A straightening device for straightening a line, a method for braking at least one rotatable roller in the straightening device, a cable processing machine having the straightening device, and an upgrade kit for the cable processing machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a straightening device (15) for straightening a line (11) along a conveying path, comprising a straightening mechanism (20) having a first roller row (21) and a second roller row (31) movable relative to each other, with the conveying path of the line (11) running between the roller rows (21, 31), at least one of the two roller rows (21, 31) including 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 roller rows (21, 31) of the straightening mechanism (20). The present invention also includes a method for braking at least one rotatable roller (25, 35) of at least one of the two roller rows (21, 31) of the straightening device (15), a cable management machine including the straightening device (15), and an upgrade kit for the cable management machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a straightening device for straightening the lines described in the preamble of claim 1, a method for braking at least one rotatable roller in the straightening device described in claim 12 and a cable processing machine having the straightening device described in claim 15 and an upgrade kit for the cable processing machine described in claim 16 .

Background Art

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

[0003] Also, the increasing number of required lines means that the cable processing machine has to operate faster. The throughput of the cable processing machine is a major economic factor and is decisive for the customer's purchasing decision in addition to quality.

[0004] Fully automatic machines for cable processing must be able to perform processing processes such as cutting, stripping, crimping, twisting, and tin plating as quickly as possible. Further processing steps such as welding of lines and automatic winding of the processed lines are optionally available. For this purpose, endless lines are typically drawn into the cable processing machine from a container such as a cable drum or cable container and straightened by a straightening mechanism. The straightening process allows the line to be loosened, minimizes its inherent twist, and enables further processing in an axially aligned manner.

[0005] European Patent Application Publication No. 2399856 discloses a straightening mechanism for straightening a line having upper and lower roller trains. These two roller trains can move relative to each other, and the conveyance path of the line runs between the two roller trains. The roller trains have a plurality of rotating rollers for straightening the line.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-248528 discloses an apparatus for straightening a rolled, drawn, and annealed steel wire in order to minimize the torsional tension of the wire and then generate a helical spring. This apparatus includes two straightening mechanisms each having two straightening roller trains, and the straightening mechanisms mechanically straighten the wire in two planes.

[0007] The drawback of known apparatuses is that in these apparatuses, during the final stop process, the line to be straightened is braked only by the friction of the rollers and the deflection force in the line or in the wire.

[0008] European Patent Application Publication No. 3290370 discloses a wire traveling apparatus for supplying a wire to a supply device. The wire 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 to each other and are movable relative to each other. Pressure is applied to the wire between the brake roller and the pressure roller, whereby a brake is applied as needed.

[0009] The drawback of this known apparatus is that the wire is mechanically braked, heat based on a high level of friction is generated in the wire, and as a result, the wire is deformed when braked.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 3,881,578 discloses a magnet-assisted braking device for a railway vehicle with brake blocks for braking the rotational movement of the running wheels of the railway vehicle. A magnetic coil that can receive voltage is arranged on a ferromagnetic connecting component between the running wheels, and together with the ferromagnetic brake blocks, forms a closed magnetic circuit passing through the running wheels and the fixed rail. With the help of the magnetic flux, an additional attractive braking frictional force of the brake blocks is generated on the running wheels.

[0011] The drawback of the known solution is that in this magnet-assisted braking device, a high level of frictional heat is generated on the running wheels, and thus this braking device is not suitable for cable handling machines.

[0012] A general braking device for the above-mentioned solution for railway vehicles is disclosed in Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 102556102. This disclosure does not disclose the direct braking of the running wheels of the railway vehicle and is not suitable as a braking device for cable handling machines either.

