Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wires twisting device for twisting two
electric wires together through rotation of a rotor to make a twisted pair cable that
is excel in signal protection against electrical noise, for example, and a twisted
pair cable fabrication method employing the same device.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, various types of twisted pair cable fabrication devices have been
proposed for twisting two electric wires together for fabrication of a twisted pair
cable. For example, PTL 1 describes a configuration in which connectors connected
to both ends of two electric wires are fixed individually to corresponding receiving
jigs, a circular driven gear (a rotor) having a narrow electric wire insertion groove
is disposed in a position lying at a longitudinal center of the electric wires, the
electric wires are inserted through the electric wire insertion groove, and the driven
gear is rotated by a drive gear which is driven by a motor for twisting both the electric
wires.
[0003] In addition, PTL 2 describes a configuration in which one end portions of two electric
wires are fed out towards the other end portions by a drive roller while each being
twisted within a cylindrical portion, and an elliptic cylindrical rotor, which is
disposed at an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction of the electric wires
and through which both the electric wires are inserted, is moved towards the other
end portions while being rotated in the same direction as the twisting direction to
thereby twist the electric wires together.
Citation List
Patent Literature
Summary of invention
Technical Problem
[0006] However, in the prior art that is described in PTL 1 above, since the electric wire
insertion groove in the rotor is formed narrow in a width admitting almost two electric
wires, there has been a concern that it is troublesome work to insert a pair of electric
wires through the rotor, involving some labors (when the electric wire insertion groove
is formed wide, electric wires cannot be twisted together). In addition, in the prior
art that is described in PTL 2, since the rotor is cylindrical, electric wires have
to be inserted through the rotor before they are set in the twisting device, causing
a problem that the work involved is troublesome.
Solution to Problem
[0007] The invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art and
an object thereof is to provide an electric wires twisting device which enables the
insertion of two electric wires through a rotor easily and in an ensured fashion,
which ensures the twisting of the two electric wires and which can fabricate a twisted
pair cable with good workability and productivity.
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is
provided an electric wires twisting device according to claim 1.
[0009] According to the configuration described above, the pair of electric wires are inserted
from the outer opening while being arranged parallel so as to be individually disposed
on both the diametrical sides of the twisting rod. Then, the twisting rod is rotated
together with the rotor by the rotary driving portion, whereby the pair of electric
wires are twisted together. The insertion of the electric wires into the rotor is
implemented by moving the pair of electric wires in a direction which intersects the
direction in which they are arranged at right angles or moving the rotor towards the
electric wires.
[0010] Preferably, the rotary driving portion has a timing belt which is in contact with
a gear portion on an outer circumference of the rotor over a range greater than the
width of the slit portion.
[0011] According to the configuration described above, the driving force is not interrupted
by the slit portion, and the rotor rotates at a uniform speed by being given an ensured
driving force by the timing belt at all times.
[0012] An electric wire guide member provided in a frame has a pair of inclined surfaces
which continue individually to both sides of the slit portion in the direction of
the width of the slit portion, and the pair of electric wires are respectively brought
into contact with the pair of inclined surfaces in a state that an interval of the
pair of electric wires is greater than the width of the slit portion.
[0013] According to the configuration described above, the pair of electric wires are picked
up in an ensured fashion by the pair of inclined surfaces of the electric wire guide
member so as to be guided smoothly into the slit portion along the inclined surfaces.
The pair of electric wires, which are spaced apart wider than the slit portion from
each other, are once compressed to reduce the space therebetween by the slit portion.
However, at the point in time when they come out of the slit portion to the diametrically
wider inner circumferential surface, the pair of electric wires are increased in space
therebetween again so as to be individually inserted to both the sides of the twisting
rod in the ensured fashion.
[0014] According to the present invention, there is also provided a twisted pair cable fabrication
method according to claim
3.
