Methods and equipment for processing cable ends, and the cables processed accordingly.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing cable ends, and the corresponding processed cables. The cable (1) has a shield (11) made of wire mesh (13) surrounding the inner portion (5) of the cable. The method includes the following steps: folding out the end region (17) of the shield (11), for example by means of a temporarily pushed-up sheath protecting the front portion (19) of the folded end region (17) of the shield (11) near the end (3) of the cable (1) from mechanical contact from the radial outside, while the rear portion (21) of the folded end region (17) of the shield (11) away from the end (3) of the cable (1) remains unprotected and exposed, and combing the rear portion (21) of the folded end region (17) of the shield (11) in a circumferential direction (25) tangential to the circumference of the cable (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to methods and apparatus for processing the ends of cables, particularly shielded cables, such as coaxial cables. The invention also relates to a corresponding processed cable. Background Technology

[0002] Cables are used to connect electrical components to each other in a conductive manner. Here, cables can be used to transmit electrical signals with low power in the field of signal transmission. For example, in motor vehicles, signals can be exchanged between components such as control devices, sensors, and actuators via cables. Alternatively, in the field of energy functions, high power can be transmitted via cables.

[0003] Especially in the case of cables used to transmit high-frequency AC voltage signals, it is proposed that the inner portion of the cable be surrounded by a so-called shield. Here, the shield is typically composed of a conductive device that surrounds the inner portion of the cable along with one or more inner conductors disposed therein, thereby preventing high-frequency electromagnetic fields injected from the outside from coupling into the inner conductor and preventing electromagnetic fields from coupling out of the inner conductor due to high-frequency AC current. The shield can also act as the outer conductor of the cable. A cable in which the shield surrounds at least one built-in electrical conductor is also called a shielded cable.

[0004] In many cases, the shielding of a cable can be made of a wire mesh. This wire mesh can be composed of thin metal wires or strands that are interwoven, that is, crossed or tangled together, and extend, for example, along the surface of the cable sheath around the inner conductor that runs inside the shielding.

[0005] In mass production, cables are tailored to their intended use. This involves cutting the cable to the desired length and appropriately machining the cable ends. Specifically, support structures can be installed at the cable ends to locally support or reinforce them. Furthermore, plug-in connector units, such as those with one or more sockets and / or plugs, can be installed at the cable ends to allow connection to other cables or electrical components. In many cases, the support structure and the plug-in connector unit are designed as a common component, hereinafter also referred to as a plug terminal element.

[0006] DE 10 2012 020 798 B3, DE 10 2018 112 470 A1 and DE 10 2016 113004A1 describe a method and apparatus for processing cable ends.

[0007] In order to connect one or more inner conductors of a cable to one or more corresponding terminals at a plug connector unit, the inner portion of the cable must typically be partially exposed in the region of the cable's end. For this purpose, the insulating outer sheath of the cable surrounding the shield is typically cut off and removed partially in the end region adjacent to the cable end, i.e., the cable insulation is stripped. Subsequently, the inner portion of the cable is also exposed from the shield in the end region. However, in most cases, the shield is not cut off, or at least not completely cut off, because, on the one hand, the plug that can be placed at the cable should be mechanically connected to the shield to achieve a sufficiently high tensile force ("release tension") and on the other hand, the plug should be electrically connected to the shield. Instead, the shield can be folded outwards, i.e., the region of the shield adjacent to the cable end face can be moved away from the cable end face and superimposed on the region of the shield away from the cable end face. With this folding outwards, the inner portion of the cable is exposed in the end region of the cable, and the shield adjacent to the end region is locally doubled, i.e., the folded-out region of the shield superimposed on the radially more inward, unfolded region of the shield.

[0008] After the insulation of the cable is stripped and exposed from the shield in its end region, cable terminal elements can be placed at the cable end. For this purpose, the sleeve-shaped region of the cable terminal element is pushed through the cable end, overlapping the outwardly folded region of the shield. Thus, through contact with the shield, the region of the cable terminal element is electrically connected to the outer conductor of the cable. One or more inner conductors of the cable can be connected to the corresponding terminal structure of the cable terminal element. The sleeve-shaped region is also mechanically connected to the cable (e.g., by crimping the two parts).

