EP3004445B1 - Device for separating needles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for singulating needles, in particular for equipping a needle board of a needle machine for nonwoven or needle felt production, with a receptacle for the needles and with a singulator.

Needle boards are components of needle machines for nonwoven or needle felting and are equipped with special needles. The needle machines are used for the consolidation / densification of fiber materials, fibers, continuous fibers. There are products such as spunbonded, artificial leather, artificial suede, needle felt, which may contain fleece produced. The needles have by their attachment hook, the so-called crutch, an L-shape and are passed through holes in the needle board and fixed. The needles are subject to great stress and will be damaged over time.

In addition to needles with crutches, there are also needles with attachment areas, which are formed by the thickening of an end, such as, from JP 11350328 A or DE 10 2011 016 755 B3 known. The invention may relate both to the singulation of needles serving the Nadelbrettbestückung, as well as on needles, such as sewing or embroidery or knitting needles, nails or nail-like pins in other applications.

So that now the needle board can be equipped with the needles, they must be removed from a sampling point. The sampling point is known from the prior art in very different versions.

Out DE 3941159 C1 results, for example, a vibrating conveyor, which is arranged on a carriage unit of a loading and Entadeling device and has a receptacle for a supply of initially disordered needles. The vibratory conveyor has an outlet, in which the needles are separated and oriented in the same direction with their crutches. The corrugated isolated needles are then placed across a ribbon-shaped linear conveyor that advances one step at a time by a stepper drive when a new needle is to be driven into the needle board. A gripper grips the last needle of the needles fed with the belt conveyor and then pivots to the needle board to complete the assembly. The separation of the needles to be provided requires two delivery units - a vibrating conveyor and a belt conveyor and is thus relatively expensive. In addition, the known separating device requires a lot of space within the overall device. Another device is from the DE3201282A1 known. Another device for separating or feeding needles, with which a needle board is to be equipped, is off EP 1953287 A1 known. The needle feeder comprises a receptacle for the needles in the form of a hopper with vibrating device and a filling device in the form of two parallel, co-rotating threaded spindles, in their courses the needles are separated in the desired spacing and stored in groups so that they are gripped by a collet / multiple collet and can be taken off. Stepper motors are used to rotate the spindles. The separating device in question requires a high design effort and is space-intensive.

The DE 10 2011 016 755 B3 shows a device that also serves to populate a needle board with needles, among other functions, wherein a robot with a Tool arm receives fresh needles from a sampling point. Since the robot is equipped with a hinged tool arm and tool, it can remove needles even from a sampling point, which is why the personnel costs are extremely low. The robot has a large freedom of movement, which allows the free needle pickup selectively, based on a selected needle in the sampling point. Due to the articulated tool arm on the robot, the design effort of a conventional needle feed is avoided. The removal point is, for example, arranged on a base plate of the robot. In the case of this needle removal, the removal is preceded by a detection process by means of a camera or laser scanner or further detection devices. In a separate computer, the data is electronically captured and processed to determine the position of the male needle and then align the tool arm with the gripper. This robot solution, which works with the aid of image recognition, is the "handle in the box", also referred to as "bin picking". This type of needle extraction is very expensive because the robot has a high-resolution image of the needle to recognize. High-resolution image recognition is very expensive and requires expensive software. Many programming hours and tests are required to calculate the undefined gripping position and the gripping location of the needle to be gripped at the sampling point. The gripping position describes where the crutch / hook must be located. The gripping location depends on the position of the needle in the sampling point. The needle detection and the Nadelergreifung takes place relatively slowly in the prior art in question. From the recognition of the image to the recording of the needle pass about 5 seconds. The arithmetical selection of a needle, the approaching and grasping also have an improvement rate of about 85%. At the finish, a needle board with, for example Approximately 50,000 needles to equip, play the seconds of Nadelreifreifung a very large role.

Based on the prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a cost-effective device for separating needles, which brings a needle quickly and safely in a defined position, so that a reproducible, unerring gripping of the needle is made possible by a Nadelbestückungsvorrichtung. In addition, the device should be feasible in a slim size.

The above object is solved by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, a device of the type in question is configured such that the receptacle has at least one passage opening, that the separating device comprises an expelling means which can be passed through the passage opening of the receptacle and which has a contact region which corresponds at least to a needle.

First, it has been recognized that the prior art provides two basic types of devices for singulation. On the one hand, the separate separating device is known, which is composed of two components, namely a needle holder with a kinematic oscillating or vibrating mechanism and a separating device in the form of a conveyor. From the recording, the needles reach the conveyor, from where the placement device picks up the needles. This requires a lot of space because of the size. On the other hand, a separating device is known, which is integrated in the needle mounting device in the form of a robot, which then requires a complex, slow and also expensive and with regard to the hit rate suboptimal image processing software for detecting the needle before grasping.

