DE102021134009A1 - Apparatus and method for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular array of conductor pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular arrangement (12) of conductor sections (14), and a method for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular arrangement (12) of conductor sections (14).

Description

The invention relates to a device for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular arrangement of conductor sections, with features of claim 1, and a method for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular arrangement of conductor sections, with features of the independent claim.

To produce an electrical machine, a stator is equipped with a circular arrangement of conductor pieces. These are welded together in a later process and thus form the respective stator windings. The conductor pieces can be assembled into a circular arrangement before being inserted into the stator and can be gripped, held and handled in the corresponding circular arrangement by means of a device. Such devices for gripping circular arrays of conductor pieces are known from the prior art. For example, reveals DE 10 2017 123 670 A1 a gripping device for gripping and holding an array of pre-aligned coil elements for a plug-in coil of an electrical machine.

A disadvantage of the devices known in the prior art is that gripping different arrangements, for example with a different diameter, cannot be implemented with the same device, or complex conversion measures of the device are necessary for this.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device for gripping, holding and handling at least one circular arrangement of conductor sections and a method for gripping, holding and handling at least one circular arrangement of conductor sections, with the possibility of particularly flexible use.

This object is achieved by a device for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular arrangement of conductor sections having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 11. The conductor pieces can be designed as so-called hairpins.

The invention makes it possible to grip, hold and manipulate different circular arrangements of conductor sections quickly and without any conversion measures using the same device.

A hairpin in the present sense is a conductor piece with two elongate legs that are connected via a connecting section. Hairpins are often generally U-shaped. The connecting section (also called connecting leg) can be arcuate but also straight or stepped in sections. As in the case of the hairpins just described, a conductor piece can have two elongate legs. However, a conductor piece can also have only one elongate leg. Such so-called special pins are usually used in addition to hairpins (conductor pieces with two legs) in the stator core. Such special pins (conductor pieces with one leg) typically have an elongated shape.

The conductor sections can preferably be designed with a rectangular conductor cross-section, with each conductor section having at least one, in particular two, legs.

At least two legs of different conductor sections of the circular arrangement are each arranged in a row, with the rows each being oriented along a radial direction.

The device includes an inner tool. The inner tool comprises several supporting units arranged in a circle. The support units are movably arranged in the inner tool along the radial direction. The support units can be moved radially outwards from a retracted basic position into various gripping positions (and vice versa). Different radial positions of the support units are assigned to the different gripping positions. In other words, in the different gripping positions, the circular arrangements of the support units each have a different diameter.

The support units are designed and arranged in order to contact the innermost leg of a row of legs with an inner contact section from radially inside in a respective gripping position.

The device further includes an external tool. The external tool has several clamping units arranged in a circle. The clamping units are movably arranged in the outer tool along the radial direction. The clamping units can be moved radially inwards from a basic position into various gripping positions (and vice versa). Different radial positions of the clamping units are assigned to the different gripping positions corresponding to the support units.

The clamping units are designed and arranged in order to contact the outermost leg of a row of legs with an outer contact section from radially outside in a respective gripping position. The contact section can comprise an elastic material; it can be designed as an elastic element, in particular made of an elastomer.

The supporting units and the clamping units are arranged in such a way that a supporting unit and a clamping unit are respectively associated with the same row of legs in the radial direction and form a gripping pair. This gripping pair is designed to grip a row of legs from radially inside and radially outside or to contact them on both sides and to clamp them between each other in different gripping positions. The support units each form an inner gripping jaw and the clamping units each form an outer gripping jaw. In each case one support unit and one clamping unit are typically arranged in alignment with one another in the radial direction.

In the present case, “gripping” means gripping in the form of clamps, ie actively compressing the gripped or clamped row of legs. For this purpose, a force is exerted on the respective row from radially inside and from radially outside. Due to the clamping or the gripping, the respective row of legs is fixed in particular in all three spatial directions. For this purpose, the components involved (e.g. the support units and the clamping units) can be moved relative to one another along the radial direction.

The clamping units can be mounted flexibly along the radial direction in the outer tool. In the present case, a flexible (elastic) bearing means that the position of the respective tensioning unit can “give” in the radial direction due to the type of bearing. The respective clamping unit has a certain freedom of movement in relation to its current target position, which is specified, for example, by its drive, a possibility of being deflected around this target position.

In the present case, “axial”, “axial direction” or “axial direction” means a direction aligned along the central longitudinal axis or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the device or the inner tool. In other words, the central longitudinal axis of the device or of the inner tool is oriented in the axial direction. Correspondingly, “radial”, “radial direction” or “radial direction” means a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the device or the inner tool and starting from the central longitudinal axis of the device or the inner tool.

Correspondingly, the legs of the hairpins extend in the axial direction when gripped. A plurality of legs are arranged in a row running in the radial direction. A set consisting of a gripped ring arrangement and the device and also a set consisting of two different ring arrangements with different inside and/or outside diameters and the device are also within the meaning of the invention, with the device being able to grip both ring arrangements.

Circular arrangements of conductor sections with different diameters can be gripped by the different gripping positions of the support units and/or the clamping units, which can be set as required. No conversion measures of the device are necessary for this.

According to a further development, the inner tool can have several further support units arranged in a circle. The further support units are offset along the axial direction to the support units described above. The further support units can be arranged in the inner tool so as to be movable along the radial direction. The further support units can be moved radially outwards from a retracted basic position into different gripping positions. Different radial positions of the further support units can be assigned to the different gripping positions.

The additional support units can have the features that were described in connection with the support units initially, without these being repeated here again.

