Braiding, winding or spiralling machine and method for operating same

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine for braiding around, wrapping around or spiraling around a strand-like material, in particular a cable, with at least one elongate material strand formed from at least one elongate material fibre, in particular from at least one wire. In the method, a diameter of the strand-like material is measured and a feed rate of the strand-like material and/or a rotational speed at which the at least one elongate material strand moves about the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material is controlled by open-loop or closed-loop control depending on said diameter measured. A predefined degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one elongate material strand can be kept substantially constant by means of an open-loop or closed-loop control of the relative feed rate of the strand-like material depending on the diameter measured.

Claims

1. A method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine, comprising: braiding, wrapping or spiraling at least one elongate material strand formed from at least one elongate material fiber around a strand-like material, wherein the at least one elongate material strand is rotationally fixed at least at one point to the strand-like material, the at least one elongate material strand is repeatedly guided around a longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, and the strand-like material is simultaneously moved in a same direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material such that the at least one elongate material strand takes on a shape of a coil looping around the strand-like material, wherein a diameter of a cross section of the strand-like material is measured substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, and a feed rate of the strand-like material and/or a rotational speed at which the at least one elongate material strand moves around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material is controlled or regulated as a function of the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material, and wherein a relative feed rate of the strand-like material, defined as a distance by which the strand-like material moves during one complete revolution of the at least one elongate material strand around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, is controlled or regulated as a function of the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material such that a degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one elongate material strand, defined as a ratio of a total surface area of all of the elongate material strands facing radially outward with respect to the strand-like material covering the strand-like material in a section of the strand-like material to a surface area of the strand-like material in the section, substantially corresponds to a predefined value.

2. The method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 1, wherein a $h=\frac{1}{\sqrt{{\left(\frac{k}{\mathrm{fXd}}\right)}^2-\frac{1}{{\left(D\right)}^2}}}.$ relationship is used to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material, wherein h is the relative feed rate of the strand-like material, D is the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, k is the degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one elongate material strand, f is a number of elongate material fibers in the at least one elongate material strand, d is a diameter of a cross section of an elongate material fiber in the at least one elongate material strand substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate material fiber, and X is a number of elongate material strands to be factored into the degree of coverage.

3. The method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 1, wherein a twist angle, defined as an angle between a half-line running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material and opposite to a direction of movement of the strand-like material through a take-up point of the at least one elongate material strand on the strand-like material and the at least one elongate material strand being taken up on the strand-like material, is measured and used in controlling or regulating the relative feed rate of the strand-like material.

4. The method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 3, wherein a $={\tan }^{-1}\sqrt{{\left(\frac{kD}{\mathrm{fXd}}\right)}^2-1}.$ relationship is used to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material using the twist angle, wherein is the twist angle, D is the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, k is the degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one elongate material strand, f is a number of elongate material fibers in the at least one elongate material strand, d is a diameter of a cross section of an elongate material fiber in the at least one elongate material strand substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate material fiber, and X is a number of elongate material strands to be factored into the degree of coverage.

5. A braiding, winding or spiraling machine configured to be operated according to a method for braiding, wrapping or respectively spiraling at least one elongate material strand made from at least one elongate material fiber around a strand-like material, wherein the at least one elongate material strand is rotationally fixed at least at one point to the strand-like material, the at least one elongate material strand is repeatedly guided around a longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, and the strand-like material is simultaneously moved in a same direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material such that the at least one elongate material strand takes on a shape of a coil looping around the strand-like material, wherein a diameter of a cross section of the strand-like material is measured substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, and a feed rate of the strand-like material and/or a rotational speed at which the at least one elongate material strand moves around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material is controlled or regulated as a function of the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material, wherein the braiding, winding or spiraling machine is also configured to repeatedly guide the at least one elongate material strand around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material and simultaneously move the strand-like material in the same direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, wherein a measuring apparatus determines the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, and a control or regulating apparatus controls or regulates a relative feed rate of the strand-like material, defined as a distance by which the strand-like material moves upon a complete revolution of the at least one elongate material strand around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material subject to the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material, and wherein the relative feed rate of the strand-like material is controlled or regulated as a function of the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material such that a degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one elongate material strand, defined as a ratio of a total surface area of all of the elongate material strands facing radially outward with respect to the strand-like material covering the strand-like material in a section of the strand-like material to a surface area of the strand-like material in the section, substantially corresponds to a predefined value.

