Flat network cable for industrial robot

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flat network cable for an industrial robot. The flat network cable comprises a flat outer sheath and four groups of wire units which are arranged in the outer sheath side by side at intervals. Each wire unit comprises a wire core formed by re-twisting two wires, and a first shielding layer, a second shielding layer and a wrapping layer which are sequentially arranged from inside to outside in a wrapping manner; each wire comprises a conductor which is formed by bunch stranding and an insulating layer which is arranged outside the conductor in a coating manner; the first shielding layer is formed by wrapping the wire core with aluminum foil, the second shielding layer is formed by weaving a tinned copper net, the wrapping layer is formed by wrapping the second shielding layer with a graphene wrapping material, and an air layer is formed between the wrapping layer and the first shielding layer. The network cable has the advantages of being high in flexibility, resistant to electromagnetic interference, high in tensile strength and the like, can be suitable for being used in a narrow space and a high-frequency motion scene, can be used as a composite drag chain cable of an integrated power line, and can well meet the requirement for integration of equipment power supply and signal transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of cable technology, specifically relating to a flat network cable for industrial robots. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of industrial robots in various fields of industrial production, the demand and performance requirements for industrial robot cables are also increasing. Depending on the different application scenarios of industrial robots, the flexibility, abrasion resistance, electromagnetic interference resistance, and tensile strength of the cables directly affect their performance and service life. Existing industrial robot network cables are often not flat, which is not conducive to the integration of various cable types and the laying of cables in the confined spaces inside robots. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flat network cable for industrial robots to meet the performance requirements of network cables for industrial robots.

[0004] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] Flat network cable for industrial robots includes a flat outer sheath and four sets of conductor units arranged side by side and spaced apart inside the outer sheath;

[0006] The conductor unit includes a core formed by twisting two conductors together and a first shielding layer, a second shielding layer, and a wrapping layer arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.

[0007] The wire includes a stranded conductor and an insulating layer covering the outside of the conductor;

[0008] The first shielding layer is formed by wrapping aluminum foil on the wire core, the second shielding layer is formed by weaving tin-plated copper mesh, and the wrapping layer is formed by wrapping graphene wrapping material on the second shielding layer and forming an air layer between the wrapping layer and the first shielding layer.

[0009] In some embodiments, the stranding direction of the conductor is opposite to the twisting direction of the core.

[0010] In some embodiments, the insulating layer is formed by extrusion molding of ETFE polymer material.

[0011] In some embodiments, the outer sheath is made of TPE heat-shrinkable material.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer sheath surface is provided with a plurality of grooves along the length direction, the grooves being located between two adjacent sets of conductor units.

[0013] In some embodiments, a repair sleeve is provided outside the wrapping layer, and a plurality of cavities are evenly distributed along the circumference inside the repair sleeve. Repair capsules are disposed in the cavities and filled with repair agent.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cavity is filled with nanoscale aerogel or microporous foam material.

[0015] In some embodiments, reinforcing cores are respectively provided inside the repair sleeve between the cavities.

[0016] In some embodiments, the repair sleeve is made of the same material as the outer sheath.

[0017] In some embodiments, the outer sheath surface is provided with a plurality of grooves along the length direction, the grooves are located between two adjacent sets of wire units, and the location of the cavity on the repair sleeve corresponds to the groove, so that the part of the repair sleeve located between the cavities is set away from the groove.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0019] This utility model adopts a twisted-pair double-shielded structure and utilizes the design features between the double-shielded structure and the wrapping layer structure to form an air layer between the shielding layer and the wrapping layer. Combined with the flat structure features, the network cable has the characteristics of high flexibility, electromagnetic interference resistance, high tensile strength, and high wear resistance. It can be used in narrow spaces and high-frequency motion scenarios, and meets the requirements of composite drag chain cables with integrated power supply lines. It can well meet the integrated needs of equipment power supply and signal transmission.

[0020] The repair sleeve design allows for quick repair of cracks in the outer sheath, restoring its integrity and effectively preventing moisture and dust from entering the cable. This avoids damage to the core due to external damage to the outer sheath, thereby extending the cable's lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a flat network cable structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the conductor unit structure of a flat network cable in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flat network cable structure in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the conductor unit structure of a flat network cable in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] in:

[0027] 10. Outer sheath; 11. Groove;

[0028] 20. Wire unit, 21. Wire, 211. Conductor, 212. Insulation layer, 22. First shielding layer, 23. Second shielding layer, 24. Wrapping layer, 25. Repair sleeve, 251. Cavity, 252. Repair capsule, 253. Reinforcing core. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of this utility model, but not all embodiments.

[0030] The present invention aims to provide a high-performance flat network cable for industrial robots, which features high flexibility, high wear resistance, electromagnetic interference resistance, and high tensile strength to meet the needs of industrial automation, robotics and other application scenarios.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments of this utility model, the flat network cable for industrial robots includes a flat outer sheath 10 and four sets of conductor units 20 arranged side by side and spaced apart inside the outer sheath 10.

