EP3094777B1 - Stranding machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a stranding element, with at least one essentially stationary storage container for the goods to be stranded and with at least one rotating guide device for the goods for guiding the goods from the storage container substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the guide device in the direction of the stranding area, the guide device in one Support structure is rotatably mounted, according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a stranding machine with a plurality of storage containers for the material to be stranded which are essentially stationary during operation and with at least one rotating guide device for the material to guide it from each of the storage containers to a common stranding area , according to the preamble of claim 11.

A stranding machine is an apparatus with which, for example, electrical lines, steel, copper and aluminum wires as well as insulated wires, which consist of several single wires, are twisted into cables. The shape of the cable is determined by the number of single wires, the arrangement of the single wires and the lay length. The simplest machines consist of a bobbin around which a rotor with the individual wires moves. The lay length is determined depending on the rotor and spool speed. Many coil carriers are arranged on the rotor, which only allow the production of thin cables. For thicker cables and in particular thick and heavy goods to be stranded, other constructions of stranding machines have to be used, such as in particular tube stranding machines.

Tube stranding machines, such as those used in the US 2371523 A are made up of welded storage racks in which a stranding tube is mounted in a central bearing. In the course of the stranding tube, bobbin supports for the material to be stranded are essentially stationary, but typically oscillate. The goods are transferred from the coil carriers to the outside of the stranding tube and from there along the tube to the stranding area. Because of their great length, these stranding machines take up a lot of space, are very complex and cannot be easily expanded as required if cables are to be made from more wires than there are coil carriers. If, on the other hand, cables are to be produced from fewer individual wires than the tube stranding machine has coil carriers, the entire tube must nevertheless be moved, which leads to unnecessary expenditure and energy consumption and thus also increased production costs for the cable.

In the US 2671303 A again a wire laying machine is disclosed in which a plurality of guide openings are likewise provided in a rotary guide element, but this guide element is supported and guided by a bearing arranged radially outside of its circumference. This machine also has the disadvantage that very large and heavy bearing arrangements are necessary, which moreover makes the adaptation of the machine to different tasks and configurations of the goods to be stranded very complex.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a stranding element with which even thick and heavy material can be stranded, and which can be flexibly and easily adapted to the particular stranding task, in particular with regard to the number of individual wires to be stranded.

The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are set out in the figures and in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the at least one guide device is rotatably mounted by means of a bearing arrangement, which bearing arrangement lies entirely within the flight circle of the goods and via at least one holding arrangement which extends radially beyond the flight circle of the goods and is axially spaced from the guide device is fastened to the support structure, which holding arrangement has at least one passage which opens at least temporarily for the passage of the goods in the circumferential direction and follows the flight circle of the goods.

This makes it possible to avoid the large and voluminous storage stands required for, for example, tube stranding machines. The storage of the rotating parts can be accomplished in structurally simple, compact and functionally reliable central bearing arrangements for the bearing axes which coincide structurally with the axis of rotation of the rotating parts.

The guide device preferably comprises a stranding disk rotatably mounted in the bearing arrangement with at least one guide for the material to be stranded. Such disks have a lower rotational moment of inertia, so that the guiding device for the material to be stranded can be accelerated more quickly and, in an emergency and when production has ended, can also be braked more quickly and with less effort.

In order to prevent damage to the material to be stranded and to ensure a more precise guidance, each guidance, typically a bore passing through the stranding disk, preferably runs on the holding arrangement opposite side of the stranding disk from a guide tube, which guide tube is supported in an auxiliary stranding disk of the stranding element or in another stranding element following in the direction of the axis of rotation.

Although the rotational moment of inertia is also higher, it may be advantageous for aerodynamic reasons for some applications that at least one guide tube is designed in the wall of a cylinder tube, the axis of rotation of the cylinder tube being rotatably mounted on at least one end face in a bearing arrangement.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the holding arrangement has a central area, preferably a disc, preferably parallel to a possible stranding disc and with an essentially circular peripheral edge with a smaller radius than the flight circle of the material, the central disc in a radial Carrier structure lying outside the flight circle is held in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner by means of at least two holding devices, with at least one of the holding devices always holding the central disk and each holding device, in the immediate vicinity of which there is currently a guide for the good, opening a passage gap for the good to be stranded , This ensures a stable fixation of the compact, central bearing arrangement. A particularly good position fixation results in an arrangement with at least three holding devices, at least two of which always hold the central disk.

A preferred variant of this holding arrangement provides that the central region of the holding arrangement is fixed in place and in a rotationally fixed manner in a holding ring lying radially outside of the flight circle via a plurality of holding elements which are preferably distributed uniformly along the circumference of the holding ring, with at least two holding elements always being the central one Connect the disc to the retaining ring and move each retaining element, in the immediate vicinity of which there is currently a guide for the good, out of the area of the flight circle of the good and open a passage gap for the good to be stranded.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the holding element is designed as a pin which is essentially radial and longitudinally movable and is mounted in the central disk or the holding ring and which engages in the holding position in corresponding bores in the radially opposite component, the holding element preferably pointing towards the holding position is biased.

