EP3706932A1 - Apparatus and method for forming springs - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for forming springsInfo
- Publication number
- EP3706932A1 EP3706932A1 EP18819550.7A EP18819550A EP3706932A1 EP 3706932 A1 EP3706932 A1 EP 3706932A1 EP 18819550 A EP18819550 A EP 18819550A EP 3706932 A1 EP3706932 A1 EP 3706932A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- spring
- irregularity
- medium
- wire
- forming
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21F—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE
- B21F5/00—Upsetting wire or pressing operations affecting the wire cross-section
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21F—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE
- B21F35/00—Making springs from wire
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21F—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE
- B21F11/00—Cutting wire
- B21F11/005—Cutting wire springs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21F—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE
- B21F3/00—Coiling wire into particular forms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21F—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE
- B21F3/00—Coiling wire into particular forms
- B21F3/02—Coiling wire into particular forms helically
- B21F3/06—Coiling wire into particular forms helically internally on a hollow form
Definitions
- the present invention reiat.es to an apparatus for forming springs, and to a method of forming springs. It is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with an apparatus and a method for forming coil springs of wire.
- the manufacture of helically coiled wire springs currently involves a number of steps. Firstly, the wire is taken using feed rollers from a supply, which is typically a reel, and if necessary the wire is straightened to remove any kinks or twists. The wire is then formed into a helical coil using a first deflecting tool to instigate a bend in a first direction and then a second deflecting tool, arranged substantially perpendicular to the first, to instigate a bend in a second direction. This urges the wire out of plane, and into a helix. A pitching tool controls the separation of adjacent turns of the coil, according to requirements, and when the coil is of a predetermined length a cutter severs the spring from the rest of the wire.
- Figure 1 shows schematically an example of a previously considered spring forming apparatus, generally at 100.
- a reel 110 dispenses metal wire 120, typically under the control of servo driven pairs of feed rollers 130.
- the wire passes through guide rollers 140 to a forming station 150,
- the forming station comprises a first deflector 160, which causes the straight wire to deflect in a first direction,, having a vector component approximately 90 degrees to the original axis of the wire.
- the wire than meets a second deflector 17 Q which causes it to be deflected in a second direction, which has a vector component approximately 90 degrees to both the first direction and to the .original axis of the: wire.
- the result is a helically coiled spring S .
- a pitching tool determines the spacing between adjacent coils of the spring.
- a cutter 180 severs the spring from the rest of the wire.
- the feeding of the wire must be temporarily halted, or at least considerably slowed,whilst the cutter is introduced. Immediately after the cut is made the feed must resume.
- the clitter 180 comprises a tool 190 that is mounted for elliptical /rotational engagement with the wire, so that the motion of the wire need not be- halted completely fox a clean cut.
- Embodiments of the present invention aim to address at least partly the aforementioned problem (s) .
- the present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto.
- a method of manufacturing a spring from a spring medium comprising effecting an irregularity in a portion of the spring medium and thereafter deflecting the spring medium to cause it to form a spring, whereby the deflecting is arranged to cause a discontinuity in the spring medium at the location of the irregularity.
- the method coraprises feeding the spring medium from a supply to a spring forming apparatus.
- the method may comprise effecting an irregularity in the spring medium which comprises making, at least one partial cut, indent, nick, depression, deformity or weakness in the spring medium...
- the method preferably comprises effecting the irregularity in the spring medium using one or more rollers .
- the irregularity is formed without halting the motion of the spring medium, more preferably without slowing the motion of the spring medium .
- thexe is provided apparatus for manufacturing a spring , from, a spring medium.
- the apparatus comprising a feed device for feeding the spring medium and a spring forming device for forming a spring by deflecting the spring medium, wherein deflection by the spring forming device is arranged in use to create a discontinuity in the spring medium, at the location of a previously formed irregularity.
- the apparatus further comprises an irregularity forming device for forming an irregularity in the spring medium.
