EP2777053B1 - Twisting device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a twisting device and a method for twisting electrical or optical lines, such as wires, cables, wire bundles, optical fibers, etc., with a base and a first, relative to the base rotatable twisting head, which is formed around the lines to be twisted to grab at their first ends.

Twisted lines are e.g. in vehicles, aircraft, etc., used to reduce as much as possible interference on and from other lines. The twisted wires must meet specifications. You must have a defined uniform lay length over the total length and the insulation must not be damaged. The average length of twisted wires in the automobile e.g. is about 4 meters.

Twisting machines are known inter alia from the following publications US6289944B1 . EP1032095A3 . DE10107670B4 . EP0889486B1 and DE000019631770C2 ,

The initially clamped in parallel at the line ends in brackets lines are offset in the prior art at one end of a line by a driven twisting head in rotation about the longitudinal axis, while the opposite ends of the line are clamped stationary in the holder. DE 19631770 discloses a second head rotatable relative to the base for unthreading, the second head being rotatable in a directional sense to the first twisting head.

The disadvantage resulting from the known state of the art is in particular that the actual twisting process prevents temporal process optimization. The speed of the twisting head is limited in terms of process reliability and the protection of the lines.

The aim of the invention is to eliminate this disadvantage and to provide a twisting device together with a method with which the duration of the actual twisting process can be substantially reduced. At the same time, the lines should be optimally protected. The twisting process should therefore be gentle on the cable. The cable insulation and the copper strands must not be damaged. A reliable and easy to program process flow should be guaranteed.

This object is achieved with a twisting head of the type mentioned above in that the twisting device has a second, relative to the base rotatable twisting head, which is arranged opposite to the first twisting head and is formed to the twisted wires at their second, the first ends opposite Grasping ends, and that the second twisting head is rotatable in the opposite sense to the first twisting head.

By using counter-rotating twist heads on both ends of the cable, the twisting time is approximately halved. In the process, the lines to be twisted are handled just as gently in the process as in twisting devices with only one-sided twisting drive. The twisting heads are spaced from each other by approximately the length of the lines to be twisted. This distance is preferably variable in order, on the one hand, to be adaptable to different cable lengths and, on the other hand, to exert a predetermined tensile force on the lines to be twisted during the twisting operation. The twisting heads are mounted on the base so that they have substantially the same axis as a rotation axis. When tensioned lines this axis coincides approximately with the longitudinal axes of the lines. The common base may be a rack, a table, a suspension, a pedestal, a mounting platform, a rail and the like.

The lines are offset at both ends of lines of counter-rotating Verdrillköpfen in rotary motion about its longitudinal axis and twisted in this way in their total length with each other. The twisted cable ends in the twisting head are not twisted. The twisting heads preferably have their own drives.

The acceleration of the twisting head and thus the lines around the longitudinal axis is initially slow, so that the individual lines can form uniform wraps over the entire length with each other and are stabilized in the cohesion. Thereafter, the twisting process is further accelerated to the final speed, the lines being held in tension with a defined tensile force in the longitudinal direction.

The twisting takes place according to adjustable programs. First, a preselectable number of revolutions is twisted in one direction, then it is rotated back in the opposite direction of rotation, so that the finished twisted Line has no externally acting voltage. This is the case when the twisted, no longer clamped pipe remains stretched on a surface without bending, turning on its own axis or forming loops.

Twisting devices according to the known prior art have a twist drive at only one line end and a non-rotating line holder at the second line end. The twisting process thus takes twice as long with the same number of revolutions with a twisting head, as with two counter-rotating twisting heads according to the invention (prerequisite: equal acceleration ramps and maximum speeds). The lines are treated according to the invention gently. Thus, there is an approximate halving of the twisting time with equally gentle twisting process in comparison to twisting devices with only one-sided twisting drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the twist heads each have a line transfer gripper assigned, which transfers the respective ends of the lines to the respective twisting head. As a result, the drawing of the lines to be twisted into the region between the twisting heads can take place one after the other. While a line that has already been fed in is held by the line transfer gripper, another line is pulled in, which is then also taken over by the line transfer fighters. The lines to be twisted are then transferred simultaneously to the twist heads. The successive retraction of the individual lines has the advantage that the conveying means for drawing in the lines need not be made double or multiple.