The stranding disk is preferably provided, at least in the area of the guide, with a cam-like structure or a positive guide, which brings the holding element, which is in front of the guide in the direction of rotation, out of its holding position from the area of the flight circle as soon as the guide passes the holding element, and preferably over the remaining peripheral area holds the holding element in the holding position. This ensures that the central area with the bearing arrangement is securely held and fixed at all times by at least one or preferably an entire group of holding elements, so that the quiet and stable running of the stranding disk is ensured. For this purpose, the positive guidance interacts with the holding element lying ahead of the guidance in the direction of rotation via a sliding element guided or continuously abutting in this positive guidance or a roller running thereon, in order to actuate this element connected to the holding element or this roller radially depending on the angular position of the stranding disk and thus to bring the holding element from its holding position into a position spaced from the holding and guide ring, only when the guide passes the holding element, and to hold the holding element in the holding position over the remaining circumferential region in order to achieve the desired secure holding function of the holding elements and their release Passage for the goods to be stranded as they circulate around the stranding disk.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the holding arrangement comprises a central region, preferably a central star-shaped or triangular-shaped disk or a spoke-like structure, which central region by means of a plurality of radially outward and projecting essentially radially outward from the central bearing arrangement beyond the flight circle Holding devices in the support structure is held in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner, these holding devices being arranged in the region of the trajectory of the good preferably equally distributed in the circumferential direction of the holding arrangement, and wherein the holding devices support the central disk in the support structure at all times, but in doing so a passage of the Allow good in the circumferential direction. This construction ensures the optimal holding effect on the central area with the bearing arrangement for the stranding disk, which ensures that it runs smoothly even at high speeds.

In order to ensure a secure, continuous hold and still permit the passage of the goods to be stranded on their flight circle within the rotation of the stranding disk, each connection arrangement according to the invention comprises at least one roller rotatably attached to the central region or to the support structure, preferably a plurality of rollers spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the holding arrangement. The axes of all the rollers are oriented parallel to one another and preferably parallel to the axis of rotation of the stranding element, and the contact points of the outermost rollers, each with an opposite roller, lie on circumferentially opposite sides of a radial connecting line between the axis of rotation and the opposite roller. The outlay in terms of apparatus and control technology for radially movable holding elements and their temporary lifting off from the holding structure can thus be avoided. In addition, the continuous holding action, which is always constant in the radial direction, is guaranteed at every position.

In order to allow the unimpeded passage of the goods to be stranded through the holding arrangement, without squeezing these goods between the rollers or causing radial impacts on these rollers, according to the invention, at least one recess is advantageously on the outer circumference of one of the rollers projecting into the flight circle of the goods provided that have a dimension such that the material can be received in this recess and can be transported past these roles without hindrance and preferably without contact with the contacting opposite roles in the course of the rotation of the role. Two or more such recesses are preferably provided. The material coming into the area of the rollers of the holding arrangement on the outer circumference of the stranding element enters the recess in the roller, which recess has the same peripheral speed as the stranding element and thus also the material to be stranded when the roller rotates. The goods and the recess therefore continue to move in the area of the intersection of the circles on which they move, with the same circumferential speed without mutual interference, until the goods have passed the holding arrangement and can then emerge from the rotating recess.

In order to enable the above-described unimpeded passage of the goods, but for each alignment of the recess to the direction of movement of the goods, the secure holding action and a smooth, impact-free running of the stranding disk always ensure the best possible contact of the opposing rollers of the holding arrangement, the extension extends Recess in the circumferential direction of the roller preferably parallel to the axes of rotation of the rollers over an area which is at most the smallest distance between the contact points corresponds to two adjacent, opposite rollers with this roller with the recess, so that the roller with the recess is in contact with at least one of two opposing adjacent rollers at any time.

An alternative embodiment, however, provides that the recess in the roll is inclined but equidistant from the axis of rotation, the boundaries of the recesses in the circumferential direction of the roll being spaced apart by at least the circumferential width of the recess, and the roll being in contact with everyone at all times opposite role is. This type of construction enables continuous mutual contact of only two rollers, since, seen across the width of the roller with the recess, an area always touches and is supported on the opposite roller. This ensures a smooth, shock-free run while still allowing the goods circulating on the flight circle to pass through, albeit with a certain deviation from the direction of transport of the goods in the area in front of and behind the respective holding arrangement.

Preferably, at least the rollers with the recess, preferably also the opposing rollers, can be driven at an angular velocity proportional to the angular velocity of the guide element, wherein there is preferably a functional drive connection, for example using toothed belts or the like, between the drive of the stranding disk and the rollers. The recesses can thus always be held in the optimal position relative to the material to be stranded, in order for the material to enter and exit the recess as gently as possible and to pass each roller arrangement as gently as possible, preferably without direct contact with any of the Roles to ensure.

