EP0569647A1 - Stranding and on-line tape-wrapping installation to manufacture electrical cables and cables obtained in that manner - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation is characterised in that it comprises, between the stranding machine (1) and the receiving means (6), at least: - a fixed tape-wrapping station (3) which pays out, onto the strand (110), a tape (109), tape-wrapping it in the same sense (direction) as the twisting sense (direction of lay) of the strand (110), - a movable tape-wrapping station (4) depositing, onto the strand, a tape in the opposite sense from the twisting sense of the strand and having the same pitch as the outer layer of the latter. <IMAGE>

Description

• une machine de toronnage pour réaliser un toron de câble à partir de brins élémentaires, le toron tournant sur lui-même, en étant conduit suivant un axe de défilement et de rotation à travers différents postes de rubanage pour recevoir dans chaque poste, un ruban, et en sortie un moyen de réception, exerçant une traction avec rotation sur le câble.

The present invention relates to a wiring and tape installation for manufacturing cables, comprising:

• a stranding machine for making a cable strand from elementary strands, the strand rotating on itself, being led along a running and rotating axis through different taping stations to receive in each post, a ribbon, and at the output a receiving means, exerting a traction with rotation on the cable.

In general, cabling and taping installations industrially use two main methods for obtaining cables insulated by taping used industrially.

The most common method consists in presenting a linear strand, without rotation, a strand, already formed by other means, in a rotary taping head. The combination of the two movements allows the ribbon to be placed helically on the strand. In this process, there is no particular constraint with regard to the relative directions of banding and stranding, no more than on the value of the stranding steps. and tape.

The successive layers are possible by mounting in chain of the tape assemblies or by placing each layer in recovery. There is a limitation to productivity due to successive operations (wiring then tape) and especially to the limited speed of rotation of the tape heads.

A known installation, described in patent FR 8811396 makes it possible to improve productivity significantly, by presenting the strand in the machine with a helical advance law, that is to say advance and rotation combined. Combinations of conventional taping heads and special so-called "reverse" heads make it possible to deposit tapes with relative steps and directions with few limitations. The speeds of rotation of the tape heads remain industrially achievable.

More specifically, the wiring installation according to patent FR 88 11 396 comprises a stranding station providing a strand of elementary strands along a travel and rotation axis defining the general travel direction in the installation. Following the stranding station there is a taping station which turns around the strand in the opposite direction to the strand to lay a first ribbon. Following this taping station, a second taping station is provided for depositing a tape opposite to the first tape. This second taping station is a reverse taping station very schematically comprising an external assembly rotatable with respect to the general axis and provided with means for guiding the cable upstream and downstream of the taping to be produced with an inlet and an outlet arranged according the general direction of circulation of the cable in the installation as well as an interior assembly, rotatable relative to the general axis independently of the exterior assembly; this interior assembly comprises a taping means the entry and exit of the cable of which are placed in the opposite direction to the general direction of travel of the cable in the installation.

Patent FR 89 05 200 relates to a stranding machine formed by a first sub-assembly in rotation relative to a second sub-assembly around the axis of the wiring installation. The second sub-assembly is provided with the coils loaded with the wiring elements which are guided and stranded in a stranding die in a direction of travel opposite to the overall direction of travel of the installation to travel a path back to the inside the first sub-assembly and exit from it in the general direction of travel in the installation.

The installation which is the subject of document FR 89 05 200 can be mounted at the head of the installation described in patent FR 88 11 396 to enhance it by completely constituting the strand at the head of the machine. The strand can then be made in alternating layers and there is then a completely integrated installation making it possible to produce multi-strand wires isolated by tape from elementary components: elementary wires and ribbons, in a single operation.

The object of the present invention is to develop the installations mentioned above to simplify them and make it possible to improve the laying accuracy of certain tapes.

