WO2024100589A1 - Apparatus and process for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable - Google Patents

Apparatus and process for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024100589A1
WO2024100589A1 PCT/IB2023/061317 IB2023061317W WO2024100589A1 WO 2024100589 A1 WO2024100589 A1 WO 2024100589A1 IB 2023061317 W IB2023061317 W IB 2023061317W WO 2024100589 A1 WO2024100589 A1 WO 2024100589A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
deformable element
cable
end portion
operating position
radial
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/061317
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Davide GARDINALE
Original Assignee
Societa' Per Azioni Curti-Costruzioni Meccaniche
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societa' Per Azioni Curti-Costruzioni Meccaniche filed Critical Societa' Per Azioni Curti-Costruzioni Meccaniche
Publication of WO2024100589A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024100589A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/28—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/04—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool
    • H01R43/048—Crimping apparatus or processes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
    • H01R9/05—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections for coaxial cables
    • H01R9/0518—Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
    • H02G1/12—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
    • H02G1/1285—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof by friction, e.g. abrading, grinding, brushing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for preparing the end portion of an electric cable which has an end portion of a shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion of the at least one conductive cable of the electric cable is exposed.
  • the present invention is particularly useful in the field of shielded electrical cables and, in particular, in the field of coaxial cables.
  • Shielded electrical cables comprising one or more conductors dielectrically insulated and provided with a so-called “shielding braid” made of an electrically conductive material, which acts as an electromagnetic shield to counter or at least limit the electromagnetic interference (EMI).
  • shielding braid made of an electrically conductive material, which acts as an electromagnetic shield to counter or at least limit the electromagnetic interference (EMI).
  • the known coaxial cables have either a single central conductor or two central conductors (however, possible embodiments with more than two conductors are not excluded) generally made of copper, and a layer of electrically insulating material (a dielectric), which separates the central conductor from a shielding braid, thus constantly ensuring the electric insulation between the conductor and the shielding braid.
  • a dielectric electrically insulating material
  • the shielding braid consists of metal wires, or strands, e.g. made of copper or aluminium, braided to form a mesh.
  • a protective sheath typically made of an electrically insulating material, on the outside of the shielding braid.
  • Shielded electric cables may also be provided with electric connectors connected to the ends of the electric cable and, for this reason, it is necessary to prepare the end portion of the electric cable by performing a process that typically comprises removing a portion of the outer protective sheath, so as to leave the shielding braid exposed in an end portion of the electric cable for a certain length, and later opening and overturning the exposed portion of the shielding braid.
  • the end portion of the braid may have strands that are not adhered to the cable body.
  • Some devices belonging to the known art carry out the operation of overturning the end portion of the braid and the operation of squeezing or compressing the strands simultaneously by means of the same overturning/squeezing unit, which comprises a metal ring that is inserted between the exposed portion of the cable conductor and the end portion of the braid, and is slid in longitudinal direction from the free end of the braid toward the centre of the cable, so as to fold on itself, while squeezing or compressing the end portion of the braid.
  • the squeezing or compression of the strands of the braid, obtained by this process, may be uneven, i.e. with some strands of the braid not adhering to the outer surface of the cable.
  • the metal ring used to overturn and compress the braid has a fixed diameter and is slid along the braid at a fixed radial distance from the centre of the cable.
  • the result is reduced electric contact reliability when a terminal is connected at the end portion of folded braid.
  • the devices known in the art have little versatility.
  • the metal ring or bushing which is used for overturning and squeezing the end portion of the braid, has a pre-set diameter dimension. This means that the compression exerted on the end portion of the braid cannot be regulated but uniquely defined by the diameter of the metal bushing or ring.
  • this solution allows to make some adhesion of the strands of the shielding braid on the outer surface of the cable for a certain section of the coaxial cable, this apparatus is not able to compensate for different dimensions of different coaxial cables, thus limiting the level of reliability and versatility of the device.
  • Object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a process and an apparatus for preparing the end portion of a shielded electric cable capable of carrying out the operation of squeezing the end portion of the braid with high levels of reliability and versatility.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus for the end preparation of a shielded electric cable capable of carrying out the operation of squeezing the end portion of the braid, so that the strands of the braid adhere evenly to the underlying outer sheath.
  • the apparatus for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable according to the present invention comprises at least one element that can be reversibly deformed between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position, which is adapted to house the end portion of the cable.
  • the inner surface of the deformable element In the resting position, the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial resting distance from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable and, in the compression operating position, the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial operating distance from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable, less than the radial resting distance, and is in contact with the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself, and exerts a compressive force on the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself.
  • the deformable element has a housing cavity for the end portion of the cable, which has an inner diameter such that the radial resting distance from the longitudinal axis of the cable allows the end portion of the cable to be inserted.
  • the radial resting distance of the inner surface of the deformable element from the longitudinal axis of the cable in such resting position is defined as at least slightly greater than the radius of the cable, preferably of a percentage value in a range between 5% and 30% of the cable radius, so as it can be easily inserted.
  • the apparatus according to the invention allows an operation of squeezing, or compressing, the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, or on a possible locking ring arranged on the cable, for adhering the strands of the end portion of the braid to the cable or the underlying locking ring.
  • the deformable element allows a gradual and adjustable compression of the end portion of the folded braid, which allows to increase the versatility of the apparatus according to the invention, which can therefore be easily adapted to the processing of cables of different dimensions.
  • the deformable element exerts said compressive force which compresses the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis of the cable.
  • the deformable element is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position.
  • the deformable element is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position, at least one compression operating position and at least one expansion operating position, wherein, in such expansion operating position, the inner surface of said deformable element is placed at an radial operating distance from the longitudinal axis of said cable, greater than said radial resting distance, and is not in contact with said end portion of said shielding braid folded on itself.
  • the operating position of expansion of the deformable element allows the extraction of the cable from the deformable element following the squeezing operation, by keeping the strands adhered to the braid, preventing the end portion of the overturned braid from coming into contact with the inner surface of the deformable element during the extraction operation, causing it to lift undesirably.
