EP3785282A1

EP3785282A1 - Twisting device and method for determining or checking a lay length of a line bundle, computer-implemented method, and computer program product and upgrade kit therefor

Info

Publication number: EP3785282A1
Application number: EP18722737.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Uwe Keil; Witali JANZEN; Roland Kampmann; Andreas ZAHLE
Original assignee: Schleuniger AG
Current assignee: Schleuniger AG
Priority date: 2018-04-25
Filing date: 2018-04-25
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Also published as: SG11202010401XA; WO2019207344A1; CN112020753A; JP7150052B2; CN112020753B; KR20210005062A; US20210118594A1; JP2021528575A; KR102602363B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a twisting device (10) for twisting or stranding electrical or optical lines (12) to form a line bundle (13). The twisting device (10) comprises at least one first twisting head (15) and a clamping device (25). The first twisting head (15) and the clamping device (25) are spaced apart from each other. The twisting device (10) has at least one detecting device (30) for capturing information indicative of a lay length of the line bundle (13). The at least one detecting device (30) can be moved relative to the first twisting head (15) and the clamping device (25).

Description

A twisting apparatus and method for determining or checking a lay length of a trunk group, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product and upgrade kit therefor

The invention relates to a twisting device for twisting or stranding electrical or optical lines to a cable bundle, a method for determining or checking a lay length of a twisted or stranded cable bundle, a computer - implemented method for automatically determining and generating data records, a computer program product, a control device for Controlling a twisting device, a use of a twisting device as well as an upgrade kit for a twisting device according to the preambles of the independent claims.

In the production of twisted or stranded cable bundles, the lay length is an important quality feature, because the lay length of the twisted or stranded cable bundle dictates the shielding area against interfering fields of lines in the vicinity. Twisted or stranded cable bundles are typically used in the automotive industry, as they can be easily installed by machine in the prevailing automatic manufacturing processes. The cable bundles are typically produced in a twisting device in a twisting process or in a stranding process. A twisting device described here is suitable for twisting or twisting at least two lines into a line bundle, wherein the twisting device is suitable for carrying out a twisting operation or a stranding operation. A pair of wires consisting of only two lines is typically referred to as a twisted pair.

In the present case, a twisting operation is understood to be the mutual turning around of two or more lines. In order to achieve a certain twist, the twisted wire bundle in the simplest case of this production must be over-turned, so that this finds itself after a relaxation process in the desired final twisting.

In the present case, a stranding operation is understood to mean the mutual overlapping of two or more lines. In the stranding process, a stranding vessel is moved from one end of the line to the other end of the line along the lines to be stranded during the mutual laying around of the lines to be stranded.

Thus, a twisted or stranded cable bundle in a plane along the cable bundle longitudinal axis on a plurality of bundle valleys and bundle bundles, which are spatially separated from each other. In this case, the lay length of a stranded or twisted bundle of cables is understood here to be a regular distance from the beginning of a bundle bundle valley to the beginning of a further bundle bundle valley or a regular distance from the beginning of a bundle bundle bundle to the beginning of a further bundle bundle bundle.

Alternatively, the lay length is defined by the detection / counting of bundle bundle strata and of bundle valleys over a defined travel distance along the bundle of bundles and calculation of the mean lay length in relation to this defined travel distance.

It is also known that freshly twisted or stranded lines do not necessarily have exactly the same properties over their entire length. In particular after relaxing or after removal from the twisting device, the properties, in particular at the ends of the lines, may change somewhat because, for example, a distance between the ends of the lines is no longer fixed but can be changed.

In the known manufacturing processes of the cable bundles, a regular lay length depends, for example, on the line material, temperature, etc., and is subject to fluctuations. It must therefore be checked regularly. The regularity of lay length of stranded or twisted wire bundles, i. the uniformity and tolerance compliance of the individual lay lengths, for example, a quality requirement in the Automotive Directive LV 122. In the manufacturing process, it may occur that the initially selected manufacturing parameters of the twisting device are unsuitable to produce a trunk group, the quality requirements according to the Automotive Directive LV 122 fully met, so that the manufacturing parameters of the twisting device must be adjusted gradually or iteratively.

JP 2007-242431 A discloses a twisting device for producing a wire bundle and a method for producing a wire bundle. The twisting device has an elongate base, at the ends of each a twisting head is arranged. The lines to be twisted are clamped in the two twist heads of the twisting device and are twisted. At one of the ends of the base, a camera for determining the lay length of a twisted wire bundle is arranged at the twisting head.

A disadvantage of this known solution is that the determination of the lay length of the twisted wire bundle is punctiform at one end. The final quality check of the lay length of the twisted wire bundle is therefore additionally required on an external lay length quality tester.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a twisting device and / or a method for Determining or checking a lay length of a twisted or stranded cable bundle are provided on a twisting device, so that the cable bundles produced meet the required quality requirements safely. Furthermore, in particular a computer-implemented method, a computer program product and / or a control device for controlling a twisting device and / or an upgrade kit for a twisting device are to be provided which overcome one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved by the apparatus, methods, devices and upgrade kits defined in the independent claims. Advantageous developments are set forth in the figures, the description and in particular in the dependent claims.

The twisting device according to the invention for twisting or stranding electrical or optical lines to form a cable bundle comprises at least a first twisting head and a clamping device. The first twisting head and the clamping device are spaced apart from each other. The twisting device comprises at least one detection device for recording an information indicative of a lay length of the wire bundle. In this case, at least one detection device is movable relative to the first twisting head and the clamping device.

