DE202008017358U1 - Device for stripping cables - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (100) for removing at least one layer of the sheath of electrical conductors (201) or optical fibers
- With a stop element (301) against which a conductor (201) can come into abutment upon insertion, wherein the stop element (301) via at least one connecting element (302) is connected to an end piece (303),
With at least one tool (101) on a movable tool head (102),
characterized in that
- The end piece (303) is mounted axially displaceable in a bearing element (304) by a distance S,
- The bearing element (304) is slidably disposed together with the end piece (303) and
- The end piece (303) and / or the bearing element (304) are formed such that upon displacement by the distance S, the end piece (303) and the bearing element (304) come into abutment against each other.

Description

Field of the invention

The The present invention relates to a device for removal at least one layer of the sheath of electrical conductors or optical fibers with a stop element against which a ladder upon insertion can come into attack, with the stop element over at least one connecting element is connected to an end piece, and at least one tool on a movable tool head.

Background and state of the technology

Devices of the type mentioned are z. B. used for stripping cable ends, in particular electrical or fiber optic cable with coaxial design. A generic device is used for example in the EP 0 195 932 B1 described. It essentially comprises jaws for holding the cable to be stripped, blades for severing sheathing layers, centering jaws for additionally holding the cable in the stripping position or during the stripping of the respective layer and the twisting and a stop for the inserted cable. The stopper performs the functions of adjusting the length of the cable end piece and recognizing that the preset length has been passed through with the cable end piece.

is the cable has been inserted to the preset stop, a sensor based on an encoder triggers a magnet off, which closes the jaws and the cable in this Length position stops. The plot that over a rod is connected to an end piece is then moved back, by pulling the tail back into a submersible magnet becomes. Then the knives are together with the centering jaws brought into the first stripping position and performed the stripping. After completion of the stripping, this is also a sequence of steps for removing several layers of different lengths may be in addition to the magnet for releasing the jaws also off the solenoid, causing the Tail and with it the stop by the force a spring springs back until an edge of the tail again rests against a stop surface. This matches with a position of the stop on the knife jaws. The stop and the knives with the centering jaws are then re-inserted together in drove their starting position and the next cable end can be inserted.

Especially The problem with the known device that the available asked accuracy in length setting today Requirements where accuracies in the micrometer range are maintained must be no longer fair. Because too strong Inserting a cable end against the stopper may happen he is pushed back too far before the sensor causing the jaws to close, leaving the cable end stripped in the wrong place.

Summary of the invention

It It is an object of the present invention to provide the known device for stripping electrical or optical fibers in relation to the accuracy of the length adjustment when inserting a Head to improve.

These The object is achieved by a device for removing at least one Position of the sheathing of electrical conductors or optical fibers with a stop plate for the imported Ladder loosened, with a stop element against the one Head can come in attack at launch, the Stop element via at least one connecting element connected to a tail, and at least one Tool on a movable tool head, where the tail mounted axially displaceable in a bearing element by a distance S. is, the bearing element displaced together with the end piece is arranged and the tail and / or the bearing element are formed such that when displaced by the distance S the tail and the bearing element against each other in attack come.

By doing the tail is mounted in a bearing element and the End piece relative to the bearing element in one direction maximum can be displaced by a defined distance S can be guaranteed be that even with jerky insertion a cable end into the device a displacement of the cable end from the desired position can only take place by a maximum of one distance S. Thereafter, the stop of tail and bearing element up to today. This will set the length of the conductor end also reproducible at different insertion speeds. By appropriate choice of the length of the route S, the desired basic accuracy of the device with respect to the length setting of a conductor end can be set.

In preferred embodiments is the tail spring-mounted in the bearing element. This will take the tail relative to the bearing element and thus also the stop element before every new insertion against the stop element of a conductor end a defined starting position.

Advantageously, the tail is capable Relational mounted secured against rotation to increase the reproducibility of the relative movement of the tail to the bearing element and thus the accuracy of the length adjustment.

It has proven to be advantageous when both the tail as well as the bearing element mutually complementary abutment have, at which end piece and bearing element after a Shift around the distance S against each other in attack. At least one of the abutments is particularly preferably circumferential educated. This ensures that even if not exactly axial power transmission to the tail over the connecting element the tail and the bearing element after displacement by the distance S against each other come to a stop.

