Independent Cable Guide Units for Automated Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable processing devices face inefficiencies in cable changeover, requiring complex mechanical structures and leading to production interruptions due to the need for manual rotation and potential cable crossing, which increases costs and reduces operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cable processing device with independently movable guide units that can be easily switched between rest and active positions using actuators, allowing for automatic and efficient cable changeover without mechanical coupling, enabling continuous operation and reducing the complexity of the mechanical design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If guide units are arranged in a drum shape with rotational movement for cable change, then cable changeover is enabled, but the mechanical structure becomes complicated and cables may cross and touch each other
Solution Approach 1:
The cable changer is divided into multiple independent guide units (at least two) that can be moved separately between rest position and active position. Each guide unit handles one cable independently, eliminating the need for complex rotational drum mechanisms while enabling efficient cable changeover.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vertical frame with multiple guide units is used to accommodate large number of cables, then cable variability is improved, but acquisition costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide units are designed to be dynamically movable between rest position and active position along the longitudinal machine axis. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different cable processing needs without requiring a complex fixed vertical frame structure, reducing acquisition costs while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual rotation is required for cable changeover, then cable change is possible, but production interruptions occur and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide units are equipped with actuators that automatically move them between rest position and active position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual rotation operations, enabling continuous automated cable changeover and maintaining high productivity without production interruptions.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A cable processing device (1) comprises a cable conveying device (5) running along a machine longitudinal axis (10) for transporting a cable (2), and a cable changer (6) for the selective supply of cables (3, 4) for processing the cables. The cable changer (6) has two guide units (7, 8) for guiding and holding one cable each, wherein the guide units (7, 8) are movable between an inoperative position and an active position. In the inoperative position, the guide unit (7, 8) is positioned outside the cable conveying device and is spaced apart from the machine longitudinal axis (10); in the active position, the guide unit (7, 8) is positioned coaxially with respect to the machine longitudinal axis (10) in order to produce an operative connection to the cable conveying device (5). The two guide units (7, 8) are configured in such a manner that the guide units (7, 8) are movable independently of each other. The cable changer (6) is designed in such a manner that, when one of the guide units (7, 8) is moved from the inoperative position into the active position, the other guide units (7, 8) remain positionally fixed in the inoperative position. When the guide units (7, 8) are both in their inoperative positions, the guide units (7, 8) are positioned lying next to each other and preferably on a common horizontal plane.