GB2103983A

GB2103983A - Assembling force fits

Info

Publication number: GB2103983A
Application number: GB08212812A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Romano Lozzi
Original assignee: Axis SpA
Current assignee: Axis SpA
Priority date: 1981-05-08
Filing date: 1982-05-04
Publication date: 1983-03-02
Also published as: FR2505230A1; IT1167884B; IT8109405A0; DE3216425A1

Abstract

Apparatus for simultaneously fitting two components (T) onto opposite sides of a part (P) from opposite directions, for example heads onto an electric rotor or stator. The components are carried by tools 5 which are moved in opposite directions towards the part (P) by drive means 7 connected directly between tool carriages and reacting directly on the carriages. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for fitting components onto a part The present invention relates to apparatus for fitting components simultaneously onto opposite sides of a part.

A particular, but not exclusive, application of the invention to be described in detail hereinafter is embodied in a machine for fitting side components to a rotor or stator body of an electric motor, that is to say a so-called "head fitting machine". In the embodiment damage to the body of the rotor or stator is avoided, only limited clamping forces being required to ensure the permanence of the actual positioning during the fitting operations, in such a manner as to facilitate the handling that precedes and follows the abovedescribed operation.

One previously proposed arrangement for fitting side components to a rotor or stator body comprises a pair of oppositely-placed pushing members mechanically actuated along a predetermined stroke; this arrangement requires a high degree of clamping of the body because of the uncertainties and the continual variations of the friction and resistance met by the two heads during the simultaneous fitting operation. Another previously proposed arrangement provides a simultaneous thrust by means of two hydraulic jacks of equal specification and simultaneously supplied with the same fluid to act in opposite directions on the two heads to be fitted; in this case also, however, differences occur - and these may also be substantial -- in the stresses induced upon the body against which the fitting operations have to be performed simultaneously.

Such differences are due to the variations of the friction between the movable part and the fixed part of each of the jacks -- otherwise equal particularly as a result of the presence of the sealing gaskets.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for the simultaneous fitting of two components from opposite directions onto a part, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the part to which the two components are to be fitted, fitting tools for the two components, a respective movable assembly carying each said tool, and an actuating system reacting directly upon the two movable assemblies for effecting simultaneous movement.

In a preferred embodiment the actuating system may be a fluid-operated cylinder, although mechanical, or electromechanical actuating means may alternatively be provided.

The two movable assemblies preferably comprise two carriages running on guiding means - single or double -- common to both carriages and parallel with the direction of motion of the tools. The carriages may be made movable by means of ball couplings or the like.

The guiding means may be arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the common axis of operation of the tools, and the apparatus may comprise two actuating means, these being also substantially symmetrical.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show schematically two embodiments intended for fitting components on an electric motor rotor; Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are respectively, two elevations and two cross-sections of a practical embodiment; and Figure 6 shows schematically an embodiment for fitting components on the stator or an electric motor.

In Figure 1 reference number 1 denotes a guiding structure allowing the smooth running of shoes 3 of tool carriages which are symmetrical each with the other, and each of which carries a fixing tool 5. The two tools 5 are aligned and oppositely directed, the tools 5 are aligned and oppositely directed, the tools 5 also being aligned with a part P - which as shown is an electric motor rotor -- against which two heads T carried by the tools 5 are meant to be simultaneously fitted. Two two carriages with the tools 5 are moved towards the part P in the direction of the two oppositely-directed arrows f5, in such a manner as to stress to part P as little as possible, the part P having to remain in a predetermined position as required by an automated handling system.To achieve this, the two carriages, constituted by the shoes 3 and by the structure supporting the tools 5, are urged one towards the other by an actuating or drive means which acts upon the two carriages without bearing on a fixed structure.

As shown in Figure 1 , the drive means comprises a fluid-operated cylinder 7 comprising a body 7A, a piston 7B and rod 7C, arranged to react between the two carriages at the points denoted by D1 and D2 which may be articulated or rigid joints. The effect of friction forces occuring in the operation of the cylinder 7 does not create a difference between the thrusts exerted on the two carriages and at any instant the thrusts transmitted by the heads T onto the part P differ from one another only by the differences (if any) of friction between the shoes 3 and the guide 1 which is, anyway, minimal -, even if the movements of the individual parts T instantaneously differ.Accordingly, part P may be held in the placing position for the fitting operation to be carried out on the part, with a minimum of effort and therefore of stress on it, and accordingly with minimum risk of damage to, and deformation of, the part which may be a delicate part, such an an electric motor part of sheet metal.

The arrangement of Figure 1 may be completed with devices to provide for balancing of the movable components without jamming due to misalignment. For example, as shown in Figure 2, it is possible to have two guides 1, 1X for shoes 3, 3X respectively, with a substantially symmetrical arrangement, the symmetry of the system being completed by the possible presence of a second fluid-operated cylinder 7X, similar to the cylinder 7 and disposed, as guide lx, oppositely and substantially symmetrically relative to the unit formed by tools 5 and part P aligned between them.

Figures 3 to 6 show a practical embodiment.

Side frames 1 3 and an intermediate structure 1 5 are mounted on a structure 11. Part P constituted by the rotor of an electric motor - is placed on the intermediate structure 1 5 with a vice comprising parts 1 6 and 1 8. The side frames 13 are used for the mounting of a principal guide rod 20 and a secondary guide rod 22, which rods are used for the guided running of two carriages 24 substantially symmetrical, and movable along the principal guide rod 20 by means of shoes 24A make up of ball couplings, and along guide rod 22 by means of shoes 24B which are also of ball type.

There acts between the two carriages 24, a fluidoperated cylinder 26, comprising a cylinder 26A articulated at 26D1 to one of the carriages 24, and a piston rod 26B articulated at 26D2 to the other carriage 24. Each of the carriages 24 has a tool 30, the two tools being placed opposite to each other and able to receive a head or other component T to be fitted on the part P in alignment and in opposite directions: the component T may be presented by mechanical hands schematically indicated at reference 32.

Provision may be made for a suitable mounting system and suitable servo mechanisms for automating operations.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6, provision is made for a clamping means 1 6-18 to engage with moderate effort the body of the rotor. A different arrangement may be provided for the engagement of a stator as shown in Figure 7.

A guide rod 1 Y (which may also be double) permits the sliding of shoes 3Y of carriages which carry fitting tools 5Y able to support and operate the heads Ts for a stator pack Ps. This stator pack is supported by guides 1 8Y on which it is held by means of a pressing and centring device 19Y.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the simultaneous fitting of two components from opposite directions onto a part, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the part to which the two components are to be fitted, fitting tools for the two components, a respective movable assembly carrying each said tool, and an actuating system reacting directly upon the two movable assemblies for effecting simultaneous movement.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acutating system comprises a fluid-operated cylinder acting directly between the two movable assemblies.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each movable assembly comprises a carriage, said apparatus further comprising guiding means common to both carriages and parallel with the directions of movement of the tool, said carriages being movable along the guiding means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each said carriage includes shoe means movable along the guiding means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the tools operate along a common axis, and the guiding means comprise two guiding systems arranged symmetrically relative to the common axis of operation of the tools.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the actuating system comprises two actuating devices arranged symmetrically relative to the common axis of operation of the tools.

7. Apparatus for the simultaneous fitting of two components from opposite directions onto a part, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the part, opposed movable means on opposite sides of the supporting means, each of said movable means being arranged to carry a respective one of the components, and drive means for moving the movable means in opposite directions along a common axis relatively towards the part whereby to cause the components to be applied simultaneously to the part, said drive means being operatively connected between the two movable means and reacting only between the two movable means.

8. Apparatus for the simultaneous fitting of two components onto a part, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.