The external tool can have several further clamping units arranged in a circle. The other clamping units are offset along the axial direction to the clamping units described above. The further clamping units can be arranged in the outer tool so as to be movable along the radial direction. The other clamping units can be moved radially inwards from a basic position into different gripping positions. In this case, different radial positions of the further clamping units are assigned to the different gripping positions. The other clamping units can have the features that were described in connection with the clamping units at the beginning, without these being repeated here again.

The further support units and clamping units form further gripping pairs, which are arranged offset axially with respect to the first gripping pairs. They are used to be able to grip the hairpin legs at an axially offset position, this axially offset gripping can be used as an alternative or in addition.

According to a development, the clamping units can be moved together radially inwards and outwards via a (first) common drive. Additionally or alternatively, the further clamping units can be moved radially inwards and outwards together via a further (second) common drive. The common drive can represent a first common drive and the further common drive can represent a second common drive.

According to a further development, the clamping units (first and/or second) can be resiliently mounted in the external tool. In particular, the clamping units (first and/or second) can have a coupling element. The clamping units can be coupled to the common drive via the respective coupling element. The respective coupling element can be resiliently (or elastically) mounted in the respective clamping unit in the radial direction, for example by means of an elastic sleeve, in particular made of an elastomer, a spring and/or an elastic or resilient element. The clamping units can be displaceable in their radial position in their respective predetermined by the common drive position against the suspension (z. B. against the elastic sleeve, the spring and / or the elastic or resilient element). Drive predetermined position can be deflected. The coupling element with a spring-loaded mounting is one way of implementing the above-mentioned flexible mounting of the clamping units along the radial direction in the outer tool.

The ability of the clamping unit to be deflected around a target position (specified by the drive) makes it possible to compensate for tolerances and/or inequalities in the circular arrangement of conductor sections.

According to a development, the common drive can be designed as a link drive. The coupling elements of the clamping units can be designed as, in particular pin-like, extensions. The coupling elements can engage in a respective cam track of the common drive. A curved track is typically assigned to each coupling element.

The curved tracks of the individual clamping units or their coupling elements can lie on a common curved track element, in particular in the form of curved or straight, elongated grooves or slots, into which the respective coupling element engages. The common cam track element can be designed in particular as a disk element and can be arranged in the device such that it can rotate.

The common drive can bring about a radial movement of the clamping units by rotating the cam track element about the axial direction. The clamping units can be guided by means of a guide device in such a way that the clamping units can be moved exclusively along the radial direction, in particular between the basic position and the various gripping positions.

The rotational movement of the curved track element can be carried out, for example, by a pneumatic drive, in particular a pneumatic cylinder.

The embodiment just described enables the clamping units to be transferred from their basic position to the various gripping positions in a structurally simple manner. In other words, the clamping units can be moved in a simple, reliable and precise manner by means of the link drive just described.

According to a further development, the further clamping units can have a coupling element. The coupling element of the further clamping units can be designed in accordance with the explanations for the (first) clamping units, as far as its mounting (spring-loaded (or elastically) mounted in the respective clamping unit) and interaction with a drive, which can also be designed as a link drive, is concerned.

The other common drive can be designed as a link drive corresponding to the first drive and have the features that were explained in connection with the first drive.

According to a development, a pivoting element can be arranged on at least one of the clamping units, in particular several clamping units, in particular all clamping units of the circular arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, a pivoting element can be arranged on at least one of the further clamping units, in particular several further clamping units, in particular all further clamping units of the circular arrangement.

The pivoting element can be pivotable between a travel position and a stop position. In the travel position, the pivoting element can be aligned in such a way that it can be moved in the radial direction between two rows of legs. In the stop position the pivot element can extend within a series of legs between two legs. In the stop position, the pivoting element can be located between the innermost limb and the outermost limb of the row of limbs, viewed in the radial direction. For this purpose, the pivoting element can be designed to be pivotable about the radial direction. In other words, the pivoting axis of the pivoting member may be oriented (aligned) along the radial direction.

In conductor piece arrangements in which there is an empty space between the innermost leg and the outermost leg of a row of legs (see below), this empty space can be filled by the pivoting element, particularly in the stop position. This can prevent the outermost limb and/or the innermost limb of a row of limbs from being bent towards the void due to the gripping and the force thereby acting on the innermost limb and/or the outermost limb toward the void.

The pivoting element can have a plate-like section for pivoting in between the legs of the conductor piece.

This plate-like section typically has rounded edges in the pivoting-in direction, so that when pivoted in, the rounded edges can contact the conductor pieces, thereby providing a self-centering effect.

According to a further development, the pivoting element can be arranged movably mounted in the respective clamping unit along the radial direction, in particular in a resilient (elastic) manner. In addition or as an alternative, the pivoting element can be arranged in the respective further clamping unit so that it can move along the radial direction, in particular in a resilient (elastic) manner.

For this purpose, the tensioning unit and/or the further tensioning unit can have a spring, in particular a leaf spring. The pivoting element can be tensioned by means of the spring so that it can be deflected about a basic position in the tensioning unit or in the further tensioning unit. The pivoting element can be deflectable against the tension of the spring along the radial direction. Alternatively or additionally, the pivoting element can have a groove, with a pin of the tensioning unit or of the further tensioning unit being accommodated in the groove. The pivoting element thus has a possibility for guided movement in the radial direction, which is limited by the extension of the groove.

The pivoting element may be arranged on a pivoting shaft which extends through the tensioning unit or the further tensioning unit, and the groove may be arranged on the pivoting shaft. It is also conceivable that the groove is arranged in the tensioning unit or the further tensioning unit, and the pin is arranged in the swivel shaft. The pivot shaft may be oriented along the radial direction.

