EP1497221A1 - Cap screwing device - Google Patents

Cap screwing device

Info

Publication number
EP1497221A1
EP1497221A1 EP03746843A EP03746843A EP1497221A1 EP 1497221 A1 EP1497221 A1 EP 1497221A1 EP 03746843 A EP03746843 A EP 03746843A EP 03746843 A EP03746843 A EP 03746843A EP 1497221 A1 EP1497221 A1 EP 1497221A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rotary spindle
drive shaft
screwing
screwing device
plug
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03746843A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
André Graffin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Serac Group SAS
Original Assignee
Serac Group SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Serac Group SAS filed Critical Serac Group SAS
Publication of EP1497221A1 publication Critical patent/EP1497221A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
    • B67B3/26—Applications of control, warning, or safety devices in capping machinery
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
    • B67B3/20—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps
    • B67B3/2073—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps by applying and rotating preformed threaded caps comprising torque limiting means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for screwing plugs.
  • Numerous devices for screwing corks are known, in particular a device comprising a gripping head fixed to a rotary spindle connected to a drive shaft by means of a friction clutch, the limit of which grip corresponds to the tightening torque that you want to apply to the caps. Due to the operation of this type of device, the clutch is intended to slip when screwing each plug, so that this operation causes rapid wear of the friction elements, which implies frequent stopping of the screwing device. to adjust the friction elements to obtain the desired torque.
  • a pneumatic device comprising a jack whose rod carries a rack connected by return pinions to a rotary spindle carrying the gripping head.
  • the tightening torque is determined by the supply pressure of the pneumatic cylinder and its adjustment can be carried out once and for all for a given tightening torque of the plugs.
  • the device due to the mechanism for returning the movements of the rack connected to the pneumatic cylinder, the device has a large size, which limits the number of screw cap devices that can be put in place on a machine.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a device for screwing plugs having good operating reliability and a reduced size.
  • a device for screwing plugs comprising a gripping head fixed to a rotary spindle, and a drive shaft connected to a motor member carried by a frame, the rotary spindle and the drive shaft are connected coaxially to each other by an elastic coupling member fixed to the rotary spindle on the one hand and to the drive shaft on the other hand, and the device comprises a member for detecting a movement of relative rotation between the rotary spindle and the drive shaft, and a control member for interrupting the spindle drive when the relative rotational movement reaches a predetermined threshold.
  • the device due to the coaxial mounting of the drive shaft and the rotary spindle, the device has a small footprint and due to the permanent coupling of the drive shaft and the rotary spindle, the device can operate for a very large number of cycles without the need to re-adjust the tightening torque.
  • the elastic coupling member is a spring arranged between two stops. It then suffices to modify the force exerted by the spring to modify the tightening torque of the plug.
  • at least one of the stops is adjustable, so that the adjustment of the force exerted by the spring is carried out in a simple manner by an adjustment of the preload thereof.
  • the detection member comprises at least one disc having a position which is a function of a relative angular position between the drive shaft and the spindle, and a disc position sensor .
  • the gripping head comprises a housing fixed to the rotary spindle, a bell-shaped actuating member integral in rotation with the housing and axially movable relative thereto, and gripping jaws movable radially inside of the actuating member, the actuating member and the jaws comprising inclined ramps arranged opposite one another to transform an axial movement of the actuating member into radial movement of the gripping jaws.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the device of the invention in a closed position of the jaws in section, along a vertical plane illustrated by the lines I-I in FIGS. 2 and 3,
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 1
  • - Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 of the gripping head in the open position of the jaws .
  • the device comprises a frame 1 on which a drive shaft 2 is mounted to rotate by means of bearings 3 carried by the frame.
  • a drive pinion 4 is mounted on the drive shaft 2 and is associated with a toothed wheel 5 itself connected to an electric motor 6 carried by the frame 1.
  • the frame 1 carries a rotary spindle
  • a gripping head 9 is fixed to the lower end of the rotary spindle 7.
  • the drive shaft 2 carries a coupling piece 10 while at its upper end, the rotary spindle 7 carries a coupling piece 11.
  • the coupling piece 10 comprises a hub 12 carrying an arm 13 on which is mounted a screw 14 carrying a stop 15 for one end of a spring 16.
  • a pallet 17 is fixed to the hub 12 and extends radially by compared to this one.
  • a plate 39 is fixed to the hub 12 perpendicular thereto.
  • the coupling part 11 comprises a hub 18 fixed to the upper end of the rotary spindle 7.
  • an arm 19 is fixed to the hub 18 and supports a screw 20 to which is fixed a stop 21 for the second end of the spring 7.
