Cable Straightening Roller Control for Diameter-Based Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable straightening devices suffer from inadequate precision in adjusting the straightening mechanism, leading to insufficient straightening of electrical or optical cables, which complicates further processing and increases effort.

Innovation Solution

A straightening device with a movable first and second row of rollers, equipped with a measuring device, such as an ultrasonic or laser sensor, to determine the cable diameter, and a control unit to adjust the rollers based on the measured diameter, ensuring precise straightening without excessive stress, and incorporating a monitoring unit for quality control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the spacing between roller rows is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the straightening precision varies along the cable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestraightening precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the spacing between roller rows can be continuously varied along the cable length. The second roller row is positioned at a variable distance from the first roller row, allowing the straightening geometry to adapt to different cable sections and maintain precision throughout the entire cable rather than having fixed spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The straightening device divides the cable into multiple sections by using multiple roller rows with different orientations and spacings. Each roller row processes a specific segment of the cable, with the second roller row positioned at a variable distance to handle different cable sections differently, thereby achieving uniform straightening precision across the entire cable length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the cable is not positioned exactly between roller rows, then the device operation is simple, but the straightening precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestraightening precisionVSAvoidcable positioning requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by having the second roller row positioned at a variable distance from the first roller row, creating different local straightening zones. This variable spacing allows each local section to be optimized for the cable's position and curvature at that specific location, compensating for positioning variations and maintaining overall straightening precision without requiring exact cable placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the roller rows are moved closer together, then the straightening effect is improved, but the risk of plastic deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestraightening effectVSAvoidplastic deformation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic spacing control where the second roller row is positioned at a variable distance from the first roller row. This allows the system to apply stronger straightening effects (smaller spacing) only where needed while maintaining larger spacing in other areas, thereby achieving effective straightening without causing plastic deformation through excessive compression throughout the entire cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides precise and consistent straightening of cables, preventing plastic deformation and ensuring they can be inserted into predefined spaces without issues, thereby improving the efficiency of cable processing.

Implementation Method 1

A straightening device with a movable first and second row of rollers, equipped with a measuring device, such as an ultrasonic or laser sensor, to determine the cable diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic measurement: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

equipped with a measuring device, such as an ultrasonic or laser sensor, to determine the cable diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser measurement: Laser

Implementation Method 3

The wires are typically supplied to the cable processing machine on reels or as bundles. In a first step, they are unwound from the reel or bundle. The unwound wires are more or less curved and twisted, which complicates further processing steps with the cable processing machine. To straighten the wire as much as possible, it is typically pulled through a straightening device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3873687B1Straightening device for a cable-processing machine and method for operating a straightening unit
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SCHLEUNIGER AG
  • EP3873687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3873687B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3873687B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an aligning device (15) for straightening a line (11), comprising an aligning system (20) having a first row of rollers (21) and a second row of rollers (31) which can be moved relative to one another. The aligning device (15) comprises a measuring unit (40) for determining a line diameter and/or a tensile force measuring means (70). The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the aligning system (20) and a method for setting the aligning system (20), as well as a wire processing machine having at least one aligning device (15).