EP0774310B1 - Device for transferring springs to an assembly machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transfer device for springs an assembly machine according to the preamble of Claim 1 (see e.g. US-A-2 862 630).

Such machines are used to make a finished Spring suitable for processing and in the exact position of a facility to supply in which facility the springs to one Innerspring, a cushion or a seat cushion become.

Characteristic of such a spring insertion station is that of a spring manufacturing machine, which is within the scope of the present Invention is no longer described, a spring in each a gripping hand of a multi-armed transport star is, and this spring now via a spring insertion station and various other downstream stations of the Assembly machine is fed.

In a patent based on the same applicant DE 34 16 110 C2 became a spring manufacturing machine described in which there is also a transport star was.

The spring produced in this station is in the respective gripping hand of the transport star inserted and there clamped and sent for further processing.

The subsequent spring insertion station works so that swivel jaws in the outlet area of the respective Gripping hand of the transport star were present, which Swivel jaws between them take up the spring, the Spring from the gripping hand of the transport star into this Swivel jaws were inserted. With such a Swiveling movement of the jaws in the area of Spring insertion station, however, had the disadvantage that there spring inserted into the spring insertion station is never precise enough could be positioned. This was with the downside connected that the spring over a larger number of subsequent straightening stations had to be precisely aligned, which was associated with increased machine expenditure.

It is known that one in a band gap of Band held springs in the middle of the spring and gripped pulled out of this band gap. But with that there is Disadvantage that with very high and very soft springs End turns (which are actually exactly in the downstream Assembly pliers must be positioned) as a result of Shift friction on the belt runs and therefore no longer correctly inserted into the assembly pliers can. (US (US 3,774,652))

Another frictional resistance was found in one such displacement arrangement on the parallel to the Bandtrums arranged baffles, which also There was a risk that the final turns due to Friction on the baffles shifted in and out not safe insertion in the downstream assembly pliers was more guaranteed.

So far, one has helped one another by having several medium-sized ones Twists of the spring with half-shell-like holding tools has taken up as large an area as possible Ensure spring. However, there was the disadvantage that the final turns were still unsafe and therefore a safe insertion of such a displaced spring in a pair of pliers with the end turns gripped should not be guaranteed.

The purpose of the present invention is to To create transfer facility with which it succeeds on the simplest possible way in rows arranged and with individual distances from each other arranged springs of a downstream assembly machine feed.

This object is achieved by a transfer device with the features of claim 1.

The purpose of such a slide device is that in a belt gap of two synchronously driven belt loops springs arranged one behind the other synchronously in rows, d. H. for example up to 40 springs capture, and this transversely to the tape transport direction from the Tape to transport these springs into the Gripper gap from downstream upper and lower To guide assembly pliers.

As already stated, the slide ends are spring-loaded against each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring biased. Another feature is that the slide assembly with these prestressed in the gap between each other associated strand of the ribbon loops engages and against that upper and lower band is prestressed with spring tension. On this way, a secure attack on the slide ends will occur the upper and lower end turns of the one to be moved Spring reached.

By preloading the slide ends against the upper and lower band (the inside of each band run) achieved that the final turns of between the belt runs Do not slip the held springs past the sliders can and the slider so safely these end turns can take.

An embodiment of the invention prefers if the slide ends are provided with slide blocks to to achieve an even better system at the end turn. For the rest, it is preferred if everyone Slider block an approximately vertical contact surface to the system the associated end turn of the spring forms a safe and full system at the respective end turn to reach.

This ensures that the used here Spring-loaded slide blocks made of spring steel trained slide against the inside of each opposite belt runs are pressed and thus the end turns of the spring to be shifted safely Contact the straight sliding surfaces of these slide blocks can be brought without these end turns to the spring-loaded slide blocks can slip past.

The invention provides that from the outset the Place the slide assembly on the end turns of the springs lets and the slide assembly under spring preload the final turn can attack that the final turns without Danger of deformation or friction, correct and securely in the gripping gap of upper and lower assembly pliers can be transferred.

Another important advantage of the present invention is that the slide arrangement is directly aligned with the Mounting device is arranged so that a height offset can be omitted. In known arrangements of the prior art Technique, the slide assembly must first remove the springs from the Bring the area onto an appropriate transport belt that Springs z. B. lift vertically to a second, vertically the springs of an assembly machine arranged above it feed.

This requires an increased amount of machinery, which after the present invention is avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the slider synchronously over a corresponding Swivel device are driven. This is an engine or another rotary actuator is used, whose rotary motion via a corresponding transmission linkage in a linear Sliding movement of the slider is implemented.

Of course, in another version of the present invention this rotary drive is eliminated, and the Sliders can be assigned directly via an assigned, linear Sliding drive to be moved.