  • a pallet 22 is also fixed to the hub 18 opposite the pallet 17.
  • the "pallets 17 and 22 are held in abutment one against the other under the effect of the spring 16.
  • a disc 37 is mounted axially movable on the hub 12 and comprises three pins 38 regularly spaced around the axis of the drive shaft 2 and extending parallel to this axis through holes 40 in the plate 39 and bearing on a plate 41 carried by the hub 18 of the coupling piece 11.
  • the disc 37 is thus secured in rotation to the drive shaft 2 while being movable axially with respect to it.
  • Nipples 38 are supported on ramps formed by the walls of frustoconical bowls 22 made in the upper face of the plate 41.
  • a proximity sensor 23 is carried by the frame 1 facing the disc 37 and controls a switch 24 mounted on the power supply circuit of the drive motor 6.
  • the gripping head 9 comprises a housing 25 in which is mounted a bell-shaped actuating member 26 integral in rotation with the housing 25 by means of small columns 27 fixed to the housing and passing through the actuating member 26.
  • the member actuator 26 is mounted axially movable on the columns 27.
  • the actuator 26 is connected by a hollow actuating rod 28 to an electromagnetic actuator 29 carried by the frame 1.
  • the actuator 29 comprises a switch 42 controlled by the detector 23.
  • Three jaws 30 are mounted inside the actuating member 26 and are spaced from one another by springs 31 arranged in housings made in the walls opposite two adjacent jaws (see figure 3).
  • the internal surface of the actuating member 26 and the external surface of the jaws 30 are frustoconical and have inclined ramps formed by the bottom of inclined grooves, respectively 32 for the actuating member 26 and * 33 for the jaws 30 , in which are arranged coupling balls 34 which solidify in rotation the jaws 30 with the actuating member 26 while allowing an axial movement of the actuating member 26 relative to the jaws 30.
  • the jaws 30 are retained in an axial direction by the lower end of the balusters 27 which extend opposite the upper edge of the jaws 30.
  • the gripping head preferably comprises three balusters 27 arranged in the same angular position as the grooves 33.
  • the screwing device further comprises a release rod.
  • presence detection 35 which extends into the hollow actuating rod 28 and opens out above the actuator 29 opposite a proximity detector 36 carried by the frame 1.
  • the motor drive 6 is stopped and the jaws 30 are spaced from each other under the effect of the springs 31.
  • the radial force exerted by the jaws 30 on the balls 34 pushes the actuating member in the form of bell 26 of the gripping head 9 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the lower end of the plug detection rod 35 extends between the jaws 30.
  • the plug presence detection rod 35 is pushed up as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the proximity sensor 36 triggers the supply of the actuator 29 and of the drive motor 6.
  • the supply of the actuator 29 causes a downward movement of the act organ oval bell-shaped 26, which causes a radial clamping movement of the jaws 30.
  • the rotary spindle 7 and the gripping head 9 associated therewith are then rotated in the direction of the screw & sage as illustrated by the arrow in line thick in FIG. 2.
  • the resistive torque on the plug is low so that the drive shaft 2 and the rotary spindle 7 form a movable unit integral under the effect of the force exerted by the spring 16.
  • the coupling piece 10 shifts in rotation relative to the coupling piece 11, so that the nipples 38 move in the frustoconical cups 22 and move the disc 37 upwards.
  • the proximity detector 23 channel to the switch 24 a signal which controls the stopping of the drive motor 6 and the opening of the jaws 30 by de-excitation of the actuator 29. The screwing device is then ready for a new screwing cycle.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and it is possible to make variant embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
  • the coupling has been illustrated by a compression spring 26 between the coupling piece 10 secured to the drive shaft 2 and the coupling piece 11 secured to the rotary spindle 7, it is possible to produce elastic coupling by any suitable means such as a torsion spring or even an elastomeric sleeve disposed between the drive shaft and the rotary spindle.
  • any suitable detection device can be used, in particular optical detection devices, for example by fixing perforated discs to the shaft drive 2 and to the rotary spindle 7 and by detecting a coincidence or an offset of the perforations by means of photoelectric cells carried by the frame 1. It is also possible to carry out the invention by using gripping heads whose actuator is worn by the gripping head itself. In this regard, however, it should be noted that the device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention allows operation without using a friction contact, which constitutes an appreciable advantage as regards the operating reliability of the device.
  • the drive is provided by an electric motor 6, may provide, in particular in the case of a rotary screwing carousel, a fixed drive pinion on which the pinion 4 is mounted to mesh, the frame 1 then being carried by a rotary platform driven in rotation by compared to the fixed gear.
  • the starting and stopping in rotation of the gripping head 9 can be controlled by a clutch interposed at any point of the kinematic chain for rotating the drive shaft 2.
  • plug which is not very fragile it is also possible to keep the spindle constantly rotating and open the jaws of the gripping device as soon as the torque has reached and close them when a new plug is detected.
  • the switch 24 is omitted and the detector 23 is connected to the switch 42 only.

