EP2349605B1 - Apparatus and method for producing springs - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for producing springs according to the preamble of claim 1, and to an apparatus for producing springs according to the preamble of claim 9.

State of the art

From the prior art pocket springs designed as multiple compression springs for mattresses or other reclining and seat cushions are known. Under a multiple compression spring, for example, a pair of springs understood, which includes an outer spring and an inner spring. The inner spring is arranged parallel to the outer spring and is surrounded by the latter. In the field of pocket springs for mattresses, the inner spring is usually chosen slightly shorter than the outer spring.

For example, the shows US 2,631,840 Such a multiple compression spring, wherein the inner spring are connected to the outer spring in the lower region.

The generic DE-A1-195 06 422 discloses the manufacture of springs according to the preamble of claims 1 and 9.

A disadvantage of known from the prior art compression springs that the manufacturing process and also the manufacturing devices do not bring the desired efficiency with it.

Presentation of the invention

Based on this prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a method and a device which is able to produce a spring for mattresses or other reclining and seat cushions in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a spring is made of a spring wire. In this case, windings of a first spring part are produced, with these produced turns moving in a first direction. Subsequently, windings of a second spring part are produced, wherein these turns produced in a different from the first direction, in particular to move in the opposite, second direction.

With such a method, a spring with a plurality of spring parts can be produced in a simple manner. The spring parts can be arranged such that they prevail in whole or in part. In particular, it is possible to produce with such a method double springs of any shape, diameter, pitch and / or number of turns.

The first direction and the second direction preferably run parallel to the respective center axis of the first and the second spring part. In the production of the first spring part of this is thus moved in the direction of its central axis in the first direction, while extending the second spring member in the direction of its central axis in the second direction. The turns of the first spring part and the second spring part preferably extend in the same direction of rotation, ie either clockwise or counterclockwise. According to the invention, the spring wire is fed to a forming roller and a first deflecting element, so that the turns of the first spring part are produced in such a way that they move in the first direction along a first central axis. Subsequently, the first deflecting element is changed by a second deflecting element, so that the turns of the second spring part are produced in such a way that they move along a second central axis in the second direction.

When changing from the first deflecting element to the second deflecting element, the forming roller is preferably pivoted, whereby a transition section is formed from the end turns of the first spring part or of the second spring part, via which the first spring part is connected to the second spring part. About the transition portion of the first spring member is connected to the second spring member, so that a one-piece spring is produced.

Preferably, to change the pitch of the first spring member, the first deflecting member is displaced relative to the forming roller, and / or changing the pitch of the second spring member, the second deflecting member is displaced relative to the forming roller. As a result, both the first spring part and the second spring part with a on the respective Length of varying pitch be formed.

To change the diameter of the first spring part and / or the second spring part, the forming roller is moved. Thereby, both the first spring part and the second spring part may be formed with a varying over the respective length diameter, which allows the production of a spring of any shape or shape.

Preferably, the spring wire is deflected by a guide element in the direction of forming roller prior to hitting the forming roller, wherein the guide deflects the spring wire only until a first complete turn is formed. By this deflection, the spring wire can be fed at a higher speed, which speeds up the production.

After leaving the forming roller and / or the deflecting elements, the spring wire is preferably deflected by a further guide element in the first or second direction, wherein the further guide element deflects the spring wire until at least one first complete turn is formed.

Preferably, the spring is formed as a multiple compression spring, wherein the first spring member is an inner compression spring member and wherein the second spring member is an outer compression spring member. The inner compression spring part is arranged within the outer compression spring part. The inner compression spring part is surrounded by the outer compression spring part. Preferably, the inner compression spring part is shorter with respect to the central axis than the outer compression spring part.

Preferably, in addition to the first spring part and the second spring part, a third, fourth, fifth or sixth spring part is produced.

