Cable bundle manufacturing device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2025039604_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Cable bundle manufacturing equipment
[0001] The present invention relates to a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing cable bundles. For designated countries where incorporation by reference is permitted, the contents described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-018460, filed in Japan on February 6, 2025, are incorporated herein by reference and constitute part of this specification.
[0002] A manufacturing apparatus is known for producing cable bundles comprising multiple unit bundles, each having first and second rings that are twisted in opposite directions and overlapped with each other, and which are stacked in sequence (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a rotating device that rotates the drum about a rotation axis parallel to the cable feeding direction in order to remove the twist that occurs in the cable between the drum and the twisting device.
[0003] International Publication No. 2024 / 111561
[0004] Because the above-mentioned rotating device requires a large motor mechanism, it can lead to increased manufacturing costs.
[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus that can reduce costs.
[0006] [1] One aspect of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing cable bundles, comprising: a supply unit for supplying cables; a twisting device capable of twisting the cables and for feeding out the cables; a first fixing device movably disposed between the supply unit and the twisting device and capable of fixing the cables; a first guiding device for guiding the movement of the first fixing device between the supply unit and the twisting device; and a second fixing device capable of fixing the cables fed out from the twisting device.
[0007] [2] A second aspect of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises a first pulley disposed between the supply unit and the twisting device for guiding the cable, the first fixing device disposed between the first pulley and the twisting device, the supply unit holds a drum on which the cable is wound so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis, and the first pulley is rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.
[0008] [3] A third aspect of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises a support member movably disposed between the twisting device and the second fixing device and capable of supporting the cable fed out from the twisting device, and a second guiding device that guides the movement of the support member between the twisting device and the second fixing device.
[0009] [4] Embodiment 4 of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus is provided with an alignment section that is positioned between the twisting device and the second fixing device and aligns the cable loops formed by the twisting device.
[0010] [5] Embodiment 5 of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus is provided with an installation space on which a container for housing the cable loops formed by the twisting device can be installed, which is located between the twisting device and the second fixing device.
[0011] [6] Embodiment 6 of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a pressing member that presses the cable fed out from the twisting device downward.
[0012] [7] Embodiment 7 of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus includes a control device for controlling the twisting device and the first fixing device, and the control device controls the twisting device and the first fixing device such that the twisting device feeds out the cable while the first fixing device has fixed the cable.
[0013] [8] Embodiment 8 of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus that is any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the first fixing device is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus that includes a pair of second pulleys for holding the cable.
[0014] In this invention, a first fixing device for securing cables is movably arranged between the supply unit and the twisting device, and the movement of this first fixing device is guided by a first guide device. Therefore, the above-mentioned rotating device is unnecessary, and the cost of the cable bundle manufacturing device can be reduced.
[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a cable bundle in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view showing a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention, and a block diagram showing its control system. Figure 4 is a front view showing a support member in an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a cable bundle using the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the first fixing device in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017] First, the configuration of the cable bundle 100 manufactured by the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the cable bundle 100 in this embodiment. Note that in Figure 1, the container 90 is shown transparently to facilitate understanding of the inside of the container 90.
[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the cable bundle 100 in this embodiment includes a cable 101 wound in an annular (cylindrical, coiled) shape. While not particularly limited, a specific example of the cable 101 is an optical fiber cable. As the cable 101, for example, a metal cable for power transmission, communication, or a composite type combining these may be used.
[0019] This cable 101 does not have a connection point between one end 102 (for example, the end on the winding end side of the cable 101 (end E)) and the other end 103 (for example, the end on the winding start side of the cable 101 (end S)). It is not limited to this, and a single continuous cable 101 may be constructed by connecting multiple cables, for example, by fusion splicing or connectors. Furthermore, the cable bundle 100 has a so-called drumless structure, without a winding core such as a drum or reel.
[0020] This cable bundle 100 is formed by winding a single cable 101 in a so-called "figure-eight winding" manner. Here, "figure-eight winding" is a winding method in which the cable 101 is wound while being twisted alternately clockwise and counterclockwise to create loops 111 and 112. When unwinding the cable 101 from the cable bundle 100 formed by this "figure-eight winding" method, the twists of the two loops 111 and 112 are undone and the cable 101 is extended, so that the twists of the respective loops 111 and 112 cancel each other out, and no twisting occurs in the cable 101.