  • the apparatus comprises pressure regulating means adapted to vary the pressure acting on the deformable element, in such a way as to reversibly deform the deformable element between the at least one resting position, the at least one compression operating position and, where provided, the at least one expansion operating position.
  • the pressure acting on the deformable element can therefore be regulated to reach the contact with the end portion of the folded braid and/or the pressure may be regulated and then modified after contact with the end portion of the folded braid has occurred, to increase or decrease the compression exerted to this end portion of braid.
  • the distance of the inner surface of the latter from the braid can be therefore advantageously regulated.
  • the pressure acting on the deformable element is regulated by the action of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surface of the deformable element.
  • the squeezing of the end portion of the braid operated by regulating the pressure of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surface of the deformable element, allows a gradual and adjustable compression of the end portion of the braid, compared to the known art in which the squeezing of the end portion of the folded braid takes place by mechanical means, e.g. bushings that are slid on the end portion of the folded braid.
  • the pressure regulating means comprise at least one pressure regulating element preferably selected from a compressor and/or a solenoid valve and/or a vacuum pump and/or a Venturi suction system, or a combination of one or more of the above.
  • a pressure regulating element preferably selected from a compressor and/or a solenoid valve and/or a vacuum pump and/or a Venturi suction system, or a combination of one or more of the above.
  • a compression or a vacuum pump or a Venturi suction system is present, at least one shut-off or flow control valve may further be present.
  • the apparatus comprises a fluid-tight chamber adapted to house said deformable element.
  • the apparatus comprises pressure regulating means in connection with the fluid-tight chamber, which may be actuated to alternately increase or decrease the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber.
  • such a configuration in which the deformable element is inserted into a fluid-tight chamber allows to precisely and gradually regulate the pressure in the chamber space between the outer surface of the deformable element and the inner surface of the fluid-tight chamber.
  • the pressure regulating means are operated to increase the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber to deform the deformable element to at least one compression operating position and wherein the pressure regulating means are operated to decrease the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber to deform the deformable element to at least one expansion operating position.
  • the fluid-tight chamber can be defined inside a supporting body in which the deformable element is housed, such as to form a cartridge, i.e. an element that is removable from the apparatus according to the invention (and, therefore, easily to be assembled and disassembled in/from the apparatus according to the invention).
  • the supporting body, or cartridge comprises a substantially tubular body housing the deformable element therein.
  • the fluid-tight chamber is between the inner walls of the supporting body, or cartridge, and the outer surface of the deformable element.
  • the deformable element is a tubular element.
  • tubular element means a hollow body which predominantly extends in a longitudinal direction.
  • this hollow body has tubular shape with circular cross-section but embodiments in which the hollow body has tubular structure with polygonal or elliptical cross-section are not excluded.
  • the deformable element is elastically and reversibly deformable.
  • the deformable element is made of plastic material, preferably silicone rubbers, natural rubbers or materials with characteristics which are attributable thereto.
  • this material allows for reversible elastic deformation of the deformable element.
  • the apparatus comprises moving means for moving the cable between at least one retracted position, in which its end portion is outside the deformable element, and at least one insertion position in which its end portion is inserted into the deformable element.
  • the present invention is further directed to a process for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable by means of an apparatus according to the invention described and/or claimed herein, wherein this cable end portion has an end portion of a shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion of the at least one conductive cable of said shielded electric cable is exposed.
  • the process according to the invention comprises the following steps:
  • the process comprises a step (bl) of deforming the deformable element in an expansion operating position in which the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial expansion distance from the longitudinal axis of the cable, which is greater than the radial resting distance, and is not in contact with the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself.
  • the step (b) is repeated at least twice in the same working cycle and reversibly deforms the deformable element from the resting position to the compression operating position, and vice versa.
  • the deformable element may be deformed alternately between the resting position and the compression operating position, and vice versa, two or more times.
  • Figures 1A, IB and 1C show schematically the longitudinal sectional views of a shielded cable during some possible preparation steps that can be performed before carrying out the process according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an apparatus for preparing an end portion of a shielded cable according to a possible embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which the cable is in an external position in relation to the deformable element;
  • Figure 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in the resting position
  • Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in the compression operating position
  • Figure 6 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in the expansion operating position
  • a shielded electric cable 1 which typically comprises a central conductor 2 and a shielding braid 4 which are separated by a layer of electrically insulating, or dielectric, material 3 which covers the central conductor 2.
  • the end portion la of the electric cable 1 is typically arranged by removing a certain length of protective sheath 5 so as to leave the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 of the end portion la of the electric cable 1 exposed, on which a ring or similar element is placed to restrain the end portion 4a of braid 4, which is overturned after an opening operation or folded onto this ring 23 and then onto itself.
  • the apparatus 10 is adapted to the preparation of an end portion la of a shielded electric cable 1 which has an end portion 4a of a shielding braid 4 folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion 2a of the at least one conductive cable of the shielded electric cable 1 is exposed.
  • the processing operation carried out is an operation of squeezing, or compressing, the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself and on the same cable or on a possible locking ring placed on the cable, to adhere the strands of the end portion 4a of the braid 4 to the cable or the underlying locking ring.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a reversibly deformable element 11 between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position, which is adapted to house the end portion la of the cable 1.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a work station, in which the deformable element 11 is placed, where the operation of squeezing, or compressing, the end portion 4a of the folded shielding braid 4 is carried out.
  • the cable 1, more specifically the end portion la of the cable 1, is inserted into the deformable element 11 through an opening 1 la of the deformable element.
  • the inner surface of the deformable element 11 In the resting position, the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial resting distance DI from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, whereas in the compression operating position, the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial operating distance D2 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, less than the radial resting distance DI, and is placed in contact with the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself, and exerts a compressive force on the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
  • the deformable element 11 is reversibly and elastically deformable.
  • the deformable element is made of plastic material, preferably silicone rubbers, natural rubbers or materials with characteristics which are attributable thereto and which, in general, allow the reversible elastic deformation of the deformable element.
  • the deformable element 11 is preferably a hollow tubular element, whose inner cavity is adapted to house the end portion la of the cable 1.
