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Apparatus and method for disentangling workpieces
EP0000817A1
European Patent Office
- Other languages
German French - Inventor
Vivian Charles George Cyril John Webb Roy Whitmore - Current Assignee
- CONCENTRIC PROD RES
- CONCENTRIC PRODUCTION RESEARCH Ltd
Worldwide applications
Application EP7878300192A events
1979-02-21
1981-03-11
Application granted
1981-03-11
Status
Expired
Description
translated from
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[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for disentangling elongate workpieces of the kind, such as coiled springs, which tend normally to become interengaged or entangled, the apparatus being of the kind comprising a container defining a chamber, inlet means for introducing air under pressure into the chamber, and outlet means through which workpieces pass in use, the container being provided with means to enable workpieces to be introduced into the chamber. -
[0002] U.S. Specification No. 3 346 305 of J. Heymann discloses such a spring disentangler and dispenser comprising an inclined cylindrical closed container provided adjacent to its base with a single air jet which is arranged to blow springs placed within the container'in a helical path to a single outlet located in the sidewall of the container adjacent to a hinged lid of the container. The outlet comprises a circular hole located at one end of a guide channel, and springs pass through the hole one by one into a dispensing tube. Since that device has only a single outlet the rate at which disentangled springs are dispensed is limited. Also, the capacity of that device is severely restricted since springs may only fill the lower portion of the container. -
[0003] Our earlier U.K. Specification No. 1 281 523 describes and claims apparatus for dispensing workpieces comprising a chamber incorporating opposed end closure assemblies in one of which is provided means for introducing air under pressure into the chamber through a series of jet orifices, outlet means located in the chamber at a point remote from said one end closure assembly, and at least one normally closed opening permitting the introduction into the chamber of workpieces to be dispensed, the arrangement being such that, when the chamber is vertical with the said one end closure assembly at.its lowermost end, the outlet means is above said one end closure assembly and air issuing from the jet orifices causes workpieces within the chamber to be directed upwardly and to be discharged through the outlet means under the influence of air escaping therethrough. -
[0004] The outlet means disclosed in this latter Specification comprises one or more unions each having a circular bore and extending through the wall of a generally cylindrical chamber. The unions are inclined to the axis of the chamber and have their inner ends flush with the inner wall of the chamber so that each bore presents an elliptical end to the interior of the chamber. -
[0005] Although it is possible with our earlier apparatus to provide several outlet unions, the total rate at which disentangled springs are dispensed is limited by the total cross-sectional area of the bores of the outlet unions. -
[0006] Also, with our earlier apparatus springs could become jammed in the bores of the outlet unions. necessitating in most cases the provision of means to blow air back through those bores. The provision of such blow-back means was relatively costly. -
[0007] The present invention is concerned with a dispenser of the kind set forth in which the outlet means comprises one or more slots, rather than one or more holes as in previous constructions. -
[0008] We are aware of U.S. Specification No. 2 384 738 of Harvey which discloses a rivet dispenser in which slots are provided in one wall of the dispensing container. Those slots, however, act only as air vents to prevent build-up of air pressure within the container, the outlet means comprising a guide track extending from within the chamber. -
[0009] Thus according to the present invention in apparatus of the kind set forth the outlet means comprises one or more slots each having a transverse width substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the workpiece to be dispensed. -
[0010] Such an apparatus may be designed to have a substantially greater rate of disentangling workpieces than the prior art devices previously referred to, and will usually be capable of disentangling components which are too entangled to be separated and dispensed by the apparatus previously referred to. Often, the components may not be capable of being dispensed through the tubes of such apparatus because they would become entangled within the tubes. -
[0011] When the workpieces, such as fine springs, possess substantial resilience, the optimum width of each slot for maximum throughput of separate workpieces may be slightly less than the transverse dimension of the workpieces, since the workpieces may be capable of squeezing or screwing themselves through the undersize alot. -