With regard to a known design has been recognized that the size of a conventional separating device can be reduced if the separation process does not take place only when the needle exits the receptacle, but quasi takes place in the recording itself.

With regard to the other known design, it has been recognized that image processing software, for example in a robotic loading device, is not required for the purpose of needle removal when the singulator repositions the needle.

According to the invention it has been recognized that the positioning of a needle can be achieved by means of a generic device even with a small size; if the singulation process and the performance of the isolated needle is not spatially separated from the filling or from the recording, but the recording for the needles is the effective location of the singulator. The singulator penetrates into the area of the receptacle and separates the needle through it. The inventive quality is therefore already that the recording during the separation process is part of the singler.

Furthermore, it has been recognized according to the invention that the receptacle enables the separation of the needle if it has at least one passage opening through which an expulsion means of the singling device can be guided. Furthermore, it has been recognized according to the invention that a defined position of the needle can be achieved if the expulsion means has a contact area which is matched to the at least one needle and with this corresponds.

The expelling means of the device according to the invention could be designed as a sword, punch or plunger. The expelling means could be passed to expel the needle or a desired number of needles in different directions through the receptacle and the local needles. As the expelling agent punctures the needle, it pierces the remainder of the needle pile, displacing the needles not engaged by the contact area. With regard to a slim design, it is preferable to arrange the expulsion means below the receptacle. An embodiment with a sword, punch or ram allows very small designs, so that several singulation devices side by side - for example, on the same base plate on which a robot is located as a mounting device - could be provided for different needles. In this way, you can work in parallel with several types of needles in different receptacles and different expelling means. At the expelling means stops could be provided for height adjustment or for adjusting the Ausfahrweges.

To realize a defined position of the needle, the contact area of the expelling means could comprise at least one groove for a needle. For groupwise gripping of multiple needles by the mounting device, the contact area could also have a plurality of grooves or grooves or depressions or the like. These could, for example, be arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the grooves of the multiple contact area could also be adapted to the shaping of different needles with different crutches and / or different needle dimensions and / or to the shaping of needles without crutches. Correspondingly, the recording could be different Chambers for different types of needles and each passage openings for the individual chambers and Austreibungsmitteln with the corresponding contact areas include.

The groove on the contact area can be designed differently. It can also be changed during the expulsion process and during singulation. At the beginning of the singulation, when the expelling agent is immersed in the needle pile, there may be a long and preferably continuous groove over the entire length of the expelling means. On the long groove, a single needle can catch and position itself particularly well.

In the extended operating position of the expelling means, it is advantageous if the groove is interrupted at said contact area and a free space is formed which facilitates the access of a gripper element for receiving and further transporting the separated needle. This different groove design can preferably be adjusted automatically, the relevant adjustment being derived from the extension movement of the expelling means via an actuator.

Constructively, the expelling means may comprise local and upstanding supports with a short groove at the top at the axial ends of the contact region, wherein in the preferably hollow expelling means a movable and in the above-mentioned correspondingly adjustable insert is arranged. This is located between the said supports and also has a groove at the upper end. At rest and in the initial stages of the stripping and singulation operation, the groove of the insert is flush with the grooves of the supports. In the raised operating position, the use of the Freiraums withdrawn, especially lowered.

According to the preferred embodiment, wherein the expelling means is disposed below the receptacle, then only a single passage opening in the base plate of the receptacle would be required when the receptacle opens upwards. The upwardly open receptacle is advantageous in view of the displacement of the needles, which are not covered by the contact area of the expelling agent. The recording could also be carried out in other designs. For example, a recording with additional cover plate as protection against contamination is possible. Then the formation of two opposite passage openings would be conceivable, which could be incorporated in the base plate and in the cover plate of the receptacle opposite. It would also be possible to provide two opposite passage openings on the side walls of the receptacle. This could be the case if the gripping means of the placement device can better grasp the selected needle in a lateral dispensing position. Holding the needle in the contact area could - especially in the dispensing position, that is, when the contact area of the singulator leaves the receptacle - be generated by a temporary magnetic field, which of course must remain without influence on the other needles. Under this aspect, the needle removal below the recording would be conceivable.

