Manual connecting device

• US 8,466,802 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Stollberg, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duah, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US12/922,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20110001630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 340/687, 340/686, 340/686.4, 348135-143, 439/374
• US Class Current: 340/687
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/22 Hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/28 for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26

Abstract

A manual connecting device includes a connecting tool to be guided manually for connecting a connection to a predetermined connecting point, in particular to a predetermined connecting point in an electrical switchgear cabinet or in an electrical control cabinet. The connecting device also includes a camera and an image processing device connected to the camera. The device is suitable for detecting a respective connecting point before, during or after connecting and for generating an alarm signal if the detected connecting point deviates from the predetermined connecting point.

Claims

1. A manual connecting device, comprising:

a connecting tool to be guided manually for connecting a connection to a prespecified connecting point in an electrical control cabinet or in an electrical switchgear cabinet;

a camera; and

an image-processing device connected to said camera, said image-processing device being configured for identifying a respective connecting point before, during or after a connection and for generating an alarm signal if the identified connecting point deviates from the prespecified connecting point.

2. The manual connecting device according to claim 1, which further comprises:

a memory connected to said image-processing device;

said image-processing device being configured for identifying the connection to be connected or a coding disposed on the connection;

said memory storing a respective prespecified connecting point for the connections to be connected or for the codings of the connections to be connected; and

said image-processing device being configured for reading an associated connecting point from said memory and using the associated connecting point as the respectively prespecified connecting point for generating the alarm signal, after identifying the respective connection or the coding disposed on the respective connection.

3. The manual connecting device according to claim 1, which further comprises:

a memory connected to said image-processing device, said memory storing a prespecified execution plan prespecifying an order of the connecting points during connection of the connections; and

said image-processing device being configured for checking if the respectively identified connecting point matches the respectively prespecified connecting point in accordance with the prespecified execution plan.

4. The manual connecting device according to claim 3, which further comprises:

a display device being connected to and activated by said image-processing device;

said image-processing device checking, after the connection is connected to the prespecified connecting point, which next connecting point has to be provided with a connection in accordance with the prespecified execution plan, and activating said display device for marking the respectively next connecting point with said display device after connection to the prespecified connecting point has taken place.

5. The manual connecting device according to claim 4, which further comprises:

a part to be manually guided;

said display device forming a separate component to be fitted in a stationary manner and connected to said part to be manually guided.

6. The manual connecting device according to claim 4, which further comprises:

a part to be manually guided;

said display device being fitted to said part to be manually guided.

7. The manual connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said camera has an associated lighting device illuminating a field of view of said camera.

8. The manual connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting tool is a motor-driven screwdriver or a fitting tool for insulation-displacement connection technology.

9. The manual connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting tool is configured for connecting electrical connections.

10. The manual connecting device according to claim 9, wherein the electrical connections are core end sleeves, pressed or unpressed wire ends or round eyelets.