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

[0014] The drawback of this known device is that the braking force of the winding material brake acts directly on the winding material, and a tensile stress is applied to the winding material, and as a result, the winding material is inevitably deformed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0015]

Patent Document 1

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

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

[0018] The 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, and at least one of the two roller rows having a plurality of rotatable rollers, and a braking device is 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 at least one of the two roller rows that rotate when the line is being straightened, whereby effective braking of this roller is made possible without mechanically overloading or deforming the line being straightened. The line to be straightened is pulled through the straightening mechanism with the aid of a line drawing-in device. When straightening the line, the drawing-in speed of the line in the straightening mechanism is high, and as a result, due to the large rotational energy of the rotating rollers in the roller row, when a highly dynamic line drawing-in device is stopped, usually the line forms a loop between the straightening mechanism and the line drawing-in device. This loop formation is due to the inertia of the rotating rollers in the roller row 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 within the cable processing machine, resulting in the need to stop production. When restarting the straightening process using the straightening device, the previously generated line loop is smoothed out by the line drawing-in device, inevitably causing a sudden acceleration of the line by the line drawing-in device, which causes a length error in the straightened line. By directly braking the rotating rollers in at least one of the two roller rows with the braking device, the aforementioned loop formation between the straightening device and the line drawing-in device is prevented, and the aforementioned drawbacks are avoided. In particular, there is no need to stop production, and the resulting line length error is prevented.

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

[0021] In particular, the braking device is designed to brake a plurality of rotatable rollers of at least one of the two roller trains of the straightening mechanism, so that the efficiency in the braking process can be further increased, thereby further protecting the line to be straightened. The two roller trains are arranged on the straightening device so as to be movable relative to each other.

[0022] Preferably, in the operating state, the braking device is in a braking action connection state that is at least partially non-contact with at least one of the rotatable rollers in at least one of the two roller trains. In the operating state, the braking device exerts a braking action on at least one rotatable roller in at least one of the two roller trains, as a result of which its rotational speed is reduced. The braking device does not contact this roller, and as a result, in this braked roller, no heat accumulation based on mechanical friction effects occurs.

[0023] In particular, in the operating state, the braking device is in a braking action connection state that is non-contact with the plurality of rotatable rollers without generating frictional heat in the plurality of rotatable rollers in at least one of the two roller trains. The braking device described herein prevents frictional heat that would otherwise be transmitted to the line to be straightened, and this frictional heat causes, for example, deformation of the electrical insulator and thus damages the line insulation layer.

[0024] The non-contact braking action connection is preferably adjustable. Thus, the braking speed acting on at least one rotatable roller, and thus the deceleration, can be adapted to the different characteristics of the line to be straightened, such as the diameter of the line, the type of line, or the thickness of the line insulation layer. Furthermore, the desired braking effect can be adapted to the drawing-in 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, and a rolling element unit such as a ball row is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring is used to fix a ball bearing and an outer ring rotatably arranged thereon on the fixed shaft of the first or second roller row of the straightening mechanism, and the inner ring is firmly arranged on this fixed shaft. The rotatable outer ring is rotatably arranged on this shaft with the help of the rolling element unit and can rotate according to the line drawing-in speed.

[0026] Alternatively, at least one rotatable roller is arranged on a shaft rotatably mounted on the straightening mechanism and is firmly connected to this rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft rotates around the axis of rotation together with the roller arranged on the rotatable shaft, and this axis of rotation extends along the longitudinal range of the rotatable shaft. In this way, at least one rotatable roller can be easily rotatably mounted on the first roller row or the second roller row.

[0027] In particular, the non-contact braking action connection acts on the rotatable outer ring of at least one rotatable roller. Thus, the deceleration during braking acts on the area of the rotatable roller with a larger radius, and thus on the area with a high torque, so that the effectiveness of the non-contact braking action connection is further increased.

[0028] Advantageously, the rotatable outer ring of at least one rotatable roller has a groove for guiding the line to be straightened. In this way, an undesired event that the line to be straightened leaves the straightening mechanism can be prevented.

[0029] In particular, the non-contact braking action 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, thereby further improving the braking action.

[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. By using a magnet such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, simple and efficient control or adjustment of the braking action on at least one rotating roller is possible.

[0031] Advantageously, the permanent magnets are cylindrical or disc-shaped, and as a result, they can be arranged in the braking device in a simple and device-specific manner. Examples of further 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. The eddy currents induced by the eddy current brake in at least one rotating roller are generated by the magnetic field lines, and a force system for braking one of the rotating rollers or the rotatable outer ring of this roller is generated. The resulting heating in the rotating roller or the rotatable outer ring of this roller, and the heat transmitted from there to the line to be straightened, can be neglected compared to the heat of the line to be straightened when the line to be straightened is mechanically braked.

[0033] Alternatively, the magnetic braking device is a hysteresis brake comprising at least two permanent magnets and a positioning device for moving the at least two permanent magnets. At least one rotatable roller described herein is designed as a hysteresis disk or a hysteresis ring of a magnetic material, such as a ferromagnetic material, of the hysteresis brake. The at least two permanent magnets cause a flow of lines of force in the at least one rotatable roller. The operating principle that opposite magnetic poles result in the lowest torque applies here. However, when the S and N poles of the magnets alternate along the circumference of the hysteresis disk, the strongest remagnetization occurs and the torque is maximized. By changing the angle of pole superposition, the torque can be continuously adjusted and, since there is no contact surface, the adjustment is retained indefinitely. The torque applied to the at least one rotatable roller is independent of the rotational speed of this roller and is thus evenly distributed from stationary to maximum rotational speed.

[0034] Advantageously, the rotatable outer ring of the roller is made of a conductive material, such as steel, copper, aluminum, etc. As long as the rotatable outer ring is rotating, it is possible to generate a braking action in the form of eddy currents via the magnetic lines of force of the permanent magnets 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 constantly 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 non - contact 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. The magnet holder makes it possible to easily arrange the permanent magnet on the braking device. The at least one permanent magnet can be removably arranged on the magnet holder and as a result can be separated from the magnet holder and the permanent magnet can be exchanged without tools.

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

[0037] Preferably, the braking device is spaced apart from at least one rotatable roller. The braking device is arranged horizontally and / or vertically spaced apart from at least one rotatable roller, so that the non-contact braking device has a simple and space-saving structure. The spacing of the braking device from at least one rotatable roller enables 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 a non-operating state to at least a second position in which the braking device is in an operating state. In the non-operating state, there is no braking action on at least one rotatable roller in the roller train, so that the straightening of the line can be carried out mainly without resistance. Since the distance from the braking device to at least one rotatable roller is shortened, the braking device can be actuated directly 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 that approaches at least one rotatable roller essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable roller. Thereby, a simple positioning device can be realized.

[0040] Alternatively, the positioning device is designed to horizontally offset the braking device essentially along the axis of rotation of the rotatable roller, so that the positioning device can be arranged without taking up space in the area of one of the roller trains to be straightened.

[0041] Advantageously, the magnet holder can be moved from a first position in which the magnet holder or the magnet is in a non-operating state to at least a second position in which the magnet holder or the magnet is in an operating state. In this way, at least one component of the braking device, namely the magnet holder, is arranged movably on the braking device. Accordingly, the number of movable components can be reduced, and as a result, the braking device is 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 the electric crank drive, the braking device or the magnet holder can be moved quickly and continuously or constantly from the first position to a further position.

[0043] Preferably, the positioning device has a housing, as a result of which the movable components of the positioning device are covered and a high level of security is provided. Furthermore, in this way, it is possible to prevent a line loop from being formed on the positioning device or in the straightening mechanism of the straightening device.

[0044] In particular, the housing has a guide section so that the braking device can be arranged accurately and reproducibly on the straightening mechanism.

[0045] Preferably, the positioning device has a drive device for pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically adjusting at least the magnet holder with respect to at least one rotatable roller. This drive device enables a controllable adjustment of the magnet holder with respect to the rotatable roller, which advantageously continuously adjusts the distance between the magnet holder and the at least one rotatable roller.

[0046] Advantageously, the positioning device comprises an end plate having at least one elastic element, such as a pretension spring. With the aid of the elastic element, at least the magnet holder is arranged on the brake device in a pretensionable manner, so that when the brake device or the magnet holder is moved from the non-operating state of the magnet to the operating state of the magnet, the inclination of the magnet holder can be prevented.

[0047] Preferably, the magnet holder has at least two permanent magnets, and the respective magnetic S poles are essentially oriented in the same direction. Thus, the existing magnetic field of the permanent magnets has the same magnetic field lines, so that the braking action connection between at least one rotatable roller and the brake device is strengthened.

[0048] Preferably, at least one permanent magnet in the magnet holder is a neodymium magnet. Since the neodymium magnet has a particularly high magnetic field strength and is robust, the brake device requires almost no maintenance service.

[0049] A method for braking at least one rotatable roller in at least one roller row in a straightening device according to the present invention, as described herein, at least comprises a step of straightening at least one line, wherein at least one line is pulled through the straightening device, a step of braking at least one of the rotatable rollers in at least one roller row in the straightening device with a brake device, and includes.

[0050] This method enables this rotatable roller to be effectively braked in one of the roller rows without mechanically loading or deforming the line to be straightened. Thus, as already mentioned above, this prevents the line from looping.

[0051] Advantageously, the line to be straightened is unwound from a container and drawn into the straightening device. Here, as described in this specification, the container can be a cable drum, a winding material, a cable container, etc. For example, by arranging endless lines, the line lengths of many endless lines can be straightened in a short time.

[0052] Preferably, before the aforementioned braking of at least one rotatable roller in at least one roller row of the straightening device, the braking device is moved at least partially from a first position where the braking device is in a non-operating state to at least a second position where the braking device is in an operating state. In the non-operating state of the braking device, no braking action connection is made to at least one rotatable roller of the roller row. In this way, at least one rotatable roller is not permanently braked, and as a result, permanent thermal formation in at least one rotatable roller of the roller row is prevented.

[0053] Advantageously, before the aforementioned braking of at least one rotatable roller in the roller row of the straightening device, the magnet holder of the braking device is moved from a first position where the magnet holder of the braking device is in a non-operating state to at least a second position where the magnet holder of the braking device is in an operating state.

[0054] Preferably, the braking device has a non-contact braking action on at least one rotatable roller of at least one roller row of the straightening device. This prevents the accumulation of heat due to mechanical friction, and as a result, at least one rotatable roller has a long service life and thus a long maintenance service interval.

[0055] The cable processing machine according to the present invention includes a straightening device as described above. As described in this specification, the cable processing machine includes various processing processes such as cutting, peeling, crimping, twisting, and tin plating. In order to be able to execute these processing processes without interruption, the straightening device described in this specification prevents the formation of a loop between the straightening mechanism and the line drawing-in device.

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

[0057] Preferably, there is a control device for controlling the braking device. The control device is designed to move the braking device at least from a first position where the braking device is in a non-operating state to at least a second position where the braking device is in an operating state.

[0058] In particular, the control device for controlling the braking device is designed as a selection switch, whereby the braking device can be permanently maintained in an operating state, or whereby the braking device can be alternately maintained in a non-operating state or an operating state, where the braking device is moved from the first position to the second position in the machine cycle of the straightening device or the cable processing machine.

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

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, there is a control device for controlling the electromagnet of the braking device. This control device is designed to control the current in the electromagnet and thus adjust the magnetic field of the electromagnet. In this way, the magnetic braking action connection on the rotatable rollers of at least one roller row can be continuously adjusted.

[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 help of the control device, so that the straightening of the line can be carried out in a controlled and reproducible manner. By controlling the braking device and the straightening mechanism described herein with a control device, it becomes possible to adjust the braking of at least one rotatable roller in the straightening mechanism with the movement of the first and / or second roller rows in the straightening mechanism when straightening the line.

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

[0063] As described herein, the 90° arrangement relative to each other means the arrangement of the rotation axis of the rollers of the first straightening mechanism rotated 90° relative to the rotation axis of the rollers of the further straightening mechanism. Thus, improved straightening of the line in the first spatial direction and the further spatial direction is possible, and the two spatial directions are arranged essentially rotated 90° relative to each other.

[0064] Advantageously, the cable handling machine has a line drawing-in device arranged downstream of the straightening device as described above in the conveying direction. In this way, the line to be straightened can be easily and automatically pulled through the straightening device described here.

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

[0066] The upgrade kit preferably comprises a control device connected to the braking device as 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 present invention are described with reference to the drawings. The first, second, third, or more lists are used only for identifying components.