Essential to the invention is the shape of the recording for the needles. This is set where the needles lie, where the expelling means of the singulator attacks and where finally attach the gripping means of the mounting device for receiving the needle. Everything is done in a predetermined area, so that - in demarcation against DE 10 2011 016 755 B3 - none Position search takes place. The shape of the recording is crucial, manufacturing tolerances should be low. If needles are used with crutches, an upwardly open receptacle could be provided with a trapezoidal shaped depression, the needle tips facing the convergent end and the crutches facing the diverging end of the recess.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the receptacle could be funnel-shaped at least on the inside. Conveniently, the passage opening could be arranged at the lowest point of the receptacle and correspond in terms of their dimensions with those of the contact region of the expelling means. In this advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention the expelling means would be arranged below the receptacle or below the funnel opening / passage opening.

For the movement of the expelling means of the separating device, a lifting device could be provided. The lifting device could comprise a drive, power transmission means, a guide and a carrier for the expelling means which can be moved on the guide, the movable carrier cooperating with the force transmission means. To realize the power transmission means, rack and gear could be used, which have a low friction loss. But a belt or chain drive is possible as a power transmission means for the lifting device. The movement of the separating device could be effected by an electric, pneumatic, magnetic or hydraulic drive. For controlled movement of the expelling means magnetic contacts could be provided and linear guiding measures are taken. With an expelling means arranged below the receptacle, control commands such as "up / down / stop / go" could be used. be executed.

In order to avoid an undesired escape of needles during the rest position of the expelling means outside the receptacle, the contact area of the expelling means in the rest position could close the passage opening of the receptacle. Alternatively or cumulatively with opposite passage openings closures could be provided which are lamellar, aperture-like or magnetically formed. For example, closure parts lying in the passage opening could be displaced and, in the rest position, already effect a preliminary singulation of the needle, which then immediately comes to rest on the contact area. The preparatory singulation of the needle could be effected in that the distance of the closure components is less than the thickness of the needle. Gravitational then prepares for needle selection.

In addition, the singulator could include a monitoring sensor. The monitoring sensor could be arranged in the region in which the expelling means with the isolated needle emerges from the receptacle, so that gripping means of the mounting device can receive the needle. In the event that no needle rests on the contact region of the separating device, a light beam emitted by the monitoring sensor, for example, is lost and a control signal of the monitoring sensor causes the process of the lifting movement of the separating device to be repeated automatically. The monitoring sensor could be present as a separate component and cooperate with any movement means which causes the movement of the expelling agent. The monitoring sensor could also be an integral part of the separating device or be supplied as an additional component. A possible repetition of the Lifting movement would take place without loss of time for the placement device or the needle changer. In the Nadelbestückungszeit the mounting device, the positioning of the needle by the expelling means of the singler can be realized in any case, even if once a needle falls from the contact area. In general, the expelling means waits with the isolated needle lying on its contact area until the gripping means of the placement device have to grasp this needle.

According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the receptacle could be assigned a vibration device. This could then be used when it happens once that the needle falls from the contact area of the singulator, there is virtually an empty motion. If the vibration device then realizes a shaking operation, this guarantees that the next movement of the expelling agent will take place with the needle. Here, the monitoring sensor and the vibration device could work together in an advantageous manner. In any case, the device according to the invention has sufficient time to prepare / prepare the needle in the above-described position for the gripping means returning from the loading process.

To transport the recording with the needles and to transport the emptied recording attacking elements could be provided on the recording, which could be taken by the gripping means of the mounting device. In this way, a personal admission change process is cost effectively saved.

In view of a perfect interaction between the gripping means of the loading device and the needle position, the position of the needle could be replaced by a Positioning be further specified. This may have an additional positioning member for an axial positioning of the needle and / or a Vorpositionerer for the rotational position of the needle and its crutch.

Depending on the configuration of the contact area of the expelling means, the case may occur that the needle is isolated and is arranged on or on the ejection means moved out of the receptacle, but the needle point and the crutch protrude beyond the contact area. This could occur with every needle separation in that the needle point and the crutch always extend differently beyond the contact area of the expelling means. This has the consequence that the gripping means always attacks on different sections of the needle.

In order to allow a reproducible attack area of the needle, a pressing device could be provided as an additional positioning component, which makes a displacement of the needle in the direction of its longitudinal axis in the previously described case and this applied to force.

The pressing device could protrude beyond the edge of the receptacle into the region of the expulsion means that has come out of the receptacle and there, for example, come into contact with the crutch of the needle and move it on the contact region in such a way that the defined position is reached. In the illustrated example, the attack area should be as close as possible to the crutch. To force a pneumatic drive could be used and a purely translational movement of the pressing device can be generated.

