Cable processing machine equipped with movable guide elements and method for inserting a cable into a cable processing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable processing machine (10) which includes a cable feeding device (12) for moving a cable (16) in a feeding direction (p1). <h3>the cable feeding device (12) includes a first and a second guide element (70, 72), between which the cable (16) is guided at least in one operating mode of the cable processing machine (10).< / h3> The distance between the two guide elements (70, 72) can be modified here. The invention also relates to a method for inserting a cable (16) into such a cable processing machine (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cable processing machine comprising a cable feed device for moving a cable in a feed direction, wherein this cable feed device in turn comprises a first and a second belt drive between which the cable is guided, the cable being movable in the feed direction by means of contact with the driven belts of the belt drives. The invention further relates to a method for inserting a cable into such a cable processing machine.

[0002] Cable processing machines typically include cable feed drives that move the cable being processed in a feed direction. One of the most common types of cable feed drives are belt drives, in which the cable is guided between two belt drives, each containing driven belts. The cable is moved in the feed direction via contact with these driven belts. Such a cable processing machine is known, for example, from document EP 3 219 654.

[0003] Another belt drive is described in document EP 0 423 443.

[0004] The belt drives are designed such that one of the belt drives is fixedly mounted on a housing of the cable processing machine, while the other is mounted on a support that is movable relative to the housing and thus relative to the fixed belt drive, particularly perpendicular to the cable's transport plane, so that the belt drive can be opened for inserting a cable and then closed again for operation. Alternatively, cable feed devices are also known in which both belt drives are movable.

[0005] In addition to the belt drive, the cables in cable processing machines are guided by several guide units. These units ensure that the cable moves along a predetermined transport path within the machine, thus enabling safe and high-quality processing. Guide units typically have circular bores through which the cable is threaded. When inserting a new cable, it must be threaded through these circular bores in the guide unit. Such guide units with circular bores are known, for example, from document DE 10 2009 031 076. This threading is usually done manually and is quite time-consuming.In particular, when processing cables with different diameters, the guide units often have to be changed because the radius of the bore must be adapted to the diameter of the cable, since if the diameter of the bore is too small the cable simply cannot be guided through and if the diameter is too large the play is so great that high-quality processing of the cable can no longer be guaranteed.

[0006] Another cable processing machine with a cable feed drive and a guide unit is known from WO 2009 / 141794 A2. The guide unit has two guide elements which together form a rectangular channel for receiving a cable. By moving one of the guide elements, the width of the guide channel can be changed to accommodate cables with different diameters. To insert a new cable, the cable must be threaded through the channel of the guide unit.

[0007] WO 2017 / 129658 A1 shows a cable processing machine with a cable feed drive with a first and a second belt drive, between which a cable is guided and can be moved in the feed direction by contact with driven belts of the belt drives.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a cable processing machine and a method for inserting a cable into a cable processing machine in which a cable change can be carried out in a particularly simple manner.

[0009] This problem is solved by a cable processing machine with the features of claim 1 and by a method with the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, the cable feed device comprises a first guide element and a second guide element, between which the cable is guided into at least one operating mode of the cable processing machine. The distance between the two guide elements is variable.

[0011] By constructing the guide unit not as a single piece, as is conventional, but as two guide elements with an adjustable distance between them, it is possible to easily insert the cable into the cable processing machine by initially setting a large distance between them. Subsequently, by reducing the distance, the cable is guided securely, thus ensuring high-quality processing. In particular, this eliminates the need to change the guide unit depending on the cable diameter.

[0012] The operating mode refers in particular to the mode in which the cable processing machine is operated during operation, i.e., the mode in which a cable is processed with the cable processing machine.

[0013] The cable feed device comprises a first and a second belt drive, between which the cable is guided, wherein the cable is movable in the feed direction by means of contact with driven belts of the belt drives.

