Winding of a plastic sheath, method for producing such a winding and production system for implementing the method

Abstract

The invention relates to a winding (1) of a sheath (2) made of plastic material and configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fibre cable, the winding (1) comprising a plurality of turns (8) that are at least partially juxtaposed and / or superposed and a plurality of fusible link zones (9) formed by plastic welding of the sheath (2) between adjacent turns (8), so as to form a ring with contiguous turns (3). The invention also relates to a method and a system for producing a winding of this kind.

Description

[0001] Title: Winding of a plastic sheath, manufacturing process for such winding and manufacturing system for implementing the process

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] The invention relates to a winding of a plastic sheath forming a contiguous coil configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable.

[0004]

[0002] It also relates to a method for manufacturing such a winding.

[0005]

[0003] It also relates to a manufacturing system configured to implement such a manufacturing process for such a winding.

[0006] STATE OF THE ART

[0007]

[0004] Sheaths made of plastic material and configured to accommodate in particular at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable are known.

[0008]

[0005] For example, patent application EP 4 125 101 describes a pre-wired sheath formed of a corrugated plastic sheath surrounding one or more electrical wires.

[0009]

[0006] Such sheaths are wound so as to form a crown provided with turns at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed.

[0010]

[0007] The turns of the crown thus formed are then held together with separate and added connecting elements, such as links and / or plastic films.

[0011]

[0008] To use at least one section of the sheath, it is necessary to render these connecting elements inoperative, for example by detaching or cutting them, so that all the turns of the crown are disjointed.

[0012] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a winding of a sheath, so as to form a contiguous coil of a type similar to that described above, which is particularly simple and convenient in particular to manufacture and use.

[0014]

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a winding of a sheath made of plastic material and configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable, the winding comprising a plurality of turns at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed and a plurality of fusible bond zones formed by plastic welding of the sheath between adjacent turns, with the fusible bond zones formed on each pair of adjacent turns at a determined interval, so as to form a ring of contiguous turns.

[0011] The winding according to the invention makes it possible to form a ring of contiguous turns by the formation, between adjacent turns, of a plurality of fusible bond zones formed by plastic welding of the sheath.

[0015]

[0012] The turns are therefore held together without separate and added connecting elements.

[0016]

[0013] In addition, the fusible bonding zones are sufficiently strong to hold the coil winding while being easy to break to disjoin the turns and thus at least partially unwind the coil winding.

[0017]

[0014] In other words, it is possible to detach certain turns without disjoining the entire crown.

[0018]

[0015] The sheath in the sense of the invention forms a hollow envelope intended to receive at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable.

[0019]

[0016] The sheath is therefore by definition distinct from the cable and cannot be confused with the latter.

[0020]

[0017] Furthermore, the sheath winding here forms a ring of tightly wound turns. Such a ring is said to be self-supporting, meaning that the ring consists only of the sheath wound in the form of tightly wound turns. The ring is therefore devoid of any central support that would allow it to remain intact.

[0021]

[0018] Preferred, simple, convenient and economical features according to the invention are presented below.

[0022]

[0019] At least some of the fusible bonding zones can be directly formed by the plastic material of the sheath on an external face of the sheath of adjacent turns.

[0023]

[0020] At least some of the fusible bonding zones can be formed at least partially by adding plastic material to an external face of the sheath of adjacent turns.

[0024]

[0021] The determined interval defines an angular sector of the winding which can be between approximately 30° and approximately 90°.

[0025]

[0022] The fusible link zones can be point-like or extend over an angular sector section of the winding.

[0026]

[0023] The fusible bonding zones can be formed at regular predetermined intervals along the sheath.

[0027]

[0024] The sheath may have a specific cross-section such that the winding forming the close-wound coil has a width defined by the sum of the cross-sections of the adjacent close-wound coils, an internal diameter where the sheath winding begins, and an external diameter defined by the sum of the cross-sections of the superimposed close-wound coils plus the internal diameter, where the sheath winding ends.

[0025] The winding forming the close-wound coil may have several superimposed layers of adjacent coils, with the superimposed coils forming the layers arranged in a staggered pattern, such that the fusible bond zones between the adjacent coils of a first and second directly adjacent layer are offset from each other across the width of the winding.

[0028]

[0026] The winding may include at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable housed in an internal space of the sheath.

[0029]

[0027] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a method of manufacturing a winding of a sheath made of plastic material and configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable, the method comprising a step of supplying the sheath, a step of forming from the sheath a plurality of turns at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, and a step of forming a plurality of fusible bonding zones by plastic welding of the sheath between adjacent turns, with the fusible bonding zones which are formed on each pair of adjacent turns according to a determined interval, so as to form a ring of contiguous turns.

