EP0104725B1 - Forming cable core units - Google Patents
Forming cable core units Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0104725B1 EP0104725B1 EP19830304422 EP83304422A EP0104725B1 EP 0104725 B1 EP0104725 B1 EP 0104725B1 EP 19830304422 EP19830304422 EP 19830304422 EP 83304422 A EP83304422 A EP 83304422A EP 0104725 B1 EP0104725 B1 EP 0104725B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- twisting
- station
- wires
- disposed
- wire
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
- H01B13/02—Stranding-up
- H01B13/0235—Stranding-up by a twisting device situated between a pay-off device and a take-up device
Definitions
- This invention relates to the forming of cable core units.
- the stranding of wires together to form a wire unit offers physical and electrical advantages when the wires are individually insulated conductors as used in communications or other electrical systems.
- the stranding of pairs or units of wires as used in telephone systems improves electrical characteristics such as reducing cross-talk.
- a twisting means at the downstream end of the tubular member twists the member by rotating the downstream end of the member for a predetermined number of revolutions, first in one direction and then the other, to torsionally twist the member in reversing manner.
- a twist is imposed upon each wire by the twisting means and this twist causes the wires to strand together along their lengths as the wires emerge from the twisting means.
- apparatus for stranding wires comprises at least two tubes each defining a passage for wire, the tubes being rotatably flexible about a common axis to torsionally twist the tubes together around the axis to enable each of the wires to be given a twist by the twisting means while the tubes prevent the wires from twisting together.
- the tubes are prevented from moving towards or away from each other during the twisting operation and a resilient means is used at one end of the tubes to place the tubes continuously in tension and to allow for end movement of the tubes as the tubes change in effective length during each twisting and untwisting operation.
- the wires strand together to form a wire unit immediately they pass downstream from the twisting means.
- the present invention provides apparatus for forming a cable core unit from a plurality of wire units each of at least two stranded together wires, the apparatus comprising:-
- the guide means is of the construction described in our patent application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 964.
- a guide means comprises at least two tubes which define a passage for the wires for each wire unit. Lateral vibration of the tubes during twisting is minimal so as not to be a factor in determining the closeness together of the guide means in apparatus according to the present invention. Twisting means is necessarily of larger dimensions in a lateral direction to the feedpaths than the guide means.
- twisting means in the different twisting stations results in a need for less width across the apparatus than if the twisting means were all located at one station. Also, in grouping the twisting means in this way, it simplifies the driving of all the twisting means at each station by common driving means and this is an important consideration. In a practical construction, it is shown that where a cable core unit is to be made having twenty-five wire units each of a stranded pair of wires, then if three twisting stations are employed, spaced downstream of the feedpaths one after another, then the twisting means may be placed at each of these stations to provide an overall width across the apparatus, i.e. transversely to the feedpaths, of around 0.5 metres (20 inches).
- the preferred construction has frames for holding the twisting means in position and the wire guide means extend to the twisting means along paths which are disposed around a common axis of the apparatus. Some of the guide means and thus the twisting means are disposed outwardly of the common axis from others. In a preferred arrangement, the outwardly disposed twisting means are located around one pitch circle and inwardly disposed twisting means are disposed around another pitch circle or pitch circles.
- the apparatus shown in the drawings is _an apparatus for the manufacture of a cable core unit from twenty-five wire units, i.e. stranded pairs of insulated electrical conductors (referred to as "wires" in this specification).
- the core unit may be intended to form a complete cable core, or the core may be made from a plurality of such units.
- the apparatus comprises a plurality of wire guide means for each wire pair.
- each guide means 10 has a longitudinal axis which extends in the wire pass direction, i.e. from the left to the right in Figure 1.
- the twenty-five guide means 10 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship and also extend parallel to a common axis 12 of the apparatus.
- all the guide means are disposed around the common axis 12 and are located upon three pitch circles centered upon the axis 12.
- the guide means 10 are represented, for simplicity, as circles.
- Three inwardly disposed guide means 10 are equally spaced around an inner pitch circle 14, nine guide means 10 are equally spaced around intermediate pitch circle 16 and the remaining thirteen guide means are equally spaced around an outer pitch circle 18.
