US2762247A - Insulation removing machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 11, 1956 R. T. STAUDT INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 15, .1953

//V|/E/V7 0 RUFUS 7 STAUDT I ATTORNEY NN haw a\ Se t. 11, 1956 R. T. STAUDT 2,762,247

INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE Filed July 13, 1955. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/VVE/VTOE RUFUS 7.' STA/107' B) 42mm X A TTORNEY Sept. 11, 1956 R. T. STAUDT 2,752,247

INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/VVE/VTOR RUFUS 7'. 5714007 Sept. 11, 1956 R. T. STAUDT INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 13, 1953 n WQ.

" HUI/ENTOR RUFUS T 37140777 ATTORNEY United States Patent INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE Rufus T. Staudt, Cicero, I]l., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application July '13, 1953, Serial No. 367,629

12 Claims. (Cl. 819.51)

This invention relates to means for removing relatively short portions of insulation at locations intermediate the ends of lengths of insulated wire.

In electrical apparatus such as electric ranges, washing machines, and the like having a plurality of switches or other control devices, it is frequently necessary to connect into the same circuit or a conductor thereof, a plurality of terminals or controls which are more or less widely separated about the apparatus. It is the practice to use a single conductor of sufficient length to reach several terminals and to strip the insulation where needed to expose the conductor for connection. It has been proposed to crush or shatter the insulation at the desired locations, or otherwise prepare it for easy removal from the wire. The disadvantages of this method are that additional labor is usually required to remove stubbornly adhering shreds of insulation; the conductor may be physically damaged; and depending somewhat upon the type of insulation, the surface of the conductor may be left with a film or thin coating of insulation which must be scraped away or the conductor otherwise cleaned to prepare its surface for making a good electrical connection.

It is an object of my invention to provide mechanism for removing insulation at intervals along a length of wire, and, as an inherent factor of the renewal operation, conditioning the exposed conductor for good electrical connection.

It is another object of my invention to provide insulation removal mechanism which may be easily adjusted for varying thicknesses of insulation.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide means for removing insulation from wires at predetermined positions along the length of the wire.

It is a further object of my invention to provide insulation removal means which may be satisfactorily operated by unskilled labor.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved organization of rotary brushes for removing insulation from lengths of wire, means being provided for preventing excessive spreading of the bristles of the brushes when in use.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a work table has mounted thereon means for rotatably supporting a length of Wire at locations at which the insulation is to be removed. Clutch means are provided to engage the wire for rotation about its axis at a relatively low rate of speed. Mounted on said table at opposite sides of said wire supporting means, as upon vertically extending pivoted arm members, are rotatable brushes; means are provided to rotate said brushes at appropriate speed, and means are provided to conjointly rotate said support arms to bring the respective brushes into or out of engagement with the insulation. An adjustable stop is provided to limit the extent of rotation of the respective arm members in the direction of the wire; and it is a feature of my invention that each brush is adjustable on its own mounting arm, thus providing means whereby either or both of the brushes may be accurately guided 2 for movement through the insulation layer and into light burnishing contact with the rotating conductor.

It is another feature of the invention that the clutch means engages the wire to rotate it prior to the operation of the brushes; and further, said clutch means provide for easy longitudinal movement of the wire so that the operator may remove insulation at spaced locations along the wire. It is also a feature of the invention that wire support and guide means are arranged to engage the sides of the respective brushes at the outer ends of the bristles to establish a maximum limit of brush width during the insulation removal operation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an insulation removing machine constructed according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof, in section on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, looking in the direction of the arrows 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine, at the insulation-removal portion thereof;

Fig. 5 is a plan section of the brush support adjustment means, taken on lines 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side sectional elevation of the clutch mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the brushes in operation, one of the brushes having been adjusted to remove only the outermost layer of insulation;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the clutch jaws, in section on lines 8-8 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic control diagram showing the distribution and control for the compressed air to the clutch and brush operating air cylinders.

Fig. 1 shows a general side elevational view of the apparatus. The control system is illustrated in Fig. 9, and will be discussed hereinafter. Fig. 9 also schematically shows the operating linkages for the brushes and clutch mechanism.

The work table 1 is suitably constructed and provided with platforms and other appropriate structures for carrying various operating components. For example, the work table may have transverse members 2 on which is secured a rail 3 which may advantageously be a light I-bearn in which the upper wall portion 3.1 provides a horizontal surface along which may be positioned channel-shaped stop members 3.2. These members are used to establish the various positions along the length of the wire at which the insulation is to be removed. The stop members are slidable along the surface of the rail and set screws or equivalent 3.3 may be employed to fix stop members in selected positions.

It has been previously noted that the wire is rotated about its axis during the insulation removal operation. This is advantageously accomplished by a clutch mechanism best shown in Fig. 6.

