APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TWISTING WIRES

Abstract

An apparatus for twisting an elongate element such as a wire or cable, includes a) a first holder configured to hold a first portion of the element; b) a second holder configured to hold a second portion of the element; c) a twisting unit configured to twist the element at a third portion between the first and the second portion. The twisting unit and the second holder are configured to be movable relative to the first holder in the same direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for twisting an elongate element such as a wire or cable, comprising: a first holder configured to hold a first portion of the elongate element; a second holder configured to hold a second portion of the elongate element; and a twisting unit configured to twist the element at a third portion between the first and the second portion, wherein the twisting unit and the second holder are configured to be movable relative to the first holder in a same direction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second holder and the twisting unit are configured such that a motion of the second holder is synchronized with the motion of the twisting unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a motion of the second holder and a motion of the twisting unit are substantially in a translational direction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second holder and the twisting unit are configured to perform substantially horizontal motions in a direction towards the first holder and away from the first holder.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a motion of the second holder and a motion of the twisting unit are coupled by a gear mechanism, thereby defining a relationship of the motion of the second holder and the motion of the twisting unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second holder and the twisting unit are configured such that a translational velocity of a motion of the second holder is greater than a translational velocity of the motion of the twisting unit by a factor of 1.5 to 2.5 if a distance of the second holder to the first holder and L1 is greater than a distance of the twisting unit to the first holder by a factor of 1.5 to 2.5.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second holder and the twisting unit are configured such that a translational velocity of the second holder and a translational velocity of the twisting unit are coupled to a rotational twisting velocity of the twisting unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first holder is configured to hold the first portion of the element in a removably fixed manner, and the second holder is configured to hold the second portion of the element in a removably fixed manner, when the element is arranged in the apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the twisting unit is configured to interact with the element, when arranged in the apparatus, at a portion between 20% to 80% of a distance of the first holder and the second holder.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second holder is configured to establish a tension force on the element to maintain a substantially straight alignment when arranged in the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the twisting unit is configured to twist the element at the third portion substantially causing twisting of the element when the element is arranged in the apparatus.

12. A method for twisting an elongate element such as a wire or cable, comprising: a) providing an elongate element; b) holding a first portion of the element with a first holder; c) holding a second portion of the element with a second holder; and d) twisting the element at a third portion between the first and the second portion with a twisting unit, wherein the twisting unit and the second holder are moved relative to the first holder in a same direction.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second holder and the twisting unit are moved substantially horizontally towards the first holder while twisting the element.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein a translational velocity of the second holder and a translational velocity of the twisting unit are coupled to a rotational twisting velocity of the twisting unit while twisting the element.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of providing the elongate element comprises: folding the element to form two or more substantially parallel parts of the element, such as two or more wires, stripes or leads.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of twisting the element comprises: rotating a central portion of the two or more parts of the element or rotating a central portion of the two or more substantially parallel parts of the element, thereby twisting the two or more substantially parallel parts of the element about one another.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of providing the elongate element comprises: providing one or more other elements to form two or more substantially parallel elements.

18. A twisted element manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of: a) providing an elongate element; b) holding a first portion of the element with a first holder; c) holding a second portion of the element with a second holder; and d) twisting the element at a third portion between the first and the second portion with a twisting unit, wherein the twisting unit and the second holder are moved relative to the first holder in a same direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The present invention is now described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus in a first state according to an embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus in a second state according to an embodiment;

[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus in a first state according to an embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus in a second state according to an embodiment and

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In the following, non-limiting examples are described in more detail. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and a multitude of other embodiments are applicable without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus 1 in a first state. The apparatus 1 includes a first holder 10, a second holder 20 and a twisting unit 30. In this particular embodiment, an element 50 is placed in the apparatus 1. The element 50 is generally not part of the apparatus 1. However, when the apparatus 1 is used, typically an element 50 is placed in the apparatus 1.

