U.S. patent application number 11/825687 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for continuous cable processing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Beat Locher, Jiri Stepan.
Application Number | 20070261228 11/825687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46303143 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261228 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Locher; Beat ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Continuous cable processing apparatus
Abstract
A continuous cable processing apparatus for producing cable
sections with processed ends comprises a cable transport apparatus
having at least one transport means for moving and holding the
cable in the axial direction and, transversely thereto, a knife
station. According to a special variant, two transport means are
arranged in the longitudinal cable direction on both sides of the
knife station and, after the cable has been cut through, each hold
one of the cable end regions produced on cutting, so that said end
regions are movable in the longitudinal cable direction. At least
one of these end processing stations is arranged transversely with
respect to the longitudinal cable direction, adjacent to the knife
station and at least one transport means is movable transversely
with respect to the longitudinal cable direction so that a cable
end region can be fed to the end processing station.
Inventors: |
Locher; Beat; (Thun, CH)
; Stepan; Jiri; (Sargans, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
M. Robert Kestenbaum
11011 Bermuda Dunes NE
Albuquerque
NM
87111
US
|
Family ID: |
46303143 |
Appl. No.: |
11/825687 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10972634 |
Oct 25, 2004 |
7257878 |
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11825687 |
Jul 8, 2007 |
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09068278 |
Jul 9, 1998 |
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PCT/EP97/05216 |
Sep 23, 1997 |
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10972634 |
Oct 25, 2004 |
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PCT/EP96/04790 |
Nov 4, 1996 |
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10972634 |
Oct 25, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/564.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 1/005 20130101;
Y10T 29/53213 20150115; H01R 43/28 20130101; Y10T 29/5193 20150115;
H01R 43/05 20130101; H01R 43/052 20130101; H02G 1/1256 20130101;
Y10T 29/5187 20150115; H02G 1/1268 20130101; Y10T 29/514
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
029/564.4 |
International
Class: |
B23P 23/00 20060101
B23P023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 23, 1996 |
CH |
2329/96 |
Nov 6, 1995 |
CH |
3235/95 |
Claims
1. A continuous cable processing apparatus for processing a cable
along a cable transport path from one side to the other side of
said apparatus, having drive and processing stations, with at least
one moveable guide (40, 21) associated with a processing station
(3) and arranged between said processing station and said other
side, wherein said guide (40, 21) is connected to a control that
alternatively moves said guide completely from said cable transport
path during a cable processing mode.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one guide
(40, 21) is arranged on that side of said processing station which
faces a cable outlet.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide (40, 21)
is raisable in a radial plane relative to said cable transport
path.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one guide (40)
each, is arranged in front of and behind said processing station
(3).
5. The cable processing device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at
least one drive and processing station, having at least one each of
first and second movable guides (9, 40) before and after the
processing station (3), the first guide (40) being arranged after
the processing station in the cable feed direction and being
connected to the actuation means which removes the guide (40) on a
case by case basis completely out of the cable path or away from
the cable axis (6) during the cable processing operation, and the
second pivotable guide (9) being arranged on the other side of the
processing station, which guide (9) swivels only one side of the
guide out of the axis (6) of the cable while its other side remains
in the axis (6).
6. The cable processing device comprising at least one drive and
processing station along a cable path (6) and in the feed direction
of a cable, having a pivotable guide (9) on the cable path (6)
before a processing station (3) and a guide sleeve (40) on the
cable path (6) after this processing station (3), as claimed in
claim 1, wherein this guide sleeve (40) is connected to a
preferably automatic actuation means which makes it possible to
remove this guide sleeve (40) on a case by case basis completely
out of the cable path (6).
7. The insulation stripping device comprising a pair of tool
supports (1, 2) for holding at least two tools (3) in pairs (in
particular knives, e.g. one above and one below) and a guide means
for guiding cables before and/or after the tools, as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the guide means has a guide device (40) removable
laterally or upward or downward in order to enable a cable (7)
already lying on the other side of the tools to be pushed back
without collision in a direction opposite to the feed
direction.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the upper and
lower rollers (11) or continuous belts (12) of a pair of rollers or
of a pair of continuous belts are displaceable laterally relative
to one another so that a twisting process can be carried out on a
cable (7) lying in between.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an automatic threading
device and/or a measuring device for the tensile load on the cable
(7) and/or a dynamic contact pressure means on the feed rollers
(11) or feed belts (12), in particular as a function of the tensile
load on the cable (7), and/or a cable straightening device and/or a
length counter unit and/or a cable sheath ejector (optionally by
means of compressed air) and/or a laterally openable cable guide
for ejecting slugs are further coordinated with the roller or belt
feed.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control and a
gripping device are coordinated with the second belt drive (12b),
the former releasing the cable immediately after stripping of
insulation from the rear end of the front cable section so that
said cable can be removed by the gripping device, or wherein,
wherein the pairs (11, 12) of rollers or belts are adjustable
relative to one another by stepping motors, preferably via
spindles, a control having an automatic RESET and/or a programmable
circuit and/or at least one pressure sensor for registering and/or
evaluating the measured contact pressure on the cable (7) being
coordinated with the motors.
11. A continuous cable insulation stripping apparatus, comprising
along a first transport path definable by a cable axis, a cable
transport apparatus, which comprises at least one first and at
least one second transporters (A, B; C; 111, 112, 113) for linear
transport and holding of a cable (107) along said first transport
path, at least one blade station (E, F, G; 115) for holding at
least one blade to be moved toward said cable axis along a working
direction for processing said cable (107), said blade station (E,
F, G; 115) being arranged between two of said transporters (A, B;
C, 111, 112, 113) and, before and after processing of said cable
(107), said transporters holding at least one of said cable and one
each of cable end regions (107a, b) facing one another and created
by said blade station, parallel to said first transport path (100)
and so as to be movable in a cable longitudinal direction, wherein
at least one of said blade station (E, F, G, 115) and said
transporter (A, B; C. 111, 112, 113) is displaceable approximately
at right angles or at right angles to said first transport path
(100) and perpendicular to said working direction of said blade by
a drive.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein displaceability of
one or more transporters (A, B; 112, C, 113) permits parallel
displacement of at least one of said cable (107) and at least one
cable end (107a, b) from said first transport path (100) to at
least a second transport path (102, 103) and wherein a further
processing station (16, 17 ) can be coordinated with said second
transport path (102, 103).
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said further
processing station comprises at least one transport or processing
station (16, 17), selected from the group consisting of an
insulation stripping station, a sawing station, a cutting station,
a twisting station, a shaping station, a crimping station, a
soldering station, a cable processing station and a manipulator
arm.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one
transporter (A, B; 4; C, 112, 113), is guided in a linear guide
(110) transversely to said transport path (100) and can be moved by
a drive apparatus (111,114), and wherein said transporter is
preferably located one each on both sides of said blade station (E,
F, G, 115).
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein a drive apparatus
(111, 114) of each movable transporter (112, 113) and at least one
independent transport drive is connected to a common control (200),
and at least one further processing station (16, 17), so that all
longitudinal and transverse movements can be performed in a
coordinated and time-optimized manner, in synchronization with the
processing steps.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said transport
drive is located one each on both sides of said blade station (E,
F, G, 115) and said common control (200) also controls said blade
station (E, F, G, 115).
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein two transporters
(112) are connected to one another by a common motor-controlled
actuator (101) so that, transverse adjustment of one transporter
(112a) results in a diametrically opposite lateral adjustment of
the other transporter (112b).
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one
transporter (112b) is connected to at least one of said blade
station (115 and tool support by a common, motor-controlled
actuator (10[41) so that transverse adjustment of one transporter
(112b) results in a diametrically opposite transverse adjustment of
at least one of said blade station (115) and said tool support.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first and
second transporter (A, B; C: 112, 113) have at least one of one
pair of rollers (A, B; 111) and one pair of continuous belts (C;
112).
20. A continuous cable processing apparatus having rollers or
continuous belts for longitudinal transport of a cable along a
transport path (100), wherein said rollers (A, B; 111) or
continuous belts (C; 112) are located opposite one another across
said transport path (100) and are adjustable relative to one
another and can be opened and closed in a cable-dependent and
feed-controlled manner and can be moved together lateral to said
transport path.
21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein a cable is receivable
in a gap between opened rollers (A, B; 111) or belts (C, 112) and
is transported onward by means of said rollers (111) or said belts
(112) that are moved toward one another and held against one
another under a contact pressure.
22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said rollers (111) or
said belts (112) belonging to two pairs of rollers or belts (A, B;
111; C; 112) are programmably adjustable relative to one another by
at least one of stepping motors, a control, a programmable circuit,
and at least one pressure sensor for measuring or evaluating
contact pressure on said cable (107).
23. A cable apparatus as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a
control member having a computer which, in an operating state,
after input of cable diameter, cable type designation, and desired
insulation stripping length, automatically calculates and sets at
least one of an initial gap of said rollers or belt drive (A, B;
111; C; 112) and a contact pressure for stripping of insulation
sections, and appropriately controls said drives.
