EP3246463B1 - Twisting device and method of operation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a twisting device, an impact positioning unit of the same having a spacing unit that can be extended perpendicular to a direction of travel.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a twisting device. The invention is particularly advantageous for twisting together more than two individual lines.

A twisting device according to the preamble of claim 1 is from US 2004/050446 A1 known.

Furthermore, from the DE 19 14 133 A1 a method for producing the bundles of telephone cables constructed from bundles is known. In the method, basic elements, such as veins, are guided from pay-off spools arranged on stationary axes to nipples which are attached to arms that are movably mounted in a guide ring. The arms are moved according to a predetermined program during the bundle production in such a way that the basic elements constantly change their position within the bundle cross-section and then into a common closing nipple and then wound onto a take-up spool.

EP 2 777 053 B1 discloses a twisting device for twisting electrical or optical lines such as wires, cables, line bundles, optical fibers, etc., in particular a cable twisting device, with a base and a first twisting head which is rotatable relative to the base and which is designed to twist the lines at their first ends to grip, wherein the twisting device has a second twisting head rotatable relative to the base, which is arranged opposite the first twisting head and is designed to grip the lines to be twisted at their second ends opposite the first ends, and that the second twisting head is rotatable in the opposite direction to the first twisting head.

EP 0 889 486 B1 discloses a twisted wire production unit including parallel arrangements of a plurality of pairs of opposed cable clamps, the clamps on one side for clamping one end of a pair of fixed length cables and the clamps on the other side for clamping the other end of the pair of cables, each cable pair extending in a substantially longitudinal direction between a corresponding pair of cable clamps, one cable clamp of each pair being driven to rotate by a drive unit and the other cable clamp of each pair being fixed or fixed is set, thereby imparting a relatively twisting rotational movement to both cables, further comprising: an advancing mechanism adapted to intermittently advance each respective pair of cable clamps in a direction transverse to the substantially longitudinal direction ng is provided.

EP 0 917 746 B1 discloses a method for twisting at least two individual lines with the following steps: clamping the one line ends of individual lines cut to a specific length in a separate untwisting fixture that can be rotated essentially parallel to a twisting axis; Clamping the other line ends of the individual lines in each separate twisting fixture, which are jointly arranged to be rotatable about the twisting axis; Arranging a drillship between the essentially tensioned cables; and rotating the twisting fixtures together about the twisting axis and rotating the untwisting fixtures in the same direction in each case about the line axis of the respective individual lines.

DE 101 07 670 B4 discloses a method for twisting at least two individual lines into a twisted cable harness, with the following steps: a) passing the one line ends of individual lines through associated tensioning clamps in a cable holding head, b) clamping the line ends passed through the tensioning clamps in respective clamping jaws in a twisting head, c) Applying a holding pressure to the tensioning clamps in the cable holding head, which allows the individual lines to be pulled through the tensioning clamps with friction so that the individual lines are constantly pulled taut, d) moving the twisting head while maintaining the holding pressure until the individual lines are stretched to the desired length e) turning the twisting head during process step d) by a predetermined number of revolutions, f) applying a clamping pressure to the tensioning clamps in the cable holding head which is higher than the holding pressure, so that a secure clamping of the individual lines b e in the subsequent twisting is guaranteed, g) twisting of the individual lines, which are now clamped on both sides, to form a twisted cable harness.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide an improved option for producing a twisted cable with two or, in particular, more than two individual lines.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be inferred in particular from the dependent claims.

The arranged impact positioning unit has at least one or more spacing units that can be retracted and extended perpendicular to a direction of travel. In the case of a plurality of spacing units, these can be angularly offset in a circumferential direction relative to the direction of travel and touch one another in an extended (i.e., elongated) state.

When using several spacing units, a single line is spatially delimited by two adjacent spacing units. The individual lines are thereby separated from one another by means of at least one spacing unit. Each individual line is therefore - when viewed in the direction of travel - assigned a respective spatial area or sector alone. Touching the spacing units prevents individual lines from getting through gaps between the spacing units into other sectors. The individual lines thus remain separate from one another. The approach of the spacing units is at least such that no individual line can slip through between them. The number of individual lines kept separate from one another is basically not restricted. As a result of the impact positioning unit, line flashovers when twisting a plurality of individual lines can consequently be successfully prevented, in particular also of three or more individual lines. The impact positioning unit can be used advantageously if the individual lines as such are individually turned back.

