EP2460602B1 - Rivet supply device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a rivet provisioning device for providing rivet elements o. The like. According to claim 1, an arrangement of at least two Nietbereitstellungseinrichtungen according to claim 4 and a method for the operation of such an arrangement according to claim 7.
Rivet connections have been playing an important role for many years, above all in the aviation industry. The automation of riveting applications with regard to the ever-increasing number of aircraft components is becoming increasingly important.
In addition to the implementation of riveting applications by means of riveting tools, the targeted and rapid provision of rivet elements via an appropriate motion control is a particular challenge for the system manufacturers.
From the US 5,472,087 For example, a rivet delivery system is known that includes a basic delivery device through which a rivet bushing extends longitudinally. The basic providing device includes a cutout region for receiving rivet injectors that can be moved between a first and a second position. In a first position, an opening forms part of the passageway through the base providing device, while in the second position, the opening is positioned directly below a vertically oriented rivet cartridge to receive a rivet therefrom. This passage is connected to a compressed air shaft which moves the rivets through it to a riveting machine or the like.

A generic rivet delivery device ( EP 1 531 966 B1 ) is equipped with a designed as a cassette rivet storage, which has a number of stacked rivet cassettes. By means of a transfer carriage, which can be moved along the rivet cassettes, rivet elements are transferred from the respective rivet cassette to a rivet outlet.
A disadvantage of the known rivet provisioning device is the fact that their storage capacity is limited by the maximum stacking height of the rivet cassettes is. An extension of the rivet memory is associated with considerable design effort.

The invention is based on the problem to design the known Nietbereitstellungseinrichtung such and further, that the total available storage capacity is increased by simple structural means.

The above problem is solved by a rivet providing device having the features of claim 1.

Essential is the fundamental consideration that the total available storage capacity for rivet elements can be increased by serially switching the rivet provisioning device with at least one further rivet provisioning device. The rivet elements requested from a rivet cassette of a rivet delivery device are then passed through the at least one downstream rivet provision device.

In the manner proposed, the total available storage capacity can be increased to almost unlimited extent with simple constructive means. For this purpose, it is proposed in detail that the rivet provisioning device also has at least one rivet inlet in addition to the at least one rivet outlet. The arrangement according to the proposal is made such that a rivet element provided at a rivet entrance can be passed to a rivet outlet.

In the proposed teaching of the transfer slide of the rivet provisioning device is used to implement the passage through the rivet elements. This double use of the transfer carriage leads to a compact and structurally comparatively simple solution.

According to a second teaching according to claim 4, which has independent significance, an arrangement of at least two rivet provisioning devices is claimed, which are connected in series as explained above. Reference may be made to the explanatory notes to the proposed rivet provisioning device.

According to a third teaching according to claim 7, which also has independent significance, a method for operating the above arrangement from at least two rivet provisioning devices is claimed. Here, too, reference may be made to the explanations of the proposed rivet provisioning device.

Fig. 1

eine vorschlagsgemäße Nietbereitstellungseinrichtung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von vorne,

Fig. 2

zwei seriell geschaltete Nietbereitstellungseinrichtungen gemäß Fig. 1 im Betrieb mit einem nur schematisch dargestellten Nietwerkzeug, jeweils in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

die Kassettenverriegelungen der Nietbereitstellungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 a) im verriegelten Zustand und b) im entriegelten Zustand, jeweils in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 4

eine zentrale Montageplatte der Nietbereitstellungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 bei montiertem Übergabeschlitten in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 5

die Nietsteuerung des Übergabeschlittens gemäß Fig. 4 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 6

die Nietsteuerung gemäß Fig. 5 in einer Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie VI-VI a) in der Durchlassstellung und b) in der Sperrstellung,

Fig. 7

die Steuerwelle der Nietsteuerung gemäß Fig. 5 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

a proposed rivet provisioning device in a perspective view obliquely from the front,

Fig. 2

two serially connected rivet provisioning devices according to Fig. 1 in operation with a riveting tool shown only schematically, each in a side view,

Fig. 3

the cassette latches of the rivet providing device according to Fig. 1 a) in the locked state and b) in the unlocked state, each in a perspective view,

Fig. 4

a central mounting plate of the rivet provisioning device according to Fig. 1 with mounted transfer carriage in a perspective view,

Fig. 5

the rivet control of the transfer carriage according to Fig. 4 in a perspective view,

Fig. 6

the rivet control according to Fig. 5 in a sectional view along the section line VI-VI a) in the passage position and b) in the blocking position,

Fig. 7

the control shaft of the rivet control according to Fig. 5 in a perspective view.