[0009] It has been recognized that, on the one hand, the end regions where the cable insulation should be stripped and the shielding rolled out should have a predetermined minimum length, depending on the application and the geometry of the cable terminal elements. On the other hand, it has been recognized that the structural length of the cable terminal elements should be kept small in many applications. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, it is recognized that there is a need for methods and equipment, and cables with corresponding constructions, which can meet the above requirements. In particular, it is recognized that there is a need for methods and equipment that enable simple, reliable, and / or inexpensive processing of cable ends, allowing cable terminal elements with short structural lengths to be placed in cables to be mass-produced, and where reliable electrical contact with at least one inner conductor and an outer conductor can be achieved, minimizing the risk of electrical short circuits and / or achieving high mechanical stability.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for processing cable ends is described. Here, the cable has a shield made of wire mesh surrounding an inner portion of the cable. The method preferably includes at least the following steps in a given order:

[0012] Turn the end area of ​​the shielding component outwards.

[0013] The front portion of the outward-curved end region of the shielding, near the cable end, is protected against mechanical contact from the radial outside, while the rear portion of the outward-curved end region of the shielding, away from the cable end, remains unprotected and exposed.

[0014] The rear portion of the outward-curved end region of the shield is combed in a circumferential direction tangential to the circumference of the cable.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cable is described having an inner portion of the cable and a shield made of wire mesh surrounding the inner portion of the cable. Here, the end regions of the shield are folded outwards. The front portion of the folded end region of the shield near the end of the cable has interwoven wires, and the rear portion of the folded end region of the shield away from the end of the cable has detached wires, the wires extending circumferentially along the surface of the cable sheath.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, an apparatus for processing the end of a cable is described, wherein a shield made of wire mesh surrounds an inner portion of the cable. The apparatus includes: (i) a holding device for holding the end of the cable; (ii) an outward-folding device for outward-folding the end region of the shield; (iii) a protective device for temporarily protecting the front portion of the outward-folded end region of the shield near the end of the cable from contact from the radial outside, while the rear portion of the outward-folded end region of the cable away from the end of the cable remains unprotected and exposed; and (iv) a combing device for combing the rear portion of the outward-folded end region of the shield in a circumferential direction tangential to the circumference of the cable.

[0017] The feasible features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be additionally considered, and without limiting the invention, as based on the ideas and understanding described below.

[0018] As described above, the end region of the cable should generally be exposed beyond the outer insulation and shielding for a sufficient length to expose one or more inner conductors located therein and to allow connection to the terminals of the cable terminal element. Here, the portion of the shield originally present in the end region of the cable is typically turned outwards away from the end face of the end region. The cable terminal element is then mechanically and electrically connected to the end of the cable. The length of the cable terminal element is generally chosen such that it covers both the stripped end region of the cable and the area covered by the turned-out shielding. Accordingly, the length of the cable terminal element should generally be relatively long and at least twice the length of the stripped end region.

[0019] Furthermore, it has been observed that the individual wires from the braided shielding sometimes become unraveled and exposed at the ends of the shielding. Additionally, it may be possible to cut or tear the wires during the stripping process when removing the insulation, leaving them loosely embedded in the braided shielding and potentially exposed. In the worst-case scenario, these exposed wires can extend axially beyond the ends of the cable terminal elements located at the cable. This is a concern, as such protruding wires could, in adverse circumstances, cause short circuits between adjacent cables. Furthermore, the protruding cable ends can pose a risk of injury, for example, to personnel continuing to process cables in mass production. Cutting or tearing such exposed and protruding wires could, for example, cause the remaining wire fragments to reach and contaminate or even damage the equipment used for processing. Cut wire ends also present an additional risk of short circuits.

[0020] In particular, to avoid the aforementioned defects, it is proposed to modify the cable end before the outer conductor sleeve or cable terminal element equipped with the outer conductor sleeve may be placed at the cable end.

[0021] Here, the end area of ​​the shield is first turned outward, similar to the conventional processing of cable ends.

[0022] However, before placing the outer conductor sleeve or cable terminal element on the cable, the outward-curved end area of ​​the shield is specially processed. For this purpose, the front portion of the outward-curved shield, i.e., the part closer to the cable end, is temporarily protected so that it does not come into radial contact with the outside. For example, this can be done by temporarily covering the front portion of the outward-curved shield with a protective object, such as a sleeve. It is important to note that the rear portion of the outward-curved end area of ​​the shield is unprotected and thus exposed.

