EP3415463A1 - Arrangement of sections of a string of springs for the manufacture of a spring core - Google Patents

Abstract

For arranging sections (6) of a spring coil (3), which comprise a predetermined number of spring pockets (13), for the production of a spring core (9), the respective section (6) is conveyed by a first conveyor (4) pass respective section (6) to a second conveyor (7) and the respective section (6) with the second conveyor (7) is further promoted. In this case, lengths of segments of the respective section (6) in the region of the second conveyor (7) are measured, and to set a predetermined length of the section (6) on the second conveyor (7), relative conveying speeds of the second conveyor (7) are compared the first conveyor (4) depending on the measured lengths set, while both conveyors (4, 7) promote the respective section (6).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for arranging sections of a spring coil comprising a predetermined number of spring pockets for the manufacture of a spring core.

In particular, the invention is concerned with arranging the sections of the spring coil in such a way that they comply with a predetermined length which corresponds to the width of the respective spring core. Over this length, the spring pockets of each section should be arranged regularly.

WAS STANDING OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A method for arranging portions of a spring coil for the manufacture of a spring core with the features of the preamble of independent claim 1 and a corresponding device having the features of the preamble of independent claim 9 are known from EP 2 524 895 B1 known. The known device comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor, wherein the first conveyor conveys the portion of the spring coil to the second conveyor. Furthermore, the device comprises a sensor device which, when the spring impact is conveyed past a sensor arranged in the conveying direction in front of the second conveyor, detects lengths of a plurality of segments of the portion of the spring coil. Moreover, the device comprises a control device which is coupled to the sensor device and to a drive of the first conveyor and to a drive of the second conveyor and which, in an operating state of the device in which both the first conveyor and the second conveyor convey the spring coil, Depending on the detected lengths time-sequentially several relative conveyor speeds between a Setting the conveying speed of the second conveyor and a conveying speed of the first conveyor. In the known method, the sections of the spring coil are conveyed in accordance with a first conveyor and with a downstream in the conveying direction second conveyor. Lengths of a plurality of segments of the portions of the spring coil are each detected before the corresponding segment is completely positioned on the second conveyor. Depending on the detected lengths, a plurality of relative conveying speeds between the conveying speed of the second conveyor and the conveying speed of the first conveyor are set in a time-sequential manner, while both the first conveyor and the second conveyor convey the spring coil. The device may comprise a further sensor positioned on the second conveyor and detecting a beginning and an end of the spring coil. In this way, in the event of deviations from a predetermined length of the section on the second conveyor, the operation of the device can be stopped and a warning signal output.

By the respective relative conveying speed between the conveying speed of the second conveyor and the conveying speed of the first conveyor, the respective section of the spring coil is stretched or compressed during its transfer from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, depending on whether the conveying speed of the second conveyor is greater or less than that Conveying speed of the first conveyor is. This compensates for deviations in the lengths of the segments of the respective section measured in the region of the first conveyor from lengths predetermined for these segments, so that the section receives the length predefined for it on the second conveyor. In this case, the relative conveying speed is set in each case to the value which experience has required to change, if necessary, the measured length of the respective segment during the transfer from the first conveyor to the second conveyor into the length prescribed for the respective segment.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to provide a method and apparatus for arranging sections of a spring coil, which comprise a predetermined number of spring pockets, for the production of a spring core with which the predetermined length of the portion on the second conveyor with less effort at least as well is set reliably as in the known method and the known device.

SOLUTION

The object of the invention is achieved by a method having the features of independent patent claim 1 and a device having the features of independent claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 8 and 10 to 15, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the inventive method for arranging sections of a spring coil, which comprise a predetermined number of spring pockets, for the production of a spring core, the respective section is first conveyed by a first conveyor, then transferred to a second conveyor and then further promoted with the second conveyor. In this case, lengths of segments of the respective section in the region of the second conveyor are measured, and to set a predetermined length of the section on the second conveyor relative conveyor speeds of the second conveyor relative to the first conveyor are set depending on the measured lengths, while both conveyors Promote section.

Unlike the one from the EP 2 524 895 B1 known feed-forward control of the relative conveying speed of the second conveyor relative to the first conveyor is thus carried out in the method according to the invention, a feed-back control. Since, as a control signal, lengths of the segments of the respective section are used, which are measured in the area of the second conveyor, the control takes place directly on the predetermined length of the section on the second conveyor, and measurements of lengths on the second conveyor are used for this control that came out of the EP 2 524 895 B1 in order to determine whether the predetermined length of the section on the second conveyor has actually been adjusted by means of the relative conveyor speeds of the second conveyor with respect to the first conveyor.

