EP1787739A1

EP1787739A1 - Apparatus for forming spiral steel bars

Info

Publication number: EP1787739A1
Application number: EP06009233A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samuel Runhorn Pretech Engineering Co. Ltd. Yin
Original assignee: Runhorn Pretech Engineering Co Ltd
Current assignee: Runhorn Pretech Engineering Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-04
Also published as: ATE416049T1; CN100450661C; CN1970190A; EP1787739B1; DE602006003985D1; PT1787739E

Abstract

A spiral steel bar forming apparatus comprises a bar bending device (200), a bar driving device (300) and an interval generating device (400). The bar driving device (300) and the interval generating device (400) are disposed corresponding to the bar input side (201) and the bar output side (203) of the bar bending device (200) relatively. The bar bending device (200) includes a first axis (210) and a bending part (230). The bending part (230) is movable corresponding to the first axis (210), wherein the bending part (230) is rotatable about the first axis (210) in the preferred embodiment. The bar driving device (300) is disposed corresponding to the bar input side (201) of the bar bending device (200). The interval generating device (400) is disposed corresponding to the outside of the bending device (200), wherein the interval generating device (400) is movable along the interval generating direction (410) and pushes the steel bar output from the bar bending device (200) to generate intervals. A spiral steel bar forming method comprises driving the steel bar (110), bending the steel bar (110) in a predetermined position by using a bar bending device (200); and pushing the steel bar output from the bar bending device (200) along an interval generating direction (410) to generate intervals.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a spiral steel bar forming apparatus and a spiral steel bar forming method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spiral steel bar forming apparatus and a spiral steel bar forming method for forming spiral steel bars used in civil engineering field.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Following the rising requirement of architecture structure strength, structure design engineers pay more attention to the strength provided by stirrups. They are seeking for more efficient way of construction.
Whether the construction process is in situ or pre-manufactured, stirrups are tied to main steel bar individually and gradually. However, in order to increase the manufacture efficiency and the structure strength, spiral stirrups having intervals are increasingly weighted and used by the structure design engineers. So-called spiral stirrups are spiral steel bars used with main steel bars, wherein a steel bar is bended into a continuous spiral to form the spiral steel bar. The spiral stirrups are used for positioning the main steel bars and providing shear strength. The cross-section of the spiral steel bar may be adjusted according to the practical design, commonly is in rectangular or circular shape. In addition, besides acting as stirrups, spiral steel bars may also be used as main structure frames that provide structure strength in some special structure design.
Spiral steel bars are conventionally formed by a steel bar bender, which gradually bends a straight steel bar to a spiral steel bar without intervals. Subsequently a machine dissociates the front and rear of the spiral steel bar to generate intervals. The efficiency and interval control of the forming process are both improvable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a spiral steel bar forming apparatus for efficiently forming spiral steel bars.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spiral steel bar forming apparatus with reduced yield loss.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spiral steel bar forming method to form spiral steel bars efficiently.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a bar bending device, a bar driving device and an interval generating device. The bar driving device and the interval generating device are disposed corresponding to the bar input side and the bar output side of the bar bending device relatively.
The bar bending device further includes a first axis and a bending part. The bending part is movable corresponding to the first axis, wherein the bending part is rotatable about the first axis in the preferred embodiment. The bar driving device is disposed corresponding to the bar input side of the bar bending device. The interval generating device is disposed corresponding to the outside of the bending device, wherein the interval generating device is movable along the interval generating direction and push the steel bar output from the bar bending device to generate interval.
In a preferred embodiment, the spiral steel bar forming device further comprises a straightening device, a turning device, and a supporting device. The straightening device is preferably disposed between the bar driving device and the bar bending device, where in the straightening device straightens the steel bar before it enters the bar bending device. The turning device includes a second axis and is disposed corresponding to an outside of the bar bending device. The turning device is turnable corresponding to the second axis and overturns the spiral steel bar in accordance with a movement of the bar bending device. A supporting device is disposed abreast of the turning device. The supporting device supports the spiral steel bar overturned by the turning device. The supporting device includes a spiral steel bar driving device. The spiral steel bar driving device is movably disposed on the supporting device for driving the spiral steel bar toward the turning device. The spiral steel bar driving device simultaneously drives the spiral steel bar toward the turning device in accordance with the driving of the steel bar.
The spiral steel bar forming method of the present invention comprises driving the steel bar, bending the steel bar in a predetermined position by using a bar bending device, and pushing the steel bar output from the bar bending device along the interval generating direction to generate an interval. The driving of the steel bar is simultaneous in accordance with the driving of the formed spiral steel bar on the supporting device. The bending step includes synchronously turning the formed spiral steel bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the spiral steel bar forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a side view of embodiment shown is FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 3a to 3f are schematic views showing the cooperative movement of the bar bending device and the interval generating device.
FIGURES 4a to 4d are schematic views showing the movement of the turning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a spiral steel bar forming apparatus and a spiral steel bar forming method. In a preferred embodiment, the formed spiral steel bars are used as stirrups of a construction structure. In another embodiment, however, the formed spiral steel bars may be used as other units of a construction structure.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus comprises a bar bending device 200, a bar driving device 300, and an interval generating device 400. With reference to FIG. 1, the bar bending device 200 includes a bar input side 201 and a bar output side 203. The bar driving device 300 is disposed corresponding to the bar input side 201 of the bar bending device 200. The interval generating device 400 is disposed corresponding to the bar output side 203 of the bar bending device 200. The meaning of "disposed corresponding to" includes but doesn't limit to direct contact and alignment positioning. It also includes the sequence relation for processing the steel bar 110.
