Braiding machine and method for producing a braid

Abstract

A braiding machine for producing a braid includes at least two reel supports, each having at least one reel, and a control device for controlling a braiding process. The reel supports can be moved on at least two predetermined paths. Each reel support can be driven individually by an electromagnetic drive. The reel supports are driven by continuous magnetic fields. A method for producing a braid with the aid of a braiding machine is also provided.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A braiding machine for producing a braid, the braiding machine comprising:
 at least two reel supports each supporting at least one respective reel, said reel supports each being movable along a respective one of at least two predetermined paths;   an electromagnetic drive for individually driving each of said reel supports, said electromagnetic drive including first magnets distributed along said predetermined paths and at least one second magnet disposed in a respective one of said reel supports;   said first magnets or said second magnets being electromagnets configured to be controlled for generating a propulsion along a respective one of said predetermined paths for each of said reel supports by continuous magnetic fields; and   a control device for controlling a braiding process, said control device controlling said electromagnets for causing said electromagnetic drive to move said reel supports along said predetermined paths during operation.   
     
     
         18 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said predetermined paths are closed, intersect each other multiple times and have a plurality of convexly-curved sections and a plurality of concavely-curved sections, and said reel supports travel in opposite directions on said at least two paths during operation. 
     
     
         19 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said control device for controlling said electromagnets is configured to guide said reel supports along said predetermined paths while suspended during operation. 
     
     
         20 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said reel supports are driven and guided without using a lubricant. 
     
     
         21 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said predetermined paths are formed by rails along which said reel supports are guided. 
     
     
         22 . The braiding machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said rails intersect at a plurality of intersections, and said rails run straight and have interruptions at said intersections. 
     
     
         23 . The braiding machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said paths have a curve banking on at least part of said curved sections. 
     
     
         24 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said paths run along an inner surface of a cone or a cylinder. 
     
     
         25 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein at least some of said magnets are disposed and controlled during operation to at least partially magnetically compensate for centrifugal forces acting on said reel supports during operation. 
     
     
         26 . The braiding machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said rails have a rail head, said reel supports have a reel foot, and said rail head and said reel foot engage each other in a rear grip area. 
     
     
         27 . The braiding machine according to  claim 26 , wherein said reel support has an inner second magnet positioned opposite to an inside of a predetermined path and an outer second magnet positioned opposite to an outside of said predetermined path, in said rear grip area. 
     
     
         28 . The braiding machine according to  claim 27 , wherein said control device for controlling said electromagnets is configured for generating alternating magnetic forces in a region of said inner and outer second magnets as a function of a current position of said reel supports, to compensate for alternating forces acting on said reel supports. 
     
     
         29 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein each respective reel support has a plurality of foot elements being interconnected in an articulated manner. 
     
     
         30 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said reel supports include two or four or more reel supports being guided along each respective predetermined path. 
     
     
         31 . The braiding machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said reel supports are equipped with respective reel brakes. 
     
     
         32 . A method for producing a braid by using a braiding machine, the method comprising the following steps:
 moving at least two reel supports on at least two predetermined paths;   individually driving each reel support by using an electromagnetic drive;   distributing first magnets of the electromagnetic drive along the predetermined paths and placing at least one second magnet of the electromagnetic drive in each respective reel support;   providing the first magnets or second magnets as electromagnets; and   controlling the electromagnets to generate continuous magnetic fields causing a respective reel support to travel along a predetermined path.