EP3812060B1 - Device for straightening cables - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a straightening device for straightening cables according to the preamble of claim 1. The straightening device can be part of a cable processing machine. Such cable processing machines are used for the assembly of electric cables. When assembling cables, cables can be cut to length and stripped and then the cable ends can be crimped. The cable processing machines can also include grommet stations, in which the stripped cable ends are equipped with grommets before crimping.

The cables, such as insulated strands or solid conductors made of copper or steel, which are processed on a cable processing machine, are usually provided in barrels, on rolls or as a bundle and are therefore more or less strongly curved and twisted after unwinding. Straightened cables are important in order to be able to reliably carry out process steps such as stripping, crimping and, if necessary, fitting with connector housings on the cable processing machine. In order to straighten the cables as much as possible, they are usually pulled through a straightening apparatus attached to the infeed of the machine with the aid of the drives present in the cable processing machine.

The pamphlet U.S. 5,676,010 A shows a straightening apparatus and forms the basis for the preamble of claim 1.

A straightener is, for example, from EP 2 399 856 A1 known. The straightener has an upper and a lower set of rollers. The cable to be straightened is passed between the rollers of the two groups of rollers in a transport direction. To set the straightening parameters, the roller groups can be moved relative to each other. Starting from an open position, the upper roller group is first displaced in a closed direction, which runs at right angles to the transport direction of the cable, against the lower roller group into a closed position. In this closed position, the rollers of the upper and lower roller groups, which run parallel to one another, are on the cable and touch it. This process is also known and familiar to the person skilled in the art under the designation "delivery". The distance between the rollers can be adjusted manually using a rotary knob. An additional quick-release lever enables the straightener to be opened and closed quickly when removing and Laying the cable between the rollers. Alternatively, the roller spacing can also be adjusted automatically. For this purpose, for example, the infeed mechanism for moving the upper group of rollers against the lower group of rollers is provided with a motor drive. However, this variant is technically complex and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known art and in particular to provide an improved straightening apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset. According to the invention, this object is achieved with a straightening apparatus having the features of claim 1 .

The straightening device for straightening cables comprises a first group of rollers having several rollers and a second group of rollers opposite the first group of rollers and having several rollers, with the cable being able to be passed through in a transport direction alternately between the rollers of the first roller group and the rollers of the second roller group. The straightening apparatus further comprises an infeed device that can be actuated manually or driven by a motor, for example, with which the first group of rollers can be displaced against the second group of rollers. Because the straightening apparatus includes securing means for securing the position of the first group of rollers, the distance between the rollers can be set precisely. The delivery, ie the process in which the first roller group is brought from an open position to a closed position, can be carried out in an efficient manner.

Thanks to the infeed device, the first group of rollers can be moved from the open position in the closing direction, which runs transversely and preferably at right angles to the transport direction, against the second group of rollers to adjust the distance between the rollers of the first and second group of rollers. The open position is the position in which the rollers of the first and second rows of rollers are spaced far enough apart that the cable can be inserted between the rollers. The closed position is the position after the sliding movement has ended; the delivery process is complete. In the closed position, the rollers of the first and second roller groups touch the ideal cable in such a way that it has a straight and not a wavy course.

The straightening apparatus may comprise a first roller support for the first roller group to which the rollers of the first roller group are freely rotatably mounted and a second roller support for the second roller group to which the rollers of the second roller group are freely rotatably mounted. Furthermore, the straightening apparatus can have a frame, for example in the form of a base plate, for carrying the first and the second roller support, the first roller support being mounted in the frame so that it can be displaced in the closing direction.

The straightening apparatus for forming the securing means includes a return lock, which blocks a reverse movement of the first roller group counter to the closing direction during the infeed process. Thanks to the backstop, the straightening device can be operated reliably, ergonomically and efficiently with regard to the infeed process.

For this purpose, discrete backstops such as backstops based on a ratchet mechanism can be provided. Such a ratchet mechanism can, for example, comprise teeth and a pawl which interacts therewith. With the ratchet mechanism, however, pilgrim step-like movements would be possible. It is therefore advantageous that the infeed device of the straightening apparatus includes a stepless backstop. Infinitely variable backstops have the advantage of being able to prevent virtually all unwanted reverse movement.

The aforementioned backstop can be configured as a positively acting backstop. The backstop can also be designed as a non-positively acting backstop. In addition to mechanical backstops, other backstops are also conceivable. The backstop could be a hydraulic cylinder; if the roller support wants to move back, the outflow of hydraulic oil from the hydraulic cylinder is prevented by non-return valves and the backstop is thus effective.

It is also advantageous if the first roller support is supported on the frame by a spring element, in particular a helical compression spring, which acts on the first roller support with a spring force counter to the closing direction. Safe functioning of the backstop can thus be guaranteed in a simple manner.

