CZ37789U1 - An equipment for cable processing - Google Patents

Description

Equipment for processing the cable

Field of technology

The technical solution concerns a device for processing a cable containing a holding device, in which the cable can be self-supportingly clamped for processing this cable.

Current state of the art

When processing cables, especially when assembling cables, there are often requests to process a cable designed to be processed around the perimeter along one axial part of the cable's plastic circumference. This processing can include, for example, cutting at least part of the cable's plastic circumference, whereby this cutting can be done by means of one or more knives, or by means of one or more laser beams. This processing may in another case mean the description of at least part of the circuit of the cable, whereby this description may be carried out by means of at least one writing head or printing device or by means of a writing device with the help of a laser beam.

For the aforementioned processing of the cable on the perimeter, especially for drawing or describing the perimeter of the cable plastic, it is recommended that the cable be self-supportingly clamped between two holding points axially distant in the longitudinal direction of the cable, i.e. that it should be radially accessible along the perimeter from each side. The self-supporting clamped plastic part of the cable is then drawn or described between the two holding points.

In order to process the self-supporting clamped part of the plastic part of the cable, it is necessary to straighten and hold this part of the plastic cable centered over the working area of the device for processing the cable, especially to straighten and keep it centered over the working area of this at least one leg, or this at least one laser cutting or laser writing head. At the same time, the mechanical tension in the plastic material of the cable plastic, which acts as a result of holding the cable at both axially distant holding points, should be kept as small as possible, so that the subsequent further processing of the cable, especially the cable plastic, is not affected in any way.

It is known from practice to always adjust one sleeve or one side-opening channel for guiding the cable at these attachment points. At the same time, it turned out to be inconvenient that the diameter of this sleeve, or in this direction towards the side of the open channel, must automatically adapt to the diameter of the relevant cable that is being processed. If cables with different diameters are processed, it is necessary to change the sleeves, whereby it is necessary to additionally carry out a central arrangement with respect to the working area of the device for processing the cable.

It is also known from practice to adjust pulleys at these holding points, the cylindrical surfaces of which are pressed against the cable layer, and the outer surfaces of which roll along the cable layer. At the same time, however, the plastic of the cable must be kept permanently under tensile stress, so the plastic material of the plastic of the cable is stressed and the following processing steps are affected.

File CN 201788770 U describes a device for processing a cable, namely a device for laser marking of cable plastic, whereby this processing device includes a holding device. This holding device contains two pairs of pulleys having an axial distance in the direction of the cable, whereby always one pulley of the respective pair of pulleys is fixedly mounted on one plate and the opposite pulley of this same pair of pulleys is slidably mounted on this plate. These four pulleys of both pairs of pulleys roll over the processed plastic surface of the cable. Between these pairs of pulleys, the cable is guided and marked with a laser. Said plate is slidably mounted, so the cable guided by these pairs of rollers can be moved to the working point of the laser. The cable to be processed is fed between the unwinding coil and the winding coil, whereby a mechanical tensile tension is created between these two coils, which keeps the cable taut at the working point of the laser.

- 1 CZ 37789 U1

Document CN 106601384 A describes a device for processing a cable, namely a device for laser marking a cable layer, whereby this processing device includes a holding device for the cable. This holding device contains two pairs of pulleys spaced apart in the direction of the cable distribution, as well as the guide of the spacer. The first of the two pairs of pulleys contains a pair of pre-tensioned pressure pulleys that exert pressure on the cable surface; the second of the two pairs of rollers contains one additional pressure roller. The pressing pressure of the respective pressing roller can be adjusted depending on the diameter of the described cable.

File CN 111819388 A describes a device for processing a cable, namely a device for laser labeling of cable plastic, with a holding device for the cable. The processing device includes an unwinding reel for the cable and a pulling device, which unwinds this cable from the unwinding reel by pulling force. Between the traction device and the unwinding coil, individual pressure pulleys and one pair of pulleys, whose respective pulley rolls along the cable layer, are arranged. This pair of pulleys deflects the cable by a certain amount and causes a defined, sensorially detectable tensile stress in the cable layer.

The document WO 2021/174556 A1 describes a cable harness binding device with a holding device, in which two pairs of grippers keep the cable taut in the processing area, so that this cable can be wrapped with adhesive tape. This adhesive tape is fed from stock, into which sections of fixed length adhesive tape are cut and fed. Cutting the adhesive tape can be done with scissors or a laser cutting device.

