Cable bundle, cable bundle manufacturing method, and cable bundle manufacturing device

Abstract

A cable bundle 1 comprises a plurality of bundle units 10A-10C stacked in a second direction D3 orthogonal to a first direction that is the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. The bundle units 10A-10C are respectively provided with first loops 20A-20C and second loops 30A-30C stacked in the second direction D3. The first loops 20A-20C and second loops 30A-30C are connected to each other by using connection parts 12A-12C such that figure-eight-shaped loops comprising the first and second loops are formed when the bundle units are opened. The connection parts 12A-12C of the bundle units 10A-10C that are adjacent in the second direction D3 are offset in the first direction D1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable bundle, a method for manufacturing a cable bundle, and an apparatus for manufacturing a cable bundle. For designated states in which incorporation by reference of literature is permitted, the contents of Patent Application No. 2022-187748 filed in Japan on November 24, 2022 are incorporated by reference into this specification and made a part of the description of this specification. [Background technology]

[0002] A known method of winding a cable is the so-called "figure-of-eight winding," in which the cable is alternately twisted clockwise and counterclockwise to create loops while winding the cable (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this "figure-of-eight winding," when the first loop and the second loop are unwound to extend the cable, the helical twist that occurs when the first loop (second loop) is unwound cancels the twist that was imparted when the second loop (first loop) was made, so no twist occurs in the cable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-5840 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a cable is wound continuously in the "figure-of-eight" winding, the crossings of the cable overlap in the winding direction. For this reason, if the cable has a high bending stiffness, when the cable is unwound from the cable bundle, the loop that is unwound later may float up, causing the cable to become tangled and resulting in a kink. This phenomenon tends to occur frequently, particularly when the cable bundle is housed in a container and the cable is unwound from the opening of the container.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cable bundle capable of suppressing floating of the loops, a method for manufacturing the cable bundle, and an apparatus for manufacturing the cable bundle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] A first aspect of the present invention is a cable bundle having a wound cable, the cable bundle comprising a plurality of unit bundles stacked in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction which is a circumferential direction of the cable bundle, each of the unit bundles comprising first and second loops stacked in the second direction, the first and second loops being interconnected at connections such that when the unit bundle is opened, an eight-shaped loop comprising the first and second loops is formed, and the connections of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction are offset in the first direction.

[0007] [2] A second aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to the first aspect, in which the connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction are offset in the first direction within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

[0008] [3] A third aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to the first or second aspect, wherein each of the unit bundles is formed by folding an eight-shaped loop having the first and second loops at the connection portion.

[0009] [4] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a cable bundle of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the cable bundle has an intermediate portion interposed between the unit bundles to connect the unit bundles to each other, and the intermediate portion may be a cable bundle wound along the first direction such that the connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted in the first direction.

[0010] [5] A fifth aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to the fourth aspect, wherein the intermediate portion is a cable bundle wound along the first direction such that the connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted in the first direction within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

[0011] [6] A sixth aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the intermediate portion has a length that is 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the circumference of the first or second loop connected to the intermediate portion.

[0012] [7] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a cable bundle according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the plurality of unit bundles include a first unit bundle, a second unit bundle overlapped on the first unit bundle, and a third unit bundle overlapped on the second unit bundle, and the cable bundle comprises a first intermediate portion interposed between the first unit bundle and the second unit bundle and connecting the first unit bundle and the second unit bundle, and a second intermediate portion interposed between the second unit bundle and the third unit bundle and connecting the second unit bundle and the third unit bundle, the first and second intermediate portions being wound along the first direction, and the first intermediate portion and the second intermediate portion being offset in the first direction.

[0013] [8] Aspect 8 of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the cable bundle has an intermediate portion interposed between the unit bundles to connect the unit bundles and wound along the first direction, and the cable is twisted in a direction opposite to the twist caused by the intermediate portion when the cable is unwound.

[0014] [9] A ninth aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to the eighth aspect, wherein the number of twist turns imparted to the cables is equal to or less than a value obtained by dividing the sum of the lengths of the intermediate portions by the average circumference of the cable bundle.

[0015]

[10] A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to a cable bundle according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the connection portion is a portion of the cable between a first intersection of the first loop and a second intersection of the second loop, and the cable bundle is wound along the first direction.

[0016]

[11] An eleventh aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to the tenth aspect, wherein the connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction and an intermediate portion connecting the unit bundles to each other form one loop along the first direction.

[0017]

[12] A twelfth aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the first loop is formed by winding the cable in a forward winding or a reverse winding opposite to the forward winding, and the second loop is formed by winding the cable in the reverse winding or the forward winding.

[0018]

[13] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention may be a cable bundle in any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the unit bundle is formed so that twisting due to the unit bundle does not occur in the cable when the cable is unwound.

[0019]

[14] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a cable bundle having a wound cable, comprising: a first step of forming a plurality of unit bundles, each of which has a first loop and a second loop connected at a connection portion and stacked on top of each other; and a second step of stacking the plurality of unit bundles so that the connection portions are offset from each other in a first direction, which is the circumferential direction of the cable bundle, and the first and second loops are connected to each other at the connection portions such that, when the unit bundle is opened, an eight-shaped loop is formed comprising the first and second loops.

[0020]

[15] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention may be the method for manufacturing a cable bundle of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the first step includes forming a plurality of third rings, each of which has the first ring and the second ring connected at the connection portion, by arranging the cables in an eight-shape, and folding each of the third rings at the connection portion to overlap the first and second rings to form a plurality of the unit bundles.

[0021]

[16] A sixteenth aspect of the present invention may be a method for manufacturing a cable bundle of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the first step includes forming the first loop by twisting the cable in a third direction, forming the second loop by twisting the cable in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, and forming the unit bundle by overlapping the first loop and the second loop.

[0022]

[17] A seventeenth aspect of the present invention may be a method for manufacturing a cable bundle according to any one of aspects fourteen to sixteen, wherein the second step includes stacking the unit bundles so that the connection portions of adjacent unit bundles are shifted in the first direction within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

[0023]

[18] Aspect 18 of the present invention may be a method for manufacturing a cable bundle according to any one of aspects 14 to 17, wherein the cable bundle has an intermediate portion interposed between the unit bundles to connect the unit bundles to each other, and the second step includes winding the intermediate portion along the first direction so that the connection portions of adjacent unit bundles are shifted in the first direction.

[0024]

[19] A nineteenth aspect of the present invention may be a method for manufacturing a cable bundle according to the eighteenth aspect, wherein the second step includes winding the intermediate portion along the first direction so that the connection portions of adjacent unit bundles are shifted within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees in the first direction.

[0025]

[20] Aspect 20 of the present invention may be a method for manufacturing a cable bundle in any one of aspects 14 to 19, wherein the intermediate portion has a length of 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the circumference of the first or second loop connected to the intermediate portion.

[0026]

[21] A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a cable bundle having a wound cable, comprising: a fixing device for fixing axial movement of the cable at a fixed position on the cable; a feeding device for feeding the cable toward the fixed position; a twisting device for forming a loop of the cable by twisting the cable fed by the feeding device; and a first rotating device having a mounting surface on which the loops formed by the twisting device are placed and stacked, and for rotating the mounting surface around a first axis substantially parallel to the normal direction of the mounting surface.

[0027]

[22] A twenty-second aspect of the present invention may be the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus of the twenty-first aspect, wherein the twisting device forms a first loop by twisting the cable in a third direction, and forms a second loop by twisting the cable in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction.

[0028]

[23] Aspect 23 of the present invention may be the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus of aspect 21 or 22, further comprising a second rotation device that rotates the drum for supplying the cables about a second axis substantially parallel to the direction in which the cables are fed from the drum. Effect of the Invention

[0029] In the present invention, since the connection parts of unit bundles adjacent in the second direction are offset in the first direction, the loop that is subsequently paid out can be prevented from floating up. Also, in the present invention, since the first rotating device rotates the placement surface on which the cable loop is placed, it is possible to manufacture a cable bundle having the above-mentioned connection parts offset in the first direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cable bundle in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the cable bundle shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing the position of a first intermediate portion in the circumferential direction of the cable bundle, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic plan view showing the position of a second intermediate portion in the circumferential direction of the cable bundle. [Figure 4] 4(a) to 4(e) are diagrams showing a method of forming a first unit bundle of cables in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams showing a method of forming a second unit bundle of cables in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(e) are diagrams showing a method of forming a third unit bundle of cables in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the eight-shaped loops when the unit bundle in the second embodiment of the present invention is opened. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a cable bundle in the second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a development view of a portion of a cable bundle in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cable bundle 1 in a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the cable bundle 1 shown in Fig. 1. Also, Fig. 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing the position of an intermediate portion 40A in a circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1, and Fig. 3(b) is a schematic plan view showing the position of an intermediate portion 40B in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1.

[0033] In Fig. 1, container 50 is shown in a see-through manner to facilitate understanding of the state inside container 50. In Fig. 2, the white portion of cable 2 indicates the front side of cable 2, and the shaded portion of cable 2 indicates the back side of cable 2. In Fig. 2, the thick solid line portion of cable 2 indicates middle portions 40A, 40B, and 40C of cable 2, and the thick dashed line portion of cable 2 indicates connection portions 12A, 12B, and 12C of cable 2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the cable bundle 1 in this embodiment includes a cable 2 wound in a circular (tubular, coiled) shape in a winding direction D2, and is formed by winding a single continuous cable 2 in a winding manner described below. This cable bundle 1 has a so-called drumless structure that does not have a winding core such as a drum or a reel. A specific example of the cable 2 is an optical fiber cable, but is not limited thereto. For example, the cable 2 may be a metal cable for power transmission, communication, or a composite type that combines these. In addition, the cable 2 in this embodiment does not have any connection point between one end 3 (for example, the end (E end) of the cable 2 at the end where the winding ends) and the other end 4 (for example, the end (S end) of the cable 2 at the end where the winding begins) (see FIG. 2), but a single continuous cable 2 may be formed by connecting multiple cables by, for example, fusion splicing, a connector, or the like.

[0035] During the laying work of the cable 2, for example, the cable bundle 1 is transported to the laying site in a state housed in a container 50 as shown in FIG. 1. The container 50 has a box-like shape, and an opening 52 is formed on the upper surface thereof. The cable 2 is supplied to the laying site by being fed out from one end 3 of the container 50 through the opening 52. The cable bundle 1 is arranged in the container 50 in a position (i.e., a "vertical position") in which the axial direction D3 of the cable bundle 1 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction (the Z direction in the figure). The container 50 is made of, for example, cardboard made of paper, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the container 50 may be made of plastic cardboard made of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP), or may be made of a metal box.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the cable bundle 1 includes a plurality of unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C, and a plurality of intermediate portions 40A, 40B, 40C. As will be described later in detail, each of the unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C is formed by winding the cable 2 in a figure of eight to form two circular loops and folding the two loops. The plurality of unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C are stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure). Each intermediate portion 40A, 40B, 40C is a portion of the cable 2 that is interposed between the unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C. Note that FIG. 2 shows only three unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C on the other end 4 side of the cable 2, but the cable bundle 1 actually includes a large number of unit bundles.

[0037] The unit bundle 10A includes a first ring 20A and a second ring 30A. In this embodiment, the first and second rings 20A, 30A have substantially the same diameter, but the diameters of the first and second rings 20A, 30A may be different from each other. The first ring 20A is formed by winding the cable 2 in a "forward winding". In contrast, the second ring 30A is formed by winding the cable 2 in a "reverse winding". These two rings 20A, 30A are overlapped in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure) so that the second ring 30A is located above the first ring 20A.

[0038] In this embodiment, "forward winding" refers to a method of winding the cable 2 such that the start point of the loop is located on one side (e.g., the lower side) of the end point in the overlapping direction of the two loops constituting the unit bundle. In contrast, "reverse winding" refers to a method of winding the cable 2 such that the start point of the loop is located on the other side (e.g., the upper side) of the end point in the overlapping direction of the two loops.

[0039] Therefore, in the first loop 20A of the unit bundle 10A, the cable 2 is wound so that the starting point 21A is located below the end point 22A in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20A, 30A, so the winding method of this first loop 20A is "forward winding". In contrast, in the second loop 30A of the unit bundle 10A, the cable 2 is wound so that the starting point 31A is located above the end point 32A in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20A, 30A, so the winding method of this second loop 30A is "reverse winding". The overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20A, 30A corresponds to an example of the "second direction" in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Since this unit bundle 10A is formed by a figure-of-eight winding, the two loops 20A, 30A are connected to each other at the connection portion 12A. In other words, the two loops 20A, 30A are connected to each other at the connection portion 12A so that when this unit bundle 10A is opened, an eight-shaped loop 11A (see FIG. 4(a) described later) including the first and second loops 20A, 30A is formed. When the unit bundle 10A is opened (see FIG. 4(a)), the start point 21A of the first loop 20A is located below the end point 22A of the first loop 20A, and the start point 31A of the second loop 30A is also located below the end point 32A of the second loop 30A. By forming such an eight-shaped loop 11A, twisting due to this unit bundle 10A does not occur in the cable 2 when the cable 2 is unwound.

[0041] Here, the first loop 20A is defined by the cable 2 crossing at the start point 21A and the end point 22A of the first loop 20A, and the second loop 30A is defined by the cable 2 crossing at the start point 31A and the end point 32A of the second loop 30A. Therefore, when the first intersection defining the first loop 20A and the second intersection defining the second loop 30A overlap in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1, the connection portion 12A coincides with the first and second intersections in the circumferential direction D1. On the other hand, when the first and second intersections are offset in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1, the connection portion 12A is a portion of the cable 2 between the first and second intersections, including the first and second intersections. Therefore, the "figure of eight" in this embodiment includes a shape of a complete figure of eight in which the connecting portion 12A has no length, and also includes a shape in which two loops 20A, 20B are connected by the connecting portion 12A that has length. Note that the "figure of eight" in this embodiment refers to the Arabic numeral "8."

[0042] The unit bundle 10B also includes a first loop 20B formed by winding the cable 2 in a forward direction and a second loop 30B formed by winding the cable 2 in a reverse direction. In the first loop 20B, the cable 2 is wound so that the starting point 21B is located below the end point 22B in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20B, 30B, so the winding method of this first loop 20B is "forward winding". In contrast, in the second loop 30B, the cable 2 is wound so that the starting point 31B is located above the end point 32B in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20B, 30B, so the winding method of this second loop 30B is "reverse winding".

[0043] The two loops 20B, 30B are stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure) so that the second loop 30B is located above the first loop 20B. In addition, since the unit bundle 10B is also formed by a figure-of-eight winding, the two loops 20B, 30B are connected at the connection portion 12B. In other words, the two loops 20B, 30B are connected to each other at the connection portion 12B so that when the unit bundle 10B is opened, an eight-shaped loop 11B (see FIG. 5(a) described later) including the first and second loops 20B, 30B is formed. When the unit bundle 10B is opened (see FIG. 5(a)), the starting point 21B of the first loop 20B is located below the end point 22B of the first loop 20B, and the starting point 31B of the second loop 30B is also located below the end point 32B of the second loop 30B. By forming such a figure-of-eight loop 11B, twisting caused by this unit bundle 10B does not occur in the cable 2 when the cable 2 is unwound.

[0044] This unit bundle 10B is stacked on top of the unit bundle 10A. Moreover, these unit bundles 10A and 10B are connected via an intermediate portion 40A of the cable 2. This intermediate portion 40A is a portion of the cable 2 that is interposed between the unit bundles 10A and 10B, and is wound along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1.

[0045] 3(a), in this embodiment, the length L1 of the intermediate portion 40A is 1 / 2 the circumferential length L2 of the second loop 30A of the lower unit bundle 10A to which the intermediate portion 40A is connected (L1=1 / 2×L2), and the connection portion 12A of the unit bundle 10A and the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B are shifted by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1 (θ1=180°). Therefore, the connection portions 12A and 12B of the unit bundles 10A and 10B adjacent to each other in the overlapping direction D3 of the unit bundles (Z direction in the figure) are shifted in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. This circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1 corresponds to an example of the "first direction" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0046] The length L1 of the intermediate portion 40A may be 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the circumferential length L2 of the second loop 30A (L2×1 / 4≦L1≦L2×3 / 4), in which case the connection portion 12A of the unit bundle 10A and the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B are offset within a range of 90° to 270° (90°≦θ1≦270°) in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. Alternatively, the length L1 of the intermediate portion 40A may be 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the circumferential length L2 of the second loop 30A (L2×1 / 3≦L1≦L2×2 / 3), in which case the connection portion 12A of the unit bundle 10A and the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B are offset within a range of 120° to 240° in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1 (120°≦θ1≦240°).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the unit bundle 10C also includes a first loop 20C formed by winding the cable 2 in a forward direction and a second loop 30C formed by winding the cable 2 in a reverse direction. The two loops 20C, 30C are stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure) so that the second loop 30C is located above the first loop 20C. In addition, since the unit bundle 10C is also formed by winding in a figure of eight, the two loops 20C, 30C are connected to each other at the connection portion 12C. In other words, the two loops 20C, 30C are connected to each other at the connection portion 12C so that when the unit bundle 10C is opened, an eight-shaped loop 11C (see FIG. 6(a) described later) including the first and second loops 20C, 30C is formed. When unit bundle 10C is opened (see FIG. 6(a)), start point 21C of first loop 20C is located below end point 22C of first loop 20C, and start point 31C of second loop 30C is also located below end point 32C of second loop 30C. By forming such figure-8 shaped loop 11C, twisting due to unit bundle 10C does not occur in cable 2 when cable 2 is unwound.

[0048] This unit bundle 10C is stacked on top of the unit bundle 10B. Moreover, these unit bundles 10B and 10C are connected via an intermediate portion 40B of the cable 2. This intermediate portion 40B is a portion of the cable 2 that is interposed between the unit bundles 10B and 10C, and is wound along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1.

[0049] 3(b), in this embodiment, the length L3 of the intermediate portion 40B is 1 / 2 the circumferential length L4 of the first loop 20B of the lower unit bundle 10B to which the intermediate portion 40B is connected (L3=1 / 2×L4), and the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B and the connection portion 12C of the unit bundle 10C are offset by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1 (θ2=180°). Therefore, the connection portions 12B and 12C of the unit bundles 10B and 10C adjacent to each other in the overlapping direction D3 of the unit bundles (Z direction in the figure) are offset in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. In addition, the intermediate portion 40A and the intermediate portion 40B are offset in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1.

[0050] The length L3 of the intermediate portion 40B may be 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the circumferential length L4 of the first loop 20B (L4×1 / 4≦L3≦L4×3 / 4), in which case the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B and the connection portion 12C of the unit bundle 10C are offset within a range of 90° to 270° (90°≦θ2≦270°) in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. Alternatively, the length L3 of the intermediate portion 40B may be 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the circumferential length L4 of the first loop 20B (L4×1 / 3≦L3≦L4×2 / 3), in which case the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B and the connection portion 12C of the unit bundle 10C are offset within a range of 120° to 240° in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1 (120°≦θ2≦240°).

[0051] 2, in the cable bundle 1 of this embodiment, a twist 13 is imparted to the unit bundle 10A near the end 4 on the winding start side. This twist 13 is imparted to the cable 2 by twisting the cable 2 one turn in a direction opposite to the twist caused by the middle portions 40A, 40B when the cable 2 is unwound from the cable bundle 1. In other words, this twist 13 is imparted to the cable 2 by twisting the cable 2 one turn in a direction opposite to the winding direction D2 (see FIG. 1) of the cable bundle 1 when the cable bundle 1 is viewed from the pull-out side (end portion 3 side) of the cable 2. This one-turn twist 13 of the unit bundle 10 can offset the twist caused by the two middle portions 40A, 40B corresponding to one revolution of the cable bundle 1 when the cable 2 is unwound from the cable bundle 1.

[0052] Although not shown in particular, among the multiple unit bundles, the unit bundles above unit bundle 10C shown in Fig. 2 are configured by alternating unit bundles 10B and 10C (hereinafter simply referred to as "unit bundle 10B'" and "unit bundle 10C'"). These unit bundles 10B' and 10C' are connected via the above-mentioned middle portion 40B, and the connection portions 12B and 12C of unit bundles 10B' and 10C' adjacent to each other in the overlapping direction D3 of the unit bundles (Z direction in the figure) are shifted in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1.

[0053] 2 are connected via an intermediate portion 40C. Similar to the intermediate portions 40A and 40B described above, this intermediate portion 40C has a length that is half the circumferential length of the first loop 20C of the lower unit bundle 10C to which the intermediate portion 40C is connected. Therefore, the connection portions 12C and 12B of the unit bundles 10C and 10B' (or unit bundles 10C' and 10B') adjacent to each other in the overlapping direction D3 of the unit bundles (Z direction in the drawing) are also shifted in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1.

[0054] Furthermore, in the unit bundles above the unit bundle 10C shown in FIG. 2, one twist 13 is imparted to the two unit bundles 10B' and 10C'.

[0055] The position where the twist 13 is applied in the cable bundle 1 is not limited to the vicinity of the end of the unit bundle. For example, the twist 13 may be applied at any position in the unit bundle, or the twist 13 may be applied to an intermediate portion connecting the unit bundles. In this case, the total number of rotations R of all the twists 13 applied to the entire cable bundle 1 is calculated by multiplying the total length L of all the intermediate portions 40A, 40B, ... of the cable bundle 1 by 1 / 2. t is preferably equal to or less than the value obtained by dividing by the average circumference L0 of the cable bundle 1 (R≦L t / L0), the number of revolutions R is the total length L of the intermediate portions 40A, 40B, t It is more preferable that the value be equal to the value obtained by dividing the average circumference of the cable bundle 1 by the average circumference L0 (R=L t / L0). This makes it possible to offset the twisting caused by the intermediate portions 40A, 40B, ... of the cable bundle 1. The average circumference L0 of the cable bundle 1 is a value obtained by dividing the total length of the cable 2 by the number of turns of the cable 2.

[0056] Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 4(a) to Fig. 6(e), a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned cable bundle 1 will be described. Fig. 4(a) to Fig. 4(e) are diagrams showing a method for forming unit bundle 10A of cable bundle 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5(a) to Fig. 5(e) are diagrams showing a method for forming unit bundle 10B of cable bundle 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 6(e) are diagrams showing a method for forming unit bundle 10C of cable bundle 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Fig. 4(c) is a view of unit bundle 10A viewed from direction A in Fig. 4(b), and Fig. 4(e) is a view of unit bundle 10A viewed from direction B in Fig. 4(d). Similarly, Fig. 5(c) is a view of unit bundle 10B viewed from direction C in Fig. 5(b), and Fig. 5(e) is a view of unit bundle 10B viewed from direction D in Fig. 5(d). Similarly, Fig. 6(c) is a view of unit bundle 10C viewed from direction E in Fig. 6(b), and Fig. 6(e) is a view of unit bundle 10C viewed from direction F in Fig. 6(d).

[0058] First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the cable 2 is arranged in an 8-shape to form a third loop 11A in an 8-shape. This third loop 11A includes first and second loops 20A, 30A connected by a connection portion 12A. In this case, the cable 2 is wound around the first loop 20A so that the starting point 21A is located below the end point 22A, and the winding manner of the first loop 20A is set to "forward winding". In contrast, the cable 2 is also wound around the second loop 30A so that the starting point 31A is located below the end point 32A. If the second loop 30A is then reversed, the winding manner of the second loop 30A is set to "reverse winding".

[0059] Furthermore, when the cables 2 are arranged in the figure-8 shape, a twist 13 is formed in the first loop 20A near the end 4 of the cables 2. This twist 13 is imparted to the cables 2 by twisting the cables 2 one turn in a direction opposite to the winding direction D2 (see FIG. 1) of the cable bundle 1 when the cable bundle 1 is viewed from the pull-out side (end 3 side) of the cables 2. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when the cable bundle 1 is viewed from the pull-out side (end 3 side) of the cables 2, the winding direction D2 of the cable bundle 1 is clockwise, so that a twist 13 is imparted to the cables 2 such that the cables 2 are counterclockwise.

[0060] Next, as shown in Figures 4(b) and 4(c), the third loop 11A in an eight-shape is folded at the connection portion 12A, and the second loop 30A is placed on top of the first loop 20A to form a unit bundle 10A.

[0061] 4(d) and 4(e), portion 5 of cable 2 (portion 5 of cable 2 on the end portion 3 side of end point 32A of second loop 30A) is wound 180 degrees along circumferential direction D1 of cable bundle 1. Note that portion 5 of cable 2 corresponds to intermediate portion 40A between unit bundles 10A and 10B.

[0062] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the portion of the cable 2 following the portion 5 is arranged in an 8-shape to form a third loop 11B in an 8-shape. This third loop 11B includes first and second loops 20B, 30B connected by a connecting portion 12B. At this time, the cable 2 is wound around the first loop 20B so that the starting point 21B is located below the end point 22B, so that the winding manner of the first loop 20B is "forward winding". In contrast, the cable 2 is also wound around the second loop 30B so that the starting point 31B is located below the end point 32B. If the second loop 30B is then reversed, the winding manner of the second loop 30B is "reverse winding". Note that no twist 13 is imparted to this third loop 11B.

[0063] In the second tier third wheel 11B, the first wheel 20B and the second wheel 30B are opposite to the positional relationship between the first and second wheels 20A, 30A in the first tier third wheel 11A described above. That is, in the first tier third wheel 11A shown in Fig. 4(a), the first wheel 20A is located on the right side of the second wheel 30A, whereas in the second tier third wheel 11B shown in Fig. 5(a), the first wheel 20B is located on the left side of the second wheel 30B.

[0064] Next, as shown in Figures 5(b) and 5(c), the third loop 11B in an eight-shape is folded at the connection portion 12B, and the second loop 30B is placed on top of the first loop 20B to form a unit bundle 10B.

[0065] 5(d) and 5(e), portion 6 of cable 2 (portion 6 of cable 2 on the end portion 3 side of end point 22B of first loop 20B) is wound 180 degrees in circumferential direction D1 of cable bundle 1. This portion 6 of cable 2 corresponds to intermediate portion 40B between unit bundles 10B and 10C.

[0066] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the portion of the cable 2 following the portion 6 is arranged in an 8-shape to form a third loop 11C in an 8-shape. This third loop 11C includes first and second loops 20C, 30C connected by a connecting portion 12C. At this time, the cable 2 is wound around the first loop 20C so that the starting point 21C is located below the end point 22C, so that the winding manner of the first loop 20C is "forward winding". In contrast, the cable 2 is also wound around the second loop 30C so that the starting point 31C is located below the end point 32C. If the second loop 30C is then reversed, the winding manner of the second loop 30C is "reverse winding". Note that the third loop 11C is also not given a twist 13.

[0067] In this second-stage third wheel 11B, the first wheel 20C and the second wheel 30C are reversed in positional relationship compared to the first and second wheels 20B, 30B in the above-mentioned second-stage third wheel 11B. That is, in the second-stage third wheel 11B shown in Fig. 5(a), the first wheel 20B is located on the left side of the second wheel 30B, whereas in the third-stage third wheel 11C shown in Fig. 6(a), the first wheel 20C is located on the right side of the second wheel 30C.

[0068] Next, as shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), the third loop 11C in an eight-shape is folded at the connection portion 12C, and the second loop 30C is placed on top of the first loop 20C to form a unit bundle 10C.

[0069] 6(d) and 6(e), portion 7 of cable 2 (portion 7 of cable 2 on the end portion 3 side of end point 22C of first loop 20C) is wound 180 degrees in circumferential direction D1 of cable bundle 1. Note that portion 7 of cable 2 corresponds to intermediate portion 40C between unit bundle 10C and the next unit bundle (the above-mentioned unit bundle 10B').

[0070] Thereafter, the unit bundles and the intermediate portions are alternately formed in the same manner as described above to form the cable bundle 1. As described above, the unit bundles above unit bundle 10C shown in FIG. 2 among the multiple unit bundles are configured by alternating unit bundles 10B' and unit bundles 10C', and these unit bundles 10B' and unit bundles 10C' are connected via intermediate portion 40B of cable 2 described above. Also, unit bundle 10C' and the unit bundle 10B' above it are connected via intermediate portion 40C described above.

[0071] In the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the formation and stacking of the unit bundles are repeated in order from the bottom, but the method is not particularly limited to this. For example, after all the unit bundles are formed, all the unit bundles may be stacked. Alternatively, after all the third loops are formed, the third loops may be folded to form all the unit bundles, and then all the unit bundles may be stacked. Alternatively, the unit bundles may be formed without going through the figure-8 opening state.

[0072] As described above, in this embodiment, the connection parts (e.g., 12A, 12B) of unit bundles (e.g., unit bundles 10A, 10B) adjacent to each other in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C, ... are shifted in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. For this reason, the upper unit bundle (e.g., unit bundle 10B) functions as a weight relative to the rings of the lower unit bundle (e.g., rings 20A, 30A of unit bundle 10A), thereby suppressing the lifting up of the rings that are subsequently paid out (e.g., rings 20A, 30A of unit bundle 10A), and thus preventing the cable 2 from getting tangled.

[0073] The configuration of the figure-8 loop when the unit bundle is opened is not limited to the above, as long as the cable is not twisted due to the unit bundle when the cable is unwound. For example, the figure-8 loop 11 may have a configuration as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the figure-8 loop 11 when the unit bundle 10 in the second embodiment of the present invention is opened.

[0074] In the example shown in Fig. 7, when the unit bundle 10 is opened, the starting point 21 of the first loop 20 is located below the end point 22 of the first loop 20. Also, in the example shown in Fig. 7, when the unit bundle 10 is opened, the end point 32 of the second loop 30 is located below the starting point 31 of the second loop 30 and the starting point 21 of the first loop 20, and a portion 8 of the cable 2 (a portion 8 of the cable 2 on the end portion 4 side relative to the starting point 21 of the first loop 20) passes through the second loop 30. By forming such a figure-of-eight-shaped loop 11, twisting due to the unit bundle 10 does not occur in the cable 2 when the cable 2 is unwound.

[0075] 7 is used as the unit bundles 10B and 10C, a cable bundle 1B shown in FIG. 8 is formed. In the unit bundle 10B of the cable bundle 1B shown in FIG. 8, the cable 2 is wound around the first loop 20B so that the starting point 21B is located above the end point 22B in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20B and 30B, and the winding method of the first loop 20A is "reverse winding". In contrast, the cable 2 is also wound around the second loop 30B so that the starting point 31B is located above the end point 32B in the overlapping direction D3 (Z direction in the figure) of the two loops 20B and 30B, and the winding method of the second loop 30B is "reverse winding". In other words, the winding methods of the first and second loops 20B and 30B are both "reverse winding". Similarly, in the unit bundle 10C of the cable bundle 1B shown in FIG. 8, the first and second loops 20C and 30C are both wound in the "reverse winding" manner.

[0076] Also, as described above, the connection portion of the unit bundle may have a length. A cable bundle 1C in the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a development view of a portion of the cable bundle 1C in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 9, the cable bundle 1C of this embodiment includes a plurality of unit bundles 10A, 10B,... and a plurality of intermediate portions 40A, 40B,... As described later, in this embodiment, the cable 2 is twisted to form individual loops in sequence, and the loops are stacked in sequence to form the cable bundle 1C. Note that Fig. 9 illustrates only two unit bundles 10A, 10B on the end 4 side of the cable 2, but in reality, the cable bundle 1C includes a large number of unit bundles. Also, Fig. 9 is a development view of the cable bundle 1C, and therefore shows the unit bundles 10A, 10B in an open state, but in reality, the multiple unit bundles 10A, 10B,... are stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure).

[0078] The unit bundle 10A includes a first loop 20A and a second loop 30A. The first loop 20A is formed by winding the cable 2 so that the starting point 21A is located above the end point 22A, and the winding method of the first loop 20A is "reverse winding". In contrast, the second loop 30A is formed by winding the cable 2 so that the starting point 31A is located below the end point 32A, and the winding method of the second loop 30B is "forward winding". Note that FIG. 9 shows the cable bundle 1C in an open state, and therefore the starting point 31A of the second loop 30A is located above the end point 32A. These two loops 20A, 30A are stacked so that the second loop 30A is located above the first loop 20A in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure). The two loops 20A, 30A are connected via a connection portion 12A so that when the unit bundle 10A is opened, an eight-shaped loop 11A including the first and second loops 20A, 30A is formed.

[0079] In this embodiment, the intersection 23A (the point where the starting point 21A and the end point 22A intersect) of the first loop 20A and the intersection 33A (the point where the starting point 31A and the end point 32A intersect) of the second loop 30A do not coincide with each other, and the intersection 33A of the second loop 30A is separated from the intersection 23A of the first loop 20A. As described above, the connection portion 12A of the unit bundle 10A is a portion between the intersections 23A and 33A of the first and second loops 20A and 30A in the cable 2, so that the connection portion 12A of this embodiment has a predetermined length. This connection portion 12A is wound along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. The length of this connection portion 12A has a length corresponding to the central angle θ3 in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. Although not particularly limited, an example of this central angle θ3 is, for example, 120° (θ3=120°). The central angle defining the length of this connection portion is preferably 120° or less.

[0080] The unit bundle 10B also includes a first loop 20B and a second loop 30B. The first loop 20B is formed by winding the cable 2 so that the starting point 21B is located above the end point 22B, and the winding method of the second loop 30B is "reverse winding". The second loop 30B is also formed by winding the cable 2 so that the starting point 31B is located above the end point 32B, and the winding method of the second loop 30B is also "reverse winding". Note that FIG. 9 shows the cable bundle 1C in an open state, and therefore the starting point 21B of the first loop 20B is located below the end point 22B, and the starting point 31B of the second loop 30B is also located below the end point 32B.

[0081] The two loops 20B, 30B are stacked so that the second loop 30B is positioned above the first loop 20B in the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure). The two loops 20B, 30B are connected via a connection part 12B so that an eight-shaped loop 11B including the first and second loops 20B, 30B is formed when the unit bundle 10B is opened. The second loop 30B may be wound in a "normal winding" manner.

[0082] In this embodiment, the intersection 23B of the first loop 20B (the intersection of the start point 21B and the end point 22B) does not coincide with the intersection 33B of the second loop 30B (the intersection of the start point 31B and the end point 32B), and the intersection 33B of the second loop 30B is away from the intersection 23B of the first loop 20B. As described above, the connection portion 12B of the unit bundle 10B is a portion of the cable 2 between the intersections 23B and 33B of the first and second loops 20B and 30B, so that the connection portion 12B of this embodiment has a predetermined length. This connection portion 12B is wound along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. The length of this connection portion 12B has a length corresponding to the central angle θ4 in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. Although not particularly limited, an example of this central angle θ4 is, for example, 120° (θ4=120°).

[0083] The unit bundle 10B is stacked on the unit bundle 10A. At this time, the start point 31B and the end point 32B of the second loop 30B of the unit bundle 10B are located above the start point 21A and the end point 22A of the first loop 20A of the unit bundle 10A. The unit bundles 10A and 10B are connected via the middle part 40A of the cable 2. The middle part 40A is a part of the cable 2 between the end point 32B of the second loop 30A of the unit bundle 10A and the start point 21B of the first loop 20B of the unit bundle 10B, and is wound along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. The length of the middle part 40A has a length corresponding to the central angle θ5 in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. Although not particularly limited, an example of the central angle θ5 is, for example, 120° (θ5=120°).

[0084] In this embodiment, the connection parts 12A, 12B and the intermediate part 40A of the unit bundles 10A, 10B each have a length corresponding to 120° in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C, so that the sum of these forms one loop along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C. The winding of the loop formed by the connection parts 12A, 12B and the intermediate part 40A and the winding of the second loop 30B of the unit bundle 10A are "forward winding", while the winding of the first loop 20A of the unit bundle 10A and the winding of the first loop 20B of the unit bundle 10B are "reverse winding", and the number of "forward winding" loops and the number of "reverse winding" loops are the same. Therefore, since the twist is zero in these four loops, it is not necessary to form the twist 13 described in the first embodiment in the cable bundle 1C.

[0085] In the above relationship where the twist is zero, the total number of the first and second loops connected via the connection parts and the intermediate part is not particularly limited to the above, as long as it is an odd number. In the above relationship where the twist is zero, the winding method of each loop is not particularly limited to the above, as long as the number of "forward winding" loops and the number of "reverse winding" loops are the same. In addition, the lengths of the connection parts and the intermediate part that form one loop along the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C do not have to be equal.

[0086] Next, the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 60 for manufacturing the above-mentioned cable bundle 1C will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus 60 for the cable bundle 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 10, the manufacturing apparatus 60 in this embodiment includes a holding device 61, a twisting device 62, a fixing device 63, a rotating device 64, and a control device 65.

[0088] The holding device 61 holds a drum 611 around which the cable 2 is wound. The drum 611 is held by the holding device 61 so as to be rotatable about a central axis RA1 of the drum 611. In this embodiment, the drum 611 passively rotates as the cable 2 is pulled out by the caterpillar 621 of the twisting device 62, but the holding device 61 may be provided with a drive device that drives the drum 611 to rotate about the rotation axis RA1 of the drum 611. In this case, the drive device works in conjunction with the caterpillar 621 of the twisting device 62 to actively feed out the cable 2 from the drum 611.

[0089] The holding device 61 may also include a rotating device 612 that rotates the drum 611 about a rotation axis RA2 that is substantially parallel to the payout direction D4 of the cable 2 from the drum 611. This makes it possible to easily remove the twist from the cable 2 when a twist occurs in the portion of the cable 2 between the drum 611 and the twisting device 62. The rotation axis RA2 is also an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis RA1 of the drum 611. The rotation axis RA2 corresponds to an example of a "second axis" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0090] The twisting device 62 includes a pair of caterpillars 621, a frame 625, and a rotating device 626. Each caterpillar 621 includes a pair of pulleys 622, an endless belt 623 wound around the pulleys 622, and a driving device 624 for rotating the pulleys 622. The pair of caterpillars 621 are arranged so that the belts 623 are in close contact with each other, and the cable 2 supplied from the drum 611 can be sandwiched between the belts 623. The driving device 624 includes a motor and a gear box for rotating the pulleys 622, and is capable of pulling out the cable 2 from the drum 611 and pushing out the cable 2 from the twisting device 62 by driving the caterpillars 621. The pair of caterpillars 621 corresponds to an example of a "feeding device" in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The pair of caterpillars 621 are housed in a frame 625. The rotating device 626 includes a motor, a gear box, and the like for rotating the frame 625. The rotating device 626 is capable of twisting the cable 2, which is sandwiched between the pair of caterpillars 621, by rotating the frame 625 about the axial direction of the cable 2. The rotating device 626 is capable of rotating the frame 625 360° in one rotation direction D5, and is also capable of rotating the frame 625 360° in the other rotation direction D6. The one rotation direction D5 corresponds to an example of the "third direction" in this aspect of the present invention, and the other rotation direction D6 corresponds to an example of the "fourth direction" in this aspect of the present invention.

[0092] The configuration of the twisting device 62 is not particularly limited to the above, so long as it includes a mechanism for feeding out the cable 2 and a function for twisting the cable 2. Although not particularly shown, for example, the twisting device 62 may include a gripping part that grips the cable and a moving part that moves the gripping part along the axial direction of the cable 2, and the gripping part may include a plurality of rollers that can twist the cable. Furthermore, although not particularly shown, the function of feeding out the cable 2 and the function of twisting the cable 2 may be achieved by devices independent of each other.

[0093] The fixing device 63 is a device that fixes the cable 2 sent out from the twisting device 62. Although not particularly limited, a specific example of this fixing device 63 is a clamp that clamps and fixes the fixed position FP of the cable 2 using an air cylinder or the like. This fixing device 63 fixes the movement of the cable 2 along the axial direction at the fixed position FP on the cable 2. This fixed position FP is a position on the cable 2 that is a predetermined distance away from the twisting device 62. This predetermined distance is a distance that allows one loop 15 of the cable 2 (for example, the first loop 20A) to be formed between the fixed position FP and the twisting device 62.

[0094] With the fixing device 63 fixing the fixed position FP on the cable 2, the caterpillar 621 of the twisting device 62 sends out the cable 2 toward the fixed position FP, and when the rotating device 626 of the twisting device 62 rotates the cable 2 in one rotation direction D5, a "reverse winding" loop is formed. In contrast, when the pair of caterpillars 621 rotate the frame 625 in the other rotation direction D6, a "forward winding" loop is formed.

[0095] The rotating device 64 includes a mounting table 641 and a driving device 642. The rings 15 formed by the twisting device 62 are placed on the mounting table 641 and stacked. The mounting table 641 includes a mounting surface on which the rings 15 of the cable 2 are placed. The driving device 642 includes a motor, a gear box, and the like that rotate the mounting surface of the mounting table 641. The driving device is capable of rotating the mounting surface of the mounting table 641 around a rotation axis RA3 that is substantially parallel to the normal direction of the mounting table 641. The rotation axis RA3 corresponds to an example of the "first axis" in the aspect of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the driving device 642 rotates the mounting surface of the mounting table 641 only counterclockwise, but the driving device 642 may rotate the mounting surface of the mounting table 641 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0096] The control device 65 is configured, for example, by a computer. Although not particularly shown, this computer is an electronic calculator equipped with a CPU (processor), a main storage device (RAM, etc.), an auxiliary storage device (hard disk, SSD, etc.), and an interface, etc. This control device 65 is controllably connected to the driving device 624 and the rotating device 626 of the twisting device 62, the fixing device 63, and the driving device 642 of the rotating device 64. These controls are functionally realized, for example, by the control device 65 executing a program. Note that the control device 65 may be configured by a circuit board instead of a computer.

[0097] Next, a method for producing the cable bundle 1C shown in FIG. 9 using the above-described production apparatus 60 will be described.

[0098] First, in a state in which the cable 2 is pulled out from the twisting device 62 to the fixing device 63, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the fixing device 63, and the fixing device 63 clamps the fixing position FP on the cable 2. As a result, the fixing device 63 fixes the movement of the cable 2 along the axial direction at the fixing position FP on the cable 2.

[0099] Next, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the drive device 624 of the twisting device 62, and the caterpillar 621 sends out a predetermined amount of the cable 2 from the twisting device 62. This predetermined amount is a length equivalent to one loop 15 of the cable 2, and is a value inputted in advance to the control device 65.

[0100] Next, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the rotation device 626 of the twisting device 62, and the rotation device 626 rotates the frame 625 360° in one rotation direction D5 to twist the cable 2, thereby forming a "reverse-wound" first loop 20A. This first loop 20A is placed on the placement table 641 of the rotation device 64. Note that the twisting device 62 may twist the cable 2 while feeding out a predetermined amount of the cable 2.

[0101] Next, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the fixing device 63, and the fixing device 63 releases the cable 2 to release the fixing of the cable 2. Next, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the driving device 642 of the rotating device 64 and the driving device 624 of the twisting device 62. As a result, the driving device 642 rotates the mounting surface of the mounting table 641 by the central angle θ3, and at the same time, the caterpillar 621 sends out a predetermined amount of the cable 2 from the twisting device 62. This predetermined amount is a length corresponding to the central angle θ3 in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C, and is a value input in advance to the control device 65. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, this central angle θ3 is 120° (θ3=120°). As a result, the connection portion 12A of the unit bundle 10A in the cable bundle 1C is formed.

[0102] Next, the second loop 30A of the unit bundle 10A is formed in the same manner as the formation of the first loop 20A described above. At this time, the rotation device 626 rotates the frame 625 360° in the other rotation direction D6 to twist the cable 2, thereby forming the second loop 30A with a "forward winding". This second loop 30A is placed on the placement table 641 of the rotation device 64, and the unit bundle 10A is formed. Note that the twisting device 62 may twist the cable 2 while feeding out a predetermined amount of the cable 2.

[0103] Next, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the fixing device 63, and the fixing device 63 releases the cable 2 to release the fixing of the cable 2. Next, the control device 65 transmits a control signal to the driving device 642 of the rotating device 64 and the driving device 624 of the twisting device 62. As a result, the driving device 642 rotates the mounting surface of the mounting table 641 by the central angle θ5, and at the same time, the caterpillar 621 sends out a predetermined amount of the cable 2 from the twisting device 62. This predetermined amount is a length corresponding to the above-mentioned central angle θ5 in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1C, and is a value input in advance to the control device 65. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, this central angle θ5 is 120° (θ5=120°). As a result, the intermediate portion 40A between the unit bundles 10A and 10B is formed in the cable bundle 1C.

[0104] Thereafter, the unit bundles and the intermediate portions are alternately formed in the same manner as described above to form the cable bundle 1C. If a twist occurs in the cable 2 between the drum 611 and the twisting device 62, the twist can be removed by rotating the drum 611 with the above-mentioned rotating device 612.

[0105] As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 60 of this embodiment, the driving device 642 of the rotating device 64 rotates the mounting surface of the mounting table 641 on which the loop 15 of the cable 2 is placed, so that a cable bundle 1C having connection portions 12A, 12B that are offset in the circumferential direction D1 can be manufactured.

[0106] The manufacturing apparatus 60 may include a measuring device 66 that measures the length of the cable 2 sent out by the twisting device 62. In this case, the control device 65 may control the driving device 624 of the twisting device 62 based on the measurement result of the measuring device 66 so that the caterpillar 621 sends out a predetermined amount of the cable 2 from the twisting device 62. Although not particularly limited, a specific example of such a measuring device 66 may be an encoder. Alternatively, the quality of the cable bundle 1 may be controlled by measuring the length of the cable 2 sent out from the twisting device 62 by the measuring device 66.

[0107] The cable bundle 1 shown in Fig. 1 may be manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus 60 described above. In this case, the manufacturing apparatus 60 includes an additional fixing device 67 in addition to the above-mentioned fixing device 63, as shown in Fig. 10. This additional fixing device 67 has a similar configuration to the above-mentioned fixing device 63. When forming each unit bundle, the fixing device 63 is used to form the first loop, and the additional fixing device 67 is used to form the second loop.

