JP5555937B2 - Riveting machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rivet machine, and more particularly to a rivet machine that automatically caulks aluminum rivets.

  Caulking using an aluminum rivet is conventionally required, for example, in assembling work such as batteries and automobiles. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the aluminum rivet. As shown in FIG. 4, the aluminum rivet 1 includes a shaft portion 2 and a wharf 3 formed at the base end of the shaft portion 2. The shaft portion 2 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape whose inside is hollowed out. The wharf 3 is formed in a hook shape having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 2.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a member caulked using an aluminum rivet. As shown in FIG. 4, the two plate members 4 and 5 that are objects to be joined are stacked, and the tip of the shaft portion 2 of the aluminum rivet 1 is pressed against the surface of the plate member 4 to form the rivet machine. The shaft is lowered by the cylinder while being rotated by the rotation shaft, and the molding shaft is brought into contact with the wharf 3 of the aluminum rivet 1. By further lowering the rotating molding shaft while maintaining this contact state, as shown in FIG. 5, the shaft portion 2 penetrates the plate material 4, and the shaft portion 2 and the wharf whose front end side is expanded. 2, the two plate members 4 and 5 are joined.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an automated production line including an aluminum rivet processing step by a riveting machine. The riveting machine 10 shown in FIG. 6 includes a spindle 13 that is rotated by a motor 11 and moves up and down by an expansion / contraction action of a cylinder 12 and a molding tool 15 that is provided at the lower end of the spindle 13 and holds a molding shaft 14. It has a configuration. The cylinder 12 is supported by a column 17 erected from the seat 16 and holds the spindle 13 so that the spindle 13 can be moved up and down by the action of the cylinder 12.

  The base end of the molding shaft 14 is inserted into a molding tool 15 that rotates together with the spindle 13, and is mounted on the molding tool 15 so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotating spindle 13. Therefore, the molding shaft 14 precesses when the spindle 13 to which the rotational driving force is applied by the motor 11 rotates.

  A work 20 that is an object to be caulked is mounted on a table 18 installed on a pedestal 16, and after pressing the aluminum rivet 1 against the work 20, The tip of the molding shaft 14 is brought into contact. In this state, the spindle 13 is lowered by the extending action of the cylinder 12, so that the workpiece 20 using the aluminum rivet 1 is caulked by the precession movement of the molding shaft 14.

  In such an automated facility including the conventional riveting machine 10, the carry-in device 112 that inserts the workpiece 20 before machining into the riveting machine 10 and the workpiece 20 that has been crimped are discharged to the next process. And a discharge device 113. The automation equipment further removes the lubricating oil remaining on the surface of the wharf 3 after being supplied to the aluminum rivet 1 during the caulking process, and the supply apparatus 114 for storing the molding axis 14 and the supply apparatus 114 for storing the molding axis 14. And a cleaning device 116 for the purpose.

  In the rivet caulking process made of aluminum by the riveting machine 10, frictional heat generated between the molding shaft 14 and the wharf 3 is generated, and when the surface temperature of the wharf 3 exceeds the melting temperature of aluminum, Adhesion to the molding shaft 14, that is, seizure occurs. As is well known, when this seizure occurs, the molding shaft 14 must be replaced. Conventionally, it has been necessary to manually replace the molding shaft 14, but the automated equipment shown in FIG. 6 automates the replacement work of the molding shaft 14 by providing auxiliary equipment such as the exchange device 115 and the supply device 114. ing.

  As a measure for preventing seizure, there is a case where a countermeasure for applying lubricating oil to the bun is used for the purpose of reducing a temperature rise due to frictional heat. In this case, it is necessary to clean the wharf surface and the periphery of the processing jig after processing. Conventionally, it has been necessary to manually perform this cleaning operation. However, the automated equipment shown in FIG. 6 includes a cleaning device 116 and ancillary equipment such as a coating device (not shown) for applying lubricating oil to the surface of the wharf 3. Thus, supply and removal of the lubricating oil to the pier 3 are automated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-35896

  As described above, in the automated facility of the rivet machine 10, it is necessary to install the replacement device 115, the supply device 114, the coating device (not shown), the cleaning device 116, and the like as auxiliary facilities. However, the installation of a large number of incidental facilities increases the facility cost and increases the economic burden. Moreover, since the installation area of equipment increases, it is difficult to secure an installation space. In addition, since the equipment itself becomes complicated, maintenance of the equipment becomes difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to suppress seizure due to friction between the wharf and the molding shaft in the caulking process of aluminum rivets, and to provide ancillary equipment for automated equipment including a riveting machine. Is to provide a riveting machine.