Windings of a first spring part can be produced by means of a forming unit by means of a device for producing a spring from a spring wire, wherein these turns produced are movable in a first direction. Subsequently, windings of a second spring part with the forming unit can be produced, wherein these turns produced in a different from the first direction, in particular opposite, second Direction are movable. According to the invention, the forming unit comprises at least one forming roller, a first deflecting element and a second deflecting element. The spring wire can be fed to the forming roller, wherein the forming roller transforms the spring wire. The first deflecting element is provided for prescribing the pitch of the first spring part and the second deflecting element for prescribing the pitch of the second spring part. The first deflecting element and the second deflecting element are movable from a rest position to an operative position, in which the deflecting elements deflect the spring wire such that the turns of the first spring part are movable in the first direction, and in that the turns of the second spring part in the second Direction are movable.

Preferably, the first deflecting element and the second deflecting element are displaceable relative to the forming roller, whereby the pitch of the respective spring part is adjustable. During a shift during the production of the respective spring part, the pitch of this spring part can be made variable over its length.

Preferably, the forming roller is pivotally arranged, so that the diameter of the respective spring part is variable. In a pivoting during the production of the respective spring member, the diameter of each spring member can be made variable over its length. Thereby, the spring member may be formed with any shape.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Short description of the drawing

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer mehrfachen Druckfeder;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben von relevanten Elementen einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung einer mehrfachen Druckfeder gemäss der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 3 - 8

perspektivische Ansichten der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1 in mehreren Verfahrensschritten.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a multiple compression spring;

Fig. 2

a top perspective view of relevant elements of a device for producing a multiple compression spring according to the present invention; and

Fig. 3 - 8

perspective views of the device according to FIG. 1 in several steps.

Description of preferred embodiments

With reference to the drawings, possible embodiments will be described. The drawings and the description illustrate preferred embodiments and should not be construed to limit the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Hereinafter, the term "multiple spring" is used. By a multiple spring is meant any spring comprising a plurality of interconnected individual spring members. The individual spring parts have different diameters, which makes it possible to arrange the individual spring parts into one another. In other words, it can also be said that a multiple spring is understood to mean a spring which comprises a plurality of spring parts arranged one inside the other and connected to one another. The spring parts may have different or equal lengths. Such springs are used for example as multiple pocket springs in a corresponding pocket spring strips for mattresses or other reclining and seat cushions. Hereinafter, the device and the method for producing a spring will be explained by way of example with reference to the double compression spring 1.

In the FIG. 1 a multiple spring is shown as a double compression spring 1. The double compression spring 1 essentially comprises an inner compression spring or a first spring part 10 with a first center axis 11 and an outer compression spring connected to the inner compression spring 10 and a second spring part 12 with a second central axis 13. The inner compression spring 10 is within the arranged outside the compression spring 12, wherein the first central axis 11 extends substantially parallel to the second central axis 13, more preferably, the two central axes 11, 13 are collinear with each other. The inner compression spring 10 has a smaller outer diameter than the outer compression spring 12.

The inner compression spring 10 or the first spring part comprises a first, preferably free, end 14, which is adjoined by the inner spring coils 15. The inner spring coils 15 pass via a transition section 16, which is formed by the end turns of the respective compression spring 10, 12, into the outer spring coils 17 of the outer compression spring 12. The transition section 16 is located in the direction of the central axis 11 as seen from the first end 14. The diameter of the transition section 16 increases from the end of the last inner spring coil 15 to the beginning of the first outer spring coil 17 and the second spring member continuously. The outer spring coils 17 of the outer compression spring 12 thus extend from the transition section 16 in the direction of the second central axis 13 to the second, preferably free, end 18. The outer compression spring 12 and the inner compression spring 10 are integrally connected with each other.

Preferably, a multiple compression spring 1 is composed of a plurality of compression springs 11, 12, wherein the compression springs 11, 12 are each formed via a transition section 16, so that the multiple compression spring 1 is integrally formed.

