An optical cable inner end automatic collection device and method

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic collection device for inner ends of optical cables, which comprises a motor, a winch and a support frame for being installed on the end side plate of an I-shaped disc, the winch is rotatably installed on the support frame through a bearing, and the motor is connected with the winch for driving the winch to rotate, so that the part of the inner end of the optical cable which is loosened and thrown out is wound on the winch. The application can be integrally installed on the outer side of the I-shaped disc, the winch is driven to rotate by the motor, the inner end of the optical cable which is thrown out on the I-shaped disc is wound on the winch, the extended inner end of the optical cable is automatically collected in rewinding or construction, the inner end of the optical cable is not easily damaged, the inner end is not frequently arranged, and the rewinding or construction efficiency is not affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical cable winding facilities, and more specifically, relates to an automatic collection device and method for the inner end of an optical cable. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, optical cable winding reels generally use I-beam reels, which have two end side plates and a central rotating shaft connecting the two end side plates. The central rotating shaft has a hollow structure, so that the I-beam reel can be installed on the cable rack through the top cone for rewinding or construction cable laying.

[0003] Reference Figure 1 During the rewinding or laying process of optical cable, the inner end 100 of the optical cable is prone to loosening and falling out. The longer the rewinding or laying time, the more the cable falls out. The fallen part is generally fixed to the inner side of the end side plate 300 of the I-beam with a wire clip 200. This action requires frequent machine stops for processing, which affects the efficiency of rewinding or laying out. Moreover, the points fixed by the wire clip can also loosen during the high-speed rotation of the reel, causing the optical cable to collide frequently with the side plate of the I-beam, ultimately resulting in damage to the inner end of the optical cable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned deficiencies or improvement needs of existing technologies, this invention provides an automatic optical cable inner end collection device and method, which can automatically collect the protruding inner end of the optical cable during rewinding or construction laying, making it less susceptible to damage and eliminating the need for frequent machine shutdowns to clean the inner end, thereby reducing the efficiency of rewinding or construction laying.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, an automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable is provided, characterized in that it includes a motor, a winch, and a support frame for mounting to the end side plate of an I-beam reel. The winch is rotatably mounted on the support frame via bearings for fixing the end of the inner end of the optical cable wound on the I-beam reel. The motor is connected to the winch for driving the winch to rotate, thereby winding the loose portion of the inner end of the optical cable onto the winch.

[0006] Preferably, the support frame includes a ring body and support rods, with multiple support rods installed on the outside of the ring body for fixed connection with the I-beam disc, the winch coaxially mounted on the ring body, and the motor fixedly mounted on the support rods.

[0007] Preferably, the motor is connected to the winch via a transmission mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the transmission mechanism is a belt drive mechanism or a chain drive mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, the direction of rotation of the winch is opposite to the direction of rotation of the I-beam.

[0010] Preferably, the winch is provided with a clamp for clamping the inner end of the optical cable.

[0011] Preferably, the motor shaft is equipped with a torque sensor to keep the torque on the motor shaft within a set threshold range;

[0012] When the torque sensor detects that the torque on the motor shaft is less than the minimum value within the set threshold range, the motor shaft drives the winch to rotate.

[0013] When the torque sensor detects that the torque on the motor shaft is greater than the minimum value within the set threshold range, the motor shaft stops rotating.

[0014] Preferably, the motor is powered by a battery.

[0015] Preferably, a slip ring is connected to the motor for supplying power to the motor.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for automatically collecting the inner end of an optical cable using an automatic inner end collection device is also provided, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0017] 1) Hang the support frame on the end side plate of the I-beam, and both the motor and the winch are located outside the I-beam;

[0018] 2) After passing the inner end of the optical cable on the I-beam reel through the end side plate of the I-beam reel, fix it to the winch;

[0019] 3) The I-beam rotates in the first direction. If the inner end of the optical cable wound on the I-beam becomes loose and falls out, the motor drives the winch to rotate in the second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the inner end of the optical cable is automatically wound on the winch.

[0020] In summary, compared with the prior art, the above-described technical solutions conceived by this invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0021] This invention can be installed on the outside of the I-beam reel. The winch is driven by a motor to rotate, so that the winch winds the inner end of the optical cable that is thrown out on the I-beam reel. During rewinding or construction laying, the extended inner end of the optical cable is automatically collected, so that the inner end of the optical cable is not easily damaged and the machine stops frequently to clean the inner end, which affects the efficiency of rewinding or construction. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the inner end of the optical cable wound on the I-beam reel being thrown out in the existing technology;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the present invention installed on an I-beam plate on a cable rack. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 An automatic optical cable inner end collection device includes a motor 1, a winch 2, and a support frame 3 for mounting on the end side plate 51 of an I-beam reel 5. The winch 2 is rotatably mounted on the support frame 3 via bearings to fix the end of the inner end 6 of the optical cable wound on the I-beam reel 5. The motor 1 is connected to the winch 2 to drive the winch 2 to rotate, thereby winding the loose portion of the inner end 6 of the optical cable back onto the winch 2. In this invention, the end of the optical cable closer to the central pivot 52 of the I-beam reel 5 is called the inner end 6 of the optical cable. The inner end 6 is a section of optical cable with a certain length, and the end that is released is called the outer end of the optical cable. This invention uses an automatic optical cable inner end collection device externally attached to the I-beam reel 5. The support frame 3 can rotate with the I-beam reel 5. The motor 1 drives the winch 2 to rotate, gradually winding up the optical cable that has been thrown off the I-beam reel 5 without interrupting construction, thus improving efficiency.