24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which said gap is computer
controlled.
25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, in which said control has an
automatic reset.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one drive station
each are arranged in front of and behind said processing
station.
27. The apparatus according to claim 4, in which said guides are
arranged symmetrically with respect to said processing station.
28. The apparatus according to claim 26, in which said drive
station is arranged symmetrically with respect to said processing
station.
29. A continuous cable processing apparatus having rollers or
continuous belts for longitudinal transport of a cable along a
transport path (100), wherein said rollers (A, B; 111) or
continuous belts (C; 112) are located opposite one another across
said transport path (100) and are adjustable relative to one
another and can be opened and closed in a cable-dependent and
feed-controlled manner and can be moved together lateral to said
transport path, further comprising a control member having a
computer which, in an operating state, after input of cable
diameter, cable type designation, and desired insulation stripping
length, automatically calculates and sets at least one of an
initial gap of said rollers or belt drive (A, B; 111; C; 112) and a
contact pressure for stripping of insulation sections, and
appropriately controls said drives.
30. A continuous cable processing apparatus having rollers or
continuous belts for longitudinal transport of a cable along a
transport path (100), wherein said rollers (A, B; 111) or
continuous belts (C; 112) are located opposite one another across
said transport path (100) and are adjustable relative to one
another and can be opened and closed in a cable-dependent and
feed-controlled manner and can be moved together lateral to said
transport path, wherein said rollers (111) or said belts (112)
belonging to two pairs of rollers or belts (A, B; 111; C; 112), are
programmably adjustable relative to one another by means of at
least one of stepping motors, a control, a programmable circuit,
and at least one pressure sensor for measuring or evaluating
contact pressure on said cable (107).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Continuation Application is a Continuation Application
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/972,634 (now allowed), which
was filed as a Divisional Application of Ser. No. 09/068,278 under
35 USC 111, claiming priority benefits of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/068,278 under 35 USC 120. U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/068,278 entered the national stage under 35 USC 371 on Jul.
9, 1998, and is PCT/EP97/05216, filed on Sep. 23, 1997.
PCT/EP97/05216 claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Swiss
Application CH 2329/96, filed on Sep. 23, 1996. PCT/EP97/05216 (and
hence, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/068,27) was a
Continuation in Part Application of PCT/EP96/04790, filed Nov. 4,
1996, which claims priority under 35 USC 119 of Swiss Application
CH 3235/95, filed on Nov. 6, 1995. Thus, the present Continuation
Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/972,634 also
claims priority of Swiss Application CH 3235/95.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT.
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to a continuous cable processing
apparatus with a transport path along which a cable may be
transported according to the invention, having a knife station and
a cable transport apparatus. Excluded from the invention are
therefore cable processing machines which process exclusively cable
ends or single cable sections (not continuous cable). In the knife
station, cables can be cut and/or processed, e.g. stripped of their
insulation. For the purposes of the invention, the term knife
station now also includes apparatuses for other cable processing
types, such as, for example, crimping, marking or the like. The
cable transport apparatus transports the cable along its axis or
along a transport path to and from the knife station.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37
CFR 1.98 and 1.98
[0004] Conventional continuous cable processing apparatuses operate
with cable processing in the knife station, along a transport path.
This type of end processing establishes the processing times.
However, a disadvantage with attachments involving such processing
in a working area into which various processing tools or processing
stations can be inserted is that it is not possible to use
processing stations which are longer than the distance between the
transport means on both sides of the knife station. On the other
hand, however, this distance should not be too large because
otherwise short cable sections cannot be provided. Moreover, with a
large distance, a further guide element would have to be used
between the receiving region of the processing station and the
transport means, which is associated with an additional cost. In
addition, in known continuous cable processing apparatuses the
cable can be transported onward only in an axial direction.
[0005] For example, the Applicant launched on the market, under the
name CS9100, an apparatus which had pairs of knives which were
laterally offset with respect to the cable feed axis, which were
adjacent to one another and which were capable of being laterally
displaced via an upper and a lower common knife holder by a
pneumatic drive in such a way that a cable fed into the apparatus
along the axis could be cut into or cut through by either one or
other knife. For this purpose, of course, the upper and lower knife
holders were displaceable relative to one another. This has an
advantage over a single knife position; at the same time, however,
the disadvantage of this design in practice is the limitation of
possible processing operations, which are restricted to the two
knife positions.
[0006] EP-A1-365691 describes an apparatus having a pair of knives
which has several blades on each knife. After conventional
longitudinal cable transport, the cable is cut there by means of
the multiblade knife. After opening of the knife, the cable
handling components move linearly and parallel to the knife to the
left or right to an insulation stripping position on the multiblade
knife. The handling components on both sides of the knife with the
cut cables are then displaced to the required insulation stripping
length in the direction of the knife. This is followed by further
knife movement to the desired insulation stripping diameter and the
stripping of the insulation residue (slug) and the linear transport
of the cable onwards or backwards, depending on the further
processing.
[0007] A disadvantage of this means is that the two cable handling
components (before and after the knife) constantly have to be
displaced in the longitudinal and transverse direction, leading to
considerable wear of two components highly mobile essentially
independently of one another (in addition to the axial feed drive
for the cable). These must also be specially adjusted to one
another in order to be able to work with the correct position and
without waste. In addition, the use of a multiblade knife is
uneconomical since nonuniform wear may occur and it may therefore
also be necessary to replace blades which are not worn.
[0008] Moreover, this apparatus requires particular flexibility of
the cable, which is otherwise liable to be destroyed.
[0009] Another known apparatus "Stripmaster Model 900" from Ideal
Ind., Inc. Sycamore, USA also has die blades arranged adjacent to
one another and having different effective knife diameters, so that
cables having different diameters can be inserted into feed
orifices adjacent to one another and can be cut by the knives or
stripped on pulling out again. This apparatus is not suitable for
automatic insulation stripping operations.
[0010] A further known apparatus, as disclosed in EP-A1-623982, has
a swivel apparatus with which a cable can be positioned at one of
two knives arranged adjacent to one another. The problem of cable
flexibility occurs here too. Moreover, the cable does not rest
optimally perpendicular to the plane of the knife in this
apparatus, so that cuts by the knife may also be performed
obliquely, with the result that the cuts may be of poor quality,
unless the second knife is positioned obliquely relative to the
first one. However, such an oblique position described by the EP A1
has the disadvantage that it is optimized only for specific knives;
in addition, it broadens the attachment of the knife supports. The
use of other tools is not envisaged.
[0011] A further known apparatus from Eubanks Engineering Co,
Monrovia, USA, with the designation "9800" has knives arranged
axially one behind the other and with different cutting depths. The
knives are present on a common upper and lower knife support so
that an inserted cable can be subjected simultaneously to several
different processing steps along its axis. Such an apparatus is
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,673. The
disadvantage of such an arrangement is a relatively low flexibility
in the choice of the processing steps; moreover, the limited space
between the knives restricts the possible insulation stripping
length. In an attempt to increase the insulation stripping lengths,
limits were encountered with regard to the maximum acceptable size
of the apparatus.
[0012] In the prior art "Kodera Type 34", the insulation stripping
length was limited to the distance between knife and second pair of
rollers. With a special insulation stripping process in single
steps, it is true that it was possible to strip individual sections
with the length corresponding to this distance in succession (but
not to strip the insulation away completely from the conductor but
to move it a little at a time on the conductor in the stripping
direction=partial stripping). The Kodera Type 36 with a greater
distance between insulation stripping knives and second pair of
rollers was provided to permit longer partial insulation stripping
steps but had the disadvantage that short cable pieces could not be
stripped with this apparatus. This circumstance is to be improved
by a novel process.
[0013] A further problem is that thin flexible cables cannot be
concentrically guided in the case of the guides with rigid inner
diameters mounted in the known apparatuses, e.g. Eubanks 9800,
which may lead to problems (more frequent breakdowns) in the cable
feed.
[0014] Problems also arise in the ejection of the waste (slug) of
insulation residues which are stripped from the conductor by the
knife and, from case to case, were not properly removed to date,
since they sometimes stuck to the conductor and thus led to
breakdowns.
[0015] JP-A-1-281403 describes a multistation cable processing
apparatus in which the cable to be processed is fed to the
respective stations along a semicircle by means of a pivotable
distributor. The cable is either not continuous or is forcibly
bent.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,738 describes a cable insulation
stripping apparatus in which cable ends in the knife region are
moved parallel out of their transport path in order to compensate
for disadvantageous crushing effects during cutting of these
cables. As is clearly evident in FIG. 5 of this US-A, however,
buckling of the cable end piece occurs.
[0017] None of the known continuous cable processing apparatuses
thus offers possibilities for removing a cable from its present
transport path without buckling or bending, in order to transport
it to another processing station, a manipulator arm or merely to
another knife within this knife station. In the case of specific
cable types, this leads to considerable problems and thus restricts
the universality of the relevant apparatuses.