Accordingly, in the method according to the invention, signals of sensors in the region of the first conveyor are dispensed with for setting the relative conveying speed of the second conveyor with respect to the first conveyor. These sensors can work accordingly be saved. In addition, the first conveyor can be shortened, practically down to a level that just barely sufficient to promote the respective sections as far as possible without slip, that with the respective relative conveying speed targeted stretching or compression of the section in its transfer from the first Conveyor to the second conveyor can be done.

The relative conveying speeds in the method according to the invention are preferably set so that the measured lengths of the segments are adjusted to predetermined values. Thus, the control is not only to adjust the predetermined length of the section on the second conveyor, but also to bring the lengths of the segments to the predetermined values, so that the spring pockets are generally arranged regularly on the second conveyor. In this case, the segments whose lengths are measured, in particular connect directly to each other or overlap each other.

Specifically, the lengths may be measured by detecting contours of the spring pockets in the region of the second conveyor and taking into account associated conveyor lines of the second conveyor. This measurement of the contours of the spring pockets is carried out with a sensor arranged in the region of the second conveyor. The sensor indicates, for example, when the respective section of the spring coil reaches its maximum and / or minimum width in the region of the individual spring pockets or in between. This signal is correlated with the corresponding position of the second conveyor. The different positions of the second conveyor, which are correlated with the signals from the sensor, then indicate the lengths of the corresponding segments of the section.

In addition, the contours of the spring pockets can be assigned to certain positions on the second conveyor. These positions can then be used to position bonds between sections adjacent each other in the spring core. This means that even for this positioning of the bonds no further sensor is needed.

Preferably, both conveyors are stopped only once when transferring the respective section to separate the respective section from the rest of the spring coil. This separation is typically carried out before the first conveyor, ie with respect to the conveying direction upstream of the first conveyor. Concretely, the respective section can be separated from the remainder of the spring coil, if before the first conveyor, the predetermined number of Federbaschen was counted. For this purpose, in front of the first conveyor, a corresponding additional sensor must be provided, which can also detect the contours of the spring pockets. For this detection of the contours of the spring pockets, it also counts here when the sensor is not responsive to the spring pockets themselves, but to the springs arranged thereon or their material, for example in the manner of a metal detector.

An inventive device for arranging sections of a spring coil, which comprise a predetermined number of spring pockets, for the manufacture of a spring core comprises a first conveyor for the sections, a subsequent to the first conveyor to form a transfer gap second conveyor for the sections and one to a Control for adjusting a relative conveying speed of the second conveyor relative to the first conveyor connected sensor for detecting the spring pockets. This sensor is arranged according to the invention in the region of the second conveyor. The device is designed in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Concretely, the sensor may comprise two opposing component sensors arranged on both sides of the second conveyor. As a result, the measurement accuracy of the sensor is optimized, and lateral changes in position of the spring coil section do not affect its function, as they bring the section so much closer to the one part sensor as they remove it from the other part sensor.

The apparatus according to the invention may comprise a gluing device for applying adhesions to the respective section at certain positions on the second conveyor, wherein the controller associates the spring pockets detected with the sensor to the determined positions on the second conveyor.

Before the first conveyor, a separating device for separating the respective section from the rest of a spring coil can be provided. The separating device may have a further sensor for detecting the spring pockets.

In a device according to the invention, a length of the first conveyor is preferably not more than 1.5 times as long as a minimum length of the first conveyor in order to promote sections of all spring coils conveyed by the device with no slip. Specifically, it may be that the first conveyor is not longer than 40 cm.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the description and the drawings. The advantages of features and of combinations of several features mentioned in the description are merely exemplary and can take effect alternatively or cumulatively, without the advantages having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention. Without thereby altering the subject matter of the appended claims, as regards the disclosure of the original application documents and the patent, further features can be found in the drawings, in particular the illustrated geometries and the relative dimensions of several components and their relative arrangement and operative connection. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or of features of different claims is also possible deviating from the chosen relationships of the claims and is hereby stimulated. This also applies to those features which are shown in separate drawings or are mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different claims. Likewise, in the claims listed features for further embodiments of the invention can be omitted.