The rivet machine according to the present invention includes a rotatable rotating part, and a molding shaft attached to the rotating part so as to rotate integrally with the rotating part. The riveting machine fixes the aluminum rivet to the object by rotating the molding shaft in contact with an aluminum rivet wharf having a wharf and a shaft portion. The riveting machine further includes a mist generator that generates ethanol mist, a supply unit that supplies the mist generated by the mist generator to the wharf, and a control unit that controls the operation of the mist generator.

  According to the riveting machine of the present invention, seizure due to friction between the wharf and the molding shaft in the caulking process of aluminum rivets can be suppressed, and in addition, the auxiliary equipment of the automation equipment including the riveting machine can be omitted.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the riveting machine of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the control system which controls operation | movement of a riveting machine. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of operation | movement of a riveting machine. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the structure of an aluminum rivet. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the example of the member crimped using the aluminum rivet. It is a schematic diagram which shows the automated manufacturing line including the process of the aluminum rivet by a riveting machine.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the embodiments described below, each component is not necessarily essential for the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the following embodiments, when referring to the number, amount, etc., unless otherwise specified, the above number is an example, and the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, etc.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a rivet machine 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the riveting machine 10 includes a spindle 13 that is rotated by a motor 11 and moves up and down by an expansion / contraction action of a cylinder 12. The riveting machine 10 also includes a molding tool 15 that is provided at the lower end of the spindle 13 and rotates with the spindle 13. The spindle 13 and the molding tool 15 constitute an example of a rotatable rotating part. The molding tool 15 holds the molding shaft 14. The molding shaft 14 is attached to the molding tool 15 so as to rotate integrally with the spindle 13 and the molding tool 15.

  The base end of the molding shaft 14 is inserted into a molding tool 15 that rotates together with the spindle 13, and is attached to the molding tool 15 so as to be inclined with respect to the direction in which the rotation center axis O of the rotating spindle 13 extends. . Therefore, the molding shaft 14 precesses when the spindle 13 and the molding tool 15 to which the rotational driving force is applied by the motor 11 rotate around the rotation center axis O.

  The cylinder 12 is supported by a column 17 erected from the seat 16 and holds the spindle 13 so that the spindle 13 can be moved up and down by the action of the cylinder 12. The cylinder 12 raises and lowers the molding shaft 14 held by the molding tool 15 together with the spindle 13 and the molding tool 15 by the expansion and contraction action, and adjusts the distance between the molding shaft 14 and the wharf 3.

  The aluminum rivet 1 used for caulking by the riveting machine 10 is formed on the shaft portion 2 and the base end of the shaft portion 2 and is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 2 in the same manner as the configuration described in FIG. And a wharf 3 having a diameter. A table 18 is installed on the seat 16. The workpiece 20 that is the object to be caulked is mounted on the table 18.

  After the aluminum rivet 1 is pressed against the work 20 mounted on the table 18, the tip of the molding shaft 14 is brought into contact with the wharf 3 at the upper end of the aluminum rivet 1. In a state where the molding shaft 14 is in contact with the wharf 3, the spindle 13 is further lowered by the extending action of the cylinder 12. At this time, the molding shaft 14 precesses. When the molding shaft 14 rotates while changing the direction of the rotation shaft, the aluminum rivet 1 is pressed downward toward the workpiece 20, and finally the aluminum rivet 1 is fixed to the workpiece 20. In this way, the work 20 is caulked using the aluminum rivet 1.

  Note that the workpiece 20 may be two plate members shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, but is not limited to this, and an arbitrary object to be caulked using the aluminum rivet 1 may be used as the workpiece 20. Can be used.