[0021] Specifically, this cable bundle 100 comprises multiple unit bundles 110 stacked on top of each other. In this cable bundle 100, one unit bundle 110 is stacked on top of another unit bundle 110, with multiple unit bundles 110 stacked sequentially from bottom to top. Although Figure 1 shows the cable bundle 100 comprising four unit bundles 110, in reality, the cable bundle 100 comprises many unit bundles 110.
[0022] Each unit bundle 110 comprises a first ring 111 and a second ring 112. The first ring 111 is formed by winding the cable 101 in a "forward winding" manner. In contrast, the second ring 112 is formed by winding the cable 101 in a "reverse winding" manner. These two rings 111 and 112 are stacked such that the second ring 112 is positioned on top of the first ring 111 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first and second rings 111 and 112 have substantially the same diameter, but the diameters of the first and second rings 111 and 112 may differ from each other.
[0023] In this embodiment, "forward winding" refers to a winding method in which the cable 101 is wound such that, in the overlapping direction of the two loops constituting the unit bundle, the end point of the loop is located on one side (for example, the upper side) relative to the starting point. In contrast, "reverse winding" refers to a winding method in which the cable 101 is wound such that, in the overlapping direction of the two loops, the end point of the loop is located on the other side (for example, the lower side) relative to the starting point.
[0024] Therefore, in the first loop 111 of each unit bundle 110, the cable 101 is wound such that the endpoint 111b is located above the starting point 111a in the overlapping direction of the two loops 111 and 112 (the Z direction in the figure), so the winding method of the first loop 111 is "forward winding". In contrast, in the second loop 112 of each unit bundle 110, the cable 101 is wound such that the endpoint 112b is located below the starting point 112a in the overlapping direction of the two loops 111 and 112 (the Z direction in the figure), so the winding method of the second loop 112 is "reverse winding".
[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the cable bundle 100 is housed inside the container 90. The cable bundle 100 is housed inside the container 90 with its axial direction parallel to the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure). The shape of the container 90 is not particularly limited as long as it has space to accommodate the cable bundle 100. For example, the shape of the container 90 may be cylindrical.
[0026] This container 90 is configured using, for example, cardboard made of paper, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the container 90 may be configured using plastic cardboard made of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the container 90 may be configured using a metal box.
[0027] During the laying work of the cable 101, for example, this cable bundle 100 is transported to the laying site in a state of being housed in the container 90. This container 90 has a box-like shape, and an opening 92 is formed in its lid portion 91. Then, the cable 101 is sequentially fed out from one end portion 102 to the outside of the container 90 through this opening 92, whereby the cable 101 is supplied to the laying site.
[0028] Next, the configuration of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 for manufacturing the above-described cable bundle 100 will be described while referring to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment and a block diagram showing its control system, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing the support member 61 in the present embodiment.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a supply unit 10, a pulley 15, a first fixing device 21, a first guiding device 25, a twisting device 30, a pressing member 40, a second fixing device 50, a support member 61, a second guiding device 65, an aligning unit 70, and a control device 80.
[0030] The supply unit 10 includes a holding table that holds a drum 11 around which the cable 101 is wound. The drum 11 is held by the supply unit 10 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis RA parallel to the horizontal direction. １ In the present embodiment, the drum 11 rotates passively when the cable 101 is pulled out by the caterpillar 3I of the twisting device 30, but the supply unit 10 may include a driving device that rotationally drives the drum 11 about the rotation axis RA of the drum 11. In this case, this driving device actively feeds out the cable 101 from the drum 11 in conjunction with the operation of the caterpillar 31 of the twisting device 30. １
[0031] The pulley 15 is disposed between the supply unit 10 and the twisting device 30, and guides the cable 101 supplied from the supply unit 10 to the twisting device 30. This pulley 15 corresponds to an example of the "first pulley" in the aspect of the present invention. This pulley 15 has a disk shape, and a groove capable of receiving the cable 101 is formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 15. This pulley 15 is rotatably supported by a shaft 16 provided parallel to the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure). Therefore, the pulley 15 can rotate about a second rotation axis RA ２ that is parallel to the vertical direction, and this second rotation axis RA ２ is perpendicular to the first rotation axis RA of the supply unit 10 described above. １
[0032] The cable 101 is received in the groove of the pulley 15. When the cable 101 is pulled out from the supply unit 10 by the caterpillar 31 of the twisting device 30, the cable 101 passes through the pulley 15, and the pulley 15 rotates as the cable 101 moves. At this time, the cable 101 sent out from the supply unit 10 is received in the groove of the pulley 15 in a state where it is twisted by 90 degrees (or 270 degrees).