But also possible mechanical arrangements for the realization of a pivoting movement in combination with an electric drive and other design implementations. Depending on the needle and the nature of the gripper or depending on further structural conditions, the force applied to the contact area, the expulsion means, or the receptacle could take place via the positioning component additionally or alternatively to the application of force to the needle. In addition, other directions of force can be realized than those in the longitudinal direction of the needle. A pre-positioner may e.g. be designed as a stripper, which rotates the crutch in the extension of the expelling means in a vertical position.

The device according to the invention could be present as a mobile unit or fixedly mounted in the area of the placement device / the needle changer. Several devices could be specified in the field of the mounting device. This is the case when needle boards are equipped with different needles. For example, differently configured needle tips could be required over the entire needle board.

The placement apparatus could be a conventional semi-automatic or fully automatic needle-changing machine or a robot or a collet handled by a person.

Figur 1:

in schematischer Darstellung, eine Perspektivansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit Vereinzelungseinrichtung und Aufnahme, in Betriebsstellung,

Figur 2:

in schematischer verkleinerter Darstellung, ein Ausschnitt des Gegenstandes aus Fig. 1 mit Einsatz für die Aufnahme und noch aktivem Überwachungssensor, in Ruhestellung,

Figur 3:

in vergrößerter, schematischer Darstellung, eine Draufsicht der Aufnahme aus Fig. 2,

Figur 4:

in schematischer Darstellung, einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie A-A durch den Gegenstand der Fig. 3,

Figur 5:

in vergrößerter, schematischer Darstellung, eine Seitenansicht des Kontaktaufnahmebereiches der Vereinzelungseinrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Figur 6:

eine Variante der Vorrichtung von Fig. 1 und 2 in Betriebsstellung,

Figur 7 und 8:

eine weitere Variante zu Fig. 1 und 2 in Ruhe- und Betriebsstellung,

Figur 9:

eine abgebrochene Seitenansicht der Vereinzelungseinrichtung mit einer Positioniereinrichtung und einem Greifer und

Figur 10 - 12:

eine Variante der Vorrichtung von Figur 1 bis 9.

There are now various possibilities for advantageously designing and further developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1, on the other hand, to refer to the following explanation of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the mentioned embodiment of the invention are also explained in the generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching. In the drawings show

FIG. 1:

in a schematic representation, a perspective view of the device according to the invention with singler and recording, in the operating position,

FIG. 2:

in a schematic reduced representation, a section of the object Fig. 1 with insert for recording and still active monitoring sensor, at rest,

FIG. 3:

in an enlarged, schematic representation, a plan view of the recording Fig. 2 .

FIG. 4:

in a schematic representation, a section along the section line AA through the subject of Fig. 3 .

FIG. 5:

in an enlarged, schematic representation, a side view of the contact receiving area of the separating device Fig. 1 .

FIG. 6:

a variant of the device of Fig. 1 and 2 in operating position,

FIGS. 7 and 8:

another variant too Fig. 1 and 2 in resting and operating position,

FIG. 9:

a broken side view of the separating device with a positioning and a gripper and

FIGS. 10 to 12:

a variant of the device of Figure 1 to 9 ,

The FIG. 1 shows a device for separating needles 1 for the assembly of a needle board of a needle machine for nonwoven or needle felting, with a receptacle 2 for the needles 1 and with a singulator 3. In FIGS. 6 to 8 variants are shown.

In the FIGS. 2 to 4 it is shown that the receptacle 2 has at least one passage opening 4. In Fig. 2 the passage opening 4 is shown in dashed lines. The FIGS. 1 and 5 show that the separating device 3 according to the invention comprises an expelling means 5, which can be passed through the passage opening 4 of the receptacle 2 and which has a contact region 6, which corresponds here with a needle. At the contact area 6, the needle 1 is detected. The receptacle 2 forms, at least during the singulation process through the receptacle 2, together with the singling device 3, an integral unit.

The expulsion means 5 operates in the vertical direction V, from bottom to top, against the force of gravity and drives out a needle 1, wherein all other needles not shown here in the receptacle 2 are displaced. The contact region 6 has a carrying and guiding function with respect to a needle 1.

The contact region 6 is arranged at the upper front end of the expulsion means 5 and serves in the embodiments shown for targeted picking and singulation of a single needle 1.