[0015] According to the configuration described above, the pair of electric wires are inserted
into the rotor by way of the slit portion in such a state that the ends of the pair
of electric wires are fixed with the corresponding clamps, and the twisting rod twists
the pair of electric wires together through rotation of the rotor. Then, the resulting
twisted pair cable is removed from the slit portion in the rotor.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0016] According to the first aspect of the invention, the respective electric wires can
be inserted along the slit portion so as to be individually disposed on the diametrical
sides of the twisting rod easily and in the ensured fashion, whereby the twisting
workability can be improved. In addition, the twisting of the electric wires can be
implemented in the ensured fashion by causing the twisting rod to rotate together
with the rotor.
[0017] According to the second aspect of the invention, the rotor can be driven at all times
irrespective of the size of the width of the slit portion so as to prevent the occurrence
of unevenness in rotation speed, thereby making it possible to form the twisted pair
cable with good pitch accuracy.
[0018] According to the first aspect of the invention, the pair of electric wires which
are spaced apart wider than the width of the slit portion are once compressed to reduce
the space therebetween at the narrow slit portion and are increased in space therebetween
again so that they move away outwards from each other so as to be individually disposed
on both the sides of the twisting rod at the point in time when the pair of electric
wires come out of the slit portion into the diametrically wider inner circumferential
surface. Thus, the electric wires can be twisted in an ensured fashion by the twisting
rod.
[0019] According to the third aspect of the invention, the electric wires can be inserted
into and removed from the rotor easily and in the ensured fashion, and the fabrication
of twisted pair cables can be automated so as not only to increase the productivity
of twisted pair cables but also to enable the aesthetic and ensured twisting of electric
wires by the twisting rod.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0020]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an electric wires twisting device
according to the invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which electric wires are disposed
(set) above a rotor of the electric wires twisting device.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electric wires are inserted
into the rotor.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electric wires are inserted
completely in the rotor.
Fig. 5A is a plan view showing a state in which the electric wires are twisted by
the rotor, and Fig. 5B is a plan view showing a completed twisted pair cable.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a form of a twisted pair cable fabrication system
to the electric wires twisting device can be applied.
Description of Embodiments
[0021] Figs. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of an electric wires twisting device according to
the invention.
[0022] As is shown in Fig. 1, this electric wires twisting device 1 includes a circularly
annular rotor 3 having a slit portion 2 in part thereof in a circumferential direction
and disposed vertically, a cylindrical twisting rod 4 provided on a circular inner
circumferential surface 3a of the rotor 3 so as to be erected therefrom while facing
the slit portion 2, a rotary driving device 5 for rotary driving the rotor 3, and
a lifting drive device 6 (a setting portion) for lifting up and down the rotor 3 together
with the rotary driving device 5.
[0023] The rotary driving device 5 includes a timing belt 8 which meshes with a gear portion
7 provided on a circular outer circumferential surface of the rotor at a gear portion
8a formed on an outer circumference thereof (in the drawings, shown in a plan view
as a mater of convenience), a drive gearwheel 9 which meshes with a gear portion 8b
(shown in a plan view as a matter of convenience) formed on an inner circumference
of the timing belt 8, a horizontal motor 10 which is coupled to the drive gearwheel
9 at a shaft portion thereof, a pair of upper and lower guide gearwheels 11 which
press the timing belt 8 against the gear portion 7 on the outer circumference of the
rotor 3. A length of a belt portion (a portion in press contact with the rotor) (also
denoted by reference numeral 8b) between the pair of guide gearwheels 11 is larger
than an inner width of the slit portion 2, whereby the rotor 3 is driven in an ensured
fashion even at the cut-out slit portion 2.
[0024] The lifting drive device 6 includes mainly a vertical air cylinder 12. An upward
rod 12a of the air cylinder 12 is connected to a unit frame 14 via a horizontal connecting
rod 13. The unit frame 14 includes a vertical strut 15 placed at one side portion
and two front and rear vertical plate portions 16 which are fixed in place with the
strut 15 held therebetween. The rotor 3 is disposed between the two plate portions
16. Gearless outer circumferential surfaces 3b which lie before and after the gear
portion 7 on the outer circumference of the rotor 3 are supported by a plurality of
rotatable guide rollers (bearings) 17 with a collar 17a, and shaft portions 17b of
the guide rollers 17 and shaft portions 11 a of the guide gearwheels 11 are fixed
to the front and rear plate portions 16.