For simple and safe power supply to the individual structural units of the stranding machine and for optimal process control and monitoring, it can preferably be provided that at least one of the holding arrangements is designed for electrical contacting of the carrier element and possibly other components or assemblies of the stranding element, and either at least one role of the support element with current consumers and / or sensors and / or actuators on the stranding element or at least one role of the support structure or at least one of the holding elements for the electrical connection of the holding ring to the central area, and that the holding and guide ring with power consumers and / or sensors and / or actuators on the stranding element or the at least one holding element is connected to power and / or data lines from and / or to external power sources, evaluation, control or display units or the like.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the stranding element can have a holding arrangement, the central region being held in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner in a carrier structure lying radially outside the flight circle by means of at least one holding device, each holding device comprising at least one bearing with an air gap, preferably a magnetic levitation bearing, the Air gap extends along the flight circle of the good. This information also includes arrangements with a straight air gap that is tangent to the circular flight circle. Without complicated mechanical systems, the contact-free, preferably magnetic mounting ensures the unhindered passage of the goods to be stranded through the holding devices, the cross section of the passage for the goods on the flight circle being able to be adjusted or actively adapted, depending on the strength of the magnets or the amount of air active magnets can be used.

At most, an aerostatic or aerodynamic air bearing can also be used instead of the magnetic bearing. Air bearings are basically plain bearings, in which the compressed air pressed into the bearing gap between the sliding surfaces moving towards each other forms the lubricant. This also creates a pressure cushion that carries the load of the mounted component without contact. A distinction is made between aerodynamic bearings, which build up the air cushion through the movement itself, and aerostatic bearings, in which compressed air is introduced to build up the pressure cushion. The compressed air is typically provided by a compressor, with the highest possible level being desired for the pressure, the rigidity and the damping of the air cushion. Aerodynamic bearings, on the other hand, do not require compressed air supply, but have the problem that the two bearing partners touch below a characteristic relative speed (linear or rotary) and therefore have friction that leads to wear.

At least one of the magnetic levitation bearings preferably extends along a circumferential section of the stranding disk and its air gap follows the flight circle of the goods over a corresponding circumferential section.

It is advantageous if at least one of the magnetic levitation bearings is designed as an active magnetic bearing, since in this case the holding force and also the load-bearing capacity of the bearing of the bearing arrangement and thus also the air gap for the passage of the goods to be stranded are set and - within certain limits to the can be adapted to individual needs.

In order to save energy for energizing and regulating the active magnetic bearing, at least one of the active magnetic levitation bearings can advantageously be combined with at least one permanent magnet which is matched to the weight of the stranding element.

The holding arrangement preferably has at least one magnetic axial bearing, so that the stranding disk also needs as few moving components as possible for positioning and storage in the axial direction.

For a stranding machine, the problem stated at the outset is achieved in that at least one of the storage containers and an associated guide device are elements of a stranding element according to one of the preceding paragraphs.

In spite of a certain number of available storage containers for the goods to be stranded and a corresponding number of guiding devices, a smaller number of these structural units can also be operated if products with a smaller number of individual wires are to be manufactured. This means that less energy is required, since only the absolutely necessary number of functional units has to be operated, so that production is also cheaper.

Such a stranding element can preferably be operated and handled independently of other stranding elements and thus forms a separate functional and structural unit. The combination of the functional units into structural units ensures that an existing stranding machine can in principle be expanded as required with a certain number of these units if cables are to be stranded from more individual wires than is possible with the original machine. Finally, individual units of existing machines can be easily and quickly removed and reinstalled for maintenance, repair or replacement, since the individual units can also be handled individually and separately from all other units.

According to an advantageous embodiment of a stranding machine, two or more of the stranding elements described in the previous paragraphs are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The advantages of the simpler, more compact and functionally reliable storage and the simple design of the guides for the goods with a low moment of inertia can thus also be achieved for a stranding machine with a predetermined number of storage containers and thus strands of goods to be stranded.

To drive the simplification even further, the connected stranding elements can preferably also have a common drive.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides a stranding machine in which the guide device closest to the stranding area for a plurality of storage containers is formed from a stranding tube rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, inside of which the storage container for the material to be stranded is preferably opposite the stranding tube are mounted in an oscillating manner, and in which at least one further stranding element which can be operated and handled separately and independently of the stranding tube is provided in accordance with one of the preceding paragraphs. This embodiment enables the modular expansion of existing tube stranding machines by any number of stranding elements in principle, in order to be able to strand the exact number of strands depending on the production requirements. If, on the other hand, fewer strands are to be processed than would be predetermined overall by the stranding tube and stranding elements, the stranding elements which are not required can simply be switched off, uncoupled and possibly even removed.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings.

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

Fig. 1

eine Rohrverseilmaschine gemäss dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

eine Verseilmaschine mit zwei Verseilelementen gemäss der Erfindung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von schräg vorne,

Fig. 3

die Verseilmaschine von Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von schräg hinten,

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung der wesentlichen Komponenten einer erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform eines Verseilelementes mit drei Rollen-Halteanordnungen in einer axialen Ansicht,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung des Verseilelementes und der Halteanordnungen der Fig. 2 aus radialer Richtung,

Fig. 6

eine Detailansicht einer der Rollen-Halteanordungen der Fig. 4 in vergrössertem Massstab, und

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform für ein erfindungsgemässes Verseilelement mit Stab-Halteanordnungen, und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verseilelementes mit einer erfindungsgemäss über Magnetschwebelager gelagerten Verseilscheibe.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a tube stranding machine according to the prior art,

Fig. 2

a stranding machine with two stranding elements according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from the front,