Abstract

The invention relates to a cap screwing device comprising a gripping head (9) which is fixed to a rotary spindle (7) and a drive shaft (2) which is connected to a motor element that is supported by a frame (1). The rotary spindle (7) and the drive shaft (2) are coaxially connected by means of an elastic coupling element (10, 11, 16). Moreover, the inventive device also comprises an element (37, 23) for detecting a relative rotational movement between the rotary spindle (7) and the drive shaft (2) and a control element (24, 42) which is used to interrupt the cap (43) screwing operation when the relative rotational movement reaches a predetermined threshold.

Description

Dispositif de vissage de bouchons. La présente invention concerne un dispositif de vissage de bouchons . Device for screwing plugs. The present invention relates to a device for screwing plugs.
ARRIERE PLAN DE L'INVENTION On connaît de nombreux dispositifs de vissage de bouchons, en particulier un dispositif comprenant une tête de préhension fixée à une broche rotative reliée à un arbre d'entraînement par l'intermédiaire d'un embrayage à friction dont la limite d'adhérence correspond au couple de serrage que l'on souhaite appliquer aux bouchons. En raison du fonctionnement de ce type de dispositif, l'embrayage est destiné à patiner lors du vissage de chaque bouchon, de sorte que ce fonctionnement provoque une usure rapide des éléments de friction, ce qui impli- que un arrêt fréquent du dispositif de vissage pour procéder à un réglage du serrage des éléments de friction afin d'obtenir le couple désiré.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous devices for screwing corks are known, in particular a device comprising a gripping head fixed to a rotary spindle connected to a drive shaft by means of a friction clutch, the limit of which grip corresponds to the tightening torque that you want to apply to the caps. Due to the operation of this type of device, the clutch is intended to slip when screwing each plug, so that this operation causes rapid wear of the friction elements, which implies frequent stopping of the screwing device. to adjust the friction elements to obtain the desired torque.
On connaît également un dispositif pneumatique comportant un vérin dont la tige porte une crémaillère reliée par des pignons de renvoi à une broche rotative portant la tête de préhension. Le couple de serrage est déterminé par la pression d'alimentation du vérin pneumatique et son réglage peut être effectué une fois pour toutes pour un couple de serrage donné des bouchons. Tou- tefois, en raison du mécanisme de renvoi des mouvements de la crémaillère reliée au vérin pneumatique, le dispositif présente un encombrement important, ce qui limite le nombre de dispositifs de vissage de bouchons pouvant être mis en place sur une machine. OBJET DE L'INVENTIONA pneumatic device is also known comprising a jack whose rod carries a rack connected by return pinions to a rotary spindle carrying the gripping head. The tightening torque is determined by the supply pressure of the pneumatic cylinder and its adjustment can be carried out once and for all for a given tightening torque of the plugs. However, due to the mechanism for returning the movements of the rack connected to the pneumatic cylinder, the device has a large size, which limits the number of screw cap devices that can be put in place on a machine. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Un but de la présente invention est de proposer un dispositif de vissage de bouchons présentant une bonne fiabilité de fonctionnement et un encombrement réduit. BREVE DESCRIPTION DE L'INVENTION En vue de la réalisation de ce but, on propose, selon l'invention, un dispositif de vissage de bouchons comprenant une tête de préhension fixée à une broche rotative, et un arbre d'entraînement relié à un organe moteur porté par un bâti, la broche rotative et l'arbre d'entraînement sont reliés coaxialement l'un à l'autre par un organe d'accouplement élastique fixé à la broche rotative d'une part et à l'arbre d'entraînement d'autre part, et le dispositif comporte un organe de détection d'un mouvement de rotation relatif entre la broche rota- tive et l'arbre d'entraînement, et un organe de commande pour interrompre l'entraînement de la broche lorsque le mouvement de rotation relatif atteint un seuil prédéterminé.An object of the present invention is to provide a device for screwing plugs having good operating reliability and a reduced size. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With a view to achieving this goal, it is proposed, according to the invention, a device for screwing plugs comprising a gripping head fixed to a rotary spindle, and a drive shaft connected to a motor member carried by a frame, the rotary spindle and the drive shaft are connected coaxially to each other by an elastic coupling member fixed to the rotary spindle on the one hand and to the drive shaft on the other hand, and the device comprises a member for detecting a movement of relative rotation between the rotary spindle and the drive shaft, and a control member for interrupting the spindle drive when the relative rotational movement reaches a predetermined threshold.
Ainsi, en raison du montage coaxial de l'arbre d'entraînement et de la broche rotative, le dispositif présente un faible encombrement et en raison de l'accouplement permanent de l'arbre d'entraînement et de la broche rotative, le dispositif peut fonctionner pendant un très grand nombre de cycles sans qu'il soit né- cessaire de procéder à un nouveau réglage du couple de serrage .Thus, due to the coaxial mounting of the drive shaft and the rotary spindle, the device has a small footprint and due to the permanent coupling of the drive shaft and the rotary spindle, the device can operate for a very large number of cycles without the need to re-adjust the tightening torque.
Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, l'organe d'accouplement élastique est un ressort disposé entre deux butées. Il suffit alors de mo- difier la force exercée par le ressort pour modifier le couple de serrage du bouchon. De préférence, au moins l'une des butées est réglable, de sorte que le réglage de la force exercée par le ressort est effectué de façon simple par un réglage de la précontrainte de celui-ci. Selon un autre aspect avantageux de l'invention, l'organe de détection comprend au moins un disque ayant une position qui est fonction d'une position angulaire relative entre l'arbre d'entraînement et la broche, et un capteur de position du disque. Selon encore un aspect avantageux de l'invention, la tête de préhension comporte un boîtier fixé à la broche rotative, un organe d'actionnement en forme de cloche solidaire en rotation du boîtier et mobile axialement par rapport à celui-ci, et des mâchoires de préhension mobi- les radialement à l'intérieur de l'organe d'actionnement, l'organe d'actionnement et les mâchoires comportant des rampes inclinées disposées en regard les unes des autres pour transformer un mouvement axial de l'organe d'actionnement en mouvement radial des mâchoires de pré- hension.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastic coupling member is a spring arranged between two stops. It then suffices to modify the force exerted by the spring to modify the tightening torque of the plug. Preferably, at least one of the stops is adjustable, so that the adjustment of the force exerted by the spring is carried out in a simple manner by an adjustment of the preload thereof. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the detection member comprises at least one disc having a position which is a function of a relative angular position between the drive shaft and the spindle, and a disc position sensor . According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the gripping head comprises a housing fixed to the rotary spindle, a bell-shaped actuating member integral in rotation with the housing and axially movable relative thereto, and gripping jaws movable radially inside of the actuating member, the actuating member and the jaws comprising inclined ramps arranged opposite one another to transform an axial movement of the actuating member into radial movement of the gripping jaws.
BREVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINS D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront encore à la lecture de la description qui suit d'un mode de réalisation particulier non limitatif de l'invention en référence aux figures ci- jointes parmi lesquelles :BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention with reference to the attached figures among which:
- la figure 1 est une vue schématique du dispositif de l'invention dans une position fermée des mâchoires en coupe, selon un plan vertical illustré par les lignes I-I des figures 2 et 3,FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the device of the invention in a closed position of the jaws in section, along a vertical plane illustrated by the lines I-I in FIGS. 2 and 3,
- la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1,FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of FIG. 1,
- la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1, et - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe analogue à celle de la figure 1 de la tête de préhension dans la position d'ouverture des mâchoires.- Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 1, and - Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 of the gripping head in the open position of the jaws .
DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTION En référence aux figures, le dispositif selon l'invention comporte un bâti 1 sur lequel un arbre d'entraînement 2 est monté pour tourner au moyen de roulements 3 portés par le bâti. Un pignon d'entraînement 4 est monté sur l'arbre d'entraînement 2 et est associé à une roue dentée 5 elle-même reliée à un moteur électrique 6 porté par le bâti 1. Par ailleurs, le bâti 1 porte une broche rotativeDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, the device according to the invention comprises a frame 1 on which a drive shaft 2 is mounted to rotate by means of bearings 3 carried by the frame. A drive pinion 4 is mounted on the drive shaft 2 and is associated with a toothed wheel 5 itself connected to an electric motor 6 carried by the frame 1. Furthermore, the frame 1 carries a rotary spindle
7 montée sur le bâti par l'intermédiaire de roulements 8 pour tourner coaxialement à l'arbre d'entraînement 2. Une tête de préhension 9 est fixée à l'extrémité inférieure de la broche rotative 7.7 mounted on the frame by means of bearings 8 to rotate coaxially with the drive shaft 2. A gripping head 9 is fixed to the lower end of the rotary spindle 7.
A son extrémité inférieure, l'arbre d'entraînement 2 porte une pièce d'accouplement 10 tandis qu'à son extrémité supérieure, la broche rotative 7 porte une pièce d'accouplement 11. Comme illustré par les figu- res 1 et 2, la pièce d'accouplement 10 comporte un moyeu 12 portant un bras 13 sur lequel est monté une vis 14 portant une butée 15 pour une extrémité d'un ressort 16. Une palette 17 est fixée au moyeu 12 et s'étend radiale- ment par rapport à celui-ci. Une plaque 39 est fixée au moyeu 12 perpendiculairement à celui-ci.At its lower end, the drive shaft 2 carries a coupling piece 10 while at its upper end, the rotary spindle 7 carries a coupling piece 11. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coupling piece 10 comprises a hub 12 carrying an arm 13 on which is mounted a screw 14 carrying a stop 15 for one end of a spring 16. A pallet 17 is fixed to the hub 12 and extends radially by compared to this one. A plate 39 is fixed to the hub 12 perpendicular thereto.
La pièce d'accouplement 11 comporte un moyeu 18 fixé à l'extrémité supérieure de la broche rotative 7. De façon sensiblement symétrique par rapport au bras 13, un bras 19 est fixé au moyeu 18 et supporte une vis 20 à laquelle est fixée une butée 21 pour la seconde extrémité du ressort 7. Une palette 22 est également fixée au moyeu 18 en regard de la palette 17. Au repos, comme illustré sur la figure 2, les" palettes 17 et 22 sont maintenues en appui l'une contre l'autre sous l'effet du ressort 16. Un disque 37 est monté mobile axialement sur le moyeu 12 et comporte trois tétons 38 régulièrement espacés autour de l'axe de l'arbre d'entraînement 2 et s 'étendant parallèlement à cet axe à travers des trous 40 dans la plaque 39 et prenant appui sur une plaque 41 por- tée par le moyeu 18 de la pièce d'accouplement 11. Le disque 37 est ainsi solidaire en rotation de l'arbre d'entraînement 2 tout en étant mobile axialement par rapport à celui-ci. Les tétons 38 prennent appui sur des rampes formées par les parois de cuvettes tronconiques 22 réalisées dans la face supérieure de la plaque 41. Un dé- tecteur de proximité 23 est porté par le bâti 1 en regard du disque 37 et commande un interrupteur 24 monté sur le circuit d'alimentation du moteur d'entraînement 6.The coupling part 11 comprises a hub 18 fixed to the upper end of the rotary spindle 7. In a substantially symmetrical manner relative to the arm 13, an arm 19 is fixed to the hub 18 and supports a screw 20 to which is fixed a stop 21 for the second end of the spring 7. A pallet 22 is also fixed to the hub 18 opposite the pallet 17. At rest, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the "pallets 17 and 22 are held in abutment one against the other under the effect of the spring 16. A disc 37 is mounted axially movable on the hub 12 and comprises three pins 38 regularly spaced around the axis of the drive shaft 2 and extending parallel to this axis through holes 40 in the plate 39 and bearing on a plate 41 carried by the hub 18 of the coupling piece 11. The disc 37 is thus secured in rotation to the drive shaft 2 while being movable axially with respect to it. Nipples 38 are supported on ramps formed by the walls of frustoconical bowls 22 made in the upper face of the plate 41. A proximity sensor 23 is carried by the frame 1 facing the disc 37 and controls a switch 24 mounted on the power supply circuit of the drive motor 6.