[0025] The front and rear plate portions 16 each have a U-shaped cut-out hole 16a which
has a slightly larger width than a diameter of the inner circumferential surface 3a
of the rotor 3. The guide rollers 17 support rotatably the rotor 3 in the air while
positioning the rotor 3 vertically and horizontally. The rotor 3 may also be referred
to as a rotary pulley.
[0026] A bottom portion of the air cylinder 12 is fixed to a horizontal base plate 18, and
the base plate 18 is fixed, in turn, to an upper surface of a base plate 19 which
lies on a lower surface side of the base plate 18. A slide portion (not shown) which
is brought into engagement with a longitudinal horizontal rail of a system, which
will be described later, is fixed to the lower base plate 19. A vertical slide engagement
portion 15a (Fig. 2) is provided on one side of the strut 15 which is connected to
the upper connecting rod 13. The slide engagement portion 15a is in engagement with
a vertical rail 20a of a vertical base plate 20 (Fig. 2) which is fixedly erected
on the base plate 18 along the air cylinder 12 so as to slide vertically.
[0027] The rotor 3 and the twisting rod 4 are formed of, for example, metal. A diameter
of the inner circumference of the rotor 3 is formed larger than a width W (Fig. 2)
of the slit portion 2. As is shown in Fig. 2, a diameter of the twisting rod 4 is
smaller than the width W of the slit portion 2. A distal end 4a of the twisting rod
4 has a semispherical shape and is situated at almost the same height as a lower end
(a proximal end) of the slit portion. A lower end portion (a proximal end portion)
4b of the twisting rod 4 is stepped to be larger diametrically than the distal end
portion 4a and is fixed to an annular circumferential wall 3c of the rotor 3 through
press fitting or screwing.
[0028] The twisting rod 4 rotates together with the rotor 3. When the slit portion 2 is
situated in an upper position, the twisting rod 4 is positioned vertically upwards.
The motor 10 (Fig. 1) is controlled so that the slit portion 2 is positioned in the
upper position at all times when the rotor 3 stops by a control unit (not shown).
[0029] As is shown in Fig. 1, a pair of left and right electric wire guide members 21, having
inclined surfaces 21 a which are inclined so as to expand a space therebetween in
a tapered fashion as they extend upwardly, are fixedly provided between the front
and rear plate portions 16 at an upper portion of the slit portion 2. A triangular,
vertical electric wire guide plate 21c is provided integrally on each guide member
21 at front and rear thereof. Each guide plate 21c has an inclined side portion 21b
which is tapered downwardly to extend along the cut-out hole 16a in the plate portion
16 so as to increase a space defined with an inclined side portion 21 b of a diametrically
corresponding electric wire guide plate 21 c. The left and right inclined surfaces
21 a continue to approach left and right upper ends of the slit portion 2 with almost
no gap.
[0030] Figs. 2 to 4 show a twisted pair cable fabrication method employing the electric
wires twisting device 1. In Fig. 2, the air cylinder 12 is compressed when the rotor
3 stops, and a unit main body portion 22, made up of the rotor 3, the gearwheels 9,
11, the timing belt 8, the motor 10, the rollers 17 and the plate portions 16, is
lowered to be positioned in place. In this state, a pair of electric wires 23 are
disposed above the left and right inclined surfaces 21a of the guide members 21 in
such a state that the electric wires 23 are taut with a certain tension (in such a
state that the electric wires 23 are stretched in a straight-line fashion in a longitudinal
direction (a front-to-rear direction)).