Fig. 3

the stranding machine from Fig. 2 in a perspective view obliquely from behind,

Fig. 4

1 shows an illustration of the essential components of an embodiment according to the invention of a stranding element with three roller holding arrangements in an axial view,

Fig. 5

a representation of the stranding element and the holding arrangements of the Fig. 2 from the radial direction,

Fig. 6

a detailed view of one of the roller holding arrangements of the Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale, and

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a further embodiment for a stranding element according to the invention with rod holding arrangements, and

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of a stranding element with a stranding disk according to the invention mounted on magnetic levitation bearings.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional tube stranding machine, as used for example for the production of twisted cables from several individual wires. The individual cores can be electrical lines, steel, copper or aluminum wires and insulated cores, the shape of the cable being determined by the number of individual cores, the arrangement of the individual cores and the lay length. In the course of the continuous stranding tube 1, storage containers 2 for the material to be stranded, preferably on bobbins mounted on pendulum-suspended bobbins, are stored. On the outside of the stranding tube 1, the material to be stranded is guided away from the storage containers 2 and along the stranding tube 1 to the stranding area 3. Because of the great length and the considerable weight of the stranding tube 1, the latter has to be supported in several bearing stands 4, wherein at least one of the bearing stands 4 also contains a drive device for rotating the stranding tube 1 in its entirety and also braking it again.

A special embodiment of a stranding machine with stranding elements according to the invention is in the 2 and 3 shown in an overall view. Instead of a stranding tube 1, two, in principle any number, stranding elements V are provided here. As a carrier of at least one rotating guide 6 (see Fig. 4 . 6 and 7 ) for the material to be stranded in each stranding element V, instead of a hollow cylindrical tube section, a stranding disk 5, preferably thin in relation to its diameter, is provided, in the outer circumferential region 5a of which at least one bore penetrating its thickness is provided, which is used as a rotating guide 6.

The stranding disk 5 or any other guiding device, such as in the segment of a stranding tube 1, is rotatably supported in a bearing arrangement L which lies completely within the flight circle of the goods. The flight circle of the good is to be understood as that curve on which each longitudinal section of the good moves in the course of the rotation of the stranding disk 5, the stranding tube segment, the guide 6, etc., without taking into account the longitudinal movement of the good.

The stranding disk 5 can be rotatably mounted on a central axis A, which axis A is formed on the bearing arrangement L. The axis A is preferably formed on the stranding disk 5 and rotatably received in the fixed bearing arrangement L.

A support element 9 for a stationary and non-rotatable axis A, on which the stranding disk 5 is rotatably supported, can preferably be supported on the support structure 10 via three holding arrangements H, the holding arrangements H preferably being arranged in an equally distributed manner in the circumferential direction of the stranding disk 5. The holding arrangements H are further preferably arranged in the region of the outer peripheral edge 5a of the stranding disk 5. They support the carrier element 9 in a stationary manner at all times on the carrier structure 10 of the stranding element V, but thereby allow the goods to pass in the circumferential direction during the rotary movement of the respective guide 6 of the stranding disk 5 past the holding arrangement H.

The stranding disk 5 is set in rotation or braked by a drive 14 and a gearwheel or toothed belt gear on or in the support structure 10, and any auxiliary stranding disk 5b is moved via a shaft 15 and optionally also driven by this drive 14 via gears, toothed belts, etc. The auxiliary stranding disk 5b can also be connected to a driven stranding disk 5 in a rotationally fixed manner without its own drive.

The bearing arrangement L is held in a support structure 10 by means of a holding arrangement H, the holding arrangement H extending radially beyond the flight circle of the goods and also axially from this respective guide device 1 in the direction of the axis of rotation A of the stranding disk 5, the stranding tube 1, etc. , 5 is spaced. The holding arrangement H also has, according to the invention, a passage which temporarily opens for the passage of the goods in the circumferential direction and corresponds to the flight circle of the goods, which only permits the central mounting of the guide device 1, 5 in a structure lying outside the flight circle.

At least one guide tube 6a can extend from each guide 6, the end of which is supported in an auxiliary stranding disk 5b, which auxiliary stranding disk 5b is rotatably arranged on the side of the stranding element V opposite the storage container 2. The auxiliary stranding disk 5b can at best be omitted, in which case the guide tubes 6a can extend as far as the stranding disk 5 of the stranding element V following in the direction of the axis of rotation A of the stranding elements V. The guide tubes 6a guide the material to be stranded safely in any rotational state of the stranding element V past the storage container 2, its bobbin, etc. At most, the guide tubes 6a can extend on the side of the stranding disk 5 opposite the storage container 2 to at least the closest holding arrangement H for the stranding disk 5. At most, at least one guide tube 6a can also be worked out in the wall of a cylinder tube, which, however, is then rotatably mounted in the central bearing arrangement L via an axis on at least one end face of the cylinder tube in exactly the same way as the stranding disk 5.

