Cable processing machine with movable guide elements and method for laying a cable in a cable processing machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10974924-B2
Application number	US-201916358762-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2019
Priority date	Mar 23, 2018
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

A cable processing machine includes a cable feeding device for moving a cable in a feed direction. The cable feeding device has a first guide element and a second guide element, between which elements the cable is guided at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine. The spacing between the two guide elements is selectively variable. A method for laying a cable in the cable processing machine includes moving one or both of the guide elements relative to one another when the cable processing machine is shifted between the operating mode and a cable laying mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cable processing machine including a cable feeding device for moving a cable in a feed direction, the cable feeding device comprising:
a first guide element;
a second guide element, the cable being guided between the two guide elements at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine, and wherein a spacing between the two guide elements is selectively variable; and
wherein the first and second guide elements are positioned upstream of a pair of belt drives moving the cable in the feed direction; and
wherein the two guide elements have a first spacing relative to each other in a cable laying mode of the cable processing machine for laying the cable and have a second spacing relative to each other in the operating mode, and wherein the second spacing is smaller than the first spacing.

2. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein the two guide elements together surround the cable on all sides in the operating mode.

3. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein in the cable laying mode, a gap for the passage of the cable during laying is formed between the two guide elements on a predetermined side of the two guide elements.

4. The cable processing machine according to claim 3 wherein in the predetermined side is a top side.

5. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein the first guide element is arranged stationary relative to a housing of the cable processing machine and the second guide element is movable relative to the first guide element.

6. The cable processing machine according to claim 5 including a first belt drive of the pair of belt drives arranged stationary on the housing of the cable processing machine, a second belt drive of the pair of belt drives fastened to a carrier that is movable relative to the housing, and the second guide element is arranged on the carrier.

7. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein the two guide elements are movable relative to a housing of the cable processing machine.

8. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein the two guide elements are translationally movable relative to each other.

9. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein each of the two guide elements is L-shaped in cross section.

10. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein the two guide elements each have two contact surfaces arranged perpendicularly to each another for making contact with and guiding the cable, and wherein one of the contact surfaces of the first guide element and one of the contact surfaces of the second guide element are arranged parallel to one another.

11. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein the cable feeding device has, at the outlet, a guide tube through which the cable is guided, and the guide tube includes a brake unit that, in a braking state, retains the cable.

12. The cable processing machine according to claim 11 wherein the brake unit includes a spring.

13. The cable processing machine according to claim 12 wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

14. The cable processing machine according to claim 11 wherein the brake unit is automatically opened when a clamping lever for fastening the brake unit to the cable processing machine is closed.

15. The cable processing machine according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second guide elements has an upstream end with a rounded surface.

16. A method for laying a cable in a cable processing machine comprising the steps of:
sliding a cable into a guide tube;
inserting the guide tube into a tube holder of the cable processing machine, wherein the guide tube is releasably retained by the tube holder;
laying the cable between two belt drives and between two guide elements of the cable processing machine;
moving the belt drives toward each other; and
moving the guide elements toward each other.

17. The method according to claim 16 including clamping the cable in the guide tube with a brake unit of the guide tube and releasing the brake unit either after the guide tube has been inserted into the tube holder or while the guide tube is being inserted into the tube holder.

18. A cable processing machine including a cable feeding device for moving a cable in a feed direction, the cable feeding device comprising:
a first guide element;
a second guide element, the cable being guided between the two guide elements at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine, and wherein a spacing between the two guide elements is selectively variable;
wherein the two guide elements have a first spacing relative to each other in a cable laying mode of the cable processing machine for laying the cable and have a second spacing relative to each other in the operating mode, and wherein the second spacing is smaller than the first spacing;
wherein the two guide elements together surround the cable on all sides in the operating mode; and
wherein in the cable laying mode, a gap for the passage of the cable during laying is formed between the two guide elements on a predetermined side of the two guide elements.

Assignees

• Komax Holding Ag

Inventors

• Eggimann Reto
• Staubli Dominik

Classifications

• H01R43/28

  for wire processing before connecting to contact members, not provided for in groups H01R43/02 - H01R43/26 · CPC title

• B65H51/105

  one of which is an endless belt · CPC title

• H02G1/1248 Primary

  Machines · CPC title

• B65H51/14

  Aprons, endless belts, lattices, or like driven elements · CPC title

• B65H57/00

  Guides for filamentary materials; Supports therefor · CPC title