The features mentioned in the patent claims and the description are to be understood in terms of their number that exactly this number or a greater number than the said number is present, without requiring an explicit use of the adverb "at least". If, for example, a partial sensor is mentioned, it should be understood that exactly one partial sensor, two partial sensors or more partial sensors are present. These features may be supplemented by other features or be the only characteristics that make up the product in question.

The reference numerals contained in the claims do not limit the scope of the objects protected by the claims. They are for the sole purpose of making the claims easier to understand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

ist ein Blockdiagramm einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Fig. 2

illustriert schematisch das Fördern eines Abschnitts einer Federschlange durch eine Trenneinrichtung mit einem ersten Förderer und einem daran anschließenden zweiten Förderer.

Fig. 3

illustriert eine Anordnung von zwei Teilsensoren eines Sensors der Vorrichtung auf beiden Seiten des Abschnitts der Federschlange.

In the following the invention will be further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures.

Fig. 1

is a block diagram of a device according to the invention.

Fig. 2

schematically illustrates the conveying of a portion of a spring coil by a separating device with a first conveyor and an adjoining second conveyor.

Fig. 3

illustrates an arrangement of two part sensors of a sensor of the device on both sides of the portion of the spring coil.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The in the block diagram according to Fig. 1 illustrated device 1 comprises a memory 2 for a spring coil 3, which has separate and filled with coil springs spring bags. To a first conveyor 4, the spring coil 3 passes through a separating device 5, which separates sections 6 from the spring coil 3, wherein each of the sections comprises a predetermined number of spring pockets. From the first conveyor 4, the sections 6 are transferred to a second conveyor 7 and further promoted by this until the respective section 6 is arranged entirely on the second conveyor 7. Then gluing 8 in the range of all or at least a portion of the spring pockets of the respective section are attached by a gluing device to glue the section with previously promoted similar sections to a spring core 9. The spring core is thereby output in the transverse direction to the conveying direction of the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 7. It will be appreciated that the bonds are not applied to the first of the sections fed to the respective innerspring but first to the second and subsequent sections so that the bonds between the sections 6 are present and the sections bond together. So that the spring core 9 is formed in a defined width, the sections are each to be arranged with a predetermined length and at regular intervals of their spring pockets on the second conveyor. Both the predetermined length and the distances of the spring pockets are adjusted by means of relative conveying speeds, which are set between a conveying speed of the first conveyor 4 and a second conveying speed of the second conveyor 7, so that the respective section 6 via a transfer gap 10 between the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 7 is compressed or stretched away depending on the relative conveying speed.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the separating device 5 of the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 7 of the device 1. The separating device 5 has conveyor rollers 15 for the spring coil 3 and a sensor 11 for detecting the springs 12 occupied spring pockets 13 of the spring coil 3. As soon as the number of spring pockets 13 occupied by springs 12 has been counted for the respective section 6, the section 6 is separated with the aid of a separating tool 14. For this separation, the conveying of the section 6 with the first conveyor 4 and the second conveyor 7 is interrupted once. Because of the relatively short length of the first conveyor 4, the respective section 6 is already transferred before its separation from the rest of the spring coil 3 partially over the transfer gap 10 away from the conveyor 4 to the conveyor 7, ie both of the first conveyor 4 and the promoted second conveyor 7. This common conveying with both conveyors 4 and 7 is continued after the separation of the section 6 until the respective section 6 is arranged entirely on the second conveyor 7.

As soon as the spring pockets 13 of the section 6 are arranged on the second conveyor 7, they are detected by a sensor 16. A signal 17 indicating this detection of the sensor reaches a controller 18, which assigns it to a specific position of the second conveyor 7. Thus, when detecting the next spring coil and the assignment to the corresponding position of the conveyor 7 from the then present two positions of the conveyor 7, the distance between the two spring pockets 13 and thus the length of a segment of the section 6 on the second conveyor 7 can be determined. Depending on how these lengths of segments of the section 6 on the second conveyor 7 coincide with predetermined values for these segments, the relative conveying speed between the conveying speed of the first conveyor 4 and the conveying speed of the second conveyor 7 is set to the lengths of the segments on the predetermined values and also a predetermined length of the entire section 6 on the second conveyor 7 regulate. For this purpose, the relative conveying speed is continuously adapted to the measured lengths of the segments of the section 6 on the second conveyor 7.

