Straightening device for aligning line, method for braking at least one rotatable roller in straightening device, cable processing machine with straightening device, and upgrade kit for cable processing machine

Abstract

To suppress the formation of a loop when a line is straightened.SOLUTION: A straightening device 15 for straightening a line 11 includes a straightening mechanism 20. The straightening mechanism 20 has a first row of rollers 21 and a second row of rollers 31 which rows can be moved relative to one another and the delivery route of the line 11 runs between the rows of rollers 21, 31. At least one of the two rows of rollers 21, 31 has a plurality of rotatable rollers 25, 35. A braking device 40 is provided for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers 25, 35 of at least one of the two rows of rollers 21, 31. The braking device 40 is a magnetic braking device that applies a braking force to the rotatable rollers 25, 35 depending on the rotational speed of the rollers 25, 35 caused by the line passing through the straightening device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a straightening device for straightening a line according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for braking at least one rotatable roller in a straightening device according to claim 11, a cable management machine having a straightening device according to claim 14, and an upgrade kit for a cable management machine according to claim 15. [Background technology]

[0002] As the number of electronic assemblies in the industry increases, the requirements for the quality of cable sets and cable connections between assemblies also increase. Therefore, it is more important to constantly check the lines or cables at the processing station of the cable processing machine from drawing in to cutting and further processing to avoid damage to the lines.

[0003] Also, the increasing number of lines required means that cable processing machines must operate at higher speeds. The throughput of a cable processing machine is a major economic factor and, in addition to quality, is crucial to a customer's purchasing decision.

[0004] A fully automatic machine for processing cable must be able to perform processing processes such as cutting, stripping, crimping, twisting, and tinning as quickly as possible. Further processing steps, such as welding the line and automatically winding the processed line, are optionally available. For this purpose, the endless line is typically drawn into the cable processing machine from a container, such as a cable drum or cable bin, and straightened by a straightening mechanism. The straightening process loosens the line, minimizing its inherent twist and allowing it to be further processed in an axially aligned manner.

[0005] EP 2399856 A1 discloses a straightening mechanism for straightening a line having upper and lower roller rows that can be moved relative to each other, with the line's transport path running between the two roller rows. The roller rows have a number of rotating rollers for straightening the line.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-248528 discloses an apparatus for straightening rolled, drawn, and tempered steel wire to minimize torsional tension in the wire and then produce a helical spring. The apparatus includes two straightening mechanisms, each with two straightening roller rows, that mechanically straighten the wire in two planes.

[0007] A drawback of the known devices is that in these devices, during the final stopping process, the line to be straightened is braked only by the friction of the rollers and by the bending forces in the line or wire.

[0008] EP 3290370 A1 discloses a wire running device for feeding a wire to a feeding device. The wire running device includes a braking device having a brake roller and a pressure roller as a pressure element. The brake roller and the pressure roller are arranged opposite each other and are movable relative to each other. Pressure is applied to the wire between the brake roller and the pressure roller, thereby braking the wire as needed.

[0009] A drawback of this known device is that the wire is mechanically braked, which generates high levels of frictional heat within the wire, resulting in deformation of the wire when braked.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,881,578 discloses a magnetic braking system for rail vehicles, which includes brake blocks for braking the rotational movement of the running wheels of the rail vehicle. A magnetic coil capable of receiving voltage is disposed on a ferromagnetic connecting part between the running wheels, and together with the ferromagnetic brake blocks, forms a closed magnetic circuit through the running wheels and the fixed rail, and with the aid of magnetic flux, the brake blocks generate an additional attractive braking friction force on the running wheels.

[0011] A drawback of the known solution is that this magnetic assisted braking device generates a high level of frictional heat on the running wheels, and therefore this braking device is not suitable for cable management machines.

[0012] A general braking device for the above solution for railway vehicles is disclosed in CN Patent Application Publication No. 102556102, which does not disclose direct braking of the running wheels of the railway vehicle, nor is it suitable as a braking device for a cable processing machine.

[0013] German Patent Application Publication No. 102013002020 A1 discloses a winding device for winding a rope-like wound material, which has a winding material drum and a movable laying arm. An eddy current brake is arranged on the laying arm as a winding material brake, which, if necessary, transmits a braking force to the wound material directed away from the winding material drum. When a braking force is generated in the winding material, the winding material is pretensioned in a direction that moves it downward toward the winding material brake.