• a) un poste de rubanage fixe qui dévide sur le toron un ruban en effectuant son rubanage dans le même sens que le sens de torsion du toron,
• b) un poste de rubanage mobile déposant sur le toron un ruban en sens opposé du sens de torsion du toron et de même pas que la couche extérieure de celui-ci.

To this end, the invention relates to an installation of the above type, characterized in that it comprises, between the stranding machine and the receiving means, at least:

• a) a stationary taping station which unwinds on the strand a ribbon by making its ribboning in the same direction as the direction of twist of the strand,
• b) a mobile taping station depositing a ribbon on the strand in the direction opposite to the direction of twist of the strand and not the same as the outer layer thereof.

This installation has a very simple structure making it possible to tape very fragile materials with extreme precision such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ribbons with a thickness of 50 micrometers.

The fixed mounting of a taping station eliminates the need for a reserve of tape, coaxial with the strand (as in the mobile taping station).

Joining is thus easier to carry out, it does not entail compulsory cuts on the finished wire.

Another advantage is that it becomes easy to keep the ribbons at the optimum temperature.

According to another characteristic, the installation comprises a second station of fixed taping unwinding on the cable a ribbon according to a winding direction identical to the direction of the strand, the first and the second fixed station being located on either side of the station. mobile tape.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the mobile taping station is a reverse taping station formed of an outer part and an inner part, both coaxial with the axis of the installation and the strand circulating first in the external part before crossing the internal part, along the axis but in the opposite direction to the direction of circulation of the strand on the other parts of the axis, to receive the ribbon, the rotational movement of the external part being opposite in the direction of rotation of the strand (cable).

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one of the stationary taping stations consists of an assembly formed by a driven supply coil, connected to the taping point by means of a setting means. voltage.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the tensioning means comprises a control device for determining the actual voltage, comparing it with a set value and, starting from the difference signal, controlling the motor of the supply coil. .

According to another characteristic of the invention, the assembly formed by the power supply and the voltage control means is pivotable relative to the taping point to adjust the taping angle.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the tensioning and tension detection means consists of a ribbon loop formed by two fixed rollers and a variable return roller forming a loop path of variable length for the ribbon and whose length is detected to control the motor of the mobile power supply.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for tensioning and detecting the real tension of the ribbon at the time of ribboning comprises an arm carrying the idler roller over which passes a loop of the ribbon between the two fixed rollers, arm being provided with a tension adjustment counterweight and a pivoting detector with respect to a fixed point.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the stationary taping station consists of a stationary tape supply device, providing a ribbon at a voltage controlled by a set voltage, at least one return member for adjusting the orientation, and thus the ribbon angle, of the ribbon relative to the strand.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the return member is an orientable finger which ensures the return of the tape, cooperating with two guide and stop members retaining the cable during taping.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the taping stations include means for regulating the temperature of the tape.

The invention also relates to the cables made using this installation.

Thus, such a cable is characterized in that it comprises at least one layer of insulating tape in the same direction as the strand and a layer of opposite direction.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cable comprises at least two layers of tape in the same direction and the same pitch as the outer layer of the strand, with an intermediate layer of opposite direction, the layers of the same direction having exactly the same pitch. , if necessary identical to that of the strand.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'ensemble d'une installation de câblage et de rubanage selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un poste fixe de rubanage.
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du poste de rubanage selon la figure 2.
• la figure 4 est une variante du moyen de détection de tension du ruban dans le poste de rubanage selon les figures 2 et 3.
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique d'un autre mode de réalisation d'un poste de rubanage.
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe du point de rubanage dans le cas d'un poste de rubanage fixe selon la figure 5 pour une rotation du câble dans le sens contraire des aiguilles d'une montre.
• la figure 7 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 5 mais pour une rotation du câble dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre.

The present invention will be described in more detail with the aid of the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic overview of a wiring and tape installation according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a fixed taping station.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of the taping station according to FIG. 2.
• Figure 4 is a variant of the means of detection of ribbon tension in the taping station according to Figures 2 and 3.
• Figure 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a taping station.
• Figure 6 is a sectional view of the taping point in the case of a stationary taping station according to Figure 5 for a rotation of the cable counterclockwise.
• Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 but for a rotation of the cable clockwise.