[0033] Thereby, it is possible to ensure a state where the cable 101 has no twist between the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30. Further, when the cable 101 has a bending directionality, the cable 101 wound around the drum 11 having an axis parallel to the horizontal direction can be wound around the cable bundle 100 having an axis parallel to the vertical direction. As a specific example of the cable 101 having such a bending directionality, for example, an optical fiber cable having a pair of tensile bodies arranged to face each other can be exemplified.
[0034] The first fixing device 21 is disposed between the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30, and is a device for fixing the cable 101. Specifically, this first fixing device 21 sandwiches the first fixing position FP １ (see FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c)) on the cable 101 between the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30, and the first fixing position FP １The twisted state of the cable 101 is fixed. Furthermore, by clamping the cable 101 with the first fixing device 21, the relative movement of the cable 101 along the axial direction with respect to the first fixing device 21 is also fixed. As described later, the first fixing device 21 is movable by the first guide device 25, so if the cable 101 moves while being clamped by the first fixing device 21, the first fixing device 21 moves together with the cable 101. There are no particular limitations, but a specific example of the first fixing device 21 is a clamp that clamps and fixes the cable 101 using an air cylinder or the like.
[0035] The first fixing device 21 is movable between the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30 by the first guiding device 25. The first guiding device 25 comprises a guide rail 251, a slide block 252, an actuator 253, and a frame 254.
[0036] The guide rail 251 is installed between the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30 and extends linearly along the X direction in the figure. This guide rail 251 is supported by a frame 254 and fixed to the floor surface FL via the frame 254.
[0037] The slide block 252 is capable of sliding along the guide rail 251. The first fixing device 21 is attached to this slide block 252. Therefore, as the slide block 252 slides along the guide rail 251, the first fixing device 21 moves between the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30. The slide block 252 is capable of moving along the guide rail 251 over a distance greater than the circumference of the loop 111 (112) of the cable 101.
[0038] The actuator 253 is equipped with, for example, an air cylinder. The drive shaft of this actuator 253 only contacts and presses against the slide block 252 and is not fixed to the slide block 252. Therefore, the actuator 253 can move the slide block 252 in only one direction, but it cannot move the slide block 252 in any other direction.
[0039] Specifically, the actuator 253 is capable of moving the slide block 252 only in the +X direction shown in the figure. By moving the slide block 252 on the guide rail 251 using the actuator 253, it is possible to return the slide block 252 from the end point on the twisting device 30 side to the starting point on the pulley 15 side.
[0040] In contrast, the movement of the slide block 252 in the -X direction in the figure is free (unrestrained) from the actuator 253. Therefore, when the cable 101 is pulled out from the supply unit 10 by the caterpillar 31 of the twisting device 30, the slide block 252 moves passively along the guide rail 251 in conjunction with the movement of the cable 101, and the first fixing device 21 that fixes the cable 101 moves toward the twisting device 30.
[0041] Alternatively, the drive shaft of the actuator 253 may be fixed to the slide block 252, and the actuator 253 may be used to reciprocate the slide block 652. In this case, the actuator 253 moves the slide block 652 toward the twisting device 30 in conjunction with the operation of the caterpillar 31 of the twisting device 30.
[0042] The twisting device 30 comprises a pair of caterpillar tracks 31, a rotating frame 35, a rotating device 36, and a support frame 37. Each caterpillar track 31 is equipped with a pair of pulleys 32, an endless belt 33 stretched over the pulleys 32, and a drive device 34 for rotating the pulleys 32.