  • the deformable element 11 has circular section, but embodiments in which the deformable element has tubular structure with polygonal, or elliptical, section are not excluded.
  • the deformable element 11 has an inner diameter such that the radial resting distance DI from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1 allows the insertion of the end portion la of the cable 1.
  • the radial resting distance DI of the inner surface of the deformable element 11 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1 is at least slightly greater than the radius of the cable, preferably of a percentage value in a range between 5% and 30% of the cable radius, so as it can be easily inserted.
  • the insertion of the cable 1 into the deformable element 11 takes place by moving means 7 of the apparatus 10, which are adapted to move the cable 1 between at least one retracted position, in which the end portion la is outside the deformable element 11, and at least one insertion position in which the end portion la is inserted into the deformable element 11.
  • the moving means 7 may comprise gripping elements adapted to hold the cable 1, which may be moved in a linear direction toward the opening of the deformable element 11.
  • the moving means 7 are controlled by a logical control unit 100.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises orientation means 14, 15 which are placed at the inlet opening of the deformable element 11 and are adapted to come into contact with and exert a force on the end portion 2a of the conductor 2 of the cable
  • the orientation means 14, 15 may be sliding elements inside special guides 24, 25, along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1 and to the insertion direction of the cable 1 into the deformable element 11.
  • the cable 1 is inserted into the deformable element 11.
  • the deformable element 11 Following the insertion of the cable 1 into the deformable element 11, the latter is brought into the compression operating position, such as e.g. shown in figure 5, wherein the deformable element 11 exerts a compressive force in the radial direction towards the longitudinal axis Al of said cable 1, which compresses the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
  • the deformable element 11 is reversibly deformable toward a further expansion operating position, the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial operating distance D3 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, which is greater than the radial resting distance DI, and it is not in contact with the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises pressure regulating means 6, 9 which are adapted to vary the pressure acting on the deformable element 11, in such a way as to reversibly deform the deformable element 1 between the at least one resting position, the at least one compression operating position and the at least one expansion operating position by 1.
  • the pressure acting on the deformable element 11 is regulated by the action of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surface of the deformable element 11.
  • the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 may comprise at least one compressor 5 and/or a pressure regulating element, e.g. a solenoid valve 6 and/or a vacuum pump 9 and/or a suction system of the Venturi type.
  • the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are controlled by the logical control unit 100.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a fluid-tight chamber 12 adapted to house the deformable element 11.
  • the fluid-tight chamber 12 comprises a hollow body, preferably with substantially cylindrical structure.
  • the fluid-tight chamber 12 may be defined inside a supporting body 16 in which the deformable element 11 is housed, such as to form a cartridge 16, i.e. an element that can be easily assembled and disassembled in the apparatus 10.
  • the supporting body or cartridge 16 comprises a substantially tubular body which houses the deformable element 11 therein.
  • the fluid-tight chamber 12 is between the inner walls of the supporting body 16, or cartridge 16, and the outer surface of the deformable element 11.
  • the apparatus 10 further comprises an intermediate chamber 12a which surrounds at least partially the supporting body or cartridge 16 in which the fluid-tight chamber 12 is housed.
  • the intermediate chamber 12a is between the inner walls of a housing or covering shell 17 and the outer walls of the supporting body or cartridge 16.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a housing or covering shell 17.
  • the housing, or covering shell 17 for example comprises a body which houses therein the supporting body 16 or cartridge 16 which houses the deformable element 11.
  • the deformable element 11 is directly housed inside the housing or covering shell 17 and thus the fluidic chamber 12 is defined between the inner walls of the covering shell 17 and the outer surface of the deformable element
  • the deformable element 11 is housed inside the fluid-tight chamber 12 and is fastened next to at least one end, or at both of its ends, to the walls of the fluid-tight chamber
  • one or more protruding teeth 121 may be provided or the surface, with which the deformable element 11 is in contact, may be equipped with material with a high coefficient of friction or comprise a machining process adapted to increase the friction with the surface of the deformable element 11.
  • connections between the ends of the deformable element 11 and the walls of the fluid-tight chamber 12 are made in such a way as to maintain the fluidic seal in the space V between the outer surface of the deformable element 11 and the inner surface of the fluid-tight chamber 12.
  • the deformable element 11 is directly or indirectly constrained at one of its own ends to an elastic means 13, e.g. a spring 13, to allow the expansion or compression of the deformable element 11.
  • an elastic means 13 e.g. a spring 13
  • the elastic means 13 is adapted to expand or compress in order to compensate for the deformation of the deformable element 11.
  • the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are placed in connection with the fluid-tight chamber 12 and may be actuated to alternately increase or decrease the pressure value inside said fluid-tight chamber 12.
  • the fluid-tight chamber 12 has at least one hole 122 which allows the fluidic communication between the inside of the fluid-tight chamber 12 and the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9.
  • the intermediate chamber 12a (which, as described above, surrounds at least partially the supporting body or cartridge 16 into which the deformable element 11 is inserted) is also provided with at least one hole 122’ to allow the fluidic communication with the fluid-tight chamber 12.
  • the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are operated to increase the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber 12 to deform the deformable element 11 in the compression operating position, as shown in figure 5: the compressor 5 may be actuated to feed compressed air into the fluidic chamber 12 by increasing the pressure value in the space V between the inner surface of the fluidic chamber 12 and the outer surface of the deformable element 11, compressing the latter onto the end portion 4a of the braid 4 to squeeze or compress it in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1.
  • the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are operated to decrease the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber 12 to deform the deformable element 11 in the expansion operating position, such as e.g. shown in figure 6: the vacuum pump or Venturi suction system 9 may be actuated to draw air out of the fluidic chamber 12 to create a depressurized condition, by decreasing the pressure value in the space V between the inner surface of the fluidic chamber 12 and the outer surface of the deformable element 11, thus allowing the expansion of the latter in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1.
  • the compressor 5 can be actuated to feed compressed air into the inner cavity of the deformable element 11, by increasing the pressure value inside the cavity of the deformable element 11, thus allowing the expansion of the latter in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1.
  • the apparatus 10 may comprise a pressure regulating element 6, preferably a solenoid valve 6 adapted to allow or prevent the passage of fluid toward or from the fluid-tight chamber 12 under different conditions of use.