The bar bending device 200 further includes a first axis 210 and a bending part 230. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the bending part 230 is rotatable about the first axis 210 to bend the steel bar 110. In another embodiment, the bending part 230 can move in different ways corresponding to the first axis 210, such as moving along the vertical direction. In a preferred embodiment, the bar bending device 200 bends the steel bar 110 to 90 degrees to form a spiral steel bar 130 having a rectangular cross section shape. In another embodiment, the bar bending device 200 bends the steel bar 110 to different degrees to form spiral steel bars with demanded cross section shape.
The bar driving device 300 drives the steel bar 110 into the bar input side 201 of the bar bending device 200. With reference to FIG. 1, the bar driving device 300 includes a driving wheel 310 and a driving motor 330. The driving motor 330 provides a driving force. It is acceptable in another embodiment to dispose the driving motor of the bar driving device 300 in the center of the steel bar coil.
As FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show, the interval generating device 400 includes a block with a plane. The interval generating device 400 is disposed corresponding to the bar output side 203 of the bar bending device 200 and is movable along the interval generating direction 410. The interval generating device 400 pushes the steel bar 110 output from the bar output side 203 of the bar bending device 200 along the interval generating direction 410 to generate appropriate intervals. The cross-section shape of interval generating device may be change to equally distribute the pushing force. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cross-section shape of interval generating device 400 is a polygon having a nick. The interval generating direction 410 is preferably perpendicular to the driving direction of the steel bar 110. In another embodiment, however, the interval generating direction 410 meets the driving direction of the steel bar 110 at different angles to generate different forms and intervals.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus further comprises a straightening device 600, a turning device 700, and a supporting device 800. With reference to FIG. 1, the straightening device 600 is preferably disposed between the bar driving device 300 and the bar bending device 200. In another embodiment, however, it is also appropriate to dispose the straightening device 600 corresponding to a front end of the bar driving device 300. In a preferred embodiment, the straightening device 600 includes vertical straightening part and horizontal straightening part which respectively straighten the steel bar 110 in vertical and horizontal directions by using the rollers.
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the turning device 700 includes a second axis 710 and is disposed corresponding to an outside of the bar bending device 200. The turning device 700 is turnable corresponding to the second axis 710 and overturns the spiral steel bar 130 in accordance with a movement of the bar bending device 200. In a preferred embodiment, the turning device 700 overturns the rectangular cross-section shaped spiral steel bar 130 to 90 degrees each time. In another embodiment, however, the turning device 700 overturns the spiral steel bars to different degrees in accordance with the different cross-section shapes of the spiral steel bars. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second axis 710 is along a side of the turning device 700 and parallel to the first axis 210. The turning device 700 extends along the interval generating direction 410.
The turning device 700 further includes a positioning device 730 movably connecting to the turning device 700. The positioning device 730 contacts and positions the spiral steel bar 130 when the turning device 700 overturns the spiral steel bar 130. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the positioning device 730 includes a positioning base 731 and a positioning rod 733. The positioning base 731 is movably disposed on the turning device 700 and extends along the interval generating direction 410. The positioning rod 733 is rotatably disposed on the positioning base 731. When the turning device 700 overturns, the positioning base 731 moves to adjoin the spiral steel bar 130. In the meantime, the positioning rod 733 rotates to restrict the spiral steel bar 130. The quantity and the arrangement of the positioning rod 733 may be modified in accordance with the real demand.
With reference to FIG. 1, a supporting device 800 is disposed abreast of the turning device 700. The supporting device 800 supports the spiral steel bar 130 overturned by the turning device 700. The supporting device 800 includes a supporting carriage 810 and a spiral steel bar driving device 830. The spiral steel bar driving device 830 is movably disposed on the supporting carriage 810 for driving the spiral steel bar 110 toward the turning device 700. The spiral steel bar driving device 830 simultaneously drives the spiral steel bar 130 toward the turning device 700 in accordance with the driving of the steel bar 110. The spiral steel bar driving device 830 further includes a driving plate 831 which is perpendicular to the supporting carriage 810. The driving plate 831 is capable of moving toward the turning device 700.
FIGS. 3a to 3f show the cooperative movement of the bar bending device 200 and the interval generating device 400. With reference to FIG. 3a, the spiral steel bar forming method of the present invention comprises driving the steel bar 110, followed by bending the steel bar 110 in a predetermined position by using a bar bending device 200 as shown in FIG. 3b. In the preferred embodiment, the bending part 230 of the bending device 200 rotates about the first axis 210 to bend the steel bar 110.
With reference to FIG. 3b, the interval generating device 400 pushes the steel bar 110 outward from the bar bending device 200 along the interval generating direction 410 to generate an interval. In the preferred embodiment, the interval generating device 400 pushes the bended proportion of the steel bar 110 to generate a displacement on a vertical plane. In another embodiment, however, a displacement on a horizontal plane is generated if the interval generating device 400 pushes the steel bar 110 in the period between finished driving step and unfinished bending step of the steel bar 110. The above illustration shows the interval generating step may be arranged before or after the driving step and the bending step in accordance with the desired form of the generated interval.
FIGS. 3c to 3f repeat the driving step, the bending step and the interval generating step to form a rectangular cross-section shaped spiral steel bar. In another embodiment, different cross-section shaped spiral steel bar can be formed by adjusting the bending angle of the bar bending device 200.
FIGS. 4a to 4d show the movement of the turning device 700. With reference to FIG. 4a, the spiral steel bar forming method of the present invention further comprises moving the positioning base 731 next to the spiral steel bar 130 and rotating the positioning rod 733 to position the spiral steel bar 130. The spiral steel bar driving device 830 is now in the rear side of the supporting carriage 810.
With reference to FIG. 4b, the turning device 700 turns corresponding to the second axis 710 to overturn the formed spiral steel bar 130. In the preferred embodiment, the turning step and the bending step of the bar bending device 200 are synchronously proceeded.
With reference to FIG. 4c, the positioning rod 733 rotates to release the spiral steel bar 130. The spiral steel bar driving device 830 now drives forward to contact the overturned spiral steel bar 130. It is notable that the releasing of the positioning rod 733 is not necessarily synchronous with the driving of the spiral steel bar driving device 830. However, it is benefit to shorten the time of the total process if the releasing of the positioning rod 733 is synchronous with the driving of the spiral steel bar driving device 830.
With reference to FIG. 4d, the turning device 700 turns corresponding to the second axis 710 to return to its original position. After the turning device 700 returns, the spiral steel bar driving device 830 drives the spiral steel bar 130 in accordance with the driving of the steel bar 110.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

