DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TWISTING INDIVIDUAL CABLES

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) and a method for twisting individual cables (11, 12) around a twisting axis (V) to form a cable bundle (10) along an extension axis (A). The device (100) comprises individual rotating units (41, 42) spaced apart to separately clamp the cable ends (15, 16) at one end of the individual cables (11, 12); a twisting unit (30) for clamping and twisting the cable ends at the other end of the individual cables (11, 12); and a guide apparatus (35), to which a guide mandrel (360) is attached, for separating the individual cables (11, 12), at least in some regions, during a twisting process by means of the twisting unit, in a region where there is a transition from an untwisted region to a twisted region.The guide apparatus (35) further comprises: a moving element (355) for moving the guide mandrel (360) out of an initial position to an inwardly moved position, wherein the guide mandrel is moved toward the torsion axis (V); and a locking element (353) for holding the guide mandrel (360) in the outwardly moved position from the torsion axis (V).

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TWISTING INDIVIDUAL CABLES Field of Invention The present description relates to a device 5 and a method for twisting individual wires, in particular for twisting individual wires into pairs, to form a wire bundle. Background of the Invention Cable bundles, which are obtained by twisting together individual wires, are required in various industrial applications. Before being twisted, the individual wires are usually cut, i.e., shortened, to a certain length and, if necessary, also terminated, i.e., fitted with a contact part or similar. With some conventional devices and methods according to the above technique, the cable pair consisting of individual cables is clamped between a clamping unit at one end of the cable and a twisting unit at the other end and twisted by rotating the twisting unit. The resulting tightening of the cable pair is compensated for by a longitudinal displacement of the twisting unit. A corresponding device is described, for example, in document EP 1 032 095 A2. With this type of conventional device and method, the individual cables are twisted, i.e., rotated about their own axis. Ref. 339343 Document EP 0 917 746 Al describes a device that allows twisting pairs of cables without improperly twisting the individual cables. In this device, the clamping unit is replaced by untwisting units, each of which clamps the individual cables individually at one end (the rear end). A longitudinally movable guide device separates the two individual cables with a guide mandrel and moves in the direction of the untwisting units during the twisting process. In this way, the cable laying length can be kept constant. Document DE 10 2017 109 7 91 Al describes a device having untwisting units that are oriented parallel to each other at the beginning of a twisting process and rotate inwards in a motorized manner during the twisting process. The angle of rotation is continuously increased during the twisting process by means of a control apparatus. Problem to solve In the device known from document EP 0 917 20 746 Al, a guide mandrel is provided, which ensures uniformity of the individual cables and the length of the cable run. Before the start of the twisting process, the guide unit with the guide mandrel is positioned by displacement, where the guide mandrel may interfere with the 25 individual cables. Qb? P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI Summary of the Invention The aspects of the present description address the problem mentioned above. According to one aspect, a device according to claim 51 and a method according to claim 5 are provided. Other aspects, features, developments, and advantages can be found in the dependent claims, the subsequent description, and the accompanying figures. According to one aspect, a device for twisting 10 individual cables around a torsion axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis comprises individual rotating units, a torsion unit, and a guiding apparatus. The individual rotating units are separated from each other. For example, the distance is variable. The individual rotating units are configured to retain, for example, clamp, the cable ends separately at one end of the individual cables. Each individual rotating unit can be rotatably mounted around an associated pivot axis. The torsion unit is configured to clamp and twist the cable ends at the other end of the individual cables. A guide mandrel is attached to the guide apparatus. The guide mandrel is used to separate the 25 individual cables, at least in some regions, during a process P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI of torsion that is carried out by the torsional anity, in a region where there is a transition from an untwisted region consisting of individual wires to a twisted region consisting of a bundle of wires. The guide apparatus also comprises a moving element for moving the guide mandrel from an initial position to an inward-moving position, in which the guide mandrel moves toward the torsion axis, for example, rotates toward the torsion axis. The guide apparatus also comprises a locking element for holding the guide mandrel in the inward-moving position toward the torsion axis. In the initial position, the guide mandrel can be positioned before the start of the twisting process without interfering with the individual cables. For the twisting process, the guide mandrel is then moved, for example, by rotating appropriately towards the twisting axis. Due to the design with the moving element and the locking element, separate actuators are not required for this. In these models, the movement involves rotating the guide mandrel towards the torsion axis. This rotation can be easily accomplished without requiring additional vertical installation space to allow the guide mandrel to be moved away from the torsion axis. In these modalities, the guidance apparatus comprises