# US 11,309,105 B2 · Apparatus for center twisting wires > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,309,105 B2 - Document ID: US11309105B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/515,753 - Filed: 2019-07-18 - Published: 2021-01-21 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-18 - Assignees: Aptiv Technologies AG - Applicants: Aptiv Technologies Limited - Inventors: Frank A. Ciapala; Jeffrey M. Handel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11309105B2 ## CPC - H01B 13/0207: {Details; Auxiliary devices} - H01B 13/0235: {by a twisting device situated between a pay-off device and a take-up device} - B21F 7/00: Twisting wire; Twisting wire together (for connections of limited size B21F15/04) - B21F 15/04: without additional connecting elements or material, e.g. by twisting - H01B 13/01236: {the wires being disposed by machine} - H01R 4/12: by twisting - H01B 11/002: {Pair constructions} - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - B21F: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE (rolling of metal wire B21B1/16; by drawing, auxiliary operations used in connection with metal-working without essentially removing material B21C) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An apparatus configured to twist a first wire about a second wire is presented herein. The apparatus includes a securing mechanism configured to secure ends of the first wire and the second wire. The first wire is arranged parallel to the second wire along a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a gripping mechanism configured to grip central portions of the first and second wires such that inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in contact with one another and a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the gripping mechanism, thereby twisting the first and second wires about one another. A method of twisting a first wire about a second wire is also presented herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus configured to twist a first wire about a second wire, comprising: a securing mechanism configured to secure ends of the first wire and the second wire, wherein the first wire is configured to be arranged parallel to the second wire along a longitudinal axis; a gripping mechanism configured to grip central portions of the first and second wires such that inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in contact with one another, wherein the gripping mechanism defines a U-shaped groove configured to receive and grip the central portions of the first and second wires and wherein the U-shaped groove is defined by an inflatable U-shaped bladder configured to receive and grip the central portions of the first and second wires; and a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the gripping mechanism, thereby twisting the first and second wires about one another. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that the inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in uninterrupted contact with one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that the inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in continuous contact with one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping mechanism does not comprise a pin that is configured to be inserted between the central portions of the first and second wires. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to twist the first wire about the second wire by rotating the gripping mechanism via the rotating mechanism such that the first and second wires are right-hand helically twisted about one another on one side of the central portions and the first and second wires are left-hand helically twisted about one another on an opposite side of the central portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a lateral offsetting force to the gripping mechanism, thereby deflecting the central portions of the first and second wires orthogonally from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 7 An apparatus configured to twist a first wire about a second wire, comprising: a securing mechanism configured to secure ends of the first wire and the second wire, wherein the first wire is configured to be arranged parallel to the second wire along a longitudinal axis; a gripping mechanism configured to grip central portions of the first and second wires such that inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in contact with one another; a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the gripping mechanism, thereby twisting the first and second wires about one another; and a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a lateral offsetting force to the gripping mechanism, thereby deflecting the central portions of the first and second wires orthogonally from the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes an extension spring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a pneumatic spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a pneumatic actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tensioning mechanism includes an electrical servo motor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that the inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in uninterrupted contact with one another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gripping mechanism is configured to grip the central portions of the first and second wires such that the inner surfaces of the central portions of the first and second wires are in continuous contact with one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gripping mechanism does not comprise a pin that is configured to be inserted between the central portions of the first and second wires. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to twist the first wire about the second wire by rotating the gripping mechanism via the rotating mechanism such that the first and second wires are right-hand helically twisted about one another on one side of the central portions and the first and second wires are left-hand helically twisted about one another on an opposite side of the central portions.