Cable bundle manufacturing device

Abstract

A cable bundle manufacturing device 1 for manufacturing a cable bundle 100 comprises: a supply portion 10 that supplies a cable 101; a twisting device 30 that is capable of twisting the cable 101 and feeds out the cable 101; a fixing device 50 that fixes the cable 101 fed out from the twisting device 30; a support member 61 that is movably disposed between the twisting device 30 and the fixing device 50 and is capable of supporting the cable 101 fed out from the twisting device 30; and a guide device 65 that guides movement of the support member 61 between the twisting device 30 and the fixing device 50.

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. 2025-018471, 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). In this manufacturing apparatus, a cable is fixed by a fixing device, and a twisting device feeds out and twists the cable to form a ring, and these rings are placed on a stacking table and stacked to produce cable bundles.

[0003] International Publication No. 2024 / 111561

[0004] To sequentially align the rings formed by the twisting device described above as a bundle, it is conceivable to lower the mounting table below the exit of the twisting device and the fixing device. However, in this case, a space is created above the mounting table, and this space may collapse before the cable sent out from the twisting device reaches the fixing device, making the process of fixing the cable to the fixing device more time-consuming and potentially reducing productivity.

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus that can improve productivity.

[0006] [1] One aspect of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a cable bundle, comprising: a supply unit for supplying cables; a twisting device capable of twisting the cables and for feeding out the cables; a fixing device for fixing the cables fed out from the twisting device; a support member movably disposed between the twisting device and the fixing device and capable of supporting the cables fed out from the twisting device; and a guide device for guiding the movement of the support member between the twisting device and the fixing device.

[0007] [2] Embodiment 2 of the present invention is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, wherein the support member is a cable bundle manufacturing apparatus having a recess capable of receiving the cable.

[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 is provided with a pulley that is disposed between the supply unit and the twisting device and guides the cable, the supply unit holds a drum on which the cable is wound so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis, and the pulley is rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

[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 located between the twisting device and the fixing device for aligning 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 between the twisting device and the fixing device, and capable of installing a container for housing the cable loops formed by the twisting 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 is equipped with a control device for controlling the twisting device, and the control device controls the twisting device such that it rotates the cable by a first angle in a first rotational direction and feeds out the cable, and rotates the cable by a second angle, which is half the first angle, in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0013] In this invention, a support member capable of supporting the cable fed out from the twisting device is movably arranged between the twisting device and the fixing device, and a guide device guides the movement of the support member between the twisting device and the fixing device. As a result, the cable fed out from the twisting device can be guided to the fixing device by the support member and the guide device, thereby improving the productivity of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus.

[0014] 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.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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".

[0024] 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.

[0025] The container 90 is constructed, for example, using corrugated paper, but is not limited thereto. For example, the container 90 may be constructed using plastic corrugated cardboard made of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the container 90 may be constructed using a metal box.

[0026] During the cable 101 laying work, for example, the cable bundle 100 is transported to the laying site while housed in a container 90. The container 90 has a box-like shape, and an opening 92 is formed in its lid 91. The cable 101 is then supplied to the laying site by being unwound sequentially from one end 102 to the outside of the container 90 through this opening 92.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 for manufacturing the cable bundle 100 described above will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a side view showing the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment, Figure 3 is a plan view showing the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment and a block diagram showing its control system, and Figure 4 is a front view showing the support member 61 in this embodiment.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a supply unit 10, a pulley 15, a twisting device 30, a pressing member 40, a fixing device 50, a support member 61, a guiding device 65, an alignment unit 70, and a control device 80.

[0029] The supply unit 10 includes a holder that holds the drum 11 around which the cable 101 is wound. The drum 11 has a first rotation axis RA parallel to the horizontal direction. １ It is held in the supply unit 10 so as to be rotatable around the center. In this embodiment, the drum 11 rotates passively as the cable 101 is pulled out by the caterpillar 31 of the twisting device 30, but the rotation axis RA of the drum 11 １ The supply unit 10 may also be equipped with a drive device that rotates the drum 11 around the center. In this case, the drive device actively feeds the cable 101 from the drum 11 in conjunction with the operation of the caterpillar 31 of the twisting device 30.

[0030] The pulley 15 is positioned 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. The pulley 15 has a disc shape, and a groove capable of receiving the cable 101 is formed on its outer circumference. The pulley 15 is rotatably supported on a shaft 16 that is provided parallel to the vertical direction (Z direction in the figure). Therefore, the pulley 15 is aligned with a second rotation axis RA parallel to the vertical direction. ２ It is rotatable around this second axis of rotation RA ２ The first rotating shaft RA of the supply unit 10 described above １ It is perpendicular to it.

[0031] Cable 101 is received in the groove of pulley 15. When cable 101 is pulled out from supply unit 10 by caterpillar 31 of twisting device 30, cable 101 passes through pulley 15, and pulley 15 rotates as cable 101 moves. At this time, cable 101 sent out from supply unit 10 is received in the groove of pulley 15 in a state where it is twisted 90 degrees (or 270 degrees).

[0032] Thus, it is possible to ensure a state where there is no twist in cable 101 between pulley 15 and twisting device 30. Also, when cable 101 has a bending directionality, cable 101 wound around drum 11 having an axis parallel to the horizontal direction can be wound around cable bundle 100 having an axis parallel to the vertical direction. As a specific example of cable 101 having this bending directionality, for example, an optical fiber cable having a pair of tensile bodies arranged to face each other can be exemplified.

