Shaping of line ends

Abstract

Aligning machines for individual line ends (2) of cable (3) provide enhanced stress-free and precise alignment of line ends (2) of the cable (3) prior to the further processing thereof. Cable (3) is fixed in a clamp (5) opposite a rotor (4) provided with recesses (6, 7) for the exposed line ends (2). This rotor (4) is provided with a corresponding number of preferably parallel elongate blind holes (7) that connect to funnel-shaped guides (6) for the line ends (2). The rotor (4) and the clamp (5) for the cable (3) are movably mounted relative to one another.

Claims

1. An aligning machine comprising: a rotor, said rotor being rotatable on a first axis, said rotor having a forward face; a drive motor connected to controllably rotate said rotor; a plurality of recesses in said rotor forward face, each of said plurality of recesses including at least one respective funnel-like guide; said plurality of funnel-like guides tapering towards a plurality of blind holes, and the each of the plurality of blind holes having an inner diameter and being located in said rotor; each of said plurality of blind holes being configured to receive a line end of a cable and said each blind hole having a length at least as long as a length of an exposed length of the line end and the inner diameter of each blind hole being dimensioned to accommodate a corresponding line end including an attached component; a clamp, said clamp having a clamping axis, said clamp having grippers configured to clamp cable passed on the clamping axis through said clamp and towards said rotor face; and, a drive, said drive connected to controllably adjust relative distance separating said rotor and said clamp on the clamping axis.

2. An aligning machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a rotor mount supporting said rotor for rotation in a plane transverse to said clamping axis.

3. The aligning machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first axis is parallel to said clamping axis.

4. The aligning machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first axis is coincident with said clamping axis.

5. An aligning machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a rotor mount supporting said rotor for displacement along said clamping axis.

6. The aligning machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said drive is connected to controllably translate said rotor along said clamping axis.

7. The aligning machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of blind holes are provided evenly distributed around said rotor and along a circle around said clamping axis.

8. The aligning machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of blind holes are arranged in a predefined orientation with respect to one another.

9. The aligning machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said plurality of blind holes are arranged parallel to one another.

10. The aligning machine of claim 1, wherein the number of blind holes corresponds to the number of line ends in the cable.

11. The aligning machine of claim 10, wherein the number of blind holes corresponding to the number of line ends is accomplished by closing some of the plurality of blind holes present in the rotor.

12. The aligning machine of claim 10, wherein each blind hole has a stepped bore to accommodate the component attached to the corresponding line end.

Description

(1) The appended reference labels list is part of the disclosure. The figures are described in a cohesive and comprehensive manner. The same reference symbols denote the same components, and any reference symbols with different indices specify functionally identical or similar components.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1—shows an exemplary embodiment of an aligning machine according to the invention in a view from the front and above;

(4) FIG. 2—shows an enlarged cutout of FIG. 1, in which the front end of the accommodating component can more clearly be seen;

(5) FIG. 3—shows a longitudinal section through an accommodating component with line ends spaced from the same at the end of a cable;

(6) FIG. 4—shows a longitudinal section according to FIG. 3, but this time with line ends pushed into the accommodating component for aligning and stress reduction; and,

(7) FIG. 5 shows a front view of the accommodating component of FIGS. 3 and 4 with indication of the direction and the angle of the rotation thereof.

(8) In the present description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of versions of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that some versions of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Indeed, reference in this specification to “one/the version,” “a version,” “versions,” “a variant,” “variants,” and “one/the variant,” should be understood to mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the version or variant is included in at least one such version or variant of the disclosure. Thus, the appearances of phrases such as “in one version,” “in one variant,” and the like, in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same variant or version, nor are separate or alternative versions or variants mutually exclusive of other versions or variants. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some versions or variants and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some versions or variants, but not others. Furthermore, as used throughout this specification, the terms ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘at least’ do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item, in the sense that singular reference of an element does not necessarily exclude the plural reference of such elements. Concurrently, the term “a plurality” denotes the presence of more than one referenced items. Finally, the terms “connected” or “coupled” and related terms are used in an operational sense and are not necessarily limited to a direct connection or coupling.

(9) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary processing station for cables, with an aligning machine 1. Using such processing station 1, two-to-four line ends 2 of a cable 3 may be aligned in a stress-free manner, and parallel, for the further processing of the cable 3 or of the line ends 2 thereof. However, cables 3 with yet more cores may also be processed, depending on the configuration of the accommodating component 4 of an aligning machine 1.

(10) Considering FIGS. 1-2, in a region adjoining the line ends 2, where the cable 3 is also provided with the sheath, insulation, jacket, etc. thereof, the cable 3 itself is clamped in a clamp 5 by grippers 5a, as depicted, so as to be rotationally fixed about its longitudinal axis A. The cable 3 is also fixed against translation in the direction of the same longitudinal axis A.