[0030]

[0028] The step of forming the plurality of turns can be carried out by continuous winding of the sheath, and the step of forming the plurality of fusible bonding zones can be carried out simultaneously with the step of forming the plurality of turns.

[0031]

[0029] The method may include a step of temporarily stopping the continuous winding of the sheath when the fusible bond zones are formed by plastic welding of the sheath.

[0032]

[0030] The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a system for manufacturing a winding of a sheath made of plastic material and configured to accommodate in particular at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable, the system comprising a winding device provided with a rotating movable drum and configured to wind the sheath onto the drum so as to form a plurality of turns at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, and a welding device disposed opposite the drum and configured to form by plastic welding a plurality of fusible bond zones between adjacent turns of the plurality of turns at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, with the fusible bond zones which are formed on each pair of adjacent turns according to a determined interval, so as to form a ring of contiguous turns.

[0033]

[0031] Such a manufacturing system is configured to implement the process as described above.

[0034]

[0032] The welding device may include a heating element configured to form at least some of the fusible bonding zones directly by the plastic material of the sheath on an external face of the sheath of adjacent turns, and / or an extrusion element configured to form at least some of the fusible bonding zones at least partially by adding plastic material to an external face of the sheath of adjacent turns.

[0035]

[0033] The winding device may include a first flange projecting from one side of the drum, and a second flange projecting from a second side of the drum, opposite to the first side, and defining with the first flange a housing around the drum and in which the turns of the sheath are wound, and the welding device may be mounted to move in translation in the housing between the first flange and the second flange and / or in the direction of the drum.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037]

[0034] The invention, according to an example of embodiment, will be well understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, given by way of example and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038]

[0035] Figure 1 schematically represents in perspective a winding of a plastic sheath forming a ring with contiguous turns and configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable.

[0039]

[0036] Figure 2 is a top view of the winding visible in Figure 1.

[0040]

[0037] Figure 3 is a side view of the winding visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0041]

[0038] Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 1, showing fusible link areas of the winding.

[0042]

[0039] Figure 5 is a detail view of a fusible link area visible in Figure 4.

[0043]

[0040] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view labeled VI-VI in Figure 2.

[0044]

[0041] Figure 7 is a detail view of Figure 6.

[0045]

[0042] Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a winding according to an alternative embodiment.

[0046]

[0043] Figure 9 is a detail view of Figure 8, showing a fusible link area.

[0047]

[0044] Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a winding according to another embodiment.

[0048]

[0045] Figure 11 is a detail view of Figure 10, showing a fusible link area.

[0049]

[0046] Figure 12 schematically represents in perspective a winding manufacturing system as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, 8 and 10.

[0050]

[0047] Figure 13 is a front view of the manufacturing system shown in Figure 12.

[0048] Figure 14 is a top view of the manufacturing system shown in Figures 12 and 13.

[0051]

[0049] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view labeled XV-XV in Figure 14.

[0052]

[0050] Figure 16 is a block diagram representing the main steps of a winding manufacturing process as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, 8 and 10, and for example implemented using the system illustrated in Figures 12 to 15.

[0053] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054]

[0051] Figures 1 to 7 illustrate from different angles of view and sometimes in detail a winding 1 of a sheath 2 of plastic material forming a ring of contiguous turns 3, and which is configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable (not shown).

[0055]

[0052] The sheath 2 of the winding 1 forms by definition a hollow envelope distinct from the at least one electrically conductive cable and / or from the at least one optical fiber cable itself.

[0056]

[0053] The sheath 2 of the winding 1 can thus be pre-wired with at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable.

[0057]

[0054] The at least one electrically conductive cable and / or the at least one optical fiber cable may itself be provided with an insulating and / or protective sheath, which may also be called a sheath, but which is totally separate from the sheath 2 of the winding 1.

[0058]

[0055] Where appropriate, at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable and its insulating and / or protective sheath are introduced into the sheath 2 of the winding 1.

[0059]

[0056] Alternatively, the winding sheath can be empty or pre-wired with a pull wire.

[0060]

[0057] The sheath 2 is for example made of at least one material chosen from polypropylene, polyamide, PVC and / or polyethylene, and may have a so-called corrugated profile, i.e. formed of bumps and hollows (represented in figure 4).

[0061]

[0058] The sheath 2 has a determined cross-section 4, for example between approximately 8 mm and approximately 100 mm.