- each guide means is in the form of two guide tubes 20 extending one alongside the other, from a tube support plate 22 at their upstream ends to a twisting station at their downstream ends.
- Each tube is individually rotatably mounted about its own axis by its upstream end within the plate 20, which is, in turn, spring urged upon parallel guides 24 towards a fixed frame member 26.
- the tubes are rotatably flexible for the purpose of withstanding the rotational forces involved when downstream ends of the tubes are rotated relative to upstream ends and each at its twisting station, around another longitudinal axis located substantially symmetrically between the tubes. This rotation is alternately in one direction and then in the other from an equilibrium position in which the tubes are untwisted and lie parallel as shown in Figure 1.
- the tubes are formed from a material which provides for this rotational flexibility and may be made, for instance, from stainless steel or from an acetal homopolymer, e.g. as sold under the Trademark "DELRIN".
- each guide means and its method of mounting to the frame member 26 are described in our patent application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 964.
- a direction changing means is provided for each twisting means (to be described) as shown by Figure 1.
- This changing means 28 comprises a magnetic switch means which is triggered by an interrupter arm as described in our patent application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 962.
- each changing means 28 is located a short distance from its associated plate support 22.
- All of the guide means 10 have twisting means disposed in one of the three twisting stations. It is convenient for design considerations particularly, that all the guide means disposed on a particular pitch circle 14, 16 or 18 terminate in twisting means disposed at one only of the stations 30, 32 and 34. In this particular apparatus, the three guide means 10 on the pitch circle 14 terminate at a twisting means 36 disposed at twisting station 30. Also, the guide means 10 disposed upon pitch circles 16 and 18, respectively, terminate at twisting means 38 and 40 at the twisting stations 32 and 34.
- each frame means comprises two frames which are spaced apart along the common axis 12 and each twisting means is carried by both of the frames at its respective twisting station. While Figure 1 shows only certain of the guide means and twisting means of the apparatus, the illustrations in Figures 2 to 5 clearly show the positions of all of the twisting means and guide means of the apparatus.
- the tubes of the guide means on the inner pitch circle 14 extend for approximately 19.5 metres (65 feet) from their tube support plate 22 to the twisting station 30. This distance may of course be greater or smaller, dependent upon design requirements.
- the other twisting stations 32 and 34 are disposed slightly downstream along the axis 12 from station 30.
- Each twisting means 36, 38 and 40 comprises a cylinder 42 formed with two holes (not shown) within which the downstream ends of its two tubes 20 are secured.
- Two annular electric clutches 44 and 46 have their driven sides secured to the cylinder 42 for driving it alternately in opposite directions. All clutches 44 and 46 are radially aligned into two groups within the frames 48, 50 and 52 at the stations 30, 32 and 34.
- the clutches in each group are driven by a common drive belt 54 or 56 and the drive belts at each twisting station are driven continuously, each in one direction around pulley wheels 58 and 60 secured to drive shafts 62 (which are in line in Figure 1).
- the drive shafts are driven by a single electric motor 64 ( Figures 1 and 3).
- Each twisting means therefore, comprises a twisting assembly of the two clutches and the associated cylinder 42.
- This assembly is rotatable within two annular plates 65 which are held to the two frames 48, 50 or 52 by bolts as indicated by positions 70 in Figure 6.
- the cylinder 42 of each assembly lies within aligned apertures 66 of its two frames (see Figure 6), each of the apertures opening into a central hole 68 formed in the frames, whereby the assembly is removable in its assembled state by moving it radially from its apertures 66, into the central hole and then axially away from the frames.
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 show clearly the relative sizes of the central apertures 68 and of the positions of the twisting means around the apertures in each case.
- a separation tube means Downstream of each twisting means 36, 38, a separation tube means extends, said means being to prevent the wires of each wire unit from stranding together until they reach a stranding station (to be described).
- this separation tube means comprises a single tube 72 which is secured at its upstream end to its cylinder 42 and at its downstream end is rotatably held by a bearing 74, in a frame 76, lying immediately downstream from the twisting station 34.
- These tubes 72 are torsionally rigid, i.e. as they rotate with their twisting means, they do not torsionally twist as does each guide means.
- Each tube 72 is formed from metal or rigid plastic.