According to a development, the inner tool can have a cone-shaped (first) feed element. The feed element can be arranged and designed to move the support units along the radial direction by moving in the axial direction. In other words, the support units can be moved from the basic position into the various gripping positions by means of an axial movement of the feed element.

In addition or as an alternative, the inner tool can have a cone-shaped further (second) feed element. The additional feed element can be arranged and designed to move the additional support units along the radial direction by moving in the axial direction. In other words, the additional support units can be moved from the basic position into the various gripping positions by means of an axial movement of the additional feed element.

The support units can have an elastic section (in particular made of an elastomer) at their ends facing the feed element. In other words, the respective contact surface of the support units with the feed element can each be designed to be elastic (in particular made of an elastomer).

The further support units can have an elastic section (in particular made of an elastomer) or an elastic element on their ends facing the further feed element. In other words, the respective contact surface of the additional support units with the additional feed element can each be designed to be elastic (in particular made of an elastomer).

According to a development, the (first) support units and/or the additional (second) support units can be prestressed radially inwards. This can be implemented by means of at least one garter spring, which bears in particular on all support units or on all other support units in a ring-shaped manner. In this way, in particular, the movement of the support units and/or the further support units can be implemented radially inwards, in particular into the basic position.

According to a development, the (first) support units and/or the additional (second) support units can each have at least one guide pin, in particular at least two guide pins. The guide pin or guide pins can be movably mounted in the inner tool in order to enable a guided (linear) movement of the respective support units and/or the respective further support units in the radial direction. In other words, the guide pin represents a linear guide for the respective support unit or the respective further support unit. Accordingly, the guide pin is aligned in particular along the radial direction. In this way, for example, tilting (or canting) of the support units and/or the further support units can be prevented during their movement along the radial direction. The support units can be designed to be deflectable about their predetermined desired position and can be arranged in the inner tool. The guide pins can, for example, be designed to be elastically compressible along their longitudinal extent in order to bring about flexibility in the support units.

The clamping units, in particular all clamping units, can have a fork-shaped receptacle directed radially inwards. Alternatively or additionally, the further clamping units, in particular all further clamping units, can have a fork-shaped receptacle directed radially inwards.

The fork-shaped receptacle can be set up in order to be able to receive a row of legs. The fork-shaped receptacle can serve in particular as an aid for inserting the pivoting elements between the rows of legs. The forked receptacle can delimit a row of legs in the circumferential direction.

The clamping units (alternatively or additionally the other clamping units) can have an actuating element. The actuating element is set up to pivot the respective pivoting element between the travel position and the stop position. The actuator may be located at the radially outer end of the pivot shaft. In the stop position, the plate-like section can be arranged, in particular, horizontally aligned. The actuating element can be designed in the form of a pivoting arm pivoting about the longitudinal direction of the pivoting shaft (ie the radial direction). The plate-like portion may be arranged at the radially inner end of the pivoting member. The pivot shaft can extend through part of the respective tensioning unit.

The external tool can have an actuating device (and a further actuating device, which can be designed in accordance with the following explanations), which is designed to adjust the actuating elements of all clamping units at the same time and thus to pivot the pivoting elements of all clamping units at the same time between the travel position and the stop position.

The actuating device can be designed in the form of an annular disc with receptacles. Each receptacle of the actuating device can be set up to be able to accommodate an actuating element. The actuating elements can each be pivoted about the radial direction by a rotational movement of the actuating device relative to the actuating elements of the clamping units.

The actuating elements, the corresponding pivoting elements and the corresponding pivoting shafts of the clamping units can each be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. A pivoting of the actuating element can thus cause a pivoting of the pivoting element. The (rotational movement of the) actuating device can thus bring about a pivoting of the pivoting elements between the displacement position and the stop position.

As a result, a simultaneous and identical pivoting movement of the pivoting elements of all clamping units can be implemented by means of a simple rotational movement of the actuating device.

It is conceivable that a pivoting element according to the above statements is arranged on at least one of the (first and/or second) support units, in particular several support units, in particular all support units.

• Anordnen mehrerer Leiterstücke in der kreisförmigen Anordnung.

As already explained, the above object is further achieved by a method for gripping, holding and manipulating at least one circular arrangement of conductor sections with the features of the independent claim. The conductor sections can be conductor sections according to the above statements. The procedure includes the steps:

• Arranging multiple conductor pieces in the circular array.

Gripping the circular arrangement of conductor pieces by means of a device, wherein the individual rows of legs are each gripped (gripped) at an innermost leg and an outermost leg of a row of legs.

Transporting and depositing the circular arrangement of conductor pieces by means of the device to an end position.

arranging a plurality of conductor pieces in at least one further circular array, the further circular array having a diameter different than the diameter of the circular array of conductor pieces.

The circular arrangement of conductor pieces can represent a first circular arrangement of conductor pieces and the further circular arrangement of conductor pieces can constitute a second circular arrangement of conductor pieces.

Gripping the further circular arrangement of conductor pieces by means of the device, wherein the individual rows of legs are each gripped (gripped) at an innermost leg and an outermost leg of a row of legs.

Transporting and depositing the further circular arrangement of conductor pieces by means of the device to an end position.

Both circular arrays of conductor pieces are gripped and handled using the same device.

The end positions of the circular arrangement of conductor sections and the further circular arrangement of conductor sections each correspond to the positions in a conductor section basket. By a conductor piece basket is meant the final configuration of the conductor pieces as they are inserted into a stator of an electrical machine.

• Greifen und Handhaben des Leiterstückkorbs mittels der Vorrichtung.

The method may further include the steps:

• Gripping and manipulating the conductor piece basket by means of the device.

