Magnetic Roller Braking in Cable Straightening to Prevent Looping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable straightening devices face issues with friction-based braking, which leads to damage and deformation of cables due to heat generation, and mechanical overloading, causing production interruptions and length errors.

Innovation Solution

A straightening device with a magnetic braking system that applies a non-contact braking effect to rotatable rollers, reducing friction and heat, allowing for gentle braking and preventing loop formation during high-speed cable processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If friction-based braking is used to stop the cable during straightening, then the cable can be braked, but the cable is damaged and deformed due to heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable feeding speedVSAvoidcable damage and deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based braking system with an electromagnetic braking system. The electromagnetic brake uses magnetic fields to apply braking force to the drive roller without direct mechanical contact, thereby eliminating the friction-induced heat that causes cable damage and deformation while maintaining effective speed control during the straightening process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the braking mechanism and the cable. The electromagnetic brake applies force to the drive roller through magnetic attraction, which indirectly controls the cable without direct contact between the braking mechanism and the cable itself, thus preventing heat transfer to the cable that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If mechanical braking is applied to the rotatable rollers, then the rollers can be braked, but high friction-based heat is generated causing wire deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller rotational speedVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction brake with an electromagnetic brake that uses magnetic fields to slow down the rotatable rollers. This substitution eliminates the direct mechanical contact and friction that generate excessive heat, while still providing effective control over the roller's rotational speed during cable straightening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If high-speed cable processing is performed, then productivity increases, but loop formation occurs causing production interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable processing outputVSAvoidcontinuous production
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a control system that monitors the cable feeding process and adjusts the electromagnetic brake's braking force in real-time. This feedback mechanism detects potential loop formation conditions and modifies the braking intensity accordingly, allowing the system to maintain high-speed operation while preventing loop formation that would cause production interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a dynamically adjustable electromagnetic braking system that can rapidly modify its braking force in response to varying cable tension and feeding conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize braking at different stages of the straightening process, maintaining productivity while preventing loop formation through adaptive force application.

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

Prevents cable damage and length errors, maintaining quality and ensuring continuous production by effectively braking the rollers without mechanical stress or heat generation, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the cable straightening process.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic brake (40) has a magnet receptacle (45) with permanent magnets (41-44) and is in a non-contact braking operative connection with the rotatable rollers (25) when activated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic braking: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP3741476B1Aligning device for straightening a conduit, method for braking at least one rotatable roll in an aligning device, cable processing machine with an alignment device and and upgrade kit for a cable processing machine
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 SCHLEUNIGER AG
  • EP3741476B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3741476B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3741476B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a straightening device (15) for straightening a cable (11) along a conveying path, comprising a straightening unit (20) with a first row of rollers (21) and a second row of rollers (31) that are movable relative to each other and between which the conveying path of the cable (11) runs, wherein at least one of the two rows of rollers (21, 31) has several rotatable rollers (25, 35). A braking device (40) is provided for braking at least one of the rotatable rollers (25, 35) of at least one of the two rows of rollers (21, 31) of the straightening unit (20). The invention further comprises a method for braking at least one rotatable roller (25, 35) of at least one of the two rows of rollers (21, 31) in a straightening device (15), a cable processing machine with a straightening device (15), and an upgrade kit for a cable processing machine.