Winding device for electrical cables and / or fluid tubes for a machine tool, for example a horizontal milling machine with polar axes

The helical winding device extends cable/tube rotations to ±540° with reduced mechanical stress, addressing limitations of prior art by using a helical surface and movement device for efficient winding and unwinding.

WO2026083217A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-23INNSE BERARDI SPA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
INNSE BERARDI SPA
Filing Date
2025-10-10
Publication Date
2026-04-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing winding devices for flexible cables and tubes in machine tools with polar axes are limited to rotations of ±270°, leading to interference and collisions, and require complex, bulky, or expensive solutions for greater rotations, unsuitable for high-speed operations.

Method used

A winding device with a helical winding surface allows flexible casings to extend beyond ±270° by using a helical development of radial or axial pitch, incorporating a movement device for radial and tangential displacement, and selective containment to manage cable/tube winding and unwinding efficiently.

Benefits of technology

Enables flexible cable/tube rotations up to ±540° with minimal mechanical stress, suitable for high-speed operations, overcoming interference and complexity issues of prior art solutions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A winding device (1000) for electrical cables and / or fluid tubes (46) for a milling head (2) of a horizontal milling machine with polar axes comprises a winding box (43), a winding surface (36; 37) with helical or spiral development, a winding volume (41), at least one tubular flexible casing (40) within which said electrical cables and / or fluid tubes are contained, and a movement device. The movement device comprises a shaft (45), a main arm (151), a dragger (153), and electrical radial actuation means on board the main arm (151) configured to act on the dragger (153) to move it radially. The flexible casing (40) extends between a fixed point (F) and said dragger (153) and, in an initial limit configuration, is wound and at least partially folded against or on the winding surface (36; 37), and in a final limit configuration, the flexible casing (40) is at least partially unwound with respect to the initial limit configuration.
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Description

"Winding device for electrical cables and / or fluid tubes for a machine tool , for example a horizontal milling machine with polar axes" DESCRIPTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of machine tools ; in particular, the subj ect of the present invention is a winding device for cables and / or tubes for machine tools . More particularly, the subj ect of the present invention is a numerically controlled milling machine with at least one polar axis at high rotational speed, provided with the winding device .Background of the invention

[0002] Figures from la to 14 are representative of the prior art .

[0003] Figures la and lb show a hori zontal milling machine 1 according to the known art , provided with a milling head 2 with two polar axes , which rotatably supports a spindle 3 . The column 4 slides hori zontally on the bed 5 by means of guides 6 . The carriage 7 slides vertically on the column 4 by means of guides 8 . Inside the carriage 7 , the ram 9 slides hori zontally by means of ram guides (not shown) . The head 2 is rotatably supported at the front end of the ram 9 . The linear axes are denoted XYZ . The polar axes are two in this example and are denoted A, relating to the rotation of the spindlewith respect to the head 2, and C, relating to the rotation of the head 2 with respect to the ram 9.

[0004] For the proper execution of functions, it is necessary for the head to be supplied with electrical cables, for example for electric power supply or the transmission of electrical signals, and / or fluid tubes, for example for the supply of compressed air or other working fluids.

[0005] Generally (figure 2) , the cables and tubes 10 form a bundle gathered in a casing 11, for example a sheath or an assembly of interconnected box-like elements, with circular or square or rectangular section, forming a flexible multiple cable 12.

[0006] The rotation around axis A usually and in most cases occurs as shown in fig. 3, along an angle of ± 90° (± 1 / 4 turn) , that is, a total of 180° (1 / 2 turn) .

[0007] One of the most commonly used solutions in this case in the known art is the winding of the flexible multiple cable 12 as shown in fig. 4. The connection is established through a winding between the primary body 13, supported by the ram 9, and the rotating body 14, supported by the primary body 13, which in turn supports the spindle 3. The flexible multiple cable 12 starts from the fixed point F on the primary body 13 and reaches the rotating point M on the rotating body 14.

[0008] The rotation around axis C normally requires a rotation angle of ±180° (±0.5 turns) , that is, a total of 360°(1 turn) , as shown in fig. 5. Such angle is, however, sufficient only for particular milling heads with indexed positioning (generally from 360 to 360,000 positions) .