  The riveting machine 10 of the present embodiment further includes a mist generator 24. The mist generator 24 is attached to the column 17. The mist generator 24 is disposed on the side opposite to the molding shaft 14 with respect to the column 17. The mist generator 24 includes a tank 22 therein. The inside of the tank 22 is filled with a volatile liquid 23 such as ethanol. The mist generator 24 includes a tank 22 that supplies the volatile liquid 23.

  The mist generator 24 generates a mist of the volatile liquid 23 in response to a control signal transmitted from the mist control unit, which will be described later, transmitted via the transmission path 21. For example, any known mist generator such as a mist generator using a Venturi tube or an ultrasonic mist generator may be used as the mist generator 24. The mist of the volatile liquid 23 generated by the mist generator 24 is transferred to the discharge port 26 via the tube 25 and jetted from the discharge port 26. The discharge port 26 is arranged so that the sprayed mist is applied to the wharf 3 of the aluminum rivet 1. The tube 25 and the discharge port 26 are included in a supply unit that transfers the mist of the volatile liquid 23 generated by the mist generator 24 and supplies the mist to the surface of the pier 3.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a control system that controls the operation of the riveting machine 10. The control system shown in FIG. 2 includes a machining control unit 19 that controls the operation of the main body of the rivet machine 10 and a mist control unit 29 that controls the operation of the mist generator 24. The processing control unit 19 transmits a control signal to the motor 11 and the cylinder 12 to control the start and stop of the precession motion of the molding shaft 14 and the relative position between the molding shaft 14 and the aluminum rivet 1.

  The mist control unit 29 receives a control signal from the processing control unit 19 and controls generation start and stop of the mist of the volatile liquid 23 in the mist generator 24. The mist control unit 29 has a function as a control unit that controls the operation of the mist generator 24. The mist control unit 29 receives signals relating to various operating states of the riveting machine 10 such as the mist generation state of the volatile liquid 23 and the rotation state and position of the molding shaft 14 from the sensor 28 not shown in FIG. The operating state of the rivet machine 10 is fed back to the control of the mist generator 24.

  The operation of the riveting machine 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the riveting machine 10. With reference to FIG. 3, the process of processing the aluminum rivet with the riveting machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described. By converting the machining signal of the riveting machine 10 into the control signal of the mist generator 24, ON / OFF control of the mist generator 24 is performed.

  Specifically, first, in step (S1), caulking of the aluminum rivet 1 using the rivet machine 10 is started. Specifically, by transferring a control signal from the machining control unit 19 to the motor 11 and the cylinder 12, the rivet machine 10 starts the rotation motion of the motor 11 and the extension motion of the cylinder 12.

  Next, in step (S <b> 2), upon receiving a signal at the start of processing of the rivet machine 10, the mist control unit 29 causes the mist generator 24 to generate mist of the volatile liquid 23.

  For example, a signal for instructing rotation start from the machining control unit 19 to the motor 11 and a signal for instructing start of extension movement from the machining control unit 19 to the cylinder 12 are also transferred from the machining control unit 19 to the mist control unit 29. Thus, the mist control unit 29 may transfer a signal for instructing the mist generator 24 to start mist generation.

  Further, for example, the position of the molding shaft 14 or the molding tool 15 in the height direction is detected by the sensor 28, and the mist of the volatile liquid 23 is discharged before the tip of the molding shaft 14 contacts the wharf 3 of the aluminum rivet 1. The mist control unit 29 may transfer a signal for instructing the mist generator 24 to start mist generation so that the mist control unit 29 is supplied from the outlet 26 to the pier 3.

  Next, in step (S3), the caulking process of the aluminum rivet 1 is finished. Specifically, for example, when it is determined that the joining of the workpiece 20 using the aluminum rivet 1 has been completed by detecting the position of the molding shaft 14, the machining control unit 19 stops the rotational motion of the motor 11, and molding is performed. The cylinder 12 is contracted so that the shaft 14 moves upward.

  Next, in step (S4), the mist control unit 29 stops the generation of mist from the mist generator 24 in response to a signal indicating the completion of processing of the rivet machine 10. For example, the mist generator 24 may stop the mist generation by detecting the sensor 28 that the molding shaft 14 has risen to a predetermined height away from the wharf 3.

