Apparatus and method for carding a shield braid layer of a wire

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for carding a shielding braid of a conductor, the device having a base, a drive and a transmission, wherein the drive and the transmission are arranged on the base, a rotor, which is connected to the drive via the transmission and can be set in rotation by the drive, at least one rotatable brush, which is fixed on an end side of the rotor, a cover, which at least partially surrounds the rotor in the circumferential direction, a recess along the circumference of the rotor, wherein the recess forms a closed channel with the cover at least partially along the circumference of the rotor, at least one through-opening in the rotor, which establishes an air connection between the recess and an opening at the end side, and a suction device, which is connected to the channel via a connection, in order to generate an air flow from the opening via the through-opening and the channel to a filter in the suction device. The invention also relates to a method for carding a shielding braid of a conductor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus and methods for combing the shielding braid of conductors, particularly in automated conductor assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In conductor or cable assembly, for certain processing steps, it may be necessary to expose and untangle the braided shielding of the conductor (e.g., coaxial conductor) and, if necessary, or to orient it in a predetermined direction. In the prior art, untangling is typically performed by combing the braided shielding in one direction. However, combing is a mechanical method, which can sometimes result in individual shielding wires breaking. Broken shielding wires can lead to damage and / or contamination at the conductor and / or equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method by means of which at least the above-mentioned disadvantages are reduced.

[0004] The above-mentioned objectives are achieved by the apparatus according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 7. Other advantageous embodiments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings.

[0005] Specifically, the above objective is achieved by a device for combing the shielding braid of wires, the device comprising: a base, a driver and a transmission mechanism, wherein the driver and the transmission mechanism are arranged on the base; a rotor connected to the driver via the transmission mechanism and capable of being rotated by the driver; at least one rotatable brush fixed to an end side of the rotor; a cover that at least partially surrounds the rotor in a circumferential direction; a recess along the circumference of the rotor, wherein the recess and the cover form at least partially closed channels along the circumference of the rotor; at least one through-hole in the rotor that establishes an air connection between the recess and an opening at the end side; and a suction device connected to the channel via a connection for generating an airflow from the opening through the through-hole and the channel to a filter in the suction device.

[0006] This invention offers several advantages: unwanted small debris, such as broken shielding wires, is directly sucked in at least one brush during combing. Therefore, these unwanted small debris cannot cause damage to the current wire or the next wire to be combed. The suction airflow also remains in the same position relative to the brush, independent of the rotor position. Furthermore, the airflow is guided along the circumference of the rotor, preventing the rotation of air hoses or the like. Moreover, the air passage can be easily cleaned simply by removing the cover to access it. Replacing at least one brush at the rotor is readily feasible. If more than one brush is fixed at the rotor, these brushes operate in perfect synchronization without complex mechanical structures or control devices. The rotation of the rotor is unrestricted; any number of rotations is possible, and the number of rotations can be flexibly adapted as needed.

[0007] Preferably, the opening is located near at least one brush. This ensures that unwanted small objects are drawn in close proximity to the brush, preventing them from spreading widely within the brush space and attaching or causing damage. The suction airflow is also maintained directly in close proximity to the brush, independent of the rotor position.

[0008] Preferably, the first axis of rotation of at least one brush is different from the axis of rotation of the rotor. By using different axes of rotation, the shielding braid of the wire can be fully combed along a predetermined direction even using only one brush. The predetermined direction can be oriented at least partially along the direction of the wire.

[0009] Preferably, the device also has an air guide at at least one opening for directing airflow directly from at least one rotatable brush to the through section. The air guide then targets the airflow specifically to the location where unwanted small debris is most likely to appear, achieving optimal cleaning results.

[0010] Preferably, the rotor is rotatably supported on a transmission device and is capable of rotating relative to the base and the cover. The rotor can be arbitrarily operated by a drive mechanism via the transmission device, making the entire device structurally flexible. Furthermore, the rotor and the cover form a channel, wherein the rotor side of the channel is in motion while the cover side remains stationary. This relative movement of the channel sides reduces the risk of small objects accidentally adhering to the channel.

