Stranding Roller Layout for Twist and Curl Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stranded wires produced by existing stranding machines often exhibit significant twist and a tendency to curl, which complicates further processing such as winding, crimping, and extrusion, leading to reduced bending cycles and inefficient use of continuous bag processes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a rotatably mounted deflection roller with a wedge-shaped recess and a guide device that presses the strand against specific flanks to counteract strand torsion, combined with a pulling device to apply tensile force and reduce plastic deformation, thereby minimizing twist and curling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional stranding machines are used to produce strands, then the stranding process can be completed, but the strand exhibits significant twist and curling tendency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrand twist controlVSAvoidstrand curling
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a deflection roller that actively counteracts the strand torsion immediately after stranding. The deflection roller is specifically configured to apply a counter-torsional force that opposes the natural curling tendency, preventing the harmful effect from developing fully rather than attempting to correct it afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful strand torsion into a beneficial effect by using the deflection roller to transform the curling tendency into a controlled winding action. The roller guides the strand in a specific winding pattern that utilizes the torsional energy to achieve beneficial strand configuration and reduced curling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If the strand is wound onto a spool during processing, then continuous production can be maintained, but the twist and curling complicate the extrusion process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous productionVSAvoidextrusion process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing the deflection roller system before the extrusion process. The strand is pre-treated with controlled winding and torsion reduction, so that when it subsequently enters the extrusion process, the harmful effects have already been mitigated, making extrusion easier and more reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If the strand undergoes multiple bending cycles, then flexibility is demonstrated, but material fatigue and failure occur due to twist and curling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending cyclesVSAvoidmaterial fatigue resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection roller system applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting torsion before the strand undergoes bending cycles. This pre-treatment reduces the cumulative stress that would otherwise lead to fatigue, allowing the strand to endure more bending cycles with maintained reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 effectively reduces the twist and curling of stranded wires, enhancing their manageability during processing and extending the number of bending cycles without material fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatably mounted deflection roller for deflecting the strand... wherein the guide device is arranged such that the strand can be guided in a straight line from the guide device to the deflection roller in such a way that the strand is pressed against a first flank of the deflection roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the strand is pressed against a first flank of the deflection roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNormal force: Force

Implementation Method 3

a pulling device to apply tensile force and reduce plastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 4

a stretching which leads to a plastic deformation of the strand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3775367B1Stranding machine
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 MASCHINENFABRIK NIEHOFF GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3775367B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a stranding machine for producing a cord (1) from a plurality of wires, preferably metal wires. The stranding machine has a stranding device for stranding the wires, comprising at least one rotatably mounted deflecting roller (9) for deflecting the cord (1) and at least one guide device (8) for guiding the cord (1). The guide device (8) is arranged in such a way that the cord (1) can be guided on a straight line from the guide device (8) to the deflecting roller (9) in such a way that the cord (1) is pressed against a first flank (9a) of the deflecting roller (9). As the cord is deflected by the deflecting roller (9), the cord (1) moves from the first flank (9a) into the roller base (9b) of the deflecting roller (9). At the same time, if the first flank (9a) is chosen accordingly, the cord (1) moves with the torsion produced by the stranding process, whereby the twist and the tendency of the cord to "curl" are reduced.