P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI also a clamping element for operating the moving element, wherein the operation takes place against a preload force of a spring element, and the locking element is configured to hold, in an engaged manner, the inwardly moved position of the guide mandrel against the preload force and to be pushed back, in an unengaged manner, to the initial position of the guide mandrel. In these modes, the locking element is designed to engage against a ratchet when the guide mandrel is in the moved-in position. In these embodiments, the guide apparatus further comprises a locking roller rotatably mounted on a support for operating the operating element. The operation takes place against the preload force of a spring element. The locking roller is configured by means of a locking mechanism for the operating element and by means of a locking spring such that they cause the guide mandrel to move inward against the preload force. In these configurations, the locking mechanism of the operating element comprises a locking contour. The locking roller acts against the locking contour. In the modalities, the torsion unit further comprises a clamping unit to bring the operating element) 25 towards the inwardly moved position of the guide mandrel. P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI In these modalities, the operating element comprises an operating contour. The clamping unit acts on the operating contour to move the operating element to the inward-moving position of the guide mandrel. In these embodiments, the device also comprises a release element for releasing, or moving outward, the locking mechanism of the operating element against the locking force of the locking roller so that the guide mandrel is moved out of the inward-moving position, in particular to the initial position. The release element may be designed in particular as a stop against which a counter-stop of the guide apparatus acts. In these configurations, the release element is designed to be actively extendable; that is, it can be actively moved in the direction of the guide mechanism's counter-rotation. This active movement can be achieved, for example, pneumatically. According to another aspect, a method is provided for twisting individual cables around a torsion axis to form a bundle of cables along an extension axis, using the device described herein. The method comprises: separately clamping the cable ends at one end of the individual cables by means of individual rotating units; clamping the cable ends at the other end of the individual cables by means of the torsion unit; moving the guide mandrel away from the torsion axis (V); moving the guide apparatus in the direction of the torsion unit; moving the guide mandrel toward the region of the torsion axis to define a boundary between an untwisted region 5 and a twisted region during a twisting process; and rotating the torsion unit to carry out a twisting process. Brief Description of the Figures Other aspects, characteristics, advantages, and effects can be found in the modalities described below with reference to the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a region of a cable bundle to illustrate the terms used in this document; Figure 2 shows a region of the wire pair of 15 Figure 1 with other illustrative aspects; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a torsion apparatus with a torsion unit and, in each case, an individual rotating unit for each cable, to illustrate the terms and processes used in this document; Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a device for twisting individual cables according to a modality; Figure 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the individual components of the 25 100 device in Figure 4; Qfr? P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI Figure 6 shows a distortion unit according to a modality in an enlarged view; Figure 6 shows parts of the distortion unit; Figure 3 shows a parallel position of the individual rotating units; Figure 9 shows a partially cropped top view of the distortion unit, in a parallel position; Figure 10 shows a partially cropped top view of the detorsion unit, in a rotated position; Figure 11 shows a detorsion unit in a variant with a pivot drive; Figure 12 shows a schematic perspective diagram of the guide apparatus and part of the torsion unit; Figure 13 shows the guide apparatus with a guide mandrel in an intermediate position; Figure 14 shows the guide apparatus with the guide mandrel in a twisting position; Figure 15 shows the guide apparatus in a side view; Figure 16 shows the guide mandrel in a detailed view; P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI Figure 17 shows the components of the device 100 in an initial position before a torsion process; Figure 18 shows the components of the device 100 in a starting position of a torsion process; Figure 19 shows the components of the device 100 in an intermediate position; Figure 20 shows a top view of the individual rotating units shortly before completing the twisting process, in contact with the guide mandrel; Figure 21 shows a top view of the individual rotating units shortly before completing the twisting process, without contact with the guide mandrel; Figure 22 shows the elements of the device in a position where the guide apparatus has continued its linear motion until the guide mandrel has reached approximately the ends of the cable; Figure 23 shows a view analogous to the figure with the guide mandrel positioned off the extension axis A; Figure 24 shows a schematic dimensional view of the individual components of a device for twisting individual cables according to another modality; Figure 25 shows a schematic perspective diagram of the guiding apparatus and a part of a 25 torsion unit of the device of Figure 24; P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI Figure 26 shows a schematic side view of the guide apparatus and a clamping unit of the torsion unit of Figures 24 and 25; Figure 27 shows a schematic side view 5 of the guide apparatus of Figures 24-26 in an intermediate position of the guide mandrel; Figure 28 shows a schematic side view of parts of the guide apparatus analogous to Figure 27 in a locking position of the guide mandrel; and Figure 29 shows a schematic side view of parts of the guide apparatus analogous to Figure 2 shortly before carrying out the unlocking of the guide mandrel. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a region of a cable bundle, which is denoted as a whole with 10. The cable bundle comprises a single cable 11 and a single cable 12, as a pair of cables. It should be noted that the number of two individual cables 11, 12 is illustrative and not limiting, and that the aspects and characteristics described in this document 20 may also apply, in whole or in part, to cable bundles having more than two individual cables 11, 12, and leading to identical or similar effects. However, in the various modalities, two individual cables 11, 12 may be used for a cable bundle 10. In Figure 1, a first cable end 15 of Individual cable 11 and a first cable end 16 of individual cable 12 are located on the same side. For example, the first cable ends 15 and 16 are already terminated, in this case in the form of a contact 13a and a sleeve 13b at the first cable end 15 and a contact 14a and a sleeve 14b at the second cable end 16. In a region to the right of the dashed line marked B in Figure 1, the individual cables 11 and 12 are twisted, resulting in points 10 where the individual cables 11 and 12 intersect in a projection plane, for example, in the plane of Figure 1. In the twisted region to the right of line B, the cable bundle 10 extends along an extension axis A. Twisted as used in this document means a state in which the wires are wound around each other, i.e., intertwined. An identical intersection in the projection plane is present when the same sequence of individual wires exists at two intersections in the direction perpendicular to the projection plane. The distance between two adjacent identical intersections is called the twist lay length or simply lay length for short and is denoted by a2. Two loops result in the projection plane between two adjacent identical intersections and should be as small as possible for a high-quality wire bundle. P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI The designations in Figure 1 are transferred to the following paragraphs and nc will be described again. A portion of the pair of cables 10 is shown again in Figure 2 for illustrative purposes. The untwisted ends 5 of the individual cables 11, 12 have a length l to a first intersection point Pl, at which the twisted region begins. The distance between two identical intersections or crossings of cables 11, 12 in the twisted region is specified as the laying length a2, as described above. The distance a3 is defined in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the pair of cables 10 in which the obstructions al, a2 are defined. The distance a3 defines the spacing of the individual cables 15 11, 12, in this case, for example, at the end where the individual cables 11, 12 are untwisted. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a general torsion device 100 having a torsion unit 30, individual rotating units 41, 42, each of which is provided for a single cable 11, 12, and a guiding apparatus 35. For illustrative purposes, the cable bundle 10 of Figures 1 and 2 is shown held in the torsion device 100 according to Figure 3. The individual cable 11 is held at its rear end in the individual rotating unit 41. This end is also referred to below P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI as the first end) 15 of the individual cable 11. The individual cable 12 is attached at its rear end to the individual rotating unit 42. This end is also referred to below as the first end 16 of the individual cable 5 12. The individual rotating unit 41 is arranged so that it holds the first end 15 of the individual cable 11 (held) along its axis vi of the cable at the first end 15. The individual rotating unit 42 is arranged so that it holds the first end 16 of the individual cable 12 (held) along its axis v2 of the cable at the first end 16. Each individual rotating unit 41, 42 can be rotated about the respective axis vi, v2 of the cable, of the individual cable 11, 12 that is held in the respective individual rotating unit 41, 42, at least in one direction that effects the untwisting of the respective individual cable 11, 12. Preferably, each individual rotating unit can be rotated either forwards or backwards as desired, 20 around the respective axis vi, v2 of the cable, which is indicated in Figure 3 by a double arrow Q1 and Q2, respectively. Each individual rotating unit 41, 42 may also be referred to hereafter as a de-twisting unit. Untwist (unswivel) as used in this document 25 includes, for example, reducing or eliminating a force P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI of torsion or a torque that could be generated in each individual cable 11, 12 by joint rotation. The untwisting or uncoiling does not necessarily have to be carried out completely to achieve the advantages described in this document. That is, during the course of the twisting process, the (total) rotation angle of the twisting unit 30 may be less than the (total) rotation angle of the individual rotating units 41, 42. The guide apparatus 35 is used to separate the individual cables 11, 12 at least in some regions, during most of the twisting process in a region where the transition from the untwisted region to the twisted region occurs, i.e., approximately on line B in Figure 1. The guide apparatus 35 can be guided or displaced in a controlled manner during a twisting process, in an x-direction substantially parallel to a twisting axis V. The twisting axis V is generally identical to the extension axis A. The torsion unit 30 is configured so that it can rotate around a torsion axis V in a torsion direction P to perform a torsion process. In other words, the torsion unit 30 can be driven to rotate around the torsion axis V so that it rotates in the torsion direction P to perform a torsion process. To compensate for cable shortening Individual P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI 11, 12 that wind together during the torsion process, the torsion unit 30 can be displaced in a direction substantially parallel to the torsion axis V. A direction extending parallel to that of the torsion axis V as used in this document also includes the direction on the V torsion axis itself. Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a device 100 for twisting individual wires 11, 12 to form a wire bundle 10, to illustrate one modality. It should be noted that the components and processes described in relation to Figure 4 do not necessarily have to be carried out in their entirety for the implementation of the present invention. In Figure 4, the individual cables 11, 12 are fed by their respective front ends to the processing modules 103, 104, 105, 106, which perform manipulations on the cables 11, 12. For example, and without limitation, the front ends of the individual cables 11, 12 are each stripped of insulation by means of a cutting head 102 and fed successively by means of a first pivot unit 107 to the processing modules 103, 104. Here, for example, the contacts 13a, 14a and the sleeves 13b, 14b of Figure 1 are mounted on the respective conducting ends of the individual cables 11, 12. Then, the first pivot unit 107 rotates the pair of P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI cables 10 back again, and the front ends of the individual cables 11, 12 can be held by an extension slide 109. The individual cables 11, 12 are extended, depending on the desired cable length, 5 by means of the extension slide along a guide rail 105 in the linear guide direction defined by the guide rail 105. Next, the individual cables 11, 12 are held by a second pivot unit 108 and cut and stripped of insulation by the cutting head 102. The rear conductor ends are fed by the second pivot unit 108 to the processing modules 105, 106 on the other side and finally terminated, i.e., for example, fitted again with a sleeve and a contact. A transfer module 111 receives the rear end 17 of the individual cables 11, 12, carries it a short distance, and transfers it individually, after a pivoting movement, to the respective individual rotating unit 41, 42, which are combined into a detwisting apparatus 20, 40. A transfer module 112 transfers the front end 16 of the individual cables 11, 12 to the twisting unit 30, which is also called the twisting head. To carry out the actual twisting process, the twisting unit 30 is rotated, as previously described with reference 25 to Figure 3. The twisting unit can be moved P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI simultaneously in the direction of the untwisting unit 40 with a controlled pulling force during the twisting process. A control unit 200 controls some or all 5 elements of device 100. Figure 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the individual components of device 100 from Figure 4; for better understanding, other components of device 100 are not shown in Figure 5. Figure 4 shows the detorsion unit 40, the guide apparatus 35, and the torsion unit 30. Figure 6 shows a detorsion unit 40 according to one embodiment in an enlarged view. The detorsion unit 40 comprises a first single rotary unit 15 41 having an associated first single rotary gripper 41a and a second single rotary unit 42 having a second associated single rotary gripper 42a. The first single rotary gripper 41a is rotatably mounted in a first spindle housing 41b. The second single rotary gripper 42a is rotatably mounted in a second spindle housing 42b. The first single rotary gripper 41a can be set in motion by means of a first de-twisting motor 41e. The second single rotary gripper 42a can be set in motion by means of a second de-twisting motor 42e. The first spindle housing P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI 41b is attached to a first housing support 41c. The second spindle housing 42b is attached to a second housing support 42c. The first housing support 41c is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis 41t in a first support housing 41d. The second housing support 42c is pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis 42f in a second support housing 42d. The pivot axes 41f and 42f extend substantially parallel to each other. Each pivot axis 41f and 42f extends substantially perpendicular to the extension axis A of the cable bundle 10. The distance 45 between the support housings 41d, 42d in a direction parallel to the pivot axes 41f, 42f is variable. For simplicity, the distance 45 is also referred to in this document as the distance between the individual rotating units 41, 42. To change the distance 45, the support housings 41d, 42d can be moved relative to each other along a linear guide at an angle 20 to the extension axis A by means of a distance-adjusting device 50. In the embodiments shown in this document, the components of the distance-adjusting device 50 consist, by way of example, of two spindles, a coupling piece 56, and a spindle drive. The two spindles are coupled to each other with a P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI coupling piece 56. The spindle drive (not shown) is suitably coupled to the coupled spindles. One of the spindles is right-handed and the other of the spindles is left-handed, resulting in a distance adjustment 5 45 that is symmetrical with respect to the extension axis A when the spindles thus coupled are driven. The shortest distance between a tip 41g of the first individual rotary gripper 41a and a tip 42g of the second individual rotary gripper 42a depends, on the one hand, on the distance 45 between the individual rotary units 41, 42 and, on the other hand, on the pivot angle α defined by a pivot around the respective pivot axes 41f, 42f. A 45° distance adjustment is carried out by means of the control device 200, for example. The 45° 15° distance can take place, for example, following the sequence of a method in the course of which a twisting process is carried out, in a program-controlled, user-controlled, or