The backstop can comprise a clamping body and in particular a clamping roller, the clamping body or the clamping roller being accommodated in a wedge gap. The wedge gap can be a receptacle for the clamping body that tapers in relation to the closing direction. Due to the wedge effect, the clamping body pressed into the wedge gap can reliably block a return movement of the first roller support.

The backstop can include a spring for generating a preload for the clamping body, in particular the clamping roller. The spring-loaded clamping body is constantly pressed into the wedge gap and thus ensures reliable functioning of the backstop.

The first roller support can have a wedge-shaped contact surface which, together with a stationary counter surface, forms the wedge gap. The stationary counter-surface can be formed, for example, by a guide surface assigned to the frame, along which the first roller support can be guided during the closing process.

Alternative backstops could include two wedges, the wedges having oppositely directed, sloping wedge surfaces which, if reverse movement were to occur, would be urged together preventing reverse movement. Other alternative backstops could include eccentric bodies.

The straightening apparatus can have a manually operable infeed device with an operating element that can be moved linearly in the closing direction, in particular in the form of a button, via which the first roller support or the first roller group can be displaced in the closing direction, for example by pressing the operating element. Such a straightening apparatus is characterized by easy handling and good ergonomics. The control element only has to be pressed to deliver. A quick-release lever for quick closing is also not required.

A driver for advancing the first roll support can be connected to the operating element. The driver can connect to a shank of the operating element or be formed by the shank itself. The shank is one in the closing direction extending, elongate member. The driver or the shaft can be slidably mounted in the frame and can be moved in the closing direction (and optionally in the opposite direction). When it is moved in the closing direction by pressing the button-like operating element or when it is moved in some other way, the driver pushes against the first roller support and thus displaces the first roller support in the closing direction. A straightening apparatus with an infeed device that can be driven by a motor can also have such a driver.

The backstop is preferably designed as a releasable backstop. For this purpose, an unlocking element can be provided to release the blocking effect of the backstop.

An unlocking element for releasing the blocking effect can be arranged on the driver or can be connected to the driver. The driver with the unlocking element is designed in such a way that during a return movement, ie during a movement in the opposite direction to the closing direction, the unlocking element can be brought into abutment with the clamping body. The unlocking element can be a nose-like projection projecting away from the driver or the shaft.

To release the blocking effect, the unlocking element can push the clamping body away, so that the clamping body no longer contacts the wedge-shaped contact surface of the wedge gap, that is to say there is no longer any clamping.

The blocking effect can be released by pulling the button-like operating element. This solution is characterized by its easy handling.

Other means could also be used to release the locking effect. For example, it could also be advantageous not to also use the aforementioned operating element for closing the straightening device for the opening process. If separate means are used to release the blocking effect, incorrect manipulation of the control element, which would result in an unintentional release of the blocking effect, could be ruled out.

The straightening apparatus does not necessarily have to have an infeed device that can be actuated manually. For certain areas of application, it can be advantageous if the straightening apparatus has a drivable infeed device with a linear direct drive, a Having pneumatic cylinders or a hydraulic cylinder for moving the first roller support in the closing direction. Such infeed devices can be controlled easily and operated automatically or semi-automatically.

In a further embodiment, the straightening apparatus for determining the closed position can have a contact roller, with the contact roller being arranged on the output side following the first roller group in relation to the transport direction, and with the cable between the contact roller and a counter roller assigned to the second roller group and located opposite the contact roller is pressable.

Alternatively, the straightening apparatus for determining the closed position can have at least one and preferably several contact fingers that are preferably mounted so that they can be displaced to a limited extent in the closing direction, the at least one contact finger being assigned to one of the roller groups and in particular to the first roller group. The contact finger can be arranged opposite a roller of the other group of rollers, in particular the second group of rollers, in such a way that the cable can be pressed between the respective contact finger and the roller opposite. The probing fingers can be designed in such a way that, after the closed position has been determined, they can be brought into a rest position by displacement in the opposite direction to the closing direction, so that they no longer act on the cable.

To further generate the straightening effect of the cable after the end of the feed process, it is advantageous if the second roller support is mounted on the frame so that it can rotate about a pivot axis and if the straightening apparatus has a pivoting device that can be actuated manually or driven by a motor, for example, with which to adjust the angle of attack between the rollers the first and the second group of rollers, the second group of rollers can preferably be pivoted from a neutral position into an active position.

The second roller support can particularly preferably be rotatably mounted on the frame in such a way that, as a result of the pivoting of the second roller support, the rollers on the input side act more strongly on the cable than the rollers on the output side. The pivoting device can, for example, be a device as already known from the EP 2 399 856 has become known.