[0018] JP-A-3-15211 describes a cable end processing apparatus
which permits buckling- and bending-free transportation of a cable
end from one processing station to another one, but continuous
cable processing is not possible therewith since secondary
transport means are lacking and it was evidently also not obvious
to propose such means by appropriate complicated structural
conversions. JP-A-62-217816, U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,412, U.S. Pat. No.
4,244,101, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,615, U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,778 and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,926 describe comparable insulation stripping
apparatuses which transport individual cable pieces transversely
with respect to their longitudinal extension by transport means
from one processing station to the other. However, longitudinal
feeding of the cable by these known attachments is not known.
[0019] JP-A-9-46844 which appeared in the priority interval also
relates to a cable end processing device and not to a continuous
cable processing device. Nevertheless, this document attempts to
provide a solution as to how various knives can be used in a
compact manner at successive times but along a cable, thus also
dispensing with bending or buckling of this cable. For this
purpose, the various knives are arranged adjacent to one another
and can be transversely displaced on rails toward the cable in
order to be able to process the cable end piece inserted in each
case. After the processing, however, this must be removed from its
processing position again in order to make space for the next
cable.
[0020] It is thus a first object of the invention to provide an
improved apparatus which permits the processing of cables, which
are not to be buckled or bent. Furthermore, the processing speed
should be kept high or increased. In particular, the flexibility of
the processing steps and of the cable handling should furthermore
be increased.
[0021] On the other hand, it is a second object of the invention to
provide an improved insulation stripping apparatus which is
improved with regard to the universality, permits larger insulation
stripping lengths and avoids the disadvantages of the
above-mentioned designs.
[0022] As a third object, it is also intended to find possibilities
for processing coaxial cables continuously and in particular
reliably, the universality not being restricted as a result.
[0023] These objects are achieved by various inventive steps, which
include a continuous cable insulation stripping apparatus with a
transport path along which a cable may be transported. The parallel
relative movement between a cable in a continuous cable processing
machine and the knife station avoids cable bending or buckling, and
the flexibility increases. An embodiment includes a pair of tool
supports for holding at least two tools in pairs, and a tool
support feed for lateral positioning of at least one of the at
least two tools above a first transport path along which a cable
whose insulation is to be stripped can be inserted and transported
in its feed direction, whereas the axis of the cable is parallel to
the first transport path, and the tool support feed is formed for a
controlled lateral drive for controlled sideward movement of at
least one of the pair of tool supports to any desired position
within a working range laterally with respect to the first
transport path. The apparatus includes upper and lower positions,
comprising a separate and independent tool support feed coordinated
with each tool support so that the upper and lower positions of the
at least two tools can be combined, and the combination is achieved
by independent motors for the independent tool support feeds.
[0024] There are essentially two variants of these attachments: the
knife station or its tools execute a transverse movement toward the
cable according to the invention, or the cables in or with their
transport means execute a transverse movement relative to their
first transport path according to the invention. Mixed forms are
within the scope of the invention.
[0025] Regarding the first variant: The object is achieved by the
apparatus according to the invention, wherein the continuous cable
insulation stripping apparatus has a transport path along which a
cable may be transported. The transport path is parallel to the
axis of a cable to be transported along the transport path,
comprising at least one tool, at least one tool support, and a
positioner that relatively positions the at least one tool support
in a direction perpendicular to a working direction of the at least
one tool and perpendicular to a parallel transport path wherein the
positioner positions the at least one tool support to more than two
positions. The novel knife arrangement and its drive lead to a
universal, fully automatic and freely programmable cutting and
insulation stripping facility. This is further supplemented by
additional, novel processing steps as required. Known disadvantages
are avoided. The compact design possible according to the invention
is advantageous in practice and very universal.
[0026] Further features of the invention are described according to
the invention.
[0027] What is important in any case is that any desired tool
positions according to the invention are provided side by side and
a stepping motor control is capable of selecting these tool
positions in a programmable manner, so that on the one hand the
cable--or several cables side by side--which is or are held in one
position can be processed in different tool positions. This applies
to continuous cable processing as well as to insulation stripping
apparatuses where an operator or manipulator inserts a cable end
into the apparatus and then pulls it out again.
[0028] Secondly, other operations are also permitted, such as, for
example, sawing, incision, twisting, deformation, crimping, etc.,
of the cable, by bringing together the knives or tools, closing
them and laterally displacing them relative to one another. In the
case of twisting jaws as tools with wedge-like oblique surfaces,
this can also be realized by pure vertical movement relative to one
another. Furthermore, twisting can be realized if the tool holders
are designed to be pivotable about a rotation point which is as far
as possible in the region of the cable axis, if the linear advance
for lateral displacement of the tool holders then leads not to a
displacement but to a rotation about this axis.
[0029] Further possible methods of processing exist if at least one
tool holder has grinding or polishing disks which can be used for
grinding the conductor ends by an oscillating or rotating movement
of the knife holders, which may be important in particular in the
case of glass fiber cables.
[0030] Motor control of the contact pressure or of the distance
between the feed rollers or feed belts, which is provided according
to the invention, has the advantage that the contact pressure on
the cable can be increased during stripping in order thus to
prevent slippage or in order to apply more force to the cable. If,
as disclosed in the prior art, the contact pressure were to remain
constant over the entire process, this would have the disadvantage
that the cable or its sheath would suffer pinches over its entire
length, which now occur at most in a small region. According to the
invention, the wear of the belt is also reduced. Since the
stripping resistance is as a rule greatest at the beginning of the
stripping movement, according to the invention the contact pressure
can be increased over a stripping distance of, for example, 4 mm
and then reduced again to a lower level. Any marks or pinches are
thus limited to about 4 mm.
[0031] The possibility of opening the rollers or belts individually
is to be regarded as a further concept of the invention, in other
words the drive units of the belts, both before and after the tool
holder, can be opened and closed or adjusted in their contact
pressure independently of one another. Preferably, the rollers not
only can be adjusted in the contact pressure and moved to a desired
distance apart by means of an electric motor but they can also
optionally be completely opened. The coupled opening and closing of
the two pairs of rollers by means of a single drive motor and a
turntable is known per se from the machine ATC 9000 of Sutter
Electronic AG Thun, which was published in 1989 and whose teaching
in this context is considered to have been disclosed in the context
of this invention, the rollers or belts being capable of being
opened completely independently compared with the known rollers or
belts.
[0032] A further advantage of the possibility of opening the second
pair of rollers or of belts independently of the opening of the
first pair of rollers or of belts is that a preliminary stripping
of, for example, 130 mm can be carried out with the aid of a first
pair of rollers after the cable has already passed through the
second pair of rollers by the desired length, for example 500 mm,
so that even long insulation stripping lengths, for example for
mains cables, can be successfully stripped of insulation.
Preliminary stripping of even greater lengths is also possible, the
remainder of the insulation being stripped from the conductor
subsequently by hand.
[0033] Conversely, for longer complete stripping or longer partial
stripping, after preliminary stripping according to the above
procedure the contact pressure of the second pair of rollers or of
belts could be increased and the sheath stripped from the conductor
under static friction by rotation in the stripping direction.
[0034] If it is intended to strip a long piece of insulation in a
few individual steps, this can be carried out according to the
invention by opening the second pair of rollers or pair of belts in
each partial step. Compared with the known apparatus (e.g. KODERA
Type 36 with a particularly large distance between the left and the
right feed rollers), there is the advantage that even short cable
sections can be stripped of insulation. Compared with the known
apparatus (e.g. KODERA Type 34 with a relatively small distance
between the left and right feed rollers), there is on the other
hand the advantage of virtually any desired insulation stripping
length and absolutely no limitation to the distance between tool
holder and second, axially following pair of rollers, which to date
limited the insulation stripping distance in all known
machines.
[0035] Regarding the second variant: Apart from the cable
processing in the (specific) knife station, the use of further
processing stations may be practical, especially time-saving, for
certain processing operations according to the invention.
[0036] The arrangement of further end processing stations directly
adjacent to the knife station and optionally also insulation
stripping station accordingly permits the use of any desired
processing stations. Thus, it is also possible to use processing
stations which are longer than an acceptable distance between the
transport means on both sides of the knife station. In a preferred
embodiment, after the cable has been cut, insulation is stripped
from the two cable ends produced, in two insulation stripping
stations arranged side by side and transversely with respect to the
cable axis. Owing to the possibility of parallel end processing,
the processing time of the individual steps can be halved. However,
there are also advantages in conventional serial cable processing,
due to the possibility of laterally transferring cables to
transport or storage stations or the like.
[0037] Further features of the invention are described according to
the invention or are evident from the information below which, with
the description of the Figures and the drawings, represent a
further disclosure of the features of the invention, some of which
may also be used independently of one another.
[0038] What is important for these concepts of the invention in any
case is that any desired stations, according to the invention, for
the cable can be provided laterally side by side and at least one
cable retaining means can be moved in a guide means by a drive
apparatus, in particular a stepping motor control, in such a way
that at least one cable end can be fed laterally to one of these
stations. However, station is also to be understood as meaning, for
example, a gripping arm or the like.