In a preferred embodiment, each twisting head is rotated by a separate rotary drive. As a result, each twisting head can be subjected to its own acceleration ramp as required.

In a preferred embodiment, the rotary drives of the twisting heads are synchronized with each other. With equal rotational speeds in the opposite direction of rotation, the twisting time can be maximally reduced, i. be halved.

In a preferred embodiment, the twisting heads are displaceable relative to each other for varying their mutual distance. For the purpose of this displacement, the Verdrillköpfe on own displacement drives. As a result, on the one hand, the lines during the twisting constantly kept under train On the other hand, the twist heads are adapted to different cable lengths.

Preferably, at least one of the Verdrillköpfe sitting on a movable carriage, which is movable relative to the base. This is a particularly simple and reliable way to vary the mutual distance of the twisting heads in the longitudinal direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the twisting device has a line pull-in gripper for gripping the lines and runs in the region between the twist heads a guide along which the line transfer gripper is movable to feed the lines in the region between the twist heads. This represents a simple, space-saving and reliable method of conveying the lines along their length in the twisting device.

In a preferred embodiment, the base of the twisting device comprises at least two parts, wherein a second part of the base is movable relative to a first part of the base along a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the line pull-in gripper along the guide, and wherein the guide the line intake gripper is seated on the first part of the base and one of the twisting heads is seated on the second part of the base, and that for positioning the second part of the base relative to the first part of the base of the line intake gripper can be coupled to the second part of the base, preferably via a Impact interface (which otherwise brings the lead-in gripper into an open and / or closed position) such that the coupled lead-in gripper, in a process along the guide, drives the second part of the base relative to the first part of the base and places it in the desired position.

By this measure, the distance between the twisting heads or between the line transfer grippers can be changed in a simple manner, for example, to adapt the twisting device to the length of the lines to be processed. One of the twisting heads is thus moved programmably by the line intake gripper in its desired position. This coupling function can save a complete positioning axis. The positioning takes over the line intake gripper whose control is already available anyway.

The active interface is designed to come into operative connection with the line pull-in gripper and bring it into a closed position or open position when the line pull-in gripper is in the effective range of the active interface. The line pull-in gripper is thus preferably coupled via the same active interface to the movable part of the base, which is also used to open (or close) the line pull-in gripper.

For this purpose, the active interface comprises a gripper opener or -schliesser for opening (or closing) of the line intake gripper.

In a preferred embodiment, the Verdrillköpfe each have at least two gripper arms, which can be brought from an open position into a closed, the lines cross-position. The use of gripper arms has proven particularly advantageous. Each twisting head thus also has a gripper drive for opening and closing the gripper.

The above object is also achieved by a method for twisting electrical or optical lines, such as wires, cables, bundles of lines, optical fibers, etc., in a twisting device having a base and a first twisting head rotatable relative to the base, wherein the lines to be twisted reached at their first ends by the first twisting head reached. It is characterized in that the twisting device comprises a second, relative to the base rotatable twisting head, which is arranged opposite the first twisting head, wherein the lines to be twisted are gripped at their second, the first ends opposite ends by the second twisting head, and that the both twist heads are set in opposite directions in rotation.

In a preferred embodiment, the lines to be twisted are pulled one after the other into the twisting device between the twisting heads. By sequentially retracting the conveyor must be present only in one embodiment, which manufacturing costs can be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the respective ends of the lines are transferred by line transfer gripper to the respective twisting head.

In a preferred embodiment, the lines to be twisted are held by the line transfer grippers before being simultaneously transferred to the twist heads. This enables a particularly process-optimized procedure, since the line transfer grippers perform two functions. Temporarily hold the line (s) until all lines are retracted and transfer the lines to the twist heads.

