AUTOMATED CABLE CONNECTOR ATTACHMENT DEVICE

Abstract

An automated cable connector attachment device, comprising a cuboidal body 1 is positioned on a ground surface, supporting leg 2s for supporting body 1 on surface, an inlet 3 for inserting a multi-conductor cable within body 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 for capturing and processing multiple images of surrounding, a motorized cutter to cut jacketing of accommodated cable, a robotic arm 5 to provide movement to member 6s in view of straightening insulators, a LiDAR sensor for detecting thickness of insulators, a motorized cutting unit 7 to remove outer plastic covering of the insulators, a capacitance sensor to detect thickness of plastic coating of insulators, a multi-sectioned chamber 8 for storing multiple cable connectors, a pair of grippers 9 to grip and position a cable connector, a tactile sensor for detecting hardness of outer covering of insulator, motorized ball and socket joint for providing angular movement to grippers 9.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated cable connector attachment device that is capable of detecting cable's dimensions to cut the jacketing around the accommodated cable to reveal the cable's insulators as well as capable of detecting the thickness of the insulators' plastic coating for removing the covering to reveal the interior portion of the cable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Connecting runs of cable together or connecting a cable to a junction usually requires a particular cable connector. The connector is secured to the end of the cable, which provides connectivity between the cable and the connector, and ultimately allows the cable to secure to an adjacent cable or junction. Multi-conductor cables comprise an interior conductor surrounded by an insulator and a conducting shield, which together are wrapped in an outer jacket. This type of cable has uses in residential and commercial applications. A cable connector is generally tubular-shaped and has internal threads at a front end to receive a threaded interface port of an electronic device. A rear end of the connector is open to receive therein the cable. A non-compressible metal ferrule is mounted inside the cable connector to receive the inner insulator of the cable. The rear end of the cable connector is crimped or compressed to secure the cable connector to the cable.

[0003] Traditionally, cable connectors are attached to the multi-conductor cables manually using some common handheld compression fitting tools, plyers, and the like. While these tools are useful, but they also pose some challenges and drawbacks. Traditional methods are insufficient for rapid application of a connector to a cable. Also traditional methods need to manually press a connector onto the end of a cable. This reduces efficiency and also cause user fatigue over multiple applications.

[0004] US10320139B2 discloses about an invention which includes a base with a sliding press member and a cradle. The sliding press member slides along the base and comprises a working end that is adapted to slide towards the cradle, while the cradle supports a cable connector loosely positioned onto the free end of a cable. The working end of the sliding press member engages the cable connector and forces it onto the cable. The sliding press member is controlled by a rotatable lever arm, while the cable and cable connector are held in the cradle by way of a clamp member. The cradle includes a tapering portion that is adapted to compress a portion of the cable connector against the cable when pressed thereover, thereby securing the connector to the cable.

