EP2938767B1 - Rotary braiding machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a rotary braiding machine for braiding strand material, in particular wire or textile fibers, carbon fibers or other stranded carbon materials, into braids.

Such rotary braiding machines are used for producing hollow tubular braids of the strand-like material, such as metal wires, yarns or plastic fibers, or (by subsequent rolling such a braided hose) of flat strand braids or for braiding, for example, a cable with a wire mesh or for the production of bodies less Mass, for example in lightweight construction, by braiding carbon fibers or other stranded carbon materials. Fields of application for such manufactured technical braids are, for example, shields for electrical cables against electromagnetic fields or protective sheaths against mechanical stress on cables or hoses. Another application is the production of medical braids for vascular implants, such as stents, vascular prostheses or the like.

The invention will be described using the example of a rotary braiding machine for wire as the strand material to be braided, ie for the production of wire braids. However, this is not a limitation; The invention can also be used for rotary braiding machines for processing any other stranded material.

A rotary braiding machine of the type under consideration has a plurality of coils, each of which is arranged in a coil carrier, and is made of EP0441604 known. A coil is in this case a, preferably cylindrical, body for winding a wire to be interlaced, preferably with two flanges arranged at the ends of the cylindrical body and with a larger diameter than that of the coil body. A bobbin carrier is a device in which a bobbin is received, preferably rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

The rotary braiding machine considered in the context of the present invention is a so-called high-speed rotary braiding machine.

The rotary braiding machine has a braiding axis, i. H. a geometric axis, in the direction of the fabricated braid is formed and withdrawn from the machine, for example by a pulley, and in the direction where necessary, the material to be braided material of the machine is supplied. The braiding axis is preferably horizontal, vertical or inclined, preferably inclined at 45 degrees. The invention will be described below using the example of a rotary braiding machine with a vertically arranged braiding axis, but is equally applicable to rotary machines with differently arranged braiding axes.

The rotary braiding machine has a plurality of first bobbins, which can rotate about the braiding axis, and a plurality of second bobbins, which can perform a relative movement with respect to the first bobbins. In this case, at least the first coil carriers are guided around the braiding axis along a closed guideway. In this case, a guide track is understood to be a curve which substantially follows the first coil carriers during their movement, wherein the first coil carriers do not necessarily lie on this curve and / or have to touch them. The Guideway is formed, for example, as a circular rail and forms a slide bearing or rolling bearing track on which the first coil support mounted and slidably provided by sliding guides and / or rolling bearings.

In a typical embodiment of such a rotary braiding machine, for example, six or twelve first bobbins rotate on a circular guide track, through the center of which runs the braiding axis. Furthermore, six or twelve second coil carriers also move around the braiding axis, preferably at the same speed as the first coil carriers, but in the opposite direction to them. Here, the second coil carrier are mounted so that they can also rotate about the braiding.

Each first bobbin provides a strand of a first wire which is continuously unwound or withdrawn from the first bobbin mounted in the respective first bobbin. Correspondingly, every second coil carrier provides a strand of a second wire, which is continuously unwound or drawn off from the second coil mounted in the respective second coil carrier.

The first and second wires are guided inwardly at a certain angle to the braiding axis, where, due to the rotation of the bobbin and a simultaneous withdrawal movement of the braid, they are arranged in spiral tracks or around the material to be braided, the first with the second wires be intertwined.

For this purpose, the first and the second wires must be crossed according to a specific pattern, ie they must be above or below each other's wire. For example, two juxtaposed second wires are first passed over two adjacent first wires, then passed under the next two adjacent first wires, etc. (so-called "2-over-2 braid binding"). Corresponding For example, every other wire can also be passed alternately over a first wire and under a first wire (so-called "1-over-1 weave binding"). The area in which the crossed first and second wires come to rest on the braiding axis is also called a braiding point.

The crossing of the first and second wires is achieved by periodically moving the second wires around the corresponding first coil carriers according to the desired crossover pattern and thus around the corresponding first wires. In the present invention considered lever weaving machine, this is done by the fact that each second wire can be raised and lowered via a mounted on the corresponding second coil carrier, movable so-called thread lever. Thus, the considered second wire can be passed over a first coil carrier moving past in the opposite direction or guided under this first coil carrier, whereby a corresponding crossover of the first and second wire results with a second wire lying above or below.

By guiding the second wires via the thread levers, it is avoided that the entire second coil carriers, which can have a considerable mass due to the second coils mounted thereon and the second wires wound thereon, have to be lifted or lowered as a whole.

For the described sequence of movements, it is necessary for every second wire to be able to move completely around each first coil carrier. Since the second wire is always guided in the direction of the braiding, results for this movement around the first bobbin around an imaginary approximate conical surface.