(11) The accommodating component, rotor 4, being opposite the line ends 2 has a guide 6, or, in the present case, a plurality of guides 6, that open towards the line ends 2. Blind holes 7 adjoin the ends of the/each guide 6 opposite the line ends 2. The number of blind holes 7 corresponds to the number of line ends 2 to be aligned. These elongate blind holes 7 are aligned parallel to one another.

(12) The blind holes 7 may be present in a predefined geometric arrangement, that corresponds to the desired arrangement of the line ends 2 for the further processing of the cable 3. Preferably, the blind holes 7 may be distributed evenly (see FIG. 5) along the circumference of a circle around the intersection of the longitudinal axis A (see the explanation in the present description introduction, in this regard) of the clamped cable 3 with the fixed plane, which plane is typically defined by the openings of the blind holes 7.

(13) The length of the blind holes 7 at least corresponds to the exposed length of the line ends 2, so that the same may be pushed completely into the blind holes 7. Furthermore, in order to ensure the stress-free arrangement of the line ends 2 in the rotor 4, at every depth of the blind holes 7, the smallest diameter thereof is larger than the largest diameter of the line ends 2 at any desired longitudinal section of the same line ends 2. In this case, of course all components or elements, that are (if appropriate) fixed on the line ends 2, or otherwise connected thereto, must also be taken into account. The line ends 2 are generally not fixed in the blind holes 7. If there is a risk of damage to the connected components, or if the same are very complex with regards to the shape thereof, a fixing of the line ends 2 in the blind holes 7 may be necessary in order to effect the desired alignment of the line ends 2.

(14) The blind holes 7 may, in any case, be realized as a stepped bore, but in every case, the diameters in every region of the blind hole 7 are larger than the diameter of the line end 2 or each component connected thereto, for example a pressed-on contact.

(15) In order to be able to push the line ends 2 into the blind holes 7, the rotor 4 and the clamp 5 are mounted displaceably relative to one another and coaxially to the longitudinal axis A of the clamped cable 3. Usually in this case, the rotor 4 is preferably controllably displaceable by action of an electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other drive mechanism 8 in the direction towards the clamp 5 and away from the same. If appropriate, alternatively the clamp 5 alone may be movably mounted, or, both components 4,5, may be movably mounted, as indicated by arrow in FIG. 2.

(16) In any case, the rotor 4 is movable in a plane perpendicularly to the direction of the clamped cable 3, wherein this movement is preferably a rotation coaxially to the direction or the longitudinal axis A of the clamped cable 3. This rotational movement may be effected by means of an electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or other drive 9. The movement of the rotor 4, which could in any case also be a movement about a pivot point lying outside the rotor 4, takes place in an essentially fixed plane, preferably parallel to the plane defined by the openings of the blind holes 7.

(17) Some or all of the blind holes 7 may be closable, particularly in order to facilitate the processing of cables 3, where the number of line ends 2 to be aligned is smaller than the number of blind holes 7 present overall. In order to configure an aligning machine according to the present disclosure, to process various cable types, particularly also with respect to the cross section of the line ends 2, the cross section of at least some of the blind holes 7 may be adjustable at least over a portion of the depth thereof. Typically, however, the aligning machine is adapted to a particular cable type, so that an adaptation, adjustment or even, in principle, a possible exchange of the rotor 4 is not necessary.

(18) For controlling the processes during the alignment and the stress reduction in the line ends 2, the clamp 5 and the rotor 4 are in operative communication with a control (not illustrated), in each case. Hard-wired in this control, a process is implemented, realized via printed circuits or via software, in accordance with which process, the following steps are typically effected: Subsequently to the approach of the rotor 4 to the clamp 5—with the pushing in of the line ends 2 into the blind holes 7 of the rotor 4—the rotor 4 is set rotating in such a manner. In this case, the rotor 4 is rotated out of a start position at least once through a predetermined angle in each one of the two circumferential directions (see FIG. 5 indications in this regard).

(19) Subsequently, the method for shaping line ends 2, particularly for the precise and parallel alignment with simultaneous dissipation of all stresses in the line ends 2, shall now be further described. It proceeds from the spreading and alignment of the cores of the cable 3.

(20) The line ends 2 are brought from a starting position (illustrated in FIG. 3), first into the region of the guides 6 of the rotor 4, via relative movement with respect to one another of the rotor 4 and the clamp 5, the clamp 5 having cable 3 fixed therein. Upon continuation of the relative movement of rotor 4 and clamp 5, the line ends 2, guided by the guides 6, are pushed further into the preferably parallel blind holes 7, as depicted in FIG. 4. There, the line ends 2 are positioned in a stress-free manner, more particularly not clamped nor otherwise actively loaded with any significant forces that could lead to stresses in the line ends 2.