- each guide means 10 terminating at twisting stations 32 and 34 passes through either a clearance hole in each upstream frame 48 or 50 or alternatively, the guide means passes through a bearing 78 in each frame as shown by these figures.
- Each of the guide means and tubes 72 leading to the frame 76, or in the case of the guide means terminating in the twisting means 40, is to be used to enable each of its wires 80 to be given a degree of twist by the twisting means while the tubes prevent the wires from twisting together.
- the pitch circle for the twisting means 40 is at a diameter only sufficient to allow all guide means and twisting means to be passed between and held by the various frames while being suitably drivably connected to the motor 64 without any interference between one twisting means and its guide means and another. Nevertheless, for stranding together twenty-five pairs of wires, the diameter of the outermost pitch circle is approximately 0.5 metres (20 inches). However, it is required that the apparatus should provide a cable core unit 82 from these wires.
- a stranding station 84 is immediately at a position upstream of a core unit forming station 86. Hence, some means is required to more closely group the unstranded wires together at the stranding station where stranding into the wire units is then accomplished.
- separation tube means extend downstream beyond frame 52 and 76 and have the properties which will now be discussed to enable them to follow and maintain converging curved paths although they are caused to rotate in alternating directions together with the twisting means.
- These curved paths direct the twenty-five parallel paths for the wires of the pairs into a single path which is coincident with the axis 12 at the station 86.
- each separation tube means comprises a wire separation tube 88.
- each tube 72 terminating at the frame 76, the paths for the wires of each pair to be stranded are continued by a separation tube 88 which passes through bearings 90 in a support frame 92 and terminates at a support frame 94 which is disposed immediately upstream of the stranding station 84.
- These tubes 88 are secured to the tubes 72 so as to rotate with them.
- Wire separation tubes 88 also are secured to and extend from the cylinders 42 of twisting means 40, and these tubes 88 pass through clearance holes (not shown) in the frame 76, which lies close to the cylinders 42, and then proceed through bearings 90 to terminate at frame 94.
- the tubes converge as they pass through frame 92 to frame 94 and each tube is held upon its curved path by the frames.
- each tube is required to rotate around its axis which coincides with the fixed curved feedpath section for the wires to be fed through it.
- Each tube must have sufficient flexibility to be maintained in this curved configuration while enduring alternating compressive and tensile stresses to give a satisfactorily long working life.
- Each tube 88 also has torsional rigidity to prevent it from twisting thereby avoiding build-up and retention of twist.
- the tubes 88 of this embodiment are formed from an acetal homopolymer as sold under the trademark "DELRIN” and have an outside diameter of 5.6 millimeters (0.22”) and an inside diameter of 1.9 millimetres (0.075").
- each of the twisting means is rotated continuously in alternating directions for a preset number of revolutions (e.g. 35 revolutions to each side of an untwisted position of the guide tubes as shown in Figure 1).
- the downstream end of the associated guide tubes 20 rotate with the twisting means to place torsional twist on the tubes first in one direction and then the other about a longitudinal axis.
- the alternate rotation of the twisting means is effected by the direction changing means 28 which alternately operates the clutches 44 and 46.
- the wires 80 are passed through the tubes 20 which prevent the wires from twisting together as the wires move towards the twisting means.
- the wires pass through the twisting means 36, 38 or 40.
- each tube 88 the two wires 80 for each pair are fed one on either side of each of two pins in the manner described in our application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 963. These pins prevent the wires from stranding together under the action of the twisting means while in the tubes 88. The pins also prevent the wires from stranding together during their movement along the tubes 72 and before reaching the tubes 88. The pins in tubes 88 leading from the twisting means 40 also prevent stranding of the wires in these tubes.
- the alternately rotating tubes 88 maintain the converging curved paths of their axes to cause the unstranded wires to issue from the tubes at stranding station 84 and in closely adjacent positions. Pairs of wires then strand together from the action of the twisting means. The stranded wire units then move into a conventional binding head 96 at station 86 to bring them together as core unit 82. Because of the closeness of the stations 84 and 86, there is negligible untwisting of wires of the wire units before the wire units come together in the station 86. Frictional contact between the pairs and the use of a binding tape, resists any unwinding tendency. For this purpose, a conventional spool 98 of tape is provided which wraps tape 100 around the core unit 82 as it emerges from the head.