For moving the second wire around the first bobbin, at least temporarily and / or at least partially, the bearing of the first bobbin on the closed guide track, on which the first bobbin rotates about the braiding axis, must be interrupted so that the first bobbin and the first bobbin at this point second wire can cross their paths. In a typical embodiment of the subject rotary braiding machine, this is accomplished by passing the second wire under the first bobbin, i.e., the second wire. H. that he "dives in" under the first spool carrier.

For this purpose, the closed guideway for the first coil support is provided, for example, for every other wire with a vertical, slot-shaped gap into which the respective second wire can dip, after which the first coil support moves over the lowered second wire. Such gaps are distributed at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the guideway around at those locations where the second wires are to be lowered by means of their associated thread levers. Since the second coil carriers are rigidly connected to the guideway, it is ensured that every other wire can dive exactly into the gap provided for it in the guideway, without having to take into account a relative movement in the circumferential direction between the second wires and the gaps in the guideway ,

Due to the periodic interruption of the guideway through said gaps, the problem arises in conventional rotary braiding machines that the sliding or roller guides of the first coil supports must constantly be moved over these gaps. At the beginning of each gap, the guides leave the guideway and have to "thread" the guideway back at the end of the gap.

This results in problems, especially at higher speeds and thus higher relative speeds between the first coil carriers and the guideway, due to increased wear of the guideways and the guideway. induced vibrations and vibrations as well as increased noise emissions of the rotary braiding machine.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide an improved rotary braiding machine, in particular with an improved guidance of the first coil carrier along the guideway.

This object is achieved by a rotary braiding machine according to claim 1 and by the method for its operation according to claim 13. Further advantageous embodiments of the rotary braiding machine according to the invention are contained in the dependent subclaims.

The invention is based on a rotary braiding machine with a braid axis for braiding wire to a wire mesh, which has a plurality of first coil carriers, which can rotate about the braiding axis, and a plurality of second coil carriers, which can perform a relative movement with respect to the first coil carriers , In this case, each first coil support has a first coil and provides a first wire, and each second coil support has a second coil and provides a second wire. The rotary braiding machine is configured to intertwine the first and second wires. Furthermore, at least one first coil carrier is arranged so that at least one second wire can move around completely around the at least one first coil carrier. At least the first coil carriers can be guided along at least one closed guideway surrounding the braiding axis.

According to the invention, it is provided in such a rotary braiding machine that the surface of the at least one closed guideway is designed as a toothed rim and that at least one gear wheel is rotatably mounted on the at least one first coil carrier, which meshes with the ring gear and constantly, in particular during a movement of at least a second wire around the at least one first bobbin around which the ring gear is engaged.

The terms "gear" and "sprocket" are understood in the usual way as a wheel or a closed, but not necessarily circular path, which is provided on its circumference or which in its direction of extension alternately with teeth and tooth gaps, wherein the gear with the sprocket is engageable and can roll on the sprocket.

As a result, the first coil carrier moves by means of the rolling movement of the gear on the sprocket quasi-continuously, d. H. practically uniform and at a constant speed, in particular without jerks or other short-term accelerations, along the guideway continued. The above-mentioned problems in terms of wear, vibration, vibrations and noise emissions by the constant leaving the guideway through the guides or Wiedereinfädeln the guides in the guideway are thus largely avoided because the meshing of gears with sprockets, for example by the use of special gears As involute, is very well developed and allows the quasi-continuous movement. In this way, higher rotational speeds of the first bobbin and thus a higher productivity of the rotary braiding machine are possible.

The gears and the at least one sprocket may preferably be made of metal or plastic. The latter allows dry running with minimum quantity lubrication or even without lubrication. This avoids oiling of the rotary braiding machine due to thrown off oil droplets and any contamination of the product to be produced. In particular, in certain products with increased quality requirements, for example in medical technology products, such contamination may even be inadmissible. Furthermore, appropriate countermeasures against oil contamination such as oil trap trays are superfluous.

The uniform rolling movement of the gears on the sprocket also does not lead to excessive heating of the guides of the first coil carrier or the guideway, so that complex measures for temperature monitoring and overheating protection of these machine components are superfluous.

The spaces between adjacent teeth of the ring gear and the gear are hereinafter referred to as "tooth gaps".

In the above arrangement, a second wire may dip into a tooth gap between two adjacent teeth of the ring gear while a first coil carrier moves past it with a gear. With appropriate, sufficiently large dimensioning of the teeth compared to the diameter of the second wire, d. H. In particular, in large teeth and thin second wires, no contact between the second wire and the teeth of the rolling over him away gear, since the teeth do not touch the lowest points of the tooth gaps in the sprocket and thus always at this point when using a conventional toothing a transverse to the direction of extension of the sprocket extending, continuous cavity remains, through which the second wire can be guided. At the same time the gear with the sprocket is constantly engaged and does not have to leave the sprocket and thread back into this.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of the at least one closed guideway has at least one extending substantially transversely to the extension direction of the guideway through recess which is deeper than the tooth spaces of the ring gear, wherein the at least one second wire during a movement of at least temporarily dipping a second wire around the at least one first coil support into the at least one depression.