In one embodiment, a gate control can be provided for the movement of the first roller support and/or the second roller support.

A linearly movable pusher element can be provided for the gate control, via which both the first roller support and the second roller support can be moved. The pushing element can be designed to be manually actuated or motor-driven. In this embodiment, the two straightening parameters (roller spacing, angle of attack) can be set in a single common work step or actuating movement.

The straightening apparatus can have a push element with a hand lever that can be actuated manually and can preferably be moved back and forth in the transport direction.

An infeed link guide for moving the first roller support in the closing direction and an opening link guide for releasing the blocking effect and for returning the first roller support can be arranged on the pushing element. A first, spring-loaded control body can interact with the feed link guide and the opening link guide. A pivoting link guide for pivoting the second roller support can be arranged on the pushing element. A second, spring-loaded control body can interact with the pivoting link guide.

For setting discrete angle of attack positions, the pivoting link guide can be formed by a step-like control path with preferably a plurality of receptacles for the control body. This enables the angle of attack to be adjusted particularly quickly. Such a pivoting link guide could also be used with conventional straighteners, i.e. with straighteners without a backstop or other securing means for securing the position of the first roller group that has been shifted by means of the infeed device.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemässen Richtapparats zum Richten von Kabeln in einer Offenstellung,

Fig. 2

der Richtapparat in einer Schliessstellung,

Fig. 3

eine Rückansicht des Richtapparats in der Schliessstellung,

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch den Richtapparat in der Schliessstellung (Schnittdarstellung entlang Schnittlinie A - A gemäss Fig. 3),

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Richtapparats in einer Aktivstellung,

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt durch den noch geschlossenen Richtapparat, jedoch mit einer gelösten Rücklaufsperre,

Fig. 7

eine vergrösserte Detaildarstellung der Rückansicht des Richtapparats in der Schliessstellung mit der gelösten Rücklaufsperre aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines alternativen Richtapparats in einer Aktivstellung,

Fig. 9

eine Vorderansicht eines Richtapparats gemäss eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels, wobei der Richtapparat sich in einer Schliessstellung befindet,

Fig. 10

eine vereinfachte Darstellung eines Längsschnittes durch einen weiteren Richtapparat in einer Offenstellung,

Fig. 11

der Richtapparat gemäss dem Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 10 in einer Schliessstellung, und

Fig. 12

der Richtapparat in einer Aktivstellung.

Further advantages and individual features result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings. Show it:

1

a perspective view of a straightening device according to the invention for straightening cables in an open position,

2

the straightener in a closed position,

3

a rear view of the straightening device in the closed position,

4

a cross-section through the straightener in the closed position (section along section line A - A according to 3 ),

figure 5

a perspective view of the straightening apparatus in an active position,

6

a cross section through the still closed straightener, but with a released backstop,

7

an enlarged detailed representation of the rear view of the straightener in the closed position with the released backstop 6 ,

8

a perspective view of an alternative straightening apparatus in an active position,

9

a front view of a straightening apparatus according to a third embodiment, the straightening apparatus being in a closed position,

10

a simplified representation of a longitudinal section through another straightening apparatus in an open position,

11

the straightener according to the embodiment of 10 in a closed position, and

12

the straightening apparatus in an active position.

figure 1 shows a straightening apparatus 1 for straightening cables with two opposite roller groups 2 and 3 that can be moved towards one another. A second group of rollers, designated 3, has a plurality of rollers 21.1 to 21.6 arranged one behind the other in a row. In the present case, the first roller group 2 is arranged at the top in the straightening apparatus 1, which is why, for the sake of simplicity and better understanding, this roller group is referred to as “upper roller group”; the associated rollers 20.1 to 20.7 are correspondingly «upper rollers». The group of rollers 3 opposite the upper group of rollers 2 is consequently a “lower group of rollers” in the present case.

The upper rollers 20.1 to 20.7 and the lower rollers 21.1 to 21.6 run parallel to one another and each lie on horizontal roller lines. This in 1 (not shown) cable, which can be passed between the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 and the lower rollers 21.1 .. 21.6 for straightening, also runs in the horizontal direction, which is indicated by an arrow x. 1 shows the straightening device 1 in an open position, in which the two groups of rollers 2 are spaced far enough from one another that a cable can be introduced or inserted between the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 and the lower rollers 21.1 .. 21.6. Thereafter, the upper group of rollers 2 is moved against the lower group of rollers 3 . This closing movement is indicated with an arrow s. As can be seen, the closing direction s runs in the vertical direction. 2 shows the straightening device 1 in a closed position or after the end of an infeed process, after the upper roller group 2 has been moved against the lower roller group 3 in the closing direction s. The cable 4, which is now alternately acted upon by the rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 and 21.1 .. 21.6 of the upper and lower roller groups 2 and 3, can be pulled in the horizontal transport direction x through the straightener 1 by means of a cable conveyor (not shown).