[0023] Subsequently, the exposed rear portion of the outward-curved end region of the shield is selectively combed in a transverse direction, oriented tangentially relative to the circumference of the cable. This circumferentially oriented brush allows any potentially detached wires to be combed from an initial configuration where the wires are oriented approximately parallel to the longitudinal extension of the cable to a configuration transverse to the longitudinal extension of the cable. Wires cut or torn during the previous stripping of the shield are combed out of the shield or bent in the combing direction. The bristles of the combing brush can grasp the wires of the shield and move or bend them in the combing direction. This prevents such wires from subsequently extending axially beyond the outer conductor sleeve or cable terminal element after installation, which could cause, for example, a short circuit.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the cable manufactured according to this method thus has a shielding member surrounding the inner portion of the cable, wherein the end region is folded outwards. Here, during the processing of the cable end, especially during combing, the front portion of the folded shielding member is protected against contact from the outside, such that the braid forming the shielding member also has interwoven metal wires. However, the rear portion of the folded shielding member remains unprotected, such that the metal wires of the shielding member are driven during combing and arranged along the circumferential direction of the cable sheath surface.

[0025] Therefore, in this type of cable, on the one hand, it avoids the metal wires detaching from the shield from extending beyond the end of the shield in the longitudinal direction and ultimately beyond the outer conductor sleeve surrounding the shield. On the other hand, compared with the case of an unbrushed shield, the rear portion of the shield surrounding the comb requires less space in the longitudinal direction of the cable, so that the outer conductor sleeve or cable terminal element can be shorter in the axial direction than conventionally processed cables.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, an apparatus for performing the proposed method comprises: at least one retaining device capable of retaining the end of the cable; and an outward-folding device capable of outward-folding the end region of the shield. Additionally, the apparatus includes a protective device and a combing device. The protective device is designed to protect the front portion of the outward-folded end region of the shield from contact from the radial outside, particularly during the combing process; that is, to prevent contact, especially by the bristles of the combing device. Here, the protective device is designed and positioned such that the rear portion of the outward-folded end region of the shield is exposed unprotected during the combing process, allowing the bristles of the combing device to drag the metal wires of the shield. For this purpose, the combing device is designed such that the rear portion of the outward-folded shield can be combed in a circumferential direction tangential to the circumference of the cable.

[0027] According to one embodiment, in this method, the rear portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield is preferably combed, such that the wires from the wire mesh of the shield are at least partially broken apart and arranged extending along the sheath surface of the cable in the circumferential direction.

[0028] In other words, the rear portion of the outward-folded shield can be selectively combed, causing the initially interwoven wires to detach from the wire mesh, thus partially disassembling the mesh. Here, the subsequently exposed wires of the original shield are bent and displaced by appropriate combing, so that they no longer adhere axially or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the cable sheath, but extend laterally or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, i.e., along the circumferential direction of the cable, and then wrap around the outer circumference of the cable. The wires in the unprotected rear portion of the outward-folded shield during combing are thus selectively disassembled and subsequently wound around the cable circumferentially in a space-saving manner. For this purpose, the bristles of the combing device can move tangentially along the rear portion of the outward-folded shield, and where necessary, first disassemble the wires there and then drag and align them circumferentially.

[0029] Here, according to one embodiment, the brush and the cable end for combing are moved relative to each other, such that the brush is guided around the cable end in the circumferential direction of the cable.

[0030] In other words, for the purpose of brushing, the cable can be moved relative to at least one brush, such that the brush bristles move at least partially along the sheath surface of the cable in a circumferential direction, thereby driving and aligning the metal wires of the shield extending there. For this purpose, the cable can rotate about an axis parallel to its longitudinal extension axis. Alternatively or supplementarily, the brush can move about the cable in a circumferential direction, i.e., it can move about the cable on a circular track or a circular helical track, the cable typically having a substantially cylindrical shape. As another alternative or supplementary option, multiple brushes can be arranged around the cable. Here, the bristles of the multiple brushes can contact the rear portion of the outwardly folded shield at multiple different locations along the circumference of the cable. The brushes here can rotate in the same direction about an axis parallel to the longitudinal extension axis of the cable.

[0031] Accordingly, the device according to a third aspect of the invention can have a driving device configured to move a cable held by a holding device and at least one brush disposed in a combing device relative to each other, such that the rear portion of the outwardly flared end region of the shield is combed by the brush, such that the wires from the wire mesh of the shield are at least partially disassembled and arranged extending along the sheath surface of the cable in the circumferential direction. The driving device is here capable of moving the cable and / or the brush relative to each other, such that the brush is displaced tangentially to or around the circumference of the cable. Alternatively, the brush can be rotated about a rotation axis.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield can be protected, especially during brushing, by means of a protective sleeve, the protective sleeve being designed and positioned such that it covers the outer circumference of the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield and does not cover the rear portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield.