Preferably, the inner compression spring 10 is shorter than the outer compression spring 12. When loaded on the outer compression spring 12 in the region of the second end 18, the outer compression spring 12 is compressed in a first step. The outer compression spring 12 is thus compressed at a first spring rate. If the outer compression spring 12 is compressed so far that it has the length of the inner compression spring 10 and the load stops, the inner spring 10 is also compressed, wherein the outer compression spring 12 and the inner compression spring 10 are then connected in parallel. The spring rate is then composed of the first spring rate of the outer compression spring 12 and the spring rate of the inner compression spring 10.

In other embodiments, the multiple compression spring may include additional springs such that three, four, five, or six or more compression springs are disposed one inside the other. These compression springs are integrally formed and may have different or equal lengths.

The slope of the inner compression spring 10 and the outer compression spring 12 can over the entire spring length to be constant. Alternatively, the pitch can also be variable over the length. Furthermore, the inner compression spring 10 may have a different pitch than the outer compression spring.

Preferably, the inner compression spring 10 and the outer compression spring 12 are cylindrical. But it is also conceivable to form the springs barrel-shaped or conical. Particularly preferably, the inner compression spring 10 is cylindrical or conical, while the outer compression spring 12 is barrel-shaped.

In the FIG. 2 shown essential parts of an apparatus for producing a multiple compression spring described herein. It should be noted at this point that the device is quite capable of producing other compression springs, such as a simple compression spring with constant or variable pitch and / or constant or variable diameter.

The device for producing compression springs, in particular of multiple compression springs, essentially comprises a feed unit 2, a forming unit 3, a cutting unit 4 and a guide unit 5.

The feed unit 2 is used to supply the spring wire 6 to the forming unit 3. By the forming unit 3, the spring wire 6 is formed to multiple compression spring 1. By means of the cutting unit 4, the multiple compression spring 1 is separated from the spring wire 6 after the forming process. The guide unit 5 serves to guide the multiple compression spring 1 during the forming process.

The feed unit 2 comprises pairs of rollers 21, which give the spring wire 6 by rotation R the propulsion, and an insertion section 23 which feeds the spring wire 6 of the forming unit 3 at the corresponding position.

The rollers 21 each comprise on their surface a respective groove 22 in which the spring wire 6 is guided. The upper roller 21 rotates here in a clockwise direction, while the lower roller 21 rotates counterclockwise, so that the spring wire 6 placed between the two rollers 21 is advanced in the direction of the insertion section 23. The introduction route 23 essentially has an opening 24 extending through the insertion path 23, through which the spring wire 6 is advanced. As soon as the spring wire has left the opening 24, this hits the forming unit 3. The opening 24 provides with its central axis a reference axis A, along which the spring wire 6 runs.

The forming unit or spring wind unit 3 essentially comprises a forming roller 30 with a forming groove 31, and a first deflecting element 32 and a second deflecting element 33. The forming roller 30 influences the diameter of the compression spring to be wound, while the deflecting elements 32, 33 influence the pitch of the compression spring.

The forming roller 30 is arranged to the opening 24, that the spring wire 6 meets the Umformrille 31, so that the spring wire 6 is deflected along a circular path and thereby the compression spring 1 is formed. A plane which extends parallel to the reference axis A and through the center M of the forming roller 30 can be defined as the principal plane H. The forming roller 30 can be positioned relative to the reference axis A of the opening 24 with the main plane H or with the center M. Due to the relative positioning of the diameter of the compression spring is adjusted. The main plane H is preferably horizontal.

In addition, a reference plane is defined here, which essentially runs through the forming groove 31 and through the reference axis A. From this reference plane extends in one direction to the rear a direction B and in the other direction to the front, a direction C. In the present embodiment, the inner compression spring 10 in the direction B and the outer compression spring 12 is advanced or moved in the direction C. ,

The forming roller 30 is preferably movable via a pivoting movement in the reference plane.

The deflecting elements 32, 33 serve to deflect the spring wire after it has been reshaped by the forming groove 31. Both deflection elements 32, 33 are cylindrical here and can be moved along the respective central axis. Preferably, the deflecting elements 32, 33 are moved by a respective pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The baffles 32, 33 are from a rest position into one Actuation position movable. The operative position is defined as the position at which the spring wire 6 is in contact with the corresponding deflector 32, 33. The spring wire 6 is in contact with either the first deflecting element 32 or the second deflecting element 33. In the FIG. 2 the deflecting element 32 is in the operative position. Preferably, the deflecting elements 32, 33 are arranged parallel to one another. Both deflection elements 32, 33 each comprise a deflection surface 35, 36, by means of which the spring wire 6 is deflected.

If the first deflecting element 32 is arranged in its operative position, the compression spring 10 is wound along the first central axis 11, with the turns of the produced first compression spring 10 in this case moving or extending in the direction B. The direction B is substantially perpendicular to the central axis A and parallel to the main plane H of the deflection surface 35 of the first deflector 32 and from the reference plane to the rear.

Subsequently, the second deflecting element 33 is arranged in operative position, so that the compression spring 12 wound along the second central axis 13, wherein the turns of the produced second compression spring 12 in this case moves or extends in the direction C. The direction C is substantially perpendicular to the central axis A and parallel to the main plane H of the deflection surface 36 of the second deflection element 33 and from the reference plane to the front.

Both the first deflecting element 32 and the second deflecting element 33 are offset in the operative position from the reference plane in the direction in which the compression spring is to extend. Due to the distance between the reference plane or forming groove 31 and deflecting surface 35, 36 of the respective deflecting element 32, 33, the pitch of the compression spring is predetermined. The function of the deflection elements 32, 33 will be explained below with the other figures in detail.

Optionally, the forming unit 3 comprises a guide element 38, which can be referred to as the upper guide element 38. The upper guide element 38 has a guide surface 380, which presses the spring wire 6 directly after exiting the opening 24 in the corresponding direction, so that the spring wire already slightly preformed on the Umformrille 31st meets. The guide surface 380 is at an angle to the reference axis A. The position of the guide element 38, in which the spring wire 6 is deflected by the guide element 38, can be referred to as the active position. Once the spring wire is in contact with the forming roller 30, the guide member 38 is withdrawn, and then it is no longer with the spring wire 6 in engagement and is in the rest position.

Furthermore, the forming unit 3 preferably comprises a further guide element 37, which may be referred to as the lower guide element 37. The lower guide element 37 is viewed in the direction of the spring winding, arranged after the two deflecting elements 32, 33. The lower guide member 37 engages in the first turn of the compression spring supportive to specify or support the direction in which the compression spring should extend. The guide element 37 is then in the operative position and can be moved by this in a rest position.

The cutting unit 4 (see FIG. 8 ) is substantially perpendicular to the reference axis A and at an angle to the directions B and C. The cutting unit 4 essentially comprises a cutting tool 40 with a cutting blade 41, which cuts through the spring wire after winding in the region of the opening 24. For this purpose, the cutting tool 40 is moved so that it exceeds the axis A during the severing of the spring wire 6 with the cutting blade 41.

The guide unit 5 here essentially comprises a rear guide pin 50 and a front guide pin, which is not shown here. The two guide pins 50 are movable parallel to the center axes of the inner compression spring 10 and the outer compression spring 12 and to the reference axes B and C. During the forming process, the two guide pins 50 protrude into the region of the resulting compression spring, so that vibrations of the compression spring can be absorbed by the guide pins. Alternatively, only one guide pin, preferably the rear guide pin 50, may be provided. Preferably, the guide pin 50 protrudes through the spring so that it does not touch the spring, but supports, if the spring is vibrated. For this purpose, the guide pin 50 has a diameter which is smaller than the smallest diameter of the inner compression spring 10.