Both conveyors 4 and 7 are shown here as pairs 21 and 22 of conveyor belts. However, like the conveyor rollers 15, these are only examples of conveyors for conveying the section 6 or the spring coil 3. The first conveyor 4 is only so long that it conveys the section 6 without slip, so that the section 6 by means of the respective relative conveying speed on the Transfer gap 10 can be compressed or stretched away. The controller 18 gives with a Drive signal 19, the conveying speed of the first conveyor 4 before. Here, the controller 18 communicates with the second conveyor 7 via a bidirectional position and drive signal 20. If the second conveyor 7 has, for example, a stepper motor drive, the controller 18 can specify not only the conveyor speed but also the position of the second conveyor 7 with a one-sided drive signal. The conveyor 7 is so long that it can accommodate the entire section 6. The positions of the spring pockets 13 on the second conveyor 7 detected by the controller 18 with the aid of the sensor 16 or its signal 17 are also used by the gluing device 8 in order to selectively mount the glued joints where the spring pockets 13 have their maximum width.

Fig. 3 illustrates how the sensor 16, but also basically the sensor 11 of the device 1 may have two part sensors 23 on both sides of the section 6 to detect the contours of the spring pockets 13 or the springs 12 contained therein from both sides. In this case, the partial sensors 23 may be distance sensors which, for example, project a point of light onto the section 6 and detect the point of light at an angle to the projection direction in order to directly detect the contour of the outer surface of the section 6. However, the part sensors 23 may, for example, also be metal detectors which respond to the material of the springs 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

Storage

3

feathered serpent

4

first conveyor

5

separator

6

section

7

second conveyor

8th

bonding means

9

innerspring

10

Transfer gap

11

Sensor of the separator 5

12

feather

13

Pencil Case

14

parting tool

15

conveyor roller

16

sensor

17

signal

18

control

19

control signal

20

bidirectional position and drive signal

21

conveyor belt

22

conveyor belt

23

part sensor

Claims (15)

Method for arranging sections (6) of a spring coil (3), which comprise a predetermined number of spring pockets (13), for producing a spring core (9) Conveying the respective section (6) with a first conveyor (4), - Passing the respective section (6) to a second conveyor (7) and Further conveying the respective section (6) with the second conveyor (7), wherein lengths of segments of the respective section (6) are measured and set relative to the measured lengths relative conveying speeds of the second conveyor (7) relative to the first conveyor (4), while both conveyors (4, 7) promote the respective section (6) to set a predetermined length of the section (6) on the second conveyor (7), characterized in that the lengths of the segments of the respective section (6) in the region of the second conveyor (7) are measured. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative conveying speeds are adjusted so that the measured lengths of the segments are adjusted to predetermined values. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lengths are measured by detecting contours of the spring pockets (13) in the region of the second conveyor (7) and taking into account associated conveyor lines of the second conveyor (7). A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the contours of the spring pockets (13) are assigned to certain positions on the second conveyor (7). A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the determined positions are used for positioning bonds between adjacent sections (6) in the spring core (9). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both conveyors (4, 6) are stopped only once when transferring the respective section (6) in order to separate the respective section (6) from the remainder of the spring coil (3). A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the respective section (6) before the first conveyor (4) is separated from the rest of the spring coil (3). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the respective section (6) is separated from the rest of the spring coil (3), when before the first conveyor (4) the predetermined number of spring pockets (13) was counted. Device (1) for arranging sections (6) of a spring coil (3) comprising a predetermined number of spring pockets (13) for the manufacture of a spring core (9) a first conveyor (4) for the sections (6), - One to the first conveyor (4) to form a transfer gap (10) subsequent second conveyor (7) for the sections (6) and a sensor (16) connected to a controller (18) for setting a relative conveying speed of the second conveyor (7) relative to the first conveyor (4) for detecting the spring pockets (13), characterized in that the sensor (16) in the region of the second conveyor (7) is arranged. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the controller (18) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8 is formed. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the sensor (16) comprises two mutually opposite, on both sides of the second conveyor (7) arranged part sensors (23). Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a gluing device (8) for applying adhesive bonds to the respective section (6) is provided at certain positions on the second conveyor (7), the control (18 ) the spring pockets (13) detected by the sensor (16) are assigned to the determined positions on the second conveyor (7). Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that in front of the first conveyor (4) a separating device (5) for separating the respective section (6) from the rest of a spring coil (3) is provided. Device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the separating device (5) has a further sensor (11) for detecting the spring pockets (3). Device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that a length of the first conveyor (4) is not more than 1.5 times as long as a minimum length of the first conveyor (4) to provide sections (6). all with the device (1) promoted spring coils (3) to promote slip-free, and / or that one or the length of the first conveyor (4) is not more than 40 cm.

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