[0005] US4932091A discloses about an invention which includes a tool for the attachment of a solderless, compression-fit end connector to the end of a coaxial cable, in which tool the components of the connector and the two-level stripped coaxial cable are positioned and then a manually lever-operated piston within the tool forces the components and the cable together, locking the connector to the cable and providing a sealed chamber in which the braid connection is made. In a preferred embodiment, the connector attachment mechanism is located at one end of the tool and a two-level coaxial cable stripper is located at the other end of the tool.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of assisting a user in attaching a cable connector to a multi-conductor cable. However, these devices are incapable of exposing inner conducive parts of the multi-conductor cable by removing the jacketing and outer plastic covering of the insulators in an automated manner, and fails in reducing manual efforts as well as consumption of time in the overall process. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in positioning a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable in an automated manner.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of attaching a cable connector to a multi-conductor cable in an automated and effective manner by cutting the jacketing of the accommodated cable and also removing the outer plastic covering of the insulators as per their detected thickness in order to expose inner conducive part of the cable. In addition, the developed device should also position a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable for securely affixing the connector with the cable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of attaching a cable connector to a multi-conductor cable in an automated and effective manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the presence and dimensions of the cable to cut jacketing of the accommodated cable in order to expose the insulators of the cable.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the thickness of plastic coating of the insulators also capable of removing the outer plastic covering of the insulators in order to expose inner part of the cable.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated cable connector attachment device that is capable of attaching a cable connector to a multi-conductor cable in an automated and effective manner by cutting the jacketing of the accommodated cable in order to expose the insulators of the multi-conductor cable. Additionally, the proposed device is also capable to position a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable for securely affixing the connector with the cable.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated cable connector attachment device comprises of a cuboidal body developed to be positioned on a ground surface and configured with supporting legs arranged underneath the body for supporting the body on the surface, an inlet is crafted on the body that is accessed by a user for inserting a multi-conductor cable within the body, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the body and paired with a processor to detect presence and dimensions of the cable, a motorized cutter installed within the body to cut jacketing of the accommodated cable for exposing insulators of the cable, a robotic arm installed within the body and integrated with an expandable cylindrical shaped member, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is installed within the body for detecting thickness of the insulators, based on the which the member extend/ retract for properly clasping free-ends of the insulators within the member, and the robotic arm provide movement to the members in view of straightening the insulators separately.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a motorized cutting unit installed within the body to remove outer plastic covering of the insulators and expose inner conducive part of the cable, a capacitance sensor is installed on the cutting unit to detect thickness of plastic coating of the insulators, a multi-sectioned chamber integrated within the body each stored with multiple cable connectors, a pair of robotic grippers installed inside the body to grip and position a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable in a manner that each conductive portion of the cable is placed in different slots of the connectors for securely affixing the connector with the cable, a tactile sensor is positioned on the cutting unit for detecting hardness of the outer covering of the insulator in view of preventing cutting of conducting portion of the cable, a motorized ball and socket joint is configured between each of the grippers and body for providing angular movement to the grippers to facilitate proper attachment of the connector with the cable, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an automated cable connector attachment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated cable connector attachment device that is capable of attaching a cable connector to a multi-conductor cable in an automated and effective manner by cutting the jacketing of the accommodated cable in order to expose the insulators of the multi-conductor cable. Additionally, the proposed device is also capable to remove the outer plastic covering of the insulators as per their detected thickness in order to expose inner conducive part of the cable.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isomeric view of an automated cable connector attachment device is illustrated, comprising a cuboidal body 1 is positioned on a ground surface, a supporting leg 2 arranged underneath the body 1, an inlet 3 is crafted on the body 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is installed on the body 1, a robotic arm 5 is installed within the body 1, an expandable cylindrical shaped member 6 is integrated on the robotic arm 5, a motorized cutting unit 7 is integrated within the body 1, a multi-sectioned chamber 8 is integrated within the body 1, a pair of robotic grippers 9 is installed inside the body 1.

[0023] The proposed device comprising a cuboidal body 1 is developed to be positioned on a ground surface and is configured with supporting leg 2s arranged underneath the body 1 for supporting the body 1 on the surface. An inlet 3 is crafted on the body 1 that is accessed by a user for inserting a multi-conductor cable within the body 1.

[0024] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is installed on the body 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of surrounding, respectively, to detect presence and dimensions of the cable. The imaging unit 4 comprises of a processor and a camera, which upon actuation captures multiple images of the body 1. The camera comprises of a lens and a digital sensor, where the lens takes all the reflected light rays rebounding from the surrounding, together all light rays rebound back and meet on a digital sensor that is capable to extract the images. The extracted images of the surrounding the surface are processed by the processor and this processed data is sent to the microcontroller, based on the processed images, the microcontroller for capturing and processing multiple images of surrounding, respectively, to detect presence and dimensions of the cable.

