APPARATUS AND METHOD TO CATCH, DAMP AND FEED A CABLE, WIRE, ROPE OR THE LIKE WHICH IS ROLLED UP IN A RING

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for intercepting, damping and feeding a cable (1), wire, line or the like, rolled up into a coil (4), which coil (4) is intended to be fed in the radial direction of the coil (4). The apparatus comprises first and second support rollers (10, 11) which are rotatably arranged on first resp. second arms (15, 16) which arms (15, 16) are pivotable about first resp. second axes of rotation (17, 18). The support rollers (10, 11) and arms (15, 16) are symmetrically arranged around an axis of symmetry (19) which passes through the geometric central axis (20) of the coil (4). A damping means (29, 30) is arranged at the respective arms and a transmission (21) is arranged on the respective axes of rotation (17, 18) for symmetric control of the arms (15, 16). The invention also relates to a method for intercepting, damping and feeding a cable (1), wire, line or the like rolled up into a coil (4).

Description: Apparatus and method to catch, damp and feed a cable, wire, rope or the like which is rolled up in a ring. The present invention relates to an apparatus for intercepting, damping and feeding a cable, wire, line or the like rolled up into a coil, which coil is intended to be fed in the radial direction of the coil. The invention also relates to a method for intercepting, damping and feeding a cable, wire, line or the like roEed up into a coil, which coil is intended to be fed in the radial direction of the coil, wherein the cable or the like is wound on a winding means to form a coil, whereafter the cable or the like is cut when the desired length has been rolled up, whereafter the coil is separated from the winding means and the coil is aUowed to free faU under the influence of gravity in the radial direction of the coil. According to SE-B-371 630, an apparatus is known in the prior art for winding a cable or the like. The cable is rolled up on a winding means to form a coil. A back and forth moving guide means distributes the cable evenly over the axial extent of the coil. When a desired length of cable has been roUed up on the winding means, the cable is cut by means of a moving means which moves the cable towards a knife. Thereafter the coil is removed from the winding means and aUowed to faE free under the influence of gravity down into a wrapping in the shape of a cardboard box. According to the above prior art technique the cardboard box holds the coil together so that the cable does not unwind or become deformed. It has, however, for cost reasons and from me environmental point of view been shown to be unsuitable to use a cardboard box as wrapping. It is more appropriate to package the roEed-up coil in a thin foil wrapping of, for example, reusable plastic or to completely eliminate the requirement for a wrapping surrounding the coil. The problem which is the basis for the present invention is how to intercept the coil during free faE without the coE being deformed or unwound. Another problem which is the basis for the invention is how to, after rolling up of the cable, shorten the end or arrange the end of the cable to lie against the coE. A further problem which is a basis for the invention is how to turn the coE for out- feeding. These problems are solved according to the invention through the apparatus comprising first and second support roEers which are rotatably arranged on first resp. second arms, which arms are pivotable about first resp. second axes of rotation, the support roEers and arms being symmetricaEy arranged around an axis of symmetry which passes through the geometric central axis of the coE, a damping means being arranged on the respective arms, and a transmission being arranged on the respective axes of rotation for symmetric control of the arms. The method for solving the above mentioned problems is characterized according to the invention by a first and a second support roller which, when in a raised first position, intercept the coE, by a guide waE, displaceable in the axial direction of the coE, guiding the coE during the faE, by the cooperating dampers of the support roEers in a controEed manner braking and damping the movement of the coE, by a control cylinder synchronously moving the support roEers to a sunken second position, by the coE being rotated in the second sunken position through the first support roEer being rotated so that the cut-off end of the cable is minimize d, by the displaceable guide wall compressing the coE in the axial direction, by a binding means binding a tape or the like diametricaEy around the coE, by the displaceable guide waE puEing the coE, in the band arranged around the coil, away from the binding means, and by the coE being outfed from the binding means through the support roEers being moved synchronously