FR2915914A1 - Cylindrical spring disentangling device for e.g. automobile field, has discharging units with rail that is static and inclined in manner to discharge springs by sliding from agitation units, and calibration units arranged nearer to rail end - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (24) has a tapered fixed case (30) forming a receiving chamber (32) that receives cylindrical springs (26). Cylindrical spring discharging units (34) have a rail (48) that is static and inclined in a manner to discharge the springs by sliding from cylindrical agitation units (28). Dynamic calibration units (36) are arranged nearer to a lower end (54) of the rail above a discharging slide (52), and have a wheel (56) that is driven in rotation, where the slide is in the form of a V-shaped groove.

Description

DEVICE FOR DEMELING SPRINGS, ESPECIALLY SPRINGS

CYLINDRICAL

  The present invention relates to a device for disentangling springs, more particularly cylindrical springs, or other parts capable of being entangled, said device also permitting the continuous feeding of another device in springs separated from each other and oriented identically. Whether small parts such as springs, studs, or the like, said small parts are generally provided in bulk and it is necessary to disentangle or guide them to be able to convey them to another device, part of an assembly station for example, in a determined position from which they can be used directly and without further manipulation. In an industrial context relating to a production process, the manual disentangling of entangled parts from one another is an operation that is too expensive in time and labor.

  In addition, in the case of very small pieces, it becomes tiring or impossible for the human eye to distinguish the manner in which said pieces are entangled. In the case of the use and therefore the disentangling of very small springs, more particularly interesting case of the present invention and being considered as one of the most difficult to achieve, the manufacturers are obliged to equip themselves with automated devices to accelerate disentangling of these springs and achieve productivity that can be profitable.

  Different solutions have been developed to allow automated disentangling of small parts, including springs. FIG. 1 illustrates a device 10 of the prior art for disentangling various intermingled parts, including springs 12.

  Such a device 10 according to the prior art comprises means 14 for agitating the springs to be disentangled being in the form of a cylindrical drum 16, inclined and driven in rotation, and blades 18, substantially rectangular and fixed in radial planes said drum on a wall 20 of said drum 16. The inclination of the drum 16 relative to the horizontal makes it possible to group the springs 12 and to maintain them in line with said blades 18. The rotational movement of the drum 16, and therefore of the blades 18, makes it possible to raise these springs 12, by loading on said blades 18, towards a horizontal rail 22 of transport arranged substantially in the center of said drum 16. As they reach the upper part of the drum 16, the springs 12 fall gradually from a height h, height between a blade 18 in a vertical position and the horizontal rail 22. Thus, the springs 12 are gradually discharged on the rail 22. Some of the springs re stent on the rail to be separated and ordered according to a given position. Said horizontal transport rail 22 is vibrating so as to move the springs 12 in the manner of a vibrating sole and in the evacuation direction E illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 1. Only the springs remain on the rail. Isolated, oriented, agglomerates are ejected from the rail by these vibrations. Although fulfilling the automatic disentangling function of the springs 12 delivered in bulk and making it possible to accelerate the productivity in comparison with a manual execution of said disentangling, this device 10 according to the prior art has drawbacks likely to alter its operation and of curb its adoption in an industrial application.