[0033] In other words, the front portion of the outward-curving shield can be protected from contact with the brush bristles by a protective sleeve surrounding it. The protective sleeve can be, for example, cylindrical. The inner diameter of the protective sleeve can be at least slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable, including the outward-curving shield. Accordingly, before brushing, the protective sleeve can be easily and with low friction pushed across the front portion of the outward-curving shield to be protected in the axial direction of the cable. Here, the length of the protective sleeve should only have a length that allows it to remain within the rear portion of the outward-curving shield. After brushing the rear portion of the shield in the circumferential direction, the protective sleeve can be removed again, for example, by pulling it out in the opposite axial direction of the cable.

[0034] The protective sleeve can be made of a mechanically resistant material or plated on its outer surface, allowing it to withstand the friction of brush bristles with minimal damage. Correspondingly, the protective sleeve can withstand numerous brushing processes, thus enabling it to be reused or applied during multiple processing stages at the cable end. For example, the protective sleeve can be made of metal, particularly steel. It is also possible that the protective sleeve can be made of hardened materials, particularly hardened metals. However, alternatively, the protective sleeve can also be made of plastic.

[0035] Therefore, the device according to a third aspect of the invention can have a moving device configured to move the cable held by the holding device and the protective sleeve disposed in the protective device relative to each other, such that the protective sleeve temporarily covers the outer circumference of the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield and does not cover the rear portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield. The moving device can have an actuator, such as an electric motor. The actuator can be fixedly and / or rigidly coupled to the protective sleeve. In addition, a control device and / or a power supply device can be provided. The moving device can be designed to linearly, particularly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cable, move the end of the cable and the protective sleeve relative to each other.

[0036] According to one specific embodiment, the protective sleeve may have a funnel-shaped widening at at least one end.

[0037] In other words, the protective sleeve can be elongated and have a consistent cross-section over its main length. This cross-section can be designed such that the inner contour of the protective sleeve is slightly larger than the outer contour of the front portion of the shield to be protected. Here, the protective sleeve can widen in a funnel shape at one end, that is, it continuously increases in size with respect to its inner contour. Due to this funnel-shaped widening, the protective sleeve can be moved over the cable and the shield to be protected with particular ease, and the risk of damage to the shield can be minimized when moving the protective sleeve.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the proposed method further includes placing an outer conductor sleeve at the end of the cable such that the outer conductor sleeve covers the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield and the rear portion combed in the circumferential direction.

[0039] Therefore, the outer conductor sleeve can support the area adjacent to the cable's positive end, i.e., it is particularly resistant to bending hardening. Furthermore, the outer conductor sleeve can be used to form an electrical connection of the cable's outer conductor, formed by the shield, at the corresponding terminal of the cable terminal element. Here, the outer conductor sleeve covers the front and rear portions of the outward-facing shield, protecting the outward-facing shield in both parts from damage caused by mechanical contact from the radial outside. The outer conductor sleeve can be fixed to the cable end in a form-fit, force-transmitting, and / or material-fit manner. In particular, the outer conductor sleeve can be crimped with the cable. The outer conductor sleeve can be an integral component of the cable terminal element, such as a plug or socket, or mechanically connected to it.

[0040] According to one specific embodiment, the outer conductor sleeve can be fixed to the end of the cable, particularly adjacent to the front portion of the outwardly flared end region of the shield.

[0041] In other words, the outer conductor sleeve can cover the entire outward-curved end area of ​​the shield and is fixed therein at least in the front portion of the end area. For example, the outer conductor sleeve can be crimped to the cable in the front portion of the outward-curved shield. Since the braid forming the shield in the front portion is complete, i.e., the metal wires forming the shield are interwoven with each other, the outer conductor sleeve can be connected, and crimped, to the cable and, in particular, the outward-curved braid of the shield, particularly effectively and under tensile load. Therefore, the tensile strength is high, and the tensile force can be used to subject the outer conductor sleeve or cable terminal element to tensile load without detaching it from the cable.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield is longer than the rear portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield in the longitudinal direction of the cable.

[0043] In other words, the entire outward-folded end region of the shield can be considered as divided into a longer front portion and a shorter rear portion. Referring to the state directly after the end region is outward-folded, that is, before the rear portion of the end region is combed in the circumferential direction and may be shortened, the front portion here extends more than 50%, preferably more than 60% or even more than 70% of the total length of the outward-folded end region.