The holding arrangement H of the embodiment of FIG 2 and 3 has a central area, which is preferably designed in the form of a disk 16. This disk 16 is preferably held parallel to the stranding disk 5 in the support structure 10. This disk 16 has at least partially a substantially circular peripheral edge over a part of its circumference, the radius of which is smaller than the radius of the flight circle of the material to be stranded. This disk 16 is in the carrier structure 10 lying radially outside the flight circle at least two holding devices H1 (see 4 and 5 ) held in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner and thus supports the bearing arrangement L for the stranding disk 5 and optionally the auxiliary stranding disk 5b in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner. Of the at least two holding devices H1 there are always at least two of them with holding action in connection with the disk 16, but are designed according to the invention in such a way that a passage gap following the flight circle of the goods is kept free for the goods to be stranded if a guide 6 is in the vicinity of the respective holding device H1.

As in Fig. 4 Is shown on a larger scale, each holding device H1 comprises at least one roller 11 rotatably attached to the support structure 10 and at least a plurality of rollers 12 which are rotatably attached to the opposite component, ie the support element 9 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the stranding disk 5 Axes of all the rollers 11, 12 parallel to one another and preferably parallel to the axis of rotation A of the stranding disk 5. Furthermore, the contact points of the outermost rollers 12, each with an opposite roller 11, lie on opposite sides of each other in the circumferential direction of a radial connecting line R between the axis of rotation A of the stranding disk 5 and the axis of the opposite roller 11. The carrier element 9 and thus the stranding disk 5 are supported in a stationary but rotatable manner in the carrier structure 10 of the stranding element V by means of the rollers 11, 12 which contact each other at any time.

So that this material can be guided in the circumferential direction without impairment or damage and also without influencing the holding arrangement H when the stranding disk 5 and thus also the guides 6 for the material to be stranded, at least one recess 11a ( see Fig. 6 ) intended. At most, several recesses 11a can also be provided, the number of recesses 11a in the roller 11 preferably being proportional to the guides 6 on the stranding disk 5. The dimensioning of the recess is provided in such a way that the material, when it is guided through the guides 6 along the flight circle at the height of the holding devices H1, is received in this recess 11a and in the course of the rotation of the roller 11 without hindrance and preferably without contact with the opposing contacts Rollers 12 are transported past these rollers 12 and thus the holding arrangement H can pass unhindered. At most, the arrangement of the rollers 11, 12 can also be reversed, so that the or each roller 11 is connected to the carrier element 9 with a recess 11a, while the opposite rollers 12 are mounted on the carrier structure 10 of the stranding element V.

In the circumferential direction of the roller 11, the course of the recess 11a extends over an area which is less than or equal to the distance between the contact points of the two most distant opposite rollers 12 with this roller 11 with the recess 11a. For an even quieter run, the width of the recess 11a defined above is preferably less than or equal to the distance between the contact points of the two least distant opposite rollers 12 with this roller 11 with recess 11a. This ensures that the roller 11 is in contact with at least one of two opposing adjacent rollers 12 at all times. For a recess 11a, the longitudinal extent of which is parallel to the axis of at least the roller 11, the width of the recess 11a in the circumferential direction of the roller 11 can be smaller than the smallest distance between the contact points of the opposing rollers 12 along the circumference of the roller 11 with the recess 11a equivalent. This also ensures for this specific arrangement that the roller 11 is in contact with the recess 11a at any time with at least two opposite rollers 12.

A further embodiment of the roller 11 with the recess 11a can provide an oblique orientation of the longitudinal extent of the recess 11a in the direction of the thickness of the roller 11 with respect to the axis of this roller 11. The axis of the recess 11a thus follows an equidistant screw shape around the axis of rotation of the roller 11. The ends of the recess 11a are preferably spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the roller 11 by at least the circumferential width of the recess 11a, and the roller 11 is also at all times Passing the good through the recess 11a in contact with each opposite roller 12. The entry area into the recess 11a for the good lags behind the exit region on the opposite side of the roller 11 in the direction of rotation of the roller 11. This means that even with holding devices H1 with only one roller 11 on the support structure 10 and an opposite roller 12 at any time and in any rotational state of the rollers 11, 12, their continuous contact with a supporting effect can be guaranteed simultaneously with the possibility of carrying out the goods.

Preferably, at least the rollers 11 with the recess 11a of the holding arrangements H, preferably also the opposing rollers 12, are driven with an angular velocity proportional to the angular velocity of the stranding disk 5 and the number of guides 6 and the number of recesses 11a, so that the predetermined at all times The peripheral speed of the stranding disk 5 and the constant, unchangeable relative position of the recesses 11a and guides 6 can be ensured. For this purpose, there is preferably a functional drive connection between the drive 14 of the stranding disk 5 and the rollers 11, 12, for example using gears with toothed wheels, toothed belts or the like. However, there are also separate drives with only mutual coordination of the angular velocities via the electrical ones or electronic controls of these drives are conceivable.

The electrical contacting of components or assemblies of the stranding element V can preferably also be accomplished via at least one of the holding arrangements H1. For this purpose, at least one roller 12 connected to the holding arrangement H with power consumers and / or sensors and / or actuators on the stranding element V and at least one roller 11 on the support structure 10 with power and / or data lines from and / or to external power sources, evaluation , Control or display units or the like. The energy or the signals can be transmitted via the contact between these rollers 11, 12.

As in Fig. 4 and also in Fig. 7 is shown, the holding devices H1 can be equally distributed along the circumference of the central region of the holding arrangement H. At most, arrangements with closer support of the bearing arrangement L are also conceivable in the areas in which increased loads occur, for example, due to the weight of the elements of the stranding element. Embodiments with at least two holding arrangements H would thus also be conceivable only below the horizontal plane through the axis of rotation, against which lower holding arrangements H the components supported thereby are acted upon by the weight.