File DE 10 2020 104646 A1 describes a device for processing the cable, namely for fixing the foil on the plastic surface of the cable, by means of which the foil strip is wound on the tensioned cable and then it is heat-welded in a firing arrangement with two parts. This device contains a gripping mechanism, such as one gripper, which contains a non-running angle, which is formed as a free end of a leaf spring, by means of which the non-running angle grips the cable and tightens it when the foil is applied to the cable.

File JP 2017-010769 A describes a device for twisting two cables, whereby this device includes two pairs of grippers that grip the respective ends of the cables and tension them, and are then driven to rotate in the opposite direction.

Document EP 3 503 127 A1 describes a winding device for rewinding a cable bundle, whereby this winding device contains one fixing gripper and one tensioning gripper, which is movable relative to the fixing gripper, so that a tensioning unit is created, with the help of which the bundle of cables that should be wrapped, straightened and wrapped in tension.

The essence of the technical solution

The technical solution is to create a cable processing device that allows improved centric processing of the cable with respect to the axis of the cable, especially with regard to describing or cutting the cable.

This task is solved by a device for processing the cable, containing a holding device and a processing module, according to the technical solution, the essence of which is that the holding device for holding the cable intended for processing contains a first gripper and a second gripper, whereby a centering is carried out between the first gripper and the second gripper the axis in the direction for cable clamping, which determines the clamping position of the cable intended for processing, whereby the second gripper is arranged at a distance from the first gripper, whereby the distance between the grippers defines the working area of the processing module, in which the cable processing area is located when it is clamped self-supporting between the grips,

- 2 CZ 37789 U1, whereby at least one of the two grippers is arranged in a sliding manner along the centering axis relative to the other of the two grippers, and whereby the grippers contain gripping units movable between the clamping position for non-displaceable clamping of the cable in the grippers in the direction of the centering axis, and the guide position for sliding guidance cable in the direction of the centering axis, and through it the processing module is from the writing laser, print head, cutting laser, cutting knife group.

According to the preferred embodiment, the first gripper is arranged stationary and the second gripper is arranged on the guide rail in a sliding manner relative to the first gripper. The displacement path along the rail guide is then a measure of the tensile stress in the cable inside the self-supporting clamped longitudinal part.

According to another preferred embodiment, the slidingly arranged gripper is connected to a drive with an adjustable traction force. Thus, the pressing pressure of at least one of the two grippers, especially both grippers, can be made adjustable.

With regard to the adjustability of the compressive pressure of this at least one gripper, such a measure can be made that the compressive pressure is adjustable between the clamping point, where the cable in the gripper is clamped immovably in the longitudinal direction of the cable, and the guide point, where the cable can be guided in the longitudinal direction of the cable sliding with reduced side clearance. In the clamping area, the self-supporting clamped part of the cable can be processed stationary and immobile, while in the driver position the cable can be processed in motion, for example in the "marking-on-the-fly" mode, where the processing module is not guided along a movable cable.

Because at least one of the two grippers is arranged to slide along the cable axis with respect to the other of the two grippers, it is possible to set the tension along the longitudinal axis of the cable in the holding device and, if necessary, make additional adjustments, so it is ensured that the self-supporting clamped cable is arranged centrally in the working area of this at least one processing module.

The two grips, which have a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cable, always exert a defined radial force with a compressive force on the cable at both axially distant from each other load points. This pressure force can be adjusted and, for example, can be adapted to the diameter of the processed cable.

A drive, especially a traction cylinder or a motor, acts on the slidingly arranged gripper with an adjustable traction force. The appropriate tensile force can be adapted especially to the type of cable, i.e. the diameter of the cable, or the material of the cable.

At the same time, such a measure is taken that at least one of the grippers, especially both grippers, are created as a so-called parallel gripper. The corresponding parallel gripper contains one pair of gripper cells that contain a zebra, so that the zebra of these two gripper cells engage each other like ridges. Even if the gripping elements do not sit directly on the cable, the zebras are created in such a way that the cable is surrounded on all sides by zebras that engage each other in a ridge-like manner. This zebra always provides another advantage in that the compressive force acting on the cable is distributed in the longitudinal direction of the cable, and thus the mechanical load on the cable is reduced, especially the compressive pressure acting on the plastic of the cable.

It is advantageously provided that the first gripping unit has a V-shaped profile that is open in the direction of the second gripping unit and the second gripping unit has a V-shaped profile that is open in the direction of the first gripping unit.

According to another preferred embodiment, the V-shaped profiles of the gripping elements of both grippers, open towards each other, delimit a cross-section perpendicular to the centering axis, which has the shape of a polygon,

- 3 CZ 37789 U1 especially in the shape of a diamond.