[0043] The pair of caterpillar tracks 31 are arranged so that the belt 33 is in close contact with each other, and the cable 101 supplied from the supply unit 10 via the pulley 15 can be sandwiched between the belts 33. The drive unit 34 is equipped with a motor and gearbox for rotating the pulley 32, and by driving the caterpillar tracks 31, it is possible to pull the cable 101 out of the drum 11 and push the cable 101 out of the twisting device 30.
[0044] This pair of caterpillars 31 is housed in a rotating frame 35. The rotating frame 35 is rotatably supported by a pedestal 37. The rotating device 36 includes a motor, a gearbox, etc. for rotating this rotating frame 35. This rotating device 36 can rotate the rotating frame 35 about the axial direction of the cable 101 (a direction parallel to the X direction in the figure) sandwiched between the pair of caterpillars 31.
[0045] This rotating device 36 can rotate the rotating frame 35 360 degrees in the first rotation direction RD １ and can also rotate the rotating frame 35 360 degrees in the second rotation direction RD ２ For example, when viewing the twisting device 30 from the supply unit 10 side, the first rotation direction RD １ is clockwise, and the second rotation direction RD ２ is counterclockwise. That is, the twisting device 30 can apply clockwise twist to the cable 101 and can also apply counterclockwise twist, and can twist the cable 101 in both directions.
[0046] The pressing member 40 is arranged at the outlet of the twisting device 30. This pressing member 40 is a cylindrical member that contacts the cable 101 sent out from the twisting device 30 from above. This pressing member 40 may be provided with a rotatable roller. This pressing member 40 is supported by a pedestal 41 and is fixed to the floor surface FL via the pedestal 41.
[0047] For example, when the cable 101 has relatively high rigidity, by pressing the cable 101 downward by this pressing member 40, it is possible to prevent the cable 101 from being sent out in an unintended direction from the twisting device 30 due to the twist applied by the twisting device 30. Note that the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 may not include this pressing member 40.
[0048] The second fixing device 50 is a device for fixing the cable 101 that has been fed out from the twisting device 30. Although not particularly limited, a specific example of this second fixing device 50 is a clamp that uses an air cylinder or the like to clamp and fix the cable 101.
[0049] Specifically, the second fixing device 50 is fixed at a second fixing position FP on the cable 101 that is fed out from the twisting device 30. ２ (See Figure 5(d)) The second fixed position FP ２ The twisted state of cable 101 is fixed.
[0050] Furthermore, this second fixing device 50 is fixed at a second fixing position FP on the cable 101 sent out from the twisting device 30. ２ By inserting the second fixing device 50, the relative movement of the cable 101 along the axial direction with respect to the second fixing device 50 is also fixed. Here, the second fixing device 50 is supported by a frame 51 and fixed to the floor surface FL via the frame 51. Therefore, the second fixing device 50 is fixed relative to the twisting device 30. Thus, in addition to the twisted state of the cable 101, the second fixing device 50 also fixes the second fixing position FP ２ The movement of the cable 101 along its axial direction is also fixed.
[0051] Between the second fixing device 50 and the twisting device 30, there is an installation space 5 in which the container 90 can be installed. The container 90 is installed in this installation space 5 with the lid 91 removed. If the lid 91 of the container 90 has a flap structure, the container 90 is installed in the installation space 5 with the flap extended.
[0052] The support member 61 is positioned between the twisting device 30 and the second fixing device 50. This support member 61 is a rod-shaped member that supports the cable 101 fed out from the twisting device 30 from below. As shown in Figure 4, this support member 61 has a recess 62 in its center that can receive the cable 101. This recess 62 has a lowest bottom portion 621 and a pair of inclined portions 622 that descend toward the bottom portion 621. When the support member 61 is close to the second fixing device 50, the bottom portion 621 of this recess 62 faces the second fixing device 50.
[0053] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support member 61 is able to move between the twisting device 30 and the second fixing device 50 by means of a second guide device 65. This second guide device 65 includes a guide rail 651, a slide block 652, an actuator 653, and a frame 654.
[0054] The guide rail 651 is installed so as to follow the installation space 5 in a plan view, and extends linearly along the X direction in the figure. This guide rail 651 is supported by a frame 654 and fixed to the floor surface FL via the frame 654.