[0014] The two guide elements are arranged upstream of the belt drives, particularly when viewed in the direction of thrust. Alternatively, the guide elements can also be arranged downstream of the belt drives. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the guide elements are arranged upstream of a cable length measuring device.

[0015] According to the invention, the two guide elements are arranged at a first distance from each other in a cable insertion mode for inserting a cable, and at a second distance from each other in the operating mode, this second distance being smaller than the first distance. This ensures that, with the larger first distance, the cable can be easily inserted into the machine, and then, by adjusting the second distance, secure cable guidance is achieved. In particular, the second distance depends on the cable diameter, meaning that, depending on the cable diameter, different distances between the guide elements can be set during the operating mode, thus ensuring optimal cable guidance in each case.

[0016] Furthermore, the guide elements are designed in such a way that, when they are arranged in the position with the second spacing, i.e. in operating mode, they enclose the cable on all sides, so that the cable is guided in all directions.

[0017] Conversely, in cable insertion mode, the guide elements are arranged and designed such that a gap is formed between the two guide elements on a predetermined side, through which the cable can be inserted. In particular, this gap is located at the top, allowing the cable to be inserted into the cable processing machine from above. This enables particularly easy cable insertion.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide element is fixedly arranged on a housing of the cable processing machine, while the second guide element is movably arranged relative to the first guide element and thus also relative to the housing of the cable processing machine. Therefore, only one of the two guide elements needs to be moved to adjust the distance between them.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable feed device comprises a first belt drive that is fixedly mounted on a housing of the cable processing machine. Furthermore, the cable feed device has a second belt drive that is attached to a support that is movable relative to the housing. By moving this support, the cable feed device can be opened and closed, the open position being used in particular for inserting a cable from above between the belt drives and the closed position during operation of the cable processing machine. The second guide element is also arranged on this support.This has the advantage that when the belt drive is opened and closed, the distance between the two guide elements is also automatically changed, so that when the belt drives are open, the distance between the two guide elements is large enough to allow the cable to be inserted from above, and when the belt drives are closed, the two guide elements are automatically moved towards each other in such a way that the cable is guided securely.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, both guide elements can also be designed to be movable relative to the housing of the cable processing machine. This increases the range of motion of the guide elements.

[0021] The guide elements can be movable translationally relative to each other. In particular, one of the two guide elements is moved linearly relative to the other. Alternatively, both guide elements can be moved relative to each other.

[0022] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide elements can also be designed to pivot relative to each other in order to change the distance.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are designed such that they each have a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

[0024] In this design, each guide element has two perpendicular contact surfaces for contacting and thus guiding the cable. The guide elements are arranged relative to each other such that one contact surface of one guide element is parallel to a contact surface of the other guide element, and the four guide surfaces together provide all-around guidance. This achieves all-around guidance in a particularly simple manner.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable feed device has a guide tube at the outlet, i.e., at the downstream end of the cable feed device, through which the cable is guided. This guide tube includes a braking unit which, in a braking state, holds the cable in place, thereby preventing movement of the cable relative to the guide tube. In particular, the cable is clamped by the braking unit.

[0026] This ensures that when the cable is inserted into the cable processing machine, it cannot move relative to the guide tube. This allows the guide tube to be easily grasped and inserted into a tube holder without having to hold the cable simultaneously. This further simplifies cable insertion, especially insertion from above between the belt drives and the guide elements.

[0027] The brake unit is designed in particular such that it includes a spring which, in a first state, together with the housing of the guide tube, in particular the inside of the housing of the guide tube, clamps the cable and, in a second state, no longer provides any clamping.

[0028] The spring is arranged in particular as a leaf spring, which is located in a recess of the guide tube and thus extends through the housing of the guide tube into the inner guide channel, thereby ensuring that the cable is clamped.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the brake unit is automatically released when the clamping lever, which secures the guide tube to a tube holder of the cable feed device, is closed. This eliminates the need for a separate mechanism to release the brake unit. In particular, this prevents the release from being forgotten and avoids the need for an additional step.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an active element can also be provided on the pipe holder, by which the brake unit is released.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for inserting a cable into a cable processing machine. In this method, a cable is first inserted into a guide tube. Subsequently, the guide tube is inserted into a tube holder of the cable processing machine.