[0014] A disadvantage of this known device is that the braking force of the winding material brake acts directly on the winding material, which is subjected to tensile stresses, which inevitably result in deformation of the winding material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2399856 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-248528 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 3290370 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,881,578 [Patent Document 5] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 102556102 [Patent Document 6] German Patent Application Publication No. 102013002020 Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome one or more drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, it is intended to create a straightening device that prevents damage to the line being straightened based on the friction effect when braking the line being straightened, and a method for braking at least one rotatable roller in one roller train of the straightening device that allows for gentle braking of the line being straightened. Furthermore, a cable processing machine with a straightening device that can maintain high quality requirements for the straightened line and prevent interruptions to the processing process due to a line damaged during straightening, and an upgrade kit for a cable processing machine using one cable processing machine, can be created.

[0017] This object is achieved by the devices and methods defined in the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are set out in the drawing, the description and in particular in the dependent claims.

[0018] A straightening device according to the present invention for straightening a line along a conveying path includes a straightening mechanism having a first roller row and a second roller row, the roller rows being movable relative to each other, with the conveying path of the line passing therebetween, at least one of the two roller rows having a plurality of rotatable rollers, and a braking device being provided for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers of at least one of the two roller rows of the straightening mechanism.

[0019] The braking device is designed to exert a braking effect on at least one roller of the two roller trains that rotate as the line is straightened, thereby enabling effective braking of this roller without mechanically overloading or deforming the line being straightened. The line being straightened is pulled through the straightening mechanism with the aid of a line retraction device. Due to the high retraction speed of the line through the straightening mechanism when straightening the line and the resulting high rotational energy of the rotating rollers in the roller train, stopping the highly dynamic line retraction device typically causes the line to form a loop between the straightening mechanism and the line retraction device. This loop formation is due to the inertia of the rotating rollers in the roller train of the straightening device and is formed by the subsequent line length from the container. The loop in the line can then lead to the line getting caught on components in the cable processing machine, resulting in the need to stop production. When the straightening process is restarted using the straightening device, the previously generated line loop is smoothed by the line drawing device, which inevitably results in a sudden acceleration of the line by the line drawing device, which causes a length error in the straightened line.By directly braking the rotating roller of at least one of the two roller trains with the braking device, the aforementioned loop formation between the straightening device and the line drawing device is prevented, thereby avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages.In particular, production does not need to be stopped and the resulting length error in the line is prevented.

[0020] Preventing the formation of loops and the resulting potential damage to the lines is particularly advantageous in the case of electrical or optical lines, since these lines are particularly susceptible to these aforementioned effects, which significantly degrade the quality of the straightened line.

[0021] In particular, the braking device is designed to brake the rotatable rollers of at least one of the two roller rows of the straightening mechanism, thereby further increasing the efficiency of the braking process and thereby further protecting the line being straightened. The two roller rows are arranged on the straightening device so that they are movable relative to each other.

[0022] Preferably, in an activated state, the braking device is at least partially in a non-contact braking connection with at least one of the rotatable rollers in at least one of the two roller trains. In an activated state, the braking device exerts a braking action on at least one of the rotatable rollers in at least one of the two roller trains, thereby reducing its rotational speed. The braking device does not contact this roller, so that heat accumulation due to mechanical friction effects does not occur in the braked roller.

[0023] In particular, in an activated state, the braking device is in non-contact braking connection with the rotatable rollers in at least one of the two roller trains without generating frictional heat in the rotatable rollers. The braking device described herein prevents frictional heat that would otherwise be transferred to the line being straightened, which could cause, for example, deformation of power insulators and thus damage their line insulation layers.

[0024] The non-contact braking connection is preferably adjustable. Thus, the braking speed, and therefore the deceleration, acting on the at least one rotatable roller can be adapted to different characteristics of the line to be straightened, such as the line diameter, the line type, or the thickness of the line insulation layer. Furthermore, the desired braking effect can be adapted to the retraction speed of the line in the straightening device, so that the line is further protected during braking.

[0025] In particular, at least one rotatable roller includes an inner ring and an outer ring, with a rolling element unit, such as a ball row, disposed between the inner and outer rings. The inner ring is used to secure the ball bearings and the outer ring, which is rotatably disposed thereon, to a fixed shaft of the first or second roller row of the straightening mechanism, and the inner ring is rigidly disposed on the fixed shaft. The rotatable outer ring is rotatably disposed on the shaft with the aid of the rolling element unit and can rotate according to the line retraction speed.