[0055] The slide block 652 is capable of sliding along the guide rail 651. The support member 61 is attached to the slide block 652. Therefore, as the slide block 652 slides along the guide rail 651, the support member 61 moves between the twisting device 30 and the second fixing device 50. The slide block 652 is capable of moving along the guide rail 651 over a distance greater than the diameter of the loop 111 (112) of the cable 101.
[0056] The actuator 653 is equipped with, for example, an air cylinder. The drive shaft of this actuator 653 is fixed to the slide block 652. Therefore, the actuator 653 is capable of reciprocating the slide block 652. Consequently, as the actuator 653 moves the slide block 652, the support member 61 reciprocates between the twisting device 30 and the second fixing device 50.
[0057] The aforementioned installation space 5 is located below the movable section of the support member 61, and the container 90 is installed in the installation space 5. The alignment section 70 is located inside this container 90.
[0058] The alignment section 70 comprises a tip section 71 and a main body section 72 that supports the tip section 71. The tip section 71 has a hemispherical shape. The main body section 72 has a cylindrical shape. The tip section 71 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the loops 111 (112) of the cable bundle 100. The main body section 72 has a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the tip section 71. The loops 111, 112 of the cable 101 formed by the twisting device 30 are aligned within the container 90 by this alignment section 70.
[0059] The shape of the tip portion 71 is not particularly limited as long as it tapers towards the top, for example, it may be pyramidal. Similarly, the shape of the main body portion 72 is not particularly limited as described above, for example, the main body portion 72 may be prismatic.
[0060] The control device 80 is, for example, composed of a computer. Although not specifically shown, this computer is an electronic computer equipped with a CPU (processor), main memory (RAM, etc.), auxiliary memory (hard disk, SSD, etc.), and interfaces. This control device 80 is controllably connected to the first fixing device 21, the actuator 253 of the first guide device 25, the drive device 34 and rotation device 36 of the twisting device 30, the second fixing device 50, and the actuator 653 of the second guide device 65. These controls are functionally realized, for example, by the control device 80 executing a program. Note that this control device 80 may be composed of a circuit board instead of a computer.
[0061] Next, the method for manufacturing a cable bundle 100 using the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 described above will be explained with reference to Figures 5(a) to 5(e). Figures 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams illustrating the method for manufacturing a cable bundle 100 using the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment. Figures 5(a) to 5(e) are simplified and distorted schematic plan views of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in order to explain the operation of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in an easy-to-understand manner.
[0062] First, as an initial setup, the cable 101 is pulled from the supply unit 10 to the container 90 via the pulley 15 and the twisting device 30, a loop is manually formed near the end 103 of the cable 101, and this loop is placed inside the container 90. Note that the way the loop is manually formed does not have to be a "figure-eight winding." Alternatively, instead of forming a loop in the cable 101, the end 103 of the cable 101 may be manually fixed inside the container 90.
[0063] Then, for example, when an operator presses the start button (not shown) of the cable bundle manufacturing device 1, as shown in Figure 5(a), the control device 80 sends a control signal to the first fixing device 21, causing the first fixing device 21 to set the first fixing position FP on the cable 101. １ This is inserted. As a result, the first fixing device 21 fixes the first fixing position FP １ The twisted state of the cable 101 is fixed. At this time, the first fixing device 21 is located at a distance greater than or equal to the circumference of one of the first loops 111 of the cable 101 from the twisting device 30.
[0064] Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the rotating device 36 of the twisting device 30, causing the rotating device 36 to rotate the rotating frame 35 in the first rotation direction RD １ The cable is rotated 360°. This imparts a +360° twist to the portion of the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the container 90, while simultaneously imparting a -360° twist to the portion of the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the first fixing device 21.
[0065] In this case, as described above, the first fixing device 21 fixes the first fixing position FP １Since the twisted state of the cable 101 is fixed, the transmission of twist can be stopped by the first fixing device 21, preventing the twist from escaping to the supply unit 10. As a result, a rotating device for rotating the drum 11 is unnecessary, which can reduce the cost of the cable bundle manufacturing device 1. In addition, a desired amount of twist can be stably applied to a certain length of the cable 101.