Such a depression is preferably formed as a depression of a tooth gap of the at least one toothed ring. For the rolling movement of the gear on the sprocket resulting in no changes, so that further a quasi-continuous movement of the first bobbin on the guideway is possible. Preferably, such a recess is provided for every other wire.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a device is mounted on the at least one first coil carrier in the region of the toothed wheel, which device prevents the coil carrier from an axial displacement in at least one direction. This device preferably has the form of a disc, which is preferably mounted parallel and coaxial with the gear on the first bobbin and whose diameter is greater than the inner gear diameter, d. H. The distance from the center of the gear to the deepest points of his tooth gaps. As a result, the disc can not move past the toothed ring meshing with the toothed wheel in the axial direction of the toothed wheel, whereby the first coil carrier is prevented from axial displacement in this direction.

Preferably, however, the diameter of the disc is so small that the space provided for the passage of the second wire cavity, for example, the lowest point of a tooth gap in the ring gear or a recess in the guideway is not obscured by the disc and thus the disc not the second wire touched when the first bobbin moves past this.

Further preferably, the disc can also have a larger diameter than said and additionally have at its outer edge at least one recess through which the second wire can be guided when the first coil carrier moves past this. For this purpose, the positioning of the first bobbin and the rotational movement of the gear must be synchronized such that such a recess on the disc in the Moment points in the direction of the sprocket, in which the gear on the guideway is directly above the intended for the implementation of the second wire cavity.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, two gears are mounted coaxially or nearly coaxially with one another on the at least one first coil carrier at opposite ends of the first coil carrier. In this case, two closed, designed as sprockets guideways are preferably provided, which are concentric to the braiding, but not necessarily in the same plane. As a result, the first coil carrier is mounted at two opposite ends relative to the two guide tracks and thus secured against tilting movements in the axial direction.

In contrast, unintentional rotational movements, in particular torsional vibrations, of the first bobbin about its own axis are still possible in this arrangement. However, these can be largely avoided by a suitable arrangement of the components within the first coil carrier, preferably by means of a suitable center of gravity and / or by means of permanent magnet inserts.

Alternatively, two adjacent gears may be mounted on the first bobbin, both of which mesh with the same ring gear, or two gears on both sides of the first bobbin, each meshing with a ring gear. As a result, the first coil support is stably supported at two or at four points of contact with the ring gear or the sprockets and can no longer perform any unintentional rotational movements about its own axis. Also in this variant, all gears are constantly engaged with the respective sprocket.

Preferably, the two sprockets and also the two gears each have the same number of teeth. Furthermore, the two gears are through a common shaft, possibly with a compensation device for a possible angular offset between the axes of the two gears, connected and thus speed synchronized. If the arrangement of the other components in the first coil carrier does not permit such a continuous shaft, the rotational speed synchronization can preferably also take place via a countershaft arranged parallel to the axis of the two gears, which is preferably coupled via two further, smaller gears meshing with the two gear wheels , Characterized in that the two gears have the same speed, the first bobbin is always aligned radially, and the gears can not tilt in the respective ring gear.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a gear and a device are mounted on opposite ends of the at least one first bobbin, which prevents the bobbin from an axial displacement in at least one direction. The latter anti-shift device, which is preferably designed as already described above, then replaces one of the gears in the embodiment described above with two gears. Furthermore, the corresponding sprocket is preferably replaced by a guideway with a smooth surface on which the anti-slip device can roll.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first bobbin carriers move on a surface which is convex, in particular cylindrical, conical or frustoconical, viewed from the first bobbin carriers. However, the convex surface may be a flat disc as a special case.

Preferably, an axis of the surface, in particular the axis of symmetry of the cylinder, cone or truncated cone, coincides with the braiding axis of the rotary braiding machine. Preferably, the at least one closed guideway is circular and arranged in a plane perpendicular to the braiding axis. However, the surface of the guideway can - for example according to the shape of the surface - include a non-zero angle with this plane.

The convex surface is preferably the outer surface of a corresponding body, in particular a cylinder, cone or truncated cone.

The first coil carriers can preferably also move on a surface which is concave, in particular cylindrical, conical or frustoconical, viewed from the first coil carriers, the further embodiments of this embodiment corresponding to those described above for a convex surface.

The concave surface is preferably the inner surface of a corresponding body, in particular a hollow cylinder, cone or truncated cone.