In the present exemplary embodiments, the expelling means 5 of the separating device 3 is designed as a sword, whose contact region 6 comprises two spaced supports 8, 9 projecting upwards from the upper edge 7, each having a groove 10. The spacing of the supports 7, 8 below the total length LN of the needle 1 so that the needle tip 11 and the crutch 12 on both sides of the supports 7, 8 protrude. The total length LA of the expelling means 5 makes up more than half of the total length LN of the needle 1, so that the supports 7, 8 effectively preclude tilting of the needle 1 about an imaginary axis of rotation Q in the transverse direction. A tilting of the needle 1 about imaginary axes of rotation in the vertical direction V and longitudinal direction L is counteracted by the groove 10. Characterized in that the supports 8, 9 protrude upward, a clearance 37 remains between the upper edge 7 of the expelling means 5 and the needle 1, in which the gripping means 13 of a not shown insertion device for gripping the needle 1 can engage comfortably. With 14 threaded holes are designated on the expelling means 5, which allow screwing a differently shaped contact area 6.

The 3 and 4 show that the passage opening 4 is provided in a base plate 15 of the receptacle 2. It is preferably arranged centrally on the base plate 15. Like from the Fig. 1 and 2 Good to see, recording 2 is open at the top. Fig. 3 shows that the base plate 15 in plan view forms a trapezoidal shape 16. The filled needles 1 not shown here have in the receptacle 2 with their needle tips 11 to the tapered end of the trapezoidal mold 16, the crutches 12 point to the diverging end of the trapezoidal shape 16. The filled and with their needle tips 11 and crutches 12 uniformly pre-oriented needles 1 aligned in the needle pile substantially parallel.

Out Fig. 4 It can be seen that the base plate 15 by its shape also forms a funnel 17 and that the passage opening 4 is disposed at the lowest point of the receptacle 2 and the funnel 17 and corresponds in terms of their dimensions with those of the contact region 6 of the expelling means 5.

The passage opening 4 is thus shorter than the needles 1, which thereby can not fall out of the receptacle 2. In addition, the expulsion means 5 closes the passage opening 4 in the extended position. The passage opening 4 is preferably arranged centrally on the base plate 15.

The receptacle 2 is e.g. designed as a box-shaped container and has a shape adapted to the needle geometry and preferably elongated shape. It can receive a supply of needles 1 with the said advance direction along the container longitudinal axis. The interior length of the receptacle 2 substantially corresponds to the needle length, which can provide a positioning of the receptacle 2 for an axial pre-positioning of the needles 1 on the expelling means 5.

The embodiment shown here looks - as from Fig. 1 apparent - before that the expelling means 5 is arranged below the receptacle 2. In addition, the separating device 3 for moving the expulsion means 5 comprises a lifting device 18 with a drive 19 in the form of an electric motor, the drive shaft 20 carries as a force transmission means a gear 21 which meshes with a further force transmission means in the form of a rack 22. The rack 22 is arranged on a carrier 23 for the expelling means 5, which is movable on a guide 24. The device according to the invention is surrounded in practice by a housing 36, of which only the Rear wall 25, the base plate 26 and the cover plate 27 drawn and dotted line example, a side wall 28 is indicated, against which the drive 19 is supported. The cover plate 27 of the separating device 3 also has a passage opening, not visible here, which can be accessed by the expelling means 5.

In Fig. 2 is an extension of the device according to Fig. 1 shown in the form of an insert 29, in which the receptacle 2 is inserted. Also, the insert 29 has a not visible here through opening 4 ', which is durchgreifbar by the expelling means 5. The insert 29 comprises the receptacle 2 on the outside and serves to guide and position the receptacle 2 on the singling device 3.

In Fig. 2 Also creates the impression of the housing 36 below the receptacle 2, since there is also the closed front 30 is indicated. In the housing 36, the lifting device 18 is included, the drive is fixed to a side wall 28 with fasteners, not shown here. With 33 cable connections of the drive 19 are designated.

While Fig. 1 shows the device according to the invention in the operating position, wherein the expelling means 5 is in maximum extended position and the gripper 13 has just removed the needle 1 from the contact area 6 is in Fig. 2 shown an empty receptacle 2, from which the last needle 1 is already taken by the gripper 13 and the expelling device 5 is already moved with the carrier 23 down.

In the event that there are still needles 1 in the receptacle 2, closes the contact area 6 of the expelling means 5 in the rest position the For this purpose, not shown here stops are provided which allow different positions of the expelling device at different height levels.

In Fig. 2 it is shown that the singulator 3 has a monitoring sensor 31. The dotted line is intended to indicate purely schematically the orientation of a laser beam 38 emitted by the monitoring sensor 31, which is intended to detect the region in which the gripper 13 removes the needle 1 from the contact region 6 of the expelling means 5.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 It is shown that on the recording 2 attack elements 32 together with the associated, outwardly facing and unspecified stabilizing means are provided, which allow removal of an empty receptacle 2 and a recapture of a new receptacle 2 by the gripping means 13 of a placement device. For simplicity, the attack elements 32 in the 3 and 4 omitted.