[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the drive unit 34 of the twisting device 30, causing the caterpillar 31 to move the cable 101 by a first predetermined amount L １ Only the first predetermined amount L is sent out from the twisting device 30 and supplied from the supply unit 10. １ Only the cable 101 is pulled out. This first predetermined amount L １ This length corresponds to the circumference of one of the first loops 111 of the cable 101, and is a value that has been pre-inputted to the control device 80.
[0067] Since the portion of the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the container 90 is twisted by +360°, the feeding of the cable 101 by the twisting device 30 forms a first loop 111 in a "forward winding" position, and this first loop 111 is placed inside the container 90.
[0068] Meanwhile, the portion of the cable 101 that has been twisted by -360° moves between the twisting device 30 and the container 90 as the cable 101 is fed out by the twisting device 30. At this time, the first fixing device 21 moves to the first fixing position FP １ The first fixing device 21 is fixed in place, and at the same time, it is freely movable by the first guide device 25. As the twisting device 30 feeds out the cable 101, the first fixing device 21 passively moves toward the twisting device 30.
[0069] Next, as shown in Figure 5(d), the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the second guide device 65, causing the support member 61 to move toward the second fixing device 50 while the support member 61 is supporting the cable 101. As a result, the cable 101 is guided toward the second fixing device 50 by the support member 61. As the support member 61 moves, the cable 101 is positioned at the bottom 621 of the recess 62, guiding the cable 101 between the clamps of the fixing device 50.
[0070] Then, when the cable 101 reaches the second fixing device 50, the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the second fixing device 50, causing the second fixing device 50 to set the second fixing position FP on the cable 101. ２ This is done by the second fixing device 50 to the second fixing position FP. ２ The twisted state of the cable 101 is fixed, and the second fixed position FP ２ The movement of the cable 101 is also fixed. This second fixing device 50 prevents the -360° twist that moves between the twisting device 30 and the container 90 from being transmitted to the first ring 111 placed inside the container 90.
[0071] Furthermore, the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the first fixing device 21, causing the first fixing device 21 to release the cable 101. Next, the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the first guide device 25, causing the first guide device 25 to return the first fixing device 21 to its starting point on the pulley 15 side.
[0072] Next, as shown in Figure 5(e), the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the second guide device 65 to move the support member 61 toward the twisting device 30. Then, the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the drive device 34 of the twisting device 30, causing the caterpillar 31 to move the cable 101 by a second predetermined amount L. ２ Only the twisting device 30 is discharged, and a second predetermined amount L is supplied from the supply unit 10. ２ Only the cable 101 is pulled out. This second predetermined amount L ２ This length corresponds to the circumference of one of the second loops 112 of the cable 101, and is a value that has been pre-inputted to the control device 80.
[0073] In this embodiment, since the diameter of the first ring 111 and the diameter of the second ring 112 are the same, this second predetermined amount L ２ This is the first predetermined amount L mentioned above. １ It is the same as (L １ = L ２ ). If the diameter of the first ring 111 and the diameter of the second ring 112 are different from each other, the first predetermined amount L １ and the second predetermined amount L ２ They are also different from each other.
[0074] As described above, the portion of the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the container 90 is twisted by -360°, so the second loop 112, which is "reverse-wound", is formed when the cable 101 is fed out by the twisting device 30.
[0075] Next, the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the second fixing device 50, which releases the cable 101. As a result, the second ring 112 is placed inside the container 90. At this time, the alignment unit 70 aligns the first ring 111 and the second ring 112 inside the container 90. Furthermore, the alignment unit 70 makes it easier to guide the "reverse-wound" ring 112 to the intended position inside the container 90.
[0076] Subsequently, by alternately forming the first ring 111 and the second ring 112 in the same manner as described above, a cable bundle 100 comprising a plurality of sequentially stacked unit bundles 110 is formed.
[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, the first fixing device 21 for fixing the cable 101 is movably arranged between the supply unit 10 and the twisting device 30, and the movement of the first fixing device 21 is guided by the first guide device 25. Therefore, the twist of the cable 101 can be prevented from escaping into the supply unit 10 by the first fixing device 21, and a rotating device for rotating the drum 11 is not required, thus reducing the cost of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1.
[0078] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention.