Both said arrangements for the movements of the first coil carrier, in particular on a conical or frusto-conical surface, have the advantage that the first coil carrier is thereby arranged at the same angle relative to the braiding axis, in which the first wires should impinge on the braiding axis. A further deflection of the first wires is thereby superfluous.

The drive of the second coil carriers is preferably realized in the same way as in the conventional rotary braiding machine described above, namely by a rigid connection between the second coil carriers and the circulating guideway.

On the other hand, the first bobbins can not be rigidly connected to other machine parts to be driven by them since this rigid connection would collide with the second wires upon complete movement of a second wire about a first bobbin.

The drive of the first coil support is preferably realized as well as in a conventional rotary braiding machine, namely by touching machine elements.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is provided that the rotational movement of at least one first bobbin about the braiding axis is generated without contact by drive means arranged outside the at least one first bobbin carrier.

For this purpose, both the drive means and the at least one first coil support preferably each have at least one magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The drive of the at least one first coil carrier is then carried out by a magnetic, non-contact coupling between the magnet in the drive means and the magnet in the first coil carrier over an air gap. Through this air gap, the second wire can then be guided when it moves around the first bobbin.

The said air gap between the surface in which the guideway runs, and the at least one first coil carrier is formed in this case preferably in that the at least one gear of the first coil carrier has a larger diameter than the remaining arranged in the coil carrier components or as a any housing of the first bobbin, whereby these components or this housing from the surface on which the guide rail is arranged and on which the gear moves, is spaced, wherein the gear is supported on the guide track.

It is also conceivable, however, to achieve such an air gap between the first coil carrier and the surface of the guideway in a manner other than by supporting the gear on the guideway. For example, the first coil carrier could be repelled by magnets arranged in the first coil carrier and below the surface of the guideway, ie by a magnet Magnetic levitation effect, or held by suspended from the surface of the guideway air, ie by an air cushion effect in suspension and thereby be spaced from the surface of the guideway. Then it would be possible to dispense entirely with the toothed wheel on the first coil carrier, with the toothed rim on the guide track and with the corresponding depressions in the guide track for the passage of the second wire. In this case, the first coil support would not touch the surface of the guideway at any point.

• Bevorzugt weisen die Antriebsmittel eine Vielzahl von feststehenden, auf einer geschlossenen Bahn um die Flechtachse herum angeordneten Elektromagneten auf, in welchen ein umlaufendes Magnetfeld erzeugbar ist, welches den wenigstens einen ersten Spulenträger durch magnetische Kopplung mitnimmt und in die Drehbewegung um die Flechtachse versetzt. Der Antrieb des wenigstens einen ersten Spulenträgers erfolgt damit ähnlich wie bei einem Linearmotor mit einem ringförmigen Fahrweg oder auch ähnlich wie bei einer Synchronmaschine mit einem feststehenden, eine Vielzahl von Wicklungen aufweisenden Stator. Bei dieser Anordnung weisen die Antriebsmittel keinerlei bewegte Teile auf, wodurch die Antriebsmittel weitgehend wartungsfrei sind.

For the abovementioned embodiment, in which the rotational movement of the at least one first coil carrier about the braiding axis is generated by magnets both in the drive means and in the first coil carrier, different variants are possible:

• Preferably, the drive means comprise a plurality of fixed electromagnets arranged on a closed path around the braiding axis, in which a circulating magnetic field can be generated, which entrains the at least one first coil carrier by magnetic coupling and causes it to rotate about the braiding axis. The drive of the at least one first coil carrier is thus similar to a linear motor with an annular track or similar to a synchronous machine with a fixed, a plurality of windings having stator. In this arrangement, the drive means on any moving parts, whereby the drive means are largely maintenance-free.

However, the drive means may preferably also comprise at least one magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or electromagnet, which can move around the braiding axis in a closed path, whereby a circulating magnetic field can be generated, which entrains the at least one first coil carrier by magnetic coupling and in the rotational movement about the braiding axis offset. The at least one magnet in the drive means is preferably arranged on a rotatable rotor and generates a rotor-fixed field, which rotates with the rotor and thereby the desired magnetic coupling with the at least one first coil carrier causes.

In a further preferred variant of this embodiment, at least one magnet in the drive means and at least one magnet in the at least one first coil carrier are arranged to prevent the at least one first coil carrier from axial displacement in at least one direction. For this purpose, the magnets involved are preferably arranged such that upon a displacement of the first bobbin in the axial direction magnetic restoring forces are also generated in the axial direction, which cause a return of the first bobbin in its, for example, with respect to the guideway, starting position. This variant may represent an alternative to the above-mentioned, preferably disk-shaped device in the region of the toothed wheel, which is likewise intended to prevent the first coil carrier from an axial displacement in at least one direction.

