Technologies AG

Inventors

• Lewis Ryan
• Michael Jeffrey
• Klotz Ron
• Dean Robert
• Bilas Jared
• Sudik Jr Joseph
• Peterson David R

Classifications

• B65H2701/341

  in a manufacturing process · CPC title

• B65H2701/1244

  RFID [Radio Frequency Identification Data] transponder · CPC title

• B65H2701/12422

  codes or the like which can be used for further processing, e.g. relative to consumed or still available material · CPC title

• B65H75/42

  attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles · CPC title

• B65H75/28

  Arrangements for positively securing ends of material · CPC title