The individual lines can be electrical and / or optical lines. The individual lines can have one core or several separate cores.

The twisting device is provided to twist several individual lines into a cable. For this purpose, the still untwisted individual lines are held between two end units, one of which (the so-called "twisting unit") twist the individual lines with one another. The other end unit can either hold the individual lines firmly or (as a so-called "untwisting unit") individually rotate them in the other direction in order to prevent the individual lines as such from being twisted. The direction of travel runs in the direction between the two end units. The individual lines or the twisted section of the cable also run along the direction of travel, so that the twisting device can also move along the twisted or untwisted individual lines.

A maximum of n + 1 individual lines can be separated from one another by n spacing units. It is a further development that the spacing units can be individually extended (and retracted or contracted again), because in this way a particularly simple spatial separation can also be achieved of fewer than the n + 1 possible individual lines. The introduction of the individual lines into the lay-out positioning unit can also be facilitated in this way, for example in that the spacing units are actuated one after the other in order to enclose the individual lines one after the other in their respective sectors.

The fact that the spacing units can be extended perpendicular to the direction of travel can include that when they are extended they move towards one another with a movement component perpendicular to the direction of travel until they touch one another (i.e. until the spacing units each touch at least one other spacing unit). In particular, they move from the outside into an area in which the untwisted individual lines are located.

It is a further development that the several spacing units move towards one another in a star shape when they are extended. In particular, they can meet in a common central area. The individual sectors or departments can then be shaped like pie pieces when viewed in the direction of travel. When viewed in a cylindrical coordinate system, this can also be described in such a way that the impact positioning unit can be moved along a z-axis or longitudinal axis, the spacing units are angularly offset from one another in the azimuthal direction or ϕ-direction and are positioned against the radial direction or r- Let the axis extend.

It is a development that at least two adjacently arranged spacing units touch one another in the extended state. The spacing units can thus be contacted particularly easily.

It is an embodiment that the spacing units have extendable pins. As a result, the spacing units can be constructed in a particularly simple manner.

It is a further development that at least one of the pins is designed to be removable or replaceable, since the impact positioning unit can thus be adapted to product requirements in a particularly varied manner.

Another embodiment is that the spacing units are designed to be flat on their contact surfaces. This is a particularly reliable way of preventing individual lines from sliding through. Surface matching contact surfaces are understood to mean, in particular, contact surfaces which are shaped in such a way that they form surface contact and not e.g. only one or more point contacts. In particular, mating contact surfaces are of the same shape, e.g. each a flat shape.

It is also an embodiment that a pin of a first spacing unit makes contact with its end face with a pin of a second spacing unit on its lateral surface. Flat contact can thus be established particularly easily. In particular, pins of a plurality of first spacing units can contact the same pin of the second spacing unit on its lateral surface with their end faces. The pin of the second spacing unit can in particular stand up vertically, while the pin of the at least one first spacing unit is aligned horizontally.

In particular, the end face of the pin of the first spacing unit in the contact area can have a shape corresponding to the lateral surface of the pin of the second spacing unit. Thus, the jacket surface can be circular-cylindrical and the shape of the end face can correspond to a cut surface of a circular-cylindrical pin with the jacket surface.

It is a further development that at least one pin (e.g. a first spacer unit) can be inserted with its free end or with its tip into a recess of another pin (e.g. a second, in particular vertically upright spacer unit) if the associated (s) Spacer unit (s) are in an extended state.

It is also an embodiment that the impact positioning unit has at least two spacing units. This way, two or three individual lines can be kept spatially separated from each other. It is particularly advantageous that the impact positioning unit has at least three spacing units. This way, two, three or four individual lines can be kept spatially separated from each other.

It is also an embodiment that adjacent spacing units are angularly offset from one another by 90 °. This angular offset enables a particularly easy to implement and robust impact positioning unit, in particular for a maximum of four individual lines to be kept separate from one another.

It is also an embodiment that spacing units arranged adjacently are angularly offset from one another by less than 90 °. This makes it possible to provide a particularly compact impact positioning unit, in particular also for more than four individual lines to be kept separate from one another.