[0026] Alternatively, the at least one rotatable roller is disposed on a rotatably mounted shaft on the straightening mechanism and rigidly connected to the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft, together with the rollers disposed thereon, rotates about an axis of rotation that extends along the longitudinal extent of the rotatable shaft. In this manner, the at least one rotatable roller can be easily rotatably mounted to the first roller train or the second roller train.

[0027] In particular, the contactless braking connection acts on the rotatable outer ring of at least one rotatable roller, so that the deceleration during braking acts on an area of the rotatable roller that has a larger radius and therefore a higher torque, which further increases the effectiveness of the contactless braking connection.

[0028] Advantageously, the rotatable outer ring of the at least one rotatable roller has grooves for guiding the line to be straightened, thus preventing the line to be straightened from undesirably separating from the straightening mechanism.

[0029] In particular, the contactless braking connection acts on the rotatable outer ring of at least one further roller of the plurality of rotatable rollers of the roller train, in particular of each roller, whereby the braking action is further improved.

[0030] Preferably, the braking device is a magnetic braking device, and the magnetic braking device includes at least one permanent magnet or at least one electromagnet. Using a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, a braking action on the at least one rotating roller can be easily and efficiently controlled or adjusted.

[0031] Advantageously, the permanent magnets are cylindrical or disc-shaped, so that they can be arranged in the braking device in a simple and use-specific manner. Further examples of alternative embodiments of the shape of the permanent magnets in the braking device are square, annular, circular or arcuate.

[0032] In particular, the magnetic braking device is an eddy current brake. Eddy currents induced by the eddy current brake in at least one rotating roller are generated by magnetic field lines, generating a system of forces that brake one of the rotating rollers or the rotating outer ring of the rollers. The resulting heating in the rotating roller or the rotating outer ring of the roller, and the heat transferred therefrom to the line being straightened, is negligible compared to the heat in the line being straightened when the line is mechanically braked.

[0033] Alternatively, the magnetic braking device may be a hysteresis brake comprising at least two permanent magnets and a positioning device for moving the at least two permanent magnets. The at least one rotatable roller described herein is designed as a hysteresis disk or ring made of a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic material, of the hysteresis brake. The at least two permanent magnets generate a flow of field lines in the at least one rotatable roller. The operating principle that opposing magnetic poles result in the lowest torque applies here. However, when the south and north poles of the magnets alternate along the circumference of the hysteresis disk, the strongest remagnetization occurs, resulting in the highest torque. By changing the angle of magnetic pole overlap, the torque can be continuously adjusted, and since there are no contact surfaces, the adjustment can be maintained indefinitely. The torque applied to the at least one rotatable roller is independent of the roller's rotation speed and is therefore evenly distributed from rest to maximum rotation speed.

[0034] Advantageously, the rotatable outer ring of the roller is made of an electrically conductive material, such as steel, copper, or aluminum. As long as the rotatable outer ring rotates, a braking action can be generated in the form of eddy currents via the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet in the rotating outer ring of the at least one rotatable roller. The eddy currents generated in the rotating outer ring of the at least one rotatable roller are strongest at high rotational speeds and steadily decrease as the rotational speed decreases. The eddy currents in the rotatable outer ring of the at least one rotatable roller brake the rotation of the outer ring contactlessly and very effectively. When the outer ring is not rotating, no eddy currents are generated.

[0035] Advantageously, the braking device also has a magnet holder for receiving at least one permanent magnet, which allows the permanent magnet to be easily positioned on the braking device, and the at least one permanent magnet can be removably positioned on the magnet holder so that it can be separated from the magnet holder and replaced without tools.

[0036] In particular, the braking device has a magnet holder for receiving multiple permanent magnets, so that multiple permanent magnets can simultaneously contribute to the braking action connection, whereby the braking action is improved by multiple permanent magnets on at least one rotatable roller in at least one of the two roller rows.

[0037] Preferably, the braking device is spaced apart from the at least one rotatable roller. The braking device is spaced apart horizontally and / or vertically from the at least one rotatable roller, so that the non-contact braking device has a simple and space-saving structure. The spaced apart braking device from the at least one rotatable roller allows for easy repair of the braking device, since the components of the braking device are easily accessible to the user.

[0038] Preferably, the braking device comprises a positioning device for at least partially moving the braking device from a first position in which the braking device is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the braking device is in an active state. In the inactive state, there is no braking action on at least one rotatable roller in the roller train, so that straightening of the line can be carried out largely without resistance. Since the distance from the braking device to the at least one rotatable roller is shortened, the braking device can be directly activated with the aid of the positioning device, so that a braking action occurs on this at least one rotatable roller in the roller train.