[0039] The stations which may be used permit not only insulation
stripping but also other operations, such as, for example, sawing,
incision, twisting, deformation, gripping, soldering, etc. Of
course, additionally or alternatively, the tools may optionally be
displaceably mounted and driveable transversely with respect to the
cable axis within the individual processing stations.
[0040] Further processing facilities are obtained, for example, if
at least one processing station has grinding or polishing disks
which can be used for grinding the conductor ends by oscillating or
circular movement, which may be important in particular in the case
of glass fiber cables.
[0041] Preferably, the transport means or their rollers or belts
can be opened, preferably individually. The drive units of the
belts both before and after the knife stations, can be opened and
closed independently of one another or can be adjusted in their
contact pressure. Preferably, not only can the rollers be adjusted
in the contact pressure and moved toward one another to the desired
distance apart by means of an electric motor but they can moreover
optionally be completely opened. The contact pressure is preferably
adapted to the processing steps in the respective processing
station.
[0042] Compared with the known processing station, there is the
advantage that both small and any desired large processing lengths,
in particular insulation stripping lengths, are permitted from both
ends simultaneously, without unnecessarily removing and feeding the
cable ends. The processing length is not at all limited to the
distance between the two transport means.
[0043] Thus, with respect to the improved universal equipment of
insulation stripping machines, it is also intended--according to
the invention--according to a fourth basic concept--to house
clamping and/or centering jaws and/or cutting apparatuses in
modules which can be added to or removed from a basic frame of an
insulation stripping machine. According to the invention, it is
particularly advantageous if such modules can be mounted so that
they are movable and lockable, for example pivotable, in order to
provide better access during servicing, for example, during
changing of jaws or knives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0044] It is noteworthy that combinations of the features described
or individual aspects of the invention which are applicable
independently of one another are also within the scope of the
invention.
[0045] Preferred embodiments are described with reference to
exemplary Figures, which do not restrict the various aspects of the
invention. The Figures are described contiguously and as a whole
since--with the exception of FIG. 22--identical reference symbols
denote identical components and identical reference symbols with
different indices denote similar components with the same or
similar functions. The list of reference symbols and the
information content of the Figures are an integral part of this
application.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic oblique view of a novel
apparatus;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a variant thereof with jointly guided upper and
lower tool holders;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows symbolic examples of different modular
configurations of a novel modular design of an insulation stripping
machine having a roller drive;
[0049] FIG. 4 shows symbolic examples according to FIG. 3 but with
a belt drive;
[0050] FIG. 5a and b show a series of 8 different process steps of
an insulation stripping process according to the invention on a
schematically represented structure with novel sliding guides;
[0051] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a tool holder feed according to the
invention of one variant;
[0052] FIG. 7 shows a section of a novel insulation stripping
machine having sliding guides according to FIG. 5;
[0053] FIG. 8 shows a variant having a larger distance between
front and rear continuous belt drive 12 with dimensions of a
specific embodiment which are varied by about .+-.25-75% in the
context of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 9 shows a variant having a shorter distance and the
resulting effects with values which can be varied by about
.+-.25-75% in the context of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 10 shows a group of different tools which can be
optimally used in the invention and have different applications
known to a person skilled in the art;
[0056] FIG. 11 shows the left part of a plan view of an apparatus
having a belt drive 12 (plan of FIG. 13) and a pivot drive for the
guide;
[0057] FIG. 12 shows the right part of the same plan view;
[0058] FIG. 13 shows analogously the left part of an incomplete
view with upper belt removed and with a pivotable cable guide
before the tools;
[0059] FIG. 14 shows a variant of a right part of this view;
[0060] FIG. 15 shows a variant of FIG. 12 with roller drive;
[0061] FIG. 16 shows process steps according to the invention for
stripping insulation from larger lengths;
[0062] FIG. 17 to 20 show schematic representations for
illustrating a process according to the invention for programming
the control;
[0063] FIG. 21 shows a detail of a knife drive of a station
according to FIG. 28;
[0064] FIG. 22 shows a schematic structure having a transverse
transport facility for the cable;
[0065] FIG. 23 shows a schematic representation of transversely
displaceable transport units;
[0066] FIG. 24 shows a variant of FIG. 23 having combined
transverse displaceability of transport means and knife
station;
[0067] FIG. 25 shows a realistic structure according to FIG.
23;
[0068] FIG. 26 shows the structure according to FIG. 25 in the
transversely swivelled state;
[0069] FIG. 27 shows a structure having transport units
displaceable independently of one another;
[0070] FIG. 28 shows a knife station having rotatable knives;
[0071] FIG. 29 shows the station according to FIG. 28 as a mounted
module in the swivelled-out state and in the operating state;
[0072] FIG. 30 shows a front view of the station according to FIG.
28;
[0073] FIG. 31 shows a section through the station and
[0074] FIG. 32 shows a detail of the centering jaw control in the
station.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0075] FIG. 1 shows a schematic oblique view of a novel apparatus
according to the invention, having tool supports 1, 2 and knives 3
which are held thereon and a plurality of which (more than the 2
pairs shown) may be mounted side by side on larger tool supports 1,
2. Schematically shown drives 5a and 5b drive the tool supports
laterally relative to the axis 106. Schematic closing drives 16a
and 16b enable the tool holders 1, 2 to be closed together (via a
control) or separately. A guide 17 keeps the tool supports or tool
holders and the drives parallel.
[0076] FIG. 2 shows a variant thereof having upper and lower tool
holders 1, 2 jointly guided via a closing drive 16c, for example by
means of a spindle drive and a single lateral drive 5c. This
simplified variant is compact but--in comparison with the first
one--permits only a few operations.
[0077] Both above-mentioned Figures refer to an important aspect of
the invention, namely the virtually completely free mobility of at
least one cable processing tool, in particular a knife or the like,
in a plane approximately perpendicular to the cable feed direction.
The mobility might also be continuous if required.
[0078] FIG. 3 refers to an independent novel aspect of a modular
design of an insulation stripping machine, but an aspect which can
preferably be used in above cable processing machines. Examples 1b
to 4b schematically show feed modules A and B having rollers, which
however could in some cases also be replaced, for example, by other
feed modules, for example a feed module C having belts according to
FIG. 4, so that, for example, a feed module A is supplemented with
a feed module C with omission of the module B.
[0079] A further frequently used module D having a pivotable guide
tube is used before a blade or knife module E. The knife module is
preferably designed as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a further rigid or
displaceable guide preferably being arranged. FIG. 11 illustrates
the function of the pivotable guide tube.
[0080] As shown in Examples 3b, 4b and 3a and 4a, modules D and E
can be replaced by module F which has at least one displaceable
guide but preferably, as shown, two displaceable guides which
permit a novel special insulation stripping process, as illustrated
in FIG. 5a and b.
[0081] According to the invention, the insulation stripping
apparatus can be supplemented by any desired further modules, a
module G which represents a "coax box" being shown as an example,
namely a rotating incision box and may be used in particular for
coaxial cables. Such a coax box has been brought onto the market,
for example, by Schleuniger AG under the name CA 9170, and its
design will therefore not be discussed in detail. A person skilled
in the art can readily adopt the relevant teaching from there. It
is thus considered to have been disclosed in the context of this
application. However, this application relates to a novel rotating
cutting module which has advantages over CA 9170. It is
distinguished in particular by a simple knife control and
completely independently controllable centering jaws, as shown in
FIG. 28.
[0082] What is important in this independent aspect of the
invention is that a basic design is offered which makes it possible
to meet the insulation stripping needs in a universal manner. The
resulting advantage is primarily in the production, since the
modules can be produced and stored in the factory independently of
one another. Secondly, there is an advantage for the user, whose
insulation stripping needs may change with time. By replacing the
appropriate modules on site, the apparatus according to the
invention can be subsequently adapted. The technical realization of
this aspect lies in linear guides in the basic housing, which
interact with diametrically opposite guides on the modules, so that
the modules with their operating elements are concentric with the
cable feed axis 106. In comparison with the prior art, this also
permits faster assembly of complete insulation stripping or cable
processing apparatuses.
[0083] The novel and advantageous process steps shown in FIG. 5a
and b constitute a third--optionally also independently
applicable--aspect of the present invention. By means of short, in
particular linearly displaceable guide sleeves 40a and b, the cable
end sections are each held centered--advantageously--in the
immediately vicinity of the knives before incision or insulation
stripping by the knives 3a and b. For applications not described in
more detail, it is of course also possible for the purposes of the
invention to dispense with one of the two guide sleeves 40, in
particular when the belt or roller feed is subsequently moved
closer to the knives 3. A further variation arises through the
possible replacement of a guide sleeve 40 by a module D, as shown,
for example, in FIG. 16. The belt drive shown schematically as
module C can be interchanged completely or partially with roller
drives.
[0084] The inventive aspects of the invention which do not refer
directly to the lateral displaceability of the tools are of course
also applicable in an inventive manner to knife arrangements in
which a plurality of knives 3 are arranged staggered along the
cable axis (feed axis) 106, as, for example, in the insulation
stripping model CCM 2000 of Sutter Electronic AG. Such combinations
might make it possible further to increase the processing speed of
cables by the process steps according to the invention and
displaceable guide sleeves.