with a controEed movement to a sunken third position, during which movement the distance between the support roEers increases to a distance which is greater than the diameter of the coE, whereafter the coE leaves the support roEers with the help of the force of gravity. When the coil has left the support roEers, the coE is received in a turning cassette, which comprises two maneuverable legs which hold the coE in the circumferential direction and a number of transport roEers which support the coE in the axial direction, which 1-urning cassette is turned approximately 85° about a shaft which is perpendicular to the geometric central axis of the coE, after which rotation the turning cassette has an inclination of approximately 5°, which inclination permits the coE to roE on the transport roEers out of the turning cassette. The invention is described more closely with reference to the embodiment shown on the appended drawings, where Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention, where a cable is roEed into a coE on a winding means, Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention, where a coE is in free faE and is intercepted by a pair of support roEers which are in a raised first position, Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention, where a coE has been intercepted and damped by the support roEers which are in a sunken second position, Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention, where a coE has been fed into a turning cassette and the support roEers sunken to a sunken third position, and Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus according to the invention, where a coil is in a number of different positions in the apparatus. Fig. I shows how a cable 1 is fed from a tube 2 and rolled up on a winding means 3. The cable 1 forms a coE 4 on the winding means 3. When a desired length of cable has been roEed up on the winding means 3, the cable 1 is cut, whereafter a loose cable end 5 is formed on the coil 4. The winding means 3 comprises partly a rota- table drum 6 which can be moved forwards and backwards in the axial direction of the formed coE 4 and partly two flanges 7,8 for supporting the cable 1 when it is being roEed up. The drum 6 is driven forwards and backwards in a central hole in title respective flanges 7,8. When the coE 4 has been coiled and die cable 1 has been cut, the drum 6 is fed out through the central hole 9 of the formed coE 4, whereafter the coil 4 leaves the flanges 7,8 and freefaEs because of the force of gravity in the direction towards a first and a second support roEer 10,11, as shown in Fig. 2. During the free faE the coE 4 is guided by a guide waE 12 movable in the axial direction of the coE 4, which with a predetermined force presses the ring 4 against a fixed waE 13. The movable guide wall 12 is suitably maneuvered by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown). The free faE can consequently be controEed through increasing or reducing the force acting on the movable guide waE 12 and in this way increasing respectively reducing the friction between the coE 4 and respective waEs 12,13. According to Fig. 2 the coE 4 is intercepted by a first and a second support roEer 10,11, which are in a raised first position. A control cylinder 14 is arranged to ensure that the support roEers 10,11 are in the raised first position when the coE 4 is released from the winding means 3. As is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the device comprises a first and second support roEer 10,11, which are rotatably arranged on first resp. second arms 15,16, which aims 15,16 are pivotable about first resp. second axes of rotation 17,18. The guide roEers 10,11 and the arms 15, 16 are symmetrically arranged about an axis of symmetry which passes through the geometric central axis 20 of the coE 4. A damping means 29,30 is arranged on the respective arms 15,16 and a transmission 21 is arranged on the respective axes of rotation for symmetric control of the arms 15,16. The transmission 21 comprises a toothed belt puEey 22,23 arranged on each of the respective axes of rotation 17,18, which cooperate with a crossed toothed belt 24 in order to obtain a symmetric movement of the respective arms 15,16 and support roEers 10,11. The damping means 29,30 is formed of first and second progressive hydrauHc dampers 29,30 which, on the one hand, are arranged on their respective arms 15,16 and, on the other hand, on first resp. second lever arms 25,26, which are mounted in bearings on the first resp. second axes of rotation 17,18. First and second power cylinders 27,28 are resp. connected to the respective lever arms 25,26 in order to, on the one hand, adjust and fix the position of the respective lever arms 25,26 about the respective axes of rotation 17,18 and, on the other hand, in order to take up the reaction forces from the respective