Self-supporting cable arrangement and method for packaging a cable

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to the conditioning of cables, preferably electrical or optical, for the transport, storage and unwinding of such cables. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Generally, cables are wound on a winding support (such as a reel or spool) which allows for the organized storage of the cable wound in coils over long lengths (from a few tens of meters to a few kilometers). However, there are variations where the cable is wound in a coil, without a support but tied to hold the coils together during storage and transport. These variations have the disadvantage, however, of not keeping the coils neatly arranged when uncoiled.

[0003] US document 2,973,911 A describes a method for maintaining a cable winding by coating the cable with a hardening coating.

[0004] US patent 5,116,451 A describes a self-supporting cable assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for packaging a cable according to the preamble of claim 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One aim of the present invention is to facilitate the handling and storage of cables.

[0006] In this respect, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a self-supporting cable assembly according to independent claim 1, comprising a cable wound around a central axis of the assembly so as to form a winding, the winding comprising a first turn and a second turn adjacent to the first turn (s1), the assembly comprising an adhesive disposed on a cable and in contact with the first and second turns so as to keep the first turn fixed relative to the second turn, the adhesive comprising a physically setting or chemically setting glue configured to resist a minimal pull-out force such that the turns do not unwind themselves when the cable is wound while allowing the cable to be unwound when the cable is pulled by an operator, the adhesive being made up of adhesive dots spaced apart from each other and distributed along the cable sheath.

[0007] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which: the assembly includes a support around which the cable is wound, for example a reel or a spool; the second turn is wound with a diameter greater than or equal to that of the first turn; the winding includes a third turn wound with a diameter greater than or equal to that of the second turn, the adhesive holding the third turn fixed relative to the second turn;

[0008] According to an embodiment not covered by the present invention, the adhesive comprises a line of adhesive parallel to the axis of the cable, the first and second turns being in contact with the line of adhesive.

[0009] The invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a self-supporting cable coil, according to claim 5, consisting solely of an assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0010] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for packaging a cable, according to independent claim 6, comprising winding the cable around a winding axis so as to form a coil, the coil comprising a first turn and a second turn adjacent to the first turn, and during the winding, the method comprises applying an adhesive to the cable prior to winding it so as to be in contact with the first and second turns in order to keep the first turn fixed relative to the second turn, the adhesive comprising a physically or chemically bonding glue configured to resist a minimal pull-out force such that the turns do not unwind themselves when the cable is wound while allowing the cable to be unwound when the cable is pulled by an operator, the adhesive being made up of adhesive dots spaced apart from each other,and distributed along the cable sheath.

[0011] Advantageously, the process includes, after the application of the glue, a waiting step to allow the glue to crosslink or cool.

[0012] The advantages of the invention are numerous.

[0013] The cable self-maintains in the coiled position until the pull-out force is applied, and eliminates the need for tying.

[0014] The cable wound according to the invention prevents the coils from becoming tangled during storage, transport, and unwinding. This cable can be used with or without a reel. In the latter case, it eliminates the cost and environmental footprint of storage reels and storage drums by winding the cable itself, which then maintains its shape without requiring tying, and without presenting any risk of the coils becoming tangled or tangled during storage, transport, and unwinding.

[0015] Indeed, the use of reels or drums represents an economic and environmental cost: they are often destined for destruction after the first use (first unwinding of the cable). This is particularly true of compact packaging, which allows for manual handling or movement (without lifting equipment), with a gross mass typically less than 20 kg. There is no tying waste for the installer. Therefore, the use of a reel is not essential, which reduces reel-related waste.

[0016] Unwinding is accelerated, resulting in time savings for the operator. The self-supporting coil is lighter and requires no packaging. Its size is adjustable as the cable is unwound. Furthermore, the cable wound according to the invention allows for unwinding both in the straight line and in the straight line, and can be unwound from both the outside and the inside.

[0017] Also, the invention allows for a packaging cost proportional to the length (unlike packaging which provides a flat rate cost for a range of lengths). PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which: there figure 1 illustrates an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 illustrates an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; the figure 3a illustrates a view of a cable that is coiled, but not covered by the invention; the figure 3b , there figure 3c and the figure 4 illustrate views of a cable that is wound according to the invention; the figure 5a , there figure 5b , there figure 5c and the figure 5d illustrate several arrangements of a cable wound according to the invention; the figure 6 illustrates an implementation of a cable winding method to obtain an assembly according to the invention; the figure 7 illustrates steps in a cable winding process to obtain an assembly according to the invention.

[0019] Across all figures, similar elements bear identical references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Ensemble de câble auto-maintenu

[0020] THE figures 1 et 2 illustrate a self-supporting cable assembly 1, 1' according to a first and second embodiment respectively. figures 3a, 3b, 3c and the figure 4 illustrate a cable 11 which is wound according to the figures 1 et 2 And 3 .