In this variant, the magnets for preventing an axial displacement of the at least one first coil carrier are preferably at least partially identical to the magnets which serve to drive the at least one first coil carrier. As a result, additional magnets and thus manufacturing costs are saved. However, different magnets can be provided to prevent axial displacement or to drive the at least one first coil carrier.

Alternatively to the arrangement of magnets both in the drive means and in the at least one first coil carrier, the rotational movement of the at least one first coil carrier about the braiding axis can however also be generated by drive means arranged inside the first coil carrier, in particular by at least one electric motor. In this case, the first bobbins move "autonomously" on the guideway, ie without the influence of external drive forces. The energy required for the operation of the electric motor, for example, by a likewise within the first Spool carrier arranged, preferably rechargeable battery can be provided. The charging or the replacement of the battery can then take place at the same time with the replacement of an empty against a full first coil in the first bobbin when the rotary braiding machine has to stand still anyway.

Alternatively, however, the energy required to operate the electric motor can also be transmitted contactlessly, preferably inductively, from a stationary power supply unit to the at least one first coil carrier, preferably for directly supplying the electric motor or charging a rechargeable battery arranged inside the first coil carrier.

Likewise, the control of the electric motor in the at least one first coil carrier can be made wirelessly, preferably by near field communication or by a radio link, from a stationary control unit. In this way, a simple common control of the movement of all first coil carrier and thus in particular a synchronization of their speeds, possible.

Furthermore, the invention provides a method for operating a rotary braiding machine according to the invention, in which the first coil carriers rotate around the braiding axis during braiding and the second coil carriers execute a relative movement with respect to the first coil carriers, wherein furthermore at least one first coil carrier is arranged such that at least a second wire can move completely around the at least one first coil carrier, and wherein at least the first coil carriers are guided along at least one closed guideway, wherein the at least one second wire moves around the at least one first coil carrier, the gear of the at least one first coil carrier meshing with the sprocket while constantly meshing with the sprocket.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung von schräg oben einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Rotationsflechtmaschine;

Fig. 2:

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch die Rotationsflechtmaschine in der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

eine Detaildarstellung von Fig. 2 mit einem vertikalen Schnitt durch einen ersten Spulenträger;

Fig. 4:

eine Antriebsanordnung für einen ersten Spulenträger mit Darstellung der Verzahnung in einer Ausführung als Außenläufer;

Fig. 5:

eine Antriebsanordnung für einen ersten Spulenträger mit Darstellung der beteiligten Magnete in einer Ausführung als Innenläufer;

Fig. 6:

einen vertikalen Schnitt wie in Fig. 3 mit einer magnetischen Haltevorrichtung in axialer Richtung für den ersten Spulenträger.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying, partially schematic drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1:

a perspective view obliquely from above of an embodiment of a rotary braiding machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2:

a vertical section through the Rotationsflechtmaschine in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 ;

3:

a detailed representation of Fig. 2 with a vertical section through a first coil carrier;

4:

a drive arrangement for a first coil carrier with representation of the toothing in an embodiment as an external rotor;

Fig. 5:

a drive arrangement for a first coil carrier with representation of the participating magnets in an embodiment as an internal rotor;

Fig. 6:

a vertical cut as in Fig. 3 with a magnetic holding device in the axial direction for the first bobbin.

The Fig. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a rotary braiding machine 1 according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from above or in a vertical section through the axis of symmetry of the rotary braiding machine 1, which corresponds to the braiding axis 14. It should be noted that, for reasons of clarity, various parts of the machine, in particular those which serve for the attachment of other parts, are not shown.

The substantially rotationally symmetrical constructed Rotationsflechtmaschine 1 is supported in the vertical direction by a support shaft 2, which is coaxial to the braiding 14 and which in turn is mounted on the front end on a (not shown) foundation at the lower end. On the support shaft 2, a bogie 3 is rigidly mounted, which is rotated via the support shaft 2 in rotation can be. The rotary drive of the carrier shaft 2 and thus of the bogie 3 via a sprocket 20 at the lower end of the carrier shaft. 2

The bogie 3 has substantially the geometric shape of a vertically arranged, upwardly tapered truncated cone. At the inner, upper edge and the outer, lower edge of the conical outer surface of this truncated cone two circumferential guideways in the form of an inner ring gear 6 and an outer ring gear 7 are mounted, the teeth of which protrude perpendicular to the surface of the truncated cone to the outside.

Below the bogie 3 eight second bobbin 5 are circumferentially and at equal intervals attached to the bogie 3 (partially hidden, attachment to the bogie 3 not shown). The second bobbin 5 thus rotate in the same direction and at the same speed as the bogie 3. On each second bobbin 5, a second coil 51 is mounted, whose axis is horizontal and on which a second wire 11 is wound.