[0025] Based on this the microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter is installed within the body 1 to cut jacketing of the accommodated cable for exposing insulators of the cable. After that, a robotic arm 5 is installed within the body 1 and integrated with an expandable cylindrical shaped member 6. The arm 5 comprises of a shoulder, elbow and wrist. All these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arm 5 that allows the upper part of the arm 5 to move the lower section independently. Lastly, the wrist is at the tip of the upper arm 5 and attached to the end effector works as hand to provide movement to the member 6 in view of straightening the insulators separately.

[0026] A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is installed within the body 1 for detecting the thickness of the insulators, based on which the microcontroller actuates the member 6 to extend/ retract for properly clasping free-ends of the insulators within the member 6, followed by actuation of the robotic arm 5 to provide movement to the member 6s in view of straightening the insulators separately.

[0027] The LiDAR sensor emits a short laser pulse over the body 1
and the laser further strikes to the member 6, creates a spot and reflects back
which is captured by the LiDAR (Light detection and ranging) sensor. The
signals are sent to the microcontroller for processing and on the basis of time
lapse in between the sent and received laser pulse, the microcontroller
determines thickness of the insulators. Then, the microcontroller actuates the member 6 to extend/ retract for properly clasping free-ends of the insulators within the member 6, followed by actuation of the robotic arm 5 to provide movement to the member 6s in view of straightening the insulators separately.

[0028] Then, a motorized cutting unit 7 is integrated within the body 1, wherein a capacitance sensor is installed on the cutting unit 7 to detect thickness of plastic coating of the insulators, and synchronously the microcontroller actuates the cutting unit 7 to remove outer plastic covering of the insulators and expose inner conducive part of cable. The capacitance sensor is based on the technology of capacitive coupling that can detect and measure anything that is conductive or has a dielectric
different from air, thereby the signal are sent to the microcontroller in order
to detect thickness of plastic coating of the insulators.

[0029] A multi-sectioned chamber 8 is integrated within the body 1, each chamber 8 is stored with multiple cable connectors. Then, the microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic grippers 9 is installed inside the body 1 to grip and position a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable in a manner that each conductive portion of the cable is placed in different slots of the connectors, thereby securely affixing the connector with the cable. The gripper operates as a robotic hand that is designed to grasp the cable effectively. The gripper typically incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper. The motor generates the necessary force to grip and position a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is often controlled by the microcontroller for the smooth and precise gripping thereby securely affixing the connector with the cable.

[0030] A tactile sensor is positioned on the cutting unit 7 for detecting hardness of the outer covering of the insulator. The tactile sensor comprises a sensing element known as elastomer for sensing the interaction of the pipe. When the sensor is subjected to the interaction, the sensor gets activated and behave like a switch. When the interaction is released, the tactile sensor acts as closed switch to experience the force exerted by the by the area. This force leads to deflection in the elastomer which is measured and converted into an electrical signal. After that the tactile sensor transmits the electric signal to the microcontroller linked with the sensor. The microcontroller now analyzes the signal to detect the hardness of the outer covering of the insulator.

[0031] Then, the detected hardness exceeds a threshold limit, the microcontroller terminates extension of the cutting unit 7 in view of preventing cutting of conducting portion of the cable. A motorized ball and socket joint is configured between each of the grippers 9 and body 1 for providing angular movement to the grippers 9 to facilitate proper attachment of the connector with the cable. The ball and socket joint comprises of a ball like structure and cup like structure that are liked with each other via a motor that is activated by the microcontroller to provide rotational motion to the ball like structure with 360 degree orientation to move the body 1 for providing angular movement to the grippers 9 to facilitate proper attachment of the connector with the cable.

[0032] Lastly, a battery is integrated with the device for supplying a continuous DC (direct current) voltage to the components such as motors, microcontrollers and various other components that are associated with it. The battery used in the invention is preferably Lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable once again after getting drained out for proper functioning of the components.