The object is achieved by a twisting device, having one between two end units, in particular between a twisting unit and an untwisting unit, movable impact positioning unit, which is designed as described above.

It is a further development that the impact positioning unit can optionally be removed from an area between the two end units and inserted there. As a result, the impact positioning unit can be removed, for example to make it easier to clamp the untwisted individual lines.

The object is also achieved by a method for operating a twisting device as described above, in which the spacing unit is retracted at a distance of the beat positioning unit to the untwisting unit of a maximum of 30 mm or the lines to be twisted are moved out of the travel path of the beat positioning unit while the Twisting unit still completely twisted. In the simplest case, the spacer unit is retracted so that it no longer has any contact with the individual lines. In the alternative case, however, the individual lines to be twisted are moved out of the travel path of the impact positioning unit, for which purpose e.g. the twisting unit and / or the untwisting unit together with the clamped individual lines can be moved by an actuator.

This has the advantage that an untwisted length of the cable can be reduced during a twisting process, so that the lay positioning unit is no longer located between the individual lines and the untwisting unit at the end of the twisting process. Ideally, the spacing unit can be retracted in a controlled manner or the individual lines can be controlled from the travel path of the Spacer unit are moved out. The control can take place in such a way that a predetermined distance between the spacing unit and the untwisting unit is as small as possible so that the untwisted length is ideally less than 30 mm. Accordingly, the impact positioning unit can be controlled at a distance of, for example, approximately 5 to 40 mm, preferably approximately 10 to 30 mm, from the untwisting unit. Vehicle manufacturers often require an untwisted length of less than 30 mm for data lines, so that the control of the impact positioning unit can ideally take place at a maximum distance of 30 mm from the untwisting unit.

A particularly advantageous development of the method provides that at the beginning of the twisting process, the impact positioning unit with retracted spacing unit or retracted spacing units is brought up to a non-twisted section of a cable with at least two individual lines and then the spacing units are extended between the individual lines in such a way that each of the individual lines is separated from the other individual lines by means of the spacing units. In particular, it can thus be achieved that the impact positioning unit does not interfere with the line fitting.

Bringing the lay-out positioning unit to the untwisted section of the cable can move the lay-out positioning unit in the direction of the cable or the individual lines and / or move the cable or the individual lines in the direction of the impact positioning unit (eg manual insertion into the impact positioning unit).

It is an embodiment that the spacing units are extended before the individual lines are twisted. This can also help to ensure that the impact positioning unit does not interfere with the line fitting.

It is yet another embodiment that the one or more spacing units are retracted or remain retracted after the individual lines have been completely twisted and before the individual lines are ejected. This has the advantage that the twisted cable is free and can be ejected more easily.

Fig.1

zeigt in Draufsicht eine Verdrilleinrichtung mit einer Schlagpositioniereinheit;

Fig.2

zeigt eine Schlagpositioniereinheit gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Schrägansicht mit eingefahrenen Beabstandungseinheiten;

Fig.3

zeigt die Schlagpositioniereinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel mit den eingefahrenen Beabstandungseinheiten in einer Sicht in eine Verfahrrichtung;

Fig.4

zeigt die Schlagpositioniereinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Schrägansicht mit einer ausgefahrenen Beabstandungseinheit und einem Kabel mit zwei Einzelleitungen;

Fig.5

zeigt die Schlagpositioniereinheit gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Schrägansicht mit ausgefahrenen Beabstandungseinheiten und einem Kabel mit vier Einzelleitungen;

Fig.6

zeigt in einer zu Fig.3 analogen Ansicht eine Schlagpositioniereinheit gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig.7

zeigt die Schlagpositioniereinheit gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer zu Fig.5 analogen Ansicht.

The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above and the manner in which they are achieved will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an exemplary embodiment which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

Fig.1

shows a top view of a twisting device with an impact positioning unit;

Fig. 2

shows an impact positioning unit according to a first embodiment in an oblique view with retracted spacing units;

Fig. 3

shows the impact positioning unit according to the first embodiment with the retracted spacing units in a view in a direction of travel;

Fig. 4

shows the impact positioning unit according to the first embodiment in an oblique view with an extended spacer unit and a cable with two individual lines;

Fig. 5

shows the impact positioning unit according to the first embodiment in an oblique view with extended spacing units and a cable with four individual lines;

Fig. 6

shows in one too Fig. 3 analogous view of an impact positioning unit according to a second exemplary embodiment; and

Fig. 7

shows the impact positioning unit according to the second embodiment in a to Fig. 5 analog view.