[0062]

[0059] The sheath 2 has an external face 5 and an internal face 6 opposite the external face 5, with the internal face 6 directed towards the inside of the winding 1 and the external face 5 directed towards the outside of the winding 1.

[0063]

[0060] In other words, the sheath 2 is wound on its inner face 6.

[0064]

[0061] The winding 1 forming the contiguous coil 3 has a determined length, for example between approximately 5 m and approximately 1000 m.

[0065]

[0062] The winding 1 here comprises a plurality of turns 8 at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed.

[0063] The expression "juxtaposed turns" refers to turns 8 that are arranged side by side with respect to each other during the winding of the sheath 2, and the expression "superimposed turns" refers to turns 8 that are stacked one on top of the other during the winding of the sheath 2.

[0066]

[0064] The winding 1 further comprises a plurality of fusible bonding zones 9 formed by plastic welding of the sheath 2 between adjacent turns 8.

[0067]

[0065] The expression "adjacent turns" also refers to turns 8 which are arranged side by side, in particular therefore to turns 8 which are juxtaposed.

[0068]

[0066] The winding 1 forming the contiguous coil 3 has a width 15 defined by a sum of the sections 4 of the turns 8 which are contiguous and juxtaposed, an internal diameter 16 where the winding 1 of the sheath 2 begins, and an external diameter 17 itself defined by a sum of the sections 4 of the superimposed contiguous turns 8, plus the internal diameter 16, and where the winding 1 of the sheath 2 ends, thus defining a thickness 18 of the winding 1.

[0069]

[0067] The expression "contiguous juxtaposed turns" refers to juxtaposed and adjacent turns 8 which are joined to each other by fusible bonding zones 9.

[0070]

[0068] In particular, in the illustrated example, the width 15 of the winding 1 corresponds here to the sum of the sections 4 of ten contiguous turns 8 juxtaposed forming a layer 19, while the thickness 18 of the winding 1 also corresponds to the sum of the sections 4 of ten superimposed turns 8, so that the winding 1 is formed of ten layers 19 of ten contiguous turns 8 juxtaposed.

[0071]

[0069] The fusible link zones 9 allow the contiguous turns 8 to be mechanically secured, two by two and forming each time a pair of turns 8.

[0072]

[0070] The fusible bonding zones 9 are here each formed by a point or a weld bead 20.

[0073]

[0071] In the illustrated example, the fusible bonding zones 9 are directly formed by the plastic material of the sheath 2 on its external face 5.

[0074]

[0072] As can be seen in particular in figures 1 and 3, the fusible bonding zones 9 are formed on each pair of adjacent turns 8 according to a determined interval which is regular here and which defines an angular sector of the winding 1 equal to approximately 30°.

[0075]

[0073] In other words, twelve fusible bonding zones 9 are formed between each pair of adjacent turns 8 of the winding 1.

[0076]

[0074] More generally, the angular sector can be, for example, between approximately 30° and approximately 90°.

[0077]

[0075] It will be noted that the fusible bond zones 9 are also formed globally according to the same angular sectors over the width 15 of the winding 1.

[0076] As can be seen in figures 4 and 5, each fusible bond zone 9 is formed of a weld fillet 20 which extends over a section 22 of angular sector of the winding 1 and which has a generally long-sloping shape with a pointed end.

[0078]

[0077] Figures 6 and 7 show the stacking of layers 19 of juxtaposed turns 8, with the turns 8 of a layer 19 arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the turns 8 of the layer 19 immediately above and / or the layer 19 immediately below.

[0079]

[0078] Thus, and as the fusible bond zones 9 are formed at the interface between two juxtaposed and adjacent turns 8, the weld threads 20 are not aligned but are rather offset between two adjacent layers 19.

[0080]

[0079] Thus, the fusible bonding zones 9 formed between the adjacent juxtaposed turns 8 of a first layer 19 and a second layer 19 directly adjacent are offset from each other in the width 15 of the winding 1.

[0081]

[0080] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a variant embodiment of the winding 1, where the bonding zones 9 are formed between pairs of turns 8 juxtaposed and adjacent at a regular interval roughly equal to about 60°, and where the bonding zones 9 are formed rather by weld points 25, shorter than the weld threads 20.

[0082]

[0081] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the winding 1, where the bonding zones 9 are formed between pairs of turns 8 juxtaposed and adjacent at a regular interval roughly equal to about 90°, and where the bonding zones 9 are formed by weld threads 30 obtained by adding plastic material to the outer face 5 of the sheath 2.

