US3555801A - High speed binder machine - Google Patents

Abstract

IN A MACHINE FOR THE HIGH SPEED WINDING OF BINDER ABOUT A CABLE, A TENSION CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH COMPRISE STRUCTURAL FEATURES SO AS TO AUTOMATICALLY COMPENSATE FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN SPEED OF ROTATION OF THE BINDER HEAD AND THE BINDER COP I.E. BINDER COP DIAMETER TO PRECISELY MAINTAINING CONSTANT BINDER APPLICATION TENSION AND BY AUTO-

MATICALLY DETECTING BINDER BREAK OR BINDER RUN OUT, TO STOP THE MACHINE BEFORE CABLE DAMAGE OCCURS.

Description

J- W. SCHER HIGH SPEED BINDER MACHINE Jan. 19, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1963 INVENTOR J. m SCHER ATTORNEYS I 1971 J. w. SCHER I 3,555,801

HIGH SPEED BINDER MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 20, 1968 J l l l l INVENTOR J. W. SCHER BY MIMI/A4 W ORNEYS Jan. '19, 1971 J. w. scHER HIGH SPEED BINDER MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4

X ixmm INVENTOR W SCHER BY r m T u :3," h t n a? it M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,555,801 HIGH SPEED BINDER MACHINE Joseph William Scher, Short Hills, N.J., assignor to Weber & Scher Mfg. Co., Inc., Newark, N .J a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 761,176 Int. Cl. B65h 81/08 US. Cl. 57-18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a machine for the high speed winding of binder about a cable, a tension control system which comprises structural features so as to automatically compensate for the difference in speed of rotation of the binder head and the binder cop i.e. binder cop diameter to precisely maintaining constant binder application tension and by automatically detecting binder break or binder run out, to stop the machine before cable damage occurs.

This invention relates to the high speed application of a binder to a length of cable, and more particularly to a tension control system therein which automatically compensates for binder tension, and automatically detects and stops the machine on binder break or binder run-out.

Pursuant to the invention, the tension control system in the machine is a low inertia, self compensating one which automatically compensates for variations in the relative speed of the binder head and binder cop which is a function of binder cop diameter at any time. This system permits simple and accurate presetting to obtain the desired binder application tension which is automatically controlled and maintained constant on operation of the machine through complete usage of the binder package. Thus the binder can be applied under a constant tension, decreasing the chances of binder break or uneven application of the binder to the cable as may detrimentally affect quality of the product. The system is designed to be used for high speed binder application, and can be operated without requiring careful and continuous observation. Once the initial presetting has been accomplished (by calibration), the machine can be stopped and started, binder cop changes made and changes made in the binder application tension, without the necessity of recalibration. The calibration procedure need only be repeated when a change is made in a given setup (i.e. a change in a cable diameter or binder lay). Additionally, the binder head can be operated for application from the binder cop under either a constant tension, or, by a mechanical realignment, the tensionless application of the binder. Further, the binder machine has an automatic detection feature whereby it is able to detect binder breaks or binder runouts by means of a contact closure, and stop the machine on detecting such signal, thereby preventing cable damage. It is highy desirable in cable manufacture to be able to detect and obtain a signal in the form of a contact closure in the even that the binder breaks or the binder runs out by virtue of reaching the end of the binder cop. Without such a detection system, either of these events can occur and go unnoticed by the machine operator such that cable consisting of a multiplicity of individual wires will continue to pass through the machine but with out bound or held together in a bundle resulting in a spoiled length of cable. Pursuant to the invention, this costly problem can be overcome by an automatic detection system on the binder head which will detect either of the two forementioned events and indicate same by a contact closure and/ or opening which in turn can be used to automatically stop the cable line.

Devices heretofore proposed for this purpose have gen- Patented Jan. 19, 1971 erally been objectionable due to their complexity and high cost of manufacture and requirement for substantial maintenance. In applying the binder about the cable, high speed binder machines employed heretofore have utilized mechanical binder tension systems which are awkward to operate, required constant surveillance, and had to carry through a complete run before any changes or adjustments could be made in the tension desired and most important, did not compensate for binder cop diameter change to keep binder tension constant. Further, high speed binder machines without detection systems permitted binder breaks or hinder run-outs to go undetected by the machine operator, so that cable consisting of a multiplicity of individual wires, could continue to pass through the machine without being bound or held together in a bundle, resulting in a spoiled length of cable. These objections in devices heretofore proposed have been eliminated in the speed binder machine of this invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts,

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken, showing the application system on a high speed binder machine embodying the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational, partly broken view of the binder tension control system embodying the invention,

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof, taken at line 33 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a binder detection system pursuant to the invention, taken at to line 44 of FIG. 2.

As will be seen from the drawings, forming a part hereof, this invention relates to a high speed binder machine operating, as will be described below (with reference generally to FIGS. 1 and 2) so that the cable C, which is to be bound, is bound by constant-tension application of the binder B. The tension control means continuously compares the operating tension with, and automatically adjusts same to, preset calibrated tension, by means of comparing signals obtained from the speed of the head spindle and the cop spindle. The signal from DC. tachometer generator 71 is utilized in the detection system, to automatically stop the machine on binder run-out or binder break, in order to prevent spoilage of the cable.