The basic arrangement and orientation of the roller groups 2 and 3 shown here relate to embodiments of the straightening apparatus 1 according to the invention. Of course, other arrangements and orientations of the roller groups 2 and 3 are also conceivable. For example, the two groups of rollers 2 and 3 could also be arranged side by side; in this case, the closing direction s would run on a horizontal plane.

The straightening apparatus 1 described in detail below can be used in a cable processing machine (not shown) for assembling cables. The cable processing machine can be used to process electrical cables, such as insulated strands or insulated solid conductors made of copper or steel. The cables to be processed are provided in drums on reels or in bundles. The cables fed to the cable processing machine from barrels, rolls or bundles are more or less strongly curved and twisted. The cable must therefore be straightened, for which purpose the straightening apparatus 1 mentioned at the outset is used.

The cable processing machine can be designed, for example, as a pivoting machine that has a pivoting unit with a cable gripper. In order to feed the cable ends to processing stations such as a boot station and a crimping station, the swivel unit must be rotated about a vertical axis. A cutting and stripping station is usually arranged on the machine longitudinal axis of the cable processing machine. The cable processing machine then includes a feed unit with a cable conveyor designed, for example, as a belt conveyor, which brings the cable in the transport direction along the longitudinal axis of the machine to the pivoting unit. The straightening device 1 is arranged in front of the belt conveyor in the cable processing machine on the longitudinal axis of the machine. When feeding the cable to the swing unit, the cable is pulled through the straightener 1 to straighten the cable 4.

The rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 of the first or upper roller group 2 are attached to a first roller support 6 so that they can rotate freely. The rollers 21.1 .. 21.6 of the lower or second roller group 2 are attached to a second roller support 7 so that they can rotate freely. The straightening apparatus further comprises a frame 8 in the form of a base plate for supporting the first and second roller supports 6 and 7. The roller supports 6, 7 are plate-like in the present case.

The first roller support 6 with the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 is mounted in the frame 8 so that it can be displaced in the closing direction s. The second roller support 6 with the lower rollers 21.1 .. 21.6 is rotatably mounted in the frame 8 with respect to a horizontal pivot axis indicated by 24 and running at right angles to the transport direction. Of the basic structure of the straightener 1 is similar to that of the EP 2 399 856 A1 become known straightening apparatus; the movement of the roller support 6 with the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 for the infeed process is carried out by means of a new type of infeed device 5.

The infeed device 5 is designed to be operated manually and includes an operating element 16 that can be moved linearly in the closing direction s. The first roller support 6 is supported on the frame 8 by a spring element 10 in the form of a helical compression spring, which applies a spring force to the first roller support 6 counter to the closing direction s. By pressing the operating element 16, the first roller support 6 with the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 can be moved downwards. The operating element 16 will be depressed until the rollers 20.1..20.7 and 21.1..21.6 touch the cable.

For delivery, the operating element 16 only needs to be pressed, resulting in particularly simple and ergonomic handling. The second roll support 7 with the lower roll group 3 is not moved during the delivery process. For this purpose, the lower roller group 3 is held by a machine control system via a pneumatic valve and a pneumatic cylinder 33 in a position parallel to the upper roller group 2, which corresponds to a neutral position.

The control element 16 is in the form of a button, for example. Of course, other shapes for the operating element 16 would also be conceivable. For example, the operating element 16 could have a bow-like handle.

In order to secure the upper roller group 2, which has been moved in the closing direction s by means of the infeed device 5, in the correct position, the straightening device 1 comprises a backstop (9, see the following 3 ), which blocks a reverse movement of the upper roller group 2 against the closing direction s. The upper set of rollers could also be blocked by a clamping mechanism, for example a clamping lever or a pneumatic cylinder.

A freely rotatable contact roller 19 is also arranged on the first roller support 6 . The contact roller 19 is arranged on the output side following the upper roller group 2 with respect to the transport direction x and is used to determine the closed position. On the opposite side of the contact roller 19 is a counter-roller 22 on the second Role support 7 provided. If starting from the open position ( 1 ) the upper group of rollers 2 is displaced in the s-direction against the second group of rollers 3, the cable 4 lying in between comes into contact with the two rollers 19 and 22. The closing movement caused by pressing the control element 16 sets the two thanks to the contact roller 19 and counter roller 22 Role groups 2, 3 for any cable diameter correctly to each other.