[0032] The cable is then inserted between two belt drives of a cable feed unit in the cable processing machine and between two guide elements for guiding the cable, particularly from above. The two belt drives are then moved towards each other, thus closing the mechanism. The guide elements are also moved towards each other, guiding the cable through them.

[0033] The movement of the belt drives and the guide elements towards each other can be carried out in parallel, in particular by arranging at least one movable belt drive and one of the guide elements on the same support.

[0034] The movement of the belt drives or guide elements towards each other can be understood to mean either that both belt drives and both guide elements are moved relative to a housing of the cable processing machine, or only one of the belt drives and one of the guide elements, while the other belt drive and the other guide element are fixed in place.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the cable is clamped by a braking unit of the guide tube when inserted into it or after insertion, thus preventing movement of the cable relative to the guide tube. The braking unit is released again after or during the insertion of the guide tube into the tube holder. Preferably, the release of the braking unit can occur automatically during insertion.

[0036] In particular, the previously described procedure is carried out using one of the previously described cable processing machines.

[0037] Furthermore, the method described above can be further developed with the features or corresponding method features mentioned in the dependent claims relating back to the independent device claims.

[0038] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains the invention in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0039] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic, perspective view of a section of a cable processing machine in an operating mode; Fig. 2 a schematic, perspective view of a section of the cable processing machine after Fig. 1 in a cable insertion mode; Fig. 3 a top view of the cable feed device of the cable processing machine according to the Figs. 1 and 2Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the cable feed device according to Fig. 3 in operating mode; Fig. 5 another bottom view of the cable feed device after Fig. 3 in cable insertion mode; Fig. 6 shows a section of the cable processing machine according to the Figs. 1 to 5 with a view of two guide elements in cable insertion mode; Fig. 7 a section of the cable processing machine according to the Figs. 1 to 6 with a view of the guide elements in operating mode; Fig. 8 a section through the guide elements in cable insertion mode; Fig. 9 a section through the guide elements in operating mode; Fig. 10 a section of the cable processing machine according to the Figs. 1 to 9 with the guide tube detached; and Fig. 11 a schematic, perspective view of the guide tube of the cable processing machine according to the Figs. 1 to 10 . In Figure 1A schematic, perspective view of a section of a cable processing machine 10 is shown, in particular a cable feed device 12, with the aid of which the cable 16 can be moved in a feed direction P1. In the Fig. 1 In the cable processing machine 10 shown, the cable feed device 12 is designed as part of a swivel and take-off unit 14. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cable feed device 12 can also be designed separately from the swivel and take-off unit 14.

[0040] The cable feed device 12 has a first belt drive 18 and a second belt drive 20.

[0041] In Fig. 1 The cable processing machine 10 is shown in an operating mode in which the belt drives 18, 20 are closed and the cable 16 is moved via the belt drives 18, 20 in the feed direction P1 and the cable 16 is processed. Fig. 2In contrast, the figure shows a section of the cable processing machine 10 in a cable insertion mode in which the two belt drives 18, 20 are open, that is, a gap is formed between them through which the cable 16 can be inserted.

[0042] In Fig. 3 A top view of the cable feed device 12 is shown. The two belt drives 18, 20 each have a belt 22, 24, between which the cable 16 is clamped and by means of which the cable 16 is moved in the feed direction P1. The two belts 22, 24 are each driven by a drive roller 26, 28 and guided by a guide roller 30, 32, and supported by four support rollers, one of which is designated by reference numeral 34.

[0043] Furthermore, the cable processing machine 10 has a guide tube 36 which, viewed in the feed direction P1, is arranged behind the belt drives 18, 20, i.e. downstream of the belt drives 18, 20, and can be fastened in a tube holder 40 by means of a clamping lever 36.

