A cable straightening device and method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of cable processing technology, and more particularly to a cable straightening device and method. The device includes: a clamping mechanism for clamping and fixing the cable; a straightening mechanism disposed opposite to the clamping mechanism; and a driving mechanism connected to the straightening mechanism for driving the straightening mechanism to move towards or away from the clamping mechanism. The straightening mechanism includes a guide cylinder coaxially disposed with the clamping mechanism and a variable-angle tube disposed opposite to the guide cylinder and whose axial direction is variably angled with the axis of the guide cylinder. It also includes a rotation drive assembly for driving the straightening mechanism to rotate, and a variable-angle drive assembly for driving the angle of the variable-angle tube to change. Through the above-described configuration, this invention achieves cable end straightening compared to existing technologies, and the method of rotating the variable-angle tube while retracting also improves the accuracy of cable end straightening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cable processing technology, and in particular to a cable straightening device and straightening method. Background Technology

[0002] After production, cables are often packaged in rolls for easy transportation, which results in the cables being bent when unwound. Therefore, the cables need to be straightened before processing.

[0003] In the prior art, such as the Chinese utility model patent with authorization announcement number CN217858556U disclosed on November 22, 2022, a cable straightening device is provided. By installing the straightening mechanism on the turntable and driving the turntable to rotate the cable straightener around the cable through the drive component, the cable straightening device can straighten the cable from any angle along the axial direction, thus avoiding the problem of the traditional cable straightening direction being singular.

[0004] However, the inventors discovered that the above solution is only applicable to straightening cables during the processing, and it is difficult to perform straightness calibration on the free end of the cable. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of at least one of the above technical problems, the present invention provides a cable straightening device and a straightening method, which improves the accuracy of cable free end straightening operation by adopting structural improvements.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cable straightening device is provided, comprising:

[0007] Clamping mechanism, used for clamping and fixing cables;

[0008] A straightening mechanism is disposed opposite to the clamping mechanism;

[0009] A driving mechanism, connected to the straightening mechanism, is used to drive the straightening mechanism to move toward or away from the clamping mechanism;

[0010] The straightening mechanism includes a guide cylinder coaxially arranged with the clamping mechanism and a variable angle tube arranged opposite to the guide cylinder and whose axial angle with the axis of the guide cylinder can be varied; it also includes a rotation drive assembly for driving the straightening mechanism to rotate and a variable angle drive assembly for driving the variable angle tube to change its angle.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, a centering auxiliary clamping assembly is further included, the centering auxiliary clamping assembly having two oppositely arranged arc-shaped clamping claws, the clamping centers of the two arc-shaped clamping claws being coaxially arranged with the guide cylinder.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the guide tube is configured in a constricted shape, and its diameter gradually decreases in the direction toward the variable angle tube, and the diameter of the minimum clamping center of the arc-shaped gripper is smaller than the maximum diameter of the guide tube.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the variable angle tube is a straight tube structure, and the axis of the variable angle tube is collinear with the axis of the guide tube in the initial state.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the variable angle drive assembly includes a support plate, a swing seat that can be rotatably connected to the support plate at a set angle, an L-shaped transmission member that is centrally rotatably connected to the support plate and has one end pivotally connected to the swing seat, and a drive rod that is pivotally connected to the other end of the L-shaped transmission member.

[0015] The variable angle tube is fixed on the swing seat. When the drive rod moves closer to or away from the swing seat, the L-shaped transmission component drives the swing seat to change direction.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, a first support and a second support are further included. The first support includes a base plate and a vertical plate perpendicularly connected to the base plate. The clamping mechanism is disposed on one side of the vertical plate. The second support is slidably disposed on the first support and disposed on the other side of the vertical plate. The vertical plate has a hole through which the guide cylinder passes.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the straightening mechanism is fixed on the second support, and the driving mechanism is fixed on the substrate and connected to the second support to drive the second support to move closer to or away from the vertical plate.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second bracket has a rotating cylinder, the guide cylinder is fixed inside the rotating cylinder, and the rotation drive assembly is connected to the rotating cylinder to drive the rotation of the rotating cylinder.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, a sliding seat may be slidably connected to the second bracket, the drive rod is rotatably connected to the sliding seat and extends into the rotating cylinder, and the variable angle drive assembly further includes a linear drive member for driving the sliding seat to move.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cable straightening method is also provided, using a cable straightening apparatus as described in any one of the first aspects, comprising the following steps:

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention

[0022] The clamping mechanism is controlled to clamp the cable to be straightened, so that one end of the cable faces the straightening mechanism;

[0023] The drive straightening mechanism moves closer to the clamping mechanism, causing the cable end to extend from the guide tube into the variable angle tube;

[0024] Control the corner drive component to change the angle of the variable angle tube;

[0025] The variable angle tube is driven to rotate, and at the same time the straightening mechanism is driven away from the clamping mechanism to straighten the cable end.