6. The braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 5, additionally configured to be operated according to a method wherein a twist angle, defined as an angle between a half-line running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material and opposite to a direction of movement of the strand-like material through a take-up point of the at least one elongate material strand on the strand-like material and the at least one elongate material strand being taken up on the strand-like material, is measured and used in controlling or regulating the relative feed rate of the strand-like material, and wherein the braiding, winding or spiraling machine further comprises a measuring device for the twist angle.

7. The braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 6, additionally configured to be operated according to a method wherein a $={\tan }^{-1}\sqrt{{\left(\frac{kD}{\mathrm{fXd}}\right)}^2-1}.$ relationship is used to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material using the twist angle, wherein is the twist angle, D is the diameter of the cross section of the strand-like material substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, k is the degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one elongate material strand, f is a number of elongate material fibers in the at least one elongate material strand, d is a diameter of a cross section of an elongate material fiber in the at least one elongate material strand substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate material fiber, and X is a number of elongate material strands to be factored into the degree of coverage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Shown are:

(2) FIG. 1: a drawing of a rectangular pay-off of the surface of the strand-like material;

(3) FIG. 2: a schematic configuration of a braiding machine of the type under consideration.

(4) FIG. 1 has already been explained above.

(5) FIG. 2 shows the functional principle of an inventive braiding machine 1 on the basis of a schematic drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The braiding machine 1 comprises a number, for example 8, 12 or 16, of upper braiding bobbins 2, onto each of which an upper yarn 9 (the so-called weft) is wound. The upper yarn 9 can in particular be a textile strand, a wire or a bundle of several such textile strands or wires. The upper braiding bobbins 2 are mounted on bobbin carriers (not shown) which rotate separately from each other on gearwheels on a ring gear (neither shown) mounted on a lower bobbin rail 4 and all rotate in the same direction, for example counterclockwise (indicated by upper rotating arrow 17).

(7) Furthermore, the braiding machine 1 comprises a number, for example likewise 8, 12 or 16, of lower braiding bobbins 3, onto each of which a lower yarn 10 (the so-called warp) is wound. The number of lower braiding bobbins 3 is thereby preferably the same as the number of upper braiding bobbins 2. The lower yarn 10 is preferably the same yarn as the upper yarn 9. The lower braiding bobbins 3 are mounted on a common lower bobbin rail 4 which rotates in a direction opposite to the upper braiding bobbins 2, for example clockwise (indicated by lower rotating arrow 18).

(8) The axis around which the upper braiding bobbins 2 and lower braiding bobbins 3 rotate together albeit in opposite directions coincides with the so-called braid axis 5. A cable 6still unshielded at this pointis introduced into the braiding machine 1 along the braid axis 5 from below and continues on out of the braiding machine 1 at the upper end thereof.

(9) The upper yarns 9 paying off the upper braiding bobbins 2 and the lower yarns 10 paying off the lower braiding bobbins 3 converge at braiding point 8 on the braid axis 5 and wrap around the unshielded cable 6 there, which is then pulled off the upper end of the braiding machine 1 as a shielded cable 7 by a (not shown) haul-off capstan.

(10) So that the upper yarns 9 and the lower yarns 10 cross at braiding point 8 and are thereby braided, the lower yarns 10, which rotate with lower braiding bobbins 3 in the opposite direction about braid axis 5 than upper yarns 9 with upper braiding bobbins 2, are alternatingly passed over one or more adjacent upper braiding bobbins 2 and under one or more adjacent upper braiding bobbins 2, for example above or respectively below two adjacent upper braiding bobbins 2. During the up and down bobbing motion, each lower yarn 10 dips into vertical slots in an upper inner housing 19.

(11) The lower yarn 10 runs over a roller at one end of a braiding lever 11 and is alternatingly lifted or depressed by the braiding lever 11 prior to passing an oncoming upper bobbin 2 and thus passed over the upper braiding bobbin 2 or under the upper braiding bobbin 2 respectively. To this end, each lower yarn 10 is allocated its own braiding lever 11 respectively rotatable about a pivot bearing 12 fixed to a mount 13 connected to the lower bobbin rail 4.