Rivet elements 1 stored in the rivet delivery device R are preferably transferred to a rivet control when used as intended, received by the rivet control and transported on to the respective riveting application.

The rivet preparation device R is preferably equipped with a very special rivet control. An explanation of its preferred embodiment is now prefaced in the sense of a complete presentation.

The movement control of the rivet elements 1 comprises both an active driving of the rivet elements 1 and a passive locking or releasing the rivet elements 1. In connection with a rivet provisioning device R above, the rivet control preferably occurs the function of receiving and forwarding rivet elements 1 to, as will be shown. In that regard, the term "motion control" is to be understood far.

The Fig. 5 to 7 show a preferred rivet control, here and preferably in the in the Fig. 1 to 4 illustrated rivet delivery device R application finds. The rivet control is fundamentally modular and has at least one rivet control unit 2, in this case a total of six rivet control units 2. The structure of a rivet control unit 2 can be seen in the illustrations Fig. 6 remove. In the following, in the sense of a clear representation, there is almost all talk of only a single rivet control unit 2. All statements on this rivet control unit 2 apply correspondingly to all other rivet control units 2 of the rivet control system.

When assembled, the rivet control is switched to the rivet material flow. For this purpose, each rivet control unit 2 is equipped with a rivet channel 3, through which the respective rivet elements 1 can be advanced.

The transport of the rivet elements 1 takes place here and preferably via a fluid flow, which is introduced into the respective section of the rivet channel 3. The fluid in the simplest case is air.

The rivet channel 3 has an input section 3a for receiving rivet elements 1 and an output section 3b. The rivet elements 1 accordingly run in the conveying direction 4 from the inlet section 3a to the outlet section 3b and from there to the respective rivet application.

The rivet control unit 2 of the proposed rivet control has a control shaft 5, which penetrates the rivet channel 3 in a control region 6 between the input section 3a and the output section 3b. It may in principle be provided that the control shaft 5 penetrates only a part of the rivet channel 3. Here and preferably, however, a penetration of the complete Nietkanals 3, more preferably substantially transverse to the Nietkanal longitudinal axis 7, is provided.

Ultimately, the control shaft 5 acts here in the manner of a shut-off valve. Accordingly, the control shaft 5 in the in Fig. 6a illustrated passage position for a rivet 1 and fluid open connection portion 8 between the input portion 3a and the output portion 3b ready. Fig. 6b on the other hand shows that the control shaft 5 in a blocking position substantially blocks the passage of rivet elements 1 and / or fluid between the inlet section 3a and the outlet section 3b.

For constructive implementation of passage position and blocking position is proposed that the control shaft 5 a in Fig. 6 Nietkanal-Durchgangsbohrung 9 shown, whose cross section substantially corresponds to the cross section of the Nietkanals 3 in the input section 3a and / or in the output section 3b. Depending on the position of the control shaft 5, the rivet passage through-hole 9 provides the above-mentioned connecting portion 8 between the input portion 3a and the output portion 3b of the rivet channel 3, or blocks the rivet passage through-hole 9 from penetrating rivet members 1 and / or fluid between the input portion 3a and the output section 3b.

However, the function of the rivet control unit 2 is not limited to the pure function of a shut-off valve. Rather, the rivet control unit 2 has a transfer conveyor 10, which serves to convey a rivet element 1 from the inlet section 3a into the outlet section 3b by means of a transfer fluid flow 11 ( Fig. 6a ). For this purpose, the transfer conveyor 10 has a plurality of fluid channels 12, which communicate with the inlet section 3a of the rivet channel 3 and over which the transfer fluid flow 11 can be generated. For this purpose, the fluid channels 12 are coupled to a corresponding fluid supply 12a. The direction of the transfer fluid flow 11 is due to the orientation of the fluid channels 12, which are shown in FIG Fig. 6 results.

It has been found that, together with the conical opening 13 of the inlet section 3a by the transfer fluid flow 11, a negative pressure in the region of the conical opening 13 in the manner of the venturi effect, which results in a suction of a rivet element 1 located in front of the opening 13 leads.