[0026] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By setting a guide cylinder and a variable angle tube in the straightening mechanism, during the actual straightening process, the bent end of the cable enters the variable angle tube through the guide cylinder. After the variable angle tube changes a certain angle, it rotates and retracts at the same time, thereby straightening the bent end of the cable. Through the above setting, compared with the prior art, the straightening of the cable end is achieved. At the same time, the method of rotating the variable angle tube while retracting also improves the accuracy of the cable end straightening. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cable straightening device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the straightening mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the straightening mechanism in this embodiment of the invention when the angle tube changes angle;

[0031] Figure 4 As described in the embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the diagram;

[0032] Figure 5 As described in the embodiments of the present invention Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point B in the diagram;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cable straightening device from another perspective in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 As described in the embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point C in the diagram;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the steps in the cable straightening method in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0037] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 7 The cable straightening device shown is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes a clamping mechanism 1, a straightening mechanism 2, and a driving mechanism 3; in some embodiments of the present invention, the clamping mechanism 1 is used for clamping and fixing the cable; here, cable clamping and fixing refers to maintaining a section of cable in a horizontal position, with the bent end of the cable facing one end of the straightening mechanism 2, such as... Figure 7 The diagram illustrates various cable bending states; the straightening mechanism 2 is positioned opposite the clamping mechanism 1. In embodiments of the present invention, such as... Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the straightening mechanism 2 includes a guide cylinder 21 coaxially arranged with the clamping mechanism 1 and a variable angle tube 22 opposite to the guide cylinder 21, the variable angle tube 22 being axially angled with the axis of the guide cylinder 21. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the guide cylinder 21 serves as a guide, guiding the bent cable end into the variable angle tube 22. The variable angle tube 22 refers to a tube that can change the cable angle; it does not mean the angle of the tube itself is constant. After the cable end passes through the guide cylinder 21 into the variable angle tube 22, the variable angle tube 22 changes its angle. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4As shown, the variable angle tube 22 is collinear with the guide tube 21 in the initial state to facilitate the entry of the cable end, as... Figure 5 As shown, the angle of the variable angle tube 22 changes relative to its original position, thereby changing the angle of the cable end entering it;

[0040] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment of the invention, a rotation drive assembly 4 for driving the straightening mechanism 2 to rotate, and a variable angle drive assembly 5 for driving the angle change of the variable angle tube 22, are also included. It is necessary that the structure for driving the angle change of the variable angle tube 22 has various structural forms. For example, one end of the variable angle tube 22 near the guide cylinder 21 can be rotatably connected, and the other end can be driven to swing through a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or other structure, thereby achieving angle change. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention, after the angle of the variable angle tube 22 changes, the straightening mechanism 2 rotates while retracting under the action of the drive mechanism 3. The centrifugal force of the cable in the variable angle tube 22 as it rotates increases the frictional force on the cable during retraction, thereby improving the straightening accuracy of the cable end during the retraction process. Actual calculations show that the eccentricity of the cable end before straightening is 10-15mm, and after straightening by the straightening device, the eccentricity is reduced to 1-2mm. Please continue to refer to... Figure 1 In some embodiments of the present invention, the driving mechanism 3 is connected to the straightening mechanism 2 and is used to drive the straightening mechanism 2 to move toward or away from the clamping mechanism 1. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention, the structure used to drive the straightening mechanism 2 to move linearly reciprocatingly can take various forms, such as a motor screw structure, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a drive via a synchronous belt, synchronous pulley, sprocket, or chain.

[0041] In the above embodiment, by setting a guide cylinder 21 and a variable angle tube 22 in the straightening mechanism 2, when straightening is performed, the bent end of the cable enters the variable angle tube 22 through the guide cylinder 21. After the variable angle tube 22 changes a certain angle, it rotates and retracts at the same time, so that the bent end of the cable is straightened. With the above setting, compared with the prior art, the straightening of the cable end is achieved. At the same time, the method of rotating the variable angle tube 22 while retracting also improves the accuracy of the cable end straightening.

