GB2301315A

GB2301315A - Cable marking apparatus.

Info

Publication number: GB2301315A
Application number: GB9510891A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seamas Hynes
Original assignee: PSD Ltd
Current assignee: PSD Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-23
Filing date: 1995-05-30
Publication date: 1996-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-30
Also published as: GB2301315B; GB9510891D0; IES66132B2; IES950372A2

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for producing lengths of coded plastic cable 2 for use in wiring harnesses includes supply cable guide means 3, cable straightening means 4 and infeed cable guide means 5 for guiding the cable to a cable supporting roller 6. The roller 6 supports the cable during printing from a printing head 7, and an encoder associated therewith provides synchronisation pulses for the printer. A code is printed on a cable at preset locations as the cable travels over the roller 6. The cable is tensioned by a spring biased jockey pulley 25 and is pulled over an outfeed guide roller 35 which guides the coded cable to a cutting head 36.

Description

"ApDaratus and Method for Producing Lengths of Cable" The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing lengths of cable and wiring harnesses produced for such cable lengths.

There is a requirement in some applications to code cable used in wiring harnesses. It is known to provide a code on a coating of a cable, however, it is difficult to achieve a permanent coding, particularly with some coating materials. There is also a problem in coding cables as the coding process has a serious adverse effect on the efficiency of a producing cut lengths of coded cable to meet the demands of cable harness manufacture.

This invention is therefore directed towards an improved method and apparatus for producing lengths of coded plastics cable.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for producing lengths of coded plastics coated cable comprising supply cable guide means; cable straightening means for straightening a supply a cable; infeed cable guide means for guiding straightened cable; a cable supporting roller for supporting the guided straightened cable; printing means adjacent to the cable supporting roller; sensing means for sensing rotation of the cable supporting roller; cable tensioning means for tensioning the cable during printing; out feed cable guide means for guiding printed cable; cutting means for cutting the printed cable to a desired length; and cable pulling means associated with the cutting means for drawing the cable through the cable supply guide means and over the cable supporting roller.

In one embodiment of the invention the supply cable guide means comprises a guide drum over which cable is led from a supply drum.

Preferably, the cable straightening means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart straightening wheels over which cable is led.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cable includes non-return means on an upstream side of the cable supporting roller to substantially prevent rearward movement of cable. Preferably, the non-return means comprises a pair of jaws between which a cable is led, the jaws being biased into an engaging position to engage a cable, the jaws being released as a cable is drawn through the jaws in a forward direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the cable guide means comprises a guide roller which is mounted for free rotation, the guide roller having a guide groove through which a cable is led.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the cable supporting roller has a circumferentially extending groove for supporting a cable to be printed.

Preferably, the cable supporting roller groove is a V groove.

In one embodiment of the invention, the printing means is an ink jet printing head.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sensing means comprises an encoder for sensing rotation of the cable supporting roller and for sending a signal to the control means to activate the printing means to print a code on a cable as it is passing over the cable supporting roller.

In one arrangement the cable tensioning means comprises a jockey pulley wheel and biasing means for biasing the jockey pulley wheel into a cable engaging position as cable is pulled by the cable pulling means. Preferably the biasing means comprises a spring means.

The apparatus may include cable stripping means for stripping ends of a cut and printed cable length.

In one embodiment of the invention the cable cutting means includes a guide tube through which a cable is led, the guide tube having an infeed end, an outfeed end, and an intermediate section having a wire sensing means for detecting the presence of wire adjacent to the outfeed end, at least the outfeed end being of a metallic heat dissipating material. In this case, preferably both the infeed and out feed ends of the guide tube are of a metallic heat dissipating material.

The invention also provides a method for cutting lengths of coded plastics cable using the apparatus of the invention comprising the steps of leading supply cable over a cable guide means; straightening the supply cable; guiding the straightened cable to a printing means; supporting the cable for printing on a cable supporting roller; sensing rotation of the cable supporting roller; printing a code on the cable at a preset position as the cable is led over the supporting roller; tensioning the cable during printing; guiding the printed cable to a cutting means; cutting the printed cable to a desired length; and drawing the cable through the cable supply guide over the cable supporting roller to the cutting means.

The method may include the step of stripping one or both ends of a length of cable.

The invention further provided coded coated cable lengths whenever produced using the apparatus or method of the invention. The coating may be cross linked polyethylene material.