[0044] In the Fig. 4 and 5 Each is a bottom view of the cable feed device 12, wherein in Fig. 4 the operating mode and in Fig. 5 The cable insertion mode is shown. A driven drive belt 50 is provided on the underside, which is designed as a toothed belt and drives the two drive rollers 26, 28.

[0045] Furthermore, a housing 54 of the cable processing machine is shown, on which the first belt drive 18 is fixedly arranged. The second belt drive 20, on the other hand, is arranged on a support 52, which, as shown in the Fig. 4 and 5shown, can be moved relative to the housing 54 using a pneumatic cylinder 56, which makes the second belt drive 20 movable, so that the distance between the belt drives 18, 20 can be adjusted and the cable feed device 12 can be adjusted between the cable insertion mode and the operating mode.

[0046] Upstream of the belt drives 18, 20, a length measuring system 42 is arranged. Further upstream of the length measuring system 42, two guide elements 70, 72 are provided for guiding the cable 16 in the inlet area.

[0047] In the Fig. 6 and 7 Each section of the cable feed device 12 is shown with a view of the two guide elements 70, 72, wherein in Fig. 6 the cable insertion mode and in Fig. 7 The operating mode is shown. Fig. 8 and 9Each shows a section through the cable feed device 12, in particular the two guide elements 70, 72, wherein in Fig. 8 again the cable insertion mode and in Fig. 9 The operating mode is shown.

[0048] The first guide element 70 is fixed in position relative to the housing 54 of the cable processing machine 10 and thus also relative to the first belt drive 18. The second guide element 72, on the other hand, is mounted on the support 52 and is therefore moved together with the second belt drive 20 when the belt drives 18, 20 open or close. Alternatively, with a belt drive that opens on both sides, both guide elements 70, 72 can be moved.

[0049] As in Fig. 8 and 9As can be seen, the guide elements 70, 72 are essentially L-shaped, with each guide element having a vertical guide surface 80, 84 and a horizontal guide surface 82, 86. The vertical guide surfaces 80, 84 serve to guide the cable laterally, while the horizontal guide surfaces 82, 86 serve to guide the cable upwards and downwards, respectively.

[0050] Furthermore, the movable guide element 72 has a lug 74, wherein the horizontal guide surface 86 of the second guide element 72 forms the lower boundary surface of the lug 74, which, in the closed state, guides the cable 16 upwards. In the open state, i.e., in cable insertion mode, the lug 74 is moved away from the first guide element 70 to such an extent that the cable 16 can be inserted from above.

[0051] At the upstream ends of the guide elements 70, 72, inlet parts 90, 92 are provided which have rounded surfaces through which the cable is guided when entering the guide elements 70, 72.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, more than two guide elements 70, 72 can also be provided. In particular, further pairs of such guide elements can be provided at other locations along the transport path of the cable 16, which also guide the cable 16 at the corresponding locations.

[0053] Alternatively, the two guide elements 70, 72 can also be arranged between the two belt drives 18, 20 and the length measuring unit 42 or behind the belt drives 18, 20.

[0054] In Fig. 10Figure 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a section of the cable processing machine 10, with the guide tube 16 detached from the tube holder 40.

[0055] In Fig. 11 A schematic, perspective view of the guide tube 36 is shown. The guide tube 36 has a brake unit designed as a leaf spring 96, which projects through a recess in a housing 98 of the guide tube 36 and thus clamps the cable 16 in a braking state, thereby preventing movement of the cable 16 relative to the guide tube 36.

[0056] The brake unit 96 can be released automatically, in particular when the clamping lever 38 is closed after insertion into the pipe holder 40. Alternatively, an active element can also be provided on the pipe holder 40 that releases the brake unit 96.