Advantageously, such a measure is also carried out that at least one of the two grippers, especially both grippers, has a friction-reducing coating arranged on the side facing the cable.

The device according to the invention advantageously contains three identically created processing modules, which are arranged at the same distance of approximately 120° with respect to the centering axis.

The device according to the invention can contain only one single processing module, which is guided completely or partially around the centering axis for processing the clamped cable around the entire circumference of the cable.

Other advantages and features of the technical solution can be seen from the following description of at least one implementation example.

Clarification of the drawing

The technical solution is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

Giant. 1 shows in a perspective view one example of the implementation of the device according to the technical solution for processing the cable, with one example of the implementation of the holding device according to the technical solution for the cable, in the longitudinal direction of the cable,

Giant. 2 shows in a perspective view an example of the implementation of the device from Fig. 1 and the holding device from Fig. 1,

Giant. 3 shows a perspective view of the holding device from Figs. 1 and 2,

Giant. 4 shows a side view of the holding device from Figs. 1 to 3,

Giant. 5 shows a plan view of the holding device from Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, a

Giant. 6 shows a perspective view of one of the two grippers of the holding device from Figs. 1 to 5.

Examples of implementation of a technical solution

Giant. 1 and Fig. 2 show a device for processing the cable 1, in particular for labeling the cable 1 or for cutting the plastic surface of the cable 1. This device includes at least one processing module, in particular three identically created processing modules, one of which is provided with a reference mark 2. The device for processing the cable 1 is made to process the cable 1 piece by piece, along one directly unfolding part of the cable 1 in the processing area 3 along the entire circumference.

The mentioned three processing modules 2 are, relative to the centering axis or the longitudinal axis of the cable 1, arranged at equal distances of approximately 120°. The processing of the cable 1 may include in particular the labeling of the cable 1, so that the processing modules 2 are designed as labeling lasers or as print heads. Alternatively, the processing of the cable 1 may include cutting the cable 1, so that the processing modules 2 are designed as cutting lasers, or as cutting knives.

The device for processing the cable 1 contains, due to this at least one processing module 2, a holding device 4, with the help of which the processing area 3 of the cable 1 is clamped self-supportingly, i.e. radially accessible from all sides and in such a way that it does not adjoin anything anywhere, so that the processing area 3

- 4 CZ 37789 U1 of cable 1 can be processed around the circuit by this at least one processing module 2.

The holding device 4 mainly acts so that the area 3 of the processing of the cable 1 keeps it centrally arranged with respect to the relevant working area of the processing modules 2 and keeps the cable 1 stretched in the longitudinal direction, especially for the reason of preventing the bending of the area 3 of the processing of the cable 1.

The device for processing the cable 1, shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, includes a holding device 4 and at least one, especially three processing modules 2, i.e. always one processing module 2 with at least one writing or cutting laser, through the respective processing module 2, the cable 1, self-supportingly clamped between the grippers 5, 6 of the holding device 4, can be processed around the perimeter. These three processing modules 2 generally cooperate in such a way and are controlled in particular in such a way that the entire perimeter of the processing area 3 of the cable 1 can be processed. In particular, each of the processing modules 2 can process one part of the circuit of the cable 1, whereby the processed peripheral parts are distributed along the entire of cable circuit 1.

According to one modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, such a measure can be implemented that only one single processing module 2 is adapted, which is guided completely or partially around the cable 1 for processing the cable 1 along the entire circumference of the cable 1. Further modifications of the illustrated example with two or more than three processing modules 2 are also under consideration.

In the following, according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, the holding device 4 for processing the cable 1 from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is explained in more detail.

According to Fig. 3, 4 and 5, the holding device 4 for processing the cable 1 contains a first gripper 5 and a second gripper 6, whereby the second gripper 6 is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal distribution of the cable 1 with a distance from the first gripper 5, and through between both grippers 5, 6, cable 1 can be clamped self-supporting in the scope of area 3, i.e. in the axis of cable 1, accessible radially from all sides.

At least one of the two grippers 5, 6, i.e. the second gripper 6, is slidably arranged along the axis of the cable 1 with respect to the second of the two grippers 5, 6, i.e. the first gripper 5.

In the illustrated suitable embodiment, the first gripper 5 is arranged stationary on the console 7 and the second gripper 6 is arranged relative to the first gripper 5 in a sliding manner along the rail guide 8. The rail guide 8 is arranged fixedly on the console 7, common to both grippers 5, 6. On the second gripper 6, the sled 9 is modified, which is slidably guided on the guide rail 8.