The invention also provides a method for producing wiring harnesses comprising the steps of : fitting terminals to a plurality of lengths of coded coated cables of the invention, attaching connectors to at least some of the cables, and laying up the cables in a predetermined manner to form a wiring harness.

Preferably, the method includes the step of applying a braid over a plurality of adjacent cables in the harness.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for producing coded printed cable lengths according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of a supply and straightening part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from one side of a printing apparatus; Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the opposite side of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side view of the printing apparatus of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of part of the printing apparatus; Fig. 7 is a view from the other side of the apparatus of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a side view of a cable cutting apparatus; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cable length receiving trough forming part of the apparatus of Fig. 8;; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of printing apparatus; Fig. 11 is a side view on an enlarged scale of part of the apparatus of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of cable cutting apparatus and receiving trough; Fig. 13 is a side view on an enlarged scale of part of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of a guide means forming part of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawing, and initially to Figs. 1 to 9, there is illustrated an apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for producing lengths 2 of a coded plastics cable. The apparatus 1 includes supply cable guide means 3, cable straightening means 4 for straightening the supply cable and infeed cable guide means 5 for guiding the straightened cable. A cable supporting roller 6 supports the guided straightened cable and printing means includes an ink jet printing head 7 provided adjacent the cable supporting roller 6. The operation of the printing head 7 is controlled by a control means 10 which outputs a printing signal along a line 11. A code is printed on a cable at preset locations on the cable when the cable travels over the cable supporting roller 6. Rotation of the cable supporting roller 6 is detected by a sensing means provided by an encoder 15.

The apparatus also includes cable tensioning means provided by a jockey pulley 25 rotatably mounted on an arm 26 which is pivotally mounted at 27 to a support stand 28.

The arm 26 is biased by a biasing means which in this case is provided by a coil spring 30 extending between the arm 26 and a fixed point on the support 28. The apparatus also includes outfeed cable guide means provided by an out feed guide roller 35 for guiding the printed cable to a cutting means indicated schematically at 36 which cuts the printing cable to desired lengths 2. Lengths 2 of cut cable of desired length are discharged into a receiving trough 55. Cable pulling means (not shown) associated with the cutting means 26 draw the cable through the cable supply guide 30 and over the cable supporting roller 6.

In more detail, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the cable supply guide means 3 is provided by a guide drum 40 over which cable is led from a supply drum 41.

The cable is wound around a core in the supply drum 41 and is drawn from the drum 41 over an overhead guide wheel 43.

The cable straightening means 4 comprises a plurality of spaced-apart straightening wheels 45 over which cable is led to straighten the cable by unravelling the "history" of the cable from the supply drum 41.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 to 7, both the infeed and outfeed cable guide rollers 5,35 are mounted for free rotation and have a guide groove through which the cable is led. A further guide roller 9 is provided between the infeed guide roller 5 and the tensioning jockey pulley 25.

It will be noted particularly from Fig. 6 that the cable supporting roller 6 is fast on a shaft 50 which also carries a gear wheel 51. The encoder 15 monitors the rotation of the cable supporting roller 6 by monitoring the rotation of the gear wheel 51. The cable supporting roller 6 rotates as the cable is pulled through the apparatus. The encoder 15 communicates with the control means 10 along a control cable 53 and the control means 10 provides an output signal to the ink jet printer 7 to print a desired code on the cable at desired locations along the length of the cable as it is drawn over the supporting roller 6.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, there is illustrated an alternative construction of printing apparatus which is similar to the apparatus described above and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case, a non-return means 70 is provided on the upstream side of the cable supporting roller 6 to substantially prevent rearward movement of the cable.

The non-return means 70 comprises a pair of jaws 71 between which a cable is led. The jaws 71 are biased into an engaging position to engage a cable, the jaws 71 being released as a cable is drawn through the jaws 71 in a forward direction and being locked to the cable to prevent rearward movement of the cable between the jaws. In this case, the cable supporting roller 6 drives a pulley wheel 75 which in turn drives a pulley belt 76 driving another pulley wheel 77. The encoder 15 monitors the movement of the pulley wheel 77 to operate the printer as described above.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 14, there is illustrated an alternative construction of cutting apparatus 80 and delivery trough 81 for receiving lengths of cut cable.