Insertion of the conductor piece basket in a stator in particular by means of the device.

According to a development of the method, the circular arrangement of conductor pieces and/or at least one of the further circular arrangements of conductor pieces can have an inner ring of legs of the conductor pieces and an outer ring of legs spaced apart from this in the radial direction by an empty space. During the gripping of the rows of conductor sections, a pivoting element of the device can be arranged, in particular pivoted, into the empty space between the inner ring of legs and the outer ring of legs. In other words, the empty space can be filled with the respective pivoting element.

According to a development, a device according to the above statements can be used to carry out the method. With regard to the advantages that can be achieved in this way, reference is made to the relevant statements on the device. The measures described in connection with the device and/or the measures explained below can serve to further refine the method.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung;
• 2 eine Schnittansicht eines Innenwerkzeugs in einer Grundstellung;
• 3 eine Schnittansicht des Innenwerkzeugs gemäß 2 in einer Greifstellung;
• 4 einen Ausschnitt einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben auf einen ringförmigen Abschnitt eines Außenwerkzeugs;
• 5 einen Ausschnitt einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht von unten auf den ringförmigen Abschnitt des Außenwerkzeugs gemäß 4;
• 6 einen Ausschnitt einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben auf einen weiteren ringförmigen Abschnitt des Außenwerkzeugs;
• 7 einen Ausschnitt einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht von unten auf den weiteren ringförmigen Abschnitt des Außenwerkzeugs gemäß 6;
• 8 eine Schnittansicht einer Spanneinheit bzw. einer weiteren Spanneinheit;
• 9. eine Schnittansicht der Spanneinheit bzw. der weiteren Spanneinheit gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel und
• 10 einen Ausschnitt einer perspektivischen Ansicht während eines Greifvorgangs mittels der Vorrichtung.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention;
• 2 a sectional view of an inner tool in a basic position;
• 3 a sectional view of the inner tool according to FIG 2 in a grasping position;
• 4 a detail of a perspective view from above of an annular portion of an outer tool;
• 5 a detail of a perspective sectional view from below of the annular portion of the outer tool according to 4 ;
• 6 a detail of a perspective view from above of another annular portion of the outer tool;
• 7 a detail of a perspective sectional view from below of the further annular portion of the outer tool according to 6 ;
• 8th a sectional view of a clamping unit or a further clamping unit;
• 9 . a sectional view of the clamping unit or the further clamping unit according to a further embodiment and
• 10 a section of a perspective view during a gripping process by means of the device.

In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements have the same reference symbols. For the sake of better clarity, not all reference numbers are reproduced in all figures.

1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 according to the invention. The device Device 10 has an inner tool 20 and an outer tool 26 .

In the present case, the inner tool 20 is designed to be elongated along an axial direction 33 . In other words, the central longitudinal axis 23 of the (elongated) inner tool 20 extends along the axial direction 33. A direction oriented orthogonally to the axial direction 33 and pointing away from the central longitudinal axis 23 is referred to here as the radial direction 18.

The device 10 is adapted to grip, hold and manipulate a circular array 12 of conductor lengths 14 . The conductor pieces 14 are in the form of hairpins with two legs 16 or in the form of special pins with one leg 16 .

The outer tool 26 has an annular section 74 with a plurality of clamping units 28 arranged in a circle and a further annular section 76 with a plurality of further clamping units 34 arranged in a circle. The ring-shaped section 74 can represent a first ring-shaped section and the further ring-shaped section 76 can represent a second ring-shaped section.

The ring-shaped section 74 and the further ring-shaped section 76 are identical in the present case and are arranged at an axial distance from one another (one above the other). The ring-shaped section 74 and the further ring-shaped section 76 can be (mechanically) connected or coupled to one another.

It is conceivable that the ring-shaped section 74 and the further ring-shaped section 76 can be immovably (fixedly) connected or coupled to one another and can only be moved together and in the same way. It is also conceivable that the ring-shaped section 74 and further ring-shaped section 76 are designed to be movable relative to one another. In other words, it is conceivable that the ring-shaped section 74 and the further ring-shaped section 76 can be moved independently of one another.

2 shows a sectional view of the inner tool 20 in a basic position. The inner tool 20 has support units 22 and further support units 32 . The support units 22 and the further support units 32 are arranged in a circle and are designed to be movable along the radial direction 18 . The support units 22 and the further support units 32 can be moved (moved) radially outwards from the basic position shown into different gripping positions.

The support units 22 and the further support units 32 each have an inner contact section 21 . The inner contact section is designed to contact the innermost leg 24 of a row of legs 16 from radially inwards when the support units 22 and/or the further support units 32 are in a gripping position. In the present case, the contact sections 21 are oriented orthogonally to the radial direction 18 or parallel to the axial direction 33 .

The inner contact section 21 can be elastic (e.g. made of an elastomer).

In the present case, the support units 22 and the further support units 32 are of identical design.

The inner tool 20 is designed like a sleeve. A cone-shaped feed element 66 and another cone-shaped feed element 68 are arranged inside the inner tool 20 .

The cone-shaped feed element 66 is arranged on a shaft 67 and is designed to be movable along the axial direction 33 . Both the shaft 67 and the cone-shaped feed element 66 have a passage 69 aligned along the axial direction 33 .

The cone-shaped further feed element 68 is arranged on a further shaft 71 and is designed to be movable along the axial direction 33 . The further shank 71 extends through the passage 69 of the feed element 66 and the shank 67.

It is conceivable that the two feed elements 66, 68 are moved simultaneously and in the same way (along the axial direction 33). It is also conceivable that the two feed elements 66, 68 can be moved independently of one another (along the axial direction 33). The two feed elements 66, 68 can be (mechanically) connected or coupled to one another, in particular by means of the two shafts 67, 71.