The drive acts on the slidingly guided second gripper 6 with an adjustable pulling force. This drive includes a longitudinally inserting and extending guide piston of the traction cylinder 10, whereby the traction cylinder 10 is arranged stationary on the console 7, whereby the piston of the traction cylinder 10 is guided parallel to the guide rail 8 in such a way that it is inserted and extended. The traction cylinder 10 exerts an adjustable traction force on the second gripper 6, so in principle it is possible to adjust the traction force applied to the cable 1 and guide the cable 1 in a defined manner. In particular, a traction force sensor can be adapted, which senses the traction force exerted by the traction roller 10, which acts on the second gripper 6, and regulates it, for example, in order to achieve the minimum traction force necessary to tension the area 3 of the processing of the cable 1 and/or to prevent exceeding the maximum tensile force still permissible for the given cable 1. In particular, a hydraulic or pneumatic drive can be equipped with a pressure reducer, which causes the movement caused by the pull to end when the predetermined maximum pressure is reached.

In one modification of the illustrated embodiment, instead of the hydraulically or pneumatically controlled traction cylinder 10, a motor, in particular a linear motor, is adapted, whose slidingly guided motor shaft acts on the end side on the second gripper 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, such a measure is implemented that at least one of the two grippers

- 5 CZ 37789 U1

5, 6 is created as a parallel gripper. In particular, such a measure is made that both grippers 5, 6 are made the same and are always made as a parallel gripper.

Giant. 6 shows a second gripper 6 in a perspective, detailed view. The following description applies in the same way to the first gripper 5, so in the following the implementation example is explained only with reference to "gripper 5, 6".

The gripper 5, 6 contains two gripping units 11, 12, which, for example, when operated hydraulically or pneumatically, hold the cable 1 between them and clamp it with a defined pressing pressure.

The gripper units 11 contain zebra 13, 15, as well as possibly another zebra, not marked with relation marks, and the gripper unit 12 contains zebra 14, 16 with possibly other zebras, which were not provided with relation marks. Zebra 13, 15 and 14, 16 gripping elements 11, 12, lying against each other with respect to the cable 1, are arranged axially, in the direction of the distribution of the cable 1 to be clamped, offset, so that in the clamping position of the gripper 5, 6 there is at least one the rib of one of the two gripping units is placed between two other ribs of the opposite gripping unit. For example, the zebra 14 of the second gripping unit 12 is placed between the zebras 13, 15 of the first gripping unit 11. Correspondingly, the zebra 15 of the first gripping unit 11 is placed between the axially adjacent zebras 14, 16 of the second gripping unit 12. Between each two axially adjacent zebras 13, 15, or the zebras 14, 15 of the respective gripping unit 11, 12, a dividing part is arranged, which is provided with the reference mark "17" only once. The respective gripping unit 11, 12 is formed by an axial sequence of ribs, separated by dividing parts 17. Based on the axial distance of axially adjacent ribs, the gripping units 11, 12 can engage each other like ridges in the clamping position.

Zebra 13, 15, the first gripping elements 11 have a V-shaped profile, which is open in the direction of the second gripping element 12. Furthermore, zebra 14, 16, the second gripping elements 12 have a V-shaped profile, which is open in the direction of the first gripping element 11. In particular such a measure is made that the zebra of one gripping unit has an open profile towards the opposite gripping unit, so that it is possible to hold the cable 1 between these gripping units 11, 12 in such a way that the cable 1 is surrounded on all sides by at least one of the two gripping units 11 , 12 without the gripping elements 11, 12 being in the closed position in which they would touch the cable 1.

On the basis of the V-shaped profile of both gripping elements 11, 12, the cable 1 is clamped in the second grip 6 shown in Fig. 6, in the intended direction of view in the longitudinal direction of the cable 1 in a polygonal bounded space, especially in the shape of a diamond. In the circumferential direction of the clamped cable 1, the edges of the V-shaped profiles abut essentially along the axially displaced four-point support.

The creation of gripper 5, 6 is always as a so-called parallel gripper, whose opposite gripping units 11, 12 contain axially offset zebra 13, 15 and 14, 16, whereby the zebra of one gripping unit contains a bearing profile open towards the other gripping unit for the cable receptacle 1, via zebra 13, 14, 15, 16 of opposite gripping elements 11, 12 engage in a ridge-like manner into each other, it provides the further advantage that it forms only a small contact surface with the flat surface of the cable, and thus acts on the flat surface of the cable 1 with a small force.

The creation of gripper 5, 6 as a parallel gripper provides the further advantage that cables 1 of different diameters can be accommodated, without having to change the gripper module 5, 6 or install it anew, or install it additionally.