(12) Each braiding lever 11 is controllable via a connecting rod 14, the upper end of which is rotatably connected to the braiding lever 11 and the lower end of which runs in a fixed circumferential curved path of a cam control 15. The waveform of the cam control 15 curved path results in an up and down sliding movement of the connecting rod 14 and thus to the desired up and down tilting of the braiding lever 11, which is synchronized with the movement of the upper braiding bobbins 2. Alternatively, however, the braiding lever 11 can also be directly guided in the curved path of the cam control 15.

(13) A diameter measuring device 16 which measures the diameter of a cross section of the cable 6 substantially perpendicular to the braid axis 5 is arranged anywhere along the braid axis 5 at which the cable 6 is not yet braided and therefore still unshielded. The diameter is thereby preferably measured continuously, although it can also ensue periodically at a specific frequency.

(14) The diameter is measured by means of a suitable measuring means, preferably mechanically, for instance by means of two spring-loaded rollers pressed against two opposite sides of the cable 6 from the outside via spring action. The distance between the two rollers and thus the diameter of the cable 6 can for example be determined by the spring tension with which the two rollers are pushed apart or even by an optical or other measuring range transducer. Further preferentially, the diameter measurement can also ensue on a purely optical basis, for instance by means of a laser sensor, alternatively also by means of a camera which continuously films the passing cable 6, the images of which are evaluated.

(15) The braiding machine 1 can in addition also comprise a (not depicted) measuring device for the twist angle .

(16) The inventive method is preferably stored in a control device of the braiding machine 1 as control software. When commencing operation, the operator of the braiding machine 1 enters a setpoint for the degree of coverage k into the controller. The diameter D of the cable 6 can also be input into the controller as a setpoint value. Alternatively, the measured diameter D can also be transferred to the controller.

(17) Calculated therefrompreferably using the mathematical relationship indicated aboveis a setpoint h.sub.soll for the relative feed rate h of the cable 6; i.e. the distance by which the cable 6 advances during one complete revolution of the upper braiding bobbins 2 or the lower braiding bobbins 3 about the braid axis 5. A v.sub.soll,1 setpoint is determined from the h.sub.soll setpoint for the rotational speed of the upper braiding bobbins 2 or lower braiding bobbins 3 rotation about the braid axis 5 as is a v.sub.soll,2 setpoint for the haul-off speed of the braided shielded cable 7. To that end, v.sub.soll,1 is preferably first set to the maximum permissible rotational speed and then v.sub.soll,2=h.sub.sollv.sub.soll,1, such that: h.sub.soll=v.sub.soll,2/v.sub.soll,1. Should v.sub.soll,2 then exceed the maximum permissible haul-off speed, both v.sub.soll,1 as well as v.sub.soll,2 are reduced at the same rate until v.sub.soll,2 is also within the permissible range.

(18) The thusly determined v.sub.soll,1 and v.sub.soll,2 values are transferred to the respective controller as setpoint values for the rotational speed of the braiding bobbins 2, 3 or the haul-off speed respectively. The respective controller then controls or regulates the rotational speed/haul-off speed to the v.sub.soll,1/v.sub.soll,2 value. This thus thereby ensures that the braided cable 7 substantially exhibits the predefined degree of coverage k.

(19) Should the braiding machine 1 comprise a measuring device for the twist angle , an .sub.soll setpoint can be calculatedpreferably using the mathematical relationship indicated abovefor said twist angle . After that, the rotational speed of the braiding bobbins 2, 3 can be changed and simultaneously the twist angle measured, e.g. at a constant haul-off speed of the braided cable 7, until the twist angle has assumed the .sub.soll setpoint value. This thus also ensures that braided cable 7 substantially exhibits the predefined degree of coverage k.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(20) 1 braiding machine 2 upper braiding bobbin 3 lower braiding bobbin 4 lower bobbin rail 5 braid axis 6 unshielded cable 7 shielded cable 8 braiding point 9 upper yarn (weft) 10 lower yarn (warp) 11 braiding lever 12 braiding lever pivot bearing 13 braiding lever mount 14 connecting rod for braiding lever control 15 braiding lever cam control 16 diameter measuring device 17 upper braiding bobbin direction of rotation 18 lower braiding bobbin direction of rotation 19 upper inner housing 20 lower inner housing