In an alternative embodiment, in which a front and a rear guide mandrel is arranged, the rear guide mandrel may be fixed, ie immovable, arranged, and the front guide pin can be moved relative to the rear guide pin.

The FIGS. 3 to 8 show the preparation of an input described multiple compression spring.

In a first step, as in FIG. 3 is shown, fed to the spring wire 6 via the feed unit 2 of the forming unit 3. In this case, the front end of the spring wire 6 strikes the forming groove 31 in the forming roll 30. The forming roll 30 is placed relative to the opening 24 so that the spring wire 6 strikes the forming roll 31 below the horizontal main plane H. As a result, the spring wire as in the FIG. 3 shown deflected from the main plane H downwards.

The spring wire 6 strikes the deflecting surface 35 of the first deflecting element 32 after being deflected by the forming groove 31. The first deflecting element 32 stands in its operative position or in the forward position and is arranged relative to the opening 24 and the forming groove 31 such that the Deflection surface 35 in the direction in which the spring wire 6 is to be wound, is arranged offset by a certain distance. The distance corresponds essentially to the pitch of the spring. In other words, it can also be said that the deflection surface 35 is offset from the reference plane in the direction of the direction B.

Before the impact of the spring wire 6 on the forming unit 3, the spring wire 6 is guided by means of the upper guide element 38 accordingly. In the FIG. 3 It is shown that the upper guide element 38 with its chamfered surface 380, the spring wire 6 in the direction of forming roll 30 preformed. This has a positive effect on the precision and performance of the machine, as the spring wire is advanced at a higher speed. As soon as the spring wire 6 is in contact with the forming roller 30, the upper guide element 38 is moved away from the corresponding location. Arrow 381 represents the direction of movement of the upper guide element 38.

As soon as the spring wire 6 with the first end 14 has left the deflection surface 35, the spring wire 6 strikes the optionally arranged lower guide element 37. The lower guide element 37 is substantially cylindrical and comprises a conical tip 370 and a lateral surface 371 is further deflected by this guide element 37 through the conical tip 370 or the lateral surface 371 and continue to support the already provided by the deflection surface 35 direction specification of the spring wire 6. The lower guide element 37 is withdrawn along its central axis 372 from the operative position to the rest position as soon as the spring wire has been guided in the corresponding direction, here the direction B.

Before, during or after the impact of the spring wire 6 on the Umformrille 31 also the rear guide pin 50 is advanced forward in the direction of the reference plane. In an alternative embodiment, the guide pin 50 may already be in the front region when the spring wind process begins. The guide pin 50 essentially serves to guide the compression spring to prevent it from being vibrated during manufacture.

In the FIG. 4 is now shown that in a further propulsion of the spring wire, this is transformed so that the inner compression spring 10 is formed. In the FIG. 4 the inner compression spring 10 is shown with a first handling. In this figure, it can now be seen that the winding of the inner compression spring 10 during manufacture along the direction B extends from the reference plane to the rear. When viewed in the direction B, the front end 14 moves in the counterclockwise direction.

The propulsion of the spring wire stops until the desired length of the inner compression spring 10 is reached.

During the deformation of the spring wire 6 to the inner compression spring 10, the first deflecting element 32 is movable relative to the reference axis A and the forming roller 31. Thereby, the pitch of the spring for each section can be individually predetermined. In other words, this means that the distance between the reference plane and the deflection surface 35 is proportional to the pitch of the inner compression spring 10.

The FIG. 5 shows the inner compression spring 10, which has reached the predefined length. In a next step, the first deflecting element 32 is now moved from the operative position to the rest position and the second deflecting element 33 is moved from the rest position to the operative position. The movement of the respective deflection elements 32, 33 takes place along the corresponding central axis. This step will be in the FIG. 6 shown in more detail. In the FIG. 6 the directional change is shown before production of the outer compression spring 12. During the change of direction essentially fall to two different processes. On one hand, the forming roller 30 is pivoted away along a circular movement from the position for producing the inner compression spring 10 to the position for producing the outer compression spring 12. This is represented by arrow W. During the pivoting away of the forming roller 30 of the transition portion 16, which connects the inner compression spring 10 with the outer compression spring 12 is formed.