- the above apparatus shows that twenty-five pairs of stranded wires (or wire units) may be formed into a cable core unit after having twist imposed in the wires by the use of alternately rotating twisting means.
- the particular size of apparatus constructed according to the basic concept described in the embodiment depends upon the numbers of pairs of wires required in the final cable core unit.
- the apparatus is compact transversely of the feedpath for the wires, i.e. transversely to the axis 12.
- the diameter of the outermost pitch circle is approximately 0.5 metres (20"). This renders the apparatus attractive for commercial application.
- each guide means in the form of two tubes 10 is replaced by a guide means comprising a single tube defining a single axial passage which provides at least two side-by-side feedpaths for wire.
- the passage is shaped to prevent wires from moving across the passage to interchange positions by having a narrow passage region in between wider regions which provide the feed paths.
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Description
- This invention relates to the forming of cable core units.
- It is known that the stranding of wires together to form a wire unit offers physical and electrical advantages when the wires are individually insulated conductors as used in communications or other electrical systems. For example, the stranding of pairs or units of wires as used in telephone systems improves electrical characteristics such as reducing cross-talk.
- Conventionally, to continuously strand wires together in the same direction requires a heavy, rotatable construction as the wire spools for feeding wire into the apparatus must also revolve about the machine axis. The excessive weight of the construction limits the operational speed. In order to avoid the rotation of the spools, a periodically reversing stranding operation is performed upon the wires and, as it is desirable to strand long lengths of wires in each direction, accumulators become necessary.
- In order to overcome problems with known stranding apparatus, simpler apparatus has been devised to give a periodic reverse stranding operation. This simpler apparatus as described in United States Patent No. 3,910,022 granted October 7, 1975 in the name of Phillip John Reed and entitled "Apparatus for Stranding Wires" involves the use of a tubular member, one end of which is held stationary and the other torsionally twisted first in one direction and then the other around its longitudinal axis. Dividers positioned along the member divide the tube passage into separate paths for wires passing down the member. A twisting means at the downstream end of the tubular member, twists the member by rotating the downstream end of the member for a predetermined number of revolutions, first in one direction and then the other, to torsionally twist the member in reversing manner. A twist is imposed upon each wire by the twisting means and this twist causes the wires to strand together along their lengths as the wires emerge from the twisting means.
- In U.S. Patent No. 4,325,214 granted April 20, 1982, in the name of Bretislav Pavel Zuber, and entitled "Apparatus for Stranding Wire", the tubular member is replaced by an elongate member which is held stationary at an upstream end and is rotatable at its downstream end for twisting it. The elongate member has a plurality of wire guiding elements extending radially outwards from it, each element having wire guiding holes whereby the wires are threaded through the holes from guiding element to guiding element while being located outwards from the elongate member.
- In our patent application Serial No. EP-A--0 103 964, there is described a further alternative to the construction covered by U.S. Patent No. 3,910,022 and 4,325,214. In the application entitled "Stranding Wires," apparatus for stranding wires comprises at least two tubes each defining a passage for wire, the tubes being rotatably flexible about a common axis to torsionally twist the tubes together around the axis to enable each of the wires to be given a twist by the twisting means while the tubes prevent the wires from twisting together. The tubes are prevented from moving towards or away from each other during the twisting operation and a resilient means is used at one end of the tubes to place the tubes continuously in tension and to allow for end movement of the tubes as the tubes change in effective length during each twisting and untwisting operation. The wires strand together to form a wire unit immediately they pass downstream from the twisting means.
- While the stranding apparatus as described in each of the patents referred to above successfully overcome the problems associated with the use of heavy rotatable machinery, no apparatus has yet been devised for simultaneously forming a plurality of wire units each formed in a manner disclosed in the above patents and application, and then for subsequently combining these wire units in the form of a cable core unit.
- Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for forming a cable core unit from a plurality of wire units each of at least two stranded together wires, the apparatus comprising:-
- a plurality of wire guide means, each for the wires of one of the units, each guide means having a longitudinal axis extending in a wire pass direction, being rotationally flexible, and defining individual feedpaths for the two wires of its unit to maintain the wires separate as they proceed to a twisting station disposed downstream of the guide means;
- each guide means terminating at its twisting station in a twisting means which is rotatable at its station around the feedpaths of the guide means to effect a rotational twist to the guide means and thus of the feedpaths around the axis;
- rotating means to rotate each twisting means and effect rotational twisting of the associated guide means and its feedpaths for a plurality of revolutions about its axis alternately in one direction and then in the other to introduce and impose an alternating twist in the wires and hold the wires separate as they move towards the twisting means; and
- a stranding station downstream of the twisting station to combine the wire units together to form the cable core unit;
- at least a first and second twisting stations with the second twisting station downstream of the first station and the twisting means for each guide means is disposed in one of the twisting stations with at least one twisting means in each twisting station;
- at least a section of the feedpaths for wires of some wire units being curved and of fixed orientation between each twisting station and the stranding station to cause convergence of the feedpaths of wires for each wire unit with the wires for other wire units as they approach the stranding station and to enable the wire units to combine together to form the cable core unit; and
- separation tube means to prevent the wires for each wire unit from stranding together before they reach the stranding station, said separation tube means being rotatable with the twisting means and extending in curved configuration along the curved feedpath sections, with flexibility to enable the tube means to be maintained in its curved configuration along said fixed path section during rotation of the tube means in said alternating directions and with torsional rigidity to avoid build-up and retention of twist.
- With the above apparatus and with the guide means terminating at different twisting stations, it has been found that the width across the apparatus, i.e. transversely to the feedpaths, is reduced to a minimum and this is dictated primarily by the permissible closeness of the guide means. In a preferred arrangement, the guide means is of the construction described in our patent application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 964. In that construction, a guide means comprises at least two tubes which define a passage for the wires for each wire unit. Lateral vibration of the tubes during twisting is minimal so as not to be a factor in determining the closeness together of the guide means in apparatus according to the present invention. Twisting means is necessarily of larger dimensions in a lateral direction to the feedpaths than the guide means. The disposition of the twisting means in the different twisting stations results in a need for less width across the apparatus than if the twisting means were all located at one station. Also, in grouping the twisting means in this way, it simplifies the driving of all the twisting means at each station by common driving means and this is an important consideration. In a practical construction, it is shown that where a cable core unit is to be made having twenty-five wire units each of a stranded pair of wires, then if three twisting stations are employed, spaced downstream of the feedpaths one after another, then the twisting means may be placed at each of these stations to provide an overall width across the apparatus, i.e. transversely to the feedpaths, of around 0.5 metres (20 inches). In such an arrangement, the preferred construction has frames for holding the twisting means in position and the wire guide means extend to the twisting means along paths which are disposed around a common axis of the apparatus. Some of the guide means and thus the twisting means are disposed outwardly of the common axis from others. In a preferred arrangement, the outwardly disposed twisting means are located around one pitch circle and inwardly disposed twisting means are disposed around another pitch circle or pitch circles.
- One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, of apparatus for forming insulated conductors into stranded pairs or wire units and for forming a cable core unit from the stranded pairs;
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1 showing diagramatically the relative positions of guide means for the pairs around a common axis of the apparatus, details of structure of the apparatus being omitted;
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along lines III-III, IV-IV, and V-V respectively in Figure 1; and
- Figure 6 is a scrap cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along line VI-VI in Figure 1 and on a larger scale.
- The apparatus shown in the drawings is _an apparatus for the manufacture of a cable core unit from twenty-five wire units, i.e. stranded pairs of insulated electrical conductors (referred to as "wires" in this specification). The core unit may be intended to form a complete cable core, or the core may be made from a plurality of such units.