[0085] In an alternative design, in particular with utilization of
the modular aspect, it is accordingly also possible to provide a
plurality of knife modules F with laterally displaceable knives one
behind the other. Variants having additional feed modules A, B or C
arranged in between are also within the scope of the invention.
[0086] The invention furthermore relates to a novel measuring and
adjusting apparatus for jaws which can be driven together by means
of a motor, in particular cutter jaws on an insulation stripping
machine. The novelty is the utilization of a certain elasticity
between drive motor and an advance spindle which is responsible for
advancing the jaws. The elasticity is generated by an elastic
coupling member between drive motor and spindle, in particular a
toothed belt which transmits the torque of the drive to the spindle
via pulleys. A further novelty is that a transducer, in particular
an encoder (shaft encoder), is mounted directly on the spindle.
When the jaws are driven together, contact between the jaws is
signalled to the encoder by virtue of the fact that the jaws no
longer move together and the definitive stop position can thus be
read or tapped from the encoder or a reset can be signalled. Owing
to the elasticity, the drive motor, for example a stepping motor,
can, however, continue to rotate slightly further according to the
invention against the elasticity of the toothed belt, if only to
absorb its motor force without imposing a mechanical load on the
jaws.
[0087] According to the invention, the closing position of the jaws
can also be deduced from the fact that one transducer (on the
spindle) has come to a stop and the other (e.g. stepping motor) may
still continue to rotate slightly. In addition or as an
alternative, it is possible within the scope of the invention to
reduce the torque of the drive motor in the vicinity of the closed
position in order to reduce the mechanical load on the closing
jaws.
[0088] An optional intermediate step according to the invention in
stripping with the aid of the right belts with controlled contact
pressure advantageously leads to complete stripping of long
insulation pieces, with the advantage that jumping over the
insulation stripping knives under strong retaining forces between
conductor and insulation is reduced. However, this is a problem
only in the case of thin cables; in the case of greater thicknesses
and especially greater insulation thicknesses, known apparatuses as
a rule otherwise lead to blocking of the left belt drive or to
slippage which in turn may lead to destruction of the cable or of
the left belts.
[0089] The completely individual adjustability and controllability
of the front and rear rollers or belts facilitates the further
processing of the cable but also requires adequately dimensioned
drive motors and suitable software which, in the understanding of
this patent application, is clear and realizable to an average
person skilled in the art.
[0090] The preferred process steps in steps 1 to 8 are
characterized by:
[0091] Feeding the cable 7 to its front insulation stripping length
behind the knives 3; moving away the rear guide sleeve 40b.
[0092] Closing the knives 3 to the insulation stripping depth and
withdrawal of the cable 7 by means of front module C.
[0093] Positioning the rear guide sleeve 40b, which
simultaneously--if required--ejects the waste insulation piece so
that it does not hinder the further procedure. It is precisely this
procedure which is particularly advantageous over known solutions
from Eubanks, which offers two-part guide sleeves which are
intended to open for removing the waste and to eject the waste by
means of an additional mechanism. Since these known attachments,
however, subsequently close again, waste residues can actually now
become jammed between the guide sleeve parts, which does not occur
according to the invention. As a solution, another prior art
envisages forming the sleeves to be open at the bottom so that
stripped material can fall out downward. The disadvantage of this
design is that cables, in particular thin, flexible cables, are not
guided at their lower surface and faults may therefore occur during
operation. Such guides are disclosed, for example, in the case of
the insulation stripping model from Kodera/JP "Kodera 34".
[0094] Feeding the cable 107 up to the cutting position under the
knives 3. In the case of a design according to FIG. 1 or 2, which
is not obligatory for the use of this novel process, the insulation
stripping knives 3 and the cutting knives 3 are arranged side by
side on the displaceable knife supports 1, so that the cutting
knives 3 are displaced to the cutting position between steps 4 and
5 while in the other steps the insulation stripping knives 3 are in
the position shown.
[0095] The cable 107 is cut through.
[0096] The second cable section 107b is pushed back by means of the
rear feed module C up to the insulation stripping position of the
rear cable end; the front guide sleeve 40a is moved away. The
latter has, inter alia, also the effect of making it possible to
strip the insulation from a longer cable end section which exceeds
the length between front module C and knives 3. Provided that it is
flexible enough, this cable end section can in fact be bent since
it is not laterally guided by the front guide sleeve 40a. The same
effect can, if required, be utilized in steps 1-2, also at the
front cable end and the guide sleeve 40b.
[0097] Incision and stripping of the insulation section (cable
sheath waste or "slug").
[0098] Ejection of the cable section 107b stripped at both ends and
feeding of the next cable section 107a according to step 1.
[0099] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a tool holder feed according to the
invention (e.g. module E or F) of a variant according to FIG. 2
with a threaded spindle 18, a toothed belt drive 24 and the
stepping motor 23 for controlled driving of the closing and opening
movement of the tools and a schematically indicated drive 5 for
lateral displacement of the knife holders 1 and 2. With regard to
the insulation stripping steps 4 and 5 according to FIG. 5, the
pair of knives 3e and f are used, whereas the die blades 3g and h
merely cut into and strip off the insulation. The die blades 3g and
h are preferably so compatible that they support one another and
over cutting is thus impossible.
[0100] This compatibility, as is also already known in the case of
other known insulation stripping machines, leads to an adjustment
problem, which is solved, according to the invention, by another
aspect of the invention, independent of the other aspects. In the
case of inaccurate setting of the drive with the motor 23 or in the
case of different knife inserts in the knife holders 1 and 2, the
motor force may result in undesired forces on the spindle 18 or on
the knife holders 1 and 2 if in fact the motor 23 applies further
torque when the knives 3g and h rest against one another.
[0101] This problem is avoided by a shaft encoder 41 directly on
the spindle 18. The encoder, together with a control not shown, has
the task of monitoring the rotary movement of the spindle 18 as a
function of the drive or rotary power of the motor 23. If the motor
continues to apply torque without the spindle 18 rotating (no
change in the encoder value), the control independently detects
that the knives 3g and h are abutting one another. The elasticity
of the toothed belt 24 permits a certain play which avoids
mechanical overloading of the spindle. In a special embodiment, the
encoder of the motor 24--e.g. a stepping motor--is also used for
comparison with the encoder 41 in order to detect the closed knife
position. An initial sensor 42, for example an inductive sensor,
may be provided in order to detect the open position of the knife
holders 1 and 2.
[0102] FIG. 7 shows a module F by way of example in more detail.
The guide sleeves 40 are preferably held in holders 43 on guide
rods 44 which can be raised or lowered by--in this example
pneumatic--drives 45 under computer control. According to the
invention, the holders permit rapid changing of guide sleeves 40 in
order to adapt them to various cables. The guide sleeves 40 are
preferably countersunk in a funnel-shaped manner in their interior
at one or both ends to facilitate cable introduction. For certain
applications, they may, as already mentioned above, be replaced
with conventional pivot guides or completely omitted. According to
the invention, they can also be successfully used in any other
insulation stripping machines; for example, also in conventional
rotary insulation stripping apparatuses, instead of co-rotating
centering jaws, such as, for example, in the models 207 from
Schleuniger Productronic AG or the models 9200 from Eubanks
Monrovia, USA, which have now been taken off the market. Between
the guide sleeves 40 are the knives 3 or the cable processing
tools, and optionally a compressed air blow-out orifice 46 for
cleaning the tools.
[0103] FIG. 8 shows a variant according to modular design 1a (FIG.
4) with a larger distance between front and rear continuous belt
drives 112 with dimensions of a specific embodiment which can be
varied by about .+-.25-75% for the purposes of the invention. The
pivotable guide 9 permits long rear insulation stripping sections
since, when a front cable section is pushed back, the guide 9
swivels upward and thus leaves free the path for the rear end of
the front cable section, at least up to the length of the pivotable
guide 9. The pivotable guide 9 is positioned opposite a guide 17
which may consist only of a flat guide piece for horizontal
guidance of a cable, but which may also be displaceable, as
described above, or may be formed to be rigid but replaceable, the
above-mentioned snap fastenings also being advantageous according
to the invention for this purpose. The length of these guide pieces
or the distance between the knives and the belt or roller drives is
usually critical for the smallest processible cable length.
According to the invention, however, there is also a special
short-mode operation in which the second pair of rollers or of
belts is shut down in order to be able to process even shorter
cable sections.
[0104] In contrast, FIG. 9 shows a variant with a shorter distance,
such as, for example, modular design 3a (FIG. 4), and the resulting
effects with values which can be varied by about .+-.25-75% for the
purposes of the invention; of course, the belt drives 112 are
replaceable in both variants by roller drives 111.