The cable cutting means 80 includes a guide tube 85 through which a cable is led and a wire sensing means 86 for detecting the presence of wire in the tube 85. In more detail, and referring to Fig. 14 in this case the guide tube 85 comprises an infeed end 88, an intermediate section 89 and an outfeed end 90. To reduce the heat generated as cable is allowed through the guide tube 85 and hence possible distortion of the cable, both the infeed end 88 and the outfeed end 90 are separately formed of a heat dissipating metallic material such as aluminium.

The ends 88,90 are keyed to the intermediate section 89 by a keying mechanism and are locked into position by locking screws 91,92 respectively.

The cut lengths of cable formed using the apparatus and method described above are arranged into different groups and terminals are fitted to some of the stripped ends of the cables as required. Some of these terminals are then put into housings or connectors and a plurality of the cables are made up in a desired circuit layout. Some of the cables may then be soldered together and groups of the cables within a harness thus formed may be braided in a nylon knit braid. To assist braiding, a tape may be applied at the lay up stage to indicate those sections of the cable groups that are to be braided in the harness.

The invention provides an integrated system for producing coded printed cable in a highly efficient manner so that printed cable of desired lengths may be provided to produce wiring harnesses in a highly efficient manner.

Many variations on the specific embodiment of the invention described will be readily apparent and accordingly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims

1. Apparatus for producing lengths of coded plastics coated cable comprising supply cable guide means; cable straightening means for straightening a supply a cable; infeed cable guide means for guiding straightened cable; a cable supporting roller for supporting the guided straightened cable; printing means adjacent to the cable supporting roller; sensing means for sensing rotation of the cable supporting roller; cable tensioning means for tensioning the cable during printing; out feed cable guide means for guiding printed cable; cutting means for cutting the printed cable to a desired length; and cable pulling means associated with the cutting means for drawing the cable through the cable supply guide means and over the cable supporting roller.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supply cable guide means comprises a guide drum over which cable is led from a supply drum.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the cable straightening means comprises a plurality of spaced-apart straightening wheels over which cable is led.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 including non-return means on an upstream side of the cable supporting roller to substantially prevent rearward movement of cable.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the non return means comprises a pair of jaws between which a cable is led, the jaws being biased into an engaging position to engage a cable, the jaws being released as a cable is drawn through the jaws in a forward direction.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cable guide means comprises a guide roller which is mounted for free rotation, the guide roller having a guide groove through which a cable is led.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cable supporting roller has a circumferentially extending groove for supporting a cable to be printed.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cable supporting roller groove is a V groove.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the printing means is an ink jet printing head.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sensing means comprises an encoder for sensing rotation of the cable supporting roller and for sending a signal to the control means to activate the printing means to print a code on a cable as it is passing over the cable supporting roller.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cable tensioning means comprises a jockey pulley wheel and biasing means for biasing the jockey pulley wheel into a cable engaging position as cable is pulled by the cable pulling means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the biasing means comprises a spring means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including cable stripping means for stripping ends of a cut and printed cable length.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cable cutting means includes a guide tube through which a cable is led, the guide tube having an infeed end, an outfeed end, and an intermediate section having a wire sensing means for detecting the presence of wire adjacent to the outfeed end, at least the outfeed end being of a metallic heat dissipating material.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein both the infeed and out feed ends of the guide tube are of a metallic heat dissipating material.

16. Apparatus for producing lengths of plastics coated cable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

17. A method for producing lengths of coded plastics coated cable using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 16 comprising the steps of leading supply cable over a cable guide means; straightening the supply cable; guiding the straightened cable to a printing means; supporting the cable for printing on a cable supporting roller; sensing rotation of the cable supporting roller; printing a code on the cable at a preset position as the cable is led over the supporting roller; tensioning the cable during printing; guiding the printed cable to a cutting means; cutting the printed cable to a desired length; and drawing the cable through the cable supply guide over the cable supporting roller to the cutting means.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 including the step of stripping one or both ends of a length of cable.

19. A method for producing lengths of plastics coated cables substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Coded coated cable lengths whenever produced using an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 or by a method as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19.

21. A printed coated cable as claimed in claim 20 wherein the coating is of cross linked polyethylene material.

22. A method for producing wiring harnesses comprising the steps of : fitting terminals to a plurality of lengths of coded coated cables of claim 20 or 21, attaching connectors to at least some of the cables, and laying up the cables in a predetermined manner to form a wiring harness.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 including the step of applying a braid over a plurality of adjacent cables in the harness.

24. Wiring harnesses whenever produced by a method as claimed in claim 22 or 23.