[0039] In particular, the positioning device is designed as a lifting device which approaches the at least one rotatable roller in a vertical direction, essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable roller, thereby making it possible to realize a simple positioning device.

[0040] Alternatively, the positioning device is designed to horizontally offset the braking device along the rotation axis of the essentially rotatable roller, so that the positioning device can be positioned space-savingly in the area of one of the roller rows to be straightened.

[0041] Advantageously, the magnet holder can be moved from a first position, in which the magnet holder or magnet is in an inactive state, to at least a second position, in which the magnet holder or magnet is in an active state. In this way, at least one component of the braking device, namely the magnet holder, is movably arranged on the braking device. Therefore, the number of movable components can be reduced, and as a result, the braking device can be constructed in a structurally simpler and more cost-effective manner.

[0042] The positioning device is advantageously configured as an electric crank drive, with the aid of which the brake device or the magnet holder can be moved rapidly, continuously or permanently from a first position to a further position.

[0043] Preferably, the positioning device has a housing so that the movable components of the positioning device are covered, providing a high level of security, and in this way preventing line loops from forming on the positioning device or in the straightening mechanism of the straightening device.

[0044] In particular, the housing has guide portions to allow accurate and repeatable positioning of the brake device on the straightening mechanism.

[0045] Preferably, the positioning device comprises a drive for pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically adjusting at least the magnet holder relative to the at least one rotatable roller, which drive allows a controllable adjustment of the magnet holder relative to the rotatable roller, which advantageously provides for continuous adjustment of the distance between the magnet holder and the at least one rotatable roller.

[0046] Advantageously, the positioning device comprises an end plate with at least one elastic element, such as a pretensioning spring, with the aid of which at least the magnet holder is arranged on the braking device in a pretensionable manner, so that tilting of the magnet holder can be prevented when the braking device or the magnet holder is moved from the magnet inactive state to the magnet active state.

[0047] Preferably, the magnet holder has at least two permanent magnets, each with its magnetic south pole pointing in essentially the same direction, so that the existing magnetic fields of the permanent magnets have the same magnetic field lines, thereby strengthening the braking connection between the at least one rotatable roller and the braking device.

[0048] Preferably, at least one permanent magnet in the magnet holder is a neodymium magnet, which has a particularly high magnetic field strength and is robust, so that the braking device requires little maintenance service.

[0049] A method for braking at least one rotatable roller in at least one roller train in a straightening device according to the present invention, as described herein, comprises at least: straightening at least one line, wherein the at least one line is pulled through a straightening device; braking at least one of the rotatable rollers in at least one roller train of the straightening device with a braking device; Includes.

[0050] This method allows the rotatable roller in one of the roller trains to be effectively braked without mechanically straining or deforming the line being straightened, thus preventing the line from looping, as already mentioned above.

[0051] Advantageously, the line to be straightened is unwound from a container, such as a cable drum, reel, cable bin, etc., as described herein, in which the endless line is placed and drawn into the straightening device, allowing many lengths of endless line to be straightened in a short period of time.

[0052] Preferably, prior to the aforementioned braking of at least one rotatable roller in at least one roller train of the straightening device, the braking device is at least partially moved from a first position in which the braking device is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the braking device is in an active state. In the inactive state of the braking device, the at least one rotatable roller of the roller train is not braked. In this way, the at least one rotatable roller is permanently unbraked, thereby preventing permanent heat formation on the at least one rotatable roller of the roller train.

[0053] Advantageously, prior to the aforementioned braking of at least one rotatable roller of the roller train of the straightening device, the magnet holder of the braking device is moved from a first position, in which the magnet holder of the braking device is in an inactive state, to at least a second position, in which the magnet holder of the braking device is in an active state.

[0054] Preferably, the braking device has a non-contact braking action on at least one rotatable roller of at least one roller train of the straightening device, which prevents heat buildup due to mechanical friction, so that the at least one rotatable roller has a long service life and therefore long maintenance service intervals.

[0055] A cable treatment machine according to the present invention includes a straightening device as described above. As described herein, the cable treatment machine includes various processing processes, such as cutting, stripping, crimping, twisting, and tinning. To allow these processing processes to be performed without interruption, the straightening device described herein prevents the formation of loops between the straightening mechanism and the line retraction device.

[0056] In particular, the above-mentioned straightening device is located immediately after the container. Typically, the endless lines are drawn into a cable processing machine, where the line lengths are straightened in the above-mentioned processing process and further processed, in particular cut to the desired length.