[0108] The above-described embodiments are described to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not described to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0109] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the cable bundle 1 has a drumless structure that does not have a winding core, but is not particularly limited to this. The cable bundle 1 may have a winding core, or the cable bundle 1 may be formed around a payout guide pin.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment, the multiple unit bundles 10A, 10B, 10C, etc. are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction (unit bundle stacking direction D3 (Z direction in the figure)), but this is not particularly limited. For example, by appropriately changing the size of the diameter of the rings constituting each unit bundle, multiple unit bundles having different diameters arranged on the same plane may be stacked in the stacking direction D3. Alternatively, by appropriately changing the size of the diameter of the rings constituting each unit bundle, another unit bundle having a diameter larger than the diameter of the unit bundle may be stacked in the stacking direction D3 on the outside of the multiple unit bundles stacked in the stacking direction D3.

[0111] Furthermore, by making the diameters of adjacent unit bundles in the overlapping direction D3 of the unit bundles different, the connection parts of the unit bundles may be shifted in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. Furthermore, by making the diameters of the first loop and the second loop constituting the unit bundle different, the first intersection point and the second intersection point may be shifted in the circumferential direction D1 of the cable bundle 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1,1B,1C...Cable bundle 2…Cable 3,4...End 10A, 10B, 10C...Unit bundle 11A, 11B, 11C...Figure 8 ring 12A, 12B, 12C...Connections 13...Twist 20A, 20B, 20C…First ring 21A, 21B, 21C...Starting point 22A, 22B, 22C...End point 23A, 23B...Intersection 30A, 30B, 30C…Second ring 31A, 31B, 31C...Starting point 32A, 32B, 32C...End point 33A, 33B...Intersection 40A,40B…middle part 50…Container 51…Top surface 52...Aperture 60...Manufacturing equipment 61...Holding device 611...Drums 612...Rotating device 62...Twisting device 621...Caterpillar 622…pulley 623...Belt 624...Drive unit 625…Frame 626...Rotating device 63…Fixing device 64...Rotating device 641…Placement table 642...Drive unit 65...Control device 66…Measuring device 67…Fixing device

Claims

1. A cable bundle comprising a wound cable, The cable bundle includes a plurality of unit bundles stacked in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction that is a circumferential direction of the cable bundle, Each of the unit bundles includes first and second loops stacked in the second direction; the first and second loops are connected to each other at a connection portion such that an eight-shaped loop is formed including the first and second loops when the unit bundle is opened; A cable bundle in which the connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction are offset in the first direction.

2. 2. The cable bundle of claim 1, the cable bundle includes an intermediate portion interposed between the unit bundles and connecting the unit bundles to each other, The intermediate portion is a cable bundle wound along the first direction such that the connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction are shifted within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees in the first direction.

3. A cable bundle according to claim 1 or 2, The plurality of unit bundles include A first unit bundle; and a second unit bundle superimposed on the first unit bundle; a third unit bundle superimposed on the second unit bundle, The cable bundle includes: a first intermediate portion interposed between the first unit bundle and the second unit bundle and connecting the first unit bundle and the second unit bundle; a second intermediate portion interposed between the second unit bundle and the third unit bundle and connecting the second unit bundle and the third unit bundle; the first and second intermediate portions are wound along the first direction; The cable bundle, wherein the first intermediate portion and the second intermediate portion are offset in the first direction.

4. A cable bundle according to claim 1 or 2, the cable bundle has an intermediate portion interposed between the unit bundles to connect the unit bundles and wound along the first direction, A cable bundle in which the cable is twisted in a direction opposite to the twist caused by the intermediate portion when the cable is unwound.

5. 5. A cable bundle according to claim 4, A cable bundle, wherein the number of twist turns imparted to the cables is equal to or less than a value obtained by dividing the sum of the lengths of the intermediate portions by the average circumference of the cable bundle.

6. A cable bundle according to claim 1 or 2, The connection portion is a portion of the cable between a first intersection of the first loop and a second intersection of the second loop, the cable bundle being wound along the first direction.

7. 7. A cable bundle according to claim 6, A cable bundle in which the multiple connection portions of the unit bundles adjacent to each other in the second direction and an intermediate portion connecting the unit bundles to each other form one loop along the first direction.

8. A cable bundle according to claim 1 or 2, The first loop is formed by winding the cable in a forward direction or a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, The second loop is a cable bundle formed by winding the cable in the reverse winding or the forward winding.

9. 1. A method for manufacturing a cable bundle comprising wound cables, the method comprising the steps of: A first step of forming a plurality of unit bundles, each unit bundle having a first loop and a second loop connected to each other by a connection portion and overlapped with each other; a second step of stacking the plurality of unit bundles such that the connection portions are shifted from one another in a first direction that is a circumferential direction of the cable bundle, A method for manufacturing a cable bundle, wherein the first and second loops are connected to each other at the connection portion such that an eight-shaped loop is formed comprising the first and second loops when the unit bundle is opened.

10. A method for producing a cable bundle according to claim 9, comprising the steps of: The first step includes: Arranging the cable in a figure-of-eight shape to form a plurality of third loops, each of the third loops including the first loop and the second loop connected at the connecting portion; and folding each of the third loops at the connection portion to overlap the first and second loops to form a plurality of the unit bundles.

11. A method for producing a cable bundle according to claim 9, comprising the steps of: The first step includes: twisting the cable in a third direction to form the first loop; twisting the cable in a fourth direction opposite the third direction to form the second loop; and overlapping the first loop and the second loop to form the unit bundle.

12. A method for producing a cable bundle according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising the steps of: the cable bundle includes an intermediate portion interposed between the unit bundles and connecting the unit bundles to each other, The second step includes winding the intermediate portion along the first direction so that the connection portions of adjacent unit bundles are shifted within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees in the first direction.

13. 1. An apparatus for producing cable bundles with wound cables, comprising: a fixing device for fixing the cable against axial movement at a fixed position on the cable; a delivery device for delivering the cable toward the fixed position; a twisting device that twists the cable fed out by the feeding device to form a loop of the cable; a first rotation device having a placement surface on which the loops formed by the twisting device are placed and stacked, and rotating the placement surface around a first axis that is substantially parallel to a normal direction of the placement surface.

14. 14. An apparatus for manufacturing a cable bundle according to claim 13, comprising: The twisting device is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus that forms a first loop by twisting the cable in a third direction and forms a second loop by twisting the cable in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction.

15. 15. An apparatus for manufacturing a cable bundle according to claim 13 or 14, comprising: and a second rotation device for rotating the drum for supplying the cable about a second axis substantially parallel to the direction of discharging the cable from the drum.

Images