Another embodiment for the holding arrangements H is in Fig. 7 shown. Thus, according to this variant, the central region, ie the disk 16, of the holding arrangement H can be arranged in a retaining ring lying radially outside the flight circle 9 can be fixed in place and in a rotationally fixed manner via a plurality of holding elements 7 which are preferably distributed uniformly along the circumference of the disk or the holding ring 9. Here, too, it is provided for the secure fixing of the central element 16 that at least two holding elements 7 always connect the central disk 16 to the holding ring 9.

Each guide 6 for the goods coming from the storage container 2 and transported to the stranding area 3 is provided radially in the outermost circumferential edge area of the stranding disk 5, wherein a plurality of guides 6 are preferably distributed uniformly around the circumference of the stranding disk 5.

Each of the holding elements 7 is now designed as a pin 7 which is essentially radial and can be moved in its longitudinal extent and which, in the holding position, engages in corresponding bores 8 in the outer peripheral edge 16a of the central disk 16. The holding element 7 can preferably be biased towards the holding position, but can also be connected to an active drive for its radial movement between the holding position and a position at a distance from the peripheral edge 16a of the central disk 16.

At least for the former embodiment, the stranding disk 5 is provided, at least in the region of the guide, with a cam-like structure 13 or is coupled to it in a rotationally fixed manner, which acts directly or indirectly on the holding element 7 and, if necessary, brings it against its bias from its holding position into a position spaced from the holding ring 9 , At most, the stranding disk 5 can, according to a further embodiment, be connected to a positive guide extending over the entire circumference, which positive guide cooperates with the holding elements 7 in order to move them from the holding position into a distance from the holding ring 9 depending on the relative position of the guides 6 to the holding elements 7 Bring position when the guide 6 passes the respective holding element 7. Otherwise, and over the rest of the circumferential area, the holding element 7 is again held in the holding position via the positive guide in order to ensure the desired safe holding function. An electrical or electronic control of the movement of the holding elements 7 or a direct connection to the drive of the stranding disk 5 would also be conceivable.

Fix at any time, even in embodiments according to Fig. 7 always at least two holding elements 7, the central disk 16, but each holding element 7, in the immediate vicinity of which there is currently a guide 6 for the goods, moved out of the area of the flight circle of the goods to be stranded, thereby opening a passage gap in the circumferential direction for the goods to be stranded. A further embodiment, which ensures a secure fixation of the arrangement carrying the stranding disk 5 and now, however, an open passage for the material to be stranded at any time, provides for the use of magnetic bearings. Between the two opposite parts of the magnetic bearing, the material to be stranded can pass through the movement circle without hindrance, while the position of the holding arrangement H for the stranding disk 5 is securely fixed.

At least one of the holding elements 7 can be designed for electrical contacting of the central disk 16, so that by connecting this central areas of the holding arrangement H to current consumers and / or sensors and / or actuators on the stranding element V, these are supplied with energy or a data and Control communication with external evaluation, control or display units or the like can be established.

In Fig. 8 An embodiment according to the invention is shown, the holding arrangement H of which has a central area, which can be designed, for example, in the form of a plate 16 and is preferably arranged parallel to the stranding disk 5. The area radially outermost with respect to the axis of rotation A is in any case within the flight circle of the good. In any case, the central region is held in a support structure 10, which is located radially outside the flight circle, in a stationary and rotationally fixed manner by means of at least one holding device H2.

This holding device H2 comprises at least one magnetic levitation bearing, which consists of at least two magnet devices 17 and 18 located opposite one another. The magnetic levitation bearings 17, 18 are preferably designed as active magnetic bearings, in which the bearing force is generated by controlled electromagnets in at least one of the magnet devices 17, 18 and the stability of the system is ensured by a suitable feedback and electronic control. The constant power supply required for active magnetic bearings as well as the mechanical catch bearing, which is preferably provided for protection in the event of power failures or control system failures, usually consisting of a loose ball or slide bearing, is shown in Fig. 4 not shown. Active magnetic bearings in combination with permanent magnets are particularly advantageous. About that In addition, electrodynamic magnetic bearings with generation of the bearing force by eddy currents, mostly without electronic control, could also be provided.

In principle, passive magnetic bearings can of course also be used for the holding devices H2 if they are constructed using diamagnetic materials and these passive magnetic bearings are in fact realized as "superconducting magnetic bearings".

Between the opposing magnet devices 17, 18 there is an air gap 19 which is preferably adjustable via the control in active magnetic bearings and which essentially extends along the flight circle of the goods. This air gap 19 could also be created by an air bearing in which air under pressure forms the lubricant of the parts moving relative to one another. The air gap 19 can either follow the shape of the flight circle, i.e. extend over a circumferential section of the flight circle. In this case, the air gap 19 of the magnetic bearing 17, 18 of the holding device H2 also extends directly along a circumferential section of the stranding disk 5. Essentially straight, plane air gaps 19 - as for example for those along a circumferential section of the stranding disk 5, preferably in the lower region of the holding arrangement H. distributed several magnetic bearings 17, 18 - are preferably oriented parallel to the tangent to a point of the flight circle, which point lies in the area of the respective magnetic bearing 17, 18. In this case, the air gap 19 must of course be so large that the radial change in the distance of the material to be stranded can take place without passing through the air gap 19 when the air gap 19 enters and leaves the gap.