How out 2 can be removed, the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 touch on one side and the lower rollers 21.1 .. 21.6 on the other side the cable 4 in the closed position in such a way that it still runs straight. The feeler roller 19 and the counter-roller 22 cooperating with it ensure that the rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 and 21.1 .. 21.6 cannot be pushed further into one another, which would lead to a wave-like course of the cable 4 guided between the rollers.

The operator who presses the operating element 16 down feels a sudden increase in counter-pressure as soon as the cable 4 is pressed between the feeler roller 19 and the counter-roller 22 . In this way, the operator receives a message that the delivery process is complete ( 2 ) and he can let go of the operating element 16. Thanks to the backstop, it is ensured that after the operating element 16 has been released, an undesired backward movement of the upper roller group 2 in the opposite direction to the closing direction s or upwards is prevented.

A guide roller 37 is arranged at the front end of the first roller support 6 on the input side. The guide roller 37 has a larger roller diameter than the rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 for straightening the cable. The guide roller 37 is offset vertically slightly downwards relative to the rollers 20.1 .. 20.7, so that the guide roller 37 is positioned below the cable when the straightening device 1 is in the closed position. The guide roller 37 serves to facilitate the insertion of the cable 4 into the open straightener. The guide roller 37 makes it possible, for example, that the cable 4 can be tensioned by hand before and while the straightening apparatus 1 is being closed, so that it can be easily ensured that the cable is between all the rollers 20.1 .. 20.7, 21.1 ..21.6 comes to rest.

3 shows a rear view of the straightener 1. The first roller support 6 for the Upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 has a guide section 38 extending in the vertical direction, which can be guided slidingly between two guide plates 39, 40 for the displacement movement in the s-direction along guide surface . The guide plates 39, 40 are part of the frame 8. The operating element 16 adjoins the guide section 38 of the first roller support 6 at the top.

The already mentioned backstop is in 3 recognizable and marked there with 9. The backstop 9 includes a pinch roller 11 which is accommodated in a wedge gap 12 . The wedge gap 12 is a receptacle for the clamping roller 11 that tapers in relation to the closing direction s. The backstop 9 also includes a spring 13 for generating a preload for the clamping roller 11. The wedge effect can cause the clamping roller 11 pressed into the wedge gap to cause a return movement of the block the first roller supports 6 reliably. The clamping roller 11 is constantly pressed into the wedge gap 12 by means of the spring 13 and thus ensures reliable functioning of the backstop 9 . An unlocking element 41 can be seen below the pinch roller 11 . When this unlocking element 41 is pushed upwards against the pinch roller 11, it can push the pinch roller 11 upwards and thus cancel the clamping effect (cf 7 ).

Further structural details of the straightener 1 are out 4 removable. The button-shaped operating element 16 has a shaft 17 which is firmly connected to a driver 18 . The driver 18 adjoining the shaft 17 serves to advance the first roller support 6 when the operating element 16 is pressed. The driver 18 has a front end with respect to the closing direction s, which at least when closing contacts the first roller support 6 for advancement. A nose-like projection for forming the unlocking element 41 for releasing the blocking effect adjoins the driver 18, which is inserted into the wedge gap 12 from the side (cf. the following 6/7 ).

After completion of the infeed process, the second roller support 7 is pivoted about the pivot axis 24 into an active position in order to generate a sufficient straightening effect, so that the input-side rollers 20.1, 21.1 act on the cable 4 more than the output-side rollers 20.7, 21.6. For this purpose, by means of a pneumatic cylinder 33, the front side of the second roller support 7 on the input side pulled up what in figure 5 is indicated by an arrow z. The pneumatic cylinder 33 can easily set the desired angle of attack α by appropriate control. Instead of using the pneumatic cylinder 33, configurations of straightening devices would also be conceivable, in which the pivoting could be carried out manually using appropriate means.

In order to prevent the cable 4 from being crushed by the user exerting excessive force when the cable is touched by the contact roller and the counter-roller during the infeed process, the straightening apparatus 1 can have a force-limiting device between the operating element 16 and the counter-roller 22, for example by the operating element 16 being at least indirectly connected to the counter-roller 22 via a spring (not shown) and the stroke of the operating element 16 being limited by a mechanical stop.

figure 5 shows the straightener 1 in the active position after the second roller support 7 has been pivoted approaching towards the entrance of the upper roller group 2. At the rollers 20.7, 21.7 at the outlet of the straightener 1, the cable 4 should run approximately tangentially without being curved. The optimum setting of the rollers 20.7, 21.7 on the output side correlates with the outer diameter of the cable 4.