[0105] In a particular, novel inventive aspect which may also be
used independently, the belt drives 112 can however also be used
for stripping the cut cable sheath sections, the respective
belts--as a rule these will be the rear belt pair--continuing to
transport the cable sheath in the stripping direction by means of
the contact pressure control, according to the invention, of the
belt drives 112 as a function of the cable structure in case of
closed insulation stripping knives which thus hold the cable. In a
particular variant, the front belts, too, can run in the opposite
direction and thus help to pull the conductor out of the sheath in
a shorter time.
[0106] According to the invention, partial stripping operations
with subsequent complete stripping with the aid of the belt drives,
as described above, are possible as further process variants.
[0107] The modes of operation of the knife embodiments according to
FIG. 10 are essentially known to a person skilled in the art; only
attachments a-c will therefore be singled out:
[0108] In the case of particular attachments a), it is also
possible to process in parallel a plurality of cables with the
apparatus according to the invention, leading to greater
effectiveness. According to the invention, parallel guides 40 or
pivot guides 9 are then also provided for this purpose.
[0109] The particular attachment according to b) serves for
stripping the insulation from flat cables, which can also be
processed within the scope of the invention. Here, the flat blades
according to b1) are preferably used for cutting.
[0110] The variant having the knives c) is likewise used for flat
cables, and the latter can also be cut therewith.
[0111] The plan view according to FIG. 11 is compatible with the
view according to FIG. 13. A front belt drive 112a with its drive
rollers 111b and d transports a cable along the axis 106 to the
pivotable guide 9. This has a guide tube 9b which is replaceably
held in a pivot member 30b. The pivot member 30b is connected to a
connecting rod 34 which transmits the pivot movement from the drive
33 to the tube 9b, while a stop 31 having a rubber buffer 31b for
damping is coordinated with the pivot body 30 or with the
connecting rod 34, since the longitudinal guide 9 is preferably
driven by means of a fast-acting displacement magnet 32 which
accelerates the guide 9 abruptly by means of its slide 33, which
may also be damped by means of a rubber buffer.
[0112] In the present embodiment, the connecting rod is formed in
two parts, a straight pin 34a being held in a rotating shaft 34b
and the latter in turn in a bearing 35 which is connected to the
pivot member 30b. If required, this pivot guide may also be
spring-loaded and/or may be arranged rotated about the axis 106
through 90 or 180 degrees, so that the guide 9 does not swivel
upward but swivels out laterally or downward.
[0113] denotes an adjusting drive for the belt drive 112, which
turns the spindle 14b by means of a belt 48.
[0114] FIG. 12 shows the right part of the same embodiment, 25
denoting the drive and 24 the belt for adjusting the tensile force
of the continuous belt drive and 26 denoting the controlled
(stepping) motor which permits controlled lateral guidance of the
tool holders 1, 2 in the linear guides 27.
[0115] In this embodiment, the guide 40b is not displaceably held
but is held by means of holder 43b so that it is readily removable.
A common retaining part 8b displaceable by means of drive 5d
carries the tool holder 1.
[0116] FIG. 13 shows a detail of the belt drive 112a for the novel
apparatus having a continuous belt pair 112 with belts (toothed
belts) 13, rollers (toothed rollers) 111a, c and pressure rollers.
The upper and lower belts can be separated completely from one
another. The contact pressure between the belts 13 is controlled by
means of the pressure spring 29 which holds the drive roller
retaining member 50 under initial tension in the closing direction.
The initial tension is increased by turning the spindle 14b further
in the closing direction with upper and lower belts 13 touching one
another, so that the lock nut 51b further compresses the spring 29.
On opening the belt drives, for example for preliminary opening to
avoid damaging contact between a cable and the belts 13, the lock
nut 51b drives the drive roller retaining member 50b by means of
the driver part 52b.
[0117] The opening movement is limited by means of adjustable stop
53. In this position, the closing movement is preferably
simultaneously initialized. The control is effected either by means
of a shaft encoder (not shown) on the shaft 14b or by means of the
controlled drive 47 according to FIG. 11.
[0118] In the variant according to FIG. 14, the drive motor 54 for
the belt drive is indicated by a dashed line and is preferably
likewise encoder-controlled since it plays a role in determining
the insulation stripping lengths.
[0119] FIG. 15 shows a variant of FIG. 12, having a roller drive
with rollers 111 which are driven by a drive 54b via a gear 22 or
21. The opening adjustment of the rollers corresponds to that of
the belt drives 112.
[0120] FIG. 16 relates to a further novel and inventive process for
stripping insulation from cables, which could preferably be carried
out using the attachments described above, but also with other
known machines in a novel manner. In four process steps, a cable
107 is stripped of a particularly long insulation section:
[0121] Inserting the cable 107 by driven revolution of the belt
drives 112 up to the insulation stripping position under the knives
3.
[0122] Opening the right belt drive 112b to the cable diameter so
that the cable is just held centered, but without exerting a
contact pressure thereon. At the same time, incision by the knives
3 to the insulation stripping depth; withdrawal of the cable 107 by
backward revolution of the belt drive 112a to about the position in
which this belt drive 112a does not yet touch the bare conductor
57. This would be an insulation stripping length which could be
achieved to date only by means of expensive partial stripping
steps.
[0123] Clamping the cable 107 by the belt drive 112a and revolution
of the belt drive 112b for stripping with suitable contact pressure
on the cable sheath, so that the latter is stripped completely from
the conductor 57. Compared with the known apparatus, complete
stripping of an insulation stripping length shown is thus now also
possible.
[0124] A person skilled in the art recognizes that further steps
would be possible.
[0125] A particular process for controlling the insulation
stripping apparatuses described above or other insulation stripping
apparatuses which are not within the scope of the above embodiments
is likewise the subject of this application.
[0126] The object of the process is to improve, in particular to
accelerate, processes known per se for controlling insulation
stripping apparatuses, so that internal sequences are optimized and
certain functions automated and optionally the input is further
facilitated.
[0127] Known processes for control have software which, when
processing special cables (e.g. coax cables), offered the
possibility of manually inputting each individual operation, i.e.
each process step, each individual feed or withdrawal, for example
of the cable or of the knives, each pivoting of a pivotable cable
guide part, etc. and of thus programming the software in such a way
that it subsequently appropriately controlled the machine. This
required "complete" programming of the entire insulation stripping
process for each new detailed problem in stripping the insulation
from a special cable. This is time-consuming and may also be liable
to errors owing to mistakes.
[0128] The present invention solves this problem satisfactorily for
the first time by introducing groups of operations which combine
process steps and automatically make certain adjustments group by
group. Each process (step) group performs a frequently required
task which consists of a plurality of individual process steps, for
example successive incision and feeding of a three-stage cable on
one side with adjustable insulation stripping depths.
[0129] According to a further development of this process, the
individual process steps in a group of operations or the associated
values can be set to 0 or can be replaced by other, random values,
making it possible to generate a new, alternative group of
operations. This makes it possible for the user to store each
special cable as a group of operation groups in a database, in
which he can subsequently simply select the cable by means of a
command.
[0130] According to a further development of this invention, such
groups of operations may also be combined to overlap (for example
to form larger groups of operations), in order automatically to
solve more complex insulation stripping problems (for example,
cables having an extremely large number of insulation stripping
stages).
[0131] This therefore results in modular blocks of process steps,
which blocks are preferably each freely programmable by
themselves.
[0132] As a rule, in the event of a cable change, a user need
therefore only select one or other cable in the database in order
to control the stripping of insulation from the cable in the
desired manner.
[0133] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the
program (module) groups are shown on a display. FIG. 17 shows an
example of such a display, together with the scheme of a desired
stripped cable section. The cable and its processing operation
groups are shown schematically on the display. A menu bar is also
shown.
[0134] Completely normal three-stage stripping is shown on the far
left in the scheme. This is followed by the fourth stage of
stripping, consisting of a slotted window without left end and
without slit, which is partially stripped over a large length. The
next operation comprises a text. This is followed by the right end:
complete stripping. This comprises repeated stripping in one piece
(there are other possibilities, but this is the recommended one).
This end is additionally processed (e.g. crimped) by an external
device.
[0135] The individual operations are thus shown schematically in
succession. The individual operation symbols may not be completely
displayed, but in each case the selection which the user chose by
inputting the parameters. The cable contains empty parts at most at
the end. If it consists of few operations, it will simply be
shorter. A very large number of operations may lead to the cable
being scrolled. The display jumps about half a screen in each case.
The display is not true to scale either in X or in Y.
[0136] Two bars are shown below the cable. The upper, thick bar
indicates which operation is currently being actuated by the user
(for choice of other operations, see under Keys, Enter and Back):
the thinner bar or bars shows or show which operations are
currently overlapping the actuated ones. Those which do not at all
overlap are not shown (such as the text); others which end
somewhere within the first, end in the middle; those which end in
the same place as the thick bar actually end there; and those which
extend beyond (such as the stripping of the outermost layer) also
extend beyond the thick bar. Up to two overlaps per side are shown,
and further ones are indicated by three dots on the appropriate
side. Operations which lie completely one under the other are shown
as a line of half length in the middle of the other operation.