By means of the two feed elements 66, 68, the support units 22 and the further support units 32 can be moved from their basic position shown radially outwards (along the radial direction 18) into different gripping positions. For this purpose, the two feed elements 66, 68 are axially, in 2 down, moved. Due to the cone-like shape of the two feed elements 66, 68, the support units 22 and the further support units 32 are each pushed radially outwards along the radial direction 18.

It is conceivable that in each case the two feed elements 66, 68 facing ends of Support units 22 or the further support units 32 have an elastic section (in particular made of an elastomer). In other words, the respective contact surface of the support units 22 or the further support units 32 with the two feed elements 66, 68 can each be elastic (in particular made of an elastomer).

3 shows a sectional view of the inner tool according to FIG 2 in a grip position. In the gripping position shown, the support units 22 and the other support units 32 are arranged in a circle and opposite the 2 basic position shown has been moved further radially outwards. In other words, the circular arrangement of the support units 22 and the additional support units 32 in the gripping position has a larger diameter than the circular arrangement of the support units 22 and the additional support units 32 in the basic position (cf. 2 ).

The support units 22 and the further support units 32 are shown in a gripping position. The two feed elements 66, 68 are compared to 2 has been moved downwards and the support units 22 and the further support units 32 have been moved radially outwards into the illustrated gripping position.

By varying the axial movement of the two feed elements 66, 68, the radially outward movement of the support units 22 and the other support units 32 can be adjusted as desired. The further the two feed elements 66, 68 axially in 2 or. 3 are moved downwards, the further the support units 22 and the further support units 32 are moved radially outwards.

To return the support units 22 or the additional support units 32 to their basic position (cf. 2 ) to move the two feed elements 66, 68 are moved upwards. In the present case, the support units 22 and the further support units 32 each have two garter springs 70 which bias the respective support units 22 or the further support units 32 radially inwards and represent a restoring element. Other types of restoring elements, which urge the support units radially inwards, can be provided within the meaning of the invention. As soon as the two feed elements 66, 68 have been moved upwards, the tension of the garter springs 70 forces the support units 22 or the further support units 32 to move radially inward (e.g. back into the basic position).

The support units 22 and the further support units 32 each have three guide pins 72 . The guide pins 72 are each arranged to be movable in the radial direction 18 and serve as a linear guide in the radial direction 18 for the respective support units 22 or the respective additional support units 32. The support units 22 and the additional support units 32 can thus be moved translationally along the radial direction 18. This avoids tilting or jamming. A middle guide pin 72 is in contact with the respective infeed element 66, 68. The two outer guide pins 72 are mainly used to stabilize the guidance of the support units 22.

4 shows a section of a perspective view from above of the annular section 74 of the outer tool 26. 5 FIG. 12 shows a detail of a perspective sectional view from below of the ring-shaped section 74 of the outer tool 26 according to FIG 4 .

The clamping units 28 are arranged in the annular section 74 of the outer tool 26 so that they can be moved along the radial direction 18 by means of a common drive. In the present case, the common drive is designed in the form of a link drive.

The ring-shaped section 74 has a common cam track element 54 , in this case designed like a disk, with a large number of cam tracks 52 . In the present case, the cam tracks 52 are each designed in the form of a straight elongated hole in the cam track element 54 . A cam track 52 is assigned to each clamping unit 28 . In other words, the number of clamping units 28 and the number of cam tracks 52 are identical. The clamping units 28 each have a pin-like coupling element 50 . The coupling element 50 engages in the respective cam track 52 .

The clamping units 28 can be moved along the radial direction 18 by a rotational movement of the cam track element 54 . For this purpose, the clamping units 28 are each guided via a guide device 56 in such a way that they can only be moved along the radial direction 18 .

By varying the rotational movement of the cam track element 54, the clamping units 28 can be moved to different radial positions. The further the cam track element 54 is rotated, the further the clamping units 28 are moved radially inwards or radially outwards.

6 shows a detail of a perspective view from above of the further annular section 76 of the outer tool 26. 7 FIG. 12 shows a detail of a perspective sectional view from below of the further annular section 76 of the outer tool 26 according to FIG 6 .

The further clamping units 34 are arranged in the further ring-shaped section 76 of the outer tool 26 so that they can be moved along the radial direction 18 by means of a further common drive. In the present case, the further common drive is designed in the form of a slotted link drive.

The further ring-shaped section 76 has a common cam track element 62 , in this case designed like a disk, with a multiplicity of cam tracks 60 . In the present case, the curved tracks 60 are each formed in the form of a straight elongated hole in the curved track element 62 . A cam track 60 is assigned to each further clamping unit 34 . In other words, the number of additional clamping units 34 and the number of cam tracks 60 are identical. The other clamping units 34 each have a pin-like coupling element 58 . The coupling element 58 engages in the respective cam track 60 .

The other clamping units 34 can be moved along the radial direction 18 by a rotational movement of the cam track element 62 . For this purpose, the further clamping units 34 are each guided via a guide device 64 in such a way that they can only be moved along the radial direction 18 .

By varying the rotational movement of the cam track element 62, the further clamping units 34 can be moved to different radial positions. The further the cam track element 62 is rotated, the further the further clamping units 34 are moved radially inwards or radially outwards.

