DE102020111157A1 - Method and device for the production of a pipe assembly from cable ducts - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a pipe assembly from cable ducts, in particular microducts (1) for receiving and guiding telecommunication lines (2). First, the individual cable ducts are provided and combined with at least one covering (3) to form a multiple duct bundle (1, 3). The respective cable pipe has at least one marking (4) for mutual differentiation. According to the invention, the marking (4) is applied as a length-related marking (4) at predetermined intervals (A) on the cable pipe in question.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a pipe assembly from cable ducts, in particular microducts for receiving and guiding telecommunication lines, according to which the individual cable ducts are provided and combined with at least one sheath to form a multiple duct bundle, and according to which the respective cable duct for mutual differentiation is at least one Has marking.

Microducts generally refer to cable ducts with a reduced diameter, which generally assumes values for the outside diameter of up to 40 mm. Such microducts are manufactured by Rehau, among others, and marketed by the applicant under the label “RauSpeed Microduct System” and under the label “FiberSpeed”. However, the invention is not limited to the production of a pipe assembly from microducts, but it is generally about such pipe assemblies.

Since, as a rule, a large number of cable ducts and, in particular, microducts are combined to form the relevant duct assembly, in practice and in literature, the generic EP 3 173 834 A1 Color coding has proven to be beneficial for differentiation. As a result, the individual cable ducts or microducts with telecommunication lines routed therein can be easily distinguished from one another. This is of particular importance for the implementation of fiber optic network architectures in particular. In fact, the microducts are generally used to accommodate and guide telecommunication lines, which are mostly optical fibers, optical fibers (conductors) cables, telephone cables, etc.

The pipe assembly from the cable ducts and in particular microducts is usually laid in the ground up to a cable distributor or up to a building or in front of a building. The individual microducts can be distinguished from each other with the help of the color coding, so that the microduct in question with the telecommunication lines routed in it can be assigned to a specific building or a specific apartment in a building or an office, for example. By bundling the microducts and combining them with the help of the sheathing, laying and, in particular, laying underground, including later branching, is simplified.

Commercially available blowing devices are generally used to equip the microducts with typically fiber optic cables. A pipe assembly of cable ducts and microducts and a method for its production are shown in the DE 10 2015 104 422 A1 as well as the DE 10 2010 017 147 A1 described. With the help of the pipe network, cable ducts or microducts with different pipe diameters and / or cross-sectional shapes can be combined. This has proven itself and is predestined for the underground installation described above.

In practice, however, problems often arise in such a way that, for example, in the area of the branches to be implemented, the casing or the pipe assembly has to be opened. Starting from the opened pipe assembly, the problem then often arises that individual cable ducts or microducts have to branch in different directions, the branch lengths required at this point often having to be designed differently. In practice, this means that pressing work must be carried out on the cable ducts or microducts at the construction site in order to ensure the required length and also to set the branch in the right place. This is time-consuming and not very convenient. The invention aims to provide a remedy here overall.

The invention is based on the technical problem of specifying a method and an associated device for producing a pipe assembly from cable ducts, with the aid of which, in particular, branches can be implemented and implemented in a targeted manner, taking into account a reduced effort compared to the previous procedure.

To solve this technical problem, a generic method for producing a pipe assembly from cable pipes is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the marking of the respective cable pipe is applied to the cable pipe in question as a length-related marking at predetermined intervals.

In general, the same or different distances can be used. As a rule, however, the invention makes use of the same spacing between the individual length-related markings on or on the cable duct in order to equip the cable duct with a system of measurements in this way. Typically, the metric system of measurement and consequently metric distances (in meters, centimeters, etc.) are used. In general, units of measurement other than meters, for example yards, feet, etc., are of course also conceivable. As a result, the cable duct in question is usually equipped with one or more markings that indicate every meter, every half meter, etc. on the cable duct marked and provided with the appropriate dimension (for example in meters, half meters, etc.).

The corresponding dimension figure for the length-related marking of the respective cable duct is incremented starting from an origin (e.g. 0 m). The origin can be set so that it is a start of production. As a rule, however, the origin is determined on the basis of a receiving unit used at the end of an associated device or at the end of the method. This receiving unit is mostly a winding unit and in particular a drum, with the aid of which the pipe assembly produced is received and prepared for transport.

The beginning of the pipe assembly and consequently of the individual cable pipes combined with the pipe assembly on or in the corresponding receiving unit is consequently mostly defined as the origin and, in the example, identified with a length of 0 m. Based on this, each individual cable pipe of the pipe network then bears the length-related marking, usually at predetermined intervals. This can be a matter of meter distances, so that, starting from the aforementioned origin, each of the individual cable ducts has a marking continuously at 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, etc. in the example. The length-related marking is equipped with a corresponding dimension, for example 1 m, 2 m, etc.