[0083]

[0082] In the winding 1 described above with reference to figures 1 to 11, it is therefore only the fusible bonding zones 9, formed by the weld threads 20 or 30 and / or the weld points 25, which allow the contiguous and adjacent turns 8 to be joined, in pairs, and thus form the contiguous turn ring 3.

[0084]

[0083] The turns 8 are therefore held together without separate and added connecting elements.

[0085]

[0084] Furthermore, even if the fusible link zones 9 are sufficiently resistant to hold the winding 1 in a crown, they are just as easy to break to very simply disjoin a determined section of a turn 8 from the rest of the winding 1 and thus at least partially unwind this winding 1.

[0086]

[0085] In other words, it is possible to detach certain turns 8 without disjoining the entire contiguous coil 3.

[0087]

[0086] The winding 1 of the sheath 2 here forms a coil with closely spaced turns. Such a coil is said to be self-supporting, that is to say, the coil consists only of the sheath wound in the form of closely spaced turns, possibly with at least one cable inside the sheath.

[0087] The coil lacks any central support that would allow it to remain intact.

[0088]

[0088] We will now describe, with reference to Figures 12 to 15, a manufacturing system 50 of a winding 1 as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7, but which is of course configured to also form the windings 1 described with reference to Figures 8 to 11.

[0089]

[0089] In particular, the manufacturing system 50 includes a winding device 51 provided with a drum 52 that is movable and rotates by means of an actuator 53 mechanically attached to a support (shown very schematically in Figure 14) of the manufacturing system 50.

[0090]

[0090] The manufacturing system 50 further comprises a first flange 54 projecting from a first side 55 of the drum 52, and a second flange 56 projecting from a second side 57 of the drum 52, opposite the first side 55.

[0091]

[0091] The second flange 56 defines with the first flange 54 a housing 58 around the drum 52.

[0092]

[0092] The winding device 51 is configured to wind the sheath 2 onto the drum 52 so as to form the layers 19 of juxtaposed turns 8, in the housing 58.

[0093]

[0093] The manufacturing system 50 further includes a welding device 60 mounted on a movable arm (not shown) which is mechanically attached to the support of the manufacturing system 50.

[0094]

[0094] The welding device 60 is arranged opposite the drum 52 of the winding device 51 and is movable in translation in the housing 58 between the first flange 54 and the second flange 56 and in the direction of the drum 52.

[0095]

[0095] The welding device 60 is configured to form by plastic welding the fusible bonding zones 9 between the juxtaposed and adjacent turns 8, as the sheath 2 is wound and thus the layers 19 of turns 8 are formed, until the contiguous turn crown 3 is formed.

[0096]

[0096] The welding device 60 comprises either a heating element (not shown) configured to form the fusible bonding zones 9 directly by the plastic material of the sheath 2 on the external face 5 of the latter, or an extrusion element (not shown) configured to form the fusible bonding zones 9 at least partially by adding plastic material to the external face 5 of the sheath 2, or both types of heating and extrusion elements.

[0097]

[0097] Figure 16 schematically represents the main steps of a manufacturing process for the winding 1 as described with reference to Figures 1 to 11 and using the manufacturing system 50 illustrated in Figures 12 to 15.

[0098] The manufacturing process includes a step 101 of supplying the sheath 2, a step 102 of forming from the sheath 2 the plurality of turns 8 at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, and a step 103 of forming the plurality of fusible bonding zones 9 by plastic welding of the sheath 2 between adjacent turns 8 so as to form the contiguous turn crown 3.

[0098]

[0099] In particular, step 102 of forming the plurality of turns 8 is carried out here by continuous winding of the sheath 2, and step 103 of forming the plurality of fusible bonding zones 9 is carried out here simultaneously with step 102 of forming the plurality of turns 8.

[0099]

[0100] The manufacturing process may further include a step 104 of temporarily stopping the continuous winding of the sheath 2 when the fusible bonding zones 9 are formed by plastic welding of the sheath 2.

[0100]

[0101] Variants not shown are described below.

[0101]

[0102] The winding can have a width with a number of juxtaposed turns other than ten and the number of layers forming the thickness of the winding can also vary, depending on the section of the sheath, the width of the winding and the thickness of the winding.

[0102]

[0103] The fusible link zones may be formed at irregular rather than regular intervals and / or not on the same angular sectors across the winding width.

[0103]

[0104] The layers may not be arranged in a staggered pattern, but may be strictly superimposed without offset.