[0009] In the case of milling heads with polar axes that perform continuous machining, it is necessary to reach at least a rotation angle of ±360° (±1 turn) , that is, a total of 720° (2 turns) , as shown in fig. 6.

[0010] However, the currently known solutions, which will be discussed later, allow at most to reach rotation angles of ±270° (± 0.75 turns) , that is, a total of 540° (1.5 turns) .

[0011] For angles greater than ±360° (± 1 turn) , that is, a total of 720° (2 turns) , currently very complicated and bulky technologies are used (see for example figure 7a) or very expensive ones such as, for example, so-called endless brushtype rotary joints which allow even an infinite number of rotations (see for example figure 7b) , derived from military applications .

[0012] For the rotation around axis C for an angle up to ± 270° (± 0.75 turn) , that is, a total of 540° (1.5 turns) , a flexible multiple cable with circular section is currently used (figure 8a) or a cable carrier chain with square or rectangular section (figure 8b) . The cable and the chain are capable of bending and winding in any direction.

[0013] These solutions are inspired by traditional cable carrier chains for linear translation as in figures 9a to 9c.In this regard, figures 9b and 9c show that when the mobile point M translates by a stroke S, the point C at the apex of the curved section translates by S / 2.

[0014] For rotations up to ± 270°, a first known solution is illustrated in figures 10a to lid and a second known solution is illustrated in figures 12a to 12d.

[0015] In particular, figures 10b and 10c show that, for the solution of figure 10a, when the mobile point M rotates by an angular stroke a, the point C translates by an angular stroke a / 2.

[0016] Figure Ila illustrates the winding device of figure 10a. In this device, the flexible cable 12 is wound in the track 17 created with the cylindrical box 18. The flexible cable 12 is fixed at the fixed-point F. The mobile point M rotates on the circumference 21. The fixed-point F consists of a fixed container 22 suitable for conveying the incoming or outgoing cables. The point M consists of a mobile container 23 for conveying the outgoing or incoming cables. The mobile container 23 is also provided with a guide system for rotation.

[0017] Figure 11b illustrates the sequence of movement of the mobile point M along the circumference 21 in the case of an angular stroke of ± 180°, for the device of figure Ila. The length of the flexible cable 12 is 1 = nd / 2, where d is the diameter of the circumference 21.

[0018] Figure 11c illustrates instead the sequence ofmovement of the mobile point M along the circumference 21 in the case of an angular stroke of ± 270°, for the device of figure Ila. The length of the cable 12 is 1 = 3nd / 8, d being the diameter of the circumference 21.

[0019] In the known art, the rotation of ± 270° is considered a limit, since beyond such rotation, interference and collisions between mechanical elements such as carriages, boxes, connectors, and cables are inevitable. An example is illustrated in figure lid, in which the rotation angle is, for example, close to 330°.

[0020] A further known embodiment is illustrated in figure 12a, in which the flexible cable 24 is wound in the track 25 inside the cylindrical box 26. The flexible cable 24 is fixed at the fixed-point F; the mobile point M rotates along the circumference 21. The rectangle 31 is the planar development of the cylindrical surface of the box. The fixed-point F consists of a container 29 for conveying the incoming or outgoing cables. The point M consists of a container 30 for conveying the outgoing or incoming cables. The container 30 is also provided with a suitable system of circular guides (not shown) for rotation. Figure 12b is a three-dimensional representation of the flexible cable 24 in the track 25.

[0021] Figure 12c illustrates the sequence of movement of the mobile point M for a rotation of ± 270°, in the device of figure 12a.

[0022] Also in this embodiment, the ± 270° rotation is considered a limit since beyond such angle, interference and collisions between mechanical elements such as carriages, boxes, connectors, and cables are inevitable. An example is illustrated in figure 12d, in which the rotation angle is close to 330°.

[0023] Some solutions are also implemented to overcome the rotation limit of 270° or 330°; however, such solutions provide for mechanical masses set into rotation, subjected to sudden and noisy accelerations. For example, figure 13 depicts a multi-stage winding device (three stages) , consisting of three boxes in series. Each box is equipped with a winding system similar to those described above, capable of performing an angle of 270°. The box 32 is fixed and with it the first 270° are performed (first stage) . At the end of the first rotation, a mechanical pin simultaneously sets boxes 33 and 34 into rotation. Inside box 33, the second rotation of another 270° takes place (second stage) . At the end of the second rotation, a second mechanical pin sets the third box 34 into rotation, within which the third and final rotation of another 270° takes place (third stage) .