On the conical outer surface of the bogie 3 eight first bobbin 4 are also circumferentially arranged and at equal intervals, the axes of which point radially outwardly and approximately at the same angle as the conical surface of the bogie 3 down. The first bobbin 4 have no firm connection to the other parts of the rotary braiding machine 1, in particular not to the bogie. 3

Each first bobbin 4 has at its inner edge a tangentially arranged inner gear 41 with seven teeth and at its outer edge to a coaxial, also tangentially arranged outer gear 42 with 18 teeth. Of course, other numbers of teeth and / or positions of the gears 41, 42 relative to the first bobbin 4 are possible. The axes of the two gears 41, 42 are mounted in the side walls of a longitudinally U-shaped housing 44. Inside the housing 44, a first coil 43 is mounted, whose axis is horizontal and thus perpendicular to the axes the gears 41, 42 extends. Again, other layers of the first coil 43 are of course possible relative to the components of the first bobbin 4. On the first coil 43, a first wire 10 is wound. The first wire 10 is guided within the first bobbin 4 via different pulleys 45 and then exits through an end bore in the housing 44 and through an axial bore in the inner gear 41 from the first bobbin 4.

The inner gear 41 rolls here on the inner ring gear 6 and the outer gear 42 on the outer ring gear 7 from.

Both the first wires 10 and the second wires 11 are guided approximately parallel to the conical outer surface of the bogie 3 up to a braiding 8, at the lower end of which is located on the braid axis braiding point 9, at which the interweaving of the first wires 10th or braiding, for example, a tube which is fed to the rotary braiding machine 1 from below by a spool (not shown). The braid or the braided hose is passed upwards by the braiding head 8, withdrawn from the rotary braiding machine 1 by a take-off disk (not shown) and wound onto a reel (also not shown).

So that the second wires 11 can move around the first bobbin 4, every second wire 11 is passed after unwinding from the second bobbin 51 via an upwardly and downwardly movable thread lever 12 and at its end by a guide roller 13 in the direction of the braiding 8 guided. In the highest position of the thread lever 12, the first bobbin 4 can move under the second wire 11 therethrough. In the lowermost position of the thread lever 12, the second wire 11 in a recess 71 in a tooth gap of the outer ring gear 7 and in a corresponding recess 61 in a tooth gap of the inner ring gear 6 dive, which for each second wire 11 at each on the same radius of the Bogie 3 lying Positions are placed on the circumference of the two sprockets. As soon as the second wire 11 is immersed in two recesses 61, 71, the first coil carriers 4 can move over the second wire 11 without touching it. As a result of this movement sequence, the first wires 10 are crossed over with the second wires 11, which is the prerequisite for the formation of a braid on the braiding head 8.

The drive of the first coil carrier 4 takes place in an electromagnetic manner. For this purpose, between the two sprockets 6 and 7 of the bogie 3, a likewise rotatable about the braiding 14 rotor 22 is disposed on which in radially outward, downward direction a plurality of magnets, preferably permanent magnets or electromagnets 16 is mounted.

The rotor 22 is supported by ball bearings 18 on the outside of the support shaft 2 and connected to a braiding axis, also outside of the support shaft 2 by ball bearings 18 mounted drive shaft 23 with a ring gear 19 which is parallel to the ring gear 20 and facing it.

Since the rotor 22 is disposed between the sprockets 6 and 7 and thus within the bogie 3 and thus can not be rigidly connected to the drive shaft 23, as this would otherwise penetrate the bogie 3, the coupling of the rotor 22 to the drive shaft 23 is contactless by pairs of permanent magnets 24, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of a holder 25 for the bogie 3. For the drive of the rotor 22, however, other solutions with other conventional machine elements are possible.

Between the sprocket 20 for driving the bogie 3 and the sprocket 19 for driving the rotor 22, a stationary gear 21 is arranged, which meshes with both sprockets 19, 20 and (not shown) by an electric motor and a gearbox is driven. This will do that Bogie 3 and the rotor 22 at the same speed, but driven in the opposite direction.

In the Fig. 3 to 5 is shown as an alternative to driving the first bobbin 4 by a rotor 22 a drive by fixed electromagnet 16 in the sense of a linear motor.

In Fig. 3 First, a first bobbin 4 and its storage on the bogie 3 is shown in an enlarged sectional view. It can be seen that by the support of the inner gear 41 on the inner ring gear 6 and the outer gear 42 on the outer ring gear 7 between the housing 44 of the first bobbin 4 and the bogie 3, an air gap 17 (in the embodiment with a height of approx 2 mm) is formed, through which the second wire 11, as described above, can be performed.

In the bottom of the housing 44, a disc-shaped permanent magnet 15 is inserted, the north pole N and the south pole S are aligned perpendicular to the conical surface of the bogie 3. Under the surface of the bogie 3 electromagnets 16 are arranged circumferentially on the circumference at regular intervals.

