Method for processing a contact end of a twisted wire

Abstract

Method (3) for processing a contact end (2) of a cable (1) twisted to a predetermined pitch (S1) and made up of at least two individual conductors (5a, 5b), - wherein the cable (1) is completely untwisted in an end section (4) containing the contact end (2), - wherein the cable (1) is overtwisted in a working section (6) adjacent to the end section (4) to a working pitch (S2) that is smaller than the predetermined pitch (S1), - wherein the cable (1) is processed in the untwisted end section (4) at the contact end (2), - wherein the cable (1) is partially untwisted in the overtwisted working section (6) and is thereby twisted in the end section (4), characterized in that - after the untwisting of the cable (1) in the end section (4) and before the overtwisting of the cable (1) in the working section (6), the individual conductors (5a, 5b) the cable (1) at the contact end (2) are fixed to one another in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a plug-in element (7),and - that the plug element (7) is removed after processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2).,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for processing a contact end of a cable twisted to a predetermined pitch length and comprising at least two individual conductors according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In a twisted pair cable, at least two individual conductors are twisted together. The twisting can, in particular, reduce the mutual negative electromagnetic influence of the signal in the individual conductors. The pitch length in the twisted pair cable should be maintained over its entire length. The cable is usually connected to the connection points at the contact ends. A section of the cable at the connection points or contact ends where the individual conductors are not twisted must not exceed a predefined limit length. This predefined limit length decreases with the increasing transmission rate of the cable. However, as the limit length decreases, handling the cable and thus connecting it becomes more difficult because the gripping length and safety distances are reduced.

[0003] DE 10 2018 209 728 A1 discloses a device and a method for producing a cable with at least two individual conductors twisted together.

[0004] DE 10 2016 120 626 B3 discloses a device for twisting a cable with at least two twisted individual conductors. The device comprises two housings for holding the ends of the individual conductors and a pitch length distributor for holding a central section of the individual conductors.

[0005] JP 2001-148 209 A discloses a method for contacting a cable consisting of two twisted individual conductors. The two individual conductors are separated or pulled apart at one contact end. This untwists the individual conductors at the contact end and twists an adjacent section of the cable more tightly. The individual conductors are then contacted. The cable then twists at the contact end and partially untwists in the adjacent section, so that the entire cable is twisted.

[0006] JP 2006-139 990 A discloses a method for reducing assembly man-hours by simplifying the assembly method of a wire harness.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least alternative embodiment for a method of the generic type in which the described disadvantages are overcome.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The present invention is based on the general idea of ​​over-twisting the already twisted cable on one side during production and untwisting it on the other side for production.

[0010] The method according to the invention is intended or designed for processing a contact end of a cable consisting of at least two individual conductors twisted to a predetermined pitch. The cable is first completely untwisted in an end section containing or having the contact end. The cable is then overtwisted in a working section adjacent to the end section to a working pitch that is smaller than the predetermined pitch. Subsequently, the cable is processed in the untwisted end section at the contact end. The cable is then partially untwisted in the overtwisted working section and thus twisted in the end section.

[0011] In the method according to the invention, the cable can be completely untwisted in the end section and thus at the contact end, thereby simplifying processing - for example, connecting the cable or the individual conductors. A longer end section at the contact end can also be untwisted, thereby simplifying handling of the cable. The end section of the cable can then be easily twisted again so that a predetermined limit length for untwisted sections of the cable can be maintained. Overall, the method according to the invention can both simplify processing of the cable and maintain the predetermined limit length in the cable.

[0012] The cable in the working section can be overtwisted to a working lay length such that, after partial untwisting of the cable in the overtwisted working section, the cable in the end section and in the working section retains the specified lay length. This allows the specified lay length to be maintained across the entire cable or across the entire length of the cable.

[0013] According to the invention, after the cable has been untwisted in the end section and before the cable is overtwisted in the working section, the individual conductors of the cable are fixed to one another at the contact end by means of a plug-in element. The plug-in element is then removed from the cable after the cable has been processed at the contact end. The plug-in element can, for example, be a clamp that is clamped to the cable and thereby fixes the individual conductors to one another. The plug-in element can, in particular, prevent the cable from becoming twisted in the end section and thus simplify handling of the cable.

[0014] Before the cable is twisted over in the working section, the end section can be separated from the working section using a first holding element. The first holding element can secure the individual conductors of the cable to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. This can simplify the twisting over of the cable in the working section. The first holding element can, for example, be a clamp that is clamped to the cable and thereby secures the individual conductors to one another.

[0015] The first retaining element can then be removed after processing the cable at the contact end and before partially untwisting the cable in the overtwisted working section. Alternatively, after processing the cable at the contact end, the cable can first be partially untwisted in the overtwisted working section and then the first retaining element can be removed. In this case, the first retaining element can additionally support the twisting of the cable during partial untwisting of the cable in the working section.

[0016] Before the cable is over-twisted in the working section, the working section can be separated from a remaining section of the cable adjacent to the working section and opposite the contact end by means of a second holding element. The second holding element can fix the individual conductors of the cable together in a rotationally fixed manner and can, for example, be a clamp. The second holding element can prevent the cable from being over-twisted in the remaining section of the cable and thus support compliance with the specified lay length in the remaining section. Especially with longer cables, this can prevent the cable from being over-twisted in an uncontrolled manner in the remaining section during over-twisting in the working section.

[0017] The second holding element can then be removed after processing the wire at the contact end and before partially untwisting the wire in the overtwisted working section or after partially untwisting the wire in the overtwisted working section.