In a preferred embodiment, the spacing of the twisting heads from one another during the twisting operation is reduced, preferably as a function of the rotational speed or the revolutions of the twisting heads and the resulting line wraps of the twisted pair of wires. Thereby, the total length of the wire pair (or wire bundle) reducing by twisting is compensated and a predetermined tension can be maintained.

In a preferred embodiment, the twisting heads are driven synchronized with each other

In a preferred embodiment, the rotational speed of the twisting heads is successively increased during a first portion of the twisting operation. As a result, a gentle, the inertia of the lines taking into account Verdrillvorgang is created

In a preferred embodiment, the rotational speed of the twisting heads during a second portion of the Verdrillvorganges is successively reduced. This also represents a gentle treatment of the lines.

In a preferred embodiment, the direction of rotation of the twisting heads is reversed at the end of the twisting process in order to obtain a twisted pair of wires free of mechanical stresses.

In a preferred embodiment, the twisting device has a line pull-in gripper for gripping the lines and in the area between the twisting heads runs a guide, along which the line pull-in gripper is movable to draw the lines in the region between the twisting heads, and the base of the twisting device comprises at least two parts, wherein a second part of the base is movable relative to a first part of the base along a direction which is substantially parallel to the travel direction of the A line pull-in gripper stands along the guide, and wherein the guide is seated with the line puller gripper on the first part of the base and one of the twist heads is seated on the second part of the base, and that for positioning the second part of the base relative to the first part of the base of the line pull-in gripper the second part of the base is coupled, preferably via an active interface, and that the coupled line pull-in gripper is moved along the guide so that the second part of the base is driven relative to the first part of the base by the line pull-in gripper and brought into the desired position. The line pull-in gripper is preferably coupled to the movable part of the base via the same active interface, which is also used to open the line pull-in gripper.

Advantageous developments are set forth in the figures and in the dependent claims.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination.

The list of reference numerals is part of the disclosure. The figures are described coherently and comprehensively. The same reference symbols denote the same components, reference symbols with different indices indicate functionally identical or similar components.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Verdrillvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

schematisch eine Verdrillvorrichtung in einer die Funktion hervorhebenden Darstellung,

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform einer Verdrillvorrichtung.

It shows:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a twisting device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

schematically a twisting device in a function highlighting representation,

Fig. 3

an embodiment of a twisting device.

The Fig. 1 shows a twisting device 1 according to the invention with a base 5 in the form of a base frame. On this basis 5, a first twisting head 3 and a second twisting head 4 are arranged at a distance from each other and opposite one another. Between the twist heads 3, 4, the lines to be twisted 2 are clamped.

The base 5 preferably comprises a first, stationary part 5a, for example a frame-fixed substructure (in FIG Fig. 1 left) and a second, movable in the longitudinal direction part 5b, for example a carriage or carriage, with which the distance between the Verdrillköpfen 3, 4-can be changed and which is positioned and fixed according to the length of cable to be twisted. The travel direction is in Fig. 1 indicated by a double arrow. The movable part 5b of the base 5 can be fixed on the stationary part of the base 5, ie can be locked in the desired position.

The lines 2 are pulled in the direction F in the twisting device 1. This is done via a line intake gripper 10, which is movable along a guide 11 in the form of a linear rail. During the retraction of the lines 2, the line pull-in gripper 10 moves from left to right. If the first end of a line 2 has arrived in the area of the first twisting head 3, a line transfer gripper 6 takes over the first end of the line 2 and transfers it to the first twisting head 3. This grips the preferably consecutively drawn lines 2 at their first end and holds them during fixed the twisting process.

The second, the first end opposite the end of the line 2 is picked up in an analogous manner by a provided in the region of the second twisting 4 line transfer gripper 7 and passed to the second twisting 4.

Each twisting head 3, 4 has its own rotary drive 8, 9, with which the respective twisting head is set in rotation.

Preferably, one of the twisting heads sits - in Fig. 1 this is the (right-hand) twisting head 3 - on a carriage 15 which is movable relative to the base 5 along the longitudinal direction (ie parallel to the axis of rotation of the twisting heads). In the embodiment of

Fig. 1 the carriage 15 is mounted on the movable second part 5b of the base 5 and relative to this longitudinally movable. During the twisting operation, the twisting head 3 can successively follow the shortening of the twisting line. This adaptation of the twisting head to the changing cable length can be done by a separate displacement drive.