On the other hand, the first deflecting member 32 engaged with the spring wire 6 is retracted from the operative position to the rest position, and the second deflecting member 33 is advanced from the rest position to the operative position. From now on, the spring wire 6 abuts against the deflection surface 36 of the second deflection element 33. Due to the relative arrangement between the reference axis B and the deflection surface 36, the spring wire is now guided in the direction B opposite to the direction C.

In the FIG. 7 the further progress of the spring production is shown. The spring wire 6 is now advanced until the desired spring length of the outer compression spring 12 is reached.

As already mentioned in connection with the inner compression spring 10, the pitch and / or the diameter of the outer compression spring 12 can be changed in a simple manner during the manufacturing process.

The slope is changed by the relative positioning of the second deflection element 33 and the deflection surface 36 to the reference axis A and Umformrille 31. For this purpose, the second deflecting element 33 is pushed in the direction B or C backwards or forwards.

This increases the distance between the reference plane and the deflection surface, when the deflector shifts in direction C and smaller as the deflector shifts in direction B.

The diameter is adjusted by pivoting the forming roller 30 along the direction W.

Furthermore, in the FIG. 7 seen that the guide pin 50 is still in the forward position and the compression spring 1 performs accordingly. During manufacture of the outer compression spring 12, the guide pin 50 is slid forward along the direction C to guide the multiple compression spring 1. Thus, it is prevented that the multiple compression spring 1 is vibrated during manufacture. Alternatively, instead of the rear guide pin, a front guide pin is also fed against the direction C from the front side. This has the advantage that the time required to retract the guide pins from the compression spring 1 is smaller than when only a single guide pin is present.

The FIG. 8 shows the last step of the manufacturing process, in which case the cutting unit 4 with the cutting blade 40 separates the compression spring 1 of spring wire 6. With this process, the second end 18 is formed at the same time. Before the cutting operation, the spring is gripped by a known from the prior art gripper element and can then be carried away after the cutting process.

After the cutting operation, the second deflecting element 33 is withdrawn from the effective range and the first deflecting element 32 is advanced into the effective range, so that the starting position is restored. At the same time, the forming roller 30 is brought into the position in which the inner compression spring 10 can be wound.

It is an advantage of the present device and the present method that a spring can be produced whose pitch and diameter over the length of the spring is freely adjustable, with a spring of any shape can be produced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

feather

2

feed

3

Forming

4

cutting unit

5

Guide unit

6

spring wire

10

inner spring part

11

first central axis

12

outer spring part

13

second central axis

14

first end

15

spring coils

16

Transition section

17

spring coils

18

second end

21

role

22

groove

23

insertion distance

24

opening

30

forming roller

31

Umformrille

32

first deflecting element

33

second deflecting element

35

deflecting

36

deflecting

37

lower guide element

38

Upper guide element

40

cutting tool

41

cutting blade

50

front guide pin

370

conical tip

371

lateral surface

372

central axis

380

baffle

381

movement direction

A

Central axis spring wire

B

direction

C

direction

H

main level

R

direction of rotation

M

Focus

W

Swiveling movement forming roller

Claims (15)

