Patent ID: 12199416

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1shows an exemplary device1according to the invention for stripping a cable2, for example a coaxial cable shown inFIG.3. The cable2to be processed is preferably a so-called continuous cable.FIG.1furthermore shows a stripping installation3for cutting into and pulling off a portion4of a cable component13,14,15.FIG.5shows a device1according to a further preferred exemplary embodiment. By virtue of the similarities of the two exemplary embodiments, the latter are conjointly described hereunder.

The stripping installation3has a rotary head5which is rotatable about a central axis M and which for clarification is illustrated so as to be enlarged in fragments inFIG.2. The rotary head5is configured as a disk, wherein a belt drive6is provided for rotating the rotary head5(cf.FIG.2).

In order for the cable2to be introduced along the central axis M into the stripping installation3, the exemplary device1illustrated in each case inFIG.1andFIG.5has a transport installation7for conveying the cable2in a linear manner along an advancing direction R. The transport installation7is composed of two transport units7.1,7.2which are separated in the advancing direction R. Additionally, one or a plurality of further transport units can also be positioned in the advancing direction R in front of the rotary head5so as to push the cable2forward. The rotary head5can be disposed behind the transport units7.1,7.2, as is illustrated inFIG.1, in particular when the cable2has already been previously trimmed to length and for stripping a cable component13,14,15is fed to the rotary head5by way of the end of said cable2to be processed. However, the rotary head5can preferably be disposed between the transport units7.1,7.2, as is illustrated inFIG.5. The cable2in this instance can advantageously first be trimmed to length and subsequently stripped.

Alternatively or additionally to the transport installation7, it can also be provided that an operator moves the cable2in a corresponding manner.

A cutter8and a counter holder9for the cable2are disposed on the rotary head5so as to be mutually opposite and aligned toward the central axis M (cf. in particularFIG.2andFIG.6). The cutter8in the direction toward the central axis M is able to be actuated onto the cable2so as to at a defined axial position generate a radial incision in the cable component13,14,15of the cable2. The rotary head5inFIG.5is illustrated only in a simplified manner, according to which only the cutter8is shown so as to be assembled on the rotary head5.

In the exemplary embodiment according toFIG.2the cutter8is configured as a shaped cutter. In principle however, the cutter8can have an arbitrary cutting edge. For example, the cutter8can also have a linear construction, or a straight cutting edge, respectively, as is illustrated inFIG.7. Furthermore, a circular cutter8′ can be provided (cf.FIG.8). The circular cutter8′ can in particular be without a drive and be mounted so as to be freely rotatable in order to be able to roll on the cable2while rotating about the cable2.

The counter holder9configures a bearing face which is adapted to the external diameter of the cable component13,14,15. In principle, the counter holder9can configure an arbitrary bearing face, in particular a tapered bearing face, for example a V-shaped bearing face or a bearing face formed by rollers (cf. counter holder9ofFIG.6). The counter holder9in the exemplary embodiment, in the direction toward the central axis M is likewise able to be actuated onto the cable2. In principle however, the counter holder9can also be disposed so as to be immovable on the rotary head5.

In order for a cutting depth delimitation to be configured the counter holder9can be configured in such a manner that the latter configures a detent for the cutter8,8′. The maximum depth T of the radial incision in the cable component13,14,15can be delimited as a result, and damage to further components of the cable2that are situated below the cable component13,14,15can be prevented. Alternatively or additionally, the cutter8,8′ per se can also have or configure, respectively, a detent for the cable2in order for the cutting depth to be delimited. Illustrated in an exemplary manner inFIG.8is a linear cutter8, wherein the cutting edge is assembled in a cutter receptacle in such a manner that the cutter receptacle, or the cutter8, respectively, configures a detent which in a form-fitting manner predefines a maximum depth T for the incision. A circular cutter8′ can also have a detent, as is illustrated in an exemplary manner inFIG.8. The circular cutter8′ according toFIG.8to this end has a cylindrical detent A, the radius of the latter being smaller than the radius of the cutting edge in order to predefine the maximum depth T for the incision.