[0044] By using the larger portion of the outward-facing shield as the front part of the end area, which is protected during combing and thus kept as a complete braid, the cable can be effectively and tensilely connected to the outer conductor sheath, especially crimped, within the area of ​​this complete braid.

[0045] Therefore, one embodiment of the cable according to the second aspect of the invention has an outer conductor sleeve that covers the front and rear portions of the outwardly folded end region of the shield, and the outer conductor sleeve is fixed to the cable at least in the region of the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield.

[0046] Therefore, one embodiment of the device according to the third aspect of the invention can have a fixing device configured to fix the outer conductor sleeve to the end of the cable, such that the outer conductor sleeve covers the front portion of the outwardly folded end region of the shield and the rear portion combed in the circumferential direction. Here, the fixing device can, for example, move the outer conductor sleeve through the end of the cable in the axial direction until the outer conductor sleeve overlaps the entire outwardly folded end region of the shield. Subsequently, the fixing device can mechanically couple the outer conductor sleeve to the cable, for example by means of a crimping device.

[0047] It should be noted that the feasible features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference in part to the processing method designed according to the invention and in part to a suitably processed cable or device configured to perform the method according to the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the features described for each embodiment can be appropriately adapted, modified, and / or interchanged in a similar manner to achieve other embodiments of the invention and possible synergies. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Advantageous embodiments of the invention will now be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

[0049] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view is shown through a cable to be processed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 2(a) , 2(b) 2(c), 2(d), 2(e), 2(f), and 2(g) show the sequence of steps of a processing method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 3(a) , 3(b) 3(c) illustrates the feasibility of using a comb shield within the scope of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] The accompanying drawings are schematic only and are not to scale. The same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same or equivalent features. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a cable 1 in the form of a coaxial cable is shown. The cable 1 has an inner portion 5, in which, in the example shown, two inner conductors 7 are housed as parallel metal wires or strands. The inner conductors 7 are surrounded by an intermediate insulator 9, thus electrically insulating each other and from the outside. The inner portion 5 is surrounded by a shield 11, which is formed of a wire mesh 13. An outer insulator 15 extends externally around the shield 11.

[0054] exist Figures 2(a) to 2(g) The method described in the text follows the sequence of processing the end 3 of the cable 1 so that the cable terminal element 43 and the outer conductor sleeve 41 are finally placed at the end in a manner that combines electrical contact and mechanical fixation.

[0055] At the start of the method, as shown in Figure 2(a), the end 3 of the cable 1 is held by means of a holding device 45. The holding device 45 is capable of gripping or clamping the cable 1 from at least both sides, thereby holding it by force transmission. If necessary, a drive device 53 can be provided at the holding device 45, by means of which the holding device 45 or the held cable 1 can be moved. For example, by means of the drive device 53, the cable 1 can be displaced along its longitudinal direction 27 and / or along a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction 27 and / or rotated in the circumferential direction 25 (see...). Figure 1 The holding device 45 and / or the drive device 53 are capable of holding and / or moving the cable 1 throughout the movement.

[0056] Subsequently, in the first step, as shown in Figure 2(b), the outer insulation 15 of the cable 1 is removed, for example, over a length typically a few millimeters, such as between 5 mm and 30 mm, and preferably between 7 mm and 15 mm; that is, the insulation of the cable 1 is stripped off by stripping. For this purpose, the equipment for processing the cable 1 is provided with a cutting device (not shown) that cuts the outer insulation 15 circumferentially, allowing it to be pulled off from the end 3 of the cable 1 in the longitudinal direction 27. This exposes the wire mesh 13 of the shielding 1 in the end region.

[0057] Then, the shield 11 is folded outwards from the positive end away from the cable 1, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 2(b). For this purpose, the folding device 47 can, for example, first widen the metal mesh 13 of the shield 11 in the region of the end face of the cable 1, for example by means of targeted airflow. Subsequently, the folding device 47 can, for example by means of a cylindrical sleeve, engage the previously exposed end region of the shield 11 from below and push it backwards through the outer insulation 15 still located there, thus folding it outwards.

[0058] As can be seen from Figure 2(c), the outwardly folded end region 17 of the shield 11 overlaps with the portion near the end of the outer insulation member 15. Here, the outwardly folded end region 17 of the shield 11 can be viewed as being divided into a front portion 19 closer to the end 3 of the cable 1 and a rear portion 21 further away.

[0059] Additionally, the intermediate insulation 9 can be removed at least a certain length adjacent to the positive end of the cable 1, thereby exposing the inner conductor 7. The device used for this can have a suitable cutting device and / or a suitable pulling device (not shown).