According to FIG. 1, the on-line wiring and taping installation for producing insulated cables comprises a stranding machine 1 which is only represented schematically by the three strands or elementary strands 101, 102, 103 meeting at the level of the stranding 4. At the output of this stranding machine 1, there is optionally provided a stranding control device 2 very schematically composed of two rollers 105, 106 of input and output and an intermediate roller 107. The roller 107 is offset from the geometric axis of the machine and the equipment formed by the rollers 105, 106, 107 rotates around the axis in synchronism with the stranding, so as to block the strand.

The entire installation refers to the geometric axis XX which crosses the installation from the stranding machine 1 to the receiving means 6. The various means of the installation are aligned on this axis XX which corresponds to the path followed by the strand transforming by successive taping into a cable.

Downstream of the device 2, there is a first stationary taping station, 3 represented schematically by a rectangle 108 and a strip 109 which joins the strand 110 at the taping point 111. It should be noted that the strand 110 rotates in a certain direction and that the strip 109 is taped around it in a taping direction identical to the stranding direction.

avec

D =

diamètre du toron

e =

épaisseur du ruban déposé

p =

Pas résultant de la combinaison avance/rotation.

This station 3 places the tape 109 along the tape angle A. The angle A depends on the pitch resulting from the rotation R and from the scrolling D, we have approximately:

with

D =

strand diameter

e =

thickness of the tape applied

p =

Not resulting from the advance / rotation combination.

Downstream of the fixed taping station or first taping station is a mobile taping station 4 which performs taping in the opposite direction to the taping formed by the station 3. This taping station 4 is represented in the form of a reverse tape. Very schematically, this station 4, which is only a particular and interesting example of a taping station, consists of an exterior assembly 112 and an interior assembly 113, the exterior assembly 112 is a cage rotating around the axis XX while being driven by means not shown.

The strand 114, provided with the first ribbon, passes through the exterior assembly 112 of the station 4, first on the input pulley 115, on two return pulleys 116, 117 then a pulley 118 of input in the second part 113 of station 4. This second part 113 rotates relatively opposite with respect to the part 112. In fact and in a simple manner, the part 113 is immobile in space and the part 112 rotates around the latter and around the axis XX. The strand 114 circulates inside the station 113 in the opposite direction to the general direction of travel of the strand along the axis XX. The ribbon is banded around the strand 114 in the opposite direction to the direction of taping performed by the stationary station 3. At the output, the strand 119 passes over an output pulley 120 then two return pulleys 121, 122 and an output pulley 123 for join the axis XX. The different pulleys mentioned above all rotate with the exterior assembly 112 as indicated by the arrow C.

Downstream from the mobile taping station 4, the installation includes a fixed taping station 5 similar to station 3; it is represented schematically by a rectangle 124 providing a ribbon 125 at the appropriate tension along the angle of taping B, at the taping point 126. This results in the stranded cable 127 which passes through the receiving means 6 rotating in synchronism around the axis XX to be wound in synchronism with the cage 112 and the devices 1 and 2.

Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a stationary taping station; this is for example item 3.

Figure 2 is a very schematic end view showing the strand 110 in the form of a circle; the strand rotates in the direction of the circular arrow R. The strip 109 arrives on the strand at the taping point 111. This strip 109 is supplied with a feed roller 301 carried by an axis 302 connected to a motor 303. The motor is controlled by a control circuit 304 to adjust the tension of the ribbon. For this, the taping station includes a tape tensioning means composed of a first pulley 305, a second pulley 306 and an intermediate pulley 307 forming a movable block; in this example the pulley 307 is free in vertical movement and forms a loop of tape 308. The pulley 307 is subjected to a weight 309. The pulley 306 is provided with a tachometric detector 310. The position of the pulley 307 is detected by a detector 311 which transmits the detection signal to the circuit 304 and the latter controls the motor 303.