[0068] Similar to the technical content of the claims and the drawings, the list of reference signs is part of this disclosure. These figures are consistently described comprehensively. The same reference signs indicate the same components, and reference signs with different subscripts indicate functionally identical or similar components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0069]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0070] Figs. 1 to 5 show a straightening device 15 for straightening an electrical line (electrical transmission line, electric wire) or an optical line (optical transmission line, optical fiber) 11 in a straightening mechanism 20 along a conveyance 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 arranged, and a second roller row 31 having a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers 35 is arranged. In these figures and the following figures, one roller 25 representative of the plurality of rollers 25 and one roller 35 representative of the plurality of rollers 35 are respectively assigned reference numerals. The illustrated straightening mechanism 20 is in a closed state in which the two roller rows 21, 31 approach each other and the line 11 passes between the roller 25 and the roller 35 and is placed on the roller 25 along the conveyance direction 17. The roller 25 is arranged offset with respect to the roller 35 along the conveyance direction 17. The first roller row 21 is arranged on a first carrier 23, and the second roller row 31 is arranged 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 unit 27 and a turning drive unit 28. The feed drive unit 27 includes, here, a pneumatic control drive device, feeds the first roller row 21 toward the second roller row 31, and as a result, the distance between the first roller row 21 and the second roller row 31 can be decreased until the roller 35 of the second roller row 31 contacts the line 11 and holds the line 11, or until the line 11 is clamped between the roller 25 and the roller 35. The turning drive unit 28 includes an adjustment spindle 29 for turning the first roller row 21 relative to the second roller row 31 at an adjustable angle, whereby the line 11 to be straightened is partially clamped or held by the straightening mechanism 20.

[0071] The straightening device 15 has a magnetic braking device 40 for braking the rotatable rollers 25 of the first roller row 21 of the straightening mechanism 20. The braking device 40 has a magnet holder 45 having a plurality of permanent magnets 41 to 44. The permanent magnets shown here have a cylindrical structure and are neodymium magnets. The magnet holder 45 is spaced apart from the rotatable roller 25 and, in the operating state, is in a braking action connection state non-contact with the rotatable roller 25 of the first roller row 21 of the straightening mechanism 20. The braking device 40 is designed as an eddy current brake, and this eddy current brake exerts a braking action on the rotatable roller 25 when the line 11 is straightened. The braking device 40 acts particularly 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, and includes a housing 51 and a guide portion 52 disposed on the housing 51. The positioning device 50 here has a drive device 55 that pneumatically adjusts the magnet holder 45 with respect to at least one rotatable roller 25 or a plurality of rotatable rollers 25. The positioning device 50 moves the magnet holder 45 from a first position (see FIG. 3) where the magnet holder 45 is in a non-operating state to a second position (see FIG. 4) where the magnet holder 45 is in an operating state. The positioning device 50 is designed to move the magnet holder 45 in the horizontal direction, which here means being essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 26 of the rotating roller 25.

[0073] The positioning device 50 has an end plate 57 disposed on the housing 51 using a cylinder rod 59. The magnet holder 45 has holes for individually receiving the cylinder rod 59. The magnet holder 45 is movably attached to the cylinder pin 59 toward the end plate 57. A pretension spring 58 for applying a pretension (preload) to the magnet holder 45 with respect to the housing 51 is disposed on the cylinder pin 59, and it is possible to prevent the magnet holder 45 from tilting when the magnet holder 45 moves 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 using a control line 81 and is designed to move the magnet holder 45 from a first position where the braking device 40 or the magnet holder 45 is in a non-operating state to at least a second position where the magnet holder 45 is in an operating state. In this way, when the line 11 is straightened, the non-contact braking action connection from the permanent magnets 41 to 44 to the rotatable roller 25 can be adjusted. The non-contact braking action connection acts mainly on the outer ring 25a of the rotatable roller 25.

[0075] Figure 5 shows a rotatable roller 25 arranged on the roller row 21 of the straightening mechanism 20. The rotatable roller 25 has an inner ring 25b and an outer ring 25a. Between the inner ring 25b and the outer ring 25a, a ball row is arranged as a rolling element unit 25c. The inner ring 25b is used to fix the ball row on the shaft 30 of the roller row 21 of the straightening mechanism 20, and the inner ring 25b is firmly arranged on this shaft 30. The rotatable outer ring 25a is rotatably arranged around the axis of rotation 26 on this shaft 30 with the help of the rolling element unit 25c and rotates according to the line drawing-in speed. The rotatable outer ring 25a has a groove 32 for the central guidance of the line 11 to be straightened. The roller 35 is arranged in the roller row 31 by a shaft and is configured in the same way as the roller 25.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, the rollers are each fixedly arranged on a rotatable shaft on the roller row. The shaft rotates around the axis of rotation together with the roller, and as a result, the line can be straightened in the 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. The magnetic field strength can be changed with the help of a control device for adjusting the magnetic braking action connection.