[0042] Based on the above embodiments, in some embodiments of the present invention, in order to address the situation where cables with large curvature cannot enter the guide cylinder 21 before straightening, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 7As shown, it also includes a centering auxiliary clamp assembly 6, which has two opposing arc-shaped clamping jaws 61, the clamping centers of which are coaxial with the guide cylinder 21. With this arrangement, as... Figure 7 As shown, before the cable end enters the guide cylinder 21, the curved portion of the cable end is restrained at the center position of the two arc-shaped grippers 61 by the clamping of the two arc-shaped grippers 61. After the cable end is guided into the guide cylinder 21, the two arc-shaped grippers 61 then open, as shown... Figure 6 As shown, after the two arc-shaped grippers 61 open, the straightening mechanism 2 is allowed to continue moving towards the clamping mechanism 1 to insert the cable end into the angle tube 22. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, to further improve the success rate of the cable end entering the angle tube 22, a camera can be set to identify the bending direction of the cable end, and then the rotation drive assembly 4 is controlled to adjust the angle of the angle tube 22 so that the bending direction of the cable end is the same. This arrangement facilitates the smooth entry of the bent portion of the cable end into the angle tube 22.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the guide cylinder 21 is constricted, and its diameter gradually decreases towards the variable angle tube 22. The diameter of the minimum clamping center of the arc-shaped gripper 61 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the guide cylinder 21. This design ensures the reliability of the cable end entering the guide cylinder 21. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, please continue to refer to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The end of the guide cylinder 21 away from the clamping mechanism 1 also has a straight cylindrical tubular structure. The outer diameter of the tubular structure is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable to be straightened, and the end of the tubular structure is chamfered. This chamfered structure can effectively avoid damage to the cable and improve the straightening accuracy.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the variable angle tube 22 is a straight tube structure, and its axis is initially collinear with the axis of the guide tube 21. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention, the wall of the end of the variable angle tube 22 facing the guide tube 21 is also chamfered. This arrangement further improves the entry of the cable end into the variable angle tube 22.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, the specific structure of the angle-changing drive component 5 is as follows: Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the variable angle drive assembly 5 includes a support plate 51, a swing seat 52 rotatably connected to the support plate 51 at a set angle, an L-shaped transmission member 53 centrally rotatably connected to the support plate 51 and pivotally connected at one end to the swing seat 52, and a drive rod 54 pivotally connected to the other end of the L-shaped transmission member 53; the variable angle tube 22 is fixed to the swing seat 52, and when the drive rod 54 moves closer to or away from the swing seat 52, the L-shaped transmission member 53 drives the swing seat 52 to change direction. With this configuration, the angle of the variable angle tube 22 can be changed simply by extending or retracting the drive rod 54. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, an arc-shaped limiting hole is also provided on the swing seat 52. This setting can prevent the angle swing of the variable angle tube 22 from exceeding the limit, thereby further improving the reliability of cable straightening.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, it also includes a first support 7 and a second support 8. The first support 7 includes a base plate 71 and a vertical plate 72 perpendicularly connected to the base plate 71. A clamping mechanism 1 is disposed on one side of the vertical plate 72. The second support 8 is slidably disposed on the first support 7 and disposed on the other side of the vertical plate 72. The vertical plate 72 has holes for the guide cylinder 21 to pass through. In actual connection, the clamping mechanism 1 can be fixed in the top forward position of the vertical plate 72. Please continue to refer to... Figure 1 The straightening mechanism 2 is fixed to the second support 8, and the driving mechanism 3 is fixed to the base plate 71 and connected to the second support 8 to drive the second support 8 closer to or further away from the vertical plate 72. This configuration results in a simple structure that is easy to manufacture. Please continue to refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 6 The second bracket 8 has a rotating cylinder 41, and the guide cylinder 21 is fixed inside the rotating cylinder 41. The rotation drive assembly 4 is connected to the rotating cylinder 41 and is used to drive the rotation of the rotating cylinder 41. It should be noted that the rotating cylinder 41 can be rotatably fixed on the second bracket 8 by bearings and is connected to a motor by a synchronous belt. The synchronous belt is connected to the rotating cylinder 41 to realize the rotation drive of the rotating cylinder 41.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the extension and retraction of the drive rod 54 are implemented as follows: Figure 6 As shown, a sliding seat 81 can also be slidably connected to the second bracket 8. The drive rod 54 is rotatably connected to the sliding seat 81 and extends into the rotating cylinder 41. The variable angle drive assembly 5 also includes a linear drive member 55 for driving the sliding seat 81 to move. The rotatable connection of the drive rod 54 can be achieved by bearings or the like. The movement of the sliding seat 81 drives the movement of the telescopic rod, while not affecting the movement of the telescopic rod within the rotating cylinder 41.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, a method such as... is also provided. Figure 8The cable straightening method shown, using the aforementioned cable straightening device, includes the following steps:

[0049] S10: Control the clamping mechanism 1 to clamp the cable to be straightened, so that one end of the cable faces the straightening mechanism 2;

[0050] S20: Drive the straightening mechanism 2 to move closer to the clamping mechanism 1, so that the end of the cable extends from the guide tube 21 into the variable angle tube 22;

[0051] S30: Controls the corner drive assembly to change the angle of the variable angle tube 22;

[0052] S40: Drive the variable angle tube 22 to rotate, and at the same time drive the straightening mechanism 2 away from the clamping mechanism 1 to straighten the cable end.

[0053] Those skilled in the art should understand that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cable straightening device, characterized in that, include: Clamping mechanism, used for clamping and fixing cables; A straightening mechanism is disposed opposite to the clamping mechanism; A driving mechanism, connected to the straightening mechanism, is used to drive the straightening mechanism to move toward or away from the clamping mechanism; The straightening mechanism includes a guide cylinder coaxially arranged with the clamping mechanism and a variable angle tube arranged opposite to the guide cylinder and whose axial angle with the axis of the guide cylinder can be varied; it also includes a rotation drive assembly for driving the straightening mechanism to rotate and a variable angle drive assembly for driving the variable angle tube to change its angle.

2. The cable straightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a centering auxiliary clamp assembly, which has two oppositely arranged arc-shaped clamps, the clamping centers of the two arc-shaped clamps being coaxially arranged with the guide cylinder.

3. The cable straightening device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide tube is designed with a constricted opening, and its diameter gradually decreases towards the variable angle tube. The diameter of the minimum clamping center of the arc-shaped gripper is smaller than the maximum diameter of the guide tube.

4. The cable straightening device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The variable angle tube is a straight tube structure, and its axis is initially collinear with the axis of the guide tube.

5. The cable straightening device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The variable angle drive assembly includes a support plate, a swing seat that can be rotated relative to the support plate at a set angle, an L-shaped transmission member that is rotatably connected to the support plate at the center and pivotally connected at one end to the swing seat, and a drive rod that is pivotally connected to the other end of the L-shaped transmission member. The variable angle tube is fixed on the swing seat. When the drive rod moves closer to or away from the swing seat, the L-shaped transmission component drives the swing seat to change direction.

6. The cable straightening device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes a base plate and a vertical plate perpendicularly connected to the base plate. The clamping mechanism is disposed on one side of the vertical plate. The second bracket is slidably disposed on the first bracket and disposed on the other side of the vertical plate. The vertical plate has a hole for the guide cylinder to pass through.

7. The cable straightening device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The straightening mechanism is fixed on the second support, and the driving mechanism is fixed on the base plate and connected to the second support to drive the second support to move closer to or away from the vertical plate.

8. The cable straightening device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second bracket has a rotating cylinder, the guide cylinder is fixed inside the rotating cylinder, and the rotation drive assembly is connected to the rotating cylinder to drive the rotation of the rotating cylinder.

9. The cable straightening device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second bracket may also have a sliding seat slidably connected to it. The drive rod is rotatably connected to the sliding seat and extends into the rotating cylinder. The variable angle drive assembly also includes a linear drive for driving the sliding seat to move.

10. A cable straightening method, characterized in that, The cable straightening device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises the following steps: The clamping mechanism is controlled to clamp the cable to be straightened, so that one end of the cable faces the straightening mechanism; The drive straightening mechanism moves closer to the clamping mechanism, causing the cable end to extend from the guide tube into the variable angle tube; Control the angle-changing drive component to change the angle of the angle-changing tube; The variable angle tube is driven to rotate, and at the same time the straightening mechanism is driven away from the clamping mechanism to straighten the cable end.

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