The coupling elements 50, 58 are arranged in the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 in an elastic sleeve 35 (here made of an elastomer). The sleeve 35 represents a type of springing for the clamping units 28 and the additional clamping units 34. In other words, the clamping units can be moved under the action of force along the radial direction 18, even if the corresponding cam track elements 54, 62 are not rotating (i.e. not moving ) become. The coupling elements 50, 58 can also be arranged clamped in a specific position in the respective clamping unit 28, 34 in a different way. The clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 can therefore be moved against the spring force (clamping force) of the respective sleeve 35 along the radial direction 18 . The clamping units can be deflected from a desired position against a preload.

As an alternative or in addition to the sleeve 35, an elastic and/or resilient element (e.g. a spring) can be provided.

As a result, a certain play of the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 along the radial direction 18 can be achieved. A flexible (elastic) mounting of the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 in the radial direction 18 can thus be achieved.

In the present case, the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 each have an outer contact section 39 . The outer contact section 39 is designed to contact the outermost leg 30 of a row of legs 16 from the radial outside when the clamping units 28 and/or the further clamping units 34 are in a gripping position. In the present case, the contact sections 39 are oriented orthogonally to the radial direction 18 or parallel to the axial direction 33 . In the present case, the outer contact sections 39 are designed to be elastic.

An exemplary embodiment of the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 is also conceivable in which the elastic sleeve 35 (or the elastic and/or resilient element (cf. above)) is present and the outer contact section 39 is not elastic.

An exemplary embodiment of the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 is also conceivable in which the elastic sleeve 35 (or the elastic and/or resilient element (cf. above)) is not present and the outer contact section 39 is elastic.

8th shows a sectional view (longitudinal section) of the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34.

In the present case, the clamping units 28 and the other clamping units 34 are of identical design, so that the 8th and 9 each show a clamping unit 28 or a further clamping unit 34 .

In the 8th The clamping unit 28 shown or another clamping unit 34 has a pivoting element 36 . The pivoting element 36 is between a travel position 38 (in 8th and 9 shown) and a stop position 40 (in Figs 5 or. 7 shown) designed to pivot. The pivoting element 36 has a plate-like portion 92 in the stop position 40 is the It extends (oriented) horizontally and in the travel position 38 it extends (oriented) vertically. The plate-like section 92 has rounded edges 94 which make it easier to pivot between conductor pieces 14 .

In the traversing position 38 the pivoting element 36 can be moved back and forth between two adjacent rows of legs 16 along the radial direction 18 . If there is an empty space within a row of legs 16, the pivoting element 36 can first be moved between the rows to a corresponding radial position and then pivoted into the empty space of the row of legs 16 (stop position 40). In the stop position 40, the pivoting element 36 or its plate-like section 92 represents a stop for the legs 16 adjacent radially inwards or radially outwards to the pivoting element 36 or contacting the pivoting element 36.

The clamping unit 28 or further clamping unit 34 has a fork-shaped receptacle 37 . The forked receptacle 37 has two fork prongs 41 and is set up to at least partially accommodate a row of legs 16 . Due to the sectional view, the fork-shaped receptacle 37 is only partially shown and the fork prongs 41 are not visible in the present case (cf 4 until 7 ).

The fork-shaped receptacle 37 serves as a guide during the radially inward or radially outward movement of the pivoting element 36. The two fork prongs 41 represent a boundary in the circumferential direction for the legs 16 of the respective row of legs 16 accommodated in the fork-shaped receptacle 37.

A pivot shaft 78 is arranged on the pivot element 36 . The pivot shaft 78 extends through the respective clamping unit 28 or the respective further clamping unit 34. The pivot shaft 78 is rotatably mounted within the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34. In other words, the pivot shaft 78 and the respective clamping unit 28 or the respective further clamping unit 34 are not connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

An actuating unit 48 is arranged at the radially outer end of the pivot shaft 78 . Due to the sectional view, the actuation unit 48 is only partially shown (cf 5 until 7 ). In the present case, the actuating unit 48 is designed in the form of a lever which is arranged on the pivot shaft 78 in a rotationally fixed manner. The operating unit 48 can therefore be pivoted about the respective pivot shaft 78 . By pivoting the actuating unit 48 (due to the non-rotatable coupling), the pivoting element 36 can be pivoted between the displacement position and the stop position.

For the simultaneous and identical pivoting of the actuating units 48 of all clamping units 28, the ring-shaped section 74 of the outer tool 26 has an actuating device 80 (cf. 1 and 4 ). The actuating device 80 has a large number of receptacles 82 . Each receptacle 82 is designed to be able to receive an actuating unit 48 of a tensioning unit 28 . The actuating units 48 are accommodated in the receptacles 82 in such a way that a radial movement of the actuating units 48 within the respective receptacles 82 is possible.

A rotational movement of the actuating device 80 (relative to the actuating units 48) allows all the actuating units 80 to be pivoted about the radial direction 18 simultaneously and in the same way. Due to the non-rotatable coupling between the actuating units 48 and the respective pivoting elements 36, the pivoting elements 36 are also pivoted due to the rotational movement of the actuating device 80.

For the simultaneous and identical pivoting of the actuating units 48 of all further clamping units 34, the further ring-shaped section 76 of the outer tool 26 has a further actuating device 81 (cf. 1 and 6 ). The further actuating device 81 has a large number of further receptacles 84 . Each additional receptacle 84 is designed to be able to accommodate an actuating unit 48 of an additional clamping unit 34 . The actuating units 48 are accommodated in the further receptacles 84 in such a way that a radial movement of the actuating units 48 within the respective further receptacles 84 is possible.

A rotational movement of the further actuating device 81 (relative to the actuating units 48) allows all the actuating units 48 to be pivoted about the radial direction 18 simultaneously and in the same way. Due to the non-rotatable coupling between the actuating units 48 and the respective pivoting elements 36, the pivoting elements 36 are also pivoted due to the rotational movement of the further actuating device 81.

The clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34 has a spring 42 (leaf spring). This is present by means of two screws 90 (cf. 4 and 6 ) fixed to the respective clamping unit 28 or to the respective additional clamping unit 34 arranged and extends through a recess 43 (or passage opening) in the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34 into a groove 45 (or notch) in the pivot shaft 78. The pivot shaft 78 is thus mechanically coupled to the spring 42.

The swivel shaft 78 and thus the respective swivel element 36 can now be displaced or moved along the radial direction 18 against the spring force of the spring 42 within the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34 . As a result, flexible (elastic) mounting of the pivoting elements 36 within the clamping units 28 or the further clamping units 34 in the radial direction 18 can be achieved.

9 shows a sectional view of the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34 according to a further exemplary embodiment. The illustrated embodiment differs from that in 8th shown embodiment in that the flexible (elastic) mounting of the pivoting elements 36 is not achieved by means of a spring 42, but rather by means of a groove 46 arranged in the pivoting shaft 78 and an extension 44 arranged within the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34, which in the groove 46 of the pivot shaft 78 engages.

The radial movement of the swivel shaft 78 and thus of the swivel element 36 within the clamping unit 28 or the further clamping unit 34 is determined by the length of the groove 46 in the radial direction 18 and the thickness (width) of the extension 44 in the radial direction 18 . The radial play of the pivot shaft 78 and thus of the pivot element 36 corresponds to the length of the groove 46 minus the width of the extension 44 in the radial direction 18.

10 shows a detail of a perspective view of a gripping process by means of the device 10. In the present case, the gripping process is shown as an example using the clamping units 28 and the support units 22.

In the present case, the circular arrangement of conductor pieces 14 has an inner ring 86 of legs 16 of the conductor pieces 14 and an outer ring 88 of legs 16 spaced apart from this in the radial direction 18 by a void 87 . With such a circular arrangement of conductor pieces 14, support units 22—as described above—are moved radially outwards until they contact the respective legs 16 of the inner ring 86 with their inner contact sections 21 .

As described above, the clamping units 28 are moved radially inward, with the respective pivoting elements 36 being in the travel position 38 during the radially inward movement of the clamping units 28 (cf. 8th ).

The clamping units 28 are moved radially inwards until they contact the respective legs 16 of the outer ring 88 with their respective outer (elastic) contact sections 39 .

The radially inward movement of the clamping units 28 or the pivoting elements 36 is supported or guided by the respective fork-shaped receptacles 37 . The two fork tines 41 of the respective receptacles 37 move past the respective row of legs 16 on the left and right (in the circumferential direction) and delimit them to the left and right in the circumferential direction.

After the clamping units 28 - as described above - have been positioned, the respective pivoting elements 36 are moved from the travel position 38 to the stop position 40 (cf. 5 ) - as described above - pivoted.

The pivoting elements 36 in the stop position 40 fill the empty space 87 between the inner ring 86 and the outer ring 88 in the radial direction 18 . The pivoting elements 36 in the stop position 40 provide a stop for the legs 16 of the inner ring 86 in the radially outward direction. The pivoting elements 36 in the stop position 40 correspondingly provide a stop for the legs 16 of the outer ring 88 in the radially inward direction direction.

In this way, the support units 22 can be moved radially outwards and the clamping units 28 can be moved radially inwards without the legs 16 of the inner ring 86 and the outer ring 88 being bent in the direction of the empty space 87 .

Since in particular the support units 22 and the further support units 32, as well as the clamping units 28 and the further clamping units 34 are identical in the present case, the gripping process by means of the further support units 32 and the further clamping units 34 works accordingly in an analogous manner.

For gripping a circular array of conductor lengths 14 that does not have a void 87 within a row of legs 16, the gripping operation works as described above, except that the pivot members 36 in FIG Travel position 38 remain and are not pivoted into the stop position 40.

Thus, on the one hand, circular arrangements of conductor pieces 14 can be gripped, held and handled, each having a different diameter. On the other hand, however, circular arrangements of conductor pieces 14 can also be gripped, held and handled, each having a different diameter and an inner ring 86 of legs 16 of the conductor pieces 14 and an outer ring 88 of legs spaced apart from this in the radial direction 18 by a void 87 16 have.

A complete conductor basket can thus be assembled from individual, circular configurations of different sizes (different diameters) and/or different types (circular configurations with or without an empty space 87 within the rows of conductor sections 14) using the same device 10.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102017123670 A1 [0002]

Claims (13)