For the effective transport of the rivet elements 1, a certain fluid volume flow must be ensured. For this purpose, the transfer conveyor 10 in the region of the control shaft 5, at least one vent opening 14 through which at least a portion of the transfer fluid flow 11 flows. In a structurally particularly easy to implement variant, it is provided for this purpose that the control shaft 5 has a series of venting grooves 14 opening into an outlet opening 9a of the rivet passage through-bore 9 ( Fig. 6 . 7 ).

Furthermore, the rivet control unit 2 is equipped with a transport conveyor 15 for the further transport of a rivet element 1 from the outlet section 3b for riveting application by means of a transport fluid flow 16. The transport of the rivet element 1 takes place in the in Fig. 6b ) illustrated constellation.

With regard to the fluid flow, the control shaft 5 in the blocking position as already indicated provide a different density. Here and preferably, the control shaft 5 is provided with a sealing surface 18, which serves to seal against the housing 19 of the rivet control unit 2.

Fig. 7 shows that in the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, several control shafts 5 have been combined to form a common control shaft 21 are. This takes into account the fact that here at least two adjacently arranged rivet control units 2, in total a total of six juxtaposed rivet control units 2, are provided, wherein the control shafts 5 of the rivet control units 2 are each provided by an axial portion of the common control shaft 21.

The in the Fig. 1 to 4 illustrated, proposed rivet provision device R is now preferably equipped with a rivet control mentioned above.

The rivet provision device R serves, as already explained, to provide rivet elements 1 or the like. for at least one riveting application. In Fig. 2 it is indicated that the riveting application is being implemented by an automated riveting tool N. Fig. 2 further shows that there are two rivet provisioning devices R connected in series, which will be explained below.

The rivet provision device R has a rivet storage 24 in which preferably different rivet elements 1 can be stored. Furthermore, the rivet delivery device R has at least one rivet outlet 25, in this case a total of 6 rivet outlets 25.

The rivet storage 25 is here in the manner of a cassette cabinet equipped with at least two stacked, in particular exchangeable rivet cassettes 26, each having at least one output flange 27 o. The like. For dispensing rivet elements 1. The output flange 27 of the rivet cassette 26 can be designed differently. Here and preferably, the output flange 27 is designed like a tube, as shown in FIG Fig. 3a ) can be seen.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a transfer carriage 28 is provided, which has a rivet control explained above with here and preferably a plurality of rivet control units 2. The rivet control units 2 are each designed for different rivet elements 1, so that, depending on which rivet element 1 is to be transferred, the suitable rivet control unit 2 is used. The transfer carriage 28 is as in Fig. 4 shown arranged on a central mounting plate.

In order to be able to align the respectively appropriate rivet control unit 2 with the respectively desired rivet cassette 26, the transfer carriage 28 can be moved along the rivet cassettes 26 in its stacking direction 29. Thus, a rivet control unit 2 of the rivet control can be aligned with a rivet cassette 26 for transferring a rivet element 1 from the respective rivet cassette 26 to the respective rivet control unit 2.

Two positions of the transfer carriage 28 are in Fig. 2 shown. The output sections 3b of the rivet control units 2 are connected to the above-mentioned rivet outlets 25. Furthermore, each rivet control unit 2 has an input flange 30 for receiving rivet elements 1 assigned to the input section 3a of the rivet channel 3, the rivet-cassette-side output flange 27 and the rivet-control-side input flange 30 being spaced apart by a gap when transferring a rivet element 1.

Any kind of positive connection between the two flanges 27, 30 does not take place. Fig. 4 shows in the lower detail view, as the rivet-cassette-side output flange 27 is positioned opposite the rivet control and the local input flanges 30. Since there is always a gap between the rivet cassette-side output flanges 27 and the rivet-control-side input flanges 30, it is sufficient to move the transfer carriage 28 and the rivet controller as a whole in only a single degree of freedom. In order to ensure an error-free transfer, it has proven to be advantageous if the gap is in a range between about 0.2 mm and about 0.6 mm. Particularly preferred here is a gap width of about 0.4 mm.

It has already been pointed out that the different rivet cassettes 26 preferably store rivet elements 1 of different dimensions at least in part, with the transfer carriage 28 correspondingly having a plurality of rivet control units 2 adapted to the different dimensions. The adaptation of the rivet control units 2 relates in the first place to the diameter of the rivet channel 3 and the corresponding connections, as can be seen, for example, from the upper detail illustration in FIG Fig. 4 results.

An exemplary transfer of a rivet element 1 from a rivet cassette 26 will be explained below.