[0011] Preferably, the device further includes a seal arranged circumferentially at the rotor and sealing the passage at least partially toward the cover. The seal is preferably abrasion-resistant and prevents unwanted spillage of small objects and / or airflow at the rotor.

[0012] The aforementioned objective is also achieved, in particular, by a method for combing the shielding braid of a conductor, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: introducing a conductor having at least partially exposed shielding braid into a device for combing the shielding braid; rotating at least one rotatable brush about a first axis of rotation at the end of a rotor and bringing the exposed shielding braid of the conductor into contact with the rotating brush; while the brush rotates, rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation, so that the exposed shielding braid of the conductor is fully combed; and generating an airflow from the opening through the through-hole and the channel at the rotor to the filter in the suction device by means of a suction device.

[0013] This method has the following advantages: unwanted small parts are sucked in during the combing process, and these small parts do not cause damage or soiling to the equipment. It poses no disadvantage to the operator of the equipment, which is extremely easy to operate, and produces neatly brushed and unbraided shielded braids or shielded wires at the conductors.

[0014] Preferably, the wires are introduced along the rotation axis of the rotor. The introduction and arrangement of the wires along the rotation axis causes a rotationally symmetrical combing of the shielding braid of the wires, thereby resulting in the combed shielding wires being arranged in a manner that is substantially uniformly distributed around the circumference of the wires.

[0015] Preferably, the shielding braid is brushed onto the forming sleeve at the wire end opposite to the wire. The forming sleeve preferably consists of at least two half-shells and is fixed to the wire during combing. By combing onto the forming sleeve, the combed shielding braid achieves a predetermined orientation. The resulting combed shielding wires are arranged in an orderly fashion on the forming sleeve.

[0016] Preferably, after combing the shielding braid, the method further includes the steps of: removing the conductor from the equipment and moving the shaped sleeve toward the conductor end, causing the combed shielding braid to lift off the conductor in a funnel shape at a predetermined angle toward the conductor end. Due to the specific orientation of the combed shielding braid, the shaped sleeve can be removed from the conductor without difficulty by opening preferably the two half-shells. Furthermore, the funnel-shaped orientation of the shielding braid toward the conductor end facilitates subsequent process steps. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The following description of the implementation method refers to the accompanying drawings. Here are the illustrations: Figure 1 A perspective view showing one embodiment of the device; Figure 2 A detailed perspective view of one embodiment of the rotor is shown; and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a rotor with an installed cover is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 A preferred embodiment of the device 1 for combing the shielding braid 32 of the conductor 30 is shown. Figure 3 The conductor 30 shown comprises a coaxial conductor having at least one (inner) conductor 34, a dielectric surrounding the conductor 34, a shielding braid 32 surrounding the dielectric, and a sheath protecting the shielding braid 32 outwards. At the conductor end 36, the conductor 34 is exposed, and the (also exposed) shielding braid 32 is combed away from the conductor end 36 and onto the molded sleeve 38. During combing, the shielding braid 32 is also unbraided, such that, as a result, multiple individual shielding wires are arranged on the molded sleeve 38.

[0020] exist Figure 1 The device 1 shown has a base 2, a driver 3, and a transmission 4, wherein the driver 3 and the transmission 4 are arranged on the base 2. The driver 3 is preferably an electric driver and can be arranged at substantially any position relative to the base 2. The base 2 is substantially the reference frame of the device 1. The device 1 shown also has a rotor 6, which is connected to the driver 3 via the transmission 4 and can be rotated by the driver 3. The rotor 6 is rotatably supported on the transmission 4 and can rotate relative to the base 2.

[0021] Device 1 also has at least one rotatable brush 10, which is fixed to the end side 13 of the rotor 6 (see...). Figure 2 ).exist Figure 2 In the preferred embodiment shown, two brushes 10 are arranged opposite each other around the rotation axis R of the rotor 6, such that the wires 30 or their shielding braided layer 32 can be combed simultaneously from both sides. The first rotation axis D1 of this brush 10 is different from the rotation axis R of the rotor 6. The same applies to the second brush 10 having a second rotation axis D2. At the opposite end sides, the rotor 6 is connected to the transmission device 4.

[0022] Furthermore, the device 1 has a cover 8 that at least partially surrounds the rotor 6 in the circumferential direction. The cover 8 is preferably made of metal and has a stable shape. Rotation of the rotor 6 occurs not only relative to the base 2 but also relative to the cover 8. Additionally, the device 1 has a recess 17 along the circumference of the rotor 6, wherein the recess 17 and the cover 8 at least partially form a closed channel 18 along the circumference of the rotor 6 (see...). Figure 2 and Figure 3The illustrated device 1 also has a seal 19 arranged circumferentially at the rotor 6 and sealing the channel 18 at least partially toward the cover 8. The seal can comprise an abrasion-resistant plastic or a material such as felt.

[0023] Furthermore, the device 1 has at least one through-hole 16 in the rotor 6, which establishes an air connection between the recess 17 and the opening 14 at the end side 13. In the preferred embodiment shown, the opening 14 is arranged near each of the two brushes 10. Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the device 1 further includes an air guide 15 at each of the two openings 14 for guiding the airflow L directly from the corresponding rotatable brush 10 to the corresponding through-hole 16. Figure 3 The air guide 15 shown includes a component that substantially covers the brush space to prevent unwanted small objects from scattering. The air guide 15 here substantially forms a flow channel for drawing in air, in which the brush 10 is located directly and circulated.

[0024] Finally, Figure 1 The device 1 shown has a suction device 20. The suction device 20 is connected to the channel 18 via a connecting part 24 to generate an airflow L from the opening 14 through the through part 16 and the channel 18 to the filter 22 in the suction device 20. The filter 22 is used to collect unwanted small objects and can be replaced and / or cleaned.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the method for combing the shielding braid 32 of the conductor 30 is described below. The method includes at least the following steps: first, the conductor 30 having at least partially exposed shielding braid 32 is introduced into a device 1 for combing the shielding braid 32. The conductor 30 is introduced via an inlet opening 12 between two brushes 10 such that the exposed shielding braid 32 is located at the height of the two brushes 10. The introduction of the conductor 30 is preferably carried out along the rotation axis R of the rotor 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation axis R is arranged along a first direction X.

[0026] Then, the two rotatable brushes 10 are rotated around a first rotation axis or a second rotation axis D1, D2 at the end side 13 of the rotor 6, and the exposed shielding braid 32 of the wire 30 is brought into contact with the two rotating brushes 10. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis D1, D2 are oriented transversely to the first direction X. Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the shielding braid 32 is brushed onto the forming sleeve 38 opposite to the wire end 36 of the wire 30. The forming sleeve 38 preferably consists of at least two (half) shells and is fixed to the wire 30 before the wire 30 is introduced into the device 1. Specifically, the forming sleeve 38 is arranged at the stripped edge of the wire 30. The forming sleeve 38 shown has a frustoconical shape, such that the combed shielding wires 32 acquire an orientation with increased spacing (or at a predetermined angle) relative to the wire 30. Combing is performed so that the shielding wires 32 of the wire 30 are evenly distributed outwards around the center of the wire.

[0027] While the two brushes 10 rotate, the rotor 6 rotates about its axis of rotation R, causing the exposed shielding braid 32 of the wire 30 to be fully combed (towards the forming sleeve 38). This rotation occurs transversely to the first direction X in the plane along the second and third directions Y and Z. Furthermore, during combing, an airflow L is generated by means of the suction device 20 from the opening 14 through the through-hole 16 and the channel 18 at the rotor 6 to the filter 22 in the suction device 20. Unwanted small objects, such as dust, dirt, and / or broken shielding wire components, are carried away from the two brushes 10 by the airflow L and transported along the airflow L to the filter 22, where they can be sorted.