[0024] The described three-stage device is therefore capable of performing ± 270° x 3 = ± 810°.

[0025] However, in the transition from one stage to another, one or two boxes, each with a high moment of inertia aresuddenly accelerated. The described system is therefore not suitable for operating at high-speed (up to 150 rpm) and is usable for slow rotations normally not exceeding 5 rpm.

[0026] In any case, the winding devices of the known art provide that the winding of the flexible cable is on or between cylindrical surfaces 35 (fig. 14) .

[0027] Some example embodiments of winding devices are illustrated in documents US2017 / 222419, US2022 / 047234, DEI 02012110967 , EP3529515, and DE202022103263.Purpose of the invention

[0028] The purpose of the present invention is to implement a winding device for flexible cables or tubes that meets the needs of the field, particularly with regard to the extension of the possible rotation of the mobile point, and overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0029] This purpose is achieved by a winding device according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe further advantageous embodiments of the invention.Brief description of the figures

[0030] Figures from la to 14 are representative of winding devices of the prior art and their operation.

[0031] The features and advantages of the winding device according to the present invention will be apparent from the description reported below, given by way of example and not limitation, in accordance with figures 15a to 20b, in which- Figures 15a to 15q relate to a f irst embodiment of a winding device according to the present invention;- Figure 16a relates to a further embodiment of the present invention;- Figures 17 and 18 schematically illustrate the operating principle of the winding device according to the present invention;- Figures 19a to 19d relate to a still further embodiment of the winding device according to the present invention; and- Figures 20a and 20b relate to a still further embodiment of the winding device according to the present invention .Descripti on of the inventi on

[0032] According to the invention, the winding device provides a winding surface with helical development of radial pitch or axial pitch, against which a wound and folded flexible casing is laid .

[0033] According to a first embodiment of the winding device , figure 15a depicts a winding surface 36 with helical development of radial pitch, which extends around a central axis Z , in a three-dimensional view and a frontal planar view .

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the winding device , figure 16a depicts a winding surface 37 with a helical development of axial pitch, which extends around and along a central axis Z , in a three-dimensional view .

[0035] Figures 17 and 18 illustrate the sequence of movementof the mobile point M for a rotation of ±540 ° , in the winding devices according to the invention shown in figures 15a and 16a .

[0036] In accordance with figures 15b and 15c, a milling head 2 of a machine tool 1 is fixed at a distal end 9a of a ram 9 . A winding device 100 is inserted on the ram 9 , at a proximal end 9b, towards the column o f the machine tool .

[0037] The winding device 100 comprises a winding box 43 and a winding surface 36 with a helical development of radial pitch ( figure 15a ) , housed in the winding box 43 and such as to delimit , between its own turns and / or with the winding box 43 , a winding volume 41 . A tubular flexible casing 40 of predefined length, for example with square or rectangular or circular or elliptical section, within which electrical cables and / or fluid tubes for the components of the head are housed, is accommodated in the winding volume 41 . The flexible casing 40 extends from a fixed-point F, to which terminal ends of fixed electrical cables or fluid tubes arrive , to be connected to corresponding initial ends of electrical cables and / or fluid tubes of the flexible casing 40 .

[0038] The winding device 100 further comprises a movement device suitable for placing in rotation the mobile point M of the flexible casing 40 on a predefined reference plane P, orthogonal to the axis C of the head, imposing on said mobile point M a radial and tangential movement , following a windingpath corresponding to the orthogonal proj ection of the winding surface 36 onto the reference plane P .

[0039] For example , said movement device comprises a shaft 45 , for example arranged inside the ram 9 , operatively connected, at a distal end, to the axis C of the milling head 2 , integral ly, so that the rotation of the head 2 around the axis C corresponds to a rotation of the shaft 45 .

[0040] Electrical cables and / or fluid tubes 46 intended to supply the head 2 are fixed to the shaft 45 , for example coaxially thereto . At a distal end 46a, terminal ends of said cables and / or tubes 46 are operatively connected to components of the head requiring electrical or fluidic supply; at the other end or proximal end 46b, initial ends are instead operatively connected to corresponding terminal ends of the cables and / or tubes of the flexible casing 40 placed at the mobile point M .