Thus, it is possible to pick up the information indicative of a lay length of the wire bundle at an arbitrary position on the twisted or stranded wire bundle on the twisting device. This makes it possible to determine the lay length at a specific position along the wire bundle, namely at a certain distance from the twisting head. Thus, recording the information indicative of the lay length unaffected by the twisting head or a clamping device thereon, which holds the wire bundle, that is, unaffected by the structure of the twisting possible. Thus, the quality of this indicative information is improved. In addition, the recording of the indicative information is made possible by the mobility of the recognition device in several places, whereby further testing of the lay length of the twisted or stranded cable bundle can be avoided on an external Schlaglängenprüfvorrichtung.

Advantageously, the reception of the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle is an image of the cable bundle, whereby a simple lay length determination by means of image recognition can be carried out. In this case, an image of the trunk group is to be understood as an image of the trunk group. For example, an image is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image that is recorded with the at least one recognition device. The information indicative of the lay length of the wire bundle may comprise spatially resolved and / or time-resolved intensity measurements (patterns, colors,...) Which are recorded by the at least one recognition device.

The indicative information may typically, especially in the case of a twisted pair, be an image of the trunk group which is exposed from one side. The image thus corresponds in the simplest sense of the shadow of the trunk group, this image has corresponding constrictions corresponding to the trunk bundle valleys. The information indicative of the lay length may therefore be, for example, the distance from a first constriction to a second constriction.

The at least one detection device is preferably movable independently of the first twisting head and the clamping device, whereby the information indicative of a lay length of the cable bundle can be determined independently of a status of the twisting device and / or independently of the twisting head at any number of positions between the first twisting head and the clamping device.

Preferably, the twisting device has a guide device, wherein the at least one detection device is arranged on the guide device. Thus, the detection device at any position along the twisted or stranded cable bundle can be accurately positioned, or positioned in a position away from the twisted or stranded cable bundle.

The twisting device preferably has at least one supporting device for supporting the lines and / or the cable bundle. Thus, vibration of the wires during the manufacture of the wire bundle is suppressed or prevented, thereby enabling production of the wire bundles with high accuracy.

Also, a swing of the wire bundle during the recording of the length of the line bundle indicative indicative information can be prevented or suppressed.

Preferably, the at least one support means on a support unit, whereby a precise support of the lines and / or the trunk group is made possible and a constant distance of the trunk group to at least one detection device can be fixed.

The support unit is advantageously designed cylindrical, so that the trunk group can be stored easily supporting. In addition, the lines to be twisted or stranded can be arranged parallel to each other on the cylinder circumference of the cylindrical support unit. Alternatively, the support unit is T-shaped. In this case, the leg of the T is arranged such that the lines to be twisted or stranded in the manufacturing process are spaced from each other.

Alternatively, the support unit is designed V-shaped, so that an improved vibration suppression of the wire bundle is ensured, since the lines and or the wire bundle are arranged within the V-shaped opening.

Advantageously, the at least one supporting device has a positioning unit for positioning the support unit, with which the distance between the line bundle and the at least one detection device can be adjusted. Thus, depending on the type of line (line cross-section, sheathed cable) in the twisted or stranded cable bundle, an arbitrary distance to the at least one detection device can be set. Furthermore, the support unit with the positioning unit can be led to the trunk group and lead away from it, so that the trunk group rests on the support unit or is spaced therefrom. Advantageously, the leading or the lead away the support unit in a pivoting movement, whereby the movement is particularly space-saving feasible.

The at least one support device is preferably arranged on the guide device, as a result of which the at least one support device can be moved along the guide device.

Preferably, the at least one support device is movable relative to the first twisting head, whereby the at least one support device along the wire bundle is movable and thus positioning the at least one support device is made possible at any position on the twisted or stranded cable bundle.

In particular, the at least one support device is movable together with the at least one detection device. Thus, the at least one support device and the at least one detection device can be simultaneously positioned at any position on the twisted or stranded cable bundle. Thus, information indicative of the lay length can be received at a position on the twisted or stranded wire bundle on which the twisted or stranded wire bundle is supported by the support.

Preferably, the at least one detection device comprises a camera for recording the information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group. Thus, the information indicative of the recording of the beat length comprises at least two spatial dimensions. Typically, a camera includes an imaging sensor, such as a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor, to capture an image. From the image of the camera can also be further information about the lines or for Pick up wire bundles, such as their color, insulation pattern, twisting direction (Z or S shock) or damage to the insulation of the lines.

Alternatively, the at least one detection device comprises a laser sensor for recording the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle. Laser sensors are typically simple and robust and unproblematic in terms of maintenance and adjustment. A laser sensor, in particular a laser curtain, enables a fast, one-dimensional measuring method for recording the information indicative of the lay length. In this case, the laser sensor measures, for example, a width of the cable bundle and detects the cable bundle peaks and cable bundle valleys. In this case, for example, spatially resolved and / or time-resolved intensity measurements (shadow-impact measurements) along the twisted or stranded cable bundle can be carried out, which can be evaluated quickly and enable a simple determination of the lay length on the cable bundle.

It is also conceivable that the distance between the line bundle and the laser along a specific line bundle length is measured by means of the laser sensor and thus the line bundle peaks and the line bundle valleys are identified. A corresponding spatially resolved measurement along the cable bundle allows a determination of the distance of, for example, individual cable bundle valleys, which allows a corresponding determination of the lay length.

Preferably, the twisting device has a lighting device. The illumination device is designed to illuminate the lines to be twisted or stranded during the recording of the information indicative of the lay length, so that different properties, such as line dimensions, line colors, etc. for the at least one detection device can be seen.

Advantageously, the illumination device comprises a shielding unit. In order for an external light incidence is prevented, whereby a distortion of the recording of the indicia information indicative is inhibited.