- The apparatus comprises a plurality of wire guide means for each wire pair. As is shown in Figure 1, each guide means 10 has a longitudinal axis which extends in the wire pass direction, i.e. from the left to the right in Figure 1. The twenty-five guide means 10 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship and also extend parallel to a
common axis 12 of the apparatus. As is clear from Figures 1 and 2, all the guide means are disposed around thecommon axis 12 and are located upon three pitch circles centered upon theaxis 12. In Figure 2, the guide means 10 are represented, for simplicity, as circles. Three inwardly disposed guide means 10 are equally spaced around an inner pitch circle 14, nine guide means 10 are equally spaced around intermediate pitch circle 16 and the remaining thirteen guide means are equally spaced around anouter pitch circle 18. - As shown by Figure 1, each guide means is in the form of two
guide tubes 20 extending one alongside the other, from atube support plate 22 at their upstream ends to a twisting station at their downstream ends. Each tube is individually rotatably mounted about its own axis by its upstream end within theplate 20, which is, in turn, spring urged uponparallel guides 24 towards afixed frame member 26. The tubes are rotatably flexible for the purpose of withstanding the rotational forces involved when downstream ends of the tubes are rotated relative to upstream ends and each at its twisting station, around another longitudinal axis located substantially symmetrically between the tubes. This rotation is alternately in one direction and then in the other from an equilibrium position in which the tubes are untwisted and lie parallel as shown in Figure 1. The tubes are formed from a material which provides for this rotational flexibility and may be made, for instance, from stainless steel or from an acetal homopolymer, e.g. as sold under the Trademark "DELRIN". - The construction and operation of each guide means and its method of mounting to the
frame member 26 are described in our patent application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 964. A direction changing means is provided for each twisting means (to be described) as shown by Figure 1. This changingmeans 28 comprises a magnetic switch means which is triggered by an interrupter arm as described in our patent application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 962. As also described in that specification, each changingmeans 28 is located a short distance from its associatedplate support 22. - Three
twisting stations particular pitch circle 14, 16 or 18 terminate in twisting means disposed at one only of thestations station 30. Also, the guide means 10 disposed uponpitch circles 16 and 18, respectively, terminate at twisting means 38 and 40 at the twistingstations 32 and 34. - At each twisting station, a frame means is provided for holding the twisting means. As is clear from Figure 1, each frame means comprises two frames which are spaced apart along the
common axis 12 and each twisting means is carried by both of the frames at its respective twisting station. While Figure 1 shows only certain of the guide means and twisting means of the apparatus, the illustrations in Figures 2 to 5 clearly show the positions of all of the twisting means and guide means of the apparatus. - The tubes of the guide means on the inner pitch circle 14 extend for approximately 19.5 metres (65 feet) from their
tube support plate 22 to the twistingstation 30. This distance may of course be greater or smaller, dependent upon design requirements. The other twistingstations 32 and 34 are disposed slightly downstream along theaxis 12 fromstation 30. - Each twisting means 36, 38 and 40 comprises a
cylinder 42 formed with two holes (not shown) within which the downstream ends of its twotubes 20 are secured. Two annularelectric clutches cylinder 42 for driving it alternately in opposite directions. Allclutches frames stations common drive belt pulley wheels cylinder 42. This assembly is rotatable within twoannular plates 65 which are held to the twoframes positions 70 in Figure 6. Thecylinder 42 of each assembly lies within alignedapertures 66 of its two frames (see Figure 6), each of the apertures opening into acentral hole 68 formed in the frames, whereby the assembly is removable in its assembled state by moving it radially from itsapertures 66, into the central hole and then axially away from the frames. Figures 3, 4 and 5 show clearly the relative sizes of thecentral apertures 68 and of the positions of the twisting means around the apertures in each case. - Downstream of each twisting means 36, 38, a separation tube means extends, said means being to prevent the wires of each wire unit from stranding together until they reach a stranding station (to be described). Immediately downstream of each twisting means 36, 38, this separation tube means comprises a
single tube 72 which is secured at its upstream end to itscylinder 42 and at its downstream end is rotatably held by a bearing 74, in aframe 76, lying immediately downstream from the twistingstation 34. Thesetubes 72 are torsionally rigid, i.e. as they rotate with their twisting means, they do not torsionally twist as does each guide means. Eachtube 72 is formed from metal or rigid plastic. Thetubes 72 pass through thecentral apertures 68 offrames frame 76 as shown by Figures 1,4 and 5. As is also clear from Figures 1, and 4, each guide means 10 terminating at twistingstations 32 and 34, passes through either a clearance hole in eachupstream frame bearing 78 in each frame as shown by these figures. - Each of the guide means and