  • the pressure value inside the chamber 12 can be determined depending on the section of the end portion 4a of the braid 4 and/or depending on the type of shielding braid (material of the wires and/or section of the metal wires of which the braid is composed), so as to apply an adequate pressure around the outer surface of the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 adapted to deform the braid without risking to damage it.
  • the process for preparing an end portion la of a shielded electric cable 1 by means of an apparatus 10 according to the invention, wherein the end portion la of cable 1 has an end portion 4a of a shielding braid 4 folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion 2a of the at least one conductive cable 2 of the shielded electric cable 1 is exposed comprises the following steps of:
  • the process may comprise a step (bl) of deforming the deformable element 11 in an expansion operating position in which the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial expansion distance D3 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, which is greater than the radial resting distance DI, and is not in contact with the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
  • the step (b) is repeated at least twice in the same working cycle and reversibly deforms the deformable element 11 from the resting position to the compression operating position, and vice versa.
  • the deformable element 11 may be deformed alternately between the resting position and the compression operating position, and vice versa, two or more times.
  • the step (a) of inserting the cable 1 and the step (c) of extracting the cable 1 may be operated by moving means 7 which comprise gripping elements adapted to hold the cable 1 and which may be moved in a linear direction towards the opening of the deformable element 11 to insert the cable 1 into the deformable element 11, and which may be moved in the opposite linear direction to extract the cable 1 from the deformable element 11.
  • moving means 7 comprise gripping elements adapted to hold the cable 1 and which may be moved in a linear direction towards the opening of the deformable element 11 to insert the cable 1 into the deformable element 11, and which may be moved in the opposite linear direction to extract the cable 1 from the deformable element 11.
  • the moving means 7 are controlled by a logical control unit 100.

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Abstract

An apparatus (10) is described for preparing an end portion (1a) of a shielded electric cable (1), which has an end portion (4a) of a shielding braid (4) folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion (2a) of the at least one conductive cable (2) of said shielded electric cable (1) is exposed. The apparatus (10) comprises a deformable element (11) which is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position and is adapted to house the end portion (1a) of the cable, wherein in said resting position, the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at a radial resting distance (D1) from the longitudinal axis (A1) of said cable (1), and in said compression operating position, the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at a radial operating distance (D2) from the longitudinal axis (A1) of said cable (1), which is shorter than said radial resting distance (D1), and in contact with said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself, and exerts a compressive force on said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself.

Description

“Apparatus and process for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable”
* * *
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for preparing the end portion of an electric cable which has an end portion of a shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion of the at least one conductive cable of the electric cable is exposed. The present invention is particularly useful in the field of shielded electrical cables and, in particular, in the field of coaxial cables.
KNOWN PRIOR ART
Shielded electrical cables are known, comprising one or more conductors dielectrically insulated and provided with a so-called "shielding braid" made of an electrically conductive material, which acts as an electromagnetic shield to counter or at least limit the electromagnetic interference (EMI).
With reference to figures 1A and IB, the known coaxial cables have either a single central conductor or two central conductors (however, possible embodiments with more than two conductors are not excluded) generally made of copper, and a layer of electrically insulating material (a dielectric), which separates the central conductor from a shielding braid, thus constantly ensuring the electric insulation between the conductor and the shielding braid.
The shielding braid consists of metal wires, or strands, e.g. made of copper or aluminium, braided to form a mesh.
There is a protective sheath, typically made of an electrically insulating material, on the outside of the shielding braid.
Shielded electric cables may also be provided with electric connectors connected to the ends of the electric cable and, for this reason, it is necessary to prepare the end portion of the electric cable by performing a process that typically comprises removing a portion of the outer protective sheath, so as to leave the shielding braid exposed in an end portion of the electric cable for a certain length, and later opening and overturning the exposed portion of the shielding braid.
Following the opening and overturning of the end portion of the braid, the end portion of braid is overturned on itself and on the body of the same cable.
As a result of these operations of opening and overturning, the end portion of the braid may have strands that are not adhered to the cable body.
Devices adapted to adhere the strands of the end portion of the folded braid to the outer surface of the cable are known in the art.
Some devices belonging to the known art carry out the operation of overturning the end portion of the braid and the operation of squeezing or compressing the strands simultaneously by means of the same overturning/squeezing unit, which comprises a metal ring that is inserted between the exposed portion of the cable conductor and the end portion of the braid, and is slid in longitudinal direction from the free end of the braid toward the centre of the cable, so as to fold on itself, while squeezing or compressing the end portion of the braid.
The squeezing or compression of the strands of the braid, obtained by this process, may be uneven, i.e. with some strands of the braid not adhering to the outer surface of the cable.
In fact, the metal ring used to overturn and compress the braid has a fixed diameter and is slid along the braid at a fixed radial distance from the centre of the cable.
Therefore, inhomogeneities in the compression of the braid may occur and some strands do not adhere to the cable body.
The result is reduced electric contact reliability when a terminal is connected at the end portion of folded braid.
Additionally, the devices known in the art have little versatility. In fact, the metal ring or bushing, which is used for overturning and squeezing the end portion of the braid, has a pre-set diameter dimension. This means that the compression exerted on the end portion of the braid cannot be regulated but uniquely defined by the diameter of the metal bushing or ring.
Although this solution allows to make some adhesion of the strands of the shielding braid on the outer surface of the cable for a certain section of the coaxial cable, this apparatus is not able to compensate for different dimensions of different coaxial cables, thus limiting the level of reliability and versatility of the device.
Object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a process and an apparatus for preparing the end portion of a shielded electric cable capable of carrying out the operation of squeezing the end portion of the braid with high levels of reliability and versatility.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus for the end preparation of a shielded electric cable capable of carrying out the operation of squeezing the end portion of the braid, so that the strands of the braid adhere evenly to the underlying outer sheath.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention by means of an apparatus for the end preparation of a shielded electric cable according to the independent claim 1 and a process for the end preparation of a shielded electric cable according to the independent claim 17.
Further characteristics/aspects of the present invention are set forth in the respective dependent claims. It should be noted at the outset that what is described and/or claimed herein with reference to the process can be applied to the apparatus, and vice versa. The apparatus for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable according to the present invention, wherein the end portion of the shielded electric cable has an end portion of a shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion of the at least one conductive cable of the shielded electric cable is exposed, comprises at least one element that can be reversibly deformed between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position, which is adapted to house the end portion of the cable.
In the resting position, the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial resting distance from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable and, in the compression operating position, the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial operating distance from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable, less than the radial resting distance, and is in contact with the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself, and exerts a compressive force on the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself.
It should be noted that the deformable element has a housing cavity for the end portion of the cable, which has an inner diameter such that the radial resting distance from the longitudinal axis of the cable allows the end portion of the cable to be inserted.
Preferably, the radial resting distance of the inner surface of the deformable element from the longitudinal axis of the cable in such resting position is defined as at least slightly greater than the radius of the cable, preferably of a percentage value in a range between 5% and 30% of the cable radius, so as it can be easily inserted.
Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention allows an operation of squeezing, or compressing, the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, or on a possible locking ring arranged on the cable, for adhering the strands of the end portion of the braid to the cable or the underlying locking ring. Furthermore, unlike the apparatuses known in the art, the deformable element allows a gradual and adjustable compression of the end portion of the folded braid, which allows to increase the versatility of the apparatus according to the invention, which can therefore be easily adapted to the processing of cables of different dimensions.
According to an aspect, in the compression operating position, the deformable element exerts said compressive force which compresses the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis of the cable.
According to an aspect, the deformable element is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position. According to a preferred embodiment, the deformable element is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position, at least one compression operating position and at least one expansion operating position, wherein, in such expansion operating position, the inner surface of said deformable element is placed at an radial operating distance from the longitudinal axis of said cable, greater than said radial resting distance, and is not in contact with said end portion of said shielding braid folded on itself.
Advantageously, the operating position of expansion of the deformable element allows the extraction of the cable from the deformable element following the squeezing operation, by keeping the strands adhered to the braid, preventing the end portion of the overturned braid from coming into contact with the inner surface of the deformable element during the extraction operation, causing it to lift undesirably.
According to an aspect, the apparatus comprises pressure regulating means adapted to vary the pressure acting on the deformable element, in such a way as to reversibly deform the deformable element between the at least one resting position, the at least one compression operating position and, where provided, the at least one expansion operating position.
Advantageously, the pressure acting on the deformable element can therefore be regulated to reach the contact with the end portion of the folded braid and/or the pressure may be regulated and then modified after contact with the end portion of the folded braid has occurred, to increase or decrease the compression exerted to this end portion of braid.
By regulating the pressure exerted on the deformable element, the distance of the inner surface of the latter from the braid can be therefore advantageously regulated.
According to an aspect, the pressure acting on the deformable element is regulated by the action of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surface of the deformable element. Advantageously, the squeezing of the end portion of the braid, operated by regulating the pressure of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surface of the deformable element, allows a gradual and adjustable compression of the end portion of the braid, compared to the known art in which the squeezing of the end portion of the folded braid takes place by mechanical means, e.g. bushings that are slid on the end portion of the folded braid.
According to an aspect, the pressure regulating means comprise at least one pressure regulating element preferably selected from a compressor and/or a solenoid valve and/or a vacuum pump and/or a Venturi suction system, or a combination of one or more of the above. For example, if a compression or a vacuum pump or a Venturi suction system is present, at least one shut-off or flow control valve may further be present.
According to an aspect, the apparatus according to one of the preceding claims comprises a fluid-tight chamber adapted to house said deformable element.
According to this aspect, the apparatus comprises pressure regulating means in connection with the fluid-tight chamber, which may be actuated to alternately increase or decrease the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber.
Advantageously, such a configuration in which the deformable element is inserted into a fluid-tight chamber, allows to precisely and gradually regulate the pressure in the chamber space between the outer surface of the deformable element and the inner surface of the fluid-tight chamber.
According to an aspect, the pressure regulating means are operated to increase the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber to deform the deformable element to at least one compression operating position and wherein the pressure regulating means are operated to decrease the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber to deform the deformable element to at least one expansion operating position.
According to an aspect, the fluid-tight chamber can be defined inside a supporting body in which the deformable element is housed, such as to form a cartridge, i.e. an element that is removable from the apparatus according to the invention (and, therefore, easily to be assembled and disassembled in/from the apparatus according to the invention). For example, the supporting body, or cartridge, comprises a substantially tubular body housing the deformable element therein. The fluid-tight chamber is between the inner walls of the supporting body, or cartridge, and the outer surface of the deformable element.
According to an aspect, the deformable element is a tubular element.
It should be noted that the term “tubular element” means a hollow body which predominantly extends in a longitudinal direction.
Preferably, this hollow body has tubular shape with circular cross-section but embodiments in which the hollow body has tubular structure with polygonal or elliptical cross-section are not excluded.
According to an aspect, the deformable element is elastically and reversibly deformable.
According to this aspect, the deformable element is made of plastic material, preferably silicone rubbers, natural rubbers or materials with characteristics which are attributable thereto.
Advantageously, this material allows for reversible elastic deformation of the deformable element.
According to an aspect, the apparatus comprises moving means for moving the cable between at least one retracted position, in which its end portion is outside the deformable element, and at least one insertion position in which its end portion is inserted into the deformable element.
The present invention is further directed to a process for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable by means of an apparatus according to the invention described and/or claimed herein, wherein this cable end portion has an end portion of a shielding braid folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion of the at least one conductive cable of said shielded electric cable is exposed.
The process according to the invention comprises the following steps:
(a) inserting the end portion of cable into the deformable element;
(b)deforming said deformable element from the resting position, in which the inner surface of said deformable element is placed at a radial resting distance from the longitudinal axis of the cable, to a compression operating position in which the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial operating distance from the longitudinal axis of the cable, which is shorter than the radial resting distance;
(c) extracting the cable from the deformable element.