[0012] In the prior art constructions the cross-sectional area of the outlet means was relatively limited, and often a long dispensing tube was attached to the outlet means to convey the workpieces to a remote location. It was therefore necessary with such constructions to produce a substantial pressure within the chamber to provide an adequate flow of workpieces through the dispensing tube. The container had to be carefully sealed to prevent wastage of compressed air, and a filler opening for insertion of workpieces had to be carefully sealed. When slots are used the working pressure within the chamber will usually be considerably less than with the prior art constructions, and it should therefore be understood that the devices in accordance with the invention need not necessarily employ a completely closed container. Sometimes it will be possible to provide the container with a permanently open filler opening through which workpieces may be inserted into the chamber, the flow of workpieces within the chamber being such that they are not directed to the filler opening. -
[0013] Preferebly each slot is adjustable in width to deal with workpieces of a range of sizes. With the previous devices it has been necessary to exchange the outlet means to dispense workpieces of different sizes. -
[0014] The opposite sides of each slot are preferably defined by two relatively movable members, means being provided to move the members relative to each other to widen each slot and enable any jammed workpiece to release itself or be released. -
[0015] Means may be provided to detect when a workpiece has become jammed, but preferably the slots are periodically widened and means are provided to cut off or substantially reduce the air flowing through the inlet means immediately prior to widening of the slot or slots, the slot or slots being closed again prior to restoration of the inlet air flow. -
[0016] When there is only a single slot of adjustable width the sides of the slot may be defined by the edges of two co-planar plates, but when there is a plurality of adjustable slots conveniently these are defined by pairs of overlapping parallel slots formed in two relatively slidable plates held in face contact with each other. -
[0017] Each slot may be curved or of any suitable shape, but preferably each slot is straight when the slot is of adjustable width to enable its adjustment to be effected by linear movement of one slot-defining member relative to the other. -
[0018] Each slot is preferably defined in a flat plate assembly which is arranged at an angle of between O° and 90° to the upward vertical. -
[0019] For maximum efficiency the angle will usually be in therange 25° to 65°, and is preferably 45°. -
[0020] When one or more straight slots are defined in such a flat plate assembly each slot may be orientated at any angle in the plane of the plate assembly but preferably each slot is orientated in a vertical plane. -
[0021] When slidable plates are used, one of the relatively slidable plates may be fixed in position relative to the remainder of the container, and preferably the fixed plate is the plate that is outermost of the container when straight slots are vertical or inclined in use to the vertical to enable dispensed workpieces to be led away from the lower ends of the slots in the fixed plate to separate locations. -
[0022] Preferably the arrangement of the container and of the inlet means is such that a circulatory flow of workpieces is produced in the chamber of the container, the slot or slots extending substantially tangentially to the workpiece flow path so that workpieces are brushed along the slot or slots. -
[0023] Preferably the arrangement is such that when the container is orientated with the inlet means lowermost the slot or slots are located in an upper region of . the container so that when the inlet air is cut off the workpieces fall into the vicinity of the inlet means. -
[0024] Preferably the inlet means comprises a series of jet orifices. -
[0025] 'When the inlet mean is located in a lower region of the container, the lower region of the container is preferably closed apart from said inlet means. -
[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention a method of disentangling workpieces comprises inserting them into apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and then dispensing the springs through the slot or slots by blowing air through the inlet means. -
[0027] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- - Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional side' elevation of a spring disentangler in its position of use; the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 2;
- Figure 2 is a view of the disentangler looking in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 1, with the adjustable slots being shown in the fully open position;
- Figure 3 is a view of the upper part of the disentangler looking from the direction of the arrow C in Figure 1;
- Figure 4 is a pneumatic circuit diagram of an electro-pneumatic circuit for use with the disentangler of Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 5 is an electrical circuit diagram of the electro-pneumatic circuit; and
- Figure 6 is a view corresponding to the lower part of Figure 1 but showing a modification.
