Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Application No. 21206482.8 filed Nov. 4, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a device and a method for twisting single cables, in particular for twisting single cables in pairs, to form a cable bundle.
Cable bundles, which are obtained by twisting single cables, are required in various industrial fields of application. Before twisting, the single cables are usually cut, i.e., shortened, to a certain length and where necessary also finished, i.e., provided with a contact part or the like.
With some conventional devices and methods according to the prior art, the cable pair consisting of the single cables is clamped between a holding unit at one cable end and a twisting unit at the other cable end and twisted by rotating the twisting unit. The resulting shortening of the cable pair is compensated by a longitudinal displacement of the twisting unit. A corresponding device is disclosed for example in EP 1 032 095 A2. With this type of conventional devices and methods, the single cables are torsioned, i.e., rotate about their own single cable axis.
EP 0 917 746 A1 discloses a device which allows cable pairs to be twisted without impermissibly torsioning the single cables. In this case, the holding unit is replaced by untwisting units, which each grip the single cables individually at one cable end (the trailing end). A longitudinally displaceable guiding apparatus separates the two single cables with a guiding mandrel and moves in the direction of the untwisting units during the twisting process. The lay length can be kept constant thereby.
DE 10 2017 109 791 A1 discloses a device having untwisting units which are oriented parallel to one another at the start of a twisting process and are pivoted inwards in a motorised manner during the twisting process. The pivot angle is increased continuously during the twisting process by a control apparatus.
In the device known from EP 0 917 746 A1, the guiding mandrel is provided, which makes the single cables and the lay length uniform. In particular in the case of long cables, which are for example longer than 5 meters, in particular longer than 7 meters, and preferably in the range of 10 meters long, an undesirable tendency for the cables to oscillate can occur during the twisting process, as a result of which the lays can become irregular, for example as a result of an unequal lay length.
Aspects of the present disclosure address the aforementioned problem. According to one aspect, a device and a method are provided. Further aspects, features, developments and advantages can be found below and in the attached drawings.
According to one aspect, a device for twisting single cables about a twisting axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis comprises single rotating units, a twisting unit and a guiding apparatus. The single rotating units (individual rotating units) are spaced from one another. For example, the distance is variable. The single rotating units are configured to hold, for example grip, cable ends separately at one end of the single cables. Each single rotating unit can be mounted rotatably about an associated pivot axis. The twisting unit is configured to hold and twist cable ends at the other end of the single cables.
A guiding mandrel is fastened to the guiding apparatus. The guiding mandrel is used to separate the single cables, at least in some regions, during a twisting process which is carried out by the twisting unit, in a region in which there is a transition from an untwisted region consisting of single cables to a twisted region consisting of a cable bundle. The guiding mandrel has a thickened portion on one side, which is opposite its fastening to the guiding apparatus. The thickened portion has larger dimensions in a direction transverse to the running direction of the guiding mandrel than in most of the guiding mandrel.
The thickened portion is a limited region, which takes up, for example, less than 25%, preferably less than 15% of the extent of the guiding mandrel in the running direction.
With the aid of the thickened portion, undesirable oscillations, which can occur during the twisting process in particular of longer cables in the range of >5 m, preferably >7 m and in particular of approximately 10 m in length, can be effectively reduced. This results in a more uniform lay sequence and a better quality of the twisted cable bundle.
In embodiments, the thickened portion is designed to limit an oscillating movement during the twisting process.
In embodiments, the guiding mandrel has a substantially circular cross-section, at least in some regions. The guiding mandrel has a larger diameter in the region of the thickened portion than in most of the guiding mandrel. This results in a particularly simple configuration.
In embodiments, the thickened portion is formed on the end of the guiding mandrel opposite the fastening to the guiding apparatus. The guiding mandrel then terminates at the thickened portion. As a result, undesirable influences of an excessively long guiding mandrel can be reduced further.
In embodiments, the guiding mandrel comprises a widened portion in the direction of the fastening to the guiding apparatus, so that a guiding region for the single cables is formed between the widened portion and the thickened portion. The guiding region is preferably designed such that the single cables do not leave the guiding region even if they have a strong tendency to oscillate. This ensures secure guiding of the single cables during the twisting process.
According to a further aspect, a method for twisting single cables about a twisting axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis is provided and uses the device described herein. The method comprises: separately holding cable ends at one end of the single cables by means of the single rotating units; holding cable ends at the other end of the single cables by means of the twisting unit; rotating the twisting unit to carry out a twisting process; and limiting an oscillating movement during the twisting process by means of the thickened portion of the guiding mandrel.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings,
In
Twisted as used herein means a state in which the cables 11, 12 wrap around one another, i.e. are entwined. An identical intersection in the projection plane is present when there is the same sequence of single cables at two intersections in the direction perpendicular to the projection plane. The distance between two adjacent identical intersections is referred to as the twisting lay length or also simply as the lay length for short and is denoted by a2. Two eyelets 19 result in the projection plane between two adjacent identical intersections and should be as small as possible for a high-quality cable bundle 10.