[0021] According to these two embodiments, the self-supporting cable assembly 1 is obtained by winding around a central axis AA' of the assembly to form a coil. The coil comprises several turns s1, s2. In particular, the coil comprises a first turn s1 and a second turn s2 adjacent to the first turn s1. The first turn s1 is wound around the axis AA' with a first diameter, and the second turn s2 is wound around the axis AA' with a second diameter greater than or equal to the first diameter. Therefore, the second turn s2 is wound around the first turn s2 or is superimposed on it. The first turn s1 is, for example, in a first plane p1, while the second turn s2 is in a second plane p2. The first and second planes p1, p2 are located at a distance from each other and superimposed.

[0022] A third turn s2 is wound with a diameter greater than or equal to that of the second turn s2, and so on for other turns. For example, the second diameter is the initial diameter of the winding plus twice the diameter of the cable 11, and so on as the diameter increases with the winding of the turns.

[0023] The assembly 1, 1' therefore has a radius R defined by the different turns s1, s2 and a height H defined by the layers of turns s1, s2 one on top of the other.

[0024] To link the turns s1, s2 together, the assembly 1, 1' includes an adhesive 10 disposed on the cable 11 and which is in contact with the first turn s1 and the second turn s2 so as to keep the first turn s1 fixed relative to the second turn s2.

[0025] According to the first embodiment illustrated on the figure 1 The assembly 1 is in particular a self-supporting cable coil 1 and does not include a reel or spool type support around which the cable 11 is wound. Such a coil 1 has, for example, the appearance of a cylinder wider than it is tall.

[0026] According to the second embodiment illustrated on the figure 2 , assembly 1' includes a reel or spool type support 20 to facilitate unwinding of cable 11. Note that in this case, the presence of support 20 does not serve to hold the cable wound.

[0027] The coiled cable 11 comprises, for example, an electrical or optical conductor consisting of a conductive core 12 covered by an outer sheath 14 made of polymer or polymer-based composite material. The outer sheath 14 is, for example, made of polyethylene. The conductive core 12 consists of copper wires or optical fibers made of silica or polymer.

[0028] The cable 11 is preferably of circular geometry and extends along a longitudinal axis XX'. Alternatively, the cable 11 is oblong in shape.

[0029] In addition, the outer diameter of cable 11 is between 1mm and 35mm, preferably between 1mm and 12mm.

[0030] In order for the assembly 1, 1' to be self-supporting, that is to say, to be held together without the aid of any external element such as a reel or ligature, the turns s1, s2, s3 of the assembly are in contact via the adhesive 10 which is disposed on the cable 11.

[0031] Depending on the method of implementation of the figure 3a , not covered by the invention, the adhesive 10 comprises a line LA of adhesive parallel to the axis XX' of the cable 11, the first turn s1 and the second turn s2 being in contact by the line LA of adhesive 10. According to the invention and as indicated in the figure 3b ,The adhesive 10 comprises adhesive points PA spaced apart and aligned parallel to the axis XX' of the cable 11, the first turn s1 and the second turn s2 being in contact via these adhesive points. According to the embodiment of the figure 3c , and alternatively, the adhesive 10 comprises a diffuse point cloud PA around the XX' axis of the cable 11.

[0032] Advantageously, the adhesive is arranged along contact lines L. These L-lines extend, for example, longitudinally along the cable 11, and the adhesive 10 is positioned along at least one of these contact lines L so as to hold adjacent turns together. In this way, turns s1, s2 are held together at one or more contact lines L between the turns. The contact lines L are defined by the winding of the cable 11.

[0033] There figure 4 illustrates a front view of a cable 11 on which several contact lines L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 are defined, distributed around the cable 11. This figure shows several possibilities for these contact lines which depend on the winding of the cable 11. Two lines L1, L2 are diametrically opposed, a third line L3 is at 90 degrees to the two lines L1, L2, a fourth line L4 and a fifth line L5 are at 45° to the lines L1, L2 respectively.

[0034] THE figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d illustrate several winding arrangements. On the figure 5a The turns s1, s2, s3, s4 of cable 11 are well overlapped. One turn s2 can be in contact with up to four turns. On the figure 5b The turns s1, s2, s3, s4 are interlocked; one turn can be in contact with up to six adjacent turns. On the figure 5c The turns are staggered, and one turn can be in contact with up to four adjacent turns. On the figure 5d , cable 11 is oblong in shape, and the winding is similar to that of the figure 5b .

[0035] Note that the positioning of adhesive 10 is such that it may fall between the spirals but there will be enough points of adhesion to hold the whole thing together.

[0036] Preferably, the adhesive is planned to be placed on at least two lines LA of adhesive to maximize the adhesion of the turns of cable 11 (e.g. diametrically opposite).