dampers 29,30. In Figs. 1 and 2 the second damper 30 and the second power cylinder 28 are left out, wherefore only the mounting points for these elements are shown. In Fig. 3 the coE 4 is intercepted and dampened by the support roEers 10, 11, which because of the coE's weight and force are moved to a sunken second position. In this position the coil 4 is in a binding means 31, which is arranged to bind up the coil 4 diametricaEy by means of a band 32 or the like. Before the coE 4 is bound by means of the band 32, the coE 4 is rotated a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow 33 in order to minimize the cut-off end 5 of the cable. The rotation of the coE 4 takes place by means of a cam mechanism 34 which is rotatably arranged on the first axis of rotation 17 and is actuated by a cylinder 35. The cam mechanism 34 comprises a cam surface 36 which is intended to, through contact against the first support wheel 10, rotate the same and thereby the coE 4. The coil 4 is compressed in die axial direction by means of the movable guide waE 12 before the binding of the coil 4, whereby the band 32 which binds the coE 4 will also enclose the movable guide wall 12. If the coE 4 has such a little weight that it is not capable of pushing down the sup- port roEers 10,11 in the sunken second position, the control cylinder 14 moves, via a guide link 37, on the one hand die first aim 15 and on the other hand, by means of transmission 21, the second arm 16 and thereby the support roEers 10,11 to the sunken second position. In Fig. 3 a number of elements which are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 have been removed for the purpose of clarity. In Fig. 4 it is shown how the coE 4 has been fed out from the binding means 31 and fed to a turning cassette 38. The feeding out from the binding arrangement 31 takes place through the support roEers 10, 11 moving synchronously and with a controEed movement to a sunken third position during which movement the distance between the support roEers 10,11 increases to a distance which is greater than the diameter of the coE 4, whereafter the coE 4 leaves the support roEers 10,11 with the help of the force of gravity and ends up in the turning cassette 38. Before the coE 4 is fed out of die binding arrangement 31, the displaceable waE 12 puEs tihe coE 4 in the band 32 arranged around the coE 4 towards itself away from the binding arrangement 31 in the axial direction. This is so that the band 32 should not fasten in die binding arrangement 31 during the feeding out thereof. The movable guide waE 12 has a free end 39 in the feed direction, which means that the band 32 cannot come into conflict with the movable guide waE 12 when the coE 4 is fed out of the binding arrangement 31. In Fig. 4 the second power cylinder 28, cooperating with the second lever arm 26, and the damper 30 are shown. Elements which are shown in Figs. 1 - 3 have been left out for the sake of clarity. The turning cassette 38 comprises two maneuverable legs 40,41, which fix the coE 4 in the circumferential direction and a number of transport roEers 42 which support the coE 4 in the axial direction. Only one transport roEer 42 is schematicaEy shown in Figs. 1 - 4. The turning cassette 38 is rotatable about an axis 43, which is perpendicular to the geometric central axis 20. When the turning cassette 38 is rotated approximately 85° about the axis 43, the plane formed by the transport roEers 42 takes up an inclination of approximately 5°. This inclination aEows die coE 4 to roll out of the turning cassette 38 and over, for example, a conveyor belt 44 for further processing, such as wrapping in foE or die like.

Claims: Claims 1. Apparatus for intercepting, damping and feeding a cable (1), wire, line or the like roEed up into a coE (4), which coE (4) is intended to be fed in the radial direction of the coE (4), characterized in tiiat the apparatus comprises first and second support roEers (10,11) which are rota- tably arranged on first resp. second arms (15,16), which arms (15,16) are pivotable about first resp. second axes of rotation (17,18), that the support roEers (10,11) and arms (15, 16) are symmetricaEy arranged around an axis of symmetry (19) which passes tiirough die geometric central axis (20) of the coE (4), that a damping means (29,30) is arranged on die respective arms (15,16), and that a transmission (21) is arranged on the respective axes of rotation (17,18) for symmetric guiding of the arms (15,16). 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the damping means (29,30) is formed of first and second progressive hydraulic dampers (29,30) which, on the one hand, are arranged on their respective arms (15,16) and, on the other hand, are arranged on first resp. second lever arms (25,26), which are mounted in bearings on the first and second axes of rotation ( 17, 18), wherein first resp. second power cylinders (27,28) are joined with the respective lever arms (25,26) partly in order to adjust and fix the position of die respective lever arms (25,26) around the respective axes of rotation (17,18) and partly in order to absorb die reaction forces from the respective dampers (29,30). 3. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that a control cylinder (14) is arranged to, via a control link (37) rotate the first axis of rotation (17) in order to move, on the one hand, the first arm (15) and, on die other hand, by means of the transmission (21), the second arm (16) to a first resp. second position. 4. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that a cam mechanism (34) is pivotally arranged on the first axis of rotation (17), which cam mechanism (34) comprises a cam surface (36) which is intended to rotate the first support roEer (10) in order to tiiereby rotate the coE (4). 5. Apparatus according to any of die previous claims, characterized in tiiat the transmission (21) comprises a toothed belt puEey (22,23) arranged on each of the respective axes of rotation (17, 18) and cooperating with a crossed toothed belt (24). 6. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that a turning cassette (38) which comprises two maneuverable legs (40,41), which fix the coil (4) in me circumferential direction, and a number of transport roEers (42), which support the coil (4) in die axial direction, which turning cassette (38) is rotatable around an axis (43) which is perpendicular to die geometric central axis (20) of me coE (4). 7. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a binding means (31), which is arranged to bind the cod (4) diametricaEy by means of a band (32). 8. Apparams according to Claim 7, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a guide waE (12) movable in die axial direction of the coE (4), which is intended to guide and compress the coE (4) during feeding tiirough the apparatus and to draw the coil (4) away from the binding means (31). 9. Method for intercepting, damping and feeding a cable (1), wire, line or the like roEed up into a coil (4), which coE (4) is intended to be fed in die radial direction of die coil (4), wherein the cable (1) or the like is roEed up on a winding means (3) to form the coE (4), whereafter the cable (1) or die like is cut when the desired length has been roEed up, whereafter d e coE (4) is removed from die winding means (3), and die coil (4) by means of die force of gravity is aEowed to faE free in the radial direction of die coE (4), characterized in tiiat a first and a second support roEer (10, 11), which are in a raised first position, intercept the coE (4), that a guide waE (12) movable in die axial direction of the coil (4) guides die coE (4) during die faE, tiiat dampers (29,30) cooperating with die support roEers (10,11) in a controEed way brake and damp the movement of the coE (4), that a control cyhnder (14) synchronously moves the support roEers (10, 11) to a sunken second position, tiiat, in the second sunken position, the coE (4) is rotated through the first support roEer (10) being turned so that the cut-off end (5) of the cable (1) is -minimized, tiiat die movable guide waE (12) compresses the coE (4), that a binding means (31) binds a band (32) or the like diametricaEy around die coE (4), tiiat die movable guide waE (12) draws the coE in die band (32) arranged around die coE (4) away from the binding arrangement (31), and that die coE (4) is fed out from die binding arrangement (31) through the support roEers (10,11) being moved synchronously with a controEed movement to a sunken third position, during which movement the distance between the support roEers (10, 11) increases to a distance which is greater than die diameter of the coE (4), whereafter the coE (4) leaves the support roEers (10,11) by means of the force of gravity. 10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in tiiat, when the coE leaves die support roEers (10, 11), the coE (4) is intercepted in a turning cassette (31) which comprises two maneuverable legs (40,41) which fix the coE (4) in die circumferential direction, and a number of transport roEers (42) which support the coE (4) in die axial direction, which turning cassette (38) is rotated approximately 85° around an axis (43) which is perpendicular to die geometric central axis (20) of the coE (4), after which rotation die turning cassette (38) has an inclination of approximately 5°, which incEnation permits the coE (4) to roll out of die turning cassette (38) on the transport roEers (42).

Inventors: ARNHEDEN ROLF, GAHN BERNT, SKALLEBERG OEYSTEIN, ARNHEDEN, ROLF, GAHN, BERNT, SKALLEBERG, OEYSTEIN
Applicants: ARNHEDEN ROLF, GAHN BERNT, SKALLEBERG OEYSTEIN, SKALTEK AB, ARNHEDEN, ROLF, GAHN, BERNT, SKALLEBERG, OEYSTEIN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65H67
IPC codes: B65H67