For example, when using a camera, an improved imaging determination of the lay length can be carried out; in particular, differently colored lines in a line bundle can be easily recognized in an image.

Preferably, the illumination device is arranged on the at least one detection device, whereby the quality of the recording with the detection device is improved, since the twisted or stranded cable bundle can be uniformly illuminated at any position. The recording parameters are uniformly reproducible for each position. In particular, the illumination device is an integral part of the camera, whereby a compact and simple construction is ensured and the quality of the recording with the camera is further improved.

The twisting device preferably has a control device for controlling or regulating the twisting device. Among other things, the control device controls the movements of the first twisting head and the clamping device, with which the twisted or stranded cable bundles can be reproduced by machine in a reproducible manner. This control device advantageously controls and regulates further the detection device, which is arranged movably on the guide device. Thus, with a central control device, both the twisting device and the at least one detection device can be controlled or regulated so that the information indicative of the lay length of the wire bundle can be recorded on the cable bundle clamped in the twisting device. Thus, the movement sequences of the twisting device and the at least one detection device can be controlled and regulated depending on each other.

Alternatively or additionally, the detection device has a control device, with which the detection device can be controlled separately and independently of the twisting device and can be moved to any position on the twisted or stranded cable bundle.

Alternatively or additionally, the twisting device has an evaluation device for evaluating the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle. The at least one identification device is connected to the evaluation device for exchanging data. The evaluation device receives the information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group from the identification device. This makes it possible to carry out an evaluation of the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle directly at the twisting device.

An evaluation of the information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group in the evaluation here comprises at least receiving the data, in particular the measurement data, from the recognition device, and at least comparing the received data with known in the evaluation reference data and at least one assignment of the compared data to a predefined lay length of the wire bundle.

For this purpose, the evaluation device advantageously has an arithmetic unit which receives the data of the information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group and, if appropriate, can further process it. In particular, the evaluation device is connected to the control device for exchanging data. The data can be further processed in the evaluation device and can be used in the control device for correcting the production process of the cable bundles. In this case, at least individual parameters for a twisting or stranding operation of the first twisting head can be adjusted.

Advantageously, the evaluation device is connected to the control device of the at least one recognition device for exchanging data. In this case, for example, at least individual parameters for recording the information indicative of the lay length can be adapted to the at least one identification device and these can be adapted independently by the twisting device.

Preferably, the evaluation device is connected to at least one database for providing reference data. The database has a data library of stored data for twisted or stranded cable bundles of various properties (type, structure, dimension, etc.), so-called reference data, which comprise at least one of the strike length predicted indicative information as a reference value. The database also typically includes reference data for the manufacturing process with respect to the processing lines. Thus, in the evaluation device, the indicative information measured for the lay length can be compared with the respective reference value of the indicative information provided for the lay length. Depending on the characteristics of the twisted or twisted wire bundle in the twisting device, a corresponding reference value is available in the data library of the database, whereby the lay length of a plurality of different twisted or stranded bundles of cables can be determined.

The reference data are stored in the database and include data on the lay length of a trunk group with predefined properties or reference values. These are prepared, for example, in advance in twisting operations or stranding operations of various lines or line combinations, depending on twisting parameters (for example the rotational speed of the first twisting head) or stranding parameters (for example the speed of movement of a stranding ship along the longitudinal axis of the lines to be stranded) and stored in the database.

However, it can also be data entered manually without comparison attempts.

Preferably, a length compensation device for compensating the change in length of the lines in the twisting or stranding process is present. This can be adjusted for the clamped lines a uniform axial tensile force in the twisting or stranding. The length compensation device preferably has a movable length compensation slide. The shortening of the lines to be twisted or to be stranded in the twisting process or in the stranding process is dependent on the speed of a parabolic function and is performed by the movable along the longitudinal axis of the wire bundle length compensation slide. The start-up of the twisting process usually takes place at a low rotational speed on the twisting rotor until the lines to be twisted abut each other and the axial tensile force remains constant.

Typically, the length compensation slide is passively movable and acted upon by a biasing element, for example by a pneumatically controlled cylinder, with a pointing away from at least a first twisting head force. The biasing element is advantageously connected to the control device of the twisting device. In this way, over the entire path length of the elements moved during the twisting or stranding operation, an axial tensile force is applied to the wires to be twisted or stranded, to thereby improve the twisting or stranding operation and its quality. The data necessary for this are advantageously transferable from the control device to the evaluation device, so that they can be used in the production process of the trunk group.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining or checking a lay length of a twisted or stranded cable bundle on a twisting device, the method comprising the following steps:

Providing the trunk group;

Positioning at least one recognition device to the trunk group,

Moving the at least one detection device to an arbitrary first position relative to the cable bundle;

Receiving at least one information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group at the first position on the trunk group by means of the at least one detection unit.

The picking up at any position on the twisted or stranded bundle of wires of the at least one information indicative of the lay length of the wire bundle information on the Verdrillvorrichtung allows accelerated quality testing of the lay length, without negative influences, for example, the jig or gripper devices at Verdrillkopf. In addition, moving the at least one recognizer allows for recording the indicative information at one or more specific locations. A external Schlaglängenprüfvorrichtung is thus no longer mandatory. This shortens the entire manufacturing process in terms of time.

Advantageously, the method is carried out with the above-described twisting device, whereby the manufacturing process can be further shortened in time.

In particular, the positioning of the at least one detection device to the cable bundle takes place at a certain distance from the cable bundle, whereby the recording of the information indicative of the lay length can be qualitatively improved.