  Thus, the inclined drum design of this device is not a guarantee of reliability and longevity. This inclination causes dynamic imbalances in the form of unbalance effects during the rotation of the drum, which may be unfavorable to the life of the assembly, particularly that of the links supporting the drum causing their wear and the appearance of play. In addition to said unbalance effects, the translational movement of the parts 12 is made from a vibrating horizontal rail 22. Not only this type of vibration device is complex to implement: its setting to be modified and refined as best as possible for each batch of pieces of different size, but in addition, it accentuates the vibrations to which are subjected the various components of device 10. Indirectly, the vibrations of a device according to the prior art also produce noise that, if they can be tolerated because adorned with the aid of hearing protection, are nevertheless troublesome for the environment of said device. Another disadvantage of this device of the prior art is to require the fall of the springs 12 to a relatively high height h to be able to dump them as gradually as possible on the horizontal rail 22 to separate them from each other. This height makes it all the more difficult the reception of the springs 12 dumped last on the horizontal rail 22. In the end, this height h limits the efficiency and the rate of distribution of this device of the prior art, which lies to be very penalizing for an industrial application. It is also noted that most of the device 10 is in motion. The entire drum 16 is in rotational movement and the rail 22 in vibration. Also, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of this device of the prior art concerning design choices that could alter the life of some components while improving the capabilities and performance of automatic disentangling. The improvements proposed by the invention aim in particular to achieve productivity objectives, always higher, industries likely to use an automated disentangling. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for disentangling springs, more particularly cylindrical springs, comprising means for mixing said springs, a fixed casing forming an enclosure for receiving said springs, evacuation means in the form of a static ramp and inclined so as to evacuate the springs by simply sliding from said stirring means, and dynamic calibration means.

  In order to limit the appearance of play and extend the life of its components, the device according to the invention provides a design to avoid the effects of unbalance and not employing a vibration device. Advantageously, an arrangement according to the invention makes it easier to implement and maintain in many industries by limiting moving parts. In addition, the device according to the invention also allows the realization of a continuous supply of untangled springs, the continuity of the coin supply being a major factor for the application of said device in assembly lines of sectors such as l automotive, electronics and appliances. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a device for disentangling springs according to the prior art, - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for disentangling springs according to the invention, - Figure 3 is a representation of a side sectional view according to a vertical plane of a device for unraveling springs according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, - Figure 4 is a representation of a front view of the stirring means of a device for unraveling springs according to a mode preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG. 5 is a representation of a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane of a device for disentangling springs according to a mode of réasal preferred embodiment of the invention.

  The invention relates to a device 24 for disentangling springs 26, more particularly cylindrical springs, see the various figures. If said device 24 has been designed to unravel springs 26, this application is not exclusive, the invention also covers all applications of said device 24 that can be envisaged for parts other than springs, such as studs or screws by example, and likely to be entangled or delivered in bulk. The device 24 for unraveling springs that will now be described aims to allow a continuous supply of springs 26 for example in a assembly line of the automotive sector, household appliances, electronics or any industry of manufactured products incorporating one or more springs . A device 24 for disentangling springs 26, in particular cylindrical, according to the invention comprises stirring means 28 of said springs, at least one fixed casing 30 forming a receiving chamber 32 of said springs, means of evacuation 34 and means for calibration 36.

  The receiving chamber 32 is defined as the total volume of the device 24 for receiving springs 26 to disentangle. The output of a device 24 according to the invention is not necessarily related to the volume of said receiving chamber 32, as explained below, the disentanglement rate of a device 24 according to the invention is rather related to the arrangement of the fixed casing 30, and the efficiency of the stirring means 28, the evacuation means 34 and the calibration means 36. The fixed casing 30 is an integral part of the frame of the device 24, and, as such, it is fixed to a plate 38 forming a base, in particular a metal base, which is sufficiently thick and rigid to support its mass as well as those of all the other components of said device 24. Preferably, the fixed casing 30 is also made of a metallic material, especially in sheet metal, for example by forming.

  When using a device 24, the springs 26 supplied in bulk are placed inside the receiving chamber 32, before said device 24 is turned on or as a cycle of disentangling of springs. Once the springs 26 in bulk brought inside the receiving chamber 32 of the device 24 according to the invention, it is necessary to bring them and maintain them at the level of the stirring means 28. These brewing means 28, in the form of at least one blade 40, substantially rectangular, moving in the receiving chamber 32, make it possible to perform a first step of separating the springs 26 intermingled in the form of balls 42. 20 More precisely , balls 42 of springs 26, comprising several springs entangled with each other, have generally been created during the storage of springs 26 packed in bulk after manufacture. The movement of said balls 42 in a free space, ie having a volume large enough to avoid compressing the springs between them, has the result of gradually disconnecting the springs 26 from each other. The balls 42 of springs are therefore likely to be quickly disentangled by their setting in motion by said stirring means 28, as long as they are maintained at said stirring means 28 and in a free space. A device 24 according to the invention therefore comprises means for bringing and maintain the springs at the stirring means 28. These means can be achieved using different mechanical or automated devices. The means for bringing and maintaining the springs 26 and the balls 42 at the stirring means 28 are preferably in the form of at least one inclined surface 44, arranged in the lower part of the receiving chamber 32.