According to an aspect, prior to said step (c), the process comprises a step (bl) of deforming the deformable element in an expansion operating position in which the inner surface of the deformable element is placed at a radial expansion distance from the longitudinal axis of the cable, which is greater than the radial resting distance, and is not in contact with the end portion of the shielding braid folded on itself.
According to an aspect, the step (b) is repeated at least twice in the same working cycle and reversibly deforms the deformable element from the resting position to the compression operating position, and vice versa.
Advantageously, in order to optimise the operation of squeezing the strands of the end portion of braid, the deformable element may be deformed alternately between the resting position and the compression operating position, and vice versa, two or more times.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, which is made by way of example, with purely illustrative and non-limiting reference to the schematic drawings depicted in the accompanying figures in which:
Figures 1A, IB and 1C show schematically the longitudinal sectional views of a shielded cable during some possible preparation steps that can be performed before carrying out the process according to the present invention;
Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an apparatus for preparing an end portion of a shielded cable according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which the cable is in an external position in relation to the deformable element;
Figure 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in the resting position;
Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in the compression operating position;
Figure 6 schematically shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in the expansion operating position
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
With reference to figure 1A, a shielded electric cable 1 is described, which typically comprises a central conductor 2 and a shielding braid 4 which are separated by a layer of electrically insulating, or dielectric, material 3 which covers the central conductor 2.
A protective sheath 5, typically also made of an electrically insulating material, is present around the shielding braid 4. With reference to figures IB and 1C, an embodiment known in the art is known, wherein the end portion la of the electric cable 1 is typically arranged by removing a certain length of protective sheath 5 so as to leave the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 of the end portion la of the electric cable 1 exposed, on which a ring or similar element is placed to restrain the end portion 4a of braid 4, which is overturned after an opening operation or folded onto this ring 23 and then onto itself.
With reference to the accompanying figures, the apparatus 10 is adapted to the preparation of an end portion la of a shielded electric cable 1 which has an end portion 4a of a shielding braid 4 folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion 2a of the at least one conductive cable of the shielded electric cable 1 is exposed.
In particular, the processing operation carried out is an operation of squeezing, or compressing, the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself and on the same cable or on a possible locking ring placed on the cable, to adhere the strands of the end portion 4a of the braid 4 to the cable or the underlying locking ring.
The apparatus 10 comprises a reversibly deformable element 11 between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position, which is adapted to house the end portion la of the cable 1.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises a work station, in which the deformable element 11 is placed, where the operation of squeezing, or compressing, the end portion 4a of the folded shielding braid 4 is carried out.
The cable 1, more specifically the end portion la of the cable 1, is inserted into the deformable element 11 through an opening 1 la of the deformable element.
In the resting position, the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial resting distance DI from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, whereas in the compression operating position, the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial operating distance D2 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, less than the radial resting distance DI, and is placed in contact with the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself, and exerts a compressive force on the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
In an embodiment, the deformable element 11 is reversibly and elastically deformable. In particular, the deformable element is made of plastic material, preferably silicone rubbers, natural rubbers or materials with characteristics which are attributable thereto and which, in general, allow the reversible elastic deformation of the deformable element.
With reference to figures 3 to 6, the deformable element 11 is preferably a hollow tubular element, whose inner cavity is adapted to house the end portion la of the cable 1. According to a possible embodiment, such as e.g. shown in the accompanying figures, the deformable element 11 has circular section, but embodiments in which the deformable element has tubular structure with polygonal, or elliptical, section are not excluded.
With reference to Figure 2 or Figure 3, a design is shown in which in the resting position the deformable element 11 has a housing cavity for the end portion la of the cable 1 that allows the insertion of the cable 1.
In particular, in this resting position, the deformable element 11 has an inner diameter such that the radial resting distance DI from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1 allows the insertion of the end portion la of the cable 1.
Preferably, in this resting position, the radial resting distance DI of the inner surface of the deformable element 11 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1 is at least slightly greater than the radius of the cable, preferably of a percentage value in a range between 5% and 30% of the cable radius, so as it can be easily inserted.
In an embodiment, the insertion of the cable 1 into the deformable element 11 takes place by moving means 7 of the apparatus 10, which are adapted to move the cable 1 between at least one retracted position, in which the end portion la is outside the deformable element 11, and at least one insertion position in which the end portion la is inserted into the deformable element 11.
The moving means 7 may comprise gripping elements adapted to hold the cable 1, which may be moved in a linear direction toward the opening of the deformable element 11.
Preferably, the moving means 7 are controlled by a logical control unit 100.
In a possible embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises orientation means 14, 15 which are placed at the inlet opening of the deformable element 11 and are adapted to come into contact with and exert a force on the end portion 2a of the conductor 2 of the cable
1, which was left exposed following the overturning of the end portion 4a of the braid 4 before the end portion of cable is inserted into the deformable element 11.
The action of these orientation means 14, 15 allows to correctly position the conductor
2, or the conductors, of the cable 1, so that it assumes the desired position when inserted into the deformable element 11. With reference to figure 2, the orientation means 14, 15 may be sliding elements inside special guides 24, 25, along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1 and to the insertion direction of the cable 1 into the deformable element 11.
As can be seen e.g. in figure 4, during machining, the cable 1 is inserted into the deformable element 11.
Following the insertion of the cable 1 into the deformable element 11, the latter is brought into the compression operating position, such as e.g. shown in figure 5, wherein the deformable element 11 exerts a compressive force in the radial direction towards the longitudinal axis Al of said cable 1, which compresses the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
With reference to figure 6, the deformable element 11 is reversibly deformable toward a further expansion operating position, the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial operating distance D3 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, which is greater than the radial resting distance DI, and it is not in contact with the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises pressure regulating means 6, 9 which are adapted to vary the pressure acting on the deformable element 11, in such a way as to reversibly deform the deformable element 1 between the at least one resting position, the at least one compression operating position and the at least one expansion operating position by 1.
In particular, the pressure acting on the deformable element 11 is regulated by the action of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surface of the deformable element 11. The pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 may comprise at least one compressor 5 and/or a pressure regulating element, e.g. a solenoid valve 6 and/or a vacuum pump 9 and/or a suction system of the Venturi type.