[0031] In this state, the air cylinder 12 is extended, whereby the unit main body portion
22 rises together with the rod 12a. As is shown in Fig. 3, the pair of electric wires
23 are compressed at part to reduce the space defined therebetween (with the compressed
portion denoted by reference numeral 23a) while in sliding contact with the inclined
surfaces 12a of the corresponding guide members 21 and are guided into an inner space
3d of the rotor 3 along the corresponding inclined surfaces 21a. Then, as is shown
in Fig. 4, the vertical twisting rod 4 is raised together with the rotor 3 by the
rod 12a of the air cylinder 12 which is extended so as to be inserted between the
pair of electric wires 23, whereby the electric wires 23 are individually disposed
on left- and right-hand sides of the twisting rod 4 at a center in a height direction
of the rotor 3 within the inner space 3d.
[0032] As is shown in Fig. 3, by the pair of electric wires 23 which are stretched in the
longitudinal direction being compressed (at the portions denoted by reference numeral
23a) inwardly to reduce the space therebetween along the inclined surfaces 21 a against
the tension, a restoring force is exerted on the respective electric wires 23 outwardly
(in a space-opening direction). Then, the electric wires 23 slide downwards along
vertical inner surfaces (also denoted by reference numeral 2) of the slit portion
2 from the inclined surfaces 21a. The electric wires 23 are restored to be expanded
outwardly or to increase the space therebetween at a point in time when the electric
wires 23 advance from lower ends of the slit portion 2 into the inner space 3d which
is larger diametrically than the slit portion 2, whereby the electric wires 23 are
spaced apart further so as to be individually disposed on the left- and right-hand
sides of the twisting rod 4 without interfering with the twisting rod 4 lying in the
midst thereof in an ensured fashion (the twisting rod 4 is inserted between the pair
of electric wires 23 in an ensured fashion).
[0033] In Fig. 3, when the electric wires 23 are lowered relatively (in reality, the guide
members 21 and the rotor 3 are raised), inclined portions 23b which continue to the
compressed narrow portions 23a which lie before and after the inclined portions 23b
are guided smoothly along the front and rear lower inclined side portions 21b. The
inclined side portions 21b also guide relatively upwards the pair of left and right
electric wires remaining at an end portion of the resulting twisted pair cable in
a smooth fashion when removing the twisted pair cable from the rotor 3.
[0034] The rotor 3 rotates from the state shown in Fig. 4 via the timing belt 8 by the drive
of the motor 10, and as is shown in Fig. 5A, the twisting rod 4 rotates together with
the rotor so as to twist the pair of electric wires 23. Front and rear ends of the
individual electric wires 23 are fixed with front and rear pairs of clamps 24, 25,
whereby the electric wires 23 are twisted between the clamps 24, 25 and the twisting
rod 4.
[0035] The slit portion 2 of the rotor 3 is positioned in the upper position at a point
in time when the twisting is completed, and the position of the rotor 3 is specified
by controlling the motor 10 so that the twisting rod 4 is positioned vertically upwards.
Following this, the air cylinder 12 is compressed as is shown in Fig. 2, and the unit
main body portion 22 is lowered together with the rod 12a, whereby the resulting twisted
pair cable is removed upwards from the slit portion 2. Fig. 5B shows an example of
a twisted pair cable 23', and terminals 26 are press attached to both ends of electric
wires 23.
[0036] Fig. 6 shows one form of a twisted pair cable fabrication system to which the electric
wires twisting device 1 is applied and a twisted pair cable fabrication method.
[0037] This fabrication system 27 has electric wire clamps 30, 31 on three planes of front
and rear intermittent rotary elements 28, 29, respectively. The clamps 30 at one side
(front side) are connected rotatably to corresponding motors 32. The other clamps
31 at the other side (rear side) are horizontal long air cylinders and are withdrawn
together with corresponding base plates 34 so as to apply a tension to the electric
wires 23. The intermittent rotary elements 28, 29 are supported on struts 35, 36,
respectively, so as to rotate intermittently by 1/3 of the circumference by intermittent
driving devices 37, 38, respectively. In the three planes of each of the intermittent
rotary elements, 28, 29, a near plane constitutes an electric wire setting plane 39,
a lower plane an electric wires twisting plane 40, and a far plane an electric wire
discharge plane 41. In reality, the front and rear intermittent rotary elements 28,
29 are spaced largely in the front-to-rear direction for twisting the electric wires
23.