Fig. 2 shows in schematic and the function of the invention highlighting a twisting device 1 with the two twist heads 3, 4, in which two lines 2 are clamped. The twisting heads 3, 4 are mounted on the base in such a way that they rotate essentially about the same axis of rotation 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, each twisting head 3, 4 two gripper arms 13, 14, which can be brought from an open, the line ends receiving position in a closed, the line ends fixing position. The closing movement of the gripper arms 13, 14 is indicated by the arrows drawn in the region of the gripper arms 13, 14.

If the first and second line ends are fixed in the opposite twist heads 3, 4, the twisting process begins. Both twist heads 3, 4 are set in opposite directions in rotation. The opposite directions of rotation are due to the left and right margins of the Fig. 2 indicated orientation arrows indicated. By the counter-rotating Verdrillköpfe 3, 4, the duration of the twisting process can be reduced by half.

In the following, a possible functional sequence in a twisting device according to the invention will be explained in more detail.

The basic machine (called at Schleuniger CrimpCenter) promotes with a Leitungszuführeinrichtung (in Fig. 1 indicated by the arrow F shown on the left) first a line 2 in the Verdrillvorrichtung 1. Preferably, this line 2 has already been equipped at its first, right end with a contact, for example by crimping.

The line pull-in gripper 10 detects the leading first line end (in the region of the active interface Z, which brings the line intake gripper 10 with a gripper closer in the closed, gripping position) and promotes the Line 2 synchronized with the line feeder (indicated by the arrow F only) of the basic machine to an active interface Y, which includes a gripper opener for opening the line intake gripper 10. Here, the line transfer gripper X takes over the first line end and the line intake gripper 10 returns open to take over the next line 2.

The trailing second line end is now also equipped with a contact, e.g. by crimping, and then transferred to the second line transfer gripper 7 with the aid of additional handling mechanisms. In the course of this handover, the line transfer gripper X moves the leading end of the first line from the active interface Y to the right to line transfer gripper 6. The movements of the line transfers on the first and second side of the twisting device 1 are coordinated so that the respective line 2 with low sag stays streamlined.

The line transfer grippers 6, 7 now provisionally hold this first line 2 at their ends. In the meantime, the line changer of the basic machine was switched to the next line. This is now conveyed by the line feed device (arrow F) in the direction of twisting device 1. The leading end of the line is provided with a contact. This second line is now drawn analogously to the first line (as described above) through the line intake gripper 10 in the twisting device 1 and there also passed to the line transfer grippers 6, 7.

Now there are two lines 2 in the line transfer grippers 6, 7 ready for the transfer to the twisting heads 3, 4th

After transfer of the two lines 2 in the collets of the twisting heads 3, 4, the actual twisting begins. Both twist heads 3, 4 are programmed in opposite directions in rotation, accelerate until reaching the final speed and the preprogrammed number of revolutions. Then it is driven with a deceleration ramp. At the end of the twisting operation, the directions of rotation of both twisting heads 3, 4 are reversed, ie it is preprogrammed turned back in the opposite direction, so that the twisted pair of wires contains no outwardly acting voltages.

During the twisting process, the lines 2 are acted upon in the axial direction with a defined tensile force, so that the desired Verdrillergebnis is achieved and on the other hand, the lines 2 are not damaged. Then the gripper arms 13, 14 or collets of Verdrillköpfe 3, 4 are opened and the twisted, finished pair of wires falls into a storage tray (not shown for clarity).

Fig. 3 is a schematic and compared to Fig. 1 simplified representation and shows an embodiment of the invention, in turn, the base 5 of the twisting device 1 comprises at least two parts 5a, 5b. A second part 5 b of the base 5 is movable relative to a first part 5 a of the base 5 along a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the line intake gripper 10 along the guide 11. The guide 11 with the line intake gripper 10 is seated on the first part 5a of the base 5 and one of the twisting heads 3 (in FIG Fig. 3 the right) sits on the second part 5b of the base 5.