[0060] Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 2(c), the outer conductor sleeve of the cable terminal element is typically pushed through the outwardly folded end region 17 of the shield 11 and crimped with the cable 1. Here, the outer conductor sleeve should be long enough to cover the entire end region 17. However, it has been observed that the individual wires 23 of the wire mesh 13 of the shield 11 can detach from the wire mesh 13 and extend beyond this outer conductor sleeve in the longitudinal direction 27, and then protrude below the outer conductor sleeve.

[0061] To avoid this situation, as illustrated in FIG2(d), the front portion 19 of the outwardly flared end region 17 of the shield 11 is temporarily protected from mechanical contact from the radial outside by means of the protective device 49, however, the rear portion 21 of the outwardly flared end region 17 of the shield 11 remains exposed and thus unprotected.

[0062] For this purpose, a protective sleeve 35 can be used, which covers the front portion 19 and leaves the rear portion 21 unused. For example, a cylindrical protective sleeve 35 can have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cable 1, including the outwardly folded shield 11. The protective sleeve 35 can be part of a protective device 49. The protective device 49 can also have a moving device 55, by means of which the protective sleeve 35 and the cable 1 can be moved relative to each other, particularly parallel to the longitudinal direction 27. Accordingly, the protective device 49 can temporarily push the protective sleeve 35 from the end side of the cable 1 and push it past the end 3 of the cable 1 until the protective sleeve 35 covers the front portion 19 of the outwardly folded shield 11, but leaves the rear portion 21 unused.

[0063] To simplify the insertion of the cable 1 into the protective sleeve 35, the protective sleeve is particularly capable of having a funnel-shaped widening 39 in the region of the front end side 37 in the insertion direction.

[0064] After the front portion 19 of the outward-curved shield 11 is protected in this way, in the method steps illustrated in FIG2(e), the rear portion 21 of the outward-curved end region 17 of the shield 11 can be selectively combed in the circumferential direction 25 tangential to the circumference of the cable 1.

[0065] For this purpose, the brushing device 51 can have at least one brush 31. The brush 31 can be positioned and moved relative to the cable 1 such that the bristles 33 of the brush 31 contact the unprotected rear portion 21 of the outward-facing shield 1. Here, the bristles 33 can pull any loose metal wires 23 that may exist in the wire mesh 13 and pull them along the circumferential direction 25. Thus, it is possible to prevent such protective metal wires 23 from extending rearward beyond the outward-facing shield 11 in the circumferential direction.

[0066] Possibly, the exposed rear portion 21 of the outward-facing shielding 11 can even be combed, causing the wires 23 to be selectively disassembled from the wire mesh 13 by the comb and redirected here or subsequently into the circumferential direction 25. The wires 25 surrounding the comb extend here along the sheath surface 29 of the cable 1.

[0067] As a supplementary measure (not shown in Figure 2(e)), the rear portion 21 of the outward-folded shield 11 can be pushed specifically toward the positive end of the cable 1, i.e., toward the protective sleeve 35, before combing. For this purpose, for example, a suitably cut metal plate can be placed on the outside of the cable 1 at a position after the outward-folded shield 11, i.e., radially, and then pushed forward in the longitudinal direction 27, i.e., toward the positive end of the cable 1, whereby the rear portion 21 of the outward-folded shield 11 protruding from the protective sleeve 35 is squeezed toward the protective sleeve 35. As a result, the wire mesh 13 can be compressed in the rear portion 21 of the shield 11 and may be partially erected, so that the wire mesh can then be combed more easily and effectively.

[0068] By brushing the rear portion 21, the length of the rear portion 21 of the outward-facing shield 11 can be significantly shortened. As shown in FIG2(f), the entire axial length of the outward-facing region 17 of the shield 11 can therefore be significantly shorter than before brushing (see FIG2(c)). Furthermore, by circumferential brushing, all the brushed wires 24 of the shield 11 in the rear region 21 can be made substantially the same and oriented along the circumferential direction 25 of the cable 1.