With 34 a recess in the base plate 26 of the device according to the invention is referred to, which serves for fastening of the separating device in the region of the mounting device.

By means of the device according to the invention it is possible for the loading device to always locate the needle 1 in the same position by the known coordinates of the contact region 6 of the expelling means 5. Everything is adjusted so that the gripping means 13 can attack the needle between needle tip 11 and crutch 12. All distances are preset. Just a robot as a mounting device is thereby exempt from the image processing and needle detection software and All that has to be done is to approach the previously known positions and seize them before the placement process on the needle board takes place. The inventive device requires by the realization of the separation process within the receptacle 2 a very small size, even if the expelling means 5 and components of the lifting device 18 are arranged below the receptacle 2.

FIG. 6 shows a variant of the device of Figure 1 to 4 in a perspective plan view. The singulator 3 is substantially consistent with the above-described embodiment. The variant of FIG. 6 differs by another embodiment of the insert 29 and the engagement element 32nd

The insert 29 surrounds in this variant, the container-like receptacle 2 ring-like on all outer sides and serves to guide and positioning the receptacle 2 relative to the singling device 3 and the expelling means 5. In the variant of FIG. 6 the insert 29 is arranged adjustable in height relative to the cover plate 27 of the housing 36 and allows a displacement of the receptacle 2 by means of a conveyor (not shown) on the cover plate 27 and along a preferably aligned conveying plane. The receptacle 2 can thereby be changed automatically after emptying the needle pile.

FIG. 6 also illustrates another form of an engaging element 32 for the transport and changing the receptacle 2. The attack element 32 here has a favorable for centering and power wedge shape. This can be used to produce a positive connection for transport purposes with the said conveyor or as in the first variant with a gripping means 13 of a mounting device. The annular Insert 29 can in the area of the engagement element 32 in the variant of FIG. 6 be omitted.

FIG. 7 and 8th 1 shows a further variant of the separating device 3 with a housing 36 shown at the front. The separating device 3 is again designed according to the first variant and has, for example, a sword-like expelling means 5 with a lifting device 18 and a drive 19. In FIG. 7 and 8th are also the carrier 23 and the guide 24 and a rack and pinion with power transmission means 21,22 shown.

FIG. 7 shows the singulator 3 in the rest position with lowered expelling means 5 FIG. 8 the extended operating position is shown. For clarity, the recorded at the contact area 6 needle 1 is not shown. The contact area 6 otherwise has the same design as in FIG. 5 with upstanding supports 8.9, which extend from an upper edge 7 of the expelling means 5 vertically upwards and at the top in each case have a groove 10 for the positive reception of the needle shaft. The grooves 10 are spaced from the top edge 7 to form said free space 37 and aligned with each other in the needle longitudinal direction.

FIG. 7 and 8th show a different form of the insert 29 and the arrangement of the monitoring sensor 31. The receptacle 2 is in FIG. 7 and 8th not shown for clarity.

The insert 29 is designed here in the form of a guide channel or a guide rail for the receptacle 2. It has a bottom surface for supporting the receptacle 2 and one or more lateral guide elements for the receptacle 2. The insert 29 can also be connected to a Be connected conveyor (not shown) and allows an automatic change of emptied images 2. In FIG. 7 and 8th is also the passage opening 4 'on the insert 29 for the expulsion means 5 shown.

FIG. 7 and 8th show the arrangement of a monitoring sensor 31 which detects the receptacle 6 in the extended operating position of the expelling means 5. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the monitoring sensor 31 can be designed as an optical sensor with a measuring beam 38, in particular a laser beam. He may alternatively have another suitable training. Preferably, the monitoring sensor 31 operates without contact. The monitoring sensor 31 is fixed and positioned by means of a frame 41 on the housing 36. The frame 41 has a shape suitable for transporting and changing the receptacle 2.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a side view of the separating device 3 and the expelling means 5 in the extended operating position accordingly FIG. 5 , In addition, parts of the receptacle 2 and the insert 29 and the housing 36 are shown.

FIG. 9 also illustrates the formation of the contact region 6 and the space formed here between the top edge 7 of the expelling means 5 and the recorded needle 1 37. The top edge 7 may for this purpose have a stepped shape. In the region of the gripping means 13 shown by dashed lines, the free space 37 can be increased by a local lowering of the upper edge 7.