[0032] The conductor unit 20 includes a conductor core formed by twisting two conductors 21 together, and a first shielding layer 22, a second shielding layer 23 and a wrapping layer 24 arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.

[0033] The conductor 21 includes a stranded conductor 211 and an insulating layer 212 covering the conductor.

[0034] The first shielding layer 22 is formed by wrapping aluminum foil on the wire core, the second shielding layer 23 is formed by weaving tin-plated copper mesh, and the wrapping layer 24 is formed by wrapping graphene wrapping material on the second shielding layer 23, and an air layer is formed between the wrapping layer 24 and the first shielding layer 22.

[0035] Tinned soft copper wire is used as the conductor material. The conductor adopts a "1+6" stranded structure (i.e., 1 center wire + 6 outer stranded wires). The diameter of a single center wire and stranded wire in the conductor is about 0.175mm, and the stranding pitch is about 9.8mm, which ensures the flexibility and conductivity uniformity of the wire and meets the requirements of crimping crystal heads.

[0036] The conductor unit adopts a Cat5e twisted pair structure to support 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps Ethernet transmission, meeting the high-speed data requirements of industrial automation.

[0037] The twisted pair structure in this embodiment uses different twisting directions. The opposite twisting directions of adjacent layers can effectively improve the bending performance of the cable, reduce damage caused by bending, increase tensile strength, and make it less prone to breakage when subjected to tension, making it more flexible in use.

[0038] Twisted pair structures using different stranding directions can effectively mitigate corona discharge. Corona discharge is a discharge phenomenon that occurs in cables under high voltage. Designing adjacent layers with opposite stranding directions can effectively reduce this phenomenon, thereby improving the electrical performance of the cable.

[0039] For signal transmission wires, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and foamed PE are commonly used as insulators. However, to further improve the product's flexibility and torsional resistance, ETFE polymer material is used in this embodiment. ETFE polymer material (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) has good strength and toughness, and is resistant to chemical corrosion and has excellent weather resistance.

[0040] In this embodiment, a "twisted pair double shielding" structure is adopted. An aluminum foil shielding layer is wrapped around the outer layer of the twisted pair core to reflect and absorb electromagnetic interference. A copper mesh braided shielding layer is wrapped around the aluminum foil shielding layer to further enhance the shielding effect.

[0041] A wrapping layer 24 is set around the outside of the shielding layer. Graphene wrapping material is wrapped around the copper mesh braided shielding layer. Based on the structural characteristics of the copper mesh braided layer, an air layer can be formed between the wrapping layer and the aluminum foil shielding layer. This can reduce the capacitance, further improve the ability to resist electromagnetic interference, and better reduce attenuation, optimize characteristic impedance, and at the same time improve the flexibility and bending resistance of the cable.

[0042] The outer sheath 10 is made of TPE heat-shrinkable material, which ensures that the cable is not easily broken when frequently bent, thereby improving the service life of the cable.

[0043] The cable adopts a flat structure design, which can significantly reduce the bending radius of the cable. Traditional round cables usually require a bending radius of 6.5 times the wire diameter, while the flat structure can reduce this bending radius to a smaller extent, making it more suitable for use in narrow spaces and high-frequency motion scenarios. It meets the requirements of composite drag chain cables as integrated power supply lines and can well meet the integrated needs of equipment power supply and signal transmission.

[0044] Several grooves 11 are provided on the outer sheath 10, and the grooves 11 are respectively located between two adjacent sets of conductor units 20, so that the cable is not prone to bulging or splintering, and can further improve the bending ability of the cable. The grooves 11 can be in the form of trapezoidal or arc cross-section.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some other embodiments of this utility model, a repair sleeve 25 is provided to cover the outer layer 24. A plurality of cavities 251 are evenly distributed along the circumference inside the repair sleeve 25. A repair capsule 252 is provided inside the cavity 251 and filled with a repair agent.

[0046] When cracks or damage appear on the surface of the outer sheath, the repair capsule ruptures, releasing the repair agent inside. This agent reacts with moisture and oxygen, quickly solidifying to fill the cracks and restore the integrity of the outer sheath. This effectively prevents moisture and dust from entering the cable, avoiding damage to the core due to external damage to the outer sheath, thus extending the cable's lifespan.

[0047] The repair agent can be made of materials such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, and silicone rubber. These materials have good adhesion and rapid curing properties, and are compatible with TPE sheath materials. The outer shell of the repair capsule can be made of polymer materials to ensure good mechanical strength and stability.

[0048] Repair capsules are typically designed to have a very small size, generally between tens and hundreds of micrometers, enabling uniform distribution within a cavity. Self-healing materials achieved through microencapsulation technology are currently used in fields such as electronic devices, automotive parts, and cables. This invention does not involve improvements to microcapsules.

[0049] During the extrusion molding of the repair sleeve, a hollow structure is formed; the repair capsule can be filled into the cavity using methods such as spraying or injection, ensuring that the repair capsule can evenly fill the cavity. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The cavity 251 has an arc-shaped structure arranged along the circumference.