[0079] For example, the first fixing device 21 may include a pair of pulleys 22 as shown in Figure 6 instead of the clamp described above. Figure 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the first fixing device 20 in this embodiment.
[0080] The first fixing device 21 shown in Figure 6 includes a pair of pulleys 22 that use an air cylinder to clamp and fix the cable 101. These pulleys 21 correspond to an example of the "second pulley" in the embodiment of the present invention. Each pulley 22 is rotatably supported on the shaft 23. A groove capable of receiving the cable 101 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of each pulley 22. By clamping the cable 101 between this pair of pulleys 22, the twisted state of the cable 101 is fixed, and the relative movement of the cable 101 with respect to the first fixing device 21 is also fixed.
[0081] Because this pair of pulleys 22 grips the cable 101, the first fixing device 21 moves along with the cable 101 pulled by the twisting device 30 by the first guide device 25 (see the dashed line in Figure 6). When the first fixing device 21 reaches the end point of the first guide device 25 and its movement is restricted, the pulleys 22 begin to rotate as the cable 101 moves, and the cable 101 moves relative to the first fixing device 21 (see the dashed line in Figure 6). Therefore, the distance from the twisting device 30 to the first fixing device 21 when the first fixing device 21 grips the cable 101 can be made shorter than the circumference of one of the first loops 111 of the cable 101.
[0082] Furthermore, since the relative movement of the first fixing device 21 with respect to the cable 101 while the cable 101 is sandwiched can be permitted by the rotation of the pulley 22, it becomes unnecessary to release the fixing of the first fixing device 21 after the first ring 111 has been formed.
[0083] Furthermore, the first and second fixing devices 21 and 50 may be operated manually. Also, the first guide device 25 does not have to be equipped with an actuator 253, in which case the slide block 252 is moved manually. Similarly, the second guide device 65 does not have to be equipped with an actuator 653, in which case the slide block 652 is moved manually.
[0084] Furthermore, the frames 254, 37, 41, 51, and 654 provided by the cable bundle manufacturing device 1 may be integrated. The shaft 16 that rotatably supports the pulley 15 may be fixed to this integrated frame.
[0085] Alternatively, the cable bundle 100 may be constructed by winding the cable 101 using the winding method described in International Publication No. 2024 / 111561. In this case as well, the cable bundle 100 can be formed using the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 described above.
[0086] 1...Cable bundle manufacturing device 5...Installation space 10...Supply unit 11...Drum 15...Pulley 21...First fixing device 22...Pulley 25...First guide device 30...Twisting device 40...Pressing member 50...Second fixing device 61...Support member 62...Recess 65...Second guide device 70...Alignment unit 80...Control device 90...Container 100...Cable bundle 101...Cable 102, 103...End 110...Unit bundle 111...First ring 112...Second ring
Claims
1. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing cable bundles, comprising: a supply unit for supplying cables; a twisting device capable of twisting the cables and for feeding out the cables; a first fixing device movably disposed between the supply unit and the twisting device and capable of fixing the cables; a first guiding device for guiding the movement of the first fixing device between the supply unit and the twisting device; and a second fixing device capable of fixing the cables fed out from the twisting device.
2. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises a first pulley disposed between the supply unit and the twisting device for guiding the cable, the first fixing device disposed between the first pulley and the twisting device, the supply unit rotatably holds a drum on which the cable is wound about a first rotation axis, and the first pulley is rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.
3. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprising: a support member movably disposed between the twisting device and the second fixing device and capable of supporting the cable fed out from the twisting device; and a second guiding device for guiding the movement of the support member between the twisting device and the second fixing device.
4. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises an alignment section disposed between the twisting device and the second fixing device for aligning the cable loops formed by the twisting device.
5. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus is disposed between the twisting device and the second fixing device and has an installation space on which a container for housing the cable loops formed by the twisting device can be installed.
6. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises a pressing member for pressing the cable fed out from the twisting device downward.
7. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises a control device for controlling the twisting device and the first fixing device, the control device controls the twisting device and the first fixing device such that the twisting device feeds out the cable while the first fixing device has fixed the cable.
8. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first fixing device comprises a pair of second pulleys for clamping the cable.