La tête de préhension 9 comporte un boîtier 25 dans lequel est monté un organe d'actionnement en forme de cloche 26 solidaire en rotation du boîtier 25 au moyen de colonnettes 27 fixées au boîtier et traversant l'organe d'actionnement 26. L'organe d'actionnement 26 est monté mobile axialement sur les colonnettes 27. L'organe d'actionnement 26 est relié par une tige d'actionnement creuse 28 à un actionneur électromagnétique 29 porté par le bâti 1. L' actionneur 29 comporte un interrupteur 42 commandé par le détecteur 23. Trois mâchoires 30 sont montées à l'intérieur de l'organe d'actionnement 26 et sont écartées les unes des autres par des ressorts 31 disposés dans des logements réalisés dans les parois en regard de deux mâchoires adjacentes (voir figure 3) .The gripping head 9 comprises a housing 25 in which is mounted a bell-shaped actuating member 26 integral in rotation with the housing 25 by means of small columns 27 fixed to the housing and passing through the actuating member 26. The member actuator 26 is mounted axially movable on the columns 27. The actuator 26 is connected by a hollow actuating rod 28 to an electromagnetic actuator 29 carried by the frame 1. The actuator 29 comprises a switch 42 controlled by the detector 23. Three jaws 30 are mounted inside the actuating member 26 and are spaced from one another by springs 31 arranged in housings made in the walls opposite two adjacent jaws (see figure 3).
La surface interne de l'organe d'actionnement 26 et la surface externe des mâchoires 30 sont tronconiques et comportent des rampes inclinées formées par le fond de gorges inclinées, respectivement 32 pour l'organe d'actionnement 26 et* 33 pour les mâchoires 30, dans lesquelles sont disposées des billes de couplage 34 qui so- lidarisent en rotation les mâchoires 30 avec l'organe d'actionnement 26 tout en permettant un mouvement axial de l'organe d'actionnement 26 par rapport aux mâchoires 30. Les mâchoires 30 sont retenues selon une direction axiale par l'extrémité inférieure des colonnettes 27 qui s'étendent en regard du bord supérieur des mâchoires 30. A cet effet, la tête de préhension comporte de préférence trois colonnettes 27 disposées selon la même position angulaire que les gorges 33.The internal surface of the actuating member 26 and the external surface of the jaws 30 are frustoconical and have inclined ramps formed by the bottom of inclined grooves, respectively 32 for the actuating member 26 and * 33 for the jaws 30 , in which are arranged coupling balls 34 which solidify in rotation the jaws 30 with the actuating member 26 while allowing an axial movement of the actuating member 26 relative to the jaws 30. The jaws 30 are retained in an axial direction by the lower end of the balusters 27 which extend opposite the upper edge of the jaws 30. For this purpose, the gripping head preferably comprises three balusters 27 arranged in the same angular position as the grooves 33.
Dans le mode de réalisation préféré illustré, le dispositif de vissage comporte en outre une tige de dé- tection de présence 35 qui s'étend dans la tige d'actionnement creuse 28 et débouche au-dessus de 1' actionneur 29 en regard d'un détecteur de proximité 36 porté par le bâti 1. Au départ d'un cycle, le moteur d'entraînement 6 est à l'arrêt et les mâchoires 30 sont écartées les unes des autres sous l'effet des ressorts 31. L'effort radial exercé par les mâchoires 30 sur les billes 34 repousse l'organe d'actionnement en forme de cloche 26 de la tête de préhension 9 comme illustré par la figure 4. L'extrémité inférieure de la tige de détection de présence de bouchons 35 s'étend entre les mâchoires 30. Lorsqu'un bouchon 43 est introduit entre les mâchoires 30, la tige de détection de présence de bouchons 35 est repoussée vers le haut comme illustré sur la figure 1 et le détecteur de proximité 36 déclenche l'alimentation de l' actionneur 29 et du moteur d'entraînement 6. L'alimentation de l' actionneur 29 provoque un mouvement vers le bas de l'organe d'actionnement en forme de cloche 26, ce qui entraîne un mouvement radial de serrage des mâchoires 30. La broche rotative 7 et la tête de préhension 9 qui lui est associée sont alors mises en rotation dans le sens du vi&sage comme illustré par la flèche en trait épais sur la figure 2. Au départ de la rotation, le couple résistant sur le bouchon est faible de sorte que l'arbre d'entraînement 2 et la broche rotative 7 forment un ensemble mobile solidaire sous l'effet de la force exercée par le ressort 16. Lorsque le couple résistant du bouchon atteint la valeur du couple d'entraînement exer- cée par la contrainte du ressort 16, la pièce d'accouplement 10 se décale en rotation par rapport à la pièce d'accouplement 11, de sorte que les tétons 38 se déplacent dans les cuvettes tronconiques 22 et déplacent le disque 37 vers le haut. Lorsque ce déplacement atteint un seuil prédéterminé, le détecteur de proximité 23 en- voie vers l'interrupteur 24 un signal qui commande l'arrêt du moteur d'entraînement 6 et l'ouverture des mâchoires 30 par désexcitation de l' actionneur 29. Le dispositif de vissage est alors prêt pour un nouveau cycle de vissage.In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the screwing device further comprises a release rod. presence detection 35 which extends into the hollow actuating rod 28 and opens out above the actuator 29 opposite a proximity detector 36 carried by the frame 1. At the start of a cycle, the motor drive 6 is stopped and the jaws 30 are spaced from each other under the effect of the springs 31. The radial force exerted by the jaws 30 on the balls 34 pushes the actuating