program-controlled and user-controlled manner. Figure 7 shows parts of the detorsion unit 20 40 of Figure 6; the individual rotating units 41, 42 are omitted for clarity. The first housing support 41c comprises a first gear piece 51b, which meshes with a first counter-gear piece 51c. The first counter-gear piece 51c is fixed to a first socket 51a, which is mounted on a splined shaft 54. The P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI second housing support 42c comprises a second gear piece 52b, which meshes with a second counter-gear piece 52c. The second counter-gear piece 52c is fixed to a second socket 52a, which is mounted on the splined shaft 54. The splined shaft 54 ​​can be moved longitudinally in the bushings 51a, 52a. When moved longitudinally in this way, the rotation of the splined shaft 54 ​​is transferred to the respective bushing 51a, 52a. Due to the meshing of the respective gear pieces 51b, 52b with their respective associated counter-gear pieces 51c, 52c, the housing supports 41c, 42c rotate by an equal amount but in opposite directions. This pivoting motion changes the angle α. An angle sensor 55 is provided to measure the angle α and emit an angle measurement signal. A brake 53, which can be electromagnetically operated, for example, is actuated according to the angle measurement signal to lock the individual rotating units 41, 42 together at a fixed angle. Dijable depending on the angle measurement signal. The drive is carried out, for example, by means of the control unit 200. Before the twisting process can begin, the wire ends of the individual wires 11, 12 are transferred to the untwisting pliers 41a, 42a of the units. Individual rotating units 41, 42. For this, there must be both a defined distance 45 and a defined angle oi; the individual rotating units 41, 42 must be oriented parallel to each other for this. Figure 8 shows such a parallel position 5 of the individual rotating units 41, 42; here, the distance 45 corresponds to the defined distance 45 at which it is possible to transfer the cable ends from the individual cables 11, 12 to the untwisting clamps 41a, 42a. Such a position (the position of the distance and the angle) of the individual rotating units 41, 42 is referred to in this document as a parallel position. A position (the position of the distance and / or the angle) that differs from the parallel position is referred to in this document as a rotated position. Figure 9 and Figure 10 show a partially cropped top view of the distortion unit 40. In Figure 9, the housing supports 41c, 42c of the individual rotating units 41, 42 are in the parallel position shown in the perspective view of Figure 8. In Figure 10, the housing supports 41c, 42c of the individual rotating units 41, 42 are in a rotated position. A stop element 42g, for example, a stop plate, is fixed to one of the spindle housings 41b, 42b, for example, to the second spindle housing 42b. A movable stop 25 57 is fixed to one of the parts of the detorsion unit. P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI 0 which is fixed in the position opposite the spindle housings 41b, 42b, for example, to the support housing 42d. The movable stop 57 limits the value to which the respective individual rotating unit can be rotated, since it provides a stop surface 5 for the stop element 42g of the spindle housing 42b. As a result, the angle a is limited by the coupling of the individual rotating units 41, 42 through the gear mechanism described above. The movable stop 57 can be adjusted, for example, by means of an electric motor. To obtain the parallel position shown in Figures 8 and 9, the movable stop 5 is adjusted accordingly so that the individual rotating units 41, 42 assume (i.e., reach, take) the parallel position. During the twisting process, the movable stop 57 is appropriately adjusted so that rotation is possible, but the rotation is limited such that the tips 41g, 42g of the individual rotating clamps 41a, 42a do not touch each other or come too close to one another. Figure 11 shows a detorsion unit 40 in a variant with a pivot drive 42h for controlled rotation of the housing support 42c. Not shown in Figure 11, however, is a pivot drive 41h for controlled rotation of the housing support 41c. Each pivot drive 41h, 42h has, for example, an electric motor 25 and a gear for rotating the housing support. P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI associated 41c, 42c around the pivot axes 41f and 42f, respectively. The distance 45 is adjusted as in the variant presented above with reference to Figure 6 to Figure 10. However, by means of the controlled rotation capability 5, the rotation is also limited such that the tips 41g, 42g of the individual rotating grippers 41a, 42b do not touch each other or come too close to each other during a twisting process. The parallel position can be defined in a directed manner by means of the controlled rotation capability 10. Figure 12 shows a schematic perspective diagram of the guiding apparatus 35 and a portion of the torsion unit 30. The torsion unit 30 includes an operating apparatus 31 with a clamping cylinder 32 that can be moved parallel to it. The clamping cylinder 32 is positioned on the torsion unit 30 because the positioning of the torsion unit depends on the cable length.The guide device 35 has a guide mandrel 360, which is used to separate and guide the individual cables 11, 12 during a twisting process. The ends 15, 16 of the cable, of the individual cables 11, 12, which are fixed to the individual rotating units 41, 42, are individually fixed at this end and are therefore not fixed in rotation. Without the guide device 35, there is no predictable laying length. The guide device 35 can be displaced in the x-direction (see Figure 3) during the twisting process. When the guide mandrel 360 separates the individual cables 11, 12 during the twisting process and the guide device 35 moves accordingly, the laying length a2 can thus be kept substantially constant or even varied in a controlled manner.The displacement movement of the guide apparatus 35 takes place