tubes 72 leading to theframe 76, or in the case of the guide means terminating in the twisting means 40, is to be used to enable each of itswires 80 to be given a degree of twist by the twisting means while the tubes prevent the wires from twisting together. The pitch circle for the twisting means 40 is at a diameter only sufficient to allow all guide means and twisting means to be passed between and held by the various frames while being suitably drivably connected to themotor 64 without any interference between one twisting means and its guide means and another. Nevertheless, for stranding together twenty-five pairs of wires, the diameter of the outermost pitch circle is approximately 0.5 metres (20 inches). However, it is required that the apparatus should provide a cable core unit 82 from these wires. This involves the bringing together of all of the stranded wire units. To prevent the stranded wire units time to develop a significant unstranding action before being formed into the core unit 82, it is essential that astranding station 84 is immediately at a position upstream of a coreunit forming station 86. Hence, some means is required to more closely group the unstranded wires together at the stranding station where stranding into the wire units is then accomplished. - For the above purpose, separation tube means extend downstream beyond
frame axis 12 at thestation 86. - As shown by Figure 1, each separation tube means comprises a
wire separation tube 88. In the case of eachtube 72 terminating at theframe 76, the paths for the wires of each pair to be stranded are continued by aseparation tube 88 which passes throughbearings 90 in asupport frame 92 and terminates at asupport frame 94 which is disposed immediately upstream of thestranding station 84. Thesetubes 88 are secured to thetubes 72 so as to rotate with them.Wire separation tubes 88 also are secured to and extend from thecylinders 42 of twisting means 40, and thesetubes 88 pass through clearance holes (not shown) in theframe 76, which lies close to thecylinders 42, and then proceed throughbearings 90 to terminate atframe 94. The tubes converge as they pass throughframe 92 to frame 94 and each tube is held upon its curved path by the frames. - Clearly, each tube is required to rotate around its axis which coincides with the fixed curved feedpath section for the wires to be fed through it. Each tube must have sufficient flexibility to be maintained in this curved configuration while enduring alternating compressive and tensile stresses to give a satisfactorily long working life. Each
tube 88 also has torsional rigidity to prevent it from twisting thereby avoiding build-up and retention of twist. Thetubes 88 of this embodiment are formed from an acetal homopolymer as sold under the trademark "DELRIN" and have an outside diameter of 5.6 millimeters (0.22") and an inside diameter of 1.9 millimetres (0.075"). These tubes pass through theframe 92 to frame 94 at pitch circle diameters, which while decreasing, still maintain the relative positions of the tubes atframe 94. Although the outermost pitch circle diameter is reduced from around 0.5 metres (20") atframes 76 to approximately 0.2 metres (8") over a distance of approximately 0.5 metres (20") along theaxis 12, thetubes 88 satisfactorily withstand the stresses involved. Another suitable material is stainless steel. The structure of thetubes 88 and the manner in which they are held to theframes - In use of the apparatus as described above each of the twisting means is rotated continuously in alternating directions for a preset number of revolutions (e.g. 35 revolutions to each side of an untwisted position of the guide tubes as shown in Figure 1). The downstream end of the associated
guide tubes 20 rotate with the twisting means to place torsional twist on the tubes first in one direction and then the other about a longitudinal axis. The alternate rotation of the twisting means is effected by the direction changing means 28 which alternately operates theclutches wires 80 are passed through thetubes 20 which prevent the wires from twisting together as the wires move towards the twisting means. The wires pass through the twisting means 36, 38 or 40. Upon the wires for each pair passing through its twisting means 36 and 38, the wires immediately pass from the twotubes 20 into arespective tube 72. These wires then proceed into theirseparation tubes 88. In eachtube 88 the twowires 80 for each pair are fed one on either side of each of two pins in the manner described in our application Serial No. EP-A-0 103 963. These pins prevent the wires from stranding together under the action of the twisting means while in thetubes 88. The pins also prevent the wires from stranding together during their movement along thetubes 72 and before reaching thetubes 88. The pins intubes 88 leading from the twisting means 40 also prevent stranding of the wires in these tubes. - The alternately rotating
tubes 88 maintain the converging curved paths of their axes to cause the unstranded wires to issue from the tubes at strandingstation 84 and in closely adjacent positions. Pairs of wires then strand together from the action of the twisting means. The stranded wire units then move into a conventionalbinding head 96 atstation 86 to bring them together as core unit 82. Because of the closeness of thestations station 86. Frictional contact between the pairs and the use of a binding tape, resists any unwinding tendency. For this purpose, aconventional spool 98 of tape is provided which wrapstape 100 around the core unit 82 as it emerges from the head. - The above apparatus shows that twenty-five pairs of stranded wires (or wire units) may be formed into a cable core unit after having twist imposed in the wires by the use of alternately rotating twisting means. The particular size of apparatus constructed according to the basic concept described in the embodiment depends upon the numbers of pairs of wires required in the final cable core unit. As can be seen, the apparatus is compact transversely of the feedpath for the wires, i.e. transversely to the
axis 12. In this particular case, the diameter of the outermost pitch circle is approximately 0.5 metres (20"). This renders the apparatus attractive for commercial application. - In a modification of the above embodiment (not shown), each guide means in the form of two
tubes 10 is replaced by a guide means comprising a single tube defining a single axial passage which provides at least two side-by-side feedpaths for wire. The passage is shaped to prevent wires from moving across the passage to interchange positions by having a narrow passage region in between wider regions which provide the feed paths.