[0078] A method for braking the rotatable roller 25 of the straightening device 15 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

[0079] First, the line 11 to be straightened is fed out from the container, manually drawn into the straightening device 15, and placed on the straightening rollers 25 of the first roller row 21. The straightening mechanism 20 is initially in an open state, and as a result, the two roller rows 21 and 31 are sufficiently separated from each other. In a further step, the straightening mechanism 20 is advanced using the feed drive 27, and as a result, the rollers 35 of the second roller row 31 then rest on the line 11. Further, the second roller row 31 is pivoted with the aid of the pivoting drive 28 and pressed against the line 11. Next, the line 11 is straightened and the line 11 is pulled through the straightening device 15. The line is pulled in by a power-driven line drawing-in device arranged at a distance 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 with a displacement. 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 a non-operating state to a second position (see FIG. 4) in which the magnet holder 45 of the braking device 40 is in an operating state. In the non-operating state, the magnet holder 45 is close to the end plate 57 and the pretension spring 58 is in a compressed state. In the operating 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 25a of the roller 25 of the first roller row 21 is effectively braked by a permanent magnet arranged on the magnet holder 45, and the braking device exerts a braking action on the rotating outer ring 25a of the roller 25 without contacting it, in accordance with the principle of eddy current braking. Thus, the braking device 40 is connected to the rotating outer ring 25a of the roller 25 for braking action.

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

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a cable processing machine 70 according to the present invention having a straightening unit 73 and a straightening device 15 as described above. As described herein, the cable processing machine 70 can have various processing processes such as straightening, cutting, peeling, crimping, twisting, and tin plating. In front of the straightening device 15, a container 75 having a line 11 in the form of an endless line is disposed. The line 11 is drawn into the cable processing machine 70 and straightened in the straightening device 15. In order to draw the line 11 through the straightening device 15, a line drawing device 90 disposed below the straightening device 15 in the transport direction is used as 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 to 20d. One of these straightening devices 15, 15a has a braking device 40 as described herein for braking a rotatable roller in one of the roller trains of the straightening mechanism 20a. The cable processing machine 70 has a control device 80 as described herein for controlling the braking device 40 of the straightening device 15. Further, the control device 80 is electrically connected to the feed drive unit, the turning drive units of the straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c, and the line drawing-in device 90 by a control line 81. The line drawing-in device 90 of the cable processing machine 70 pulls the line 11 in the transport direction 17 through the straightening mechanisms 20a, 20c. The control device 80 has a processor 85 that processes control commands and transmits them to the drive devices 27, 28, 55, the line drawing-in device 90, the braking device 40, and / or the straightening mechanisms 20a, 20c. The control commands are transmitted to the drive device 55, the line drawing-in device 90, the braking device 40, and the drive devices 27, 28 of the straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c according to a predetermined series of steps. The two straightening mechanisms 20a and 20c are arranged with a 90° shift relative to each other. In an embodiment (not shown) of the straightening unit, each of the straightening mechanisms 20a to 20d shown in FIG. 7 can have a braking device as described herein.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows an upgrade kit 100 of the present invention for a cable processing 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, particularly for braking a plurality of rotatable rollers in the roller train of the straightening mechanism. The upgrade kit 100 has a control device 80 having a processor 85 connected to the drive device 55 of the positioning device 50 for controlling the braking device 40.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 11 Line 15 Straightening device 15a Linearization device 16 Conveyor path 17 Conveyor direction 20 Linearization mechanism 20a~20d Linearization mechanism 21 First roller row 22 Linearization mechanism housing 23 First carrier 25 Rollers of 21 25a Outer ring of 25 25b Inner ring of 25 25c Rolling element unit of 25 26 Rotation axis of 25 27 Feed drive unit 28 Swivel drive unit 29 Adjustment spindle 30 Shaft of 25 31 Second roller row 33 Second carrier 32 Groove of 25a 35 Rollers of 31 40 Braking device 41~44 Permanent magnets 45 Magnet holder 50 Positioning device 51 Housing of 50 52 Guide part 55 Driving device 57 End plate 58 Pretension spring 59 Cylinder rod 70 Cable processor 73 Linearization unit 80 Control device 81 Control line 85 Processor 90 Line drawing-in device 100 Upgrade kit