in coordination with the rotation speed of the torsion apparatus 30 to obtain a desired laying length a2. The guide device 35 is designed so that the guide mandrel 360 can be moved off the torsion axis V, for example, it can be rotated off the torsion axis V. Advantageously, the guide mandrel 360 moves off the torsion axis V when the guide device 35 moves towards the torsion device 30 before completing a torsion process. In the structure shown in Figure 12, the guide device 35 has a clamping element 352, a clamping spring 351, a locking rocker arm 353, a ratchet 354, and a rocker arm 355. The guide mandrel 360 is pivotally mounted on the guide device 35 so that it can rotate away from the torsion axis V by means of the operation of the rocker arm 355. The operating direction of the rocker arm corresponds to the direction in which the clamping element 352 can be displaced. Qb? P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI The clamping element 352 is arranged so that it can interact with the clamping cylinder 32 when there is a corresponding distance between the torsion unit 30 and the guide apparatus 35. In other words: when there is a corresponding distance between the torsion unit 30 and the guide apparatus 35, the clamping element 352 of the guide apparatus 35 can be operated by means of the clamping cylinder 32 of the torsion unit. Figure 12 shows an initial position in which the guide mandrel 360 is in the rotated position away from the torsion axis V. Operating the clamping element 352 toward the rocker arm 355 causes the rocker arm 355 to rotate the guide mandrel 360 about the torsion axis V to finally assume a torsion position, which will be discussed later. This operation takes place against the preload force of the clamping spring 351. The ratchet 354 and locking rocker arm 353 cause the guide mandrel 360 to engage in the torsion position. Figure 13 shows the guide device 35 with the guide mandrel 360 in an intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the guide device 35 moves in the direction of the torsion unit 30. The clamping cylinder 32 causes the clamping element 352 to stop and the guide device 35 to move against the stationary clamping cylinder 32 to rotate the guide mandrel 360 to P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI via rocker lever 355. Figure 14 shows the guide device 36 with the guide mandrel 360 in a twisting position, rotating toward the twist axis V between the individual cables 11, 12 to be twisted. Figure 15 shows the guide device 35 in a side view. Before the twisting position shown in Figure 14, the pawl 354 passed over a locking piece 358 and engaged. The locking rocker arm 353 is spring-actuated. 356. When operating on point 357, the lock is undone again. Once the position shown in Figure 14 is adopted, the clamping cylinder 32 retracts. The guide mandrel 360 remains in the torsion position shown in Figure 14. Then, the guide device 35 can be moved closer to the torsion unit 30. Figure 16 shows the guide mandrel 360 in a detailed view. The guide mandrel 360 has a thickened portion 361 on the side opposite its attachment to the guide apparatus 35. In the case of a guide mandrel 360 with a circular cross-section, the guide mandrel consequently has a larger diameter, at least in some sections, in the region of the thickened portion 361. The guide mandrel 360 is also thickened at the shaft, for example, by a larger diameter in the case of a circular cross-section. P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI a guide region 362 between the two thickened parts. The individual cables 11, 12 are in contact with the guide region 362 during a twisting process. Such geometry can effectively help to avoid oscillation processes of the individual cables 11, 12, particularly when twisting long cables in the range of more than five meters, preferably more than seven meters. Figure 17 shows the components of the device 100 in an initial position before a torsion process. The extended and terminated individual cables 11, 12 are secured to the respective elements of the de-twisting unit 0 and the torsion unit 3 0. The untwisting clamps 41a, 42a are in the parallel position at the corresponding defined distance 45. The guide mandrel 360 is outside the extension axis Ά. After the transfer of the individual cables 11, 12, the torsion unit 30 moves slightly away from the untwisting unit 40 to stretch the individual cables 11, 12. Then, the guidance device 35 moves in the direction 0 of the torsion unit 30. The clamping cylinder 32 retracts so that the guide apparatus 35 can be brought much closer to the torsion unit 30. This position is shown in Figure 18 and is referred to as the starting position. The guide mandrel 360 is rotated on the extension shaft A and separates the torsion region, in which the twisting of the individual cables 11, 12 takes place and the twisted cable bundle 10 is produced (to the right of the guide mandrel 360 in the figures), from the untwisted region (to the left of the guide mandrel 360 in the figures). The twisting process begins when the twisting unit 30 rotates and twists the individual cables 11, 12 to form the cable bundle 10. The individual rotating units 41, 42 ensure, through their rotation, that the individual cables do not twist upon themselves, i.e., about their respective cable axes vi, v2. During the twisting process, the guiding apparatus 35 moves at a controlled speed in the direction of the untwisting unit 40, where the controlled speed results from the rotational speed of the twisting unit 30 and the desired laying length a2. The twisting unit 30 also moves slightly toward the untwisting unit 40 to compensate for the shortening induced by the twisting of the cable bundle 10. This movement can take place, for example, with a controlled pulling force.Particularly with long cables exceeding 5 meters, and especially those exceeding 7 meters, the thickened portion 361 in the guide mandrel 360 reduces the vertical oscillation of the cables (11, 12) and thus improves the quality of the twisting process. Figure 19 shows an intermediate position