[0137] The selection menu for the operations of one end is shown
underneath. Details of the menus are shown, for example, as
follows:
[0138] Various menus are available for selection. One menu (End
menu) is activated when the user is at one end of the cable. The
other menu (Middle menu) is activated when the user is not at one
end of the cable. For a list of operations and the functions
controllable thereby, see further below. If one of the appropriate
keys is pressed, a new operation is introduced.
[0139] FIG. 18 shows and describes, by way of example and
schematically, possible groups of operations for processing the
cable end, while FIG. 19 provides information, by way of example,
on groups of operations for the middle part.
[0140] FIG. 8 shows a universal guide 17 (only horizontal
guidance). This is, if required, adapted to the cable diameter. A
guide 9 which can be swivelled away is, if required, adapted to the
cable diameter.
[0141] The cable sections shown relate to the following processing
possibilities: processing in short mode if L is less than 52 mm,
processing in special mode if right insulation stripping length is
greater than 50 mm. The insulation can also be stripped off in
several sections. The advantage of this variant: it is faster than
the variant according to FIG. 9 and it permits greater left and
right stripping length. Disadvantage of this variant: the cable
swivels out with guide 9. Short coax cable sections cannot be
processed.
[0142] FIG. 9 also shows one universal guide 17 each on both sides
(only horizontal guidance). It is adapted to the cable diameter. It
can be swivelled away. The cable sections shown relate to the
following processing possibilities: processing in short mode if L
is less than 52 mm; processing in special mode if right insulation
stripping length is greater than 50 mm. The insulation can be
stripped off in a plurality of sections. Advantage of this variant:
no swiveling out of the cable; processing of relatively short coax
cable is possible. Disadvantage: slower than variant according to
FIG. 8; max. 50 mm stripping length on the left side; max. 50 mm
complete stripping on the right side.
[0143] The processing facilities indicated on the screen shown by
way of example in FIG. 17 are schematically represented in FIG. 18.
The operations have the following special features according to the
invention:
[0144] Terminating: Stops until the input signal (robot) indicates
completed processing.
[0145] Coax slit: Always displayed; however, processing takes place
only if a coax box is also set in the system parameters. This is so
that it is possible to inspect coax wires quickly even if no coax
processing is to be performed. A person skilled in the art
understands coax box as meaning an additional module with rotating
knives for cutting into coaxial cables.
[0146] Coax steps: Can be used for stripping up to three steps
(four layers). Stripping for the appropriate steps can also be
defined here.
[0147] Cutter strip: Permits multiple stripping (without coax,
whereby coax operations can be positioned "independently" thereof
at the desired point). However, this may also be one-part
stripping--both complete and partial stripping are possible. It is
also possible to define multiple windows (free windows in the
cable). The graphics for Cutter strip show the process first as a
procedure, with the result underneath.
[0148] Cutter slit: Permits the definition of a slotted end with
tearing of the insulation for easier removal.
[0149] Since each individual operation can be omitted, various
possibilities are available for selection (see below). This process
is analogous to operation 2, except that the knife head is used
instead of the coax box.
[0150] Cutter steps: Can be used for stripping up to three steps
(four layers). Stripping for the appropriate steps can also be
defined here. As for operation 3, except that incision is performed
with the knife head instead of with the coax box.
[0151] The operation groups in the middle part according to FIG. 19
permit their positioning in each case starting from the left or
right end. This results in the following special features according
to the invention:
[0152] Stopping: Stops until the input signal indicates completed
processing.
[0153] Marking: Marks an area with a number of texts. It is also
possible to mark a single text.
[0154] Coax slit: Permits the definition of a slotted window with
two-sided tearing of the insulation for easier removal.
[0155] Cutter slit: Permits the definition of a slotted window with
two-sided tearing of the insulation for easier removal. Since each
individual operation in 3 and 4 can be omitted, this makes the
procedure versatile. As for operation 3, except that incision is
carried out with the knife head instead of with the coax box.
[0156] Various basic operations according to the invention for the
ends are shown in [0157] FIG. 20a-20e: [0158] FIG. 20a
schematically shows a basic operation. FIG. 20b shows, in the upper
diagram, a basic operation with coaxial incision, longitudinal cut
and stripping with the knife head, the codes beginning with SPE
being cable-specific and/or operation group-specific. [0159] FIG.
20c shows a basic operation with first coaxial incision, second
coaxial incision, third coaxial incision and the corresponding
insulation and layer stripping, beginning from the diagram with the
shallowest incision through stripping with the next deepest
incision to stripping with the deepest incision. The recommended
operations are shown schematically underneath in extract form.
[0160] Further variants are: also incision in two stages or one
stage or omission of individual cuts and associated strippings or
omission of each individual stripping of all of the total of six
possible ones. [0161] FIG. 20d shows a further basic operation for
cutter stripping with the following steps: 1. outer incision, 2.
stripping to the outermost incision, 3. next incision, 4. stripping
to this incision, . . . . The following parameters must be input:
first incision position: length of all sections (one value only),
length of the first strip, length of all other strips (one value
only). [0162] FIG. 20e shows, in the upper diagram, a schematic
basic operation for marking. The lower diagram schematically shows
a further operation according to the invention. This is an
operation involving a coaxial window with the following process
steps: 1. right coaxial incision, 2. left coaxial incision, 3.
longitudinal slit, 4. right stripping with the knife head, 5. left
stripping with the knife head.
[0163] A schematic embodiment for the transverse transport of
cables to other further processing stations is shown in exemplary
FIG. 22, which does not restrict the various aspects of the
invention. The Figure shows a perspective view which schematically
indicates some components of a cable processing
apparatus--comprehensible to a person skilled in the art.
[0164] FIG. 22 shows a first and a second transport means 112, 113
of a cable transport apparatus for moving and holding a cable 107.
The cable transport apparatus comprises, in addition to the
transport means 112, 113, for example, a cable roll with a stock of
cable, a guide means for controlled feeding of the cable 107 from
the cable roll to the first transport means 112 and a receiving
apparatus for receiving the cable sections, cut to length and
processed at the ends, from the second transport means 113. The two
transport means 112, 113 each comprise at least two rolls which can
be pressed from opposite sides against the cable 107 and of which
at least one is driveable so that the cable 107 can be moved
forward, or away from the stock of cable, or backward, depending on
the direction of rotation. When the rolls stop, the cable 107, too,
is held without movement.
[0165] In the embodiment shown, the transport means 112, 113 each
comprise an upper and a lower belt 4 and 5. These belts are each
guided around two rollers 6. Of an upper and lower interacting belt
pair, at least one belt can be driven in both directions. For this
purpose, for example, one of the rollers 6 or a further roller
acting on the belt is connected to a drive. The rollers 6 of the
belt 4 or 5 are each rotatably mounted on a roller frame 7. The
roller frames 7 are in turn mounted in U-shaped holding carriages
8, at right angles to the longitudinal cable axis, to permit
parallel displacement. As a result of the movement of a roller
frame 7 with the rollers 6 of the upper belt 4 upward or downward,
and correspondingly of a roller frame 7 of the rollers 6 of the
lower belt 5 downward or upward, the receiving area for the cable
107 can be enlarged or reduced. To activate the displacements of
the roller frames 7 and to achieve a contact pressure between the
belts 4, 5 and the cable 107, actuating elements 9 are preferably
arranged between the holding carriage 8 and each roller frame
7.
[0166] Each holding carriage 8 is displaceably guided along a track
transversely to the longitudinal cable direction by means of a
guide. The embodiment shown provides, for each holding carriage 8,
a linear guide in the form of a rail 10 whose guide profile 10a is
engaged by a corresponding guide part of the holding carriage 8. In
order to move the holding carriages 8 along the rails 10, for
example, one stepping motor 11 each is provided, each of which sets
in motion a cable 13 by means of a drive wheel 12. One end of the
cable 13 is connected directly to the holding carriage 8 and the
other end is connected via a deflecting roller 14 to the opposite
side of the holding carriage 8 to form a continuous belt by means
of which the carriage 8 can be moved in both directions.
[0167] Of course, it is also possible, if required, to provide
pivot guides instead of linear guides for the holding carriages 8.
The guide means for controlled feeding of the cable 107 from the
stock of cable to the first transport means 112 must ensure, for
the possible displacements or swivel movements of the first
transport means 112, that the cable 107 is not curved more than
desired. If necessary, the cable roll with the stock of cable is
moved together with the first transport means 112 or its holding
carriage 8 so that the cable 107 always directly reaches the first
transport means 112.
[0168] At least one knife station 115 and, for example, a further
processing station 16 or 17 is arranged between the first and
second transport means 112 and 113 or the rails 10. To produce
cable sections 107a, b, the cable 107 is guided from the first
transport means 112 through the knife station 115 to the second
transport means 113. Two cutting tools 3 can be moved together for
cutting through the cable 107. The knife station 115 comprises, for
example, a knife frame 19 in which the cutting tools 3 are guided
and on which movement elements 20 for actuating the cutting tools 3
are fastened. If necessary, a centering guide 21 which may be
movable by means of a linear guide 22 on the knife frame 19 is
provided for guiding the cable 107 from the first transport means
112 to the cutting region. The displaceability of the centering
guide 21 makes it possible to feed the cable 107 with or without
the centering guide 21 to the cutting region. If the cutting region
also includes sections for insulation stripping, the centering
guide 21 can be displaced, for example, parallel with the first
transport means 112. Preferably, centering apparatuses are provided
on both sides of the cutting tools 3, it being expedient during
stripping of the insulation if the free wire end is not present in
a centering guide 21. The centering guide 21 is actuated by means
of an adjusting drive 23.