The designations from
A portion of the cable pair 10 is shown again in
The distance a3 is defined in a direction substantially perpendicular to the running direction of the cable pair 10 in which the distances a1, a2 are defined. The distance a3 defines the spacing of the single cables 11, 12, in this case for example at the end at which the untwisted single cables 11, 12 are present.
The single rotating unit 41 is arranged such that it holds the first end 15 of the clamped single cable 11 along its cable axis v1 at the first end 15. The single rotating unit 42 is arranged such that it holds the first end 16 of the clamped single cable 12 along its cable axis v2 at the first end 16. Each single rotating unit 41, 42 can be rotated about the respective cable axis v1, v2 of the single cable 11, 12 which is clamped into the respective single rotating unit 41, 42, at least in a direction which effects untwisting (untorsioning) of the respective single cable 11, 12. Preferably, each single rotating unit can be rotated either forwards or backwards as desired about the respective cable axis v1, v2, which is indicated in
Untwisting (untorsioning) as used herein comprises for example reducing or eliminating a torsional force or torsional moment which would be generated in each single cable 11, 12 by the joint rotation. Untorsioning or untwisting does not necessarily have to be carried out fully to achieve the advantages described herein. I.e., over the course of the twisting process, the (total) rotation angle of the twisting unit 30 can be smaller than the (total) rotation angle of the single rotating units 41, 42.
The guiding apparatus 35 is used to separate the single cables 11, 12 at least in some regions, during most of the twisting process in a region in which there is the transition from the untwisted region to the twisted region, i.e., approximately at line B of
The twisting unit 30 is configured such that it can rotate about a twisting axis V in a twisting direction P in order to carry out a twisting process. In other words: The twisting unit 30 can be driven in rotation about the twisting axis V so that it rotates in the twisting direction P in order to carry out a twisting process. To compensate the shortening of the single cables 11, 12 wrapping around one another during the twisting process, the twisting unit 30 is displaceable in a direction u substantially parallel to the twisting axis V. A direction running parallel to the twisting axis V as used herein also includes the direction on the twisting axis V itself.
In
The single cables 11, 12 are then gripped by a second pivot unit 108 and severed and stripped of insulation by the cutting head 102. The trailing conductor ends are fed by the second pivot unit 108 to the processing modules 105, 106 on the other side and fully finished, i.e., for example provided again with a sleeve and a contact.
A transfer module 111 receives the trailing end 17 of the single cables 11, 12, brings it to a smaller distance, and transfers it after a pivoting movement individually to the respective single rotating unit 41, 42, which are combined in an untwisting apparatus 40. A transfer module 112 transfers the leading end 16 of the single cables 11, 12 to the twisting unit 30, which is also referred to as twisting head. To carry out the actual twisting process, the twisting unit 30 is rotated, as already described above with reference to
A control unit 200 controls some or all of the elements of the device 100.
The first housing support 41c is mounted pivotably about a first pivot axis 41f in a first support housing 41d. The second housing support 42c is mounted pivotably about a second pivot axis 42f in a second support housing 42d. The pivot axes 41f, 42f run substantially parallel to one another. Each pivot axis 41f, 42f runs substantially perpendicular to the extension axis A of the cable bundle 10.
The distance 45 between the support housings 41d, 42d in a direction parallel to the pivot axes 41f, 42f is variable. For simplicity, the distance 45 is also referred to herein as the distance between the single rotating units 41, 42. To change the distance 45, the support housings 41d, 42d are displaceable relative to one another along a linear guide at right angles to the extension axis A by means of a distance-adjusting apparatus 50. In the embodiments shown herein, the constituents of the distance-adjusting apparatus 50 are formed by two spindles, a coupling piece 56 and a spindle drive, by way of example. The two spindles are coupled to one another with a coupling piece 56. The spindle drive (not shown) is coupled suitably to the coupled spindles. One of the spindles is right-handed and the other of the spindles is left-handed, which results in an adjustment of the distance 45 which is symmetrical relative to the extension axis A when the spindles thus coupled are driven.
The shortest distance between a tip 41g of the first single rotating gripper 41a and a tip 42g of the second single rotating gripper 42a depends on the one hand on the distance 45 between the single rotating units 41, 42 and on the other hand on a pivoting angle α defined by a pivot about the respective pivot axes 41f, 42f.