The high speed binder machine 11 comprises (FIGS. 1 and 2) a frame support member 12, binder application means 13, tension control means 14 (FIG. 2) connection means 15 and 15 (FIG. 1) detection means 16, and drive means 17 (FIGS. 4 and 2).

The binder application means 13 (FIG. 1) comprises a head spindle member 21, a cop spindle member 22, head bearings 23 and 23', and cop bearing 24 and 24'. The head spindle member 21 (FIG. 1) is comprised of a head front portion 25, a head rear portion 26, eyelets 27 and 27', and head screw 28 (spaced circumferentially apart, at intervals of, for example, The cop spindle member 22 (FIG. 1) comprises a cop forward portion 29, a cop rearward portion 30, a binder latch 31, a binder core 32, and a binder spindle 33 comprising binder spool 34 and binder B.

The tension control means (FIG. 2) comprises an eddycurrent coupling 41 (with integrally attached AC. motor and tachometer therein) a tachometer generator 42, a gear box 43, and connector means 44 interconnecting the gear box 43 and the tachometer generator 42.

The connection means (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises (for connection means 15), head pulleys 51 and 51, head belt 52, head shaft 53, gear pulleys 54 and 54', gear belt 55, and gear shaft 56 and (for connection means 15) cop pulleys 57 and 57, cop belt 58, cop shaft 59, coupling pulleys 60 and 60', coupling belt 61, and coupling shaft 62.

The detection means 16 (FIG. 4) is comprised of a D.C. tachometer generator 71, detector pulleys 72 and 72, detector belt 73, detector relay and detector switch connected to cable 74.

The drive means 17 (FIG. 2) comprises a drive member 81 (which can be either a motor or a mechanical speed variator, for example), driver pulleys 82 and 82', and a driver belt 83.

In operation (FIGS. 14) for example, the cable C is taken up in a given direction by passing it through the hollow cop spindle member 22. In machine rest condition, the binder B is threaded from the binder spindle 33 through the eyelets 27 and 27 and is applied to the cable C. The desired binder application tension is set by means of a control device (for example, a tension potentiometer) under stalled conditions prior to the start of the run. If it is the initial run with a given setup a given cable diameter and a given binder lay) the operator then adjusts a calibrator device (for example, a calibration potentiometer) to a null position. Once the calibration has been accomplished for a particular setup, the machine can be stopped and started, binder cop changes made, and changes made in the binder application tension Without the necessity of recalibration, because the tension is automatically controlled and maintained by the tension control means 14 pursuant to the invention.

On actuation of the drive means 17 (FIG. 2), through the head belt 52 the head spindle member 21 rotates on the bearings 23 and 23 with respect to the frame support member 12, and by virtue of the movement of the cable C through the machine (in the direction indicated in FIG. 1 for example) and rotational application of the binder B by the head spindle member 21 to the cable C, the cop spindle member 22 rotates on its bearings 24 and 24 with respect to the head spindle member 21. As the binder spindle 33 builds down in diameter, due to use of binder B from binder spool 34, the speed of the cop spindle member 22 increases proportionately, and the torque decreases while the head spindle member maintains a constant driven speed. In order to maintain the tension in the binder B constant with decreasing binder spindle diameter, it is necessary to trim or reduce the breaking torque applied to the cop spindle member 22 by reducing excitation of the eddy current coupling 41. This is accomplished by use of the tension control means 14 (FIG. 2). As the speed of the cop spindle member 22 increases, the increase is reflected directly (through the connection means 15'), to the coupling shaft 62 of the eddy current coupling 41 (FIG. 4, comprising, for example, an internal A.C. induction motor, tachometer generator and eddy current clutch). This reflected increase in the speed of cop spindle member 22 increases the rotation of coupling shaft 62 and thereby generates a signal in the internal generator of the eddy current coupling 41 which increases proportionate to the increased speed in the cop spindle member 22. The speed of the head spindle member 21 is reflected directly (through the connection means 15) to the gear box 43 (FIG. 2) and from the gear box 43 (through the tachometer shaft 45) to the tachometer generator 42. Thus, there is a signal from the tachometer generator 42 which is a function of the speed of the head spindle member 21 at any given instant, and a signal from the internal generator of the eddy current coupling which is a function of the speed of the cop spindle member 22 at any given instant. These two signals are compared by the control, and the net difference is negatively applied to the summing junction of the control to trim on top of the basic desired tension set by the tension potentiometer. Considered in terms of difference in potential of the signals generated, as the cop spindle member 22 builds down in diameter (due to loss of binder B) its speed (and its signal) relative to that of the head spindle member 21, increases, thus increasing the difference in potential. This increased difference in potential applied negatively to the control summing junction will low- 4 er the torque in the coupling to keep the binder tension constant at the desired preset value.