[0041] For this purpose , preferably, the cables and / or tubes 46 are conveyed inside an auxiliary flexible casing 46c, of overabundant length to absorb the radial and tangential movement of the mobile point M o f the flexible casing 40 .

[0042] Preferably, furthermore , the movement device comprises :- a protection box 48 , axially flanked to the winding box 43 , into which a proximal end of the shaft 45 or an extension thereof enters ;a main arm 53a radially extending, arranged inside the protection box 48 and integral with the proximal end of the shaft 45 or said extension, provided with radial guides 55 ;- a carriage 54 , arranged inside the protection box 48 and slidingly engaged with the main arm 53a through rollers 54a engageable with the radial guides 55 via sliders 54b of the carriage 54 ;- a fixed guide 60 , typically of helical development , arranged inside the protection box 48 , for example fixed at the reference plane P to the winding box 43 , and configured to follow the development of the winding path; the guide 60 is slidingly engaged with the carriage 54 through the rollers 54a .

[0043] A proximal end 46 ' ' of the auxiliary casing 46c is fixed to the carriage 54 , so as to be dragged in rotation and follow it in the radial and tangential displacement .

[0044] The winding device 100 further comprises a distribution box 52 , arranged in the winding volume 41 , against the winding surface 36 . The mobi le point M of the flexible casing 40 is engaged with the distribution box 52 . The distribution box 52 is provided with a terminal board 52a, to which the proximal end 46b of the cables and / or tubes 46 that come out of the proximal end 46 ' ' of the auxiliary casing 46c and the corresponding cables and / or tubes of the flexible casing 40 are fixed .

[0045] The carriage 54 is integral with the distribution box 52 through a secondary arm 53b, so that the distribution box 52 is dragged in rotation by the carriage 54 , moving guided along the winding surface 36 .

[0046] The winding device 100 further comprises selective containment means suitable for preventing the flexible casing 40 from exiting the winding volume 41 and at the same time to allow access to the mobile point M of the flexible casing 40 along the entire winding path .

[0047] For example , said selective containment means comprise a wall 56 applied to the winding box 43 , so as to axially delimit the winding volume 41 and prevent the flexible casing 40 from coming out ; said selective containment means further comprise a slot 57 formed through the wall 56 , following the development of the winding path, so that the distribution box 52 , which carries on board the mobile point M of the flexible casing, is accessible from the outside of the winding box 43 along the entire winding path without interruption .

[0048] During operation of the winding device , the rotation of the head 2 around axis C corresponds to a rotation of the shaft 45 , which is associated with a rotary movement of the main arm 53a and a movement simultaneously rotary and radial of the carriage 54 .

[0049] The carriage 54 , guided by the guide 60 and by theradial guides 55, performs a radial and tangential displacement on the reference plane P, along the winding path, and drags the distribution box 52 in rotation, which carries with it the mobile point M of the flexible casing 40.

[0050] As shown sequentially in figures 17.1 to 17.7, starting from a lower angular limit position, for example - 540°, towards an upper angular limit position, for example +540°, the flexible casing 40 is pushed into the winding volume 41, guided along the helical winding surface 36 of radial pitch; since the flexible casing 40 has a length in excess of the length of the helical winding surface, the flexible casing is pushed to wind and fold upon itself, assuming a serpentine or undulating path resting on the winding surface, so as to present at least one portion folded upon itself lying on or against the winding surface.

[0051] Therefore, in an initial limit configuration (+540°, that is, upper or initial angular limit position) , the mobile point M is in the initial angular limit position, the flexible casing 40 is wound and at least partially folded upon itself against or on the winding surface.

[0052] When the head reverses the direction of rotation around axis C, the carriage 54, still guided by the guide 60 and the radial guides 55, again performs a radial and tangential displacement on the reference plane P along the winding path and drags in rotation the distribution box 52,which carries with it the mobile point M of the flexible casing40. In this case, the flexible casing 40 is pulled and tends to unwind, possibly remaining partially folded upon itself; the mobile point M moves from an upper angular limit position, for example +540°, to a lower angular limit position, for example -540° (figures in sequence from 17.7 to 17.1) .