The gripping elements 11, 12 of the illustrated second gripper 6 contain a drive that acts radially on the cable 1. Both gripping elements 11, 12 are moved by this drive in such a way that the cable 1 can be clamped between the two gripping elements 11, 12 in the closed position of the corresponding gripper 5, 6 approximately without clearance so that the plastic cable 1 touches the V-shaped profile of the gripping units 11, 12.

In particular, the drive can be designed in such a way that the gripping elements 11, 12 of both grippers 5, 6 are

- 6 CZ 37789 U1 controlled synchronously, so that the cable 1 can be clamped between both grippers 5, 6 at the same time essentially without play.

For example, the hydraulic, pneumatic or motor drive of the gripping units 11, 12 is created in such a way that the compressive pressure with which the gripping units 11, 12 hold the plastic of the cable 1 is adjustable. In particular, a sensor can be adjusted that detects the pressing pressure of the gripping units 11, 12 of at least one of the two grippers 5, 6, especially both grippers 5, 6, and the drive is regulated so that the maximum pressing pressure is not exceeded.

The drive of the gripping units 11, 12 can be controlled in particular in such a way that the pressure between the clamping position, in which the cable 1 is fixed in the respective gripper 5, 6 in the longitudinal direction of the cable 1, and the guide position, in which the cable 1 is guided in the longitudinal direction cable direction 1 is adjustable with reduced side play. In the clamping position, the cable 1 is firmly held and can be processed by at least one processing module, namely that the cable 1 can be processed in the working area of this at least one processing module, especially in the common working area of all processing modules 2 (Fig. 1, 2). In the leading position, it can move at a defined speed through the closed grippers 5, 6, and in the course of this movement it can be processed, for example protected by some marking ("marking-on-the-fly", or "marking on the fly"). On the basis of the reduced radial clearance of the cable 1 in the grippers 5, 6, the centered arrangement of the cable 1 with respect to the working area of this at least one processing module 2 (Fig. 1, 2) will be preserved even in the guiding position, especially when the cable 1 is guided with clearance equal to approximately zero through the closed gripping units 11, 12 of the grips 5, 6, and the grips 5, 6 develop in this guiding position only a slight compressive pressure on the cable 1. For this case, according to another embodiment of the illustrated example, such a measure is implemented in particular, that for at least one of the two grippers 5, 6, especially for both grippers 5, 6, a coating is provided on the side facing the cable 1, especially in the area of the V-shaped profiles of the ribs 13, 15, or 14, 16 of the gripping units 11, 12 friction.

Claims (8)

1. Device for processing a cable (1), comprising a holding device (4) and a processing module (2), characterized in that the holding device (4) for holding the cable (1) intended for processing includes a first gripper (5) and a second gripper (6), through which a centering axis is guided between the first gripper (5) and the second gripper (6) in the direction for clamping the cable (1), which determines the clamping position of the cable (1) intended for processing, through which the second gripper (6) is arranged at a distance from the first gripper (5), whereby the distance between the grippers (5, 6) defines the working area of the processing module (2), in which the area (3) of processing the cable (1) is located, when it is clamped self-supporting between the grippers ( 5, 6), whereby at least one of the two grippers (5, 6) is slidably arranged relative to the other of the two grippers (5, 6) along the centering axis, and whereby the grippers (5, 6) contain movable gripping elements (11, 12) between the clamping position for non-displaceable clamping of the cable (1) in the grippers (5, 6) in the direction of the centering axis, and the guide position for the sliding guiding of the cable (1) in the direction of the centering axis, and through which the processing module (2) is from the writing laser group, print head, cutting laser, cutting knife. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first gripper (5) is arranged stationary and the second gripper (6) is arranged on the guide rail (8) slidingly relative to the first gripper (5). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the slidingly arranged gripper (6) is connected to a drive having an adjustable traction force. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first gripping unit (11) has a V-shaped profile, which is open in the direction of the second gripping unit (12) and the second gripping unit (12) has a V-shaped profile , which is open in the direction of the first gripping unit (11). 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the V-shaped profiles of the gripping elements (11, 12) of both grippers (5, 6) open towards each other define a cross-section perpendicular to the centering axis, which has the shape of a polygon. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that both grippers (5, 6) have a friction-reducing coating on the side facing the centering axis. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that it contains three identically formed processing modules (2), which are arranged at the same distance of approximately 120° with respect to the centering axis. 8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it contains only one single processing module, which is guided completely or partially around the centering axis for processing the clamped cable (1) along the entire circumference of the cable (1).