In principle, it can be provided that the cutter8does not completely sever the cable component13,14,15or the portion4, respectively, and leaves behind individual webs or a radial inner ring, for example. The portion4, as a result of the radial incision, can thus optionally at first not be completely severed.

The rotary head5(cf.FIG.2) preferably rotates while the cutter8,8′ generates the incision, so as to generate an incision which in radial terms is completely encircling.

It is provided that the stripping installation3has at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2which is disposed on the rotary head5and in the direction of the central axis M able to be actuated onto the cable2, wherein the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2in relation to the cutter8,8′ is positioned in such a manner that the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2for pulling off the portion4of the cable component13,14,15engages in the incision generated by the cutter8,8′ when the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2is actuated onto the cable2.

Two pull-off tools10.1,10.2are preferably provided, as is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment. A first pull-off tool10.1and a second pull-off tool10.2here are disposed opposite one another and in each case aligned toward the central axis M. The two pull-off tools10.1,10.2are particularly preferably disposed so as to be offset from the cutter8,8′ and the counter holder9by 90 degrees. In principle however, the two pull-off tools10.1,10.2can be disposed at any arbitrary angle in relation to the alignment of the cutter8,8′ and the counter holder9.

In a manner similar to that of the cutter8,8′ the pull-off tools10.1,10.2can also be configured as shaped tools, in particular so as to be adapted to the internal diameter of the cable component13,14,15.

The pull-off tools10.1,10.2, the cutter8,8′ and the counter holder9are disposed next to one another on the rotary head5and in each case spaced so as to be equidistant from an end side5.1of the rotary head5so as to in a radial actuation run in each case toward the same axial point on the central axis M, as is indicated by dashed lines inFIG.2.

In order for the cutter8,8′, the counter holder9and/or the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2to be actuated onto the cable2, a respective gate guide installation (not illustrated in more detail) can be provided. However, a rail system can also be provided. Corresponding rails11are indicated on the rotary head5inFIG.2.

The rotary head5is preferably stationary while the portion4is pulled off by the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2. In order for the portion4to be pulled off, the cable2, upon the actuation of the pull-off tools10.1,10.2, counter to the advancing direction R along the central axis M, can at least be partially extracted from the stripping installation3again in order for the portion4to be at least partially pulled off (partial pulling off) or completely pulled off (complete pulling off) from the cable2.

A computer program product having program code means for executing a corresponding method for stripping the cable2on a control installation12of the device1can be provided. The control installation12is indicated inFIG.2and is in particular able to control the belt drive6for driving the rotary head5as well as the actuators for actuating the cutter8,8′, the counter holder9and/or the pull-off tools10.1,10.2when required.

In principle, the device1according to the invention can be able to be advantageously used for stripping arbitrary cable components13,14,15of arbitrary cable types. An exemplary electric cable2is shown in an embodiment as a coaxial cable inFIG.3. The electric cable2has a cable sheath13, a braided cable shield14running thereunder. Insulation15, or a dielectric, respectively, which encases an inner conductor16is disposed below the braided cable shield14. In principle, the cable2may also have further cable components, for example a cable film not illustrated in more detail. The invention is furthermore also suitable for stripping multi-core electric cables2.

For example, the device1, or the method for stripping, respectively, can advantageously be used for stripping a portion4of the cable sheath13of the cable2and/or a portion4of the insulation15of the cable2. The invention can however also be used for stripping the braided cable shield14, for example, or the cable film not illustrated.

A method for stripping an electric cable2is illustrated in an exemplary manner as a flow chart inFIG.4.

In a first method step S1it can be provided that the electrical cable2is actuated onto the stripping installation3, as a result predefining the desired axial position of the incision in the cable component13,14,15to be stripped.