Claims

Claim 1 A straightening device (15; 15a) for straightening an electrical line or an optical line (11) along a transport path (16), wherein the electrical line or the optical line (11) is drawn through the straightening device (15; 15a) by an external line drawing-in device (90) so as to repeat stopping and re-transporting, the straightening device (15; 15a) comprising: a first roller row (21) and a second roller row (31), which are movable relative to each other, and a straightening mechanism (20; 20a - 20d) in which the transport path of the electrical line or the optical line (11) runs between the roller rows (21, 31); at least one of the two roller rows (21, 31) comprises a plurality of rotatable rollers (25, 35), and each roller (25, 35) provided in the two roller rows (21, 31) has a rotation axis extending along a direction orthogonal to the transport path of the electrical line or the optical line (11); A straightening device (15; 15a), characterized in that a braking device (40) for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one of the two roller rows of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a - 20d) is provided. Claim 2 In an operating state, the braking device (40) is at least partially in a non-contact braking action connection state with at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a - 20d). The straightening device (15; 15a) according to Claim 1. Claim 3 The non-contact braking action connection is adjustable and acts on a rotatable outer ring (25a) of at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35). The straightening device (15; 15a) according to Claim 2. Claim 4 The braking device (40) is a magnetic braking device, the magnetic braking device includes at least one permanent magnet (41 - 44) or at least one electromagnet, the magnetic braking device is an eddy current brake or a hysteresis brake, and further, the braking device (40) has a magnet holder (45) for receiving at least one permanent magnet (41 - 44). The straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3. Claim 5 The linearization device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the braking device (40) is spaced apart from at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35).

6. The linearization device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positioning device (50) is provided for at least partially moving the braking device (40) from a first position in which the braking device (40) is in a non-operating state to at least a second position in which the braking device (40) is in an operating state.

7. The linearization device (15; 15a) according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning device (50) has a housing (51), and the housing has a guide portion (52).

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

9. The linearization 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 to 44), and the magnetic S poles of each of the permanent magnets are essentially oriented in the same direction.

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

11. The linearization device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a control device (80) is provided 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 a non-operating state to at least a second position in which the braking device (40) is in an operating state.

12. A method for braking at least one rotatable roller (25, 35) of at least one roller row (21, 31) in the linearization device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: A step of straightening at least one electrical line or optical line (11), wherein the at least one electrical line or optical line (11) is pulled through the straightening device (15; 15a) so as to repeat stopping and restarting, A step of braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one roller row (21, 31) in the straightening device (15; 15a) with a braking device (40), A method characterized by including the above.

13. The braking device (40) is moved from a first position where the braking device (40) is in a non-operating state to a second position where the braking device (40) is at least partially in an operating state, The method according to claim 12, characterized in that

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

15. A cable processing machine (70) comprising a straightening device (15; 15a) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a line drawing device (90) for pulling an electrical line or optical line (11) through the straightening device (15; 15a) so as to repeat stopping and restarting, The straightening device (15; 15a) is arranged immediately behind a container (75), and there is further a control device (80) for controlling the braking device (40), and this control device (80) is designed to control a straightening mechanism (20; 20a to 20d). A cable processing machine (70), characterized in that

16. A braking device (40) for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one roller row (21, 31) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a to 20d), in particular for braking a plurality of rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one roller row (21, 31) of the straightening mechanism (20; 20a to 20d), wherein the rotatable roller (25, 35) has a rotation axis extending along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance path of the electrical line or optical line (11) straightened by the straightening mechanism (20; 20a to 20d). Braking device (40), A control device (80) that controls the braking device (40) by at least partially moving the braking device (40) from a first position where the braking device (40) is in a non-operating state to at least a second position where the braking device (40) is in an operating state. An upgrade kit (100) for a cable processing machine, characterized by comprising the above.

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