[0018] When processing the cable at the contact end, the individual conductors can be electrically connected, for example, using crimp contacts and / or a contact carrier. Because the cable is completely untwisted at the contact end, processing the cable is particularly simplified. Furthermore, the plug-in element simplifies processing the cable at the contact end.

[0019] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0020] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0022] They show, schematically: Fig. 1 to 5 views of individual steps of a method according to the invention when processing a contact end of a twisted cable.

[0023] Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 show a twisted cable 1 during the processing of its contact end 2 in a method 3 according to the invention. In Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 shows individual steps of method 3. The twisted cable 1 has two individual conductors 5a and 5b, which are twisted or twisted together with a predetermined pitch S1.

[0024] According to Fig. 1, in method 3, the cable 1 is first completely untwisted in an end section 4 forming, having, or containing its contact end 2. In the end section 4, the individual conductors 5a and 5b lie next to one another after untwisting and are not twisted or twisted with each other. A working section 6 adjacent to the end section 4 is also defined, in which the cable 1 continues to be twisted with the specified pitch S1.

[0025] According to Fig. 2, in the method 3, the two individual conductors 5a and 5b of the cable 1 are then fixed to one another in the end section 4 by means of a plug-in element 7 at the contact end 2 in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a first holding element 8 is arranged on the cable 1 between the end section 4 and the working section 6. The plug-in element 7 and the first holding element 8 fix the two individual conductors 5a and 5b to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a second holding element 9 is arranged between the working section 6 and a remaining section 10 of the cable 1 adjacent thereto. The length of the working section 4 can be selected, for example, depending on the lay length S1. The remaining section 10 can in particular contain or have an end of the cable 1 opposite the contact end 2 - not shown here. In other words, the entire cable 1 can be divided into the end section 1, the working section, and the remaining section.Subsequently, the cable 1 is over-twisted in the working section 6 by a rotation shown by an arrow.

[0026] According to Fig. 3, line 1 is connected by the previous steps according to Fig. 2 in the working section 6 is twisted to a working lay length S2, wherein the working lay length S2 is smaller than the specified lay length S1. In the remaining section 10, however, the cable 1 continues to have the specified lay length S1. In the end section 4, the cable 1 is further untwisted or completely untwisted. Now, according to Fig. 3 the cable 1 is processed at the contact end 2. For this purpose, the plug element 7 is removed and the individual conductors 5a and 5b are electrically connected to a contact carrier 11.

[0027] According to Fig. 4, the cable 1 is then untwisted in the working section 6 by a rotation indicated by an arrow and simultaneously or thereby twisted in the end section 4. The holding elements 8 and 9 remain mounted on the cable 1 and support the twisting of the cable 1 in the end section 4 and in the working section 6.

[0028] According to Fig. 5, the retaining elements 8 and 9 are removed. The cable 1 is now evenly twisted with the specified pitch S1. The cable 1 has no completely untwisted sections along its entire length—that is, in the end section 4, the working section 6, and the remaining section 10.

Claims

[1] Method (3) for processing a contact end (2) of a cable (1) twisted to a predetermined pitch length (S1) from at least two individual conductors (5a, 5b), - wherein the cable (1) is completely untwisted in an end section (4) containing the contact end (2), - wherein the cable (1) is over-twisted in a working section (6) adjacent to the end section (4) to a working lay length (S2) which is smaller than the predetermined lay length (S1), - wherein the cable (1) is processed in the untwisted end section (4) at the contact end (2), - wherein the cable (1) is partially untwisted in the overtwisted working section (6) and thereby twisted in the end section (4), characterized by , - that after the cable (1) has been untwisted in the end section (4) and before the cable (1) has been overtwisted in the working section (6), the individual conductors (5a, 5b) of the cable (1) are fixed to one another at the contact end (2) by means of a plug-in element (7) in a rotationally fixed manner, and - that the plug element (7) is removed after processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2). [2] Method (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cable (1) in the working section (6) is over-twisted to such a working lay length (S2) that after the partial untwisting of the cable (1) in the over-twisted working section (6), the cable (1) in the end section (4) and in the working section (6) has the predetermined lay length (S1). [3] Method (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat before the cable (1) is twisted over in the working section (6), the end section (4) is separated from the working section (6) by means of a first holding element (8) which fixes the individual conductors (5a, 5b) of the cable (1) to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. [4] Method (3) according to claim 3, characterized by that the first holding element (8) is removed after processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2) and before partially untwisting the cable (1) in the overtwisted working section (6). [5] Method (3) according to claim 3, characterized by that after processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2), the cable (1) is first partially untwisted in the over-twisted working section (6) and then the first holding element (8) is removed. [6] Method (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat before the cable (1) is twisted over in the working section (6), the working section (6) is separated from a remaining section (10) of the cable (1) adjacent to the working section (6) and opposite the end section (4) by means of a second holding element (9) which fixes the individual conductors (5a, 5b) of the cable (1) to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. [7] Method (3) according to claim 6, characterized by that the second holding element (9) is removed after processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2) and before partially untwisting the cable (1) in the over-twisted working section (6). [8] Method (3) according to claim 6, characterized by that the second holding element (9) is removed after processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2) and after partial untwisting of the cable (1) in the over-twisted working section (6). [9] Method (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat when processing the cable (1) at the contact end (2), the individual conductors (5a, 5b) are electrically connected to crimp contacts and / or to a contact carrier (11).

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