[0033] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the cuboidal body 1 is developed to be positioned on a ground surface and is configured with supporting leg 2s arranged underneath the body 1 for supporting the body 1 on the surface. The inlet 3 is crafted on the body 1 that is accessed by a user for inserting the multi-conductor cable within the body 1. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is installed on the body 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of surrounding, respectively, to detect presence and dimensions of the cable. Based on this the microcontroller actuates the motorized cutter is installed within the body 1 to cut jacketing of the accommodated cable for exposing insulators of the cable. After that, the robotic arm 5 is installed within the body 1 and integrated with the expandable cylindrical shaped member 6. The LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is installed within the body 1 for detecting the thickness of the insulators, based on which the microcontroller actuates the member 6 to extend/ retract for properly clasping free-ends of the insulators within the member 6, followed by actuation of the robotic arm 5 to provide movement to the member 6s in view of straightening the insulators separately. Then, motorized cutting unit 7 is integrated within the body 1, wherein a capacitance sensor is installed on the cutting unit 7 to detect thickness of plastic coating of the insulators, and synchronously the microcontroller actuates the cutting unit 7 to remove outer plastic covering of the insulators and expose inner conducive part of cable. The multi-sectioned chamber 8 is integrated within the body 1, each chamber 8 is stored with multiple cable connectors. Then, the microcontroller actuates the pair of robotic grippers 9 is installed inside the body 1 to grip and position a cable connector over the conductive portion of the cable in the manner that each conductive portion of the cable is placed in different slots of the connectors, thereby securely affixing the connector with the cable. The tactile sensor is positioned on the cutting unit 7 for detecting hardness of the outer covering of the insulator. Then, the detected hardness exceeds the threshold limit, the microcontroller terminates extension of the cutting unit 7 in view of preventing cutting of conducting portion of the cable. Further, the motorized ball and socket joint is configured between each of the grippers 9 and body 1 for providing angular movement to the grippers 9 to facilitate proper attachment of the connector with the cable.

[0034] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to individuals skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated cable connector attachment device, comprising:

i) a cuboidal body 1 developed to be positioned on a ground surface and configured with supporting leg 2s arranged underneath said body 1 for supporting said body 1 on said surface, wherein an inlet 3 is crafted on said body 1 that is accessed by a user for inserting a multi-conductor cable within said body 1;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 installed on said body 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of surrounding, respectively, to detect presence and dimensions of said cable, wherein based on which said microcontroller actuates a motorized cutter installed within said body 1 to cut jacketing of said accommodated cable for exposing insulators of said cable;
iii) a robotic arm 5 installed within said body 1 and integrated with an expandable cylindrical shaped member 6, wherein a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor is installed within said body 1 for detecting thickness of said insulators, based on said which said microcontroller actuates said member 6 to extend/ retract for properly clasping free-ends of said insulators within said member 6, followed by actuation of said robotic arm 5 to provide movement to said member 6s in view of straightening said insulators separately;
iv) a motorized cutting unit 7 installed within said body, wherein a capacitance sensor is installed on said cutting unit 7 to detect thickness of plastic coating of said insulators, and synchronously said microcontroller actuates said cutting unit 7 to remove outer plastic covering of said insulators and expose inner conducive part of said cable; and
v) a multi-sectioned chamber 8 integrated within said body 1, each chamber 8 stored with multiple cable connectors, wherein said microcontroller actuates a pair of robotic grippers 9 installed inside said body 1 to grip and position a cable connector over said conductive portion of said cable in a manner that each conductive portion of said cable is placed in different slots of said connectors, thereby securely affixing said connector with said cable.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is positioned on said cutting unit 7 for detecting hardness of said outer covering of said insulator, and as soon as said detected hardness exceeds a threshold limit, said microcontroller terminates extension of said cutting unit 7 in view of preventing cutting of conducting portion of said cable.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized ball and socket joint is configured between each of said grippers 9 and body 1 for providing angular movement to said grippers 9 to facilitate proper attachment of said connector with said cable.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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