Fig.1 shows a twisting device 1, comprising an impact positioning unit 4 that can be moved between a twisting unit 2 and an untwisting unit 3 in a direction of travel V a common axis can be twisted to form a cable K. The twist extends as far as the impact positioning unit 4, which prevents further twisting beyond that. The individual lines L1, L2 are individually guided longitudinally between the impact positioning unit 4 and the untwisting unit 3. By longitudinally shifting the lay positioning unit 4 from the twisting unit 2 in the direction of the untwisting unit 3 with the twisting unit 2 rotating, the individual lines L1, L2 can be twisted with a specifically set lay angle, etc., which can also be changed during the twisting. The untwisting unit 3 rotates the individual lines L1, L2 as such in the opposite direction, in order to prevent their rotation about their own longitudinal axis, as indicated by the associated two arrows. The twisting unit 2 and / or the untwisting unit 3 can be moved in the direction of travel V in order to tension or relax the individual lines L1, L2.

Fig. 2 shows a possible configuration of the impact positioning unit 4 according to a first embodiment 4a. Fig. 3 shows the impact positioning unit 4a in a view along the direction of travel V.

The impact positioning unit 4a has three spacing units 5. The spacing units 5 have a respective pin-like plunger 6, which can be optionally extended and retracted by means of a drive 7, as indicated by the double arrows. The drive can comprise a coil which moves the plunger 6 by means of magnetic force. The tappet 6 can then in particular only assume a retracted end position or an extended end position. Alternatively, the drive 7 can be an electric motor, so that the ram 6 then e.g. can be moved continuously or gradually. The spacing units 5 or their plungers 6 can be extended and retracted individually and / or in groups.

The spacing units 5 can be extended perpendicular to the direction of travel V (for example in Fig. 3 in the image plane) and arranged offset at an angle in a circumferential direction A around the extent of the direction of travel V. The angular offset between adjacent spacing units 5 is 90 ° here. The plungers 6 can thereby be moved in a star shape converging towards one another and touching one another in a central area, as further below in Fig. 5 shown.

Fig. 4 shows the impact positioning unit 4a in an oblique view, the plunger 6 of the central spacing unit 5 now being extended vertically upwards, namely between the two individual lines L1 and L2 of the cable K. The plungers 6 of the two lateral, horizontally aligned spacing units 5 are retracted. Thus, only the plunger 6 of the central spacing unit 5 serves to separate the two individual lines L1 and L2. In this way, the individual line L1 is held in a semi-space-shaped sector I, and the other individual line L2 in a semi-space-shaped sector II.

Fig. 5 shows the impact positioning unit 4a with all three spacing units 5 or their plungers 6 extended. As a result, four individual lines L1, L2, L3 and L4 (of which the first individual line L1 is shown covered by a third individual line L3) are spatially separated from one another, also in four 90 ° sectors or quarter sectors I, II, III and IV .

The tappets 6 touch one another in their extended state, specifically in such a way that the tappets 6 of the two lateral spacer units 5 contact the tappet 6 of the central spacer unit 5 symmetrically laterally. The tappet 6 of the central spacing unit 5 protrudes upward over the lateral tappets 6, so that a cross is formed by the tappets 6.

The tappets 6 of the two lateral spacer units 5 therefore contact with their end faces 8 the lateral surface 9 of the tappet 6 of the central spacer unit 5 (see also FIG Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 ). The end faces 8 have a cylindrical shape Surface which corresponds to the shape of the lateral surface 9, so that the contact can be formed through the entire end surface 8.

The four individual lines L1, L2, L3 and L4 can be divided into the respective sectors I to IV, for example, in such a way that first the plunger 6 of the central spacer unit 5 is extended vertically between the individual lines L1 and L4 on the one hand and the individual lines L2 and L3 on the other . The plungers 6 of the two lateral spacer units 5 are then extended horizontally between the individual lines L2 and L3.