[0053] Therefore, in a final limit configuration (-540°, that is, lower or final angular limit position) , in which the mobile point M is in the final angular limit position, the flexible casing 40 is at least partially unwound compared to the initial limit configuration.

[0054] The flexible casing has a length in excess of the length of the winding surface between the fixed point F and the mobile point M in the initial limit configuration, in order to allow the folding upon itself.

[0055] According to a further embodiment (figures 19a to 19d) , the winding device comprises two flexible casings 40' , 40' ’ . Advantageously, this embodiment makes it possible to double the number of cables and / or tubes that can be wound.

[0056] The two flexible casings 40' , 40' ’ are coupled in parallel. The fixed-point F is the same for both flexible casings 40' , 40' ’ . The mobile point M is the same for both flexible casings 40' , 40' ’ . The two flexible casings are arranged in the winding volume 41 in such a way that the first flexible casing 40' is completely wound and folded upon itself,and the second flexible casing 40' ' is completely unwound (and possibly still partially folded) .

[0057] In particular, with the first flexible casing 40' placed with folded sections in the winding volume 41, the second flexible casing 40' ' occupies, against or on the winding surface 36, the region left free by the first flexible casing 40' , without any interference between the two casings.

[0058] Consequently, during a first phase, for example from a lower angular limit position (e.g. -540°) to an upper angular limit position (e.g. +540°) , the first flexible casing 40' is pulled and thus progressively unwound, while the second casing 40' ' is pushed and thus progressively wound and folded upon itself; conversely, during a second phase, for example from an upper angular limit position (e.g. +540°) to a lower angular limit position (e.g. -540°) , the first casing 40' is pushed and thus progressively wound and folded upon itself, while the second casing 40' ' is pulled and thus progressively unwound.

[0059] According to a still further embodiment (figures 20a and 20b) , a winding device 1000 comprises a winding box 43 and a winding surface 36 with a helical development of radial pitch (figure 15a) , housed in the winding box 43 and such as to delimit, between its own turns and / or with the winding box 43, a winding volume 41.

[0060] A flexible casing 40 of predefined length, for example with square, rectangular, circular, or ellipticalsection, within which electrical cables and / or fluid tubes for the components of the head are housed, is contained in the winding volume 41 . The flexible casing 40 extends from a fixed- point F, accessible from a wall of the winding box 43 , to which terminal ends of fixed electrical cables or fluid tubes arrive , to be connected to corresponding initial ends of electrical cables and / or fluid tubes of the flexible casing 40 .

[0061] The winding device 1000 further comprises a movement device suitable for actuating in rotation the mobile point M of the flexible casing 40 on a predefined reference plane P, orthogonal to the axis C of the head, imposing on said mobile point M a radial and tangential displacement , following a winding path that follows the orthogonal proj ection of the winding surface 36 onto the reference plane P .

[0062] For example , said movement device comprises a shaft 45 , for example arranged inside the ram 9 , operatively connected, at a distal end, to the axis C of the milling head 2 , integral ly, so that the rotation of the head 2 around the axis C corresponds to a rotation of the shaft 45 .

[0063] Electrical cables and / or fluid tubes 46 intended to supply the head 2 are fixed to the shaft 45 , for example coaxially thereto . At a distal end 46a, terminal ends of said cables and / or tubes 46 are operatively connected to components of the head requiring electrical or fluidic supply; at the other end or proximal end 46b, initial ends are insteadoperatively connected to corresponding terminal ends of the cables and / or tubes of the flexible casing 40 located at the mobile point M.

[0064] For this purpose, preferably, the cables and / or tubes 46 are conveyed, exiting from respective connection boxes 147' , 147' ' , into one or two auxiliary flexible casings 149' , 149' ’ of overabundant length to absorb the radial and tangential displacement of the mobile point M of the flexible casing 40.

[0065] The movement device further comprises a main arm 151 that extends radially, integrally rotatable with the shaft 45, at the proximal end, or an extension thereof, facing the winding surface 36.

[0066] The movement device further comprises a dragger 153, which realizes the mobile point M and is therefore configured to move along the winding path on the reference plane P. The initial ends of the cables and / or tubes 46 exiting the auxiliary casings 149' , 149' ’ and the terminal ends of the cables and / or tubes of the flexible casing 40 converge at the dragger 153, and are respectively connected to one another.