Preferably, the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are controlled by the logical control unit 100.
With reference to figures 2 - 6, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the apparatus 10 comprises a fluid-tight chamber 12 adapted to house the deformable element 11. In an embodiment, the fluid-tight chamber 12 comprises a hollow body, preferably with substantially cylindrical structure. In a possible embodiment, the fluid-tight chamber 12 may be defined inside a supporting body 16 in which the deformable element 11 is housed, such as to form a cartridge 16, i.e. an element that can be easily assembled and disassembled in the apparatus 10.
For example, the supporting body or cartridge 16 comprises a substantially tubular body which houses the deformable element 11 therein.
The fluid-tight chamber 12 is between the inner walls of the supporting body 16, or cartridge 16, and the outer surface of the deformable element 11.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 further comprises an intermediate chamber 12a which surrounds at least partially the supporting body or cartridge 16 in which the fluid-tight chamber 12 is housed.
The intermediate chamber 12a is between the inner walls of a housing or covering shell 17 and the outer walls of the supporting body or cartridge 16.
In fact, it should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises a housing or covering shell 17.
The housing, or covering shell 17, for example comprises a body which houses therein the supporting body 16 or cartridge 16 which houses the deformable element 11. However, embodiments in which the deformable element 11 is directly housed inside the housing or covering shell 17 and thus the fluidic chamber 12 is defined between the inner walls of the covering shell 17 and the outer surface of the deformable element
11, are not excluded.
Although in the following reference will be made to the embodiment in which the fluidic chamber 12 is housed inside the supporting body or cartridge 16, what is described also applies to the embodiment (not shown in the accompanying figures) in which the fluid-tight chamber 12 is defined between the inner walls of the housing or covering shell 17 and the outer surface of the deformable element 11.
The deformable element 11 is housed inside the fluid-tight chamber 12 and is fastened next to at least one end, or at both of its ends, to the walls of the fluid-tight chamber
12.
For example, in order to allow the deformable element 11 to be fastened, one or more protruding teeth 121 may be provided or the surface, with which the deformable element 11 is in contact, may be equipped with material with a high coefficient of friction or comprise a machining process adapted to increase the friction with the surface of the deformable element 11.
It should be noted that the connections between the ends of the deformable element 11 and the walls of the fluid-tight chamber 12 are made in such a way as to maintain the fluidic seal in the space V between the outer surface of the deformable element 11 and the inner surface of the fluid-tight chamber 12.
In a possible embodiment, the deformable element 11 is directly or indirectly constrained at one of its own ends to an elastic means 13, e.g. a spring 13, to allow the expansion or compression of the deformable element 11.
In particular, the elastic means 13 is adapted to expand or compress in order to compensate for the deformation of the deformable element 11.
The pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are placed in connection with the fluid-tight chamber 12 and may be actuated to alternately increase or decrease the pressure value inside said fluid-tight chamber 12.
According to a possible embodiment, the fluid-tight chamber 12 has at least one hole 122 which allows the fluidic communication between the inside of the fluid-tight chamber 12 and the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9.
In particular, in an embodiment, the intermediate chamber 12a (which, as described above, surrounds at least partially the supporting body or cartridge 16 into which the deformable element 11 is inserted) is also provided with at least one hole 122’ to allow the fluidic communication with the fluid-tight chamber 12.
In particular, the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are operated to increase the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber 12 to deform the deformable element 11 in the compression operating position, as shown in figure 5: the compressor 5 may be actuated to feed compressed air into the fluidic chamber 12 by increasing the pressure value in the space V between the inner surface of the fluidic chamber 12 and the outer surface of the deformable element 11, compressing the latter onto the end portion 4a of the braid 4 to squeeze or compress it in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1.
Conversely, the pressure regulating means 5, 6, 9 are operated to decrease the pressure value inside the fluid-tight chamber 12 to deform the deformable element 11 in the expansion operating position, such as e.g. shown in figure 6: the vacuum pump or Venturi suction system 9 may be actuated to draw air out of the fluidic chamber 12 to create a depressurized condition, by decreasing the pressure value in the space V between the inner surface of the fluidic chamber 12 and the outer surface of the deformable element 11, thus allowing the expansion of the latter in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1. Concomitantly, or alternatively, the compressor 5 can be actuated to feed compressed air into the inner cavity of the deformable element 11, by increasing the pressure value inside the cavity of the deformable element 11, thus allowing the expansion of the latter in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1.
With reference to figure 2, the apparatus 10 may comprise a pressure regulating element 6, preferably a solenoid valve 6 adapted to allow or prevent the passage of fluid toward or from the fluid-tight chamber 12 under different conditions of use.
It should be noted that the pressure value inside the chamber 12 can be determined depending on the section of the end portion 4a of the braid 4 and/or depending on the type of shielding braid (material of the wires and/or section of the metal wires of which the braid is composed), so as to apply an adequate pressure around the outer surface of the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 adapted to deform the braid without risking to damage it.
Hereinafter, the main steps for operating the apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described.
The process for preparing an end portion la of a shielded electric cable 1 by means of an apparatus 10 according to the invention, wherein the end portion la of cable 1 has an end portion 4a of a shielding braid 4 folded on itself and on the same cable, in such a way that the end portion 2a of the at least one conductive cable 2 of the shielded electric cable 1 is exposed, comprises the following steps of:
(a) inserting the end portion la of cable 1 into the deformable element 11;
(b) deforming the deformable element 11 from the resting position, in which the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial resting distance DI from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, to a compression operating position in which the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial operating distance D2 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, which is shorter than the radial resting distance DI;
(c) extracting the cable 1 from the deformable element 11.
Prior to the step of extracting the cable 1, the process may comprise a step (bl) of deforming the deformable element 11 in an expansion operating position in which the inner surface of the deformable element 11 is placed at a radial expansion distance D3 from the longitudinal axis Al of the cable 1, which is greater than the radial resting distance DI, and is not in contact with the end portion 4a of the shielding braid 4 folded on itself.
In an embodiment, the step (b) is repeated at least twice in the same working cycle and reversibly deforms the deformable element 11 from the resting position to the compression operating position, and vice versa.