[0069] Finally, as shown in Figure 2(g), in the example shown, the outer conductor sleeve 41, which is part of the cable terminal element 43, is placed at the end 3 of the cable 1. For this purpose, the outer conductor sleeve 41 is pushed across the end 3 of the cable 1 by means of the fixing device 57, so that the outer conductor sleeve covers the entire outward-curved area 17 of the shield 11. Here, the inner conductor 7 can be connected to the respective inner conductor terminal 44 of the cable terminal element 43. The outer conductor sleeve 41 can then be fixed to the cable 1 by locally pressing the outer conductor sleeve together radially, particularly in the area where the outer conductor sleeve 41 is adjacent to the front portion 19 of the outward-curved end area 17 of the shield 11. This creates a crimping element 59 (indicated by a dashed line in Figure 2(g)), which clamps the cable 1 and, particularly in the front portion 19 of the shield, engages with the still intact wire mesh 13 of the outward-curved shield 11. Here, the crimping member 59 can be held at the interlaced metal wires of the wire mesh 13, so that the crimped outer conductor sleeve 41 can withstand the high tensile force acting in the longitudinal direction 27.

[0070] In the following sections, with reference to Figures 3(a) through (c), the feasibility of combing the rear portion 21 of the outwardly folded shield 11 using a suitable brush 31 is explained. The figures are highly illustrative and are intended only to illustrate the working principle.

[0071] Figure 3(a) illustrates a design in which the brush 31 is fixedly held relative to the cable 1. The brush 31 can be a circular brush and can rotate along the brush rotation direction 61, i.e., about a rotation axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction 27 of the cable 1. In this case, the cable 1 can rotate along the circumferential direction 25, i.e., about its longitudinal direction 27. For this purpose, for example, the drive device 53 can move the cable 1 in a suitable manner. Correspondingly, the outer circumference of the rear portion 21 of the cable 1, together with the outwardly folded shield 11, arranged therein, moves sequentially along the brush 31 and can be brushed by the brush bristles 33 along the circumferential direction 25.

[0072] Figure 3(b) illustrates an alternative design in which the brush 31 moves around the outer circumference of the cable 1 along the brush circumferential direction 63 to comb the rear portion 21 of the outwardly folded shield 11 along the circumferential direction 25. In this case, the cable 1 does not need to move or rotate during the combing process. The brush 31 can also be implemented as a circular brush and rotate along the brush rotation direction 61.

[0073] The design shown in Figure 3(a) and Figure 3(b) can include multiple brushes 31. The brushes 31 can be arranged at different positions along the circumference of the cable 1. This allows for a faster brushing process and / or a more efficient brushing process design.

[0074] Figure 3(c) illustrates an alternative design in which the brush 31 is implemented as a ring brush. The bristles 33 of the brush 31 are fixed to the ring, which has a larger diameter than the cable 1. The bristles 33 extend radially inward from the ring. Correspondingly, the ring brush can be pushed past the end of the cable 1. Subsequently, the brush 31 can rotate in the brush rotation direction 63, allowing the brush bristles 33 to circumferentially comb the rear portion 21 of the outwardly turned shield 11. Alternatively or supplementarily, the cable 1 can rotate about its longitudinal direction 27.

[0075] Finally, it should be noted that the steps of the method described herein can be performed by means of device 65, which may also include a holding device 45, an outward turning device 47, a protective device 49, and a combing device 51. Additionally, device 65 may also include a driving device 53, a moving device 55, and a fixing device 57. However, for clarity, device 45 is not shown as a whole in the figures. Furthermore, the different devices 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, and 57 are shown only very schematically.

[0076] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having" or "comprising" do not exclude any other elements or steps, and terms such as "an" or "a" do not exclude a plural. It should also be noted that the features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other above embodiments.

[0077] List of reference numerals

[0078] 1 cable

[0079] 3. Cable ends

[0080] 5. Cable internal section

[0081] 7 Inner Conductor

[0082] 9 Intermediate Insulation Components

[0083] 11 shielding components

[0084] 13 Metal Wire Mesh

[0085] 15 External insulation components

[0086] 17. Outwardly folded end area of ​​the shielding component

[0087] 19. Front part of the outward-facing shielding component

[0088] 21. Rear part of the outward-facing shielding component

[0089] 23. Metal wires of the shielding component

[0090] 24. Metal wires of the comb in the shielding component

[0091] 25. Circumferential direction

[0092] 27. Longitudinal direction

[0093] 29 Sheath Surface

[0094] 31 brushes

[0095] 33 bristles

[0096] 35 Protective sleeve

[0097] 37. End side of protective sleeve

[0098] 39 Funnel-shaped extension

[0099] 41 outer conductor bushing

[0100] 43 Cable terminal components

[0101] 44 Inner conductor terminal

[0102] 45 Holding device

[0103] 47 Outward Flipping Device

[0104] 49. Protective devices

[0105] 51. Brush Settings

[0106] 53 Drive unit

[0107] 55 Mobile devices

[0108] 57 Fixing device

[0109] 59 Crimping parts

[0110] 61. Brush rotation direction

[0111] 63. Brush rotation direction

[0112] 65. Equipment.