  The inclination p of said inclined surface 44 with respect to the horizontal is of course oriented so that the slope of said surface 44 is facing the stirring means 28. To be adaptable to different needs, particularly with regard to the rates of work, and to different parts to disentangle, the inclination p of said inclined surface 44 can be adjustable by appropriate means, known to those skilled in the art, but in any case, it must be large enough to cause the sliding said parts to the stirring means 28, as illustrated by the arrow 46 in Figure 2. Thereafter, the stirring means 28 can route the springs 26 by elevation to the evacuation means 34, the transport by raising said springs 26 by loading on a blade 40 of said stirring means 28. The evacuation means 34 is in the form of at least one static ramp 48 and inclined at an angle cp relative to the horizontal, the stirring means 28 discharge said springs 26 at the top of said ramp 48 so as to discharge the springs 26 by sliding, as shown by the arrow 50 in FIG.

  Advantageously, thanks to its inclined design, the ramp 48 reduces the drop height of the springs 26 when they are progressively discharged by the stirring means 28 at the top of said ramp 48. In order to orient all the springs 26 unraveled in a given position and to remove said springs 26 unraveled in this given position, for example to storage means or a device capable of mounting said springs, the inclined ramp 48 of the evacuation means 34 comprises at least one slide 52 discharge in the form of a groove of shapes and dimensions adapted to the springs 26 to guide.

  During their fall and their reception on the inclined ramp 48, some springs 26 are likely to be further intermingled in the form of balls 42, and others are likely to slide without being guided in the correct position. Calibration means 36, arranged near the lower end 54 of the inclined ramp 48, are essential for making a selection of the only springs 26 unraveled. More specifically, the calibration means 36 are disposed at the end of the evacuation means 34 above the discharge slide 52. Indeed, as illustrated in Figure 2, if a ball 42 of two springs 26 20 entangled manages to be guided on the ramp 48 of the evacuation means, this ball must be rejected from said evacuation means 34. In order to perform a reliable selection and rapid rejection of the springs 26 still entangled or oriented in a bad position, according to a particular characteristic of the invention the calibration means 36 are dynamic calibration means comprising at least one wheel 56, said wheel being driven in rotation and having at least one notch 58 ejection.

  When a pelota 42 of springs 26 still entangled reaches the right of the calibration means 36, it is locked and ejected in the receiving chamber 32. In addition, when ejecting a ball 42 or in shock caused by said ejection with the fixed casing 30, or with any other component of the device 24, the springs 26 forming said pelota 42 are again able to be detached. These dynamic calibration means 36 thus make it possible to perform a second step of separating the springs 26 still entangled.

  The dimensions and shapes of an ejection notch 58 of a wheel 56 and the positioning of the calibration means 36 relative to the slideway 52 of the evacuation means 34 are adapted to the different types of springs 26 or parts to be unraveled. . As illustrated in FIG. 2, the volume of the receiving enclosure 32 may correspond to the internal volume of the fixed casing 30, the said fixed casing forming a substantially closed enclosure of any shape enclosing the stirring means 28 of the springs 26, the d 34 and the calibration means 36. However, in a preferred embodiment and illustrated in Figures 3 to 5 of the device 24 according to the invention, the volume of the receiving chamber 32 of said device 24 corresponds to the volume inside the fixed housing 30 added to the internal volume of the stirring means 28, said stirring means 28 no longer being contained in said fixed housing. Indeed, according to a preferred embodiment of a device 24 according to the invention, the fixed casing 30 is made in two parts, substantially two half-parts, a lower part 60 fixed to the plate 38 forming a base of said device 24, and an upper portion 62 articulated with respect to said lower portion 60.