Device (10) for gripping, holding and handling at least one circular arrangement (12) of conductor sections (14), preferably hairpins, which are designed in particular with a rectangular conductor cross-section, each conductor section (14) having at least one, in particular two, legs (16) has, wherein at least two legs (16) of different conductor pieces (14) of the circular arrangement (12) are each arranged in a row, wherein the rows are each oriented along a radial direction (18), the device (10) comprising: - an inner tool (20), - wherein the inner tool (20) has a plurality of support units (22) arranged in a circle, - wherein the support units (22) are arranged in the inner tool (20) so as to be movable along the radial direction (18) and can be moved radially outwards from a retracted basic position into various gripping positions, - wherein the support units (22) are designed and arranged in order to contact the innermost leg (24) of a row of legs (16) with an inner contact section (21) from radially inwards in a respective gripping position, - an external tool (26), - wherein the outer tool (26) has a plurality of clamping units (28) arranged in a circle, - wherein the clamping units (28) are arranged in the outer tool (26) so as to be movable along the radial direction (18) and can be moved radially inwards from a basic position into various gripping positions, - wherein the clamping units (28) are arranged and designed to contact the outermost leg (30) of a row of legs (16) with an outer contact section (39) from radially outside in a respective gripping position, - wherein the support units (22) and the clamping units (28) are arranged such that a respective support unit (22) and a clamping unit (28) are associated in the radial direction with the same row of legs (16) and form a gripping pair that is formed is to grip a row of legs (16) from radially inside and radially outside. Device (10) after claim 1 , characterized in that the inner tool (20) has a plurality of further support units (32) arranged in a circle, - the further support units (32) being arranged in the inner tool (20) so as to be movable along the radial direction (18) and from a retracted basic position can be moved radially outwards into various gripping positions, - the further support units (32) being designed and arranged in order to close the innermost leg (24) of a row of legs (16) with an inner contact section (21) from radially inwards in a respective gripping position contact, - the further support units (32) being spaced apart from the support units (22) in an axial direction (33), - the outer tool (26) having a plurality of further clamping units (34) arranged in a circle, - the further clamping units (34) are arranged in the outer tool (26) so as to be movable along the radial direction (18) and can be moved radially inward from a basic position into various gripping positions, - the further clamping units (34) being designed to clamp the outermost leg ( 30) of a row of legs (16) with an outer contact section (39) from radially outside, - the further clamping units (34) being arranged at a distance from the clamping units (28) in the axial direction (33), - the further Support units (32) and the further clamping units (34) are arranged in such a way that a further supporting unit (32) and a further clamping unit (34) are arranged in the radial direction in the same row of legs (16) and form a gripping pair that is designed to grip a row of legs (16) from radially inside and radially outside. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping units (28) can be moved radially inwards and outwards together via a common drive and/or the further clamping units (34) can be moved radially inwards together via a further common drive. and can be moved outwards. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping units (28) are spring-mounted in the outer tool (26), in particular the clamping units (28) being coupled to the common drive via a respective coupling element (50), the respective coupling element (50) being resiliently mounted in the respective clamping unit (28) in the radial direction (18), so that the clamping units (28) can be displaced in their respective position predetermined by the common drive against the springing in their radial position. Device (10) after claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the common drive is designed as a link drive, in particular wherein the coupling elements (50) of the clamping units (28) are designed as extensions in a respective cam track (52) of the common engage the drive, in particular with the cam tracks (52) of the individual clamping units (28) lying on a common cam track element (54), in particular with the common drive causing a radial movement of the clamping units ( 28), in particular the clamping units (28) being guided by means of a guide device (56) in such a way that the clamping units (28) can be moved exclusively along the radial direction (18). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pivoting element (36) is arranged on at least one of the clamping units (28) and/or the further clamping units (34) that between a travel position (38) and a stop position (40) can be pivoted, the pivoting element (36) being aligned in the travel position (38) in such a way that it can be moved in the radial direction (18) between two, in particular adjacent, rows of legs (16) and the pivoting element (36) in the stop position (40) within a row of legs (16) between two legs (16) and seen in the radial direction (18) between the innermost leg (24) and the outermost leg (30). Device (10) after claim 6 , characterized in that the pivoting element (36) along the radial direction (18), in particular resiliently, movably mounted in the respective clamping unit (28) and / or the respective further clamping unit (34) is arranged. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner tool (20) has a cone-shaped feed element (66), the feed element (66) being arranged and designed in order to move the support units ( 22) to move along the radial direction (18). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support units (22) and/or the further support units (32) are prestressed radially inwards by means of a restoring element (70), in particular a garter spring (70). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support units (22) and/or the further support units (32) each have at least one guide pin (72), in particular at least two guide pins (72), which are in the Inner tool (20) are movably mounted to allow guided movement of the respective support units in the radial direction (18). Method for gripping, holding and handling at least one circular arrangement (12) of conductor sections (14), preferably hairpins, which are designed in particular with a rectangular conductor cross-section, each conductor section (14) having at least one, in particular two, legs (16), wherein at least two legs (16) of different conductor sections (14) of the circular arrangement (12) are each arranged in a row, with the rows each being oriented along a radial direction (18), the method comprising the steps of: - arranging a plurality of conductor sections (14 ) in the circular array (12); - Gripping the circular arrangement (12) of conductor pieces (14) by means of a device (10), the individual rows of legs (16) each being attached to an innermost leg (34) and an outermost leg (30) of a row of legs (16 ), especially by clamping; - Transporting and depositing the circular arrangement (12) of conductor pieces (14) by means of the device (10) to an end position; - arranging a plurality of conductor pieces (14) in at least one further circular array, the further circular array having a diameter which differs from the diameter of the circular array (12) of conductor pieces (14); - Gripping the further circular arrangement (12) of conductor pieces (14) by means of the device (10), the individual rows of legs (16) each being on an innermost leg (24) and an outermost leg (30) of a row of legs ( 16), in particular by clamping; - Transporting and depositing the further circular arrangement of conductor pieces (14) by means of the device (10) to an end position; - wherein the end positions of the circular arrangement (12) of conductor pieces (14) and the further circular arrangement of conductor pieces (14) correspond to the positions in a conductor piece basket; characterized in that both gripping operations are carried out with the same device (10). procedure after claim 11 , characterized in that the circular arrangement of conductor sections (14) and/or at least one of the further circular arrangements of conductor sections (14) has an inner ring of legs (16) of the conductor sections (14) and a outer ring of legs (16) spaced apart by a void, during gripping of the rows of conductor lengths (14) each pivoting element (36) of the device (10) being inserted into the void between the inner ring of legs (16) and the outer Arranged ring of legs (16), in particular pivoted, is. procedure after claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that for carrying out the method, a device (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 is used.

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