In a preferred embodiment, the device a sensor element which is designed such that it detects whether the tail and the bearing element against each other around the Stick S are moved. This signal is for example used to control the closing of jaws that serve the inserted conductor end in this special Hold position. The jaws hold the conductor end while of the entire machining process. This has the particular advantage that with each insertion of a conductor end this so long is guided against the stop element, until with this together the tail relative to the bearing element to exactly the route S has been moved. At that moment, the jaws grasp the conductor and it can be started with the stripping. Consequently will ensure that by appropriate choice of the route S and the manufacturing tolerances of the tail and the Bearing element very high accuracies in the length adjustment be achieved.

Especially Preferably, the sensor is designed as a contactless sensor. This avoids wear of the sensor that over a longer life of the device to a growing inaccuracy the length setting would lead.

Preferably form the stop element, the at least one connecting element, the tail and the bearing element an assembly that as a unit is movable relative to the tool head. This has the advantage that before inserting a conductor end, the stop element can be moved directly into the position that is to a length adjustment of the conductor end, at which the conductor end immediately can be processed with the first stripping. Especially, if many cables need to be edited leaves thereby achieve a noticeable saving of time. In cases, in those in the first processing position, the tools far enough removed from the stop, these may be additional be set immediately in the first position. This drops the necessary step in conventional devices the method of the tool head from the position for insertion of the conductor in the first processing position away.

advantageously, has the assembly of stopper element, connecting element, end piece and Bearing element on its own drive. Particularly preferred This drive is designed as a stepper motor to a particularly high Accuracy in the distance traveled relative to the tool head to reach.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop element Means for cleaning the tool on the tool head. Especially in embodiments in which the stop element is relative can be freely positioned to the tool, the stop element in Processing breaks are moved directly to the tool to to clean the tool. Preference is given to the means for cleaning formed as radially on the stop element arranged bristles or fibers. Put the stopper or the tool head with the tool in rotations, the means of cleaning remove any remaining ones Residues of cable coating layers.

The The object is further achieved by a method for operating a device for removing at least one layer of the sheath from electrical Ladders or light guides of the type mentioned solved with the steps of inserting a conductor until it stops with the Stop element, closing jaws to hold the Ladder, retracting the stop element, edit of the conductor with at least one tool. In doing so, before the Inserting the conductor, the stop element and the tool so positioned to each other, that an inserted conductor in this Position can be edited. By already at the insertion of the Conduct the stopper and the tool in the first Machining position, you avoid another step, in the prior to the first processing, the tools relative to the conductor end first have to be positioned in the machining position. The fewer shift steps performed overall must be, the lower the total error at the resulting length of the stripped conductor end.

In particularly preferred embodiments, after the conductor has been processed and before the conductor is released by the clamping jaws, the stop element is again brought into abutment with the conductor, whereby it is measured via the travel path of the stop element whether the conductor has undergone a change in length during processing. After that, the head can clear of the jaws are given. A change in length can, for. B. when removing very tight-fitting sheath layers or very soft underlying layers or conductor sections done. The proof of a change in length is made possible in particular by stop elements with a fixed, immovable stop, as explained above. If such, usually unwanted change in length is detected, it can be responded by adjusting the starting position for the first processing and thus also the position of the stop element for insertion of the conductor accordingly.

The The object is also achieved by a method of calibration a device for removing at least one layer of the sheath solved by electrical conductors or light guides of the type mentioned, in which the stop element is moved until it stops with at least one tool for removing sheathing comes, and this Position as zero position for all further travel paths the stop element is set. This allows a special simple calibration of the length setting for conductor ends to be introduced. Preferably, the calibration performed every time the device is restarted.

Brief description of the figures

The The present invention is intended to be better understood with reference to a preferred Embodiment will be explained in more detail. Show this

1 schematically an embodiment of a stripping in a sectional view from the side;

2 the embodiment of a stripping 1 in a sectional view from above;

3 an embodiment of the assembly of stop element, connecting element, tail and bearing element and a drive for it in a sectional view from above;

4 a schematic view of the state at the time in which an inserted conductor end with the stop element comes into abutment;

5a , b shows the schematic structure of an embodiment of tail and bearing element in two different positions.

