GB596133A - Machine and method for assembling commutators - Google Patents

Abstract

596,133. Making commutators. WILLIAMS, W. P. (Dayton Precision Manufacturing Co.). July 20, 1945, No. 18675. [Class 83 (ii)] A machine for assembling commutator segments into a circular formation comprises a pair of opposed heads adapted to grip the side faces of segments inserted between them, means for rotating the heads step-bystep and means synchronized with the rotation for radially inserting the segments between the heads. The invention is described as applied to a machine for assembling copper and mica commutator segments. Copper segments are fed by a horizontal conveyer 3 to a position in front of a vertical shoot 5 containing mica segments. As each copper segment arrives, a mica segment is laid on it by a push rod 4 and the two segments are then advanced together and pushed between rubber pads or gripper discs 29, 30 carried by horizontal shafts 27, 28. The machine is driven from a motor 6 and friction wheel 7 adapted to drive a wheel 11 on a shaft 10 through a coupling friction wheel 12 movable into and out of engagement with the wheels 7 and 11. An eccentric stud 9a on the shaft 10 operates the pusher 4 and another eccentric operates a lever 22 carrying a pawl 23 which drives a ratchet-wheel 21 on the gripper disc shaft 27, The wheel 12 is carried by an arm 13 journalled on the shaft 10 and may be moved into driving position by a foot pedal 15 coupled to the arm 13. When the machine is idle, the gripper discs may occupy the position shown in Fig. 1, but before the assembly of the segments begins; they are moved together so that the ends of the shafts 27 and 28 abut against levers 27b, 28b movable in slots 27a and 28a in bearing sleeves 25 and 26 respectively, Shaft 28 is slotted to carry a tongue 35 which projects to engage a slot in the shaft 27 and which carries a platform 36 on which the first segments are supported during the assembly operation. At the sides of the pusher bar are two fingers 37 which serve to depress the rubber portions of the discs before the entry of the segments. Adapted to be positioned between the gripper discs to receive the assembled segments is a hand tool comprising a semicircular body member 40 with integral handle portion 41 and a rod 42 which may be moved inwardly by a lever 44 so as to press on and close a resilient split assembly ring 45 carried within the body 40. The segments are introduced into the ring through the gap and when the assembly has been completed, lever 44 is operated to close the ring to compress and grip the elements which may thus be removed for the next operation. The machine is automatically stopped after the completion of the assembly by a pin 24 on the ratchet-wheel 21 which engages and depresses a finger 17 which rocks the arm 13 and disengages the friction coupling wheel 12. The segments after being removed from the machine are placed on a hub 52 having a flange 53 covered with a ring of insulation 54 and a matching ring flange 55 is thrust over the other end of the hub to form the complete assembly.