A spiral steel bar forming apparatus for forming a spiral steel bar having intervals by deforming a steel bar, said spiral steel bar forming apparatus comprising:
a bar bending device having a first axis, a bending part, a bar input side, and a bar output side, wherein said bending part is movable corresponding to said first axis;

a bar driving device disposed corresponding to said bar input side of said bar bending device; and

an interval generating device disposed corresponding to said bar output side of said bar bending device, wherein said interval generating device is movable along the interval generating direction.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bending part is rotatable about said first axis.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a turning device including a second axis and disposed corresponding to an outside of said bar bending device, wherein said turning device is turnable corresponding to said second axis and overturns said spiral steel bar in accordance with a movement of said bar bending device.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein said turning device includes a positioning device movably connecting to said turning device and contacting said spiral steel bar when said turning device overturns said spiral steel bar.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein said positioning device includes a positioning base movably disposed on said turning device and a positioning rod rotatably disposed on said positioning base.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a supporting device disposed abreast of said turning device, wherein said supporting device supports said spiral steel bar overturned by said turning device.
The spiral s teel bar forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein said supporting device includes a spiral steel bar driving device movably disposed on said supporting device for driving said spiral steel bar toward said turning device.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 7, wherein said spiral steel bar driving device includes a driving plate vertically disposed on said supporting device, said driving plate is capable of moving toward said turning device.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a straightening device disposed between said bar driving device and said bar bending device.
The spiral steel bar forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bar driving device includes a driving wheel for driving said steel bar.