In particular, the at least one detection device is moved to an arbitrary first position along a longitudinal axis of the cable bundle, whereby recording of the stroke length indicative information is made possible at any position, in particular when the distance from the at least one detection device to stranded or twisted wire bundle unchanged remains.

In particular, the information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group is an image of the trunk group. This allows a real picture of the trunk group. This image can be checked directly by a user of the twisting device.

Preferably, the at least one information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group is transmitted to an evaluation unit for evaluating the lay length of the trunk group. As a result, the information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group can be further processed.

The evaluation device receives this data, which are processed in the evaluation device, for example, to a standardized format, whereby a fast determination of the lay length of the trunk group is made possible.

Preferably, the at least one detection device is moved to a further position relative to the trunk group and receives at least one indicative of the lay length of the trunk group information at the further position on the trunk group and transmitted to the evaluation. Thus, the lay length can be determined at a further position on the trunk group and, if appropriate, a deviation from a previously desired lay length at any other position on the trunk group can be detected.

Preferably, the at least one detection device is moved to a further position relative to the line bundle. The detection device takes on at least one indicative of the lay length of the trunk group information on the way to this one further position and transmits the at least one for the lay length of the trunk group indicative information to the evaluation device. Thus, the lay length can be determined continuously on the entire route on the trunk group and, if necessary, a deviation to a previously desired lay length on the trunk group can be detected.

Advantageously, the distance between the first position and further position is a fixedly defined distance value, so that the quality of the evaluation of the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle is improved.

In particular, the defined distance value is one meter (1 m), which fulfills one of the quality requirements in the Automotive Guideline LV 122.

The evaluation device preferably compares the at least one information of the first position indicative of the lay length of the line bundle with reference data and assigns a first lay length to the line bundle at the respective position. The reference data or reference values stored in the database are transmitted to the evaluation device in accordance with the properties of the twisted or stranded trunk group and compared with the at least one information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group, whereby a fast quality check of the lay length can take place.

In the case of a deviation of the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle from the reference data or from the reference value, the evaluation device preferably generates correction data or at least one correction value which is sent to the control device of the twisting device and / or the control device of the recognition device is transmitted. In this case, the correction data or the at least one correction value comprise an adaptation in the twisting process or stranding process or an adaptation in the recording of the information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle. For example, the rotational speed of the first twisting head is changed and / or the speed of movement of the stranding ship is changed.

Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation device compares the at least one information of the further position indicative of the lay length of the line bundle with reference data and assigns a further lay length to the line bundle at the respective position. Thus, the lay length can be measured at different positions and, for example, a change or an average value of the lay length along the longitudinal axis of the wire bundle can be determined.

Preferably, the first associated beat length is stored in at least one database. This new reference data or reference values, which are the first correspond to assigned stroke length, stored in the database, whereby the database stock can be extended.

Alternatively or additionally, the further assigned lay length is stored in at least one database. This new reference data or reference values, which correspond to the other associated stroke length, stored in the database, whereby the database can be extended and at any time from the evaluation device is retrievable.

Preferably, the twisting device has at least a first twisting head and a clamping device for providing the wire bundle. The at least one detection device can be moved relative to the first twisting head and the clamping device. As a result, the information indicative of a lay length of the wire bundle can be determined at any desired position between the first twisting head and the clamping device.

Preferably, the at least one detection device is moved independently relative to the first twisting head and the clamping device, so that the detection device is movable to an arbitrary position along the cable bundle. As a result, the information indicative of a lay length of the wire bundle can be determined independently of a status of the twisting device and / or independently of the twisting head at any number of positions between the first twisting head and the clamping device.

Preferably, before recording at least one information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle, the cable bundle is supported at least in sections by means of at least one support device. Thus, a vibration movement of the twisted or stranded cable bundle is damped.

In particular, before receiving at least one information indicative of the lay length of the cable bundle, the cable bundle is at least partially supported in the region of the at least one recognition device by means of at least one support device. As a result, a defined distance between the at least one detection device and the twisted or stranded cable bundle is fixed and / or reverberation of the cable bundle is suppressed or prevented.

Preferably, the at least one support device is moved relative to the line bundle, whereby the at least one support device can be positioned at any desired position along the longitudinal axis of the cable bundle. In particular, the supporting unit of the at least one supporting device is moved in the direction of the cable bundle, whereby a defined distance between the at least one detecting device and the cable bundle can be adjusted.

Preferably, the at least one support device is moved together with the at least one detection device, whereby the at least one support device and the at least one detection device are simultaneously movable. Thus, both the at least one support device and the at least one detection device with a single drive device can be driven.

In particular, the at least one support device and the at least one detection device are moved during the twisting or stranding of the lines. Thus, the lay length can also be determined during the twisting operation or the stranding operation on the twisting device and / or the twisting or stranding process can be controlled and / or monitored substantially in real time.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer-implemented method for the automatic determination and generation of data records based on at least one information indicative of the lay length of a trunk group, in particular according to a method described herein and / or a computer-implemented method for controlling a twisting apparatus, in particular with one here described Verdrillvorrichtung, based on at least one indicative of the lay length of a trunk group information. The computer-implemented method comprises at least the following steps:

Recording at least one information indicative of the lay length of a trunk group with at least one identification device;

Comparing the at least one information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group with reference data;

Determining correction data based on the comparison of the reference data with the at least one information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group;

Transmitting the correction data to a control device of the twisting device for correcting a twisting or stranding operation on the twisting device.

The computer-implemented method thus allows an automatic adjustment in the twisting or stranding process, without the programming of the control device of the twisting device has to be adjusted by the user. The data records include, for example, movement commands, for example for a drive device of the first Twisting head, which are created depending on the correction data. Furthermore, thus novel lines, for which there is no known twisting or stranding process, can be reproducibly twisted or stranded into a bundle of wires.