[0056] The element 50 may be a wire 50, for instance a single wire folded such that it forms two substantially parallel parts of the wire. In another example the wire may be folded multiple times to form multiple substantially parallel parts of the wire. The folded wire may be cut prior or after it is twisted using the apparatus 1. The element 50 may also be one or more individual wires, forming substantially parallel wires next to each other.

[0057] The first holder 10 is configured to hold a first portion of the element. The second holder 20 is configured to hold a second portion of the element 50. The holders 10, 20 can be opened for receiving a portion of the element. The holders 10, 20 can also be closed for holding and substantially fixing a portion of the element.

[0058] The twisting unit 30 is configured to twist the element at a third portion of the element. The twisting unit 30 interacts with the element between the second holder 20 and the first holder 10. For example, the twisting unit 30 interacts with the element at half a length of L2, wherein L2 is a distance of the second holder 20 to the first holder 10.

[0059] The first state of the apparatus may represent a state, which is prior to twisting the element with the twisting unit or it may be a state in proximity to start twisting the element with the twisting unit.

[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates apparatus 1 in a second state. The second state may represent a state, which is during or after twisting the element with the twisting unit. For example, when the apparatus is operating, the second holder 20 may have a velocity, which is greater than the velocity of the twisting unit 30 by a factor of 2, wherein both, the second holder 20 and the twisting unit 30 move towards the first holder 10.

[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates details of the moving mechanism of apparatus 1 in the first state. The apparatus 1 includes a gear mechanism 35. This gear mechanism provides for a relationship of the translational velocities of the twisting unit 30 and the second holder 20, when the apparatus is in use or when the apparatus is operating.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the gear mechanism 35 in the second state. The second holder 20 and the twisting unit 30 have moved towards the first holder 10 in a substantially horizontally and translational direction. Twisting the element is provided by means of a rotational twisting velocity of the twisting unit. The substantially horizontal and translational motions of the second holder 20 and the twisting unit 30 are coupled to the rotational twisting velocity of the twisting unit 30. For instance, if the apparatus is in operation and the rotational twisting velocity is increased, the translational motions of the second holder 20 and the twisting unit 30 may also be increased.

[0063] This apparatus allows to twist an element or one or more elements, wherein the apparatus is not limited to length restrictions of the element. This generally allows to twist elements with a high length. Further, the apparatus is not limited to any vertical motions of parts included by the apparatus. The forces acting on the element are improved during twisting; thus, the twisting is more stable. In particular, compared to vertical motions of twisting units for a length compensation of an element during twisting, as suggested in the prior art, the apparatus described herein allows for a more efficient and ergonomic unloading of the element. Further, the unloading of the element can be easily automated. The apparatus thus beneficially allows to compensate for a length reduction during twisting the element. The apparatus may be applied for twisting of several wires or lead types, e.g., speakers and CAN/CAN FD applications. The advantages of the apparatus may equally apply to the method as described herein.

[0064] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method 100, according to an embodiment. The method 100 includes the step of providing 110 an element. The method 100 further includes the step of holding 120 a first portion of the element with a first holder. Moreover, the method 100 includes the step of holding 130 a second portion of the element with a second holder. The method also includes the step of twisting 140 the element at a third portion between the first and the second portion with a twisting unit. During twisting, the twisting unit and the second holder are moved relative to the first holder in the same direction, preferably in a same translational direction.

[0065] While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to configure a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments and are by no means limiting and are merely prototypical embodiments.

[0066] Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0067] As used herein, ‘one or more’ includes a function being performed by one element, a function being performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion, several functions being performed by one element, several functions being performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.

[0068] It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.

[0069] The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0070] As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.

[0071] Additionally, while terms of ordinance or orientation may be used herein these elements should not be limited by these terms. All terms of ordinance or orientation, unless stated otherwise, are used for purposes distinguishing one element from another, and do not denote any order of arrangement, order of operations, direction or orientation unless stated otherwise.