[0038] The electric wires twisting unit 1 is disposed on a horizontal base portion (not
shown) of the system 27 between the lower electric wire setting planes 40. Slide engagement
portions on the base plate 19 (Fig. 1) of the unit 1 are brought into slidable engagement
with longitudinal horizontal rails (not shown) on the base portion, whereby the base
plate 19 together with the whole of the unit 1 can move along the rails by a longitudinal
translation drive unit such as a horizontal ball screw or a rack-and-pinion mechanism.
[0039] Both the ends of the electric wires 23 are fixedly gripped to the front and rear
clamps 30, 31 at the electric wire setting planes 39. When the intermittent rotary
elements 28, 29 rotate by 1/3 the circumference in a direction indicated by an arrow
A, the electric wires 23 so set are then move to the lower twisting planes 40. In
this state, as is shown in Fig. 4, when the air cylinder 12 is operated to be extended,
the electric wires twisting device main body portion 22 is raised, whereby the twisting
rod 4 enters between the pair of electric wires 23. The electric wires twisting device
1 is withdrawn as near as the rear clamp 39, and in this state, the rotor 3 is rotated
by the motor 10. At the same time, the front clamps 30 are rotated in the same direction
at the same speed by the motor 32, and at the same time, the electric wires twisting
device 1 advances along the rails of the base portion, whereby the electric wires
23 are twisted between the rear clamps 30 and the rotor 3.
[0040] When the twisting of the electric wires is completed, as is shown in Fig. 2, the
air cylinder 12 is operated to be compressed, and the electric wires twisting device
main body 22 is lowered. Then, the resulting twisted pair cable 23' is removed upwards
from the rotor 3 while being clamped at the ends by the clamps 30, 31. Following this,
the intermittent rotary elements 28, 29 rotate further 1/3 the circumference in the
direction indicated by the arrow A, and the twisted pair cable 23' is moved to the
discharge planes 41, whereby the twisted pair cable 23' is discharged after a tape
is wound around each end thereof.
[0041] In this way, the rotor 3 is raised, and the pair of electric wires 23 are accommodated
within the rotor from the slit portion 23. Then, the rotor 3 is lowered after the
twisting of the electric wires is completed, and the resulting twisted pair cable
23' is removed from the slit portion 2. Thus, the three steps of setting the electric
wires, twisting the electric wires together and discharging the resulting twisted
pair cable can be executed in succession, thereby making it possible to increase the
productivity of twisted pair cables 23'. A separate proposal will be made with respect
to the fabrication system 27.
[0042] In the embodiment, while the timing belt 8 is used to drive the rotor 3, it is possible
to use two gearwheels which are spaced apart wider than the width dimension of the
slit portion 2 in place of the timing belt 8. In addition, it is possible to form
inclined surfaces which are inclined as tapered at open ends of the slit portion 2
in the rotor 3 without using the guide members 21. However, when such inclined surfaces
are provided on the rotor 3, the inclined surfaces will be narrower than the inclined
surfaces 21a of the guide members 21 in relation to the driving of the rotor 3. Therefore,
the guide members 21 are preferably used to ensure the guide of the electric wires.
[0043] In addition, in place of the system 27 shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to use a system
(not shown) which includes fixedly only the front and rear electric wire clamps 30,
31 which are provided on the lower front and rear electric wires twisting planes 40
and the motors 32 on the front side shown in Fig. 6 or a system (not shown) which
includes only the front and rear clamps 30, 31 excluding the motors 32.
[0044] As this occurs, a configuration can also be adopted in which the electric wires twisting
unit 1 is disposed not below but above the electric wires 23, and the electric wires
twisting unit 1 is lowered so that the electric wires 23 are inserted into the rotor
3. In addition, a configuration can also be adopted in which the slit portion 2 is
disposed not upwards but sideways, and the air cylinder 12 is disposed not vertically
but horizontally, whereby the pair of electric wires 23 which are parallel vertically
are inserted into the slit portion 2 sideways so as to be individually disposed on
upper and lower sides of the horizontal twisting rod 4.