In particular, the recording of at least one information indicative of the lay length of a trunk group comprising at least one detection device comprises an image of the trunk group, whereby a simple quality check is made possible.

The created movement commands are preferably transmitted to the control device and executed there. This allows the twisting or stranding process to be adjusted automatically.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising

Movement commands which, when executed on a computer or a control device, cause them to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method described here on a twisting device, in particular on a twisting device described here. In this way, predefined twisting operations or stranding operations, which are coordinated with the cable bundles to be produced, can be carried out on the twisting device.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a control device for controlling a

Twisting device, in particular a twisting device described herein, with a computer program product described herein, whereby after loading of the computer program product in the control device, a line bundle with a predefined lay length can be produced.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a twisting device, in particular a twisting device as described herein, for carrying out a method described here for determining or checking a lay length of a wire bundle.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an upgrade kit for a twisting device. The upgrade kit comprises at least one detection device for recording at least one information indicative of a lay length of a trunk group and a computer program product described herein. Thus, an existing twisting device can be retrofitted with a device for determining the quality of the lay length at which pre-defined cable bundles with a high quality can be produced after installation of the upgrade kit. In particular, the upgrade kit comprises at least one recognition device for receiving an image of the cable bundle. This makes it possible to carry out imaging procedures for determining the lay length of the cable bundle.

The upgrade kit preferably comprises a guide device, which can be mounted on the twisting device, wherein the at least one detection device is movably arranged on the guide device. As a result, information indicative of the lay length of a trunk group can be recorded at any position on the trunk group.

Preferably, the upgrade kit comprises a control device for controlling the at least one detection device, whereby the at least one detection device is controllable independently of the twisting device. This allows the upgrade kit to be used on an existing twisting device with a simple, proprietary controller. Typically, the control device of the at least one detection device is connected to the control device of the existing twisting device, so that both devices can be controlled together.

Alternatively or additionally, the upgrade kit comprises a control device for controlling a twisting device described here.

The upgrade kit advantageously comprises the evaluation device described here and the database described here, whereby an automatic quality determination of the lay length of a cable bundle can be carried out.

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

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

It shows:

1 shows a first embodiment of a twisting device according to the invention with a

Recognition device in a page presentation,

2 the detail X from FIG. 1 in a schematic representation, FIG. 3 is a schematic detail view of the twisting device along the line AA of FIG.

1,

Fig. 4 is a simplified representation of the twisting device according to FIG. 1 with the

Recognition device in a rest position,

5 shows the illustration according to FIG. 4 with the recognition device in a first position, FIG.

Fig. 6 shows the representation according to FIG. 4 with the detection device in a second

Position,

Fig. 7 shows the representation according to FIG. 4 with the detection device in another

Position, and

8 shows a first embodiment of an inventive upgrade kit.

FIG. 1 shows a twisting device 10 for twisting or stranding electrical or optical lines 12 to form a cable bundle 13 with a recognition device 30 in a side view. The twisting device 10 comprises a first twisting head 15 and a clamping device 25, which are spaced from each other and are arranged opposite one another. The lines 12 to be twisted or stranded are each clamped with one of their ends in the first twisting head 15 and in the clamping device 25. The first twisting head 15 has a Verdrillrotor 16 and the clamping device 25 has a gripper device 26 in which the respective ends of the lines 12 are clamped. The first twisting head 15 has a drive device 17, in this case a servomotor, for rotationally driving the twisting rotor 16. The twisting device 10 has a length compensation device 18 for compensating the change in length of the lines 12 in the twisting or stranding operation. The length compensation device 18 has a movable length compensation slide 19, on which the first twisting head 15 is arranged. The twisting device 10 has a guide device 20 with a guide rail 21 on which a detection device 30 and a support device 40 are arranged. The identification device 30 has a drive device 31, in this case a servomotor, which effects a movement of the identification device 30 along the guide rail 21 or along the longitudinal axis 14 of the cable bundle 13. The support device 40 is also disposed on the detection device 30 so that they are movable together. The identification device 30 and the support device 40 can be positioned in any position between the first twisting head 15 and the clamping device 35. The guide device 20 extends further in a region 22 outside the first twisting head 15 and the clamping device 25, so that the detection device 30 and the support device 40 can be positioned in this region 22. The twisting device 10 has a control device 50 for controlling and regulating the movements of the twisting rotor 16 on the first twisting head 15. In this case, the control device 50 is connected to the drive device 17 of the Verdrillrotors 16. The control device 50 is further electrically connected to the drive device 31 of the recognition device 30 for controlling and regulating the movements of the recognition device 30. The twisting device 10 has an evaluation device 55, which is electrically connected to the detection device 30 and to the control device 50 for exchanging data. Furthermore, the evaluation device 55 is electrically connected to a data exchange database 58.

In an alternative embodiment of the twisting device 10, not shown, the data between the control device 50, the evaluation device 55, the detection device 30 and the database 58 are wirelessly interchangeable, each of these devices having a transmitting unit and a receiving unit for data exchange.

In an alternative or additional embodiment, not shown, the support device 40 has a separate drive device, so that the support device 40 and the detection device 30 are arranged independently of each other movably on the guide device 20.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the twisting device 10, not shown, the clamping device 25 is replaced by a further twisting head with a twisting rotor and a drive device. Thus, the two twist rotors are driven, for example, in opposite directions of rotation.