In order to adapt the twisting device to the line length at the beginning of the twisting operation, the line 5 is fixed to the second part 5b of the base 5 for positioning the second part 5b of the base 5 relative to the first part 5a of the base 5. This is preferably done via the active interface Y, to which the line pull-in gripper 10 is moved, so that the active interface Y, e.g. by a gripping movement, the line intake gripper 10 can fix. The coupled line intake gripper 10 is now moved along the guide 11 and takes the second part 5b of the base 5 with it. As a result, the second part 5a is driven relative to the first part 5a of the base 5 and brought into the desired position. Subsequently, the line intake gripper 10 is decoupled again. A brake 16 is provided to lock the second part of the base in the desired position.

In other words, to set up the machine to the desired line length, the movable part 5b must be repositioned. For this purpose, the line intake gripper 10 moves without the line to the active interface Y. In this position, the coupling takes place. Thereafter, the brake 16 of the movable part 5b is released. The (indirect) coupling of the line intake gripper 10 to the second part 5b now makes it possible to move it with the aid of the linear axis of the line intake gripper 10 in the new position. There is the brake 16 of the second part 5 b fixed again and the line intake gripper 10 decoupled. The twisting device 1 with the line intake gripper 10 is now ready to collect new, to be twisted lines.

In the example of Fig. 3 the second part 5b of the base is supported directly on the first part 5a of the base. Alternatively, the second part 5b of the base could also be mounted on the guide 11 and be movable and lockable along the guide 11. The expressions 'first and second part of the basis' are therefore to be understood in the broadest sense.

How out Fig. 3 Preferably, at least one operative interface Z preferably comprises a piston unit 17, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, for bringing the line intake gripper 10 into a closed position (or open position), the supply pressure for the cylinder-piston unit 17 being controlled by a controller 18 is variably adjustable.

The disclosure of the following applications: S124PWO, S125PWO, S126PWO, S127PWO (applicant's internal reference), all filed on the same day, 9.11.2012, at the International Bureau (IB) form an integral part of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference Combination with the same, as these separate applications each concern different aspects of the same machine. This results in further synergistic effects.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

twisting

2

cables

3

first twisting head

4

second twisting head

5

Base

5a

first part of the base 5

5b

second part of the base 5

6

first lead transfergeifer

7

second line transfer gripper

8th

Rotary drive for the first twisting head 3

9

Rotary drive for the second twisting 4

10

Line feed gripper

11

Guide for the cable entry gripper 10

12

Rotary axis of the twist heads

13

Gripper arms of the first twisting head 3

14

Gripper arms of the second twisting 4

15

carriage

16

brake

X

Line transfer gripper

Y

Active interface with looper opener

Z

Effective interface with gripper closer

Claims (15)