The detection means (FIG. 4) operates, for example, by means of the detector pulley 72 which is seated on the same coupling shaft 62 as is the coupling pulley 60 (FIG. 2), and which moves therefore at the same speed as the speed of the cop spindle member 22 (as reflected through the connection means 15'). This detector pulley 72 moves detector pulley 72 at the same speed therewith by means of detector belt 73, and this speed is reflected through detector shaft 77 to the DC. tachometer generator 71 and from there the signal is transmitted by a detector relay to a detector switch which turns the machine off.

The head spindle member 21 (FIG. 1) may be operated either for the application of binder cord under controlled constant tension as discussed above, or by positioning screws in openings 35 and removing cop belt 58 (thereby connecting the cop spindle member 22 directly to the head spindle member 21), for the tensionless application of binder B.

When the head spindle member 21 is operating, and the binder has neither broken nor run out, the cop spindle member 22 will be rotating the output member of the eddy current coupling 41 in a given direction which is opposible to the direction of rotation of the input member of the eddy current coupling 41. Under this condition, the detection means 16 is arranged such as to block the output signal of the D.C. tachometer generator 71 and thus prevent energization of the detector relay 74. When the binder B either breaks or runs out, the cop spindle member 22 can no longer rotate the output member of the eddy current coupling 41.

As the coupling is energized with the input member rotating in the opposite direction, the cop spindle member 22 will decelerate to zero speed relative to ground and start to rotate in the opposite direction (i.e. in the same direction as the motor driven input member of the eddy current coupling 41). When this occurs, the direction of rotation of the DC. tachometer generator 71 will be reversed, its signal passed, and the detection relay 74 energized.

The gear box 43 is provided with a reverse lever 48 which enables a change of direction of head spindle rotation.

While the foregoing disclosure of exemplary embodiments is made in accordance with the patent statues, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto or thereby, the inventive scope being defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A high speed binder machine for winding material to be bound together comprising:

(a) a frame support member,

(b) binder application means, for applying the binder to the cable, comprising:

(i) a head spindle member comprising a head body portion, having openings and apertures therein, and head eyelet portions, for threading the binder therethrough,

(ii) a cop spindle member, comprising a cop body having apertures therein, a binder spindle member comprising a binder core member positioned about said cop body portion, and a binder spindle positioned about said binder core member comprising a binder spool and binder applied about said binder spool, and second connection means for maintaining said binder spindle member on said cop body portion,

(iii) head bearing means, positioned between said head spindle member and said frame support member, to permit relative rotational movement therebetween, and

(iv) cop spindle bearing means, positioned between said cop spindle member and said head spindle member, to permit relative rotational movement therebetween,

(c) tension control means, for automatically checking and maintaining a constant tension for application of said binder, comprising (i) an eddy current coupling member, having an output shaft and an input shaft therein,

(iii) a tachometer generator member,

(iii) a gear box member,

(iv) third connection means, connecting said gear box member with said tachometer generator member, and

(v) a coupling motor, connected to said input shaft of said eddy current coupling member,

(d) first connection means, interconnecting said binder application means and said tension control means, comprising (i) a first head pulley member, seating on said head spindle member,

(ii) ahead shaftmember,

(iii) a second head pulley member, seated on said head shaft member,

(iv) a head belt member, interconnecting said first head pulley member and said second head pulley member,

(v) fourth connection means, interconnecting said head shaft member with said gear box member,

(vi) a first cop pulley member, seated on said cop spindle member,

(vii) a cop shaft member,

(viii) a second cop pulley member, seated on said cop shaft member,

(ix) a cop belt member, interconnecting said first cop pulley member and said second cop pulley member, and

(x) fifth interconnection means, interconnecting said cop shaft member with said eddy current coupling member,

(e) drive means, for driving said binder application means and (f) detection means, for detecting binder break or run out and stopping said machine thereon.

2. In a high speed binder machine as described in claim 1, said fourth connection means comprising:

a first gear pulley, seated on said head shaft member,

a second gear pulley, seated on a shaft of said gear box member, and

a gear belt, interconnecting said first gear pulley and said second gear pulley.

3. In a high speed binder machine as described in claim 2, said fifth connection means comprising:

a first coupling pulley, seated on said cop shaft memher,

a second ocupling pulley, seated on said output shaft of said eddy current coupling member, and

a coupling belt, interconnecting said first coupling pulley and said second coupling pulley.

4. In a high speed binder machine as described in claim 3, said detection means comprising:

a DC. tachometer generator,

a tachometer input shaft,

a sixth connection means connecting said output shaft of said eddy current coupling with said input shaft of said D.C. tachmeter generator,

a detector switch, to signal the machine to shut olf due to hinder break or hinder run out, and

a detector relay, interconnecting said D.C. tachometer generator with said detector switch.

5. In a high speed binder machine as described in claim 4, said head spindle member further comprising:

cap screws, positioned in said openings in said cop spindle member, for connecting said head spindle member with said cop spindle member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,326,220 10/ 1943 Henning et al 57-l8 2,334,880 11/1943 Marlow 57-6 2,430,358 11/1947 Merwin et al. 5718 2,807,129 9/1957 Williams 57-18 2,944,378 7/1960 Crosby et al 57l8X 3,236,039 2/1966 Fletcher et a1 5718 3,381,459 5/1968 Vawter 57-18 JOHN PETRAKES, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 57l7. 19

Images