-
[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 the disentangler comprises a body 1 having anupper portion 2 comprising a substantially square-section tube integral with alower portion 3 of distorted frusto-conical shape provided in its base with a round aperture 4 closed by aninlet assembly 55. As shown in Figure 1 the centre of the aperture 4 is offset horizontally, to the left in Figure 1, from the axis of theupper portion 2. Theupper portion 2 is closed at its upper end by an outlet assembly 4' comprising an oblong-rectangular closure plate 5 secured byscrews 6 to the body 1 and extending normally to aplate assembly 7 defining five parallel adjustable straight outlet slots 7'. -
[0029] Theplate assembly 7 extends at an angle of 45° to the upward vertical and comprises a thintransparent plastics cover 20 secured to.a relatively thick fixed .outer plate 8, and a thininner plate 9 which is slidably guided in face contact withplate 8 in the horizontal direction B, indicated in Figure 2. Each of theplates plate 9 is capable of being moved to bring the corresponding slots of the two plates substantially into register with each other as shown in Figure 2. The slots in bothplates plates -
[0030] Movable plate 9 is provided on its underside with alug 10 to which is adjustably secured thepiston rod 11 of a single-acting pneumatic piston andcylinder assembly 11 mounted by means of bracket 5' onplate 5 and capable of movingplate 9 between the position shown in Figure 2 and a position in which the slots are reduced in width to approximately the diameter of the components to be disentangled.Lug 10 is secured tc piston rod 11' by means of two nuts 10', shown in Figure 3, threadedly engaged with a threaded end portion of rod 11'. The travel of the piston rod 11' to the left in Figure 3 is controlled by an adjustable abutnent in the form of a screw 12' threadedly engaged with a lug 13' secured toplate 5. Thus screw 12' control the minimum width to which slots 7' are closed on actuation of piston andcylinder assembly 11. Nuts 10' are adjusted during manufacture sot that the slots inplates piston rod 11 is fully retracted. -
[0031] Theinlet assembly 55 comprises ablock 12 of round shape in plan provided in its upper surface with a stepped blind bore of square-shape in cros-section comprisingbore portions air inlet 15 communicates withbore portion 14 and an crificedplate 16 backed by a resilient annular gasket is received inbore portion 13. The orifice plate is provided with any suitable pattern of holes constituting jet orifices. In one example the plate is formed with sixteen circumferentially spaced holes together with four holes adjacent to its centre. -
[0032] The offsetting of the axis of theorifice plate 16 from that of theupper portion 2 of the body 1 gives rise to flow of air within the chamber tangential to the workpieces as indicated by the arrow B in Figure 1 when a compressed air supply is connected to theinlet 15, with the result that a ball of tangled springs inserted into the chamber of the container through a pivotedtransparent door 18 in one sidewall of theupper portion 2 is spun generally about a horizontal axis, as indicated by the arrow C, and is brushed against theplate assembly 7. -
[0033] . The dispenser discribed is capable of disentangling a very wide variety of components often of intricate shapes, such as clips of cranked shape. -
[0034] An electro-pneumatic circuit, to be described hereinafter, is connected to theair inlet 15 and to the piston andcylinder assembly 11 and is arranged every . three seconds to cut off the air supply to theinlet 15,de-actuate assembly 11 to open fully the outlet slots 7' and allow any tangled springs which have become jammed in the slots to fall back into the chamber, then to actuateassembly 11 and reconnect the air supply toinlet 15. -
[0035] It will be appreciated that the open lower ends 19 of the slots in the fixedouter plate 8 may be connected to respective guides for conveying the individual springs to convenient locations. Alternatively the springs.may be allowed to fall into a suitable receptacle or hopper secured to or placed alongside the body 1. -
[0036] In a modification of the device shown in the drawings theplate assembly 7 is pivotally connected to the remainder of the assembly to enable springs or other workpieces to be inserted through the upper end of the body, and the pivotal axis of theplate assembly 7 is made coincident with the axis of the piston andcylinder assembly 11 to allow a simple connection between the piston rod andplate 9. -
[0037] Although in the assembly shown in the drawings theplate assembly 7 is inclined to the vertical, it would be possible for the plate assembly to be arranged in a horizontal plane, although additional means may then be required to convey away the springs issuing from the slots. -
[0038] It will be appreciated that the air jet or jets may be located in any part of the chamber provided that they cause the workpieces contained in the chamber to impinge upon the outlet slot or slots. -