(21) In this position of the line ends 2 in the blind holes 7, the rotor 4 is set moving in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the line ends 2, preferably set rotating about a first axis lying between the line ends 2. To this end, the rotor 4 is rotated about a second axis, preferably the common axis of the blind holes 7, to accommodate the line ends 2. In the illustrated version of the machine, both axes, first and second, do coincide with the longitudinal axis A of the cable 3 fixed in the clamp 5. Thus typically, the arrangement of the line ends 2 may therefore be rotated at least once about an essentially common axis lying centrally between the line ends 2. Preferably, and also indicated in FIG. 5 by means of the directional arrows D, the arrangement of the line ends 2 is rotated from a start position at least once in each of the two opposing directions. By means of such rotating or oscillating movement for example about the longitudinal axis of the cable 3 to the right and left from the start position through a certain, yet variable angle; and with a certain, yet variable number of cycles, these line ends 2 are relieved from the stresses thereof.

(22) The angle W of the rotation D may preferably be chosen in such a manner that all stresses are dissipated from the line ends 2, but so that the line ends 2 are not damaged within the blind holes 7 or at the edges of the openings thereof. The angle W of the rotation will in this case be smaller than 90°, preferably smaller than 45°, preferably approximately 30°. Particularly good results for the dissipation of stresses were achieved in the case of repeated rotation D in each direction. Particularly beneficial in this case are two to ten rotations in each circumferential direction, in each case. In the context of trials on prototypes, very good results were achieved with an angle of approx. 30° and an eight-time repetition of reciprocating movement.

(23) It should be understood also that the angle W of the rotation may also vary for each rotation. Thus, for example, variant method procedures are possible, in which the angle W decreases from the first to the last rotation (for example the first rotation takes place through an angle of approx. 30°, the second rotation through a smaller angle of approx. 20°, followed by one or a plurality of terminating rotations through only approx. 10°). Likewise the angle W may even possibly controllably increase. Such processes may be realised particularly easily with an electrical drive 9 acting as the rotational drive 9 of the rotor 4.

(24) For the most part, the aligning machines for certain cable types are assembled and then remain essentially unchanged. On the other hand, an aligning machine could also be flexibly adjustable to different kinds and types of cables. Then, the method according to the present disclosure also includes the equipping or adapting phase for the particular cable respectively arriving for processing.

(25) This may, for example, take place by an adaptation of the number and/or the dimensions of the blind holes 7, so that the number thereof corresponds to the number of line ends 2, and so that the length thereof at least corresponds to the exposed length of the line ends 2. Also, at every depth of the blind holes 7, the smallest diameter thereof must be larger than the largest diameter of the line ends 2 at any desired longitudinal section of the same line ends 2.

(26) Such adaptation may take place via either the installation or connection of accommodating components 4 that have the corresponding number and the corresponding dimensions of the blind holes 7. Adaptations also may, however, alternatively take place by adapting the number and/or the dimensions of the blind holes 7 via manual or automatic opening or closing of the blind holes 7 in the rotor 4. A further alternative measure would, for example, be an adaptation of the cross section of the blind holes 7 in the accommodating component 4. In the latter case, this adaptation may be preceded by preferably automatic identification of the cable type via suitable sensors cooperating with the control unit.

(27) Finally, it should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or features, and that use of the terms “a” or “an” does not necessarily exclude a plurality, in the sense that singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements. The verb ‘comprise’ and its conjugations do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot possibly be used to advantage. Furthermore, elements described in association with different versions may be combined. Finally, it should be noted that the abovementioned examples, and versions illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. As equivalent elements may be substituted for elements employed in claimed invention to obtain substantially the same results in substantially the same way, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, including known equivalents and unforeseeable equivalents at the time of filing of this application. Thus, in closing, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the abovementioned versions and exemplary working examples. Further developments, modifications and combinations are also within the scope of the appended patent claims and are placed in the possession of the person skilled in the art from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the techniques and structures described and illustrated previously herein should be understood to be illustrative and exemplary, and not necessarily limiting upon the scope.

REFERENCE LABELS LIST

(28) 1 Aligning machine 2 Line ends 3 Cable 4 Accommodating component as rotor 5 Clamping device/clamp for cable 5a Grippers 6 Guide 7 Blind hole 8 Drive for accommodating component, translational 9 Drive for accommodating component, rotational A Longitudinal axis of the cable D Direction of rotation W Angular range (arc) of the rotation