- the irregularity forming device is arranged to form an irregularity in the spring medium comprising at least one partial cut, indent, nick, depression, deformity or weakness in the spring medium.
- the irregularity forming device may comprise one or more rollers .
- the spring medium preferably comprises a supply of substantially unbent material to be formed into springs by deflecting the material so as to cause it to bend.
- the spring medium may comprise wire, and mere preferably comprises metal wire.
- the spring medium is arranged to break by the deflecting action of the spring forming device, thereby to separate a formed spring from the rest of the spring medium.
- the invention also comprises a program for causing a device to perform a method of manufacturing a spring in according to any statement herein.
- an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory having therein computer readable instructions, the processor being arranged in used to read the instructions to cause the performance of a method according to any statement herein.
- the invention provides a computer program product on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of manufacturing a spring according to any statement herein.
- the invention also includes a sparing formed by a. method., or an apparatus, according to any statement herein.
- the invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent.
- Figure 1 shows schematically a previously considered apparatus for forming springs
- Figure 2 shows schematically an apparatus for forming springs in accordance with an embodiment of the present: invention
- Figure 3 shows a portion of spring medium containing an irregularity and Figure 4 shows a pair of rollers for forming the irregularity of Figure .3.
- FIG 2 shows schematically a spring forming apparatus, generally at 20 ⁇ , according to an embodiment of the: present invention.
- Metal wire 220 is fed from a supply (not shown) by feed rollers 230, via irregularity-effecting rollers 2-40 to a forming station 250.
- The. forming station comprises a first deflector 260 and a. second deflector 270,. which work .In substantially the same way as the deflectors of the previously considered spring forming station described above in relation to Figure 1. However, there is no cutter in this embodiment.
- the spring S When the spring S is complete, it separates automatically from, the rest of the wire 220 due to the presence of an irregularity 280, as will be described below .
- the irregularity-effecting pair .of rollers 240 comprises an upper roller 242 and a lower roller 244. Each roller has a channel 246 in which the wire 220 is conducted. Most of the time the rollers 240 axe stationary and. the wire 250 slides through the channels 246. When an irregularity is to be introduced the rollers rotate and an anvil 24.8, located in the channel of the upper .roller, comes, to press against the wire, resulting in an irregularity 280 being introduced in the wire.
- FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the wire 220 including the irregularity 280 formed by the rollers 240,
- Figure 4. shows the rollers 2:42 and 244, On the left is the lower roller of Figure 2, showing the wire 220 .in channel 246. To the right is the- upper roller of Figure 2, showing the irregularity-forming anvil 2.48.
- the rollers 242 and 244 rotate and the anvil 248 presses the wire against the channel 240 of the lower roller. This causes a feature 280, such as is shown in Figure 3, in a precisely determined place .
- the feature 280 will eventually encounter the first deflector 260. When this happens the 'wire, will bre.ak cleanly, so- that the spring S, forraed in advance of the feature 280, will separate from the rest of the wire 220. This is because the presence of the irregularity 280 concentrates the stresses in the wire when it experiences bending forces.
- the wire can be pressed between two opposed irregularity- forming anvils, or between one anvil on one roller and a pair complimentary supports on the other roller, for example.
- the example of the irregularity 2-80 above is a V-shape, it will be understood that the shape and/or depth of the irregularity can be different.
- An adjustment can be made for different diameters of wire by altering the pressure applied by the rollers 240 and/or the distance of the anvil feature or features 248 from the wire.
- the timing of the irregularity forming operation can be controlled precisely by controlling: the operation of the rollers 240, or just the single roller 242 in the example illustrated .
- the irregularity need not be formed using one or more rollers.
- Other mechanical means may be employed to effect the weakness in the wire. Indeed, the means for making the irregularity need not be mechanical.
- An energy source such as an electrical arc or a laser, could also be used to introduce the weakness in the wire at a predetermined location, for example.
- the example described above has the irregularity formed after (i.e. downstream of) the feed rollers, in another embodiment (not shown) it may be formed before (i.e. upstream of) the feed rollers.