[0039] The electro-pneumatic circuit controlling the operation of the disentangler of Figures 1 and 2 will now be described. With reference to Figure 4, the single-acting piston andcylinder assembly 11 is supplied with air through a two-way flow regulator 21 by afirst valve 22 operated by afirst solenoid 23, and theinlet 15 of theinlet assembly 55 is supplied with air by asecond valve 24 controlled by asecond solenoid 25.Inlets 26 and 27 of the,first andsecond valves compressed air supply 28 thorughadjustable pressure regulators respective pressure gauges Valves pilot connections air supply 28. -
[0040] Piston andcylinder assembly 11 comprises apiston 35 biassed upwardly in Figure 4 by acoil spring 36 to a retracted position in which the slots inplate assembly 7 are in their fully.open condition.. Whenfirst solenoid 23 is de-activatedpressure space 37 ofassembly 11 is connected to atmosphere byfirst valve 22, and similarly whensecond solenoid 25 is de-activatedair inlet 15 is connected to atmosphere bysecond valve 24. -
[0041] With reference to Figure 5 energisation of the first andsecond solenoids microswitches variable rotary cam 40 driven by aconstant speed motor 41, switch 39 controlling directlyfirst solenoid 23, and the input 42 ofswitch 38 being fed from theoutput 43 ofswitch 39 such thatsecond solenoid 25 is energised only whenfirst solenoid 25 is also energised. This ensures that air is not blown into the disentangler chamber when the slots 7' inplate assembly 7 are in their fully open condition, which would otherwise lead to tangled springs being dispensed through the wide slots. -
[0042] Theinput 44 ofswitch 39 is connected to a supply line 45 through a fuse 46 and anindicator bulb 47.Cam motor 41 has oneterminal 49 connected permanently to supplyline 48 and itsother terminal 50 is connected bylead 50 to theoutput 43 ofswitch 39 when push-switch 51 is in the condition shown, or bylead 52 directly to supply line 45 when push-switch 51 has been actuated, the effect of this arrangement being to re-setcam 40 on de-actuation ofswitch 51, as will be further explained. -
[0043] The operation of the electro-pneumatic circuit will now be described. Initially switch 51 is in the position shown in Figure 5, the slots are at their maximum width, and the air supply is cut off from both the piston andcylinder assembly 11 and form theair inlet 15. Although theinput 44 is live,output 43 is isolated from the live supply 45 because the switch arm ofswitch 39 is engaged with the low part ofcam 40. -
[0044] On actuation ofswitch 51 thecam motor 41 is energised throughlead 52 and thecam 40 is set turning in the clock-wise direction. When the high part ofcam 40 comes into engagement with the switch arm ofswitch 39 theoutput 43 is made live and thefirst solenoid 23 is energised. Compressed air to a pressure determined byregulator 29 is then supplied throughflow regulator 21 to pressurespace 37 to reduce the width of the slots to the adjusted minimum width determined by screw 12'. The switch arms of the switches 3.8 and 39 are arranged such that there.is a delay beforeswitch 38 is actuated after actuation ofswitch 39, to allow the slots to be reduced to their operating width before thesecond solenoid 25 is actuated to supplyair inlet 15 with compressed air by actuation ofsecond valve 24. -
[0045] After 2 seconds switch 39 is de-actuated bycam 40, and after a small time delay of approximately O.3 seconds switch 38 is also de-actuated. On de-actuation ofswitch 39 andfirst solenoid 23pressure space 37 ofassembly 11 is connected to atmosphere throughflow regulator 21 which provides sufficient time delay in the retraction ofpiston 35 to ensure that the air supply toinlet 15 has been terminated before the slots have begun to widen. The slots 7' are maintained fully open for approximately 0.75 seconds determined bycam 40 to allow any jammed spring to fall back into the chamber before a new cycle is initiated by the high. part ofcam 40. Since air is fed throughflow regulator 21 in the forward direction from a pressure supply but is returned by only the force ofspring 36, theflow regulator 21 produces a greater delay on de-actuation ofsolenoid 23 than on its actuation to ensure that the slots are not substantially opened whilst the springs are being agitated. -
[0046] On de-actuation ofswitch 51 thecam motor 41 remains energised throughlead 50 untilswitch 39 has been de-actuated bycam 40,cam 40 then being positioned in readiness to commence a complete new cycle on re- actuation ofswitch 51. This ensures that the springs cannot at any time be blown out of the chamber through the slots when the slots are fully open. -
[0047] When a batch of workpieces of a new size is first inserted into the device the screw 12' is rotated to produce on adjusted minimum width of slot 7' which is insufficient to permit the dispensing of workpieces, and with switch Sl actuated the screw 12' is unscrewed until the workpieces begin to be dispensed through the slots 7'. -