6 a schematic view of the state at the time in which the stopper element, the length of the stripped conductor is controlled;

7 a schematic view of the state at the time in which the device is calibrated with respect to the length adjustment by the stop member; and

8th a schematic view of the state at the time in which the tools are cleaned by means of the stop element.

Detailed description the invention

In 1 is schematically a stripping 100 on average from the side, in 2 shown in section from above. From the left side in the illustrations becomes a cable end piece 201 into a tool head 102 introduced. During processing, the cable end becomes 201 through jaws 103 fixed in one position. Relative to the cable end to be machined 201 becomes the tool head 102 emotional. For this he is from the drive 105 driven. As tools, the stripping device 100 in the present example, knives 101 ( 1 ) and centering jaws 108 ( 2 ) on. About the drive 104 and the guide elements 106 become the knives 101 operated to sever the topmost layer of the cable sheath.

During machining, the tool head rotates 102 with the knives 101 around the axis of the cable end piece 201 to the sheath layer to be detached over the entire circumference of the cable end piece 201 to sever. To separate the sheath layer, the blades remain 101 in their position or are retracted by a very small piece and then move with their cutting edge or with the cutting edge of the sheath layer. By returning the tool head 102 The sheath layer is subtracted from the underlying layers. The individual layers may be insulating or conductive layers. Especially with coaxial cables, there is a sequence of several different layers. As a rule, in coaxial cables, the different layers are severed and removed at one or different lengths.

The device 100 has a stop plate 301 on, which serves the cable end piece 201 to a desired depth in the tool head 102 insert until the cable end piece 201 against the stop plate 301 at the ready. During processing of the cable end piece 201 is the stop plate 301 , as in 1 as far as possible from the cable end piece 201 withdrawn. The stop plate 301 is over a pole 302 , which serves as a connecting element, with an end piece 303 connected. The pole 302 is arranged in extension of the cable end axis.

The tail 303 is in a bearing element 304 mounted axially displaceable. The bearing element 304 is together with the tail 303 slidably arranged. To perform this movement is one as a stepper motor 311 trained drive provided. The displacement of the tail 303 together with the bearing element 304 leads over the pole 302 to a displacement or positioning of the stop plate 301 , The stop plate 301 This makes it independent of the tool head 102 be positioned. This makes it possible, in particular, before inserting a cable end piece 201 the stop plate 301 so relative to the tool head 102 and the knives 101 to position that when inserting the cable end piece 201 until it stops with the stop plate 301 the cable end piece 201 already in the right position for the first processing step by the knives 101 located. As a result, the entire stripping process can be noticeably shortened, in particular with a high number of cables to be processed.

The tail 303 and the bearing element 304 are designed so that they move the two components 303 and 304 come to a stop against each other by a predetermined distance. To such a relative movement of the tail 303 opposite the bearing element 304 it comes in particular when inserting the cable end piece 201 this against the stop plate 301 suppressed. About the pole 302 This force is applied to the tail 303 transfer. The tail 303 is then by the predetermined distance from the bearing element 304 moved until tail 303 and bearing element 304 against each other, which stops this movement. This stop of tail 303 against bearing element 304 reproducibly defines the position in which the cable end piece definitely fits with the stop plate 301 comes to a stop.

Another push back the stop plate 301 by too strong insertion of the cable end piece 201 is thus effectively prevented. Thereby, that the relative end position of the stop plate 301 with inserted cable end 201 is clearly defined, the length adjustment of the cable end can be adjusted during insertion with high accuracy. In addition, in the present example, this relative position of the stop plate 301 used to with them in 1 read out sensors, not shown, and thus the gripping of the cable end 201 with the jaws 103 trigger and start the editing process.