[0033] Twisting device 30 includes a pair of caterpillars 31, a rotating frame 35, a rotating device 36, and a pedestal 37. Each caterpillar 31 includes a pair of pulleys 32, an endless belt 33 wound around the pulleys 32, and a driving device 34 for rotating the pulleys 32.

[0034] The pair of caterpillars 31 are arranged such that belts 33 are in close contact with each other, and cable 101 supplied from supply unit 10 via pulley 15 can be sandwiched between belts 33. Driving device 34 includes a motor, a gearbox, etc. for rotating pulley 32, and by driving caterpillar 31, it is possible to pull out cable 101 from drum 11 and push out the cable 101 from twisting device 30.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The fixing device 50 is a device for fixing the cable 101 that is fed out from the twisting device 30. Although not particularly limited, a specific example of this fixing device 50 is a clamp that uses an air cylinder or the like to clamp and fix the cable 101.

[0040] Specifically, the fixing device 50 fixes the twisted state of the cable 101 at a fixed position FP (see Figures 5(c) and 5(d)) on the cable 101 that has been fed out from the twisting device 30.

[0041] Furthermore, the fixing device 50 is supported by a frame 51 and fixed to the floor surface FL via the frame 51. Therefore, the fixing device 50 is fixed relative to the twisting device 30. As a result, the fixing device 50 also fixes the movement of the cable 101 along the axial direction at the fixed position FP on the cable 101 that is fed out from the twisting device 30.

[0042] Between the 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.

[0043] The support member 61 is positioned between the twisting device 30 and the 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 fixing device 50, the bottom portion 621 of this recess 62 faces the fixing device 50.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support member 61 is able to move between the twisting device 30 and the fixing device 50 by means of a guide device 65. This guide device 65 comprises a guide rail 651, a slide block 652, an actuator 653, and a frame 654.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 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.

[0047] 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 fixing device 50.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 drive unit 34 and rotation unit 36 ​​of the twisting device 30, the fixing device 50, and the actuator 653 of the 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 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 １The 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 pulley 15.

[0055] Next, as shown in Figure 5(b), 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] Furthermore, as the twisting device 30 is fed out, a portion of the twist applied to the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the pulley 15 moves between the twisting device 30 and the container 90, while the remaining portion of the twist remains between the twisting device 30 and the pulley 15. Specifically, of the -360° twist applied to the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the pulley 15, half of the twist (-180° twist) moves between the twisting device 30 and the container 90, and the remaining half of the twist (the remaining -180° twist) remains between the twisting device 30 and the pulley 15.

[0058] Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the guide device 65, causing the guide device 65 to move the support member 61 toward the fixing device 50 while the support member 61 is supporting the cable 101. As a result, the cable 101 is guided toward the 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, and is guided between the clamps of the fixing device 50.

[0059] Then, when the cable 101 reaches the fixing device 50, the control device 80 sends a control signal to the fixing device 50, causing the fixing device 50 to clamp the fixed position FP on the cable 101. As a result, the twisted state of the cable 101 at the fixed position FP is fixed by the fixing device 50, and the movement of the cable 101 at the fixed position FP is also fixed. This fixing device 50 prevents the -180° twist that has moved between the twisting device 30 and the container 90 from being transmitted to the first ring 111 placed inside the container 90.

[0060] Next, as shown in Figure 5(d), the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the 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 rotating device 36 of the twisting device 30, causing the rotating device 36 to rotate the rotating frame 35 in the second rotation direction RD ２ It is rotated 180°. This imparts a twist of -360° (= (-180°) + (-180°)) to the portion of the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the container 90. On the other hand, the twist of the portion of the cable 101 between the twisting device 30 and the pulley 15 becomes 0° (= (-180°) - (-180°)), and the twist is eliminated.

[0061] Next, as shown in Figure 5(e), 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 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.

[0062] 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 １and the second predetermined amount L ２ They are also different from each other.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Next, the control device 80 transmits a control signal to the fixing device 50, which then releases the fixing of 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, a support member 61 capable of supporting the cable 101 sent out from the twisting device 30 is movably arranged between the twisting device 30 and the fixing device 50, and a guide device 65 guides the movement of the support member 61 between the twisting device 30 and the fixing device 50. Therefore, the cable 101 sent out from the twisting device 30 and dropped into the container 90 can be guided to the fixing device 50 by the support member 61 and the guide device 65, thereby improving the productivity of the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0067] 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.

[0068] For example, the fixing device 50 may be operated manually. Also, the guide device 65 does not need to be equipped with an actuator 653; in this case, the slide block 652 is moved manually.

[0069] Furthermore, the frames 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 1...Cable bundle manufacturing device 5...Installation space 10...Supply unit 11...Drum 15...Pulley 30...Twisting device 40...Pressing member 50...Fixing device 61...Support member 62...Recess 65...Guiding 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 fixing device for fixing the cables fed out from the twisting device; a support member movably disposed between the twisting device and the fixing device and capable of supporting the cables fed out from the twisting device; and a guide device for guiding the movement of the support member between the twisting device and the fixing device.

2. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a recess capable of receiving the cable.

3. A cable bundle manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable bundle manufacturing apparatus comprises a pulley disposed between the supply unit and the twisting device for guiding the cable, the supply unit holds a drum on which the cable is wound so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis, and the pulley is rotatable about a second rotation axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

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 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 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, the control device controls the twisting device such that it rotates the cable by a first angle in a first rotational direction, feeds out the cable, and rotates the cable by a second angle, which is half the first angle, in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

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