In order to activate the straightener 1, the machine control (not shown) brings the lower roller group 3 into the active position, either after pressing a special button or automatically within a program sequence, in that the pneumatic cylinder 33 on the input side moves the lower roller group 3 to the upper roller group 3 . The restoration of the original starting position of the straightener 1 could also be done by pressing a button or set in motion automatically within a program sequence. The button or the program sequence could actuate a pneumatic valve or a switch of the machine control, whereupon the lower group of rollers 3 is moved back via the pneumatic cylinder 8 into the position parallel to the first group of rollers 2 . The machine control could also be designed in such a way that the activation of the pneumatic cylinder 8 for pivoting the lower roller group 3 back from the active position into the parallel neutral position could be triggered by pulling or possibly by pressing the button-shaped operating element 16 again.

Out of figure 5 It can also be seen that the counter-roller 22 is arranged relative to the contact roller 19 relative to the pivot axis 24 in such a way that the counter-roller 22 moves away from the contact roller 19 during this movement and the pressing or clamping of the cable 4 between the two rollers 19 and 22 is released. The position of the pivot axis 24 is approximately in the middle between the last lower roller 21.7 and the counter roller 22.

The pivot axis 24 could also take other positions. For example, the pivot axis 24 could be coaxial with the axis of rotation of the counter-roller 22 . Furthermore, it would be conceivable to arrange the pivot axis 24 or the rollers 19 and 22 in the straightening apparatus in such a way that they move towards one another when the lower roller group 3 is pivoted and thus cause a slight squeezing effect on the cable. Squeezing can be advantageous for straightening cables with comparatively hard insulation. Such cables can be processed better if they are additionally squeezed in diameter during or after straightening. If this is the pivot axis 24, instead of left as in the case of the Figures 1 to 8 shown embodiments, would be arranged to the right of the counter-roller 22, the distance between the rollers 19 and 22 would decrease during pivoting to create the active position and the cable 4 would be squeezed accordingly. It would also be conceivable for an additional pair of rollers (not shown) to be mounted downstream of the straightening apparatus for squeezing the cable on the cable processing machine.

Based on Figures 6 and 7 it becomes clear how the blocking effect can be canceled or released by the backstop 9. By pulling the operating element 16, the driver 18 is displaced with the unlocking element 41 against the closing direction. The front end of the driver 18, which was previously in contact with the first roller support 6, is lifted. The unlocking element 41 pushes the pinch roller 11 upwards against the force of the spring 13 and thus causes the blocking effect to be canceled. Due to the spring force generated by the spring element 10, the first roller support 6, which has been released in this way, is then moved back into the original position, into the rest position. The cable 4 can be removed and a new cable can then be inserted. Closing and opening of the straightener 1 is done with a single linear movement, which is ergonomic and takes very little time.

7 shows that the wedge gap 12 is formed by a wedge-shaped contact surface 14 associated with the first roller support 6 and by a stationary mating surface associated with the frame 8 . This counter-surface is formed by a guide surface 34 assigned to the frame 8, along which the first roller support 6 can be guided during the closing process.

How out 8 can be removed, the infeed device 5, with which the upper roller group 2 can be displaced against the lower roller group 3 to adjust the distance between the rollers 20.1 .. 20.6 and 21.1 .. 21.7 of the upper and lower roller groups 2 and 3, can also be motor-driven be. Instead of the button-shaped operating element, an actuator 35 is provided, with which the upper roller group 2 can be moved vertically downwards for the infeed process. The actuator can be a pneumatic drive, for example. If the manually operable control element 16 by the actuator 35, as in 8 shown, is replaced, the delivery process can be carried out in a cost-effective and process-reliable manner without the intervention of an operator.

9 shows a further variant of the straightening device 1. Instead of a contact roller and opposite counter-roller according to the previous exemplary embodiments, the straightening device 1 has contact fingers 23 for determining the closed position. The probing fingers 23 are assigned to the upper roller group 2 in the present case. The contact fingers 23 are each arranged opposite a roller 21.1 .. 21.6 of the lower roller group 3 in such a way that the cable 4 can be pressed between the respective contact finger 23 and the opposite roller 21.1 .. 21.6. In the embodiment according to 9 the straightening apparatus 1 has six probing fingers 23; ie in the present example a contact finger 23 for each of the six lower rollers 21.1 .. 21.6. This has the advantage that the pressure exerted by the contact fingers on the cable 4 is distributed evenly and over a larger area. However, it would also be conceivable to provide fewer contact fingers and possibly even only one contact finger. In the variant of the straightener 1 according to 9 It is also illustrated that the operating unit (16) can be supplemented or replaced by an actuator 35 for manual operation in order to carry out the delivery process.