In a second method step S2it can be provided that the cutter8is radially actuated onto the cable component13,14,15. It can optionally be moreover provided that the counter holder9is also actuated.

In a third method step S3, which optionally can also be carried out before the second method step S2or simultaneously with the second method step S2, the rotary head5can be set in rotation.

In a fourth method step S4it can be provided that the cutter8,8′ and/or the counter holder9is removed radially from the cable component13,14,15again once the cutter8,8′ has generated a sufficiently deep incision in the cable component13,14,15, for example after one or a plurality of revolutions of the rotary head5. The at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2can simultaneously be actuated onto the cable component13,14,15in such a manner that said pull-off tool10.1,10.2engages in the incision. The rotary head5can be stopped simultaneously or prior thereto. The pull-off tools10.1,10.2are thus positioned in relation to the cutter8,8′ in such a manner that said pull-off tools10.1,10.2can engage in the incision without the cable2having to be repositioned in the axial direction, or the advancing direction R, respectively.

In a fifth method step S5it can be provided that the cable2, once the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2has been brought to engage with the incision, counter to the advancing direction R is at least partially extracted from the stripping installation3again in order for the portion4to be at least partially pulled off from the cable2.

Finally, in a sixth method step S6it can be provided that the at least one pull-off tool10.1,10.2is removed radially from the cable2again.

In an optional seventh method step S7it can be provided that the cable2, counter to the advancing direction R, is completely removed from the stripping installation3.

The device1can be part of a system17for fabricating the electric cable2. An exemplary system17is illustrated inFIG.9. The system17, apart from the device1for stripping, can preferably have at least one module18which for fabricating the electric cable2is independent from the device1. An exemplary module18is also indicated by dashed lines as a black box inFIG.1. A plurality of modules18are illustrated inFIG.9, wherein the device1, conjointly with two mutually independent modules18, forms a first group19of modules18, and with three further mutually independent modules18, forms a second group20of modules18.

In the context of the system, at least one of the independent modules18can be configured as a module for aligning and orienting the electric cable2, and/or as a module for equipping the cable sheath13with plug connector components of a plug connector, and/or as a module for removing a cable film from a front end of the cable2, and/or as a module for assembling a support sleeve on the front end of the cable2, and/or as a module for processing a braided cable shield14of the cable2, and/or as a module for assembling a housing component of an electric plug connector, and/or as a module for cleaning particles from the front end of the cable2. In principle, arbitrary modules18can be provided for fabricating or processing, respectively, the cable2in the context of a cable fabrication.

A workpiece carrier system21for transporting a cable2to be processed between the device1and the modules18, and optionally also feeding said cable2to the device1, or to the modules18, respectively, can be provided. Cable carriers22which for fastening the cable2have in each case clamping jaws23for holding the cable2in a defined alignment and/or orientation can be provided. The clamping jaws23can be configured so as to be displaceable, for example, in order for the cable2to be moved into the device1or into the modules18(indicated by a rail system24and corresponding double arrows inFIG.9).

In order for the cable2for the processing thereof to be transported between the independent modules18, the cable carriers22in an exemplary manner are in each case assembled on a transport installation in the manner of a conveyor belt25. In principle, only one transport installation, or only one conveyor belt25, respectively, may also be provided. A transport installation, or a conveyor belt25, can also be entirely dispensed with, for example when the cable2is transported onward by an operator, or when a tool carrier system for successively actuating tools of the module18, or the modules18, onto the cable2is provided additionally or alternatively to the workpiece carrier system21. A respective transport installation for feeding the cable2and/or the modules18(and/or the tools of the modules18) conjointly to the processing is preferably provided for each group19,20of modules18. Moreover, a gripper installation26or any other transport system for transporting the cables2between the different groups19,20of modules18(individually or between the cable carriers22assigned to the groups19,20, respectively, or else conjointly with the cable carrier22) can be provided.