assumed after the start of the twisting process and before its completion. Qfr? P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI Figure 20 and Figure 21 each show a top view of the individual rotating units 41, 42 shortly before completion of the twisting process. In Figure 20, the guide mandrel 360 is still in contact with the individual cables 11, 12. To bring the first intersection point P1 even closer to the cable ends of the individual cables 11, 12, the guide apparatus 35 moves the guide mandrel 360 further, so that it loses contact with the individual cables 11, 12, as shown in Figure 21. In Figure 21, the distance 45 between the individual rotating units 41, 42 has been reduced even further. The actual torsion process is complete. A final torsion process follows, in which the torsion unit 30 is rotated again in the torsion direction, where the first intersection point P1 is guided even closer to the ends of the conductor. The twisting process and the subsequent final twisting process are then completed, and the fully twisted cable assembly is released from the twisting unit 30 and the individual rotating units 41, 42 and, for example, dropped into a cable channel 160 (see Figure 4). Before release, the no-rotating twisting unit 30 can be moved further in the direction of the untwisting unit 40 to loosen the strand of twisted cables. In this case, the angular position of the individual rotating units 41, 42, 25 P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI can be locked by means of brake operation 53. Figure 22 shows the elements of device 100 in a position where the guide apparatus 35 has continued its linear motion until the guide mandrel 360 has reached approximately the ends of the cable. Now a release cylinder (not shown) operates point 357, as a result of which the guide mandrel 360 rotates to the position, shown in Figure 23, off the extension axis A due to the released spring force. The guide apparatus 35 can then be moved to the initial position without the 360 ​​guide mandrel interfering with this movement. An additional embodiment is explained with reference to Figures 24 to 29. Figure 24 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the individual components of the device 100 for twisting individual cables according to the additional embodiment. Figure 25 shows a schematic perspective diagram of a guide apparatus 1035 and a portion of a twisting unit 1030 of the device in Figure 24. Figure 26 shows a schematic side view of the guide apparatus 1035 and a clamping unit 1032 of the twisting unit in Figures 24 and 25. Figure 27 shows a schematic side view of the guide apparatus 1035 of Figures 24 to 26 in an intermediate position of the guide mandrel 1360. Figure 28 shows a schematic side view of portions of the guide apparatus 1035 analogously to Figure 29. P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI in a locking position of the guide mandrel 1360. Figure 29 shows a schematic side view of parts of the guide apparatus 1035 in a manner analogous to Figure 27 shortly before carrying out the unlocking of the guide mandrel 1360. For better understanding, the differences in modality of figures 1-23 are mainly explained here, and identical or similar features may be omitted from the explanation. Figure 24 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the individual components of the device Figure 24 is analogous to Figure 5. For clarity, Figure 24 does not show all components of device 100. Figure 24 shows the detorsion unit 40, which can be configured similarly to Figure 5. 24 also shows the guide apparatus 1035 and the torsion unit 1030 in accordance with the present modality. The parts of the device in Figure 24, in particular the guide apparatus 1035 and a part of the torsion unit 1030, and a stop 1040, are shown enlarged in the perspective view of Figure 25. A clamping unit 1032 is arranged on the torsion unit 1030 (with the torsion head i). The guide apparatus 1035 and the clamping unit 1032 are shown again in a schematic side view in Figure 26. The description here is made with reference to Figures 25 and 26. The guide apparatus 1035 comprises a spring P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI locking 1355, a locking roller 1354, a support 1353, a counterweight 1359, a pivot plate 1370, a compression spring 1351 in a spring housing 1357, a pull bar 1356, a guide mandrel 1360, an inner control contour 5 1371 and an outer control contour 1372. The pivot plate 1370 is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 1352. In Figure 26, the pivot plate 1370, and therefore the guide mandrel 1360, are held by means of the pull rod 1356 and the compression spring 1351 in the initial position of the guide mandrel 1360, which is the outward-rotated position. In other words, the pivot plate 1370 is pulled upward in the view shown in the figure by means of the pull rod 1356 and the compression spring 1351 located in the spring housing 1357. For clarity, the spring housing 1357 is no longer shown in Figures 27 to 29. Figure 27 shows a side view analogous to Figure 26, wherein the pivot plate 1370, and therefore the guide mandrel 1360, are in an intermediate position between the initial position (moved outward or turned outward) and the moved inward (turned inward) position. This position is achieved because the guide device 1035 is guided or moved relative to the torsion unit 1030 such that the clamping unit 1032 (a roller 1033 of the clamping unit in its P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI front end) collision against the outer control contour 1372 of the pivot plate 1370. The pivot plate 1370 thus moves about its pivot axis 1352, i.e., the guide mandrel 1360 is pushed down in the figure. 