[0057] Preferably, there is a control device for controlling the braking device, the control device being at least partially designed to move the braking device from a first position in which the braking device is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the braking device is in an active state.

[0058] In particular, the control device for controlling the braking device is designed as a selector switch, by means of which the braking device can be permanently maintained in an activated state or by means of which the braking device can be alternately maintained in an inactivated or activated state, whereby the braking device is moved from a first position to a second position in the machine cycle of the straightening device or cable processing machine.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, a control device is provided for controlling the magnet holder of the braking device, which control device is designed to move the magnet holder of the braking device from a first position in which the magnet holder of the braking device is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the magnet holder of the braking device is in an active state.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, there is a control device for controlling the electromagnets of the braking device, which is designed to control the current in the electromagnets and thus adjust the magnetic field of the electromagnets, thereby allowing continuous adjustment of the magnetic braking connection on the rotatable rollers of at least one roller train.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the control device is designed to control the straightening mechanism. The movement of the first roller row and / or the second roller row in the straightening mechanism is typically controlled with the aid of the control device, so that straightening of the line can be performed in a controlled and reproducible manner. Controlling the braking device and straightening mechanism described herein with the control device makes it possible to coordinate the braking of at least one rotatable roller in the straightening mechanism with the movement of the first and / or second roller row in the straightening mechanism when straightening the line.

[0062] In particular, the cable management machine has at least one further straightening mechanism as described above, the at least one further straightening mechanism being arranged at 90° to the first straightening mechanism, and the two straightening mechanisms being arranged adjacent to each other at a distance from each other.

[0063] As described herein, a 90° arrangement relative to each other refers to an arrangement of the rotation axes of the rollers of the first straightening mechanism rotated by 90° relative to the rotation axes of the rollers of the further straightening mechanism, thus enabling improved straightening of the line in the first spatial direction and in the further spatial direction, the two spatial directions being arranged essentially rotated by 90° relative to each other.

[0064] Advantageously, the cable processing machine has a line pulling device arranged below the straightening device as described above in the conveying direction, so that the line to be straightened can be pulled through the straightening device described here simply and automatically.

[0065] An upgrade kit according to the present invention for a cable manager includes a braking device as described herein for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers in at least one roller train of the straightening mechanism, in particular for braking a plurality of rotatable rollers in at least one roller train of the straightening mechanism. In this way, the straightening mechanism of the cable manager can be easily retrofitted with a braking device as described herein.

[0066] The upgrade kit preferably includes a control device connected to the braking device described herein for controlling the braking device, as described above.

[0067] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, in which the first, second, third or more lists are used only to identify components.

[0068] The list of reference symbols, as well as the technical content of the claims and drawings, are part of this disclosure. These figures are described consistently and comprehensively. Identical reference symbols refer to identical components, and reference symbols with different suffixes refer to functionally identical or similar components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0069] [Figure 1] 1 shows a first embodiment of a straightening device according to the invention in a perspective view; [Figure 2] 2 shows the straightening device according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view, the straightening mechanism being shown apart from the braking device; [Figure 3] 2 shows the straightening device according to FIG. 1 in a side view, with the brake device arranged in the inactive state. [Figure 4] 2 shows the straightening device according to FIG. 1 in a side view, with the brake device arranged in the active position. [Figure 5] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one roller of a roller train of a straightening mechanism in the straightening device according to FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 1 shows a cable processing machine with a straightening device according to the invention in a perspective view; [Figure 7] 1 and a further straightening device for a cable processor according to FIG. 6 in a perspective view. [Figure 8] 1 shows a perspective view of an upgrade kit according to the invention for a cable management machine; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] 1-5 show a straightening device 15 for straightening an electric line (electrical transmission line, electrical wire) or an optical line (optical transmission line, optical fiber) 11 within a straightening mechanism 20 along a conveying path 16. The straightening mechanism 20 includes a straightening mechanism housing 22 in which a first roller row 21 having a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers 25 is disposed, and a second roller row 31 having a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers 35 is disposed. In these figures and the following figures, a roller 25 representative of the plurality of rollers 25 and a roller 35 representative of the plurality of rollers 35 are respectively designated by reference numerals. The illustrated straightening mechanism 20 is in a closed state in which the two roller rows 21, 31 are close to each other, and the line 11 passes between the rollers 25 and 35 and rests on the roller 25 along the conveying direction 17. The roller 25 is disposed offset relative to the roller 35 along the conveying direction 17. The first roller row 21 is disposed on a first carrier 23, and the second roller row 31 is disposed on a second carrier 33. The two carriers 23 and 33 are connected to the straightening mechanism housing 22. The straightening mechanism 20 includes a feed drive 27 and a pivot drive 28. The feed drive 27, which includes a pneumatically controlled drive, feeds the first roller row 21 toward the second roller row 31, thereby reducing the distance between the first roller row 21 and the second roller row 31 until the rollers 35 of the second roller row 31 contact and hold the line 11, or until the line 11 is clamped between the rollers 25 and 35. The pivot drive 28 includes an adjustment spindle 29 that pivots the first roller row 21 at an adjustable angle relative to the second roller row 31, so that the line 11 to be straightened is partially clamped or held by the straightening mechanism 20.

[0071] The straightening device 15 includes a magnetic braking device 40 for braking the rotatable roller 25 of the first roller train 21 of the straightening mechanism 20. The braking device 40 includes a magnet holder 45 with a plurality of permanent magnets 41-44, which are cylindrical and neodymium magnets. The magnet holder 45 is spaced apart from the rotatable roller 25 and, in an active state, is in contactless braking connection with the rotatable roller 25 of the first roller train 21 of the straightening mechanism 20. The braking device 40 is designed as an eddy current brake, which applies a braking action to the rotatable roller 25 when the line 11 is straightened. The braking device 40 acts in particular on the outer ring 25a of the rotatable roller 25.

[0072] The braking device 40 has a positioning device 50 for moving the magnet holder 45, which comprises a housing 51 and a guide part 52 arranged on the housing 51. The positioning device 50 here has a drive device 55 for pneumatically adjusting the magnet holder 45 relative to at least one rotatable roller 25 or to several rotatable rollers 25. The positioning device 50 moves the magnet holder 45 from a first position (see FIG. 3) in which the magnet holder 45 is in an inactive state to a second position (see FIG. 4) in which the magnet holder 45 is in an active state. The positioning device 50 is designed to move the magnet holder 45 horizontally, which here means essentially perpendicular to the rotation axis 26 of the rotating roller 25.

[0073] The positioning device 50 has an end plate 57 that is placed on the housing 51 using cylinder rods 59. The magnet holders 45 have holes that individually receive the cylinder rods 59. The magnet holders 45 are attached to the cylinder pins 59 so as to be movable toward the end plate 57. A pretension spring 58 is arranged on the cylinder pins 59 to apply pretension (preload) to the magnet holders 45 relative to the housing 51, preventing the magnet holders 45 from tilting when they move from the first position to the second position.

[0074] The braking device 40 is connected to a control device 80 for controlling the braking device 40. The control device 80 is connected to the positioning device 50 by means of a control line 81 and is designed to move the magnet holder 45 from a first position, in which the braking device 40 or the magnet holder 45 is in an inactive state, to at least a second position, in which the magnet holder 45 is in an active state. In this way, the contactless braking connection from the permanent magnets 41-44 to the rotatable roller 25 is adjustable when the line 11 is straightened. The contactless braking connection acts primarily on the outer ring 25a of the rotatable roller 25.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a rotatable roller 25 arranged on the roller train 21 of the straightening mechanism 20. The rotatable roller 25 has an inner ring 25b and an outer ring 25a. A ball train is arranged between the inner ring 25b and the outer ring 25a as a rolling element unit 25c. The inner ring 25b is used to secure the ball train to the shaft 30 of the roller train 21 of the straightening mechanism 20, and the inner ring 25b is firmly arranged on this shaft 30. The rotatable outer ring 25a is rotatable around the rotation axis 26 on this shaft 30 with the aid of the rolling element unit 25c and rotates according to the line retraction speed. The rotatable outer ring 25a has a groove 32 for centrally guiding the line 11 to be straightened. Roller 35 is arranged on the roller train 31 by the shaft and has a similar configuration to roller 25.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, each roller is fixedly positioned on a rotatable shaft on the roller train, and the shaft rotates about an axis of rotation with the rollers, thereby allowing the line to be straightened in a straightening mechanism (not shown).

[0077] Another embodiment of the magnetic braking device of the present invention (not shown here) has an electromagnet instead of the permanent magnet described above, and the magnetic field strength can be changed with the help of a control device for adjusting the magnetic braking connection.

[0078] A method for braking the rotatable rollers 25 of the straightening device 15 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0079] First, the line 11 to be straightened is unwound from the container and manually drawn into the straightening device 15, where it is placed on the straightening rollers 25 of the first roller row 21. The straightening mechanism 20 is initially in an open state, so that the two roller rows 21 and 31 are sufficiently spaced apart from one another. In a further step, the straightening mechanism 20 is advanced using the feed drive 27, so that the rollers 35 of the second roller row 31 are then placed on the line 11. The second roller row 31 is then swiveled with the help of the swivel drive 28 and pressed against the line 11. Next, the line 11 is straightened and pulled through the straightening device 15. The line is drawn by a power-driven line drawing device arranged spaced apart from the straightening device 15 in the conveying direction (see FIG. 7). The rollers 25 of the first roller row 21 and the rollers 35 of the second roller row 31 rotate out of position. For braking, the magnet holder 45 of the braking device 40 is moved from a first position (see FIG. 3 ), in which the magnet holder 45 of the braking device 40 is in an inactive state, to a second position (see FIG. 4 ), in which the magnet holder 45 of the braking device 40 is in an active state. In the inactive state, the magnet holder 45 is in close proximity to the end plate 57, and the pretension spring 58 is in a compressed state. In the active state, the magnet holder 45 is located directly below the rotating roller 25, and the pretension spring 58 is in a relaxed state. In a further step, the rotating outer ring 25 a of the roller 25 of the first roller train 21 is effectively braked with a permanent magnet arranged on the magnet holder 45. The braking device exerts a braking action on the rotating outer ring 25 a of the roller 25 without contacting it, according to the principle of eddy current braking. Thus, the braking device 40 is in braking connection with the rotating outer ring 25 a of the roller 25.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, the rotatable rollers are each disposed on a rotating shaft on a roller train on the straightening mechanism and rigidly connected to the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft, together with the rollers disposed thereon, rotates about an axis of rotation that extends along the longitudinal extent of the rotatable shaft. A non-contact braking action acts on the rotating rollers of each roller train (not shown).

[0081] 6 shows a cable treatment machine 70 according to the present invention, which includes a straightening unit 73 and a straightening device 15 as described above. As described herein, the cable treatment machine 70 can have various treatment processes, such as straightening, cutting, stripping, crimping, twisting, and tinning. A container 75 is arranged in front of the straightening device 15, which contains the line 11 in the form of an endless line. The line 11 is drawn into the cable treatment machine 70 and straightened in the straightening device 15. To draw the line 11 through the straightening device 15, a line drawing device 90 is used, which is arranged below the straightening device 15 in the conveying direction, as will be described below.

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a straightening unit 73 having two straightening devices 15 and 15a arranged adjacent to each other, each having two straightening mechanisms 20a-20d. One of these straightening devices 15, 15a has a brake device 40, as described herein, for braking a rotatable roller in one of the roller trains of straightening mechanism 20a. Cable treater 70 has a controller 80, as described herein, for controlling brake device 40 of straightening device 15. Furthermore, controller 80 is electrically connected by control line 81 to the feed drive, the swivel drive of straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c, and a line retraction device 90. Line retraction device 90 of cable treater 70 pulls line 11 through straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c in conveying direction 17. The control device 80 has a processor 85 that processes control commands and sends them to the drives 27, 28, 55, the line retraction device 90, the brake device 40, and / or the straightening mechanisms 20a, 20c. The control commands are sent to the drive device 55, the line retraction device 90, the brake device 40, and the drives 27, 28 of the straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c according to a predetermined sequence of steps. The two straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c are positioned 90° apart from each other. In one embodiment of the straightening unit (not shown), each of the straightening mechanisms 20a-20d shown in FIG. 7 can have a brake device as described herein.

[0083] 8 shows an upgrade kit 100 of the present invention for a cable management machine, which includes a braking device 40 as described herein for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers in the roller train of the straightening mechanism, and in particular for braking multiple rotatable rollers in the roller train of the straightening mechanism. Upgrade kit 100 includes a control device 80 having a processor 85 connected to a drive device 55 of a positioning device 50 for controlling braking device 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 11 lines 15 Straightening device 15a Straightening device 16 Transport Route 17 Conveying direction 20 Straightening mechanism 20a~20d Straightening mechanism 21 First roller train 22 Straightening mechanism housing 23 First Career 25 21 Laura 25a Outer ring of 25 25b 25 inner ring 25c 25 rolling element unit 26 25 rotation axis 27 Feed drive unit 28 Swivel drive unit 29 Adjustment spindle 30 25 shaft 31 Second Roller Train 33 Second Career 32 25a groove 35 31 Laura 40 Braking device 41~44 Permanent magnets 45 Magnet holder 50 Positioning device 51 50 Housing 52 Guide section 55 Drive unit 57 End Plate 58 Pretension spring 59 Cylinder rod 70 Cable Processing Machine 73 Straightening Unit 80 Control device 81 Control Line 85 processors 90 Line pull-in device 100 Upgrade Kit