Industrial Applicability
[0046] The electric wires twisting device and the twisted pair cable fabrication method
employing the same unit can be made use of, for example, in producing twisted pair
cables intended to prevent noise of signal wires of motor vehicles with good efficiency.
Reference Signs List
[0047]
- 1
- electric wires twisting device
- 2
- slit portion
- 3
- rotor
- 3a
- inner circumferential surface
- 4
- twisting rod
- 5
- rotary driving device
- 7
- gear portion
- 8
- timing belt
- 14
- frame
- 21
- electric wire guide member
- 21a
- inclined surface
- 23
- electric wire
1. Eine Vorrichtung (1) zur Verdrillung von Elektrodrähten zum Verdrillen eines Paares
von Elektrodrähten (23), aufweisend:
einen zylindrischen Rotor (3), der einen Schlitzabschnitt (2) hat, der in einem Teil
des Rotors (3) in einer Umfangsrichtung des Rotors (3) bereitgestellt ist, wobei ein
Innendurchmesser des Rotors (3) größer als eine Weite (W) des Schlitzabschnitts (2)
ist,
einen Verdrehstab (4), der an einer inneren Umfangsoberfläche (3a) des Rotors (3)
so vorgesehen ist, dass dieser davon hervorsteht und gegenüber dem Schlitzabschnitt
(2) ist,
einen Drehantriebsabschnitt (5), der den Rotor (3) dreht, und
einen Setzabschnitt (6), zum Einsetzen des Paares von Elektrodrähten (23) parallel
in einer Richtung der Weite (W) des Schlitzabschnitts (2) in eine Innenseite der Umfangsoberfläche
(3a) des Rotors (3), um individuell an beiden Seiten des Verdrehstabs (4) vorgesehen
zu sein,
wobei ein Elektrodrahtführungsteil (21), das in einem Rahmen (14) bereitsgestellt
ist, ein Paar schräger Oberflächen (21 a) hat, die kontinuierlich jeweils an beiden
Seiten des Schlitzabschnittes (2) in der Richtung der Weite (W) des Schlitzabschnitts
(2) verlaufen, und
wobei das Paar von Elektrodrähten (23) entsprechend in Kontakt mit dem Paar schräger
Oberflächen (21a) in einem Zustand gebracht werden kann, bei dem ein Abstand des Paares
von Elektrodrähten (23) größer ist als die Weite (W) des Schlitzabschnitts (2).
2. Die Vorrichtung (1) zur Verdrillung von Elektrodrähten gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der
Drehantriebsabschnitt (5) einen Antriebsriemen (8) hat, der in Kontakt mit einem Getriebeabschnitt
(8b) an einer äußeren Umfangsfläche des Rotors (3) über einen Bereich ist der größer
als die Weite (W) des Schlitzabschnitts (2) ist.
3. Eine Methode zum Herstellen eines verdrillten Paarkabels unter Benutzung der Vorrichtung
(1) zur Verdrillung von Elektrodrähten gemäß Anspruch 1, beinhaltend:
Einsetzen des Paares von Elektrodrähten (23) durch den Schlitzabschnitt (2) unter
Benutzung des Setzabschnitts (6), wobei das Paar von Elektrodrähten (23) entsprechend
in Kontakt mit dem Paar der schrägen Oberflächen (21a) des Elektrodrahtführungsteils
(21) in einem Zustand gebracht wird, bei dem ein Abstand des Paares von Elektrodrähten
(23) größer ist als die Weite (W) des Schlitzabschnitts (2), um individuell an beiden
Seiten des Verdrehstabs (4) in einem Zustand vorgesehen zu sein, bei dem beide Enden
des Paares von Elektrodrähten (23) mittels Klammern (24, 25) fixiert sind und das
Paar von Elektrodrähten (23) mit Spannung versehen wird, und
Drehen des Verdrehstabs (4) zusammen mit dem Rotor (3), um das Paar von Elektrodrähten
(23) mittels des Verdrehstabs (4) zu verdrillen.