[0067] The movement device further comprises electrical radial actuation means configured to act on the dragger 153 to move it radially, by a pushing or pulling action. For example, said radial actuation means comprise an actuator 155, such as an electric motor or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0068] The radial actuation means are arranged on board the main arm 151 ; for example , the actuator 155 is fixed to the main arm 151 . Furthermore , the actuator 155 is operatively connected to the dragger 153 so that the latter is moved radially .

[0069] The winding device 1000 further comprises selective containment means adapted to prevent the flexible casing 40 from exiting the winding volume 41 and at the same time to allow the radial actuation means access to the dragger 153 along the entire winding path .

[0070] For example , said selective containment means comprise a wall 56 applied to the winding box 43 , so as to axially delimit the winding volume 41 and prevent the flexible casing 40 from coming out ; said selective containment means further comprise a slot 57 formed through the wall 56 , following the development of the winding path, so that the dragger 153 is accessible from the inside to the outside of the winding box 43 or from the outside to the inside of the winding box 43 , along the entire winding path without interruption .

[0071] During the operation of the winding device , the rotation of the head 2 around the axis C corresponds to a rotation of the shaft 45 , which is associated with a rotary movement of the main arm 151 and a simultaneously rotary and radial movement of the dragger 153 : the rotary movement is dueto the fact that the dragger 153 is integrally rotatable with the main arm 151 through the radial actuation means , for example through the actuator 155 , while the radial movement is imposed on the dragger 153 by the radial actuation means .

[0072] A terminal section of the flexible cas ing 40 is fixed to the dragger 153 or the terminal ends of the cables and / or tubes of the flexible casing 40 are fixed to the dragger ; furthermore , the flexible casing 40 has a length in excess of the length of the helical winding surface between the fixed- point F and the mobile point M in the initial limit configuration .

[0073] When the head rotates in the winding direction o f the helical surface , and therefore the main arm 151 rotates in the same direction, the radial actuation means impose on the dragger a radial displacement outward, that is , from the centre towards the periphery of the hel ical surface . Consequently, the flexible casing 40 is pulled and tends to unwind, possibly remaining partially folded on or against the helical surface .

[0074] When the head rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the hel ical surface , and therefore the main arm 151 rotates in the same direction, the radial actuation means impose on the dragger a radial displacement inward, that is , from the periphery of the helical surface towards the centre . Consequently, the flexible casing is pushed to wind and fold upon itsel f , so as to present at least onefolded section lying on or against the winding surface .

[0075] The Applicant has found that this embodiment is particularly ef fective for managing the winding and unwinding of the flexible casing in the case of high angular accelerations and decelerations , typical , for example , of milling heads with polar axes for machining light alloys .

[0076] Innovatively, the winding device according to the present invention meets the needs of the sector, as it allows rotations of the mobile point of a flexible multiple casing with an extension greater than ±270 ° , and at the same time makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art , since the masses in motion during rotation are very limited .

[0077] It is clear that a person ski lled in the art , in order to meet contingent needs , could make modi fications to the winding device described above , all within the scope of protection defined by the following claims .

[0078] In particular, it should be noted that in the context of the present description and the related claims , the expression "helical surface of radial pitch" is used to define a surface that winds a predefined number of times around a fixed axis , moving progressively away from or approaching it , in a constant or variable manner . Consequently, based on this definition, the proj ection of a helical surface of radial pitch onto a plane orthogonal to the axis may be a helix with constantor variable pitch or a spiral with constant or variable pitch .

[0079] Similarly, the expression "helical surface of axial pitch" refers to a helical surface which, in addition to winding a predefined number of times around a fixed axis , moving progressively away from or approaching it , in a constant or variable manner, also advances along the fixed axis , in a constant or variable manner . Also in this case , the proj ection of a helical surface of axial pitch onto a plane orthogonal to the axis may be a helix with constant or variable pitch or a spiral with constant or variable pitch .