This extension of the plungers 6 in order to keep the individual lines L1 to L4 separated can in particular be carried out after the individual lines L1 to L4 have been clamped in, but before the twisting begins. For this purpose, the impact positioning unit 4 can be brought up to the individual lines L1 to L4 by a motor or manually.

A retraction or retraction of the plunger 6 in order to bring the individual lines L1 to L4 together again can e.g. during the twisting or after the twisting.

Fig. 6 shows in one too Fig. 3 analogous view of an impact positioning unit 4 according to a second exemplary embodiment 4b. Fig. 7 shows the impact positioning unit 4, 4b in one Fig. 5 analog view.

In the impact positioning unit 4, 4b, the adjacent spacing units 5 are now angularly offset from one another by less than 90 ° around a circumferential direction A. Accordingly, Sectors I and II are smaller than Sectors III and IV. The end faces 10 of the tappets 6 of the two outer or lateral spacing units 5 are also bevelled correspondingly against the longitudinal extension of the tappets 6.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

More than three spacing units 5 can thus also be present, in particular if they are angularly offset from one another by less than 90 ° around a circumferential direction A.

In general, "a", "an" etc. can be understood to mean a singular or plural, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more" etc., as long as this is not explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one" etc.

A number can also include exactly the specified number and a customary tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

List of reference symbols

1

Twisting device

2

Twisting unit

3

Untwisting unit

4th

Impact positioning unit

4a

Impact positioning unit

4b

Impact positioning unit

5

Spacing units

6th

Plunger

7th

drive

8th

Face

9

Outer surface

10

Face

I-IV

Sectors

A.

Circumferential direction

K

electric wire

L1-L4

Single lines

V

Direction of travel

Claims (12)

1. Twisting device (1) having a twisting unit (2) and an untwisting unit (3), an in-twist positioning unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) being disposed therebetween so as to be displaceable in a displacement direction (V), wherein the in-twist positioning unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) has at least one spacing unit (5) which extends so as to be perpendicular to the displacement direction (V), characterized in that the in-twist positioning unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) is actuatable in such a manner that the spacing unit (5) retracts at a predetermined spacing from the untwisting unit (3) while the twisting unit (2) continues final twisting.
2. Twisting device (1) according to Claim 1, wherein a plurality of spacing units (5) are provided, the spacings units (5) in a circumferential direction (A) are offset at an angle in relation to the displacement direction (V), and the spacing units (5) in a deployed state contact one another.
3. Twisting device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacing units (5) have deployable pins (6) .
4. Twisting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacing units (5) at the contact faces (8; 10) thereof are configured so as to have matching faces.
5. Twisting device (1) according to Claims 3 and 4, wherein a pin (6) of a first spacing unit (5) by way of the end face (8; 10) of said pin (6) contacts a pin (6) of a second spacing unit (5) on the shell face (9) of the latter pin (6) and the end face (8; 10) has a shape corresponding to the shell face (9) in the contact region.
6. Twisting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the in-twist positioning unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) has at least two spacing units (5) .
7. Twisting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein spacing units (5) which are disposed so as to be adjacent are mutually offset by an angle of 90°.
8. Twisting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein spacing units (5) which are disposed so as to be adjacent are mutually offset by an angle of less than 90°.
9. Twisting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in that the spacing unit (5) retracts at a spacing of at most 30 mm from the untwisting unit (3).
10. Method for operating a twisting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacing unit (5) is retracted at a spacing of the in-twist position unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) from the untwisting unit (3) of at most 30 mm, or the lines to be twisted (L1-L4) are moved out of the displacement path of the in-twist positioning unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) while the twisting unit continues final twisting.
11. Method according to Claim 10, in which method

    - the in-twist positioning unit (4, 4a; 4, 4b) conjointly with a plurality of moved-in spacing units (5) is moved to a non-twisted portion of a cable (K) having at least two single lines (E1-E4); and thereafter

    - the spacing units (5) are deployed between the single lines (E1-E4) such that each of the single lines (E1-E4) is separated from the other single lines (E1-E4) by means of the spacing units (5).
12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, in which method the spacing units (5) are deployed prior to twisting of the single lines (L1-L4).

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