The representation of the permanent magnet 15 and the electromagnet 16 in Fig. 3 is only to be understood schematically. In particular, instead of the permanent magnet 15 and magnet systems with hard and soft magnetic sections and / or with a greater extent in the axial direction of the first bobbin 4 as in Fig. 3 shown used.

The electromagnets 16 form the travel path of a linear motor which simultaneously puts all the first coil carriers 4 into the rotary motion as carriages. For this purpose, a circulating magnetic field is generated in the bogie 3 by appropriate energization of the electromagnet 16, which carries the first coil support 4 by magnetic coupling. The rotating magnetic field moves opposite to the direction of rotation of the bogie 3 away. As a result, the first coil carrier 4 and the second coil carrier 5 and thus also the first wires 10 and the second wires 11 rotate in opposite directions at the same speed with respect to the braiding 8, resulting in a uniform and symmetrical braid formation on the braiding 8. By driving all the first coil carrier 4 by a common linear motor is further ensured that all the first coil carrier 4 are driven at the same speed.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the rolling movement of an outer gear 42 of a first bobbin 4 on the outer ring gear 7, which would give approximately the same representation for an inner gear 41 and the inner ring gear 6. The trajectory of the second wire 11 above and below the first bobbin 4 and thus to the outer gear 42 around is also indicated schematically by two dash-dotted lines. Again, the periodically arranged depressions 71 can be seen in individual tooth spaces of the outer toothed rim 7, into which the second wire 11 can dip.

Inside the bogie 3 six electromagnetic coils 16 can be seen, which form a section of the travel of the linear motor for driving the first bobbin 4. Due to the arrangement of the outer ring gear 7 on the conical outer surface of the bogie 3, the linear motor is designed as an external rotor motor.

In Fig. 5 an alternative embodiment is shown, which is not the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 4 equivalent. Here, the bogie 3 has the shape of a hollow, vertically arranged cylinder stub, which tapers towards the top. The supply and removal of the material to be braided or the braid is made from bottom to top. The first bobbin 4 are in this case inwardly, downwardly inclined on the inner, conical Surface of the bogie 3 is arranged. As a result, the linear motor is designed as an internal rotor motor.

In Fig. 5 In particular, the detail of the arrangement of the magnets in the first bobbin 4 and in the travel of the linear motor in the bogie 3 is shown. Under the surface of the bogie 3, a plurality of ribs are circumferentially arranged, which are individually wound with conductor wires to form coils of elongated cross-section. In the first coil support 4 (shown here only in broken lines by its circumference) a permanent-magnetic arrangement is mounted on its side opposite the bogie 3 edge, which is formed in this case horseshoe-shaped. For the magnetic coupling between the first bobbin 4 and the electromagnet 16 in the bogie 3 are therefore not only, as in Fig. 3 , a pair of magnetic poles, but two such pairs, resulting in much stronger magnetic attraction forces. The compact, closed course of the field lines of the resulting magnetic coupling is in Fig. 5 also indicated. Between the permanent magnet 15 and the bogie 3, in turn, an air gap 17 is formed, through which the second wires 11 can be guided.

In Fig. 6 Finally, a magnetic holding device is shown, by means of which a first bobbin 4 against slipping outwards, downwards or inwards, can be secured down.

The magnetic holding device is formed by two identically constructed, horseshoe-shaped arrangements of permanent magnets 15 in the first bobbin 4 and below the surface of the bogie 3, which in each case of the horseshoe-shaped magnet assembly from Fig. 5 correspond and which are magnetically coupled together.

Thus, the two horseshoe-shaped magnetic assemblies are always aligned opposite and thus can fulfill their holding function, is It is advantageous that the arranged in the bogie 3 magnetic arrangement rotates synchronously with the first bobbin 4. This can be most easily realized if the magnets in the bogie 3 do not form a fixed path of a linear motor, but on a rotating rotor 22 as in Fig. 1 and 2 are arranged. Since the magnets in the bogie 3 in this case does not have to be periodically switched on and off, permanent magnets 15 can again be used for this purpose. In the Fig. 6 illustrated, arranged on a rotatable rotor 22 magnetic arrangement of permanent magnets 15 then takes over at the same time the function of the rotary drive for the first bobbin 4 and the holding function against slipping of the first bobbin 4, resulting in a particularly simple construction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Rotationsflechtmaschine

2

carrier wave

3

bogie

4

First coil carrier
41 inside gear
42 external gear
43 First coil
44 housing
45 pulley