[0080] The expression "winding surface with helical development" therefore indicates a surface consisting in itsel f of flat and / or curved portions , j oined to each other in succession and preferably connected by transitions , which extends along an ideal helical surface of radial or axial pitch, so as to approximate it , possibly coinciding with it .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Winding device (100;1000) for electrical cables and / or fluid tubes (46) for a milling head (2) of a machine tool (1) , for example a horizontal milling machine, comprising:- a winding box (43) ; a winding surface (36; 37) with helical or spiral development around a central axis (Z) , housed in the winding box (43) , wherein said winding surface delimits, between its own turns and / or with the winding box (43) , a winding volume (41) ;- at least one tubular flexible casing (40) , within which said electrical cables and / or fluid tubes are housed, at least partially contained in the containment volume (41) , wherein said flexible casing (40) extends between a fixed point (F) for connection to terminal ends of fixed electrical cables or fluid tubes, and a mobile point (M) for connection to initial ends of electrical cables and / or fluid tubes coming from the milling head (2) ; wherein, in an initial limit configuration, in which the mobile point (M) is in an initial angular limit position, the flexible casing (40) , having a length in excess of the length of the winding surface between the fixed point (F) and the mobile point (M) in said initial limit configuration, is wound and at least partially folded upon itself against or on the winding surface (36;37) , andin a final limit configuration, in which the mobile point(M) is in a final angular limit position, the flexible casing (40) is at least partially unwound with respect to the initial limit configuration.

2. Winding device according to claim 1, wherein in the initial limit configuration, the flexible casing is at least partially folded upon itself in a serpentine or undulated pattern .

3. Winding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the winding device (100) comprises a movement device suitable for supporting in rotation the mobile point (M) of the flexible cable (40) on a predefined reference plane (P) , orthogonal to a rotation axis (C) for the milling head (2) , wherein said mobile point (M) performs a radial and tangential displacement, along a winding path corresponding to the orthogonal projection of the winding surface (36; 37) onto the reference plane (P) .

4. Winding device according to claim 3, wherein the movement device comprises: a) a shaft (45) having a shaft axis and operatively connectable at a distal end to an axis (C) of the milling head (2) , integrally rotatable; b) a main arm (151) having a radial extension, integrally rotatable with the shaft (45) ; c) a dragger (153) configured to move along a winding path (P) that follows the projection of the winding surface(36) onto a reference plane (P) orthogonal to the shaft axis, to which initial ends of the cables and / or tubes (46) and terminal ends of the cables and / or tubes of the flexible casing (40) converge.

5. Winding device according to claim 4, wherein the movement device further comprises: d) electrical radial actuation means on board the main arm (151) configured to act on the dragger (153) to move it radially .

6. Winding device according to claim 5, wherein the radial actuation means comprise a linear actuator (155) , such as an electric motor or a pneumatic cylinder.

7. Winding device according to claim 5 or 6, comprising selective containment means configured to prevent the flexible casing (40) from exiting the winding volume (41) and at the same time to allow the radial actuation means access to the dragger (153) along the entire winding path without interruption .

8. Winding device according to claim 7, wherein the selective containment means comprise a wall (56) axially delimiting the winding volume (41) and a slot (57) formed through the wall (56) , which follows the development of the winding path.

9. Winding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one flexible casing (40) comprises a single flexible casing (40) .

10. Winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said at least one flexible casing (40) comprises two flexible casings (iO' / iO' ' ) , joined at a single fixed point (F) and a single mobile point (M) .

11. Winding device according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 4, wherein- in an initial limit configuration, the dragger (153) is in an initial angular limit position, the first flexible casing (40' ) is wound and at least partially folded upon itself against or on a first region of the winding surface (36;37) ; and- in a final limit configuration, the dragger (153) is in a final angular limit position, the second flexible casing ( 40 ’ ’ ) is wound and at least partially folded upon itself against or on a second region of the winding surface (36;37) , different from the first region.

12. Assembly for a machine tool, for example a horizontal milling machine with polar axes, comprising:- a milling head (2) having a rotation axis (C) ;- a winding device (100; 1000) according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the winding device (100; 1000) is operatively connected to the axis (C) of the milling head (2) .

13. Horizontal milling machine (1) with polar axes comprising an assembly according to claim 12.

14. Working method of a winding device (100; 1000) for electrical cables and / or fluid tubes (46) for a milling head (2) of a machine tool (1) , for example a horizontal milling machine with polar axes, comprising the following steps: - providing a winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11;- shifting from the initial limit configuration to the final limit configuration by pulling the flexible casing (40) ; and subsequently, - shifting from the final limit configuration to the initial limit configuration by pushing and folding at least partially upon itself the flexible casing (40) .

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