Figure 2 shows the detail X of FIG. 1 in a schematic representation. The identification device 30 and the support device 40 are arranged on the guide rail 21 and are movable independently of the first twisting head 15 and the clamping device 35 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the wire bundle 13 (see FIG. 1). The line bundle 13 consists of two lines 12, which are rotated one over the other or folded around each other. The detection device 30 and the support device 40 are electrically connected to the control device 50 of the twisting device 10. The control device 50 sends movement commands to the drive device 31 of the recognition device 30 and the support device 40 and controls or controls the movements of the recognition device 30 and the support device 40 along the guide rail 21.

The identification device comprises a camera 32 with a lens 33 and records images of the line bundle 13. The objective 33 serves to adjust the focal length of the camera lens. At the detection device 30, a lighting device 35 is arranged, which illuminates the wire bundle 13 at least in the area of the camera 32 during the recording of images of the wire bundle 13. The camera 32 is connected to the evaluation device 55 electrically connected for exchanging data. The support device 40 has a support unit 45 and a positioning unit 42. The wire bundle 13 rests on the support unit 45. In this case, the distance D between the camera 32 and the line bundle 13 is adjustable by means of the positioning unit 42 of the support device 40. The evaluation device 55 comprises a computing unit 56, which receives the data from the camera 32, for example the images of the cable bundle 13 or the distance D to the trunk group 13, and further processing them. The computing unit 56 includes a computer and a memory unit (not shown). The evaluation device 50 is electrically connected to a database 58 for exchanging reference data or reference values. The database 58 has a data library with stored data for different twisted or stranded cable bundles 13, which were created in advance from test trials and / or deposited by an operator in the data library. The evaluation device 55 is electrically connected to the control device 50 for exchanging data.

Figure 3 shows a schematic detail view of Verd rillvorrichtung 10 along the line A-A of FIG. 1. The positioning unit 42 of the support unit 45 has a hinge rod assembly 43 with a piston drive 44 for positioning the support unit 45 on the wire bundle 13. In this case, the support unit 45 by means of the hinge rod assembly 43 and the piston drive 44 to the wire bundle 13 can be moved and wegführbar or zuschwenkba r and wegschwenkbar. The supporting unit 45 supports the cable bundle 13 clamped in the twisting rotor 16 in the fed or swiveled position on the side of the cable bundle 13 opposite the lens 33 of the camera 32. The distance D between the camera 32 of the recognition device 30 and the cable bundle 13 is assisted the support unit 45 and the positioning unit 42 adjustable. The support unit 45 is spaced from the wire bundle 13 in a remote position so that it is not touched by the support unit 45 (not shown).

The piston drive 44 is electrically connected to the control device 50. The control device 50 sends movement commands to the piston drive 44 of the positioning unit 42 and controls the movements of the support unit 45.

FIGS. 4 to 7 describe the method for determining or checking the lay length of a twisted or stranded line bundle 13 on a twisting device 10 as described in FIGS. 1 to 3, this method being implemented at least partially in a computer program product which is located in the arithmetic unit 56 of the evaluation device 55 or in the control device 50 of the twisting device 10 is deposited and is carried out automatically. FIG. 4 shows a simplified representation of the twisting device 10 according to FIG. 1 with the recognition device 30 in a rest position. In a first step, the cable bundle 13 is provided. For this purpose, electrical and / or optical lines 12 are clamped with their respective ends into the twisting rotor 16 of the first twisting head 15 and into the gripping device 26 of the clamping device 25 and in a pre-selected twisting or stranding operation twisted or stranded. Ideally, the twisted or stranded cable bundle 13 has along its longitudinal axis 14 a defined lay length according to the selected twisting or stranding operation. In this case, the cable bundle 13 is twisted in the twisting up to a certain extent and then turned back in the opposite direction of rotation, so that a substantially swirl-free line bundle 13 is formed. For this, the start of the twisting operation takes place at a low rotational speed on the twisting rotor 16 until the lines 12 to be twisted abut one another and the tensile force remains constant along the longitudinal axis 14 of the wire bundle 13. Afterwards the speed of rotation is increased. To complete the twisting process, the rotational speed is delayed to zero.

The identification device 30 and the support device 40 are arranged on the guide rail 21 and are located in an area 22, the rest position, outside the spaced-apart clamping device 25 and first twisting 15. The detection device 30 is connected to an evaluation device 55 and the arithmetic unit 56, which is connected to the controller 50 and to the database 58.

FIG. 5 shows the illustration according to FIG. 4 with the recognition device 30 in a first position, whereby the positioning of the recognition device 30 to the cable bundle 13 takes place. The identification device 30 and the support device 40 are moved along the guide rail 21 or along the longitudinal axis 14 of the wire bundle 13 between the clamping device 25 and the twisting head 15. In this case, the identification device 30 and the support device 40 is moved to an arbitrary first position, here in the present case in the vicinity of the clamping device 25, relative to the line bundle 13. The support unit 45 of the support device 40 is brought or pivoted by means of the positioning unit 42 to the arbitrary first position of the line bundle 13, so that the support unit 45, the line bundle 13 is supported or the line bundle 13 rests at a certain distance D to the camera 32 on the support unit 45 ,

Subsequently, if not already done in advance, the camera lens in the lens 33 of the camera 32 focused on the trunk group 13, so that the focal point of the camera lens on the trunk group 13 can be placed. In a further step, an image or a series of images of the cable bundle 13 is recorded at this first position on the cable bundle 13 with the aid of the camera 32 of the recognition device 30. The recorded image is then transmitted to the evaluation device 55 for determining the lay length of the cable bundle 13. Optionally, the illumination device 35 (see FIG. 2) can be switched on.

The arithmetic unit 56 of the evaluation device 55 receives the recorded images and compares the images with reference data or with a reference image which was previously transmitted from the database 58 to the arithmetic unit 56 of the evaluation device 40. For example, the images detected by the camera 32 are counted / evaluated and stored at the first position with respect to their trunk bundle valleys and trunk bundles in the arithmetic unit 56. If necessary, the arithmetic unit 56 calculates an average value of the counted line bundle valleys and line bundle peaks of the recorded images and / or of their respective distances from each other and compares them with a reference value from the database 58. Based on the comparison, the line bundle 13 is given a lay length and / or a deviation from assigned required stroke length. The lay length and / or the deviation of the lay length of this wire bundle

13 is then stored in the database 58. If the lay length is the same, this is possibly saved as a further statistical basis for the reference data. For deviating lay length, this is used, for example, for the statistical evaluation of errors or deviations in production. This step can be repeated for further sections or positions on the trunk group 13. This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows the illustration according to FIG. 4 with the recognition device 30 in a second position. The identification device 30 and the support device 40 are moved along the guide rail 21 to a second position between the clamping device 25 and the twisting head 15, in this case in the vicinity of the first twisting head 15, relative to the longitudinal axis

14 of the wire bundle 13 moves. The support unit 45 and the lens 33 of the camera 32 are guided by means of the control device 50 as described herein in a defined distance D to the trunk group 13. Subsequently, the camera 32 is used to record an image or a series of images of the cable bundle 13 at this second position. The image or the series of images up to the second position on the cable bundle 13 is transmitted to the evaluation device 55 for determining the lay length of the cable bundle 13, as described under FIG. The evaluation device 55 has a computing unit 56 and is connected to the database 58.

FIG. 7 shows the illustration according to FIG. 4 with the recognition device 30 in a further position. In this case, the detection device 30 and the support device 40 to a moved further position relative to the longitudinal axis 14 of the line bundle 13, wherein this further position is located on the trunking 13 between the first and the second position on the line bundle 13, shown here in the middle between the clamping device 25 and the first twisting 15. Alternatively, the further position at the trunk group also over a distance of one meter (1 m) from the aforementioned position on the trunk group to be spaced (not shown). Subsequently, the support unit 45 and the camera 32 as described herein is performed in a defined distance D to the trunk group 13. Thereafter, the camera 32 is used to record an image or a series of images of the cable bundle 13 at this further position or to continuously record an image or a series of images of the cable bundle 13 over the distance to this further position. The image or the series of images of the further position or the distance to this further position on the cable bundle 13 is transmitted to the evaluation device 55 for determining the lay length of the cable bundle 13, as described in FIG.

In addition, the arithmetic unit 56 of the evaluation device 55 can compare the recorded images at the first, second and the further position with reference data or with a reference image. This is previously transmitted from the database 58 to the arithmetic unit 56 of the evaluation device 40. If necessary, the arithmetic unit 56 generates an average value from the recorded images of the first, second and further positions and compares them with a reference image from the database 58. In the arithmetic unit 56, the images are compared with reference data, such as reference images. Alternatively, data extracted from the images, such as the number or spacing of trellis valleys, may be compared to corresponding reference values. Thus, an average lay length can be assigned to the entire trunk group 13. The lay length of this trunk group 13 is then stored in the database 58. The dimensional tolerances of the determined lay lengths can also be calculated and stored.

If, in the comparison described here, no deviation of the lay length of the line bundle 13 outside a predefined tolerance is determined, the line bundle is assigned a lay length.

If, in the comparison described here, a deviation of the lay length of the line bundle 13 is determined outside a predefined tolerance, the arithmetic unit 56 of the evaluation device 55 generates correction data or a correction value and stores these in the evaluation device 55.

Subsequently, the support unit 45 is guided away by means of the hinge rod assembly 43 and the piston drive 44 from the trunking 13 and pivoted away and the Line bundle 13 released from the twisting device 10. In this case, however, it is possible that, if the lay length deviates, ie if the quality requirement is inadequate, the operator of the twisting device must acknowledge the release of the cable bundle or release it manually, so that this is removed separately from the production chain. The correction data or the correction value are taken into account in the arithmetic unit 56 during the generation of new data records or movement commands. The data sets or movement commands generated thereby are transmitted to the control device 50 for controlling the movements of the twisting device 10 and / or to the control device 50 for controlling the movements of the recognition device 30. This corrects the twisting process or the stranding process of the lines 12 and / or the specific lay length of the wire bundle 13. For example, the rotational speed of the twisting rotor 16 first twisting head 15 is changed, so that in a further twisting or stranding the desired uniform lay length on the wire bundle 13 is formed with the desired tolerance.

Figure 8 shows an upgrade kit 60 for any twisting device. The upgrade kit includes the recognizer 30 for capturing an image of the trunk group and a computer program product. The upgrade kit 60 further includes the support means 40. The upgrade kit 60 has the guide device 20, which can be mounted on a twisting device, wherein the identification device 30 and the support device 40 are arranged movably on the guide device 20. Furthermore, the upgrade kit 60 has the evaluation device 55 with the computing unit 56 and the database 58, as well as the control device 50 for controlling the recognition device 30 and the support device 40. In this case, the control device 50 is electrically connected to the control device of a twisting device for exchanging movement commands or data records. The components of the upgrade kit and their function have already been described in FIGS. 1 to 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 twisting device

12 lines

13 trunk groups

14 longitudinal axis of 13

15 first twisting head

16 twist rotor of 15

17 drive device of 16

18 lengths compensation device

19 length compensation slide

20 guide device

21 guide rail

22 area

25 clamping device

26 gripper device

30 recognition device

31 drive device of 30

32 camera

33 lens of 32

35 Lighting device

40 support device

42 positioning unit

43 linkage arrangement

44 piston drive

45 bearing unit

50 control device

55 evaluation device

56 arithmetic unit

58 database

60 upgrade kit

Claims

claims

First twisting device (10) for twisting or stranding of electrical or optical lines (12) to a line bundle (13) comprising at least a first twisting head (15) and a clamping device (25), wherein the first twisting head (15) and the Clamping device (25) are spaced apart from each other, and at least one detection device (30) for receiving a for a lay length of the line bundle (13) indicative information, in particular for receiving an image, characterized in that the at least one detection device (30) relative to the first twisting head (15) and the clamping device (25) is movable, preferably is independently movable.