[0048] Typically compressedair supply 28 has a pressure of 40-150 p.s.i.,pressure regulators spring 36 is overcome by a pressure of 10 p.s.i. inchamber 37, the maximum width of slots 7' is 0.5 inch, and the adjusted reduced width of the slots 7' is 10mm for feeding springs of that diameter. -
[0049] The above operating pressures are relatively low compared with those previously required and can lead to a substantial saving in the quantity of air used. Also, low pressure air jets have.been found to be more efficient in disentangling most workpieces than the relatively high pressure ones previously employed. -
[0050] The modified disentangler of Figure 6 differs from the construction of Figure 1 only in that thelower portion 3 of the body 1 has a vertical rearinterior wall 53 to enable the axis oforifice plate 16 to be displaced further to the left in Figure 6 than in the construction of Figure 1. This has the advantage that air issuing fromorifice plate 16 tends to follow more closely wall 53 to enhance the circulation of the ball of springs. -
[0051] It will be appreciated that, since the separation. of the springs is brought about mainly by brushing of the springs against theplate assembly 7, the ball may initially substantially fill the chamber, as compared with other constructions. This has the considerable advantage that the time between fillings of the disentangler may be substantially increased. -
[0052] It will also be appreciated that, as compared with the construction of U.S. Specificaiton No. 2 384 738, the slots 7' of the apparatus described constitute the sole outlet means of the apparatus through which workpieces are dispensed.
Claims (11)
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Claims (11)
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1. An apparatus for disentangling elongate workpieces of the kind which tend normally to become interengaged or entangled, the apparatus comprising a container (1) defining a chamber, inlet means (55) for introducing air under pressure into the chamber, and outlet means (7) through which workpieces pass from the chamber, the container being provided with means 18 to enable workpieces to be introduced into the chamber in bulk, characterised in that the outlet means (7) comprises one or more slots (7'), each slot (7') having a transverse width substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the workpiece to be dispensed.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the opposite sides of each slot (7') are defined by two relatively.movable members (8, 9), to enable the width of each slot (7') to be adjusted.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the movable members comprise two relatively slidable plates (8, 9) held in face contact with each other, and there are a plurality of slots (7') of variable width defined by pairs of overlapping parallel slots formed in the plates (8, 9).
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the plate (8) which is outermost of the container is fixed relative to the container body (1), the overlapping slots are straight, and the container is adapted to stand on a horizontal surface with the plates (8, 9) and the slots inclined to the vertical such that the dispensed workpieces are guided to the lower ends (19) of the slots in the fixed plate (8).
5. An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the inlet means 55 is arranged to produce a circulatory flow (C) of workpieces in the chamber, each slot extending substantially tangentially to the workpiece flow path so that workpieces are brushed along the slot or slots (7').
6. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the slots are defined in a flat plate assembly, and the container is adapted to stand on a horizontal surface with the plane of the plate assembly arranged at an angle of between 25° and 65° to the vertical and facing generally upwardly.
7. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, or any of Claims 3 to 6 each as appended to Claim 2, including means (11) arranged to widen periodically each slot.
8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 including means (24, 25, 40, 41) to cut off or substantially reduce the air flowing through the inlet means on widening of the slots.
9. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 including means (21) providing a time delay between reclosing of the slots (7') to their operating width and the full resumption of the air supply to the inlet means (55).
10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9 including adjustment means (12') controlling the minimum width of each slot.
11. A method of disentangling elongate workpieces of the kind which tend normally to become interengaged or entangled comprising introducing the workpieces in bulk into the chamber of apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and causing the workpieces to be disentangled and dispensed through the slot or slots (7') by blowing air through the inlet means (55).