The use of permanent magnets (not shown) can be used to accommodate most of the weight of the components 5, 16 by tuning their lifting force - regardless of whether used above or below the components 5, 16 to be stored - and only the fine adjustment of the to leave active magnetic bearings 17, 18.

When using magnetic bearings, it is also advisable to set or limit the axial mobility of the stranding disk 5 in the bearing of the bearing arrangement L and / or the axial play within the holding devices H2 by means of magnetic axial bearings (not shown). For this purpose, the holding arrangement H and / or the holding device H2 preferably also has at least one magnetic axial bearing in addition to the radially acting magnetic bearings described above.

Like any type of bearing arrangement or holding device, the magnetic bearings 17, 18 can preferably be equally distributed along the circumference of the central region of the holding arrangement H. At most, arrangements with closer support of the bearing arrangement L are also conceivable in the areas in which increased loads occur, for example, due to the weight of the elements of the stranding element V. Thus, magnetic bearings 17, 18 could only be arranged below the horizontal plane through the axis of rotation A, against which lower holding devices H2 the components supported thereby are acted upon by the weight. The magnetic bearings could also be distributed in a retaining ring lying radially outside the flight circle for the fixed and rotationally fixed fixing of the central region of the holding arrangement H.

From the stranding elements V described so far, a stranding machine can be built up modularly, in which the number and specific design of the individual stranding elements can be selected depending on the required number and properties of the strands to be stranded. Individual stranding elements V can also be removed and / or replaced easily and quickly for maintenance and repair. Since a certain minimum number of strands to be stranded is usually to be provided, a corresponding number of stranding elements V according to the invention can be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner to form a jointly operable unit. This unit can also have a common drive for all stranding elements V.

A combination of the stranding elements described above with a conventional tube stranding machine is also conceivable. Typically, the tubular stranding machine is arranged lying closest to the stranding area, while one or more stranding elements according to the invention can be connected to it. Depending on the existing number of strands to be stranded, the number of stranding elements V following the tube stranding machine can be chosen as desired. Thus, despite a certain number of existing storage containers 2 for the goods to be stranded and a corresponding number of guide devices 1, 5, 6, 6a, a smaller number of these structural units can also be operated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

stranding tube

2

reservoir

3

Verseilbereich

4

pedestals

4a

Storage rack with drive

5

stranding

5a

Outer peripheral edge

5b

Auxiliary stranding

6

guide

6a

guide tube

7

retaining element

8th

drilling

9

retaining ring

10

support structure

11

role

11a

recess

12

role

13

Cam-like structure

14

drives

15

connecting shaft

16

Central disc / plate

17

Upper magnetic device of the magnetic bearing

18

Lower magnetic device of the magnetic bearing

19

Air gap of the magnetic bearing

H1

holder

H2

Holding device with magnetic bearing

V

Stranding

R

Radial direction

A

axis of rotation

L

bearing arrangement

Claims (14)