In FIG. 9 In addition, a positioning device 35 is shown schematically which is suitable for the needle 1 accommodated on the contact region 6 and for the latter Alignment is provided. The positioning device 35 may be formed in one piece or in several parts. It can make one or more alignments of the needle 1.

For this purpose, the positioning device 35 has, for example, the positioning component 39 mentioned in the introduction, which carries out a positioning of the needle 1 in its longitudinal direction relative to the contact region 6. The positioning member 39 may be formed, for example, as a pusher and act on the rearward crutch 12 and move them in a predetermined axial position, in particular push. The according to FIG. 9 Thus, a needle 1 equipped with a contoured shaft comes into a defined axial position relative to the gripping means 13.

The positioning device 35 may further include a pre-positioner 40, which is also shown schematically and dashed. The pre-positioner 40 can provide a rotational alignment of the needle 1 received at the contact region 6, whereby the crutch 12 is brought into a defined rotational position. You can, for example, be aligned vertically and downwards. The pre-positioner 40 may be e.g. Ausstreifbürsten be formed, which rotate a possibly inclined and attacking crutch 12 in the extension movement of the expelling means 5 in the desired position. You can also check the position of the needle 1 on the contact area 6 and secure. Alternatively, the pre-positioner 40 may be designed or arranged in a different manner. It may also be omitted.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a variant of the device of Figure 1 to 9 in different operating positions. The singulator 3 is in the basic version with the embodiments of Figure 1 to 9 match. It has a housing 36 with an expelling means 5 and a drive 19 together with power transmission means 21, 22 and a carrier 23 and a guide 24. Similarly, the monitoring sensor 31 may be present. In FIGS. 10 to 12 the housing 36 is shown open, wherein the cover plate and the front wall are not shown or drawn transparent.

The difference to the first-mentioned embodiments consists in the other embodiment of the expelling means 5, the contact region 6 and the local groove 10th FIG. 10 and 11 show the expelling means 5 in a rest or initial position before it dives into the receptacle 2 and the needle pile, which in the sake of clarity in FIGS. 10 to 12 are not shown. In FIG. 12 shows the extended operating position of the expelling means 5, in which a gripper the isolated needle (not shown) can engage.

The expulsion means 5 is provided with an insert 42 which is arranged to be movable relative to the expulsion means 5 and which has a longitudinal groove 10 at its upper edge. The insert 42 may be stored and guided in or on the expelling means 5. The expelling means 5 is again formed in the embodiment shown as a plate-shaped sword and has a hollow and open at the top box shape. At the upper ends of the expelling means 5 and the local contact area 6, the above-described upstanding supports 8.9 are arranged, each with a groove 10 at the top. The insert 42 is located between the supports 8,9 and is arranged in the hollow interior of the box-shaped expelling means 5.

The insert 42 can be adjusted along the expelling means 5 and in the direction of the extension movement. For this purpose, an actuator 43 is provided which controls the extension movement of the Exhaust 5 uses and implements for an adjustment of the insert 42, wherein it cooperates with a housing-fixed stop 44, the in FIG. 12 is shown.

The groove 10 on the insert 42 is also provided for detecting and positioning a single needle 1 and is formed. The groove 10 may have the same cross-sectional geometry as the grooves 10 on the supports 8,9.

At the beginning of the expulsion operation, in particular in the said rest position and when immersing the expelling means 5 in the receptacle 2 and the needle pile there, the insert 42 is in an upper position in which its groove 10 on both sides in alignment with the grooves 10 of the supports 8, 9 connects. In the contact region 6, a long continuous groove 10 is thereby formed, which is particularly favorable for the detection and separation of a needle 1. FIG. 10 and the detailed representation of FIG. 11 clarify this position.

In FIG. 12 the extended operating position of the expelling means 5 is shown. In this operating position, the insert 42 is removed from the contact region 6, as a result of which only short groove sections 10 are still present on the supports 8, 9 and the free space 37 is formed in the region between them. The insert 42 is lowered or retracted for this purpose in the box-shaped expelling means 5.

This retraction movement is effected by the actuator 43. As FIG. 11 illustrated in the enlarged view, the actuator 43 has two spaced-apart flanges, between which a compression spring is arranged. The lower flange is connected to the expelling means 5, in particular the sword.

The upper flange is connected to the insert 42. He suggests before reaching the extended operating position on the stop 44, the insert 42 stops and the expelling means 5 is moved further up. This results in a lowering relative movement for the insert 42, wherein the spring between the flanges is compressed. In the subsequent downward movement of the expelling means 5, the actuator 43 is released from the stop 44, wherein under the action of the flange spring the insert 42 is extended again or raised and the in FIG. 10 and 11 shown position occupies.