2. Twisting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the twisting device (10) has a guide device (20), wherein the at least one detection device (30) is arranged on the guide device (20).

3. twisting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Verdrillvorrichtung (10) at least one support means (40) for supporting the lines (12) and the support means (40) preferably has a support unit (45).

4. Twisting device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one support device (40) on the guide device (20) is arranged and preferably relative to the first twisting head (15) is movable, in particular together with the detection device (30) movable is.

5. Twisting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one detection device (30) comprises a camera (32) or a laser sensor for receiving the information for the lay length of the wire bundle (13) indicative information.

6. Twisting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the twisting device (10) has a lighting device (35) and the illumination device (35) is preferably arranged on the at least one detection device (30) and in particular a integral part of the camera (32).

7. Twisting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the Verdrillvorrichtung (10) has a control device (50) for controlling or regulating the twisting device (10) and / or has an evaluation device (55) for evaluating the information indicative of the lay length of the wire bundle (13), wherein the at least one recognition device (30) is connected to the evaluation device (55) for exchanging data, in particular the evaluation device (55) is connected to the control device (50).

8. twisting device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the evaluation device (55) is connected to at least one database (58) for providing reference data.

9. Twisting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a length compensation device (18) for compensating the change in length of the lines (12) during a twisting or stranding operation is present, which preferably has a movable length compensation slide (19).

10. A method for determining or checking a lay length of a twisted or stranded bundle of wires (13) on a twisting device, in particular on a twisting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps:

- Providing the trunk group (13);

Positioning at least one detection device (30) to the line bundle (13), in particular at a certain distance from the line bundle (13), characterized in that the at least one detection device (30) is moved to any first position relative to the line bundle (13) , in particular along a longitudinal axis (14) of the line bundle (13) is moved;

- Recording at least one of the lay length of the trunk group (13) indicative information, in particular an image of the trunk group (13), at the first position on the trunk group (13) using the at least one detection device (30).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one for the lay length of the line bundle (13) indicative information to an evaluation device (55) for evaluating the lay length of the trunk group (13) is transmitted.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the at least one detection device (30) is moved to a further position relative to the line bundle (13) and at least one for the lay length of the line bundle (13) indicative information at the other Receives position on the trunk group (13) and preferably receives at least one for the lay length of the trunk (13) indicative information on the way to this one further position and transmitted to the evaluation (55).

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the evaluation device (55) compares the at least one for the lay length of the trunk group (13) indicative information of the first and / or further position with reference data and the trunk group (13) at the respective position assigns a first and / or a further lay length.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first and / or further associated lay length is stored in at least one database (58).

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the twisting device (10) has at least one first twisting head (15) and a clamping device (25) for providing the line bundle (13) and the at least one detection device (30) relative to the first twisting head (15) and the clamping device (25) is moved, preferably is moved independently.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that prior to receiving at least one of the lay length of the line bundle (13) indicative information line trunk (13), in particular in the region of at least one detection means (30) by means of at least one Support device (40) is supported at least in sections.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the at least one support means (40) relative to the line bundle (13) is moved and preferably the at least one support means (40) moves together with the at least one detection means (30) In particular, the at least one support device (40) and the at least one identification device (30) are moved during the twisting or stranding of the lines (12).

18. A computer-implemented method for automatically determining and generating data records based on at least one of the lay length of a line bundle (13). indicative information, in particular according to a method according to one of claims 10 to 17, and / or for controlling a twisting device, in particular a twisting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, based on at least one of the lay length of a wire bundle (13) indicative information comprising the following steps:

Recording at least one information indicative of the lay length of a line bundle (13) with at least one recognition device (30), in particular an image of the line bundle (13);

- Comparing the at least one for the lay length of the trunk group (13) indicative information with reference data;

Determining correction data based on the comparison of the reference data with the at least one information indicative of the lay length of the trunk group (13);

Transmitting the correction data to a control device (50) of the twisting device (10) for correcting a twisting or stranding operation on the twisting device (10).

A computer program product comprising motion commands which, when executed on a computer or controller (50), cause them to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method of claim 18 on a twisting device, in particular a twisting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. Control device (50) for controlling a twisting device, in particular a twisting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, with a computer program product according to claim 19.

21. Use of a twisting device, in particular a twisting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, for carrying out a method for determining or checking a lay length of a wire bundle (13) according to one of claims 10 to 17.

22. An upgrade kit (60) for a twisting device comprising at least one recognition device (30) for receiving at least one information for a lay length of a trunk group (13) indicative information, in particular at least one image of the trunk group (13), and a computer program product according to claim 19.

23. upgrade kit (60) according to claim 22, characterized in that the upgrade kit (60) comprises a guide device (20) which is mountable to the twisting device comprises, wherein the at least one detection means (30) on the guide means (20) is movably arranged and the upgrade kit (60) preferably comprises a control device (50) for controlling the at least one detection device (30) and / or the Verdrillvorrichtung (10).