5 The locking roller 1354 follows the internal control contour 1371 of the pivot plate 1370. The internal control contour 1371 has a depression 1375 for the locking roller 1354. If the locking roller 1354 has been moved along the internal control contour 1371 beyond the depression 1375 10 as a result of further operation by means of the clamping unit 1032, a locking position is reached, as shown in Figure 28. In this locking position, the locking spring 1355 maintains the lock by means of the locking roller 1354, and the clamping unit 1032 can 15 be withdrawn from the external control contour 1372, in which the locking position is maintained.The 360 ​​guide mandrel is then in the position where it moves towards the torsion axis. For unlocking, the locking roller 1354 is moved to the right as shown in the figure. Figure 29 shows a view analogous to Figure 28 shortly before an unlocking process begins. The stop 1040 is opposite a counterweight 1359 in the guide apparatus 1350. The counterweight is, for example, one of the guide bars 25 of the support 1353, as shown in Figure 29. In response P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI a jn movement of the stop 1040 against the counter-stop 1359, the guide roller 1354 moves out of the depression 1375, as a result of which the guide mandrel 1360 is moved by the compression spring 1351 back out of the inwardly moved position, to the initial position. The movement of. The guide roller 1354 in this direction beyond the depression 1375 defines an unlocking point or release point, which is defined by the relative position of the stop 1040 with respect to the counterweight 1359. This relative position can be achieved by moving the guide device 1035 against the stop 1040. The stop 1040 can be further designed, for example, so that it can be actively extended, for example, pneumatically, in the direction of the counterweight 1359. This makes it possible to vary the release point within a certain range. Although the above description is done using some modalities, it is evident that the individual tasks, characteristics, aspects and / or effects of the modalities can be combined with each other and / or omitted when appropriate. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

5 1. A device for twisting individual cables around a torsion axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis, characterized in that it comprises: individual rotating units spaced 10 apart for separately clamping the cable ends at one end of the individual cables; a torsion unit for clamping and twisting the cable ends at the other end of the individual cables; 15 a guiding apparatus, to which a guide mandrel is attached for separating the individual cables, at least in some regions, during a twisting process by means of the torsion unit, in a region in which there is a transition from an untwisted region to a twisted region; 20 wherein the guiding apparatus further comprises: a moving element for moving the guide mandrel from an initial position to an inwardly moved position, wherein the guide mandrel is moved toward the torsion axis;and a locking element to hold the guide mandrel in the 25th position moved towards the torsion axis. P Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI; 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide mandrel can be pivotally moved towards the torsion axis.

3. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide apparatus further comprises a clamping element for operating the moving element, wherein the operation takes place against a preload force of a spring element, and the locking element is configured to hold, in an engaged manner, the inwardly moved position of the guide mandrel against the preload force and to return, in an unengaged manner, to the initial position of the guide mandrel.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element is designed to engage against a ratchet when the guide mandrel is in the inwardly moved position.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the guide apparatus 20 further comprises a locking roller rotatably mounted on a support for operating the operating element, wherein the operation takes place against the preload force of a spring element, and the locking roller is configured to maintain the inwardly moved position 25 of the guide mandrel against the preload force by means of a locking form of the operating element and by means of a locking spring.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking form of the 5 operating element comprises a locking contour against which the locking roller acts.

7. The device according to one of claims 5-6, characterized in that the torsion unit further comprises a clamping unit for bringing the operating element 10 into the inwardly moved position of the guide mandrel.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating element comprises an operating contour, on which the clamping unit 15 acts to bring the operating element to the inwardly moved position of the guide mandrel.

9. The device according to any of claims 5-8, characterized in that it further comprises a release element, in particular a stop, for releasing the locking form of the operating element against a locking force of the locking roller to move the guide mandrel to the initial position.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the release element 25 is configured to be actively extendable, P Ln / Zznz / E / YILI in particular pneumatically extendable, in the release direction.

11. A method for twisting individual cables around a torsion axis to form a cable bundle 5 along an extension axis, a device according to any of the preceding claims being used to carry out the method, characterized in that it comprises: separately clamping the cable ends at one end of the individual cables by means of individual rotating units 10; clamping the cable ends at the other end of the individual cables by means of the torsion unit; moving the guide mandrel away from the torsion axis, and displacing the guide apparatus in the direction of the torsion unit 15; moving the guide mandrel towards the region of the torsion axis to define a boundary between an untwisted region and a twisted region during a twisting process;rotate the torsion unit to carry out a 20 torsion process, and move the guide unit according to a desired time-dependent position from a first intersection point in the twisted wire bundle.

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