1. Stranding element, with at least one essentially stationary storage container (2) for the good to be stranded and with at least one rotating guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a) for the good for guiding the good from the storage container (2) essentially in parallel to the rotational axis of the guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a) in the direction of the stranding region (3), wherein the guidance device is swivel-mounted in a carrier structure (10), characterized in that the at least one guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a) is swivel-mounted by means of a bearing arrangement (L), which bearing arrangement (L) is completely within the field of rotation of the good and is attached to the carrier structure (10) via at least one holding assembly (H) extending radially from the bearing assembly across the field of rotation of the good and axially spaced away from the guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a), which holding assembly (H) comprises at least one passage (11a, 19) at least temporarily opening in the circumferential direction for the good to pass through.
2. Stranding element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a) comprises a strand disc (5), which is swivel-mounted in the bearing arrangement (L), with at least one guide (6) for the good to be stranded, wherein a guide tube (6a) pans out from each guide (6) at least on the side of the stranding disc (5) that is axially opposite to the holding assembly (H), which guide tube (6a) is supported in an auxiliary stranding disc (5b) of the stranding element (V) or of another stranding element (V) following in the direction of the rotational axis (A), and wherein, preferably, a guide tube (6a) is devised to be the wall of a rotative cylinder tube (1), wherein the rotational axis of the cylinder tube (1) is swivel-mounted on at least one end face in a bearing arrangement (L).
3. Stranding element according to at least one of the Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding assembly (H) comprises a central region, preferably, a disc (16), preferably parallel to any possible stranding disc (5) and with an essentially circular circumferential edge (16a) with a smaller radius than the field of rotation of the good, wherein the central disc (16) is held in a carrier structure (10) lying radially outside of the field of rotation by at least two holding devices (H1), preferably at least three holding devices (H1), in a stationary and torque-proof manner, wherein at least one of the holding devices (H1), preferably at least two holding devices (H1) always hold the central disc (16) and each holding device (H1), in the vicinity of which a guide (6) for the good is currently located, releases a gap for the good to be stranded to pass through.
4. Stranding element according to Claim 3, characterized in that the central region (16) of the holding assembly is fixed in a stationary and torque-proof manner in a retaining ring (9) lying radially outside of the field of rotation via a plurality of holding elements (7) preferably arranged in an evenly distributed manner along the circumference of the retaining ring (9), wherein at least two holding elements (7) always connect the central disc (16) to the retaining ring (9) and each holding element (7), in the vicinity of which a guide (6) for the good is currently located, is moved out of the region of the field of rotation of the good and releases a gap for the good to be stranded to pass through.
5. Stranding element according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the holding element (7) is designed as a pin that can essentially be moved radially and in its longitudinal extension and that is mounted in the central disc (16) or the retaining ring (9), which pin engages into corresponding bore holes (8) in the radially opposite component in the holding position, wherein the holding element (7) is preferably pretensioned towards the holding positions, and wherein, preferably, at least in the region of the guide (6), the stranding disc (5) is provided with a cam-like structure (13) or a forced guide, which moves the holding element (7) preceding the guide (6) in the direction of rotation out of its holding position out of the region of the field of rotation as soon as the guide (6) passes by the holding element (7), and preferably holds the holding element (7) in the holding position across the remaining circumferential region.
6. Stranding element according to at least one of the Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding assembly (H) comprises a central region, preferably a central star-shaped or rectangular disc (16) or a spoke-like structure, which central region is held in the support structure (10) in a stationary and torque-proof manner by means of a plurality of holding devices (H1) lying radially on the outside and essentially projecting from the central bearing arrangement (L) beyond the field of rotation radially towards the outside, wherein these holding devices (H1) are arranged in the region of the field of rotation of the good, preferably being evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the holding assembly (H) and wherein the holding devices (H1) support the central disc (16) in the carrier structure (10) at all times, however, thereby allowing a passage of the good in the circumferential direction of the disc (16), wherein, preferably, each holding device (H1) comprises at least one roller (11) rotatably attached to the central region or to the carrier structure and at least one roller (12) rotatably attached to the respectively opposite component, preferably, a plurality of rollers (12) spaced away in the circumferential direction of the holding assembly, wherein the axes of all rollers (11, 12) are orientated in parallel to each other and preferably in parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the stranding element, and wherein the contact points of the outermost rollers (12) each with an opposite roller (11) are on sides that are opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of a radial connection line between the axis of rotation (A) and the opposite roller (11).
7. Stranding element according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least one recess (11a) is provided on the outer circumference of the rollers (11) projecting into the field of rotation of the good, preferably two or a plurality of recesses (11a) are provided, wherein these recesses (11a) have one dimension, that the good is received in this recesses (11a) and can be transported by these rollers (12) during the course of the rotation of the roller (11) without being hindered and preferably without making contact with the contacting rollers (12) lying opposite.
8. Stranding element according to Claim 7, characterized in that at least the rollers (11) with the recess (11a), preferably also the opposite rollers (12) can be driven with an angular velocity proportional to the angular velocity of the stranding disc (5), wherein, preferably, a functional drive connection exists, for example, with the used of timing belts or the like between the drive of the stranding disc (5) and the rollers (11, 12).
9. Stranding element according to at least one of the Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding assembly (H) comprises a central region, the largest outer radius of which is smaller than the field of rotation of the good, wherein the central region is held in a carrier structure (10) in a stationary and torque-proof manner that lies radially outside of the field of rotation by means of at least one holding device (H2), wherein each holding device (H2) comprises at least one bearing with an air gap (19), preferably a magnetic levitation bearing (17, 18), the air gap (19) of which extends along the field of rotation of the good.
10. Stranding element according to Claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the magnetic levitation bearings (17, 18) extends along a circumferential section of the stranding disc (5) and its air gap (19) follows the field of rotation of the good across a corresponding circumferential section, wherein, preferably, at least one of the magnetic levitation bearings (17, 18) is designed as an active magnetic bearing and, if need be, is combined with at least one permanent magnet that is matched with the weight of the stranding element (V).
11. Stranding element with a plurality of storage containers (2) that are essentially stationary during operation for the good to be stranded and with at least one rotating guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a) for the good for its guidance from each of the storage containers (2) to a common stranding region (3) characterized in that at least one of the storage containers (2) and a related guidance device (1, 5, 6, 6a) are elements of a stranding element (V) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10.
12. Stranding element according to Claim 11, characterized in that this stranding element (V) can be operated and handled independently of other stranding elements and forms a functional and constructional unit.
13. Stranding machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that two or a plurality of stranding elements (V) are connected to each other in a torque-proof manner according to one of the Claims 1 to 9, preferably also having a common drive (14).
14. Stranding machine according to at least one of the Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, preferably closest to the stranding region (3), the guidance device made of a stranding tube (1) that is swivel-mounted around its longitudinal axis is formed for a plurality of storage containers (2), in the inside of which the storage containers (2) for the good to be stranded are preferably mounted oscillating opposite the stranding tube (1a) and that at least one other stranding element, which is separate and can be operated and handled independently of the stranding tube (1a) is provided according to one of the Claims 1 to 9.

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