[0104]

[0105] The layers forming the crown can have the same number of turns, with at least two successive layers that can be offset by half a sheath section, so that the width of the crown is increased accordingly.

[0105]

[0106] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims

1. Demands 1. Winding (1) of a sheath (2) made of plastic material and configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable, the winding (1) comprising a plurality of turns (8) at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed and a plurality of fusible bonding zones (9) formed by plastic welding of the sheath (2) between adjacent turns (8), with the fusible bonding zones (9) being formed on each pair of adjacent turns (8) at a determined interval, so as to form a contiguous coil (3).

2. Winding according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the fusible bonding zones (9) are directly formed by the plastic material of the sheath (2) on an external face (5) of the sheath (2) of adjacent turns (8), and / or at least some of the fusible bonding zones (9) are formed at least partially by adding plastic material to an external face (5) of the sheath (2) of adjacent turns (8).

3. Winding according to claim 2, wherein the determined interval defines an angular sector of the winding (1) between approximately 30° and approximately 90°.

4. Winding according to claim 3, wherein the fusible link zones (9) are point-like or extend over a segment (22) of angular sector of the winding (1).

5. Winding according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fusible bonding zones (9) are formed at regular determined intervals along the sheath (2).

6. Winding according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheath (2) has a determined cross-section (4) such that the winding (1) forming the contiguous coil (3) has a width (15) defined by a sum of the cross-sections (4) of the juxtaposed contiguous coils (8), an internal diameter (16) where the winding (1) of the sheath (2) begins, and an external diameter (17) defined by a sum of the cross-sections (4) of the superimposed contiguous coils (8), plus the internal diameter (16), and where the winding (1) of the sheath (2) ends.

7. Winding according to claim 6, having several superimposed layers (19) of juxtaposed turns (8), with the superimposed turns (8) forming the layers (19) which are arranged in a staggered pattern, so that the fusible bonding zones (9) between the juxtaposed adjacent turns (8) of a first layer (19) and a second layer (19) directly adjacent are offset from one another in the width (15) of the winding (1).

8. Winding according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable housed in an internal space of the sheath (2).

9. Method for manufacturing a winding (1) of a sheath (2) made of plastic material and configured to accommodate at least one electrically conductive cable and / or to less a fiber optic cable, the method comprising a step (101) of providing the sheath (2), a step (102) of forming from the sheath (2) a plurality of turns (8) at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, and a step (103) of forming a plurality of fusible bond zones (9) by plastic welding of the sheath (2) between adjacent turns (8), with the fusible bond zones (9) being formed on each pair of turns (8) adjacent at a determined interval, so as to form a ring of contiguous turns (3).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the step (102) of forming the plurality of turns (8) is carried out by continuous winding of the sheath (2), and the step (103) of forming the plurality of fusible bonding zones (9) is carried out simultaneously with the step (102) of forming the plurality of turns (8).

11. A method according to any one of claims 9 and 10, comprising a step (104) of temporarily stopping the continuous winding of the sheath (2) when the fusible bonding zones (9) are formed by plastic welding of the sheath (2).

12. A manufacturing system (50) for winding (1) a sheath (2) made of plastic material and configured to accommodate, in particular, at least one electrically conductive cable and / or at least one optical fiber cable, the system (50) comprising a winding device (51) having a rotatable drum (52) configured to wind the sheath (2) onto the drum (52) so as to form a plurality of turns (8) at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, and a welding device (60) disposed opposite the drum (52) and configured to form, by plastic welding, a plurality of fusible bond zones (9) between adjacent turns (8) of the plurality of turns (8) at least partially juxtaposed and / or superimposed, with fusible bonding zones (9) which are formed on each pair of adjacent turns (8) according to a determined interval, so as to form a ring of contiguous turns (3).

13. System according to claim 12, wherein the welding device (60) comprises a heating element configured to form at least some of the fusible bonding zones (9) directly by the plastic material of the sheath (2) on an external face (5) of the sheath (2) of adjacent turns (8), and / or an extrusion element configured to form at least some of the fusible bonding zones (9) at least partially by adding plastic material to an external face (5) of the sheath (2) of adjacent turns (8).

14. System according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein the winding device (51) includes a first flange (54) projecting from a first side (55) of the drum (52), and a second flange (56) projecting from a second side (57) of the drum (52), opposite the first side (55), and defining with the first flange (54) a housing (58) around the drum (52) and in which the turns (8) of the sheath (2) are wound, with the welding device (60) which is mounted movably in translation in the housing (58) between the first flange (54) and the second flange (56) and / or in the direction of the drum (52).

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