1. A method for producing a spring (1) from a spring wire (6) wherein coils of a first spring part (10) are produced, wherein these produced coils move in a first direction (B), and wherein coils of a second spring part (12) are produced thereafter, wherein these produced coils move in a second, in particular opposite direction (C) different from the first direction, characterised in that the spring wire (6) is fed to a forming roller (30) and to a first deflection element (32), so that the coils of the first spring part (10) are produced such that these move along a first center axis (11) in the first direction (B), wherein the first deflection element (32) is being exchanged by a second deflection element (33) thereafter, so that the coils of the second spring part (12) are produced such that these move along a second center axis (13) in the second direction (C).
2. The method of the preceding claim, characterised in that during a changeover from the first deflection element (32) to the second deflection element (33) the forming roller(30) is pivoted, forming a transition portion (16) from the end coils of the first spring part (10) and the second spring part (12), by which the first spring part (10) is connected to the second spring part (12).
3. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that altering the pitch of the first spring part (10) comprises displacing the first deflection element (32) relative to the forming roller (30), and/or altering the pitch of the second spring part (12) comprises displacing the second deflection element (33) relative to the forming roller (30).
4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that altering the diameter of the first spring part (10) and/or the second spring part (12) comprises moving the forming roller (30).
5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring wire (6) is diverted by a guide element (38) before it impinges on the forming roller (30) in the direction of the forming roller (30), wherein the guide element (38) diverts the spring wire (6) only until such time as a first complete coil is formed.
6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring wire (6) is diverted by a further guide element (37) in the first or second direction (B, C) after leaving the forming roller and/or the first and second deflection elements (32, 33), wherein the further guide element (37) diverts the spring wire until such time as at least a first complete coil is formed.
7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spring (1) is formed as a multiple compression spring, wherein the first spring part (10) is an inner compression spring part (10) and the second spring part (12) is an outer compression spring part (12), wherein the inner compression spring part (10) is disposed within the outer compression spring part (12).
8. The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition to the first spring part (10) and the second spring part (12) a third, four, fifth or sixth spring part is produced.
9. An apparatus for producing a spring (1) from a spring wire (6), comprising a forming unit (3) adapted to produce:

   - the coils of the first spring part (10), wherein these produced coils are movable in a first direction (B), and thereafter:

   - the coils of the second spring part (12), wherein these produced coils are movable in a second, in particular opposite, direction (C) different from the first direction, characterised in that:

   - the forming unit (3) comprises at least one forming roller (30), a first deflection element (32), a second deflection element (33) and an exchange unit for exchanging the deflection elements (32, 33),

   - the apparatus comprises a feeder unit, by which the spring wire (6) can be fed to the forming roller (30) and the first deflection element (32),

   - the exchange unit is adapted to exchange the first deflection element (32) and the second deflection element (33), so that when using the first deflection element (32) the coils of the first spring part (10) are produceable such that these move along a first center axis (11) in the first direction (B), and wherein if the first deflection element (32) is exchanged by the second deflection element (33) thereafter, the coils of the second spring part (12) are produceable such that these move along a second center axis (13) in the second direction (C).
10. The apparatus of claim 9, characterised in that the first deflection element (32) is arranged to define a pitch of the first spring part (10), and the second deflection element (33) is arranged to define a pitch of the second spring part (12).
11. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 10, characterised by means for moving the first deflection element (32) and the second deflection element (33) from a rest position into an active position, in which the deflection elements (32, 33) respectively deflect the spring wire (6) such that the coils of the first spring part (10) are movable in a first direction (B), and that the coils of the second spring part (12) are movable in a second direction (C).
12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised by means for displacing the first deflection element (32) and the second deflection element (33) with respect to the forming roller (30), whereby the pitch of the respective spring part (10, 12) is adjustable.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised by means for pivoting the forming roller (30), so that the diameter of the respective spring part (10, 12) is variable.
14. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 13, characterised by a guide element (38) which is arranged between the feed unit (2) and the forming roller (30) and which is movable from a rest position into an active position in which the spring wire (6) can be led in the direction of the forming roller (30).
15. The apparatus of claim 14, characterised by a further guide element (37) which, viewed in a direction of the spring wire (6), is disposed after a forming roller (30) and which is movable from a rest position into an active position, in which the spring wire (6) can be led in a direction of the respective center axis (11, 13) of the spring.

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