characterized in that the apparatus further comprises:-
Claims (10)
characterized in that the apparatus further comprises:-
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA409963 | 1982-08-24 | ||
CA000409963A CA1174911A (en) | 1982-08-24 | 1982-08-24 | Forming cable core units |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0104725A2 EP0104725A2 (en) | 1984-04-04 |
EP0104725A3 EP0104725A3 (en) | 1984-08-08 |
EP0104725B1 true EP0104725B1 (en) | 1987-11-04 |
Family
ID=4123464
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19830304422 Expired EP0104725B1 (en) | 1982-08-24 | 1983-08-01 | Forming cable core units |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0104725B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5954116A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1174911A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3374363D1 (en) |
FI (1) | FI73335C (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101359524B (en) * | 2008-09-12 | 2011-11-30 | 玉溪玉杯金属制品有限公司 | Method for producing metal stranded wire |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FI78576C (en) * | 1986-04-01 | 1989-08-10 | Nokia Oy Ab | FOERFARANDE OCH ANORDNING FOER VAEXELRIKTNINGSTVINNING. |
US6872303B2 (en) * | 2003-08-12 | 2005-03-29 | Ian M. Knapp | Water treatment cartridge |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3732682A (en) * | 1971-06-29 | 1973-05-15 | Western Electric Co | Methods of and apparatus for twisting and stranding cable pairs in a tandem operation |
GB1424662A (en) * | 1971-12-21 | 1976-02-11 | Phillips Cables Ltd | Cable twisting device |
US3910022A (en) * | 1974-07-18 | 1975-10-07 | Northern Electric Co | Apparatus for stranding wires |
DE2558095A1 (en) * | 1975-12-19 | 1977-06-23 | Siemens Ag | Twisting machine for making cables - has guides fitted between stationary and rotating sets of twist discs |
US4096006A (en) * | 1976-09-22 | 1978-06-20 | Spectra-Strip Corporation | Method and apparatus for making twisted pair multi-conductor ribbon cable with intermittent straight sections |
-
1982
- 1982-08-24 CA CA000409963A patent/CA1174911A/en not_active Expired
-
1983
- 1983-08-01 EP EP19830304422 patent/EP0104725B1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-08-01 DE DE8383304422T patent/DE3374363D1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-08-22 JP JP15173683A patent/JPS5954116A/en active Pending
- 1983-08-23 FI FI833011A patent/FI73335C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101359524B (en) * | 2008-09-12 | 2011-11-30 | 玉溪玉杯金属制品有限公司 | Method for producing metal stranded wire |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FI73335B (en) | 1987-05-29 |
FI833011A0 (en) | 1983-08-23 |
EP0104725A2 (en) | 1984-04-04 |
FI73335C (en) | 1987-09-10 |
EP0104725A3 (en) | 1984-08-08 |
JPS5954116A (en) | 1984-03-28 |
DE3374363D1 (en) | 1987-12-10 |
CA1174911A (en) | 1984-09-25 |
FI833011A (en) | 1984-02-25 |
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