The control circuit 304 receives the signal from the tachometric detector 310 and data concerning the ribbon (its dimensions, its density) as well as data relating to the supply coil 301, as well as the law of variation of the moment of inertia of the spool depending on the residual amount of ribbon on the spool. These signals are introduced into the circuit 304 as shown diagrammatically by the arrow 312, this system makes it possible to regulate, according to a first approximation, the tension of the strip 109 by controlling the angular speed of the motor 303 so that it is proportional to the pulley altitude 307.

This method is possible when it is possible to have a large vertical stroke for the free pulley 307 because it is necessary to ensure the operating stability of the taping station regardless of the tape running speed and the diameter of the supply reel 301 which provides the ribbon.

• l'hypothèse que la poulie 307 occupe une position fixe,
• l'amortissement du système ;

ces deux conditions sont prises en compte quelle que soit la vitesse de défilement du ruban et le degré de remplissage de la bobine 301.However, by introducing more complete information into the control circuit 304, as has already been mentioned above, it is possible to achieve a more precise control, especially if the control circuit 304 includes a microprocessor which makes it possible to calculate in real time optimal control. This optimal command can be defined by the following two conditions:

• the assumption that the pulley 307 occupies a fixed position,
• amortization of the system;

these two conditions are taken into account whatever the speed of travel of the ribbon and the degree of filling of the reel 301.

Under the conditions of precision set out above, if it is admitted that the return pulley 307 occupies a fixed position, the device represented in FIG. 2 can be simplified by that of FIG. 4 which is a modified extract thereof.

In this figure, the same references have been used as in FIG. 2 for the parts common to the two variants.

According to this variant, the "movable" pulley 307, which in fact retains a very variable position, is carried by a lever arm 313 pivotally mounted around a pivot 314 constituted by an axis 315 connected to an angle detector 316. The lever 313 also includes a counterweight 314 adjustable along the lever as indicated by the double arrow C. By modifying the position of the counterweight 314 it is thus possible to modify the tension exerted by the pulley 307 on the strip 109. The rotation sensor 316 provides an indication of the pivoting of the arm 313; this indication is provided to the motor control circuit controlling the ribbon take-up reel (see Figure 2).

The variant of FIG. 4, given the small deflections, does not pose any problem of precision since the pulley 307 describes not a straight path but an arc of a circle; indeed, the movement of the pulley 307 on the trajectory is so weak that the assimilation of an arc of a circle to a line segment at this level does not cause servo errors.

Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2; it shows the various organs described above and the description of which will not be repeated. The advantage of this figure is to show the angle A formed between the strip 109 and the strand 110 at the taping point 111. The direction of travel of the strand 110 is indicated by the arrow D.

It should also be noted that in the above devices, the permanent adjustment of the critical damping keeps tension errors at a minimum level due to the acceleration of the swiveling assembly (pulley 307; counterweight 314).

It should be noted that the taping angle A is adjusted in the embodiments of the stationary taping station shown in Figures 2-3 or 4 by tilting the entire installation formed by the post around the point of tape 111.

The variant of stationary taping station according to FIG. 5 enables this constraint to be freed and the angle of taping to be adjusted without having to move the whole of the stationary taping station.

For this, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the strip 109 unwound from the reel 301, the rotation motor of which has not been shown, passes around an orientable finger 320 substantially perpendicular to the axis of travel. XX of the strand 110. The strip 109 is guided around the parts 321, 322 which gives the taping angle A. According to the direction of twist R of the strand (FIGS. 6 and 7), the parts 321, 322 are arranged differently.

According to one embodiment, the tape stations 3, 4, 5 and in particular the fixed stations 3, 5 have a means for regulating the temperature of the tape.