[0037] The adhesive 10 is preferably a physically bonding glue that is heated during application to become liquid and will bond the coils together as soon as it cools and hardens. A pull-out force will then be required to separate the coils from the cable assembly. Alternatively, the adhesive 10 is a chemically bonding glue or, more generally, any means of holding the coils together without damaging the cable 11 and which resists a minimal pull-out force to prevent the coils from unwinding themselves when wound. In particular, the pull-out force is proportional to the surface area of ​​the bond line created between the coils. A pull-out force is, for example, less than 25 N.

[0038] Physically setting adhesives contain a polymer already in its final form, but before application, it must be in liquid form in a solvent, water, or as a molten hot melt adhesive. No chemical reaction occurs. Chemically setting adhesives, on the other hand, form a polymer through a chemical reaction (polymerization or crosslinking). This chemical reaction is triggered by factors such as humidity, temperature, UV radiation, and hardeners.

[0039] In this way, the cable is held securely, without tying, and can be stored, transported, and unwound down to its last turns without risk of tangling. Furthermore, this eliminates the environmental impact of reels, drums, and ties. Additionally, the self-supporting assembly can be mounted on a reel for easier handling. Procédé de conditionnement

[0040] THE figures 6 et 7 illustrate the winding of a cable 11 according to one embodiment.

[0041] As illustrated in these figures, an uncoiled cable 11 is brought (step E1) onto a removable support (not shown) to be wound around it. The support is rotated, allowing the cable 11 to be wound around it (step E2). During the winding of the cable 11 around the removable support, adhesive 10 is applied to the cable 11, and in particular to the sheath 14, which passes between two nozzles 2 that allow the adhesive 10 to be deposited. The passage between these nozzles 2 defines lines LA of adhesive or points PA of adhesive along the cable 11 prior to the cable 11 being brought into contact with itself (step E3). The winding of the cable will define the contact lines between the turns, some of which will correspond to the positions of the adhesive 10.

[0042] The adhesive 10 is preferably made up of a thermal glue which is first heated (to a temperature above 85°C) to become liquid and is deposited by nozzles 2 connected to a reservoir 3 of glue in liquid state.

[0043] Regarding the adhesive, the wound coils are held in place for the entire time required for the adhesive to harden (mechanical setting) or crosslink (chemical setting) and to maintain the coils' stability (step E4). Once the coils are secured, the assembly is removed (step E5) from the detachable support. The cable 11 is self-supporting thanks to its coils, which are linked to one another.

[0044] For unwinding, the self-supporting cable assembly 1, 1' will be placed on a reel. The operator will then only have to pull on the outer end to cause the cable to be pulled out and the assembly to rotate.

[0045] Additionally, there are as many nozzles 2 as there are adhesive application points 10. The position of the wound cable 11 relative to the nozzles (or vice versa) will depend on the type of winding required, as illustrated in the figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d .

Claims

1. A self-holding cable assembly (1, 1') comprising a cable (11) wound around a central axis (AA') of the assembly so as to form a winding, the winding comprising a first turn (s1) and a second turn (s2) adjacent to the first turn (s1), the assembly (1, 1') comprising an adhesive (10) positioned on the cable (11) and in contact with the first turn (s1) and the second turn (s2) so as to hold the first turn (s1) fixed relative to the second turn (s2), the adhesive comprising a physically or chemically setting glue configured to: - withstand a minimum pull-out force such that the turns (s1, s2) do not detach by themselves when the cable is wound while allowing the unwinding of the cable when the cable is pulled by an operator, the self-holding cable assembly being characterized in that the adhesive consisting of spots of adhesive spaced from each other and distributed along the sheath (14) of the cable (11).

2. The assembly (1') according to claim 1, comprising a support (20) around which the cable (11) is wound, for example a drum or a spool.

3. The assembly (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the second turn (s2) is wound at a diameter greater than or equal to that of the first turn (s1).

4. The assembly (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims, the winding comprising a third turn (s3) wound at a diameter greater than or equal to that of the second turn (s2), the adhesive (10) holding the third turn (s3) fixed relative to the second turn (s2).

5. A self-holding cable coil (1) consisting solely of an assembly (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. A cable packaging method (11) comprising winding (E3) the cable (11) around a winding axis (AA') so as to form a winding, the winding comprising a first turn (s1) and a second turn (s2) adjacent to the first turn (s1) and during the winding, the method comprises depositing (E3) an adhesive (10) on the cable (11) prior to its winding so as to be in contact with the first turn (s1) and the second turn (s2) in order to hold the first turn (s1) fixed relative to the second turn (s2), the adhesive comprising a physically or chemically setting glue configured to withstand a minimum pull-out force such that the turns (s1, s2) do not detach by themselves when the cable is wound while allowing the unwinding of the cable when the cable is pulled by an operator, the cable packaging method being characterized in that the adhesive consisting of spots of adhesive spaced from each other and distributed along the sheath (14) of the cable (11).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises after depositing (E3) the glue, a waiting step (E4) so that the glue cross-links or cools.