In 3 is isolated and in section from above the assembly 310 from stop plate 301 , Pole 302 , Tail 303 and bearing element 304 shown. On a motor mount 316 which also serves as a support element 318 for the pole 302 serves, is the stepper motor 311 attached to the movement in the axial direction of the bearing element 304 together with the tail 303 and over the bar 302 of the stop plate 301 serves. This is a storage bracket 317 with a motor spindle 315 connected. At this storage rack 317 is the bearing element 304 attached.

In the bearing element 304 is in the 3 example shown the tail 303 over two bearing rings 313 . 314 secured. Preferably, the front bearing ring 313 is for example via a groove and a complementary notch in the bearing element 304 secured against rotation. Also the tail 303 For example, in such a manner secured against rotation in the bearing element 304 be stored.

In 4 is the stop plate 301 with rod 302 , Tail 303 and bearing element 304 in the position relative to the tool head 102 shown in the cable end piece 201 into the tool head 102 is inserted. This position corresponds to the first processing position by means of the knives 101 in which the cable end piece 201 from the jaws 103 is held.

To make the definition of the absolute stop point after a reaction distance S clearer, are in the 5a and 5b the schematic structure of tail 303 and bearing element 304 represented in a preferred embodiment in two positions. In 5a is shown as tail 303 and bearing element 304 lie to each other when no pressure is exerted on the stop plate while in 5b is shown as tail 303 and bearing element 304 lie to each other when the stop plate z. B. is pushed back by a cable end.

In the in the 5a , b example shown will be the tail 303 with rod 302 through the bearing ring 314 in the bearing element 304 secured. Between the tail 303 and the bearing element 304 and around the tail 303 There is a feather around 305 provided that, as long as no pressure on the stop plate 301 is exercised, the tail 303 relative to the bearing element 304 holds in a first position. In addition, the bearing element 304 a circumferential edge 306 on, as well as the tail 303 a circumferential projection 307 having.

In the spring 305 set position ( 5a ) is the distance between the circumferential edge 307 of the tail 303 and the circumferential edge 306 of the bearing element 304 the length of the route S. As soon as now on the stop plate 311 Pressure is applied, this is over the bar 302 and the surrounding edge 307 of the tail 303 on the spring 305 transfer. This will be the spring 305 compressed until the umlau fende edge 307 with the circumferential edge 306 of the bearing element 304 comes into play ( 5b ).

When moving the tail 303 around the distance S opposite the bearing element 304 this protrudes the surrounding edge 307 opposite end of the tail 303 something out of the bearing element. This circumstance is used in order to use a non-contact detector, in the present example, a light source 308 and a light detector 309 , which together act as a light barrier, to detect the time of the stop of the cable end piece with the stop plate. As soon as the end piece breaks through the light barrier, this signal triggers the closing of the clamping jaws and the start of processing by the tools. In addition, it is advantageous to set up the device so that this signal is also used to return the stop plate as far as possible from the cable end piece so that it is not damaged during processing of the cable end piece or he does not hinder the processing.

It it should be noted that the route S preferably as possible should be chosen small, z. B. in the order of magnitude the fault tolerance, which in the length adjustment at Cable insertion is to be achieved. The route S should be further preferably chosen as very small in comparison with the routes be moved to the stop plates within the tool head becomes.

The movability of the stop plate 301 allowed along with its defined stop position, in addition to the length adjustment when inserting a cable end piece 201 Also check the length of the stripped cable. This is in 6 shown schematically.

After one, preferably the last processing step is the cable end 201 with stripped end 202 in a corresponding position within the tool head 102 , In the in 6 position shown is the stop plate to the stripped end 202 of the cable end piece 201 have been brought up until they have come together with each other. From the distance traveled by the stop plate way from the fully retracted position to the position in abutment with the stripped cable end 202 can then be the current relative length of the cable end piece 201 determine whether a change in length has set compared to the length during insertion. This can happen, for example, when a particularly hard sheath layer is peeled off from a particularly soft underlying layer material. If the length deviation is greater than tolerable, this can be compensated by the starting position to be processed by the stop plate at the subsequent cable end pieces to be processed 301 is defined, relative to the tool head 102 is set so that the desired length is obtained after machining.