It can further be provided that the distance between the individual sliders (with each spring, of course Slide is assigned) is individually adjustable. For this it is provided that the slide on a corresponding Bracket are arranged and in this bracket in Direction of transport of the belt and in the opposite direction are arranged displaceable and lockable. To this Way, the individual distance between the springs by the corresponding slidable and lockable bracket the associated slider are replicated so that everyone Spring a corresponding slider on the corresponding one Position is assigned. So the feathers are with the Location and slide arrangement according to the invention immediately aligned in the correct position, e.g. B. in horizontal Level inserted into the assembly machine.

Of course the working direction is the present one Slider device not mandatory. It can also be provided be that the slides work in the vertical direction and the assembly machine these springs also in vertical Direction takes over.

The subject matter of the present invention provides not just from the subject of each Claims, but also from the combination of individual claims among themselves.

All in the documentation, including the summary, Disclosed information and features, in particular those in the Drawings illustrated spatial training are considered essential to the invention, insofar as they are used individually or in Combination are new compared to the prior art.

In the following the invention is based on only one Execution path illustrating drawings explained in more detail. Here go from the drawings and their description further features and advantages essential to the invention Invention.

Figur 1:

schematisiert gezeichneter Überblick über eine komplette Transportstation ausgehend von einem Transportstern bis zu einer Transfermaschine;

Figur 2:

schematisiert den synchronen Bandantrieb für die beiden Bandschleifen;

Figur 3:

die Transfereinrichtung schematisiert in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 4:

Stirnansicht der Transfereinrichtung nach Figur 3.

Show it:

Figure 1:

schematically drawn overview of a complete transport station starting from a transport star to a transfer machine;

Figure 2:

schematized the synchronous belt drive for the two belt loops;

Figure 3:

the transfer device schematically in a perspective view;

Figure 4:

Front view of the transfer device according to FIG. 3.

In Figure 1 it is shown that a transport star from a multi-arm gripper mechanism consisting of a number of Has gripping hands 18, one in each gripping hand 18 appropriate spring 26 inserted and held there by clamping becomes.

The gripping hand 18 guides the spring 26 into a Spring insertion station 2 a.

After inserting and correctly aligning the spring 26 in the spring insertion station 2, this spring is one Turning station 3 supplied, the spring from a horizontal position is turned into a vertical position.

A first straightening station 4 is at the outlet of the turning station arranged that only checks as a control station whether the node 38 of the spring 26 properly in the Spring insertion station 2 was positioned.

Another straightening station 5 ensures that of a number from one another in the area of the belt loops 8, 9 arranged springs each the last spring of the taken out previous row, turned and again as first spring of the following row in the band gap of the Belt loops 8, 9 is inserted.

A transfer device 6 is located behind the straightening station 5 arranged, in which the springs lie in the correct position one behind the other are positioned exactly in rows and which then with a cross slide system in a cross to the Belt loops 8, 9 handed assembly machine become.

The synchronous drive of the belt loops 8, 9 takes place through a belt drive 7, which is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

The only central drive available is that of one Gearbox two synchronously driven drive shafts 10, 11 drives. In each case runs over each drive shaft 10, 11 Toothed belt 12, 13, the slip-free each a deflection roller 14, 15 drives.

The belt loop 8 is above the respective deflection roller 14, 15 and 9 led.

Each ribbon loop consists of an upper and lower strand, and between the facing dreams of these Belt loops 8, 9, the spring 26 to be inserted is inserted.

The belt drive 7 is freely programmable, the Drive motor can also be designed as a stepper motor and it is possible with the same insertion speed the transport star 1 in the band by appropriate Variation of the belt drive the exact and different Set the distance between the springs.

The two belt loops 8, 9 run over front ones Deflection rollers 16, 17 and are deflected there.

Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of a Transfer arrangement 6.

Here, the springs 26 are synchronous in the band gap between the mutually driven belt loops 8, 9 held and are transported in the transport direction 40.

The transfer device 6 consists essentially of a Motor 19 or another rotary drive, the axis of rotation is rotatably connected to a crank 20.

The drive shaft of the motor 19 is non-rotatably with a Connecting rod 25 connected, which connecting rod on opposite end in the area of a pivot bearing 27 is held machine-proof and rotatable.

After on the opposite side of the Slide arrangement a same arrangement is shown it suffices to drive the left one Describe sliding device.

The free, pivotable end of the crank 20 is one Crank pin 21 provided in a slot 22 one Lever 23 is freely movable. This lever 23 is in one stationary pivot bearing 24 rotatably mounted.

The free, upper end of the lever 23 is with a Connecting pin 28 rotatable with a sliding flange 29 connected. At the front, free end of the sliding flange 29 are the slides 30 and 31 in the area of a holder 34 attached. It was mentioned at the beginning that this Bracket 34 allows sliders 30 and 31 in Transport direction 40 and in the opposite direction on the Slide flange 29 to move and determine.

Each slide consists of a spring steel sheet or another resilient, substantially U-shaped part whose free ends a slide block 32, 33 is arranged.

This slide block 32, 33 is preferably made of plastic formed and has a front, approximately vertically directed Slider edge with which this slider block fits the outer circumference of the respective upper and lower End turn of the respective spring 26 creates.