  According to the rivet machine 10 of the present embodiment described above, the volatile liquid 23 such as ethanol is applied to the pier 3 from the discharge port 26 during the caulking process of the aluminum rivet 1 using the rivet machine 10. Can do. A mist-like volatile liquid 23 is supplied to the bun 3 as a cooling medium for reducing the temperature rise generated on the contact surface between the bun 3 surface and the molding shaft 14. The applied volatile liquid 23 can suppress seizure generated on the surface of the molding shaft 14 and the pier 3 due to friction between the pier 3 and the molding shaft 14 when the aluminum rivet 1 is processed in the riveting machine 10.

  Since the seizure of the molding shaft 14 is suppressed, the frequency of replacing the molding shaft 14 can be reduced. Therefore, the labor for replacing and cleaning the molding shaft 14 can be reduced, and the labor reduction effect can be obtained. By performing the caulking process while cooling the wharf 3 of the aluminum rivet 1, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the quality of the product after the caulking process.

  A volatile liquid 23 typified by ethanol is automatically atomized and used as a medium for lubrication and cooling. Unlike the lubricating oil generally used for cooling, the volatile liquid 23 volatilizes under atmospheric conditions, so that the liquid volatile liquid 23 does not remain on the pier 3. Since the mist-like volatile liquid 23 is applied to the wharf 3, volatilization of the volatile liquid 23 from the wharf 3 surface is made easier. Since there is no volatile liquid 23 remaining on the wharf 3, a cleaning process for removing the lubricating oil from the wharf 3 after processing can be omitted, and manual work such as cleaning can be omitted.

  In the rivet machine 10 according to the present embodiment, an aluminum rivet is used, and the work 20 is caulked. Since the aluminum rivet 1 is formed of a soft material, the force required for the caulking process is small compared to rivets made of other materials such as a steel material. When using a rivet made of another material having a large processing force, the cooling ability may be insufficient when the volatile liquid 23 is used as a cooling medium. On the other hand, in this embodiment, an aluminum rivet 1 that can be easily caulked by applying a relatively small load is used. Therefore, even if the volatile liquid 23 is used as a cooling medium, a sufficient cooling effect can be obtained.

  The replacement frequency of the molding shaft 14 can be reduced, and the cleaning process of the wharf 3 can be omitted after the caulking process. Therefore, in the automation of the manufacturing line including the riveting machine 10, the auxiliary equipment that has been conventionally required can be omitted. More specifically, the cleaning for removing the lubricant remaining on the surface of the wharf 3 after processing, as described with reference to FIG. Ancillary equipment such as device 116 may be omitted. Therefore, remarkable economic effects such as cost reduction of automated equipment including the riveting machine 10, space saving, and labor cost reduction can be obtained.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described as above, the embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The riveting machine of the present invention can be applied particularly advantageously to caulking in general using an aluminum rivet material such as a battery or an automobile.

  1 Almilive bed, 2 shaft section, 3 wharf, 4,5 plate material, 10 riveting machine, 14 molding shaft, 20 workpiece, 21 transmission path, 22 tank, 23 volatile liquid, 24 mist generator, 25 tube, 26 discharge Outlet, 29 mist control unit, 112 carry-in device, 113 discharge device, 114 supply device, 115 exchange device, 116 cleaning device.

Claims (2)

The molding shaft comprising: a rotatable rotating portion; and a molding shaft attached to the rotating portion so as to rotate integrally with the rotating portion, and in contact with the wharf of an aluminum rivet having a wharf and a shaft portion. In the riveting machine that fixes the aluminum rivet to the object by rotating,
A mist generator for generating ethanol mist;
A supply unit for supplying the mist generated by the mist generator to the pier;
A riveting machine further comprising: a control unit that controls the operation of the mist generator. A cylinder for raising and lowering the molding shaft;
A column that supports the cylinder;
The mist generator is attached to the column on the side opposite to the molding shaft with respect to the column,
The supply unit includes a tube and a discharge port,
2. The riveting machine according to claim 1, wherein the mist generated by the mist generator is sprayed from the outlet through the tube and supplied to the pier. 3.

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