First, the transfer carriage 28 aligns one of the rivet control units 2 with the desired rivet cassette 26, so that the rivet control-side input flange 30 is centered on the rivet cassette side exit flange 27. A separating device, not shown, provided in the rivet cassette 26 then releases a single rivet element 1, which passes through the gap between the two flanges 27, 30 and is received by the input section 3a of the rivet control unit 2. For this purpose, the transfer conveyor 10 is activated in time, so that the rivet element 1 is drawn into the input section 3a via the above-mentioned Venturi effect and subsequently conveyed into the output section 3b by means of the transfer fluid flow 11. Then the control shaft 21 located up to this point in the passage position is transferred into the blocking position (transition from Fig. 6a on Fig. 6b ). Finally, the transport conveyor 15 is activated, so that rivet element 1 is transported further by the construction of a pressure wave via the fluid channel through-hole 17 to the riveting tool N via the hose line 20.

Decisive for the proposed teaching is now the fact that the rivet delivery device R is designed so that it can be connected in series with another rivet provision device R. On the realization of a transfer carriage 28 is not important for this further aspect.

It is essential that at least one rivet entrance 25a is provided in addition to the rivet outlet 25 and that the arrangement is made such that a rivet element 1 provided at a rivet entrance 25a can be passed to the rivet outlet 25. This makes it possible to have a riveting tool N of a plurality of rivet provisioning devices R with rivet elements 1 supply, without any kind of conveying switch between the rivet provisioning devices R and the riveting tool N must be provided.

According to the proposal, the rivet delivery device R is equipped with an above-mentioned transfer carriage 28, wherein the transfer carriage 28 is moved to pass through a rivet element 1 from a rivet entry 25a to a rivet outlet 25 in a pass-through position and then a durchбendes rivet 1 to the transfer carriage 28 can be transferred. Of particular importance is the fact that the transfer carriage 28 is now used twice, namely on the one hand for the transfer of rivet elements 1 of the rivet cassettes 26 and on the other hand for the transfer of rivet elements 1, which have been provided at the rivet entrance 25a.

It follows from the illustration according to Fig. 2 in that the pass-through position ( Fig. 2 right) different to the transfer positions ( Fig. 2 left), in which a rivet control unit 2 is aligned with a rivet cassette 26 for transferring a rivet element 1 from the respective rivet cassette 26 to the respective rivet control unit 2.

In the region of the passage position, a number of pass-through flanges, not shown here, are provided, which are arranged in a row with the output flanges 27 of the rivet cassettes 26 and do not differ substantially geometrically from these output flanges 27. The pass-through flanges are each connected via a hose segment to a rivet entrance 25a, as in FIG Fig. 2 is indicated. When in the pass-through position transfer carriage 28, the input flanges 30 of the rivet control units 2 are aligned with the pass-through flanges, wherein also here preferably a above-mentioned gap between the opposing flanges is provided. Incidentally, the transfer procedure is largely identical to the procedure explained above for the transfer of rivet elements 1 from the rivet cassettes 26:
For example, if a rivet 1 from a rivet cassette 26 of in Fig. 2 On the left, provided rivet provisioning device R are provided to the riveting tool N, the rivet element 1 from the desired Nietkasette Passed 26 to the local transfer sled 28 and transported in the direction of the local rivet output 25. About the hose 20, the rivet element 1 reaches a transition flange of Fig. 2 on the right, downstream rivet preparation device R, passes the gap there and enters the input section 3a of the respective rivet control unit 2. There, the above-explained transfer procedure is carried out again, so that the rivet element 1 is transported further to the riveting tool N as a result.

According to a second teaching, which has independent significance, an arrangement of at least two rivet provisioning devices R is claimed, which are connected in series as explained above. Reference should be made to all the above explanations regarding the proposed rivet preparation device R.