[0027] Furthermore, the support frame 3 includes a ring body 32 and support rods 31. Multiple support rods 31 are installed on the outer side of the ring body 32 for fixed connection with the I-beam spool 5. The winch 2 is coaxially mounted on the ring body 32, and the motor 1 is fixedly mounted on the support rods 31. The inner diameter of the ring body 32 is larger than the inner hole of the central shaft 52 of the I-beam spool 5, so as not to affect the installation of the I-beam spool 5 onto the cable frame 7 via the top cone 71, avoiding interference during the clamping process of the I-beam spool 5 on the cable frame. Preferably, four support rods 31 are provided. The four support rods 31 at 90 degrees to each other are the main support parts of the support frame 3. The ends of the four support rods 31 away from the ring body are fixed to the outer circle of the end side plate 51 of the I-beam spool 5 by connecting claws 8 and bolts to prevent loosening during rewinding or unwinding.

[0028] Furthermore, the motor 1 is connected to the winch 2 via a transmission mechanism 4. The transmission mechanism 4 is a belt drive mechanism 4 or a chain drive mechanism 4, or the direction of rotation of the winch 2 is opposite to that of the I-beam 5, which facilitates the installation of the motor 1 on the support rod 31 and the reasonable arrangement of the positions of various structures.

[0029] Furthermore, the winch 2 is equipped with a clamp for clamping the end of the inner end 6 of the optical cable, so the end of the inner end 6 of the optical cable is detachably connected to the winch 2, which facilitates the separation of the I-beam 5 from the collection device after rewinding.

[0030] Furthermore, a torque sensor is installed on the shaft of motor 1 to maintain the torque on the shaft of motor 1 within a set threshold range. When the torque sensor detects that the torque on the shaft of motor 1 is less than the minimum value within the set threshold range, the shaft of motor 1 drives the winch 2 to rotate; when the torque sensor detects that the torque on the shaft of motor 1 is greater than the minimum value within the set threshold range, the shaft of motor 1 stops rotating. This allows the inner end 6 of the optical cable to be tightened as soon as it shows signs of loosening or being thrown out, keeping it in a taut state, which can accommodate the high-speed rotating I-beam 5. The tension of motor 1 is controlled by the detected torque, ensuring that the tension of motor 1 is also maintained within the set threshold range.

[0031] Furthermore, the motor 1 is battery powered. Since the motor 1 rotates with the wire feeder, it requires battery power; a rechargeable battery can be used. Alternatively, a slip ring can be connected to the motor 1 to supply power. If the battery output torque is insufficient, a sliding electrical connection structure, such as a slip ring, is required.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for automatically collecting the inner end of an optical cable using an automatic inner end collection device is also provided, comprising the following steps:

[0033] 1) Hang the support frame 3 on the end side plate 51 of the I-beam 5, and the motor 1 and the winch 2 are both located outside the I-beam 5; the entire collection device is located outside the I-beam 5 to prevent the inner end 6 of the optical cable from colliding with the collection device and damaging the optical cable when it is thrown out.

[0034] 2) After passing the end of the inner end 6 of the optical cable on the I-beam 5 through the end side plate 51 of the I-beam 5, fix it to the winch 2. When the winch 2 rotates, it can drive the inner end 6 of the optical cable to rotate.

[0035] 3) The I-beam spool 5 rotates in the first direction. If the inner end 6 of the optical cable wound on the I-beam spool 5 loosens and falls out, the motor 1 drives the winch 2 to rotate in the second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the inner end of the optical cable is automatically wound onto the winch 2. The loosening and falling of the inner end 6 of the optical cable can be determined by manual observation, experience, or a visual recognition system. In short, the winch 2 is used to wind up the cable after it has fallen out to a certain length. In this invention, a torque sensor is preferably installed on the shaft of the motor 1 to prevent the inner end 6 of the optical cable from falling out. The rotation direction of the winch 2 is opposite to the rotation direction of the I-beam spool 5. When the inner end 6 of the optical cable loosens and falls out, the motor 1 rotates to tighten the inner end 6 of the optical cable onto the winding drum and generates a certain torque tension.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable, characterized in that, The device includes a motor, a winch, and a support frame for mounting to the end side plate of the I-beam reel. The winch is rotatably mounted on the support frame via bearings to secure the end of the inner end of the optical cable wound on the I-beam reel. The motor is connected to the winch to drive the winch to rotate, thereby winding the loose portion of the inner end of the optical cable back onto the winch. The motor shaft is equipped with a torque sensor to keep the torque on the motor shaft within a set threshold range. When the torque sensor detects that the torque on the motor shaft is less than the minimum value within the set threshold range, the motor shaft drives the winch to rotate. When the torque sensor detects that the torque on the motor shaft is greater than the minimum value within the set threshold range, the motor shaft stops rotating.

2. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame includes a ring body and support rods. Multiple support rods are installed on the outside of the ring body for fixed connection with the I-beam disc. The winch is coaxially installed on the ring body, and the motor is fixedly installed on the support rods.

3. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor is connected to the winch via a transmission mechanism.

4. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism is a belt drive mechanism or a chain drive mechanism.

5. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The winch rotates in the opposite direction to the I-beam.

6. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The winch is equipped with clamps for holding the inner end of the optical cable.

7. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor is powered by a battery.

8. The automatic collection device for the inner end of an optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor is connected to a slip ring for supplying power to the motor.

9. A method for automatically collecting the inner end of an optical cable using an automatic collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: 1) Hang the support frame on the end side plate of the I-beam, and both the motor and the winch are located outside the I-beam; 2) After passing the inner end of the optical cable on the I-beam reel through the end side plate of the I-beam reel, fix it to the winch; 3) The I-beam rotates in the first direction. If the inner end of the optical cable wound on the I-beam becomes loose and falls out, the motor drives the winch to rotate in the second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the inner end of the optical cable is automatically wound on the winch.

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