Finally, it should be noted that the above description concerns a three-way installation taping stations; this is only a non-limiting example and the number of posts can be increased or decreased.

Thus, it is possible to envisage a very simple installation comprising only a stationary taping station 2 and a mobile taping station, the order of succession along the axis XX is optional.

In addition, the alternation of fixed and mobile stations can exceed three.

The invention also relates to the cables made using the installation described above. These cables have at least two layers of alternating insulating tape, the first layer being in the same direction or in the opposite direction to that of the second layer.

The direction of taping of the first layer may be identical to or opposite to the direction of the strand.

Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments described above envisage a strand obtained from elementary strands.

However, these elementary strands can themselves be strands without this modifying the principles of the installations described above.

Claims (13)

Installation of cabling and tape to manufacture cables, comprising: - a stranding machine (1) for producing a cable strand (110) from elementary strands (101, 102, 103), the strand rotating on itself, being driven along an axis of travel and rotation ( xx) through different taping stations to receive in each post, a ribbon, and at the outlet a receiving means (6), exerting a traction with rotation on the cable (127), installation characterized in that it comprises, between the stranding machine (1) and the receiving means (6), at least: a) a stationary taping station (3) which unwinds a strip (109) on the strand (110) by making its taping in the same direction as the direction of twist of the strand (110), b) a mobile taping station (4) depositing on the strand a ribbon in the direction opposite to the direction of twist of the strand and not the same as the outer layer thereof. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second stationary taping station (5) unwinding on the cable a ribbon in a winding direction identical to the direction of the strand, the first and the second stationary station (3, 5) being located on either side of the mobile taping station (4). Wiring and taping installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile taping station (4) is a reverse taping station formed by an external part (112) and an internal part (113), both coaxial with the axis (XX) of the installation and the strand (114) flowing first (115, 116, 117, 118) in the external part (112) before crossing the interior part (113), along the axis (XX) but in the opposite direction to the direction of circulation of the strand on the other parts of the axis (XX), to receive the ribbon, the movement of rotation of the outer part (112) being opposite to the direction of rotation of the strand (cable). Wiring and tape installation according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the fixed tape stations (3, 5) consists of an assembly formed by a supply coil ( 301) driven, connected to the taping point (111) by means of tensioning means (305, 306, 307, 311, 304, 303). Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the tensioning means comprises a control device (309, 311, 315, 316, 304) to determine the actual voltage, compare it with a set value and, starting from the signal difference, order the motor from the supply coil. Installation according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the assembly formed by the power supply (301, 302, 303) and the voltage control means (305, 306, 307) is pivotable relative at the taping point to adjust the taping angle (A, B). Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the tensioning and tension detection means consists of a loop of tape formed by two fixed rollers (305, 306) and a variable return roller (307) forming a path in a loop of variable length for the ribbon (109) and the length of which is detected (310, 316) for controlling the motor (303) of the supply (301). Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for tensioning and detecting the actual tension of the tape at the time of taping comprises an arm (313) carrying the idler roller (307) over which passes a loop of the tape (109) between the two fixed rollers (305, 306), this arm (313) being provided with a counterweight (314) for adjusting the tension and a pivoting detector (316) relative to a fixed point. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the stationary taping station (3) consists of a stationary tape supply device, supplying a tape (109) at a voltage controlled by a set voltage, at least a return member (320) for adjusting the orientation, and thus the taping angle, of the tape with respect to the strand (110). Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that the return member is an orientable finger (320) which ensures the return of the ribbon, cooperating with two guide and stop members (321, 322) retaining the cable (109) in taping lessons. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the taping stations (3, 4, 5) comprise means for regulating the temperature of the tape. Cable produced using the installation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one layer of insulating tape in the same direction as the strand and a layer in the opposite direction. Cable according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least two layers of tape in the same direction and not the same as the outer layer of the strand, with an intermediate layer in the opposite direction, the layers in the same direction having exactly the same not, if necessary identical to that of the strand.

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