In 7 is another application of the stop plate 301 shown with defined stop position by the inventively designed end pieces and bearing elements. In order to further increase the measuring accuracy, the stop plate is preferably at each restart of the stripping, but also at any other intervals in processing pauses 301 to the position of the tools, here the knife 101 moved forward. This can either be done with closed knives 101 done so the stop 301 would come to grips with the knives. With opened knives 101 , as in 7 shown, one manages with a stop element 109 against which the stopper plate 301 moves. This stop position is as the zero position of the stop plate 301 Are defined. All other movements of the stop plate 301 for taking positions relative to the tool head 102 are calculated from this zero point. For this purpose, in particular drives with encoders or drives, which are designed as stepper motors.

This procedure for calibrating the length adjustment via the stop plate 301 gains importance over longer lifetimes of the device. Because the regular recalibration can be z. B. wear, caused by the permanent impact of Kabelendstücken on the stop plate and lead to a significant decrease in the thickness of the stop plate compensate. Even after a high number of imported cable ends can still achieve a length adjustment with low fault tolerance. This is especially true if the stop plate 301 against the closed knife 101 is driven, because then the change in the cutting position due to smaller thickness of the knife 101 due to wear or due to changed tolerances of other machine components.

In 8th is a special embodiment of the stop plate 301 shown. In this embodiment, the stop plate 301 medium 312 for cleaning the tools on the tool head. Im in 8th example shown are the means for cleaning than radially on the stop plate 301 arranged bristles or fibers 312 educated. To clean the knife in the present example 101 becomes the stop plate 301 driven into the position in which he is in a plane with the blades of the knife 101 lies. In this position, the tool head 102 for rotation around the pole 302 driven. The bristles rub 312 on the blades of the knives 101 and thereby remove any residual layers, which may have been caught in the cutting of cladding layers and the removal of sheath layers on the knives.

100

contraption

201

A terminal connector

202

stripped cable end

101

knife

102

tool head

103

jaws

104

tool drive

105

Tool head drive

106

guide element

107

frame

108

centralizers

109

stop element

301

stop plate

302

pole

303

tail

304

bearing element

305

feather

306

encircling edge

307

surrounding edge

308

light source

309

light detector

310

module

311

stepper motor

312

bristles

313

bearing ring

314

bearing ring

315

motor spindle

316

engine mount

317

bearing support

318

support element

S

route

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0195932 B1 [0002]

Claims (12)

Contraption ( 100 ) for removing at least one layer of the sheathing of electrical conductors ( 201 ) or light guides - with a stop element ( 301 ) against which a leader ( 201 ) can come into abutment upon insertion, wherein the stop element ( 301 ) via at least one connecting element ( 302 ) with a tail ( 303 ), - with at least one tool ( 101 ) on a movable tool head ( 102 ), characterized in that - the tail ( 303 ) in a bearing element ( 304 ) is axially displaceable by a distance S, - the bearing element ( 304 ) together with the tail ( 303 ) is slidably disposed and - the tail ( 303 ) and / or the bearing element ( 304 ) are formed such that when displaced by the distance S, the tail ( 303 ) and the bearing element ( 304 ) come together against each other. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the end piece ( 303 ) in the bearing element ( 304 ) is spring-mounted. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end piece ( 303 ) in the bearing element ( 304 ) is mounted rotationally secured. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end piece ( 303 ) and the bearing element ( 304 ) complementary abutments ( 306 . 307 ) exhibit. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the abutments ( 306 . 307 ) is formed circumferentially. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a sensor ( 308 . 309 ), which is designed such that it detects whether the tail ( 303 ) and the bearing element ( 304 ) are shifted against each other by the distance S. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor as a non-contact sensor ( 308 . 309 ) is trained. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that stop element ( 301 ), Connecting element ( 302 ), Tail ( 303 ) and bearing element ( 304 ) an assembly ( 310 ) formed as a unit relative to the tool head ( 102 ) is movable. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the assembly ( 310 ) a drive ( 311 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive as a stepping motor ( 311 ) is trained. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the stop element ( 301 ) Medium ( 312 ) for cleaning the tool ( 101 ) on the tool head ( 102 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the means for cleaning as radially on the stop element ( 301 ) arranged bristles ( 312 ) or fibers are formed.