[0169] In order to reduce in relative terms the processing time
also with a knife station 115 for cutting and insulation stripping,
the cutting tools 3 are preferably provided with a central cutting
region and, on both sides thereof, with one insulation stripping
region each, so that, after cutting, the resulting two wire ends
can each be fed individually to an insulation stripping region by
movements of the transport means 112, 113 in opposite directions.
For insulation stripping, the two wire ends are each moved by a
desired length through the knife station 115. The cutting tools 3
are then moved together for cutting the insulation layer and the
two wire ends are drawn back again by the transport means 112, 113
from the knife station 115 for stripping the insulation. The
shorter processing time is the result of the simultaneous
processing of the two wire ends, which is permitted by the lateral
displacement of the wire ends relative to one another. To permit
any desired insulation stripping lengths, the lateral displacement
is preferably chosen so that the advanced wire ends can be moved
laterally past the opposite transport means 112, 113. If necessary,
each transport means 112, 113 is assigned a lateral support region
on which the advanced cable end, resting on the opposite side, is
guided so that it is not curved downward in an undesirable manner
even in the case of large insulation stripping lengths.
[0170] Analogously to the simultaneous processing of the two cable
ends 107a, b in laterally staggered insulation stripping regions of
the cutting tools 3, it is also possible to ensure simultaneous
processing in any other desired processing stations 16, 17 arranged
staggered laterally or transversely to the longitudinal cable
direction. By means of the lateral displaceability of the transport
means 112, 113, simultaneous or parallel processing is permitted.
In addition, processing stations 16, 17, which are accessible only
from one side for a cable end 107a, for example through an
insertion orifice 16a, can be of any desired length or may also
extend laterally along a transport means 112, 113 without this
having an effect on the distance between the two transport means
112, 113.
[0171] If necessary, during the processing of one cable end 107a,
b, the other is drawn back and the processing tool is moved
transversely to the longitudinal cable direction toward the cable
107. However, this method of processing permits only serial
processing of the cable ends 107a, b formed on cutting. Because
this particular solution according to the invention eliminates the
restriction to processing in the region of a single fixed cable
axis 106, the processing can be accelerated and simplified. The
acceleration is ensured by the parallel processing. The
simplification arises because, in order to achieve freedom of
movement of the cable end 107a being processed, no movements of the
other cable end 107b need be performed.
[0172] It is clear that upward and downward mobility can also be
provided instead of or in addition to lateral mobility of the
transport means 112, 113. In other words, stations can be arranged
distributed as desired about a central axis or a knife station, it
being necessary for the transport means 112, 113 or their guide
means to ensure that the cable ends 107a, b can be fed to the
processing station. The movement of the cable end 107a, b upward or
downward can, if required, be achieved by the movement of the
roller frames 7 in the holding carriage 8 upward or downward. In
addition, at least one transport means 112, 113 may also be
displaceable in the longitudinal cable direction, so that, for
example, it may be possible to dispense with a centering guide
because the outlet region of the transport means 112, 113 can be
guided directly to the entry region of the processing station 115,
16, 17.
[0173] The schematic diagrams in FIG. 23 and 24 are self-evident,
in FIG. 23 the lever 101 representing any desired actuator between
the transport means. The fork according to FIG. 25 and 26 serves as
an example of such an actuator.
[0174] FIG. 24 on the other hand shows any desired actuator 101
between a transport means 112b and a knife station 115h. By
simultaneous movement of the transport means 112b and the tools, it
is possible to save transverse transport time.
[0175] In particular, FIG. 26 clearly illustrates a time-saving
insulation stripping method by simultaneously stripping the
insulation from the front and rear cable end 107a and 107b. This
design is shorter than a design having a three-knife arrangement
one behind the other, like, for example, Eubanks Model 9800.
[0176] FIG. 27 shows an independent transverse transport, for
example along a drive roller axis 110 for the transport unit 112b.
In FIG. 25-27, the double-headed arrow indicates the mobility of
the drive elements toward and away from one another.
[0177] The further FIGS. 28-33 describe another design according to
the invention, which is used in particular as a "rotating box" in
continuous cable processing machines. As a rule, it is added on as
a module and used in addition to the knives which are generally not
rotatable in such machines, in particular V-knives, in order to
facilitate particularly hard insulations or multistage insulation
stripping processes in the case of coaxial cables. The length
measurement required in the case of this design is effected as a
rule at the drive rollers or drive belts of the continuous cable,
which are located on both sides of the rotating box and, in
addition to feeding, also perform a clamping function and, if
required, a centering function. FIGS. 28-33 are likewise described
contiguously and in an overlapping manner.
[0178] Mounted by means of a rigid sleeve 027 is a hollow jaw shaft
022 which is connected by means of a coupling to brake disk 001
with a gear wheel 024 which can be driven by means of a toothed
belt. The jaw shaft 022 transmits the torque of the gear wheel to a
spiral flange 012 which engages centering jaws 013 by means of a
pin. Since the centering jaws 013 are guided in a jaw guide 011, a
rotation of the spiral flange 012 results in the clamping or
centering jaws 013 moving together or apart. By means of adjusting
nut 029, it is possible to tension a pressure spring 025 which
influences the braking force between brake disk 001 and first gear
wheel 024. The braking force decides on the contact pressure of the
centering jaws 013 on the outside of the cable sheath. The
centering jaws 013 have an L-shaped section so that they permit a
very compact design and nevertheless offer a broad centering or
clamping surface for cables to be stripped of insulation. Their
ends project to directly adjacent to the knives. However, owing to
their L shape, it also offers space for any guides or the like.
[0179] A bearing flange 008 which carries bearings 041 is arranged
coaxially with the jaw shaft 022. The bearings 041 support a knife
head which has wedge clamps 018 which are equipped in the region of
a head flange 015 with wedges 016 which cooperate with
diametrically opposite knife holders 015. The knife holders 015 are
guided in a knife guide 010. A spindle 006 drives a nut 005
axially; subsequently, the wedge clamp 018, too, is longitudinally
driven via a bearing 042. The spindle 006 can be driven by a second
gear wheel 020 which has a position indicator 003 whose counterpart
is connected to the nut 005. A straight pin 044 secures the nut 005
against rotation, so that rotation of the second gear wheel 020
results in an axial displacement of the nut 005 and hence an axial
displacement of the wedges 016. This displacement causes the knife
holders 015 to move in the closing or opening direction. However,
other closing and opening apparatuses known to a person skilled in
the art for knives and jaws are also within the scope of the
invention.
[0180] FIG. 29 shows a plan view of a rotating box 057 according to
the invention in a mounting position on the left and in the
insulation stripping position on the right. The further attachment
of a continuous cable insulation stripping apparatus 058, for
example Schleuniger insulation stripping machine CS 9100 or a novel
machine CS 9150 according to the invention, is indicated by dashed
lines. Swivelling out of the insulation stripping position into the
mounting position permits better access to the rotating box 057 in
order, for example, to facilitate knife change. Swivelling out thus
permits rapid working according to the invention. The module 057 is
held on a hinge 059 which is screwed to the frame of the continuous
insulation stripping apparatus 058. A conventional lock secures the
module 057 in the insulation stripping position. This concept of
the invention is not restricted only to rotating boxes but includes
all modules of a continuous insulation stripping machine.
[0181] FIG. 28 shows an oblique view of the rotating box 057
according to the invention, in which the insulation stripping
knives are in the zero position (closed). In contrast, FIG. 30 and
31 shows the diagram with opened, i.e. retracted, wedges 016.
Further descriptive information appears in the list of reference
symbols.
[0182] In the present application, reference is made in particular
to clamping, centering and knife jaws. However, attachments which
do not relate exclusively to jaws but, for example, also include
centering or insulation stripping means other than jaw-like ones
are also within the scope of the invention. For example,
funnel-like means could also be used for centering, and laser
knives, disk-like knives rotating about their own axis or the like
could also be used for cutting. The components described or shown
in connection with FIG. 22, such as drives, guides, etc., can also
be used in the subjects of FIG. 23-27, in a manner comprehensible
to a person skilled in the art.
[0183] Although not stated in more detail, it is however clear to a
person skilled in the art with regard to the various automatic
insulation stripping machines launched on the market by Schleuniger
AG since 1985 that preferably a control apparatus (27) with a data
memory and a data input apparatus is provided, which control
apparatus program-controls the relative length position of the
cutting apparatus (030) with respect to the cable (107) and/or the
multistage cutting depth of the knife. This also applies to the
complete computer control of the drives of the other
embodiments.
* * * * *