[0057] Overall, the cable processing machine 10 described above enables particularly easy insertion of a cable 16. For this purpose, the cable is first inserted into the guide tube 36 and clamped by the brake unit 96. This allows the cable 16 to be easily gripped over the guide tube 36. The guide tube 36 is then inserted into the tube holder 40, and the clamping lever 38 is closed. This releases the brake unit 96.

[0058] Furthermore, the cable is inserted from above between the open belt drives 18, 20 and the also open guide elements 70, 72. Subsequently, the belt drives 18, 20 and thus automatically also the guide elements 70, 72 are closed, so that the cable 16 is now guided and can be moved via the belt drives 18, 20 in the feed direction P1.

[0059] In an alternative embodiment, the guide tube 36 can also be designed without the brake unit 96. Accordingly, the steps involving the brake unit 96 in the previously described methods are then omitted.

Claims

1. Cable processing machine, comprising a cable feed device (12) for moving a cable (16) in a feed direction (P1), the cable feed device (12) comprising a first and a second belt drive (18, 29), between which the cable (16) is guided, the cable being movable in the feed direction (P1) by means of contact with the driven belts of the belt drives (18, 29), the cable feed device (12) further comprising a first guide element (70) and a second guide element (72), between which the cable (16) is guided at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine (10), and the distance between the two guide elements (70, 72) can be changed, characterized in that the two guide elements (70, 72) have a first distance from one another in a cable inserting mode in order to insert a cable (16) and have a second distance from one another in the operating mode, the second distance being less than the first distance, the two guide elements (70, 72) together enclosing the cable (16) on all sides in the operating mode and a gap being formed between the two guide elements (70, 72) on a predetermined side, in particular at the top, in order to guide the cable through when said cable is being inserted in the cable inserting mode.

2. Cable processing machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first guide element (70, 72) is arranged in a fixed manner with respect to a housing (54) of the cable processing machine (10), and in that the second guide element (72) can be moved relative to the first guide element (70).

3. Cable processing machine (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that a first belt drive (18) of the cable feed device (12) is arranged in a fixed manner on the housing (54) of the cable processing machine (10), in that a second belt drive (20) is fastened to a carrier (52) which is movable relative to the housing (54) in order to insert the cable (16), and in that the second guide element (72) is arranged on the carrier (50).

4. Cable processing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two guide elements (70, 72) can be moved relative to a housing (54) of the cable processing machine (10).

5. Cable processing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements (70, 72) can be moved in a translational manner relative to one another.

6. Cable processing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements (70, 72) are each substantially L-shaped in cross section.

7. Cable processing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two guide elements (70, 72) each have two contact surfaces (80 to 86) which are arranged perpendicularly to one another for contacting and guiding the cable (16), and in that one of the contact surfaces (80, 82) of the first guide element (70) and one of the contact surfaces (84, 86) of the second guide element (72) are arranged in parallel with one another in each case.

8. Cable processing machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cable feed device (12) has a guide tube (36) at the outlet, through which tube the cable (16) is guided, and in that the guide tube (36) comprises a braking unit (96) which holds the cable (16) in a braked state.

9. Cable processing machine (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the braking unit (96) comprises a spring, preferably a leaf spring.

10. Cable processing machine (10) according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the braking unit (96) is automatically opened when a clamping lever (38) for fastening the braking unit (96) to the cable processing machine (10) is closed.

11. Method for inserting a cable (16) into a cable processing machine (10), wherein a cable (16) is pushed through a guide tube (36), the guide tube (36) is put into a tube holder (40) of the cable processing machine (10), the cable (16) is inserted between two belt drives (18, 20) and between two guide elements (70, 72), and, on a predetermined side, a gap being formed between the two guide elements (70, 72) through which the cable (16) is inserted, the belt drives (18, 20) are moved toward one another, and wherein the guide elements (70, 72) are also moved toward one another.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the cable (16) is initially clamped by a braking unit (96) of the guide tube (40), and in that after or while the guide tube (36) is inserted into the tube holder (40), the braking unit (96) is released.