member in the form of bell 26 of the gripping head 9 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The lower end of the plug detection rod 35 extends between the jaws 30. When a plug 43 is inserted between the jaws 30, the plug presence detection rod 35 is pushed up as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the proximity sensor 36 triggers the supply of the actuator 29 and of the drive motor 6. The supply of the actuator 29 causes a downward movement of the act organ oval bell-shaped 26, which causes a radial clamping movement of the jaws 30. The rotary spindle 7 and the gripping head 9 associated therewith are then rotated in the direction of the screw & sage as illustrated by the arrow in line thick in FIG. 2. At the start of the rotation, the resistive torque on the plug is low so that the drive shaft 2 and the rotary spindle 7 form a movable unit integral under the effect of the force exerted by the spring 16. When the resistive torque of the plug reaches the value of the drive torque exerted by the stress of the spring 16, the coupling piece 10 shifts in rotation relative to the coupling piece 11, so that the nipples 38 move in the frustoconical cups 22 and move the disc 37 upwards. When this movement reaches a predetermined threshold, the proximity detector 23 channel to the switch 24 a signal which controls the stopping of the drive motor 6 and the opening of the jaws 30 by de-excitation of the actuator 29. The screwing device is then ready for a new screwing cycle.
Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation décrit et on peut y apporter des variantes de réalisation sans sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que défini par les revendications. En particulier, bien que l'accouplement ait été illustré par un ressort de compression 26 entre la pièce d'accouplement 10 solidaire de l'arbre d'entraînement 2 et la pièce d'accouplement 11 solidaire de la broche rotative 7, on peut réaliser l'accouplement élastique par tout moyen approprié tel qu'un ressort de torsion voire même un manchon élastomère disposé entre l'arbre d'entraînement et la broche rotative.Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and it is possible to make variant embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, although the coupling has been illustrated by a compression spring 26 between the coupling piece 10 secured to the drive shaft 2 and the coupling piece 11 secured to the rotary spindle 7, it is possible to produce elastic coupling by any suitable means such as a torsion spring or even an elastomeric sleeve disposed between the drive shaft and the rotary spindle.
De même, pour la détection du décalage angulaire entre l'arbre d'entraînement 2 et la broche rotative 7, on peut utiliser tout dispositif de détection approprié en particulier des dispositifs de détection optique, par exemple en fixant des disques perforés à l'arbre d'entraînement 2 et à la broche rotative 7 et en détectant une coïncidence ou un décalage des perforations au moyen de cellules photoélectriques portées par le bâti 1. On peut également réaliser l'invention en utilisant des têtes de préhension dont l' actionneur est porté par la tête de préhension elle-même. A ce propos on notera toutefois que le dispositif selon le mode de réalisa- tion préféré de l'invention permet un fonctionnement sans utiliser de contact frottant, ce qui constitue un avantage appréciable en ce qui concerne la fiabilité de fonctionnement du dispositif.Similarly, for the detection of the angular offset between the drive shaft 2 and the rotary spindle 7, any suitable detection device can be used, in particular optical detection devices, for example by fixing perforated discs to the shaft drive 2 and to the rotary spindle 7 and by detecting a coincidence or an offset of the perforations by means of photoelectric cells carried by the frame 1. It is also possible to carry out the invention by using gripping heads whose actuator is worn by the gripping head itself. In this regard, however, it should be noted that the device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention allows operation without using a friction contact, which constitutes an appreciable advantage as regards the operating reliability of the device.
Bien que dans le mode de réalisation illustré l'entraînement soit assuré par un moteur électrique 6, on peut prévoir, en particulier dans le cas d'un carrousel de vissage rotatif, un pignon d'entraînement fixe sur lequel le pignon 4 est monté pour engrener, le bâti 1 étant alors porté par une plate-forme rotative entraînée en ro- tation par rapport au pignon fixe. Dans ce cas, le démarrage et l'arrêt en rotation de la tête de préhension 9 peuvent être commandés par un embrayage interposé en un point quelconque de la chaîne cinématique de mise en rotation de l'arbre d'entraînement 2. Dans le cas de bou- chon peu fragile on peut également maintenir la broche constamment en rotation et ouvrir les mâchoires du dispositif de préhension dès que le couple et atteint et refermer celles-ci lorsqu'un nouveau bouchon est détecté. Dans ce cas l'interrupteur 24 est supprimé et le détec- teur 23 est relié à l'interrupteur 42 seulement. Although in the illustrated embodiment the drive is provided by an electric motor 6, may provide, in particular in the case of a rotary screwing carousel, a fixed drive pinion on which the pinion 4 is mounted to mesh, the frame 1 then being carried by a rotary platform driven in rotation by compared to the fixed gear. In this case, the starting and stopping in rotation of the gripping head 9 can be controlled by a clutch interposed at any point of the kinematic chain for rotating the drive shaft 2. In the case of plug which is not very fragile it is also possible to keep the spindle constantly rotating and open the jaws of the gripping device as soon as the torque has reached and close them when a new plug is detected. In this case the switch 24 is omitted and the detector 23 is connected to the switch 42 only.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de vissage d'un bouchon (43) comprenant une tête de préhension (9) fixée à une broche ro- tative (7), et un arbre d'entraînement (2) relié à un organe moteur porté par un bâti (1) , caractérisé en ce que la broche rotative (7) et l'arbre d'entraînement (2) sont reliés coaxialement l'un à l'autre par un organe d'accouplement élastique (10, 11, 16) fixé à la broche rotative d'une part et à l'arbre d'entraînement d'autre part, et en ce que le dispositif comporte un organe de détection (37, 23) d'un mouvement de rotation relatif entre la broche rotative (7) et l'arbre d'entraînement (2), et un organe de commande (24, 42) pour interrompre le vissage du bouchon (43) lorsque le mouvement de rotation relatif atteint un seuil prédéterminé.1. Device for screwing a plug (43) comprising a gripping head (9) fixed to a rotary spindle (7), and a drive shaft (2) connected to a motor member carried by a frame ( 1), characterized in that the rotary spindle (7) and the drive shaft (2) are coaxially connected to one another by an elastic coupling member (10, 11, 16) fixed to the rotary spindle on the one hand and the drive shaft on the other hand, and in that the device comprises a detection member (37, 23) of a relative rotational movement between the rotary spindle (7) and the drive shaft (2), and a control member (24, 42) for interrupting the screwing of the plug (43) when the relative rotational movement reaches a predetermined threshold.
2. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication2. Screwing device according to claim
1, caractérisé en ce que l'organe d'accouplement élastique est un ressort (16) disposé entre deux butées (15, 21) .1, characterized in that the elastic coupling member is a spring (16) disposed between two stops (15, 21).
3. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication3. Screwing device according to claim
2, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins l'une des butées (15, 21) est réglable.2, characterized in that at least one of the stops (15, 21) is adjustable.
4. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de détection comprend au moins un disque (37) ayant une position qui est fonction d'une position angulaire relative entre l'arbre d'entraînement (2) et la broche rotative (7), et un capteur de position (23) du disque (37) . 4. Screwing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection member comprises at least one disc (37) having a position which is a function of a relative angular position between the drive shaft (2) and the rotary spindle (7), and a position sensor (23) of the disc (37).
5. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication5. Screwing device according to claim
4, caractérisé en ce que le disque (37) est solidaire en rotation de l'arbre d'entraînement (2) tout en étant mobile axialement par rapport à celui-ci et comporte des tétons de positionnement (38) prenant appui sur des ram- pes inclinées (22) fixées solidaires en rotation de la broche rotative (7) .4, characterized in that the disc (37) is integral in rotation with the drive shaft (2) while being axially movable relative to the latter and comprises positioning pins (38) bearing on ram - inclined weights (22) fixed in rotation with the rotary spindle (7).
6. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la rampe inclinée est formée par une cuvette tronconique (22) . 6. Screwing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclined ramp is formed by a frustoconical bowl (22).
7. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication7. screwing device according to claim
1, caractérisé en ce que la tête de préhension comporte un boîtier (25) fixé à la broche rotative (7) , un organe d'actionnement en forme de cloche (26) solidaire en rotation du boîtier (25) et mobile axialement par rapport à celui-ci, et des mâchoires de préhension (30) mobiles ra- dialement à l'intérieur de l'organe d'actionnement (26), l'organe d'actionnement (26) et les mâchoires (30) comportant des rampes inclinées disposées en regard les unes des autres pour transformer un mouvement axial de l'organe .d' actionnement (26) en mouvement radial des mâchoires de préhension (30) .1, characterized in that the gripping head comprises a housing (25) fixed to the rotary spindle (7), a bell-shaped actuating member (26) integral in rotation with the housing (25) and axially movable relative to to it, and gripping jaws (30) movable radially inside the actuating member (26), the actuating member (26) and the jaws (30) comprising ramps inclined arranged opposite one another to transform an axial movement of the actuating member (26) into radial movement of the gripping jaws (30).
8. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les rampes inclinées comprennent des gorges (32, 33) dans lesquelles sont disposées des billes de couplage (34) .8. Screwing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the inclined ramps include grooves (32, 33) in which are arranged coupling balls (34).
9. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la broche rotative (7) est creuse et en ce que "l'organe d'actionnement (26) est relié par une tige d'actionnement (28) s' étendant à l'intérieur de la broche rotative (7) à un actionneur (29) porté par le bâti (1) du dispositif.9. Screwing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotary spindle (7) is hollow and in that "the actuating member (26) is connected by an actuating rod (28) extending inside the rotary spindle (7) to an actuator (29) carried by the frame (1) of the device.
10. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que la tige d'actionnement (28) est creuse et une tige de détection de présence de bouchons (35) s'étend dans la tige d'actionnement (28) jusqu'à un détecteur (36) porté par le bâti (1) .10. Screwing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuating rod (28) is hollow and a rod for detecting the presence of plugs (35) extends in the actuating rod (28) up to to a detector (36) carried by the frame (1).
11. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de commande (24) d'une interruption de vissage du bouchon est disposé pour in- terrompre une rotation de l'arbre d'entraînement. 11. A screwing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control member (24) for an interruption in screwing the plug is arranged to stop rotation of the drive shaft.
12. Dispositif de vissage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de commande (42) d'une interruption de vissage du bouchon est disposé pour provoquer une ouverture de la tête de préhension. 12. A screwing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control member (42) for an interruption in screwing the plug is arranged to cause an opening of the gripping head.
EP03746843A 2002-04-22 2003-04-16 Cap screwing device Withdrawn EP1497221A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0204985A FR2838665B1 (en) 2002-04-22 2002-04-22 DEVICE FOR TIGHTENING PLUGS
FR0204985 2002-04-22
PCT/FR2003/001217 WO2003089360A1 (en) 2002-04-22 2003-04-16 Cap screwing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1497221A1 true EP1497221A1 (en) 2005-01-19