After the closed position has been established, the contact fingers 23 are pushed upwards so that they are sufficiently far away from the cable 4 and they can no longer act on the cable, even if an active position created by pivoting is present. For this purpose, a carrier plate, which carries the contact fingers 23, has elongated holes 36, so that the contact fingers 23 or the carrier plate are or is mounted on the first roller support 6 so that they can be displaced to a limited extent in the closing direction.

the Figures 10 to 12 relate to a further embodiment of a straightening apparatus 1, which is equipped with the backstop described above, but not shown here for the sake of simplicity. This straightening apparatus 1 is characterized by the special configuration of the infeed device 5 for carrying out the infeed process and the pivoting device 15 for creating the active position. The movement of both roller supports 6 and 7 takes place with the aid of a link control explained below.

The straightening apparatus 1 has a push element 25 that can be moved linearly in the transport direction x, via which both the first roller support 6 with the upper rollers 20.1 .. 20.7 and the second roller support 7 with the lower rollers 21.1 .. 21.6 can be moved. In the present case, the pushing element 25 can be actuated manually via a hand lever 26 . Instead of the hand lever 26 with which the pushing element 25 can be moved back and forth manually, the pushing element 25 could also be connected to a drive for moving the pushing element 25 .

An infeed link guide 27 for moving the first roller support 6 in the closing direction s is arranged on the pushing element 25 . Furthermore, an opening link guide 28 for releasing the blocking effect and for returning the first roller support 6 is arranged on the pushing element 25 . The slotted link control includes a control body denoted by 30 which interacts with the feed slotted guide 27 and the opening slotted guide 28 . The control body 30 is supported on the first roller support 6 via a spring 42 .

A pivoting link guide 29 for pivoting the second roller support 7 is arranged on the thrust element 25 , with the pivoting link guide 29 interacting with a spring-loaded control body 31 denoted by 31 . The pen to Generation of the spring load on the control body 31 is denoted by 43 . The spring 43 supports the control body 31 against the frame 8 of the straightener 1 at the top. The control body 31 is connected to the second roller support 7 via a lever 44 .

The pivoting link guide 29 can be formed by a continuously rising control path or curve. It can be advantageous if the pivoting slotted link guide 29 is formed by a step-like control path with a plurality of receptacles 32 for the control body 31 . Such a connecting link guide 29 with a step-like designed control path for setting discrete angle of attack positions is in the embodiment according to FIG Figures 10 to 12 shown.

The straightening apparatus 1 has the pusher element 25 with a hand lever 26 and the slotted guides 27, 28, 29. The pusher element 25 can be moved back and forth with the hand lever 26 relative to the frame 8. The link guide 27 controls the infeed process via the control body 30 designed as a roller, in which the upper roller group 2 is pushed down against the lower roller group 3 . To determine the closed position, this straightening apparatus 1 also has a contact roller 19 and a counter-roller 22 located opposite it. Alternatively, one or more probing fingers could also be used. The link guide 29 controls the pivoting process via the control body 30 designed as a roller, during which the angle of attack α of the lower roller group 3 is adjusted.

The mechanism of the link control for infeed and pivoting is as follows: The starting point is in 10 shown open position. The pushing element 25 is pushed to the left. The control body 30 moving along the infeed link guide 27 presses the roller group 2 via the spring 42 in the closing direction s against the cable 4 until the cable 4 is clamped between the feeler roller 19 and the counter roller 22 . The delivery process is complete and the closed position is reached. The straightening device 1 in this closed position is in 11 shown.

As already mentioned, a good directivity is achieved when the rollers 20.1, 21.1, 20.2, 20.3, .. are positioned at the entrance in such a way that the cable 4 has to move between the rollers in a wavy manner in such a way that the cable 4 passes through each next roller in is curved with decreasing intensity. If the pushing element 25 is now pushed further to the left, the spring 42 can relax and the spring (10) (not shown here), with which the first roller support 6 is supported on the frame 8, presses the roller group 2 into the backstop. If the pusher element 25 and thus the pivoting link guide 29 is pushed further to the left, as in 12 is shown, the control body 31 moves along the pivoting link guide 29 and thus pulls the lever 44 upwards, so that the angle of attack α of the lower roller group 3 is increased and the directivity is increased. Indentations 32 in the pivoting link guide 29 ensure that the control body 31, which is spring-loaded by means of the spring 43, can engage in predefined, fixed positions, with which the active position is reached. With a scale that shows the position of the pusher element 25, the user can read off the setting of the directivity or set it using default values.

If the pushing element 25 is moved in the opposite direction, ie to the right back to the starting point, the straightening apparatus 1 is correspondingly brought back into its open state or open position. The pivoting slotted guide 29 initially puts the lower roller group 3 back into the parallel neutral position via the control body 31 . The control body 30 moves along the opening link guide 28 and removes the backstop, whereupon the upper roller group 2 can be transferred to the open position.

It would also be possible, instead of the linearly movable pushing element 25, to implement the actuation of the two control bodies, for example, with cam discs that can be driven in rotation.