In this way, on the one hand, the number of meters of cable ducts received by the receiving unit or winding unit in the respective casing can be determined. On the other hand, this makes laying and processing on a construction site much easier. Because here it is only necessary to open the casing, for example, in order to prepare a cable pipe of the required length for a branch. In order to make the individual markings on the inside of the casing visible at this point, it is generally possible for the casing to be designed to be transparent, so that the marking of the respective cable duct is visible as a result. In addition, since the cable ducts typically have the length-related markings at the same distance, processing is simplified overall. That is to say, the cable ducts or microducts combined in the casing to form the duct assembly are each equipped with the relevant length-related marking, for example 1 m, 2 m, etc., at equal intervals. In the case of a more or less transparent cover, there is thus the possibility of determining the length of the respective cable pipe starting from the origin on the winding unit. In addition, the length of the respective cable pipe required for a branch, for example, can be separated from the casing. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the casing is also equipped with at least one length-related marking at predetermined intervals. This is due to the fact that the cover is regularly not designed to be transparent or can become soiled. The procedure is typically such that the distances between the marking on the respective cable duct and the casing correspond. In other words, like the respective cable duct, the sheath is also equipped with length-related markings, for example every meter, every half meter, etc., the marking in question also reproducing the corresponding dimension, for example 1 m, 2 m, etc. in this case.

The general procedure here is that the markings on the cable ducts and those on the casing are applied continuously and each with a different origin. For example, the origin for the markings on the cable ducts can be equated with the origin in the receiving unit or winding unit, as has already been described above. However, it is also possible to choose a different origin for the cable ducts, for example starting at the start of production with 0 m and then continuing thereafter. The origin for the markings on the cover can just as easily be identified with the origin at the start of production or the entry into the receiving unit or the receiving unit on the winding unit. This means that the markings on the respective cable ducts and those on the casing are usually made continuously, but they can be equipped with different origins.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, however, the design is such that the markings are applied continuously and with the same origin on the respective cable ducts and on the casing. In this case, work is usually carried out with a common origin on or in the receiving unit or winding unit. This makes it possible for the cable ducts and the casing surrounding the cable ducts to be continuously equipped with the same markings in each case, starting from the receiving unit or winding unit. In other words, starting in the receiving unit or winding unit and specifically on the drum at the origin at 0 m, both the cable ducts and the sheathing carry the 1 m, 2 m, 3 m etc. markings continuously and in the same position.

As a result, the processing of the pipe assembly according to the invention is special simply designed because a laying worker on site can also use the marking on the jacket to identify the length of the cable ducts received on the inside. As a result, a branch can be produced in a particularly simple and intuitive manner by opening the casing or casing at the desired point and removing the cable pipe provided for the branch from the opened casing. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

In terms of design and production technology, the procedure is usually such that first the marking of the cable ducts and then the marking of the casing are applied in the production direction of the pipe assembly. In connection with an associated production speed, this results in a time lag between the application of the marking on the cable ducts and the later application of the marking on the sheath. This time offset can be compensated for taking into account the production speed and knowing the distance between the associated marking units. That is, if, for example, the marking unit for the cable ducts on the one hand and the casing on the other hand are spaced 5 m apart, this length offset must be taken into account when applying the respective marking, for example in such a way that when "10 m" is printed on the cable ducts in question the cover is provided with a “5 m” imprint if the origin or zero point is located in the receiving unit or winding unit. This is because, starting from this origin, the marking unit for the casing is arranged 5 m closer to the origin than the marking unit of the respective cable ducts. In connection with the production speed, the respective marking units for the cable ducts on the one hand and the casing on the other hand can then easily be controlled accordingly. This is accomplished via a control unit, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the figures.

The invention also relates to a device for producing a pipe assembly according to claim 9, which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method. Advantageous configurations of this device are described in claim 10.

As a result, a method and an associated device for producing a pipe assembly from cable ducts and in particular microducts are presented, which enable particularly simple processing on site. Another advantage here is that the cable ducts or microducts that are combined to form the duct assembly are produced together with the sheathing in a continuous production process. That is to say, the invention expressly dispenses with first producing the cable ducts or microducts and then equipping them with the sheathing to form the duct composite. Rather, the cable pipes as well as the sheathing and the production of the pipe assembly are carried out in a continuous, uninterrupted extrusion process, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the figures. Production speeds of up to 20 m / min are observed and, depending on the design, up to 24 cable ducts or microducts or even more can be sheathed at the same time. In addition, there is the additional option of equipping the individual cable ducts or microducts with a color marking for additional differentiation.