Claims

1. A method for processing an end portion (3) of a cable (1), wherein, The cable (1) has a shield (11) made of wire mesh (13) around a cable inner portion (5), wherein the method has: - everted end regions (17) of the shield (11), - a front portion (19) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11) that is proximal to the end (3) of the cable (1) is protected from mechanical contact from the outside, while a rear portion (21) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11) that is distal to the end (3) of the cable (1) remains unprotected exposed, and - the rear portion (21) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11) is combed in a circumferential direction (25) that is tangential to the circumference of the cable (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein - the rear portion (21) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11) is combed such that wires (23) from the wire mesh (13) of the shield (11) are at least partially disentangled and arranged in an extended manner along a jacket surface (29) of the cable (1) in a circumferential direction (25) of the cable (1).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - a brush (31) for combing and the cable (1) are moved relative to one another such that the brush (31) is guided along the circumference of the cable (1) in a circumferential direction (25) around the end (3) of the cable (1).

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein - the front portion (19) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11) is protected by means of a protective sleeve (35) that is designed and positioned such that the protective sleeve (35) covers the outer circumference of the front portion (19) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11) and does not cover the rear portion (21) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein - the protective sleeve (35) has a funnel-shaped widening (39) at at least one end side (37).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, - wherein the method further comprises: - an outer conductor sleeve (41) is arranged at the end (3) of the cable (1) such that the outer conductor sleeve (41) covers the front portion (19) and the combed rear portion (21) in a circumferential direction (25) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein - the outer conductor sleeve (41) is fixed at the end (3) of the cable (1), in particular in abutment to the front portion (19) of the everted end regions (17) of the shield (11).

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The front portion (19) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) is longer in the longitudinal direction (27) of the cable (1) than the rear portion (21) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11).

9. A cable (1) having: a cable inner portion (5), and a shield (11) made of wire mesh (13) surrounding the cable inner portion (5), wherein an end region (17) of the shield (11) is turned up, wherein a front portion (19) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) near an end (3) of the cable (1) has wires (23) interwoven with one another, and wherein a rear portion (21) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) away from the end (3) of the cable (1) has wires (23) unraveled, which are arranged along a jacket surface (29) of the cable (1) running in a circumferential direction (25) tangential to a circumference of the cable (1).

10. The cable according to claim 9, further having an outer conductor sleeve (41) covering the front portion (19) and the rear portion (21) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) and being fixed at the cable (1) at least in the region of the front portion (19) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11).

11. An apparatus (65) for processing an end portion (3) of a cable (1), wherein A shield (11) made of wire mesh (13) surrounds a cable inner portion (5), wherein the device (65) has: a holding device (45) for holding an end (3) of a cable (1); a turning device (47) for turning up an end region (17) of the shield (11); a protection device (49) for temporarily protecting a front portion (19) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) near the end (3) of the cable (1) against contact from the outside, while a rear portion (21) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) away from the end (3) of the cable (1) remains unprotected exposed; and a brushing device (51) for brushing the rear portion (21) of the turned-up end region (17) of the shield (11) in a circumferential direction (25) tangential to a circumference of the cable (1).

12. The device according to claim 11, Further having a drive device (53) configured for moving the cable (1) held by the holding device (45) and at least one brush (31) arranged in the brushing device (51) relative to each other, so that the rear portion (21) of the turned-out end region (17) of the shield (11) is brushed by the brush (31) so that the wires (23) of the wire mesh (13) from the shield (11) are at least partially detached and arranged along the jacket surface (29) of the cable (1) in the circumferential direction (25) of the cable.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, Further having a moving device (55) configured for moving the cable (1) held by the holding device (45) and a protective sleeve (35) arranged in the protection device (49) relative to each other, so that the protective sleeve (35) temporarily covers the outer circumference of the front portion (19) of the turned-out end region (17) of the shield (11) and does not cover the rear portion (21) of the turned-out end region (17) of the shield (11).

14. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, Further having a fixing device (57) for fixing an outer conductor sleeve (41) at the end (3) of the cable (1), so that the outer conductor sleeve (41) covers the front portion (19) and the brushed rear portion (21) in the circumferential direction of the turned-out end region (17) of the shield (11).

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