Claims

1. A straightening device (15; 15a) for straightening an electric or optical line (11) along a conveying path (16), the electric or optical line (11) being drawn through the straightening device (15; 15a) by an external line drawing device (90) so as to repeatedly stop and re-convey the electric or optical line (11), a straightening mechanism (20; 20a-20d) having a first roller row (21) and a second roller row (31) which are movable relative to each other, and the conveying path of the electrical line or the optical line (11) runs between the roller rows (21, 31); At least one of the two roller trains (21, 31) comprises a plurality of rotatable rollers (25, 35), and each roller (25, 35) of the two roller trains (21, 31) has a rotation axis extending along a direction perpendicular to the transport path of the electrical line or the optical line (11); The straightening device (15; 15a) is characterized in that a braking device (40) is provided for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one of the two roller trains (21, 31) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a-20d).

2. 2. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to claim 1, characterized in that in an activated state, the braking device (40) is at least partially in contactless braking connection with at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a-20d).

3. 3. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to claim 2, characterized in that the contactless braking connection is adjustable and acts on a rotatable outer ring (25a) of at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35).

4. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the braking device (40) is a magnetic braking device, the magnetic braking device including at least one permanent magnet (41-44) or at least one electromagnet, the magnetic braking device being an eddy current brake or a hysteresis brake, and further characterized in that the braking device (40) has a magnet holder (45) for receiving the at least one permanent magnet (41-44).

5. Straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said braking device (40) is spaced apart from at least one of said rotatable rollers (25, 35).

6. 6. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to claim 1, characterized in that the braking device (40) comprises a positioning device (50) for at least partially moving the braking device (40) from a first position in which the braking device (40) is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the braking device (40) is in an active state.

7. 7. Straightening device (15; 15a) according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning device (50) comprises a housing (51), said housing comprising a guide portion (52).

8. 8. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the positioning device (50) comprises a drive (55) for pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically adjusting at least the magnet holder (45) relative to at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35).

9. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the magnet holder (45) has at least two permanent magnets (41-44), the magnetic south poles of each of the permanent magnets pointing in essentially the same direction.

10. Straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that at least one permanent magnet (41-44) in the magnet holder (45) is a neodymium magnet.

11. 11. The straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a control device (80) for controlling the braking device (40) by at least partially moving the braking device (40) from a first position in which the braking device (40) is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the braking device (40) is in an active state.

12. A method for braking at least one rotatable roller (25, 35) of at least one roller train (21, 31) in a straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: - straightening at least one electrical or optical line (11), said at least one electrical or optical line (11) being pulled in a stop-start manner through said straightening device (15; 15a); braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one roller train (21, 31) of said straightening device (15; 15a) with a braking device (40); A method comprising:

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the braking device (40) is moved at least partially from a first position in which the braking device (40) is in an inactivated state to a second position in which the braking device (40) is in an activated state.

14. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the braking device (40) has a contactless braking action on at least one rotatable roller (25, 35) of the roller train (21, 31) of the straightening device (15; 15a).

15. A cable processing machine (70) comprising a straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a line pulling device (90) for pulling an electric or optical line (11) through the straightening device (15; 15a) in a stop-and-start manner, The cable handling machine (70) is characterized in that the straightening device (15; 15a) is arranged immediately behind the container (75), and further characterized in that a control device (80) for controlling the braking device (40) is present, and this control device (80) is designed to control the straightening mechanism (20; 20a to 20d).

16. a braking device (40) for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one roller train (21, 31) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a-20d), in particular for braking a plurality of rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one roller train (21, 31) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a-20d), wherein the rotatable rollers (25, 35) have a rotation axis extending along a direction perpendicular to the transport path of the electrical or optical line (11) that is straightened by the straightening mechanism (20; 20a-20d); a control device (80) for controlling the braking device (40) by at least partially moving the braking device (40) from a first position in which the braking device (40) is in an inactive state to at least a second position in which the braking device (40) is in an active state; An upgrade kit (100) for a cable management machine, comprising:

Images