In fact, in order to optimise the operation of squeezing the strands of the end portion 4a of braid 4, the deformable element 11 may be deformed alternately between the resting position and the compression operating position, and vice versa, two or more times.
In an embodiment, the step (a) of inserting the cable 1 and the step (c) of extracting the cable 1 may be operated by moving means 7 which comprise gripping elements adapted to hold the cable 1 and which may be moved in a linear direction towards the opening of the deformable element 11 to insert the cable 1 into the deformable element 11, and which may be moved in the opposite linear direction to extract the cable 1 from the deformable element 11.
Preferably, the moving means 7 are controlled by a logical control unit 100.

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for preparing an end portion (la) of a shielded electric cable (1) having an end portion (4a) of a shielding braid (4) folded on itself and on the same cable in such a way that the end portion (2a) of at least one conductive cable (2) of said shielded electric cable (1) is exposed, said apparatus (10) comprising a deformable element (11) which is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position and adapted to house the end portion (la) of the cable, wherein, in said resting position, the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at a radial resting distance (DI) from the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1) and, in said compression operating position, the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at a radial operating distance (D2) from the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1), which is shorter than said radial resting distance (DI), and in contact with said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself, and exerts a compressive force on said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself.
2. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein, in said compression operating position, said deformable element (11) exerts said compressive force which compresses said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1).
3. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said deformable element (11) is reversibly deformable between at least one resting position and at least one compression operating position, preferably is deformable between at least one resting position, at least one compression operating position and at least one expansion operating position where, in this expansion operating position, the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at a radial operating distance (D3) from the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1) which is longer than said radial resting distance (DI) and is not in contact with said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself.
4. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising pressure regulating means (6, 9) adapted to vary the pressure acting on said deformable element (11) in such a way as to reversibly deform said deformable element (11) between said at least one resting position and said at least one compression operating position, preferably between said at least one resting position, said at least one compression operating position and at least one expansion operating position.
5. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure acting on said deformable element (11) is regulated by means of the action of a fluid acting on the inner and/or outer surfaces of said deformable element (11).
6. Apparatus (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said pressure regulating means (5, 6, 9) comprise at least one pressure regulating element preferably selected from a compressor (5) and/or a solenoid valve (6) and/or a vacuum pump (9) and/or Venturi suction system or a combination of one or more of the above.
7. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one fluid-tight chamber (12, 12a) adapted to house said deformable element (11).
8. Apparatus (10) according to claim 7, which comprises pressure regulating means (5, 6, 9) in connection with said fluid-tight chamber (12), which can be actuated to alternately increase or decrease the pressure value inside said fluid-tight chamber (12).
9. Apparatus (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said pressure regulating means (5, 6, 9) are operated to increase the pressure value inside said fluid- tight chamber (12) to deform said deformable element (11) in said at least one compression operating position.
10. Apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 7 - 9, wherein said pressure regulating means (5, 6, 9) are operated to decrease the pressure value inside said fluid-tight chamber (12) to deform said deformable element (11) in at least one expansion operating position.
11. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said deformable element (11) is reversibly and elastically deformable.
12. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said deformable element (11) is a tubular element.
13. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said deformable element (11) is made of plastic material, preferably of a material which allows the reversible elastic deformation of said deformable element (11), more preferably silicone rubbers or natural rubbers.
14. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising moving means (7) for moving said cable (1) between at least one retracted position, in which said end portion (la) is outside said deformable element (11), and at least one insertion position in which said end portion (la) is inserted into said deformable portion (11).
15. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims 7 - 14, wherein the fluid-tight chamber (12) is defined inside a supporting body (16) in which the deformable element (11) is housed.
16. Apparatus (10) according to claim 15, said supporting body (16) being a removable cartridge.
17. Process for preparing an end portion (la) of a shielded electric cable (1) by means of an apparatus (10) according to claims 1 - 16, wherein this end portion (la) of cable (1) has an end portion (4a) of a shielding braid (4) folded on itself and on the same cable in such a way that the end portion (2a) of the at least one conductive cable (2) of said shielded electric cable (1) is exposed, said process comprising the following steps of:
(a) inserting said end portion (la) of cable (1) into said deformable element (11);
(b) deforming said deformable element (11) from the resting position, in which the inner surface of the deformable element (11) is placed at a radial resting distance (DI) from the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1), to a compression operating position in which the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at a radial operating distance (D2) from the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1), which is shorter than said radial resting distance (DI);
(c) pulling out said cable (1) from said deformable element (11).
18. Process according to claim 17, characterised in that, prior to said step (c), it comprises a step (bl) of deforming said deformable element (11) in an expansion operating position in which the inner surface of said deformable element (11) is placed at radial expansion distance (D3) from the longitudinal axis (Al) of said cable (1), which is greater than said radial resting distance (DI) and is not in contact with said end portion (4a) of said shielding braid (4) folded on itself.
19. Process according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said step (b) is repeated at least twice in the same working cycle and reversibly deforms said deformable element (11) from said resting position to said compression operating position and vice versa.
PCT/IB2023/061317 2022-11-11 2023-11-09 Apparatus and process for preparing an end portion of a shielded electric cable WO2024100589A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3772144A1 (en) * 2019-07-31 2021-02-03 TE Connectivity Germany GmbH Intermediate product and method for crimping an electrical conductor
JP2021125994A (en) * 2020-02-06 2021-08-30 矢崎総業株式会社 Braid folding device and braid folding method
US20220200224A1 (en) * 2019-03-29 2022-06-23 Metzner Maschinenbau Gmbh Device and Method for Assembling an Electrical Plug Connector

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220200224A1 (en) * 2019-03-29 2022-06-23 Metzner Maschinenbau Gmbh Device and Method for Assembling an Electrical Plug Connector
EP3772144A1 (en) * 2019-07-31 2021-02-03 TE Connectivity Germany GmbH Intermediate product and method for crimping an electrical conductor
JP2021125994A (en) * 2020-02-06 2021-08-30 矢崎総業株式会社 Braid folding device and braid folding method

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