Essential according to the second teaching is the fact that the rivet entrance 25a or the rivet entrances 25a of a downstream rivet provision device R is / are connected to the rivet outlet 25 or the rivet outlets 25 of a further, upstream rivet provision device R. The term "connected" is to be understood broadly in the sense of any kind of coupling.
In short, a rivet provision device R is "downstream" if its rivet entrance 25a or its rivet inlets 25a are or are connected downstream of the rivet outlet 25 or the rivet outlets 25 of an upstream rivet provisioning device R. Thus, the definition for an "upstream" rivet delivery device R is also fixed.
In principle, the arrangement can generally be made such that rivet elements 1 are passed through at least one downstream rivet provision device R. It may also be that at least one subordinate rivet delivery device R is at the same time an upstream rivet delivery device R and vice versa.
Furthermore, in particular in the case of large systems, it can be apparent that at least two upstream rivet provisioning devices R and / or at least two downstream rivet provisioning devices R exist.
With the proposed solution according to the second teaching, a largely arbitrary interconnection of the rivet provision devices R is possible. In principle, parallel circuits may also occur in which a plurality of rivet provisioning devices R are arranged in the above sense with respect to a single rivet provisioning device R, the individual rivet provisioning device R then just being a rivet provisioning device R arranged downstream in the above sense.
According to a third teaching, which also has independent significance, a method for the operation of an above arrangement of at least two rivet provisioning devices R is claimed.
Essential to the third teaching is the fact that, as explained above, a rivet element 1 is transported via a rivet outlet 25 of an upstream rivet delivery device R to the rivet entrance 25a of a downstream rivet delivery device R and passed through in the downstream rivet delivery device R at its rivet outlet 25a. It is provided that, as already mentioned, for passing a rivet element 1 in the subordinate rivet delivery device R of the transfer carriage 28 is moved to a pass-through position and the durch¬ riveting element 1 is passed to the transfer carriage 28. Here, too, reference may be made to the above statements for further details.

Claims (8)

1. Rivet supply device, having a rivet store (24) with at least one rivet outlet (25), for providing rivet elements (1) or the like from the rivet store (24) via the at least one rivet outlet (25) for at least one riveting application, wherein the rivet store (24) has at least two stacked, in particular exchangeable, rivet cassettes (26) that each have at least one outlet flange (27) or the like for dispensing rivet elements (1), and wherein a transfer carriage (28) having at least one rivet controller for receiving and onwardly transporting rivet elements (1) is provided, which transfer carriage (28) is movable along the rivet cassettes (26) in the stack direction (29) thereof, such that a rivet control unit (2) of the rivet controller is able to be oriented towards a rivet cassette (26) for transferring a rivet element (1) from the rivet cassette (26) in question to the rivet control unit (2) in question, characterized in that the rivet store (24) has at least one rivet inlet (25a), wherein a rivet element (1) provided at a rivet inlet (25a), optionally by means of a further rivet supply device, is able to be passed through a rivet outlet (25), wherein, to pass a rivet element (1) through from a rivet inlet (25a) to a rivet outlet (25), the transfer carriage (28) is movable into a pass-through position and then a rivet element (1) to be passed through is able to be transferred to the transfer carriage (28), and in that the pass-through position is different from the transfer positions in which a rivet control unit (2) is oriented towards a rivet cassette (26) for transferring a rivet element (1) from the rivet cassette (26) in question to the rivet control unit (2) in question.
2. Rivet supply device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rivet controller serves to control the movement of rivet elements (1) or the like, which movement control comprises both active driving of the rivet elements (1) and passive blocking or releasing of the rivet elements (1).
3. Rivet supply device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one pass-through flange is provided, which is assigned to the at least one rivet inlet (25a) and towards which the at least one rivet control unit (2), located in the pass-through position, is oriented for transferring rivet elements (1).
4. Arrangement of at least two rivet supply devices (R) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rivet inlet (25a) or rivet inlets (25a) of a downstream rivet supply device (R) is/are connected to the rivet outlet (25) or rivet outlets (25) of a further, upstream rivet supply device (R).
5. Arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the arrangement is made such that rivet elements (1) are passed through at least one downstream rivet supply device (R), preferably such that at least one downstream rivet supply device (R) is simultaneously an upstream rivet supply device (R).
6. Arrangement according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at least two upstream rivet supply devices (R) are provided, and/or in that at least two downstream rivet supply devices (R) are provided.
7. Method for operating an arrangement of at least two rivet supply devices (R) according to one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein a rivet element (1) is transported via a rivet outlet (25) of an upstream rivet supply device (R) to the rivet inlet (25a) of a downstream rivet supply device (R) and is passed through in the downstream rivet supply device (R) at the rivet outlet (25a) thereof.
8. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that, in order to pass through a rivet element (1) in the downstream rivet supply device (R), the transfer carriage (28) is moved into a pass-through position and the rivet element (1) to be passed through is transferred to the transfer carriage (28).

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