[0028] Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the method, after combing the shielding braid 32, the conductor 30 is led out of the device 1 and the forming sleeve 38 is moved toward the conductor end 36, such that the combed shielding braid 32 is raised in a funnel shape at a predetermined angle toward the conductor end 36 from the conductor 30. Subsequently, the forming sleeve 38 can be released from the conductor 30 without being obstructed by the shielding braid 32. The conductor 30 can then be guided to subsequent process steps in cable assembly. New conductors 30 can be fed to the device 1.

[0029] List of reference numerals

[0030] 1 Equipment

[0031] 2. Base

[0032] 3 drives

[0033] 4. Transmission device

[0034] 6 rotors

[0035] 8. Covering components

[0036] 10 brushes

[0037] 12. Import opening

[0038] 13 End side

[0039] 14 Opening

[0040] 15. Air guide components

[0041] 16. Through Section

[0042] 17. Depression

[0043] 18 channels

[0044] 19. Seals

[0045] 20 Suction Device

[0046] 22 Filters

[0047] 24 Connecting parts

[0048] 30. Wires (cables)

[0049] 32 Shielding braided layer

[0050] 34 conductors

[0051] 36. Wire end

[0052] 38 Molded Sleeve

[0053] D1 First rotation axis

[0054] D2 Second Rotation Axis

[0055] L airflow

[0056] R Rotation axis

[0057] X First Direction

[0058] Y Second Direction

[0059] Z is the third direction.

Claims

1. A device (1) for combing the shielding braid (32) of a conductor (30), the device comprising: The base (2), the driver (3), and the transmission device (4), wherein, The driver (3) and the transmission device (4) are arranged on the base (2); Rotor (6), the rotor being connected to the driver (3) via the transmission device (4) and the rotor being able to be rotated by the driver (3); At least one rotatable brush (10) is fixed to an end side (13) of the rotor (6); Cover (8) that at least partially surrounds the rotor (6) in the circumferential direction; A recess (17) along the circumference of the rotor (6), wherein the recess (17) and the cover (8) form at least partially closed channels (18) along the circumference of the rotor (6). At least one through portion (16) in the rotor (6) is provided, the through portion being an air connection between the recess (17) and the opening (14) at the end side (13); as well as A suction device (20) is connected to the channel (18) via a connecting part (24) to generate an airflow (L) from the opening (14) through the through part (16) and the channel (18) to the filter (22) in the suction device (20).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The opening (14) is arranged near at least one of the brushes (10).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the brushes (10) has a first rotation axis (D1) that is different from the rotation axis (R) of the rotor (6).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an air guide (15) at at least one of the openings (14), the air guide being used to direct the airflow (L) directly from at least one rotatable brush (10) to the through portion (16).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The rotor (6) is rotatably supported on the transmission device (4) and the rotor is rotatable relative to the base (2) and the cover (8).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a seal (19) arranged in a circumferential direction at the rotor (6) and the seal at least partially sealing the channel (18) toward the cover (8).

7. A method for combing the shielding braid (32) of a conductor (30), wherein, The method includes at least the following steps: a. The conductor (30) having at least partially exposed shielding braid (32) is introduced into the device (1) preferred according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for combing the shielding braid (32); b. Rotate at least one rotatable brush (10) about a first axis of rotation (D1) at the end side (13) of the rotor (6), and bring the exposed shielding braid (32) of the wire (30) into contact with the rotating brush (10). c. While the brush (10) rotates, the rotor (6) rotates around the axis of rotation (R) to thoroughly comb through the exposed shielding braid (32) of the wire (30); and d. An airflow (L) is generated from the opening (14) through the through section (16) and the channel (18) at the rotor (6) to the filter (22) in the suction device (20) by means of the suction device (20).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The wire (30) is introduced along the rotation axis (R) of the rotor (6).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The shielding braid (32) is combed onto the molded sleeve (38) opposite to the wire end (36) of the wire (30).

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising the following step after combing the shielding braided layer (32): The wire (30) is led out from the device (1); and The molded sleeve (38) is moved toward the end of the conductor (36) such that the combed shielding braid (32) is raised in a funnel shape toward the end of the conductor (36) at a predetermined angle from the conductor (30).

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