1. A twisting device (1) for twisting electrical or optical lines (2) such as wires, cables, line bundles, optical fibres etc., in particular a cable twisting device, with a base (5) and a first twisting head (3) rotatable relative to the base (5), which head (3) is configured to grip the lines (2) to be twisted at their first ends, characterised in that the twisting device (1) comprises a second twisting head (4) rotatable relative to the base (5), which second head (4) is arranged opposite the first twisting head (3) and is configured to grip the lines (2) to be twisted at their second ends opposite the first ends, and in that the second twisting head (4) is rotatable in the opposite direction to the first twisting head (3).
2. The twisting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the twisting heads (3, 4) are each associated with a line transfer gripper (6, 7) which transfers the respective ends of the lines (2) to respective twisting head (3, 4).
3. The twisting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised that each twisting head (3, 4) can be set into rotation by a separate rotary drive (8, 9), wherein preferably the rotary drives (8, 9) of the twisting heads (3, 4) are synchronised with each other.
4. The twisting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised that the twisting heads (3, 4) can be moved relative to each other in order to vary their mutual distance, wherein preferably at least one of the twisting heads (3, 4) sits on a movable carriage (15) which can be moved relative to the base (3).
5. The twisting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised that the twisting device (1) comprises a line pull-in gripper (10) for gripping the lines (2) and in that a guide (11) extends in the area between the twisting heads (3, 4), along which the line pull-in gripper (10) is movable in order to pull in the lines (2) in the area between the twisting heads (3, 4).
6. The twisting device according to claim 5, characterised that the base (5) of the twisting device (1) comprises at least two parts (5a, 5b), wherein a second part (5b) of the base (5) is movable relative to a first part (5a) of the base (5) along a direction, which is essentially parallel to the moving direction of the line pull-in gripper (10) along the guide (11), and wherein the guide (11), with the line pull-in gripper (10), sits on the first part (5a) of the base (5) and one of the twisting heads (3) sits on the second part (5b) of the base (5), and in that, for positioning the second part (5b) of the base (5) relative to the first part (5a) of the base (5), the line pull-in gripper (10) can be coupled to the second part (5b) of the base (5), preferably via an active interface (Y), so that the coupled-on line pull-in gripper (10), when moving along the guide (11) drives the second part (5b) of the base (5) relative to the first part (5a) of the base (5), bringing it into the desired position.
7. The twisting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised that the twisting heads (3, 4) each comprise at least two gripper arms (13, 14), which can be brought from an opened position into a closed position in which they grip the lines (2).
8. A method for twisting electrical or optical lines (2) such as wires, cables, line bundles, optical fibres etc. in a twisting device (1) with a base (5) and a first twisting head (3) rotatable relative to the base (5), wherein the lines (2) to be twisted are gripped at their first ends by the first twisting head (3), characterised in that the twisting device (1) comprises a second twisting head (4) rotatable relative to the base (5), which head (4) is arranged opposite the first twisting head (3), wherein the lines (2) to be twisted are gripped by the second twisting head (4) at their second ends opposite the first ends, and in that the two twisting heads (3, 4) are set into rotation in mutually opposite directions.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterised in that the lines (2) to be twisted are pulled, one after the other, into the twisting device (1) between the twisting heads (3, 4).
10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the respective ends of the lines (2) are transferred to the respective twisting head (3, 4) by the line transfer grippers (6, 7), wherein preferably the lines (2) to be twisted are held by the line transfer grippers (6, 7), before they are simultaneously transferred to the twisting heads (3, 4).
11. The method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the distance of the twisting heads (3, 4) from each other is reduced during the twisting operation, preferably in dependence of the revolutions of the twisting heads (3, 4).
12. The method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the twisting heads (3, 4) are driven synchronised with each other and/or in that the number of revolutions of the twisting heads (3, 4) is successively increased during a first part of the twisting operation.
13. The method according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the number of revolutions of the twisting heads (3, 4) is successively reduced during a second part of the twisting operation.
14. The method according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterised in that the direction of rotation of the twisting heads (3, 4) is reversed at the end of the twisting operation.
15. The method according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterised in that the twisting device (1) comprises a line pull-in gripper (10) for gripping the lines (2) and in that in the area between the twisting heads (3, 4) there extends a guide (11) along which the line pull-in gripper (10) is movable in order to pull in the lines (2) in the area between the twisting heads (3, 4) and in that the base (5) of the twisting device (1) comprises at least two parts (5a, 5b), wherein a second part (5b) of the base (5) is movable relative to a first part (5a) of the base (5) in a direction which is essentially parallel to the moving direction of the line pull-in gripper (10) along the guide (11), and wherein the guide (11), with the line pull-in gripper (10), sits on the first part (5a) of the base (5) and one of the twisting heads (3) sits on the second part (5b) of the base (5) and in that, for positioning the second part (5b) of the base (5) relative to the part (5a) of the base (5), the line pull-in gripper (10) is coupled to the second part (5b) of the base (5), preferably via an active interface (Y), and in that coupled-on line pull-in gripper (10) is movable along the guide (11) so that the second part (5b) of the base (5) is driven relative to the first part (5a) of the base (5) by the line pull-in gripper (10) and brought into the desired position.

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