  Thus, the upper portion 62 is removable, making the receiving chamber 32 easily accessible. Moreover, while still maintaining the same lower part 60, the upper part 62 can be adapted to the needs of the customers, for example concerning the integration of springs supply means or an embodiment in a transparent material in order to observe secure operation of the device 24 and the unfolding cycle cycle. Still in a preferred embodiment of a device 24 according to the invention, said at least one inclined surface 44 belongs to the fixed casing 30. More specifically, said inclined surface 44 is manufactured with the lower part 60 of said casing Fixed 30. To give an order of ideas, the inclination p of the inclined surface 44 is of the order of twenty three degrees. When using a device 24, the springs 26 provided in bulk must be placed inside the receiving chamber 32. There are several ways to supply the receiving chamber 32 in the springs 26. A first variant concerning the supply of springs 26 may consist of an introduction flap made at the upper portion 62 of the fixed casing 30 to allow an operator to introduce a certain amount of springs 26 to unravel in said device 24 before or during operation. A second variant concerning the supply of springs 26 may consist of a feed hopper, installed in a slot provided for this purpose in the upper portion 62 of said fixed housing. Said hopper allowing the continuous supply of springs 26 of the device 24 during its operation, in particular thanks to the use of automated conveying means allowing a continuous arrival of springs 26 in bulk in the device 24.

  As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the stirring means 28 are in the form of at least one drum 64 of central axis A driven in rotation, said drum 64 being preferably cylindrical. According to a preferred embodiment of a device 24 according to the invention, the fixed housing 30 is joined to the cylindrical drum 64 of the stirring means 28 and the respective volumes of the stirring means 28 and the fixed housing 30 are communicating. In order to cooperate with a cylindrical drum 64 of the stirring means 28, the fixed casing 30, and therefore its two lower parts 60 and upper 62, 10 has a form of revolution. More particularly, in order to integrate the inclined surface 44, said housing 30 is of frustoconical shape, the main base of the truncated cone cooperating with a drum cylinder base 64. Advantageously, the axis of rotation of the frustoconical fixed housing 30 corresponds to the central axis A of the cylindrical drum 64. In this way, the base of the cylindrical drum 64 and the main base of the frustoconical fixed casing 30 are completely unobstructed to make the openings making it possible to make the volume of said fixed casing 30 as much as possible communicate with the volume of the stirring means 28. 20 L central axis A of the drum 64 driven in rotation is horizontal. This has the effect of avoiding unbalance effects. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment of a device 24 according to the invention, the stirring means 28 comprise at least one blade 40, preferably eight blades 40, fastened to at least one wall of the drum 64 and 25 substantially disposed in a radial plane of said cylindrical drum 64. In order to move said blade 40, said drum 64 is rotated by motorized drive means 66.

  These motorized drive means 66, visible in FIG. 3, are preferably made by a gearmotor 68 fixed to the plate 38 forming the base of the frame of the device 24. Said motorized drive means 66 are mechanically connected to the drum 64 by the intermediate of a link 70, chains / pinions for example, and a carrier shaft 72 transmitting the rotational movement of said link 70 to the drum 64. In order to resume the forces generated by the mass and the rotation of the drum 64, in particular made of a metal material such as sheet metal, the carrier shaft is mounted on rolling bearings and connected to said drum via a platen 74 robust. A blade 40 of the stirring means may comprise a flange 76 inclined relative to its main surface, the direction of inclination of the flange 76 being a function of the direction of rotation of the drum 64. For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. drum 64 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the flange 76 of a blade 40 is thus inclined in the counterclockwise direction so as to promote the loading of a maximum of springs 26 to be transported to the evacuation means 34. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment of a device 24 according to the invention, the inclined ramp 48 of the evacuation means 34 is made by an assembly of folded sheets, the evacuation slide 52 being under in the form of a V-shaped groove 78 having flat flanges 80 on each side of the V for guiding the springs 26 to said groove 78. Said inclined ramp 48 is fixed by at least one arm 82, preferably two as shown in FIG. 5, said arm 82 being fixed to the fixed housing 30. Advantageously, a device 24 comprises means for varying and adjusting the inclination angle cp of the inclined ramp 48. To give an order of ideas, the inclined ramp 48 evacuation means is inclined at an angle cp of about twenty five degrees.

  In a preferred embodiment of a device 24 according to the invention, the wheel 56 of the calibration means 36 is made of a material having a sufficient hardness to withstand wear and thus maintain a reliable selection of springs 26. Said wheel 56 is driven by motorized means 84, fixed to the base plate 38 of said device 24 and in particular at variable speed. A device 24 advantageously comprises height adjustment means, within the reach of those skilled in the art, to enable the position of the wheel 56 to be adjusted by means of calibration over the discharge slide 52 of the means of adjustment. Evacuation 34. In order to allow a continuous supply of springs within an assembly line of the automobile, household appliance, electronic or any manufacturing industry incorporating one or more springs 26, the device 24 according to the invention makes it possible to supplying, from the outlet of the springs 26 of the evacuation means 34 and directly or indirectly through storage means, a device of a mounting chain in springs 26 separated from each other and oriented in a position given. Compared to the devices of the prior art, and whatever the embodiment, it is already found that it becomes much simpler to increase the volume of the receiving chamber of a device according to the invention: it is possible to increase the volume of the fixed casing without any consequences on the dimensioning of the other components of the device, in particular on the means for rotating the stirring means. In an alternative embodiment of a device 24, two fixed casings 30 can be joined on either side of the stirring means 28, the discharge means 34 and the calibration means 36 being also doubled. The invention of course covers all the variants of a device 24 for unraveling springs as just described.

Claims (11)

  1. Apparatus (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, comprising stirring means (28) of said springs, at least one fixed casing (30) forming a receiving chamber (32) of said springs, means (34) for evacuating said springs in the form of a static and inclined ramp (48) so as to discharge the springs (26) by sliding from said stirring means (28), as well as means for calibrating (36) ).   2. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to claim 1, said device (24) is characterized in that the calibration means (36) are dynamic calibration means.   3. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to claim 2, said device (24) is characterized in that the calibration means (36) are dynamic calibration means comprising at least one wheel (56), said wheel being rotated and having at least one notch (34) for ejecting springs untangled.   4. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stirring means (28) are in the form of at least a blade (40), substantially rectangular, moving in the receiving chamber (32).   5. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to one of claims 1 to 4, said device (24) is characterized in that the stirring means (28) are in the form of at least one drum (64) of central axis A driven in rotation and at least one blade (40) fixed to at least one wall of said drum (64) and substantially oriented in a radial plane of said drum ( 64).   6. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to claim 5, said device (24) is characterized in that the drum (64) of the stirring means (28) is cylindrical and of central axis A substantially horizontal.   7. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to one of claims 1 to 6, said device (24) is characterized in that the inclined ramp (48) means of discharge (34) comprises at least one discharge slide (52) in the form of a groove, preferably a V-shaped groove.   8. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to claim 7, said device is characterized in that the calibration means (36) are arranged near the lower end (54). ) of the inclined ramp (48) above the discharge slide (52).   9. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to one of the preceding claims, said device (24) is characterized in that it comprises means for bringing and maintaining the springs ( 26) at the level of the stirring means (28) in the form of at least one inclined surface (44) arranged in the lower part of the receiving chamber (32).   10. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to one of the preceding claims, said device (24) is characterized in that the fixed casing (30) is of frustoconical shape.   11. Device (24) for disentangling springs (26), more particularly cylindrical springs, according to one of the preceding claims, said device (24) is characterized in that it comprises means for varying and adjust the inclination angle cp of the inclined ramp (48).