A tension spring could also be used instead of the lever 44, so that the angle of attack of the lower roller group 2 is influenced indirectly via the corresponding spring force.

The contact roller 19 and counter roller 22 lying opposite one another could also be positioned further to the pivot axis 24 in such a way that they move towards one another when the upper roller group 3 is advanced. This achieves a squeezing effect that corresponds to that of a so-called pinch roller.

In alternative versions of the straightening apparatus 1, it would be conceivable not to provide a fixed pivot axis 24. In order to enable the user to fine-tune the distance between the two groups of rollers 2, 3, the pivot axis 24 can, for example, be moved vertically by means of an adjusting screw or an eccentric. A device could also be attached to the straightening apparatus 1, which allows a shift between the frame 10 and the roller group 2.

Claims (15)

1. Straightening apparatus (1) for straightening cables (4), said apparatus comprising a first roller group (2) having a plurality of rollers (20.1 .. 20.7) and a second roller group (3) having a plurality of rollers (21.1 .. 21.6) which is opposite the first roller group (2), wherein the cable (4) can be guided through in a transport direction (x) alternately between the rollers (20.1 .. 20.7) of the first roller group (2) and the rollers (21.1 .. 21.6) of the second roller group (3), and comprising an infeed device (5) by means of which the first roller group (2) can be displaced in a closing direction (s) against the second roller group (3), the straightening apparatus (1) comprising securing means for securing the position of the first roller group (2) displaced in the closing direction by means of the infeed device (5), characterized in that the straightening apparatus (1), to form the securing means, comprises a backstop (9) which blocks a backward movement of the first roller group (2) against the closing direction (s).
2. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the straightening apparatus (1) has a first roller support (6) for the first roller group (2), to which first roller support the rollers (20.1 ..20.7) of the first roller group (2) are fastened in a freely rotatable manner, and a second roller support (7) for the second roller group (3), to which second roller support the rollers (21.1 .. 21.6) of the second roller group (2) are fastened in a freely rotatable manner, and in that a frame (8) for carrying the first and the second roller support (6, 7), wherein the first roller support (6) is mounted in the frame (8) so as to be displaceable in the closing direction.
3. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first roller support (6) is supported on the frame (8) by a spring element (10), in particular a helical compression spring, which acts on the first roller support (6) with a spring force against the closing direction (s).
4. Straightening apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the backstop (9) comprises a clamping body, in particular a clamping roller (11), wherein the clamping body or the clamping roller is received in a wedge gap (12).
5. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the backstop (9) comprises a spring (13) for generating a pretension for the clamping body, in particular for the clamping roller (11).
6. Straightening apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the straightening apparatus (1) has a manually operable infeed device (5) having an operating element (16), in particular in the form of a button, that can be moved linearly in the closing direction.
7. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a driver (18) for advancing the first roller support (5) connects to the operating element (16).
8. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that an unlocking element (41) is provided for releasing the locking effect of the backstop (9).
9. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that an unlocking element (41) for releasing the locking effect is arranged on the driver (18), wherein the unlocking element (41) can be brought into abutment with the clamping body (11) during a return movement in the opposite direction to the closing direction.
10. Straightening apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the straightening apparatus (1) has a contact roller (19) for fixing the closed position, wherein the contact roller (19) is arranged downstream of the first roller group (2) with respect to the transport direction (x) on the output side, and wherein the cable (4) can be pressed between the contact roller (19) and a counter roller (22) assigned to the second roller group (3) and opposite the contact roller (19).
11. Straightening apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the straightening apparatus (1) has, to fix the closed position, at least one and preferably a plurality of contact fingers (23), wherein the at least one contact finger (23) is assigned to one of the roller groups and in particular to the first roller group (2) and wherein the contact finger (23) is opposite a relevant roller (21.1 .. 21.6) of the other roller group, in particular the second roller group (3), so that the cable (4) can be pressed between the relevant contact finger (23) and the opposite roller (21.1 .. 21.6).
12. Straightening apparatus (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that for the further generation of the straightening effect of the cable after completion of the infeed process, the second roller support (6) is mounted on the frame (8) so as to be rotatable about a swivel axis (24), and in that the straightening apparatus (1) has a swiveling device (15) by means of which the second roller group (3) can be swiveled into an active position.
13. Straightening apparatus (1) according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that a link motion is provided for the movement of the first roller support (6) and/or the second roller support (7).
14. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that a linearly movable thrust element (25) is provided for the link motion, by means of which element both the first roller support (6) and the second roller support (7) can be moved.
15. Straightening apparatus (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the straightening apparatus (1) has a manually operable movable thrust element (25) comprising a hand lever (26).

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