It is important that the ends of the slider 30 and 31 in the arrow directions 48 are biased against each other, so that the slide blocks 32, 33 under spring load to the Inside of the respective runs of the ribbon loops 8, 9 invest.

In the same way, the springs 26 are under compression in rows between these runs of the ribbon loops 8, 9 held, in this area (sliding area of the Transfer device) each slide upper and lower Guide rollers 45, 46 are assigned to an undesirable Dodge the belt runs up and in this area counteract below.

The ribbon loops 8, 9 are additionally by a Guide plate 37 and guided by a guide plate 39.

Of course, the distance between the belt loops 8, 9 as well as those arranged next to the belt loops 8, 9 Baffles 41, 42 to each other at different heights or Lengths can be adapted to the springs to be processed. This adjustment is known to the person skilled in the art and is therefore not further shown. The same applies to the distance between the subordinate ones Assembly pliers 43, 44.

Lie down in the engagement position shown in FIG consequently, the slide blocks 32, 33 under spring load to the End turns of the respective springs 26, the nodes 38 the spring are precisely aligned.

The entire slide device is then switched on of the drive 19 rotated in the direction of arrow 47 so that the Slider flange 29 a linear displacement movement in Direction of arrow 35 and the entire row of springs (Spring assembly) in the direction of arrow 35 from the band gap correspondingly aligned guide vanes 41, 42 shifts and the end turns directly into the area of upper and lower assembly pliers 43, 44 of the inserted downstream assembly machine.

It is preferred if the Assembly pliers 43, 44 associated inlet slopes 49, 50 are present, which are directed obliquely towards each other. On this way it is ensured that when moving into this Assembly pliers 43, 44 the spring in the direction of its longitudinal axis is compressed once more, then after Overcoming the entry slope 49, 50 the spring to snap apart and snap into the corresponding receiving opening of the assembly pliers 43, 44 to bring.

The downstream assembly machine takes care of everything Spring package and assembles this spring package into a mattress, to a mattress core or to an upholstery core,

After the springs have been inserted into the assembly pliers 43, 44 introduces the entire slide arrangement backward movement in the direction of arrow 36, the Rotary drive always the whole arrangement in the direction of arrow 47 drives consistently. So it becomes a drive Crank loop suggested.

In the general part it has already been stated that instead of the crank loop specified here is also a linear one Sliding drive of the sliding flanges 29 in the Arrow directions 35, 36 can be provided.

The use of a crank loop has the advantage that in Point of insertion of the respective spring 26 over the Inlet bevels 49, 50 a very low speed There is a spring, but a high force, so that the springs very securely in the receiving openings of the assembly pliers 43, 44 be inserted.

It is essential that that shown in Figure 4 Move the sliding arrangement with the Sliding flange 29 initially with less Shifting speed starts the springs and with increasing speed these feathers along the Parallel surface of the belt loops moves until the springs get into the area of the guide plates 41, 42, where the Speed decreases, but the shifting force is increased. This force thus reaches approximately in the range of Inserting the springs 26 into the assembly pliers Maximum value. The springs 26 are therefore safely in the Assembly pliers 43, 44 introduced.

Overall, the present invention results in a simple and precise possibility with individual distances, springs arranged one behind the other Feed assembly machine.

DRAWING LEGEND

1

Transport star

2nd

Spring loading station

3rd

Turning station

4th

Straightening station

5

"

6

Transfer facility

7

Belt drive

8th

rear (upper) belt loop

9

front (lower) "

10th

Drive shaft (top)

11

"(Below)

12th

Timing belt

13

"

14

Pulley (rear)

15

""

16

Pulley (front)

17th

""

18th

Gripping hand

19th

engine

20th

crank

21

Crank pin

22

Long hole

23

lever

24th

Pivot bearing

25th

Connecting rod

26.26 '

feather

27

Pivot bearing

28

Connecting pin

29

Sliding flange

30th

Slider

31

"

32

Slider block above

33

"Below

34

bracket

35

Arrow direction

36

"

37

Guide plate

38

node

39

Guide plate

40

Direction of transport

41

Baffle at the top

42

"Below

43

Assembly pliers on top

44

"Below

45

Leadership role above

46

"Below

47

Swivel device

48

Arrow direction

49

Entry slope

50

"

Claims (6)

1. Transfer device for transferring springs to an assembly machine, wherein the springs to be transferred are held in a guide device, characterized in that pushers (30) made of a resilient material and with their ends preloaded towards each other are provided for the transfer of the springs (26), and act on the end coils of the springs (26).
2. Transfer device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ends of the pushers (30) are provided with push blocks (32, 33).
3. Transfer device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lateral spacing of the pushers (30) is adjustable.
4. Transfer device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide device is constructed in the form of belt loops (8, 9) driven in a synchronized manner.
5. Transfer device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a support of the guide device (8, 9) is provided in the region of the pushers (30).
6. Transfer device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide device (8, 9) and also further components (41, 42, 49, 50) cooperating therewith are constructed so as to be adjustable in their spacing to each other.

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