5

Second coil carrier
51 Second coil

6

Inner sprocket
61 depression in the tooth gap

7

Outer sprocket
71 depression in the tooth gap

8th

braiding

9

braiding

10

First wire

11

Second wire

12

up lever

13

Deflection pulley on the thread lever

14

braid

15

permanent magnet

16

electromagnet

17

air gap

18

ball-bearing

19

Sprocket to drive the rotor

20

Sprocket to drive the bogie

21

Gear between the drive sprockets

22

runner

23

Drive shaft of the rotor

24

Permanent magnets for driving the rotor

25

Bracket for the bogie

Claims (13)

1. A rotary braiding machine (1) with a braid axis (14) for a interweaving of a strand shaped material, in particular a wire, carbon fibers or textile fibers, into meshes,

   comprising a plurality of first coil carriers (4), which can rotate around the braid axis (14), and a plurality of second coil carriers (5), which can perform a relative movement in respect to the first coil carriers (4),

   wherein each first coil carrier (4) has a first coil (43) and is providing a first strand (10) and each second coil carrier (5) has a second coil (51) and is providing a second strand (11), and wherein the rotary braiding machine (1) is adapted to interweave the first strand (10) and the second strand (11),

   wherein further at least a first coil carrier (4) is arranged so that at least one second strand (11) can move completely around the at least one first coil carrier (4), and wherein at least the first coil carriers (4) can be guided along at least one closed guiding path, which is rotating around the braid axis (14), characterized in that

   the surface of the at least one closed guiding path is formed as a gear ring (6, 7) and that at least one gear wheel (41, 42) is rotatably mounted on the least one first coil carrier (4), wherein the at least one gear wheel (41, 42) combs with the gear ring (6, 7) and it is engaged continuously with the gear ring (6, 7), and in particular also during a movement of the at least one second strand (11) around the at least one first coil carrier (4).
2. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the at least one closed guiding path comprises at least a continuous recess (71), which is extending substantially transverse to the extension direction of the guiding path and which is deeper than the tooth spaces of the gear ring (6, 7), and in that the at least one second strand (11) is temporarily immersed into the at least one recess (71) during the movement of the at least one second strand (11) around the at least one first coil carrier (4).
3. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a device is attached at the at least one first coil carrier (4) in the region of the gear wheel (41, 42), wherein the device prevents an axial displacement of the first coil carrier (4) in at least one direction.
4. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the at least one first coil carrier (4) has two gear wheels (41, 42) at opposite ends of the first coil carrier (4), which are mounted rotatably coaxially or almost coaxially to each other.
5. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coil carriers (4) moves on a surface, which, when viewed from the first coil carriers (4), is a convex surface, in particular a cylindrical surface, a conical surface or a truncated cone shaped surface.
6. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first coil carriers (4) moves on a surface, which, when viewed from the first coil carriers (4), is a concave surface, in particular a cylindrical surface, a conical surface or a truncated cone shaped surface.
7. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotational movement of the at least one first coil carrier (4) around the braid axis (14) is generated without contacting by a driving means which is arranged outside of the at least one first coil carrier (4).
8. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that both the driving means and the at least one first coil carrier (4) each has at least one magnet, in particular a permanent magnet (15) or an electromagnet (16).
9. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the driving means comprises: a plurality of fixed electromagnets (16), which are arranged on a closed path around the braid axis (14) and which can generate a rotating magnetic field, which entrains the at least one first coil carrier (4) by a magnetic coupling and which brings it into the rotational movement around the braid axis (14).
10. The rotary braiding machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the driving means comprises: at least one magnet, in particular a permanent magnet (15) or an electromagnet (16), which can move around in a closed path around the braid axis (14), whereby a rotating magnetic field can be generated, which entrains the at least one first coil carrier (4) by a magnetic coupling and which brings it into the rotational movement around the braid axis (14).
11. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to any one of the claims 8 to 10, characterized in that at least one magnet (15) in the driving means and that at least one magnet (15) in the at least one first coil carrier (4) are adapted to control the at least one first coil carrier (4) to restrain it against an axial displacement in at least one direction.
12. The rotary braiding machine (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rotational movement of the at least a first coil carrier (4) around the braid axis (14) is generated by a driving means, in particular an electric motor, which is disposed within the first coil carrier (4).
13. A method for the operating of a rotary braiding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

    during the braiding, the first coil carriers (4) rotate around the braid axis (14) and the second coil carriers (5) perform a relative movement in regard to the first coil carriers (4),

    wherein further at least one first coil carrier (4) is arranged so that at least one second strand (11) can be completely moved around the at least one first coil carrier (4), and wherein at least the first coil carrier (4) is guided along at the least one closed guiding path,

    wherein the at least one second strand (11) moves around the at least one first coil carrier (4), characterized in that the gear wheel (41, 42) of the at least one first coil carrier (4) combs with the gear ring (6, 7) and it is continuously engaged with the gear ring (6, 7).

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