An adjustment of the distance 45 is carried out by means of the control apparatus 200, for example. The distance 45 can take place, for example following the sequence of a method in the course of which a twisting process is carried out, in a program-controlled, user-controlled or program-controlled and user-controlled manner.
The spline shaft 54 can be displaced longitudinally in the bushings 51a, 52a. When displaced longitudinally in this manner, the rotation of the spline shaft 54 is transferred to the respective bushing 51a, 52a. Because of the meshing of the respective gear pieces 51b, 52b with the respectively associated gear counter piece 51c, 52c, the housing supports 41c, 42c pivot by an absolute value of equal amount but in opposite directions. This pivoting movement changes the angle α. An angle sensor 55 is provided to measure the angle α and to output an angle measurement signal. A brake 53, which can be operated electromagnetically, for example, is actuated according to the angle measurement signal in order to lock the single rotating units 41, 42 in a fixed or fixable angle α to one another depending on the angle measurement signal. The actuation is carried out for example by the control unit 200.
Before the twisting process can begin, the cable ends of the single cables 11, 12 are transferred to the untwisting grippers 41a, 42a of the single rotating units 41, 42. For this, there must be both a defined distance 45 and a defined angle α; the single rotating units 41, 42 must be oriented parallel to one another for this.
A stop element 42g, for example a stop plate, is fastened to one of the spindle housings 41b, 42b, for example to the second spindle housing 42b. A movable stop 57 is fastened to one of the parts of the untwisting unit 40 which is fixed in position opposite the spindle housings 41b, 42b, for example to the support housing 42d. The movable stop 57 limits the value by which the respective single rotating unit can be pivoted in that it provides a stop surface for the stop element 42g of the spindle housing 42b. As a result, the angle α is limited by the coupling of the single rotating units 41, 42 via the above-described gear mechanism.
The movable stop 57 is adjustable, for example by means of electric motor. To obtain the parallel position shown in
The guiding apparatus 35 has a guiding mandrel 360, which is used to separate and guide the single cables 11, 12 during a twisting process. The cable ends 15, 16 of the single cables 11, 12 which are clamped into the single rotating units 41, 42 are clamped individually at this end and thus not in a rotationally fixed manner. Without the guiding apparatus 35 there is no predictable lay length. The guiding apparatus 35 is displaceable in the direction x (see
The guiding apparatus 35 is designed such that the guiding mandrel 360 is movable out of the twisting axis V, for example can be pivoted out of the twisting axis V. Advantageously, the guiding mandrel 360 is moved out of the twisting axis V when the guiding apparatus 35 is moved towards the twisting apparatus 30 before completion of a twisting process.
In the structure shown in
After the position shown in
Then the guiding apparatus 35 is moved in the direction of the twisting unit 30. The clamping cylinder 32 is retracted so that the guiding apparatus 35 can be brought very close to the twisting unit 30. This position is shown in
The twisting process begins in that the twisting unit 30 rotates and twists the single cables 11, 12 to form the cable bundle 10. The single rotating units 41, 42 ensure by means of their rotation that the single cables are not torsioned in themselves, i.e., about their respective cable axis v1, v2. During the twisting process, the guiding apparatus 35 moves at a controlled speed in the direction of the untwisting unit 40, wherein the controlled speed results from the rotation speed of the twisting unit 30 and the desired lay length a2. The twisting unit 30 is likewise moved minimally towards the untwisting unit 40 in order to compensate the twisting-induced shortening of the twisted cable bundle 10. This movement can take place with controlled tensile force, for example. Particularly with long cables of more than 5 meters, in particular more than 7 meters, the thickened portion 361 on the guiding mandrel 360 reduces the vertical oscillation of the cables 11, 12 and thus improves the quality of the twisting process.
The twisting process and the subsequent final twisting process are then complete, and the fully twisted cable assembly is released from the twisting unit 30 and the single rotating units 41, 42 and, for example, dropped into a cable trough 160 (see
Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
21206482 | Nov 2021 | EP | regional |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6167919 | Fuchsl | Jan 2001 | B1 |
20040050446 | Ichikawa | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20090241314 | Watanabe | Oct 2009 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
196 31 770 | Feb 1998 | DE |
10 2016 109 152 | Sep 2017 | DE |
10 2017 109 791 | Nov 2018 | DE |
1 032 095 | Aug 2000 | EP |
0 917 746 | Dec 2000 | EP |
2010-123294 | Jun 2010 | JP |
9806155 | Feb 1998 | WO |
2012015057 | Feb 2012 | WO |
Entry |
---|
European Search Report dated Apr. 13, 2022 in European Application No. 21206481.0 with English translation of relevant parts. |
European Search Report dated Apr. 4, 2022 in European Application No. 21206482.8 with English translation of relevant parts. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20230137798 A1 | May 2023 | US |