[0050] In some embodiments, the cavity 251 is filled with nanoscale aerogel or microporous foam material to fill the gaps inside the cavity, so that when the repair capsule ruptures, the repair agent can be squeezed into the crack, thereby better exerting the repair agent's function. At the same time, the nanoscale aerogel and microporous foam material have good flexibility and elasticity, and can adapt well to the bending and torsional movements of the cable.

[0051] Meanwhile, the cavity and the filling of the cavity with repair capsules, nano-aerogel or microporous foam materials can form a buffer layer on the repair sleeve, which can provide a certain buffer protection for the cable when it is subjected to external impact loads.

[0052] Nanoscale aerogels and microporous foam materials can be filled into cavities in the form of powder, granules or foam, for example, by vacuum filling, injection filling or pneumatic filling.

[0053] In some embodiments, reinforcing cores 253 are respectively provided within the cavities of the repair sleeve 25 to minimize the impact of the cavities on the overall tensile strength of the cable. The reinforcing cores may be made of aramid fiber material, which, while having good flexibility, can effectively ensure the overall structural strength of the repair sleeve.

[0054] The repair sleeve 25 is made of the same material as the outer sheath 10, such as TPE heat-shrinkable material, so that it can better form an integral structure with the outer sheath.

[0055] In some embodiments, based on the grooves provided on the surface of the outer sheath, during the molding of the outer sheath, reference is made to... Figure 3 The wire unit is configured such that the position of the cavity 251 on the repair sleeve corresponds to the groove 11, and the part of the repair sleeve located between the cavities is set away from the groove.

[0056] The groove structure on the outer sheath, taking a trapezoidal groove as an example, can help prevent cracks from forming at the edges of the groove during cable use. By aligning the cavity on the repair sleeve with the groove, the flexibility and buffering performance at that location can be increased, thus slowing down the formation of cracks. Furthermore, when a crack occurs at that location, the repair capsule filling the cavity can repair the crack in a timely manner.

[0057] The cable mobility life in the above embodiment was tested according to the performance requirements of 2 PfG 2577 / 08.16 for cables used in robot systems. The performance test data are shown in Table 1.

[0058] The performance test results show that the performance of the network cable in this embodiment meets the specifications and manufacturer's performance requirements for the cable.

[0059] Table 1. Cable mobility performance test data in this embodiment.

[0060]

[0061] The cable in this embodiment can well meet the performance requirements of flexible industrial robot network cables, and the performance indicators include:

[0062] High flexibility; it can still function normally under frequent bending (≥5 million times).

[0063] High abrasion resistance; the outer sheath of the cable has excellent abrasion resistance and can adapt well to high-speed motion environments.

[0064] High tensile strength; does not break when subjected to high tensile force (≥1000N).

[0065] It is resistant to electromagnetic interference and supports Ethernet transmission from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, meeting the high-speed data transmission needs of industrial automation.

[0066] Environmental adaptability; capable of stable operation within a temperature range of -40℃ to +90℃, and possesses oil resistance and corrosion resistance.

[0067] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", and "outer" used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the utility model product is usually placed in during use. They are only used to facilitate the description of this utility model and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0068] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" in the description of this utility model does not imply that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0069] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0070] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Any simple modifications or equivalent changes made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A flat network cable for industrial robots, characterized in that, It includes a flat outer sheath and four sets of conductor units arranged side by side at intervals inside the outer sheath; The conductor unit includes a core formed by twisting two conductors together and a first shielding layer, a second shielding layer, and a wrapping layer arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside. The wire includes a stranded conductor and an insulating layer covering the outside of the conductor; The first shielding layer is formed by wrapping aluminum foil on the wire core, the second shielding layer is formed by weaving tin-plated copper mesh, and the wrapping layer is formed by wrapping graphene wrapping material on the second shielding layer and forming an air layer between the wrapping layer and the first shielding layer.

2. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stranding direction of the conductor is opposite to the twisting direction of the core.

3. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating layer is formed by extrusion molding of ETFE polymer material.

4. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer sheath is made of TPE heat-shrinkable material.

5. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer sheath surface is provided with several grooves along the length direction, and the grooves are located between two adjacent sets of conductor units.

6. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The outer layer of the wrapping layer is covered with a repair sleeve, and the repair sleeve has several cavities evenly distributed along the circumference. Repair capsules are placed in the cavities and filled with repair agent.

7. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cavity is filled with nanoscale aerogel or microporous foam material.

8. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 6, characterized in that, The repair sleeve contains reinforcing cores located between the cavities.

9. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 6, characterized in that, The repair sleeve is made of the same material as the outer sheath.

10. The flat network cable for industrial robots according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer sheath surface is provided with several grooves along the length direction. The grooves are located between two adjacent sets of wire units, and the position of the cavity on the repair sleeve corresponds to the groove, so that the part of the repair sleeve located between the cavities is set away from the groove.

Images