The cable ducts or microducts are usually made of polyethylene (PE). Polyethylene (PE) can also be used for the sheathing. In addition, other thermoplastics are also suitable for production, for example polypropylene (PP), which can be used for both the cable ducts and the sheathing. Finally, there is the further possibility of equipping the length-related marking not only with a length specification in the sense of 1 m, 2 m, etc. Instead, the marking can also be used to identify the cable duct in question, as well as the casing. A buyer and / or manufacturer identification can thus be reproduced in the marking. In addition, the year of production, the wall thickness, an assignment to a specific winding unit or drum, etc. can be indicated. That is to say, according to the invention, the length-related marking includes not only the length information, but can also be equipped with the product-specific information given above by way of example. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

• 1 Die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in einer grundsätzlichen Übersicht und
• 2 Den hiermit hergestellten Rohrverbund im Detail.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

• 1 The device according to the invention in a basic overview and
• 2 The pipe assembly produced with this in detail.

In the figures, a device for producing a pipe assembly from individual cable pipes is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the cable ducts are microducts 1 that are used to accommodate and guide telecommunication lines 2 how to use the 2 can understand. With the telecommunication lines 2 In the example, it is fiber optic cables. The individual cable ducts or microducts 1 are provided for this purpose as a whole and with a cover 3 to a multiple tube bundle 1 , 3 summarized how to get it in its final state in the 2 can recognize and understand.

According to the invention, the respective cable duct or microduct has 1 for mutual differentiation via a marking 4th , which in the exemplary embodiment as a length-related marking 4th at specified intervals A. on the cable duct or microducts concerned 1 is applied.

On the basis of the exemplary embodiment, it can be seen that the specified distances A. between the individual length-related markings 4th each be 1 m. Of course, other equally spaced intervals can also be used A. for example, half a meter or even less can be worked. The design is also made in such a way that all of them with the envelope 3 equipped microducts 1 each in phase or at the same position with the relevant length-related marking 4th equipped with the respective length-related marking 4th includes a corresponding length specification. According to the exemplary embodiment, this length specification is based on a common origin 5 dimensioned, which is identified with 0 m. Starting from this origin 5 become the respective microducts 1 with length information in the sense of 2 m, 3 m, 4 m etc. each equipped with the length-related markings 4th in the pipe assembly produced or after the coating has been applied 3 in the same distance A. starting from the origin 5 on the individual microducts 1 are appropriate.

Based on 2 you can see that also the wrapping 3 according to the embodiment with the length-related markings 4th is equipped. The design is such that the markings 4th on the microducts 1 as well as the markings 4th on the wrapping 3 continuous and with the same coincident origin 5 be applied. That is, based on the 2 it becomes clear that the the microducts 1 summary serving 3 the length-related marking applied in each case 4th with the associated length specification, for example 2 m, 3 m, 4 m etc. starting from the origin 5 has in the same position as the microducts received in the interior 1 . As soon as the wrapping 3 in the example is opened, namely at the point 13th m, this means that at this position also the inside of the envelope 3 summarized microducts 1 also with the associated marking 4th are equipped in the sense of 13 m at this point.

In the following, the production and the device required for this purpose will be described using the 1 described in detail for the realization of the pipe assembly. You can see that the production line initially has an extruder 6th has, with the help of which the microducts 1 generated on the output side and in the direction of production R. be moved. To the extruder 6th a calibration or calibration unit closes 7th within which the individual microducts are created with the help of a vacuum to be created there 1 their diameter can be brought to the setpoint required and specified on the output side. A subsequent cooling unit 8th ensures that the subsequent to the calibration unit 7th microducts passed through 1 be cooled down.

To the cooling unit 8th a trigger or a trigger unit closes 9 with the help of which the individual microducts 1 are drawn off and conveyed in each case in different levels between a revolving conveyor belt and a counter roller. To the trigger unit 9 a first marking unit closes 10 with the help of which the individual microducts 1 with the desired length-related marking 4th be equipped. At the marking unit 10 In the exemplary embodiment, it is an inkjet printer or the like. This will make the individual microducts 1 with the length-related markings 4th Equipped, for example, in the sense of 2 m, 3 m etc., receive the required length specification (based on the origin 5 ).