- the Irregularities could be pre-formed on the wire, for example on another device, prior to introduction of the wire, to the spring forming apparatus.
- an alternative supply that comprises for example a wire looped around the inside of a drum, from which the wire emerges substantially straight and under no tension
- the present invention is particularly effective in increasing the speed of spring manufacture.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wire Processing (AREA)
- Springs (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1718529.9A GB201718529D0 (en) | 2017-11-09 | 2017-11-09 | Apparatus and method for forming springs |
PCT/GB2018/053186 WO2019092404A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 | 2018-11-02 | Apparatus and method for forming springs |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3706932A1 true EP3706932A1 (en) | 2020-09-16 |
Family
ID=60788269
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18819550.7A Withdrawn EP3706932A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 | 2018-11-02 | Apparatus and method for forming springs |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20210187588A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3706932A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111936250A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2018363284A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3082059A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB201718529D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019092404A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN212652618U (en) * | 2020-06-02 | 2021-03-05 | 福立旺精密机电(中国)股份有限公司 | Spring forming equipment with laser processing function |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB314744A (en) * | 1928-04-23 | 1929-07-04 | Corban Henry Ziler | Cutting mechanism for wire spring making machines |
DE889888C (en) * | 1947-06-20 | 1953-09-14 | Heli Coil Corp | Process for the manufacture of helical wire spools |
GB839822A (en) * | 1958-06-13 | 1960-06-29 | Heli Coil Corp | Wire coiling machine |
DE2535819C2 (en) * | 1975-08-12 | 1976-10-28 | Hack Karl Maschf | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATING A PIECE OF PRE-DETERMINED LENGTH FROM A CONTINUOUS STRAND OF COIL SPRING |
EP0726108B1 (en) * | 1995-02-01 | 1998-03-04 | Scheuregger, Siegfried | Device for cutting wires or bars without burrs |
IT1282392B1 (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1998-03-20 | Omd Officina Maccanica Domaso | UNIVERSAL CUTTING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY DESIGNED FOR WINDING MACHINES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HELICAL SPRINGS |
JP2002035876A (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2002-02-05 | Daido Steel Co Ltd | Manufacturing method of shape-memory alloy |
FR2937890B1 (en) * | 2008-11-05 | 2010-12-24 | Ressorts Huon Dubois | METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR MANUFACTURING A SPRING |
DE102011007183A1 (en) * | 2011-04-12 | 2012-10-18 | Wafios Ag | Method and system for programming the control of a multi-axis forming machine and forming machine |
DE102013214161B4 (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2015-05-07 | Wafios Ag | Method and device for producing coil springs by spring winds |
CN204603152U (en) * | 2015-05-15 | 2015-09-02 | 张宪惠 | A kind of automatic spring winding machine |
CN106040920B (en) * | 2016-08-22 | 2018-03-09 | 陶胜治 | Spring steel wire automatic spring winding machine stress break process |
-
2017
- 2017-11-09 GB GBGB1718529.9A patent/GB201718529D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2018
- 2018-11-02 WO PCT/GB2018/053186 patent/WO2019092404A1/en unknown
- 2018-11-02 CA CA3082059A patent/CA3082059A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-11-02 EP EP18819550.7A patent/EP3706932A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2018-11-02 GB GB1817923.4A patent/GB2578720B/en active Active
- 2018-11-02 US US16/761,872 patent/US20210187588A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-11-02 AU AU2018363284A patent/AU2018363284A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-11-02 CN CN201880085407.5A patent/CN111936250A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201817923D0 (en) | 2018-12-19 |
WO2019092404A1 (en) | 2019-05-16 |
CA3082059A1 (en) | 2019-05-16 |
CN111936250A (en) | 2020-11-13 |
AU2018363284A1 (en) | 2020-06-04 |
GB2578720B (en) | 2022-08-31 |
GB2578720A (en) | 2020-05-27 |
US20210187588A1 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
GB201718529D0 (en) | 2017-12-27 |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
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