Family

ID=28686231

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03746843A Withdrawn EP1497221A1 (en) 2002-04-22 2003-04-16 Cap screwing device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6840138B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1497221A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005527436A (en)
CN (1) CN1646411A (en)
BR (1) BR0309071A (en)
FR (1) FR2838665B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003089360A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7011001B2 (en) * 2003-10-07 2006-03-14 Mode 1 Corporation Torque wrench
FR2877937B1 (en) * 2004-11-18 2007-02-09 Serac Group Soc Par Actions Si STOPPER FITTING DEVICE HAVING A MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED GRIPPER
US20080229885A1 (en) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-25 Mah Pat Y Jar opener
GB2467756B (en) * 2009-02-12 2011-01-12 Chun Ming Cheung Electric corkscrew
EP2404863A1 (en) * 2010-12-20 2012-01-11 Amax Automation AG Closing head
EP2492238A1 (en) * 2011-02-22 2012-08-29 UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GmbH & Co. KG Container closing apparatus
US8794113B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2014-08-05 Maury Microwave, Inc. RF connector torque ring and torque nut systems
EP2792598B1 (en) * 2013-04-19 2016-05-18 Mettler-Toledo GmbH Sample preparer with rotary gripper
ITTO20130644A1 (en) * 2013-07-30 2015-01-31 Arol Spa MACHINE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THREADED CONTAINER CAPSULES
EP2886508B1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2016-04-13 CTC Analytics AG Actuating device for screw-on cap
CN106553158B (en) * 2015-09-25 2019-07-30 长城汽车股份有限公司 Mouth cap attaching/detaching apparatus and mouth cap assembly and disassembly methods
IT201600085761A1 (en) * 2016-08-17 2018-02-17 Arol Spa "Self-adjusting capping spindle to apply closing elements on containers"
IT201600130755A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-23 Arol Spa DRIVE UNIT FOR CAPPING HEAD AND CAPPING HEAD USING THE SAME
CN107055433A (en) * 2017-02-22 2017-08-18 上海赛东科技有限公司 Automatic cap-rotating mechanism
CN107758588A (en) * 2017-11-23 2018-03-06 深圳北科赛动生物机器人有限公司 Cryopreservation tube batch hood-opening device

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4172397A (en) * 1975-12-05 1979-10-30 Metal Closures Limited Machine for de-capping containers
FR2580971B1 (en) * 1985-04-26 1989-11-10 Serac Sa TIGHTENING DEVICE WITH CONTROLLED TIGHTENING
US5271296A (en) * 1992-04-29 1993-12-21 Leon S. Trenholm Automated container cap remover and method
ITBO940158A1 (en) * 1994-04-13 1995-10-13 Marchesini Group S R L Ora Mar DEVICE FOR CLOSING BOTTLES AND SIMILAR BY SCREW CAPS
US5647254A (en) * 1994-08-10 1997-07-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Bevel gear driver and method having torque limit selection
JPH0947927A (en) * 1995-08-07 1997-02-18 Toyota Motor Corp Rotary actuator and screw tightening machine using the rotary actuator
US6182534B1 (en) * 1998-05-06 2001-02-06 Herbert S. Hardman Jar opener
US6148692A (en) * 1998-08-31 2000-11-21 Russell; Jerry E. Jar lid loosening device
US7024965B2 (en) * 2001-10-11 2006-04-11 Donald Tremblay Semi-automatic jar opener
US6651531B1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2003-11-25 Verdell Thornton Automated pill bottle opener

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03089360A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR0309071A (en) 2005-02-01
WO2003089360A1 (en) 2003-10-30
US6840138B2 (en) 2005-01-11
CN1646411A (en) 2005-07-27
FR2838665A1 (en) 2003-10-24
US20030196519A1 (en) 2003-10-23
FR2838665B1 (en) 2004-12-03
JP2005527436A (en) 2005-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1497221A1 (en) Cap screwing device
EP1852225B1 (en) Scara robot structure and corresponding robot
AU1602583A (en) Mattress
FR2745059A1 (en) VALVE ACTUATOR
FR3028909A3 (en) IMPROVED STRUCTURE OF LINEAR ACTUATOR
FR2561616A1 (en) AUTOMATIC LOCKING ACTUATION DEVICE AND ACTUATION ASSEMBLY COMPRISING TWO DEVICES OF THIS TYPE, ESPECIALLY FOR AVIATION
FR2837909A1 (en) Reflective mechanism for stage lamps, has rotary device mounted on mounting device and including fixed rings driven by two power devices, and reflective device with mirror frame rotatably mounted to rotary frame
FR2561070A1 (en) DRIVE MECHANISM FOR FISHING REEL
FR2754750A1 (en) TIGHTENING SPINDLE WITH ADJUSTABLE TIGHTENING TORQUE
FR2848545A1 (en) Cap screwing device, has moving unit rotating spindle to exercise eccentric drive force on spindle, and detection unit detecting applied force on spindle with respect to rotation of spindle
EP1046517B1 (en) Device to reproduce writing
EP0497711A1 (en) Security device for electrical actuator mechanism for roller shutters
FR2586777A1 (en) Servomotor, in particular for valves, equipped with a stop device
FR2792427A1 (en) Neutral point setting device for steering wheel with no axis comprises circular plate attached to two springs setting rotation of plate or of rotating ring
FR2739688A1 (en) QUICK-FITTING ROTATION DRIVE PIN, AND MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH A PIN
EP0761358B1 (en) Tapping tool used on a press
FR2893550A3 (en) Accelerator pedal actuator for motor vehicle, has support element for forming physical support on accelerator pedal, where actuator is associated to automatic fire detection system and emergency stop
FR2514067A1 (en) TRAINING DEVICE FOR BLINDS OR EQUIVALENT
FR2546538A1 (en) Needle-positioning motor for a sewing machine
WO1994002054A1 (en) Article serving as bed and seat
FR2783451A1 (en) ROBOT FOR HANDLING AN OBJECT
WO2023031279A1 (en) Self-starting food preparation apparatus
FR2756320A1 (en) Drive mechanism and end-of-course detector for motor driven roller blinds
EP0742340B1 (en) Mechanical turnstile
EP1193367A1 (en) Drilling or coring machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20041005

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

GRAJ Information related to disapproval of communication of intention to grant by the applicant or resumption of examination proceedings by the epo deleted

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSDIGR1

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20051101