To the first marking unit 10 a packaging unit closes 11 with the help of which the individual microducts 1 , which up to now have usually been run next to one another in different levels, are grouped together via a ring provided, for example, at this point for the subsequent sheathing. The assembly unit follows accordingly 11 a jacketing device 12th that ensures that the pre-assembled microducts 1 with the wrapping 3 be equipped. For this purpose the wrapping 3 with the help of a jacketing extruder provided at this point on or around the bundle on the microducts 1 extruded around.

Following the sheathing device 12th another second marking unit closes 13th that like the first marking unit 10 is specifically designed as an inkjet printer or has one or more of these inkjet printers. Of course, other printers can also be used at this point as with the first marking unit 10 come into use.

It can be seen that both marking units 10 , 13th from a common control unit 14th be applied. With the help of the control unit 14th the other components of the device are also controlled, but this is not shown in detail. This will make the microducts 1 in one go and continuously with the length-related marking 4th equipped, then with the casing 3 provided, which then in turn the additional length-related markings in the context of the embodiment 4th receives. Among other things, this is ensured by the control unit 14th .

Subsequent to the second marking unit 13th is then still a pair of scissors or folding unit 15th realized, to which finally and end a receiving unit 16 adjoins, which in the context of the embodiment is a winding unit and specifically a drum, with the help of which the in the 2 The pipe assembly shown is recorded and prepared for transport. As introductory with reference to 2 explained, is the origin 5 for the respective length-related markings 4th on the one hand the microducts 1 and on the other hand the casing 3 each on or on or in the receiving unit 16 . This results in the length-related marking of both the microducts 1 as well as their wrapping 3 each starting from the origin 5 in the recording unit 16 .

The overall design is such that each of the microducts 1 in the wrapping 3 as well as the wrapping 3 with the matching mark 4th or the associated length specification at the same location, for example 13 m in the example. So now the respective lengths of the respective microduct on the one hand 1 and on the other hand the casing 3 match, the control unit takes into account 14th a distance between the first marking unit 10 and the second marking unit 13th , which can be, for example, 5 m. If consequently in the first marking unit 10 the length specification "13 m" on the respective microducts 1 is printed, corresponding to a distance of the first marking unit 10 from the origin 5 in the recording unit 16 of the 13 m mentioned, the second marking unit takes care of it at the same time 13th in the finishing of the casing 3 with the length-related marking 4th ensure that the casing is equipped with the length specification "8 m" at this point, because the microducts are located 1 summary serving 3 due to the distance of 5 m between the two marking units 10 , 13th only 8 m from the origin 5 is located. The overall result is that both the microducts 1 as well as the wrapping 3 in the same place starting from the common origin 5 can be equipped with the corresponding length specification of 8 m or 13 m in the example.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 3173834 A1 [0003]
• DE 102015104422 A1 [0005]
• DE 102010017147 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Method for the production of a pipe assembly of cable ducts, in particular microducts (1) for receiving and guiding telecommunication lines (2), after which the individual cable ducts are provided and combined with at least one casing (3) to form a multiple duct bundle (1, 3), and after which the each cable pipe has at least one marking (4) for mutual differentiation, characterized in that the markings (4) are applied to the cable pipe in question as length-related marking (4) at predetermined intervals (A). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the same, in particular metric, distances (A) are used, for example every meter, every half meter, etc. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least one length-related marking (4) is also applied to the envelope (3) at predetermined intervals (A). Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the distances (A) of the markings (4) on the respective cable pipe and the casing (3) correspond. Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that the markings (4) are applied to the cable ducts and to the casing (3) continuously and each with a different origin (5). Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the markings (4) are applied to the cable ducts and to the casing (3) continuously and with the same origin (5). Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that in the production direction (R) of the pipe assembly, first the marking (4) of the cable pipes and then the marking (4) of the casing (3) are applied. Procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that any temporal and / or spatial offset between the markings (4) of the cable ducts and those markings (4) of the sheath (3) is compensated for when marking, taking into account the production speed. Device for producing a pipe assembly from cable ducts, in particular microducts (1) for receiving and guiding telecommunication lines, preferably for carrying out the method according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , with at least one extruder (6) for providing the individual cable ducts, further with at least one sheathing unit (12) for combining the cable ducts into a multiple duct bundle (1, 3), and with at least one marking unit (10, 13) for applying different markings (4) on the respective cable pipe, characterized in that the marking unit (10, 13) is set up to apply length-related markings (4) at predetermined intervals (A) on the relevant cable pipe. Device according to Claim 9 , characterized in that a marking unit (13) is also implemented for the casing (3).

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