With regard to further features, not shown in the figures, reference is made to the general part of the description.

Finally, it should be noted that the teaching of the invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above. Rather, further embodiments of the expelling means 5 and its contact region 6 and the receptacle 2 are possible. In addition, the constructive means for realizing the movement of the expelling means can vary and are freely selectable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

needle

2

admission

3

separating device

4

Through opening

4 '

Through opening

5

expulsion means

6

contact area

7

top edge

8th

In stock

9

In stock

10

groove

11

pinpoint

12

crutch

13

gripping means

14

threaded hole

15

baseplate

16

trapezoidal shape

17

funnel

18

lifting device

19

drive

20

drive shaft

21

Power transmission means, gear

22

Power transmission means, rack

23

carrier

24

guide

25

Rear wall of housing

26

Base plate of housing

27

Cover plate of housing

28

Sidewall of housing

29

commitment

30

front

31

monitoring sensor

32

engaging member

33

cable

34

recess

35

positioning

36

casing

37

free space

38

Measuring beam, laser beam

39

positioning member

40

Vorpositionierer

41

frame

42

Use, sword insert

43

actuator

44

attack

Claims (15)

1. Device for singularizing needles (1), in particular for populating a needle board of a needling machine for the production of non-woven material or needle felt, having a receptacle (2) for a needle pile, and having a singularizing installation (3), wherein the receptacle (2) has at least one passage opening (4), characterized in that
   the singularizing installation (3) has an expelling means (5) which is guidable through the passage opening (4) of the receptacle (2), and which has a contact region (6) which communicates at least with one needle (1), wherein the expelling means (5) when singularizing the needles (1) penetrates the remaining needle pile and herein displaces those needles (1) that are not acquired by the contact region (6).
2. Device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the expelling means (5) of the singularizing installation (3) is configured as a blade, a ram, or a tappet.
3. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2,
   characterized in that
   the contact region (6) of the expelling means (5) comprises at least one groove (7) for a needle (1).
4. Device according to any of Claims 1, 2, and 3,
   characterized in that
   the contact region (6) of the expelling means (5) has two bearings (8, 9) that are mutually spaced apart and protrude upwards, each having one groove (10) for a needle (1), wherein a free space (37) for a gripping means (13) is configured between an upper edge (7) of the expelling means (5) and the needle (1) that is held by the contact region (6).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the expelling means (5), in particular a blade, has a movable insert (42) that is disposed between the bearings (8, 9), said insert (42) having an upper groove (10) and in the resting position and when deploying the expelling means (5) is disposed so as to be level with the bearings (8, 9) having a groove connection, and in the deployed operating position of the expelling means (5) is lowered while forming the free space (37).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the passage opening (4) is provided in a base plate (15) of the receptacle (2), and in that the receptacle (2) is open towards the top, wherein the interior space of the receptacle (2) is configured so as to be funnel-shaped and in terms of length is adapted to the needles (1).
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the passage opening (4) is disposed in the lowermost point of the receptacle (2), and said passage opening (4) in terms of the dimensions thereof corresponds to those of the contact region (6) of the expelling means (5), and in that the expelling means (5) is disposed below the receptacle (2).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the length LA of the expelling means (5), in particular of the contact region (6) of the latter, and of the passage opening (4) is shorter than the total length LN of the needle (1).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the singularizing installation (3) comprises a lifting installation (18) for moving the expelling means (5) counter to gravity.
10. Device according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that
    the lifting installation (18) has force-transmission means (21, 22), a guide (24), and a support (23) for the expelling means (5) that is displaceable on the guide (24), wherein the support (23) interacts with the force-transmission means (21, 22), and in that a drive (19) is provided.
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the singularizing installation (3) comprises a monitoring sensor (31).
12. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the receptacle (2) comprises a vibration installation.
13. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the singularizing installation (3) has a positioning installation (35) for the needle (1) that is received in the contact region (6).
14. Device according to Claim 13,
    characterized in that the positioning installation (35) has a positioning component (39), in particular a contact-pressure installation, which for optimizing the position of the needle (1), in particular in the longitudinal direction of the needle (1), impinges the needle (1) assigned to the contact region (6), and/or the contact region (6), and/or the expelling means, and/or the receptacle (2) with a force.
15. Device according to either of Claims 13 and 14,
    characterized in that
    the positioning installation (35) has a preliminary positioning element (40) for rotating the needle (1) about the longitudinal axis, and for aligning the crook (12) of said needle (1).

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