The work W, Fig. 6, is rotatably supported in bearings 4, respectively mounted on standards 5, 5.1, so as to cause the, wire to lie on the surface of the rail 3 along the centrol portion thereof. Standard 5 may be conveniently secured to the lower flange of rail 3 by screws S passing through slotted openings in the foot of the standard to permit space adjustment relative to the associated standard 5.1. Each of the hearing may be press-fitted into its associated standard and each has an axial bore to accommodate the work. Assuming that the wire is passed through the bearings from the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, the respective bores have enlarged entrance portions. It will be apparent that the bearings may be substantially identical with frusto-conical faces and hard metal or Can boloy cemented carbide inserts as indicated at 4.1.

The standard "5.1 comprises the front support and bearing post of a clutch mechanism by means of which the work is rotated slowly during the insulation removing operations. This standard, and a second one 5.2, are fitted with suitableanti-friction bearingsSfi. The 'clutch and drive'mechanism includes a cylindrical tubular menrber'6 rotatably supported in the rear bearing 5.3 and provided with a drive sheave 6:1. 'A l1ead6J2 is bored to. receive clutch-jaw actuators 7 which are arrang'ed'for slidable movement through the head as presently described. The clutch mechanism "comprises a circular housing 8 having a stub shaft 8.1 jour'naled bythe front bearing'5.3. The housing 8 has adiarnetrical'passage 8.2 within which are slidably mounted a pair of clutch jaws 8.3, the radially outermost endsv of Whichare "sloped for cooperation with the appropriately sloped ends of the actuators -7. Theinnermost ends of the clutch jaws imay .befaired'at their left edges, as viewed in' Fig. 6, to provide easy passage of the work therebetween, under certain circumstances later noted. The actuators 7 are affixed as by pins or the l ike to a'carrier 7.1 slidably mounted on the tubular member 6, said member having a sleeve bearing 6.3 suitably fixed thereon.

A clutch energizer includes acollar 9 slidable and rotatable on the sleeve bearing 6.3 and a ring 9.1 freely rotatable on said collar. Desirably there is an'anti-friction bearing 9.2 disposed between the collar and ring. It will be seen therefore that when the collar is moved to the right of Fig.6, the leading edge of the ring will engage the carrier 7 .1 and drive it and its associated actuators 7 to the right. This movement will effectively camthe clutch jaws 8.3 against the work W When the ring is withdrawn, a coil spring or equivalent 7 .3 returns thecarrier to the Fig. 6 position. If the housing 8 is being ro tated at the time fas it would be if the member 6 were a being drivencentrifugal forces would cause the jaws 8.3 to move radially outward. This isthe usual situation. If the apparatus were stationary and the jaws re: mained in their gripping position, they would nevertheless not interfere with the passage of the work'therethrough.

The faired-entr'ance edges of the clutch jaws would re- 7 ceive the work and urge the jaws apart.

, Motionof the collar is effected by a Y shaped yoke 10, pivotally mounted betweensupport posts 10.1 and having a pin and slot association with the collar 9. A forked end has a pin and slot attachment to a collar l1slidably'carried on the piston rod '12 of a pneumatic drive cylinder 14 suitably mounted on the machine table. The cylinderis arranged by the respective air conduits 14.1, 14.2, to subject either side of the piston to air pressure. Aspring 12.1 disposed between the collar 11 and the headed end 12.2 of the piston rod provides for resiliently urging the yoke 10 into rotation clockwise of Fig. 6 when the piston rod is drivenfto the left'upon introduction of air through the fitting 14.2. A pin 12.3 carried by the piston rod will drive the collar 11 to the right and'thus s ecure return rotation of the yoke when the'piston is subjec'ted'to air pressure through fitting 14.1. The clutch is arranged to rotate the wire at about 108 R. P. M. A motor 15 operating through a suitable geared speed reducer 15.1 and drive belt 15.2 is arranged as shown in Fig. 1 todr ive the clutch drive sheave 6.1.

The insulation removing brushes 16 are similar in construction and mounting. Each brush has wire bristles and is removably mounted between facing plates 16.1 which support the sides of the bristles to a point near the extremitie s thereof. By conventional means the brushes are carried at the .end of a drive shaft 16.2 mounted in anti-friction bearings 16.3, housed within a tubular casing 16.4 near the respective ends thereof. At the end of each shaft a sheave 16.5 accommodates a drive belt 16.6

The respective housings 16. are mounted for movement 'towa'rd'and away from the work.

rising from shafts 17.1 rotatably carriedin' conventional pillow blocks 17.2 fixed to the machine table. The upper ends of the arms may encircle the housings 16.4, as indicated in Figs; 1 and 3. V y

The housings and their associated brushes are conjointly brought into and out of operating relationship with the work, and it is afeature of the invention that although a fixed-stroke mechanism is employedt'o rotate the brush carriages, the extent of rotation of the carriages is individually adjustable.

upwardly along shaft 17 for a substantial extent and downwardly from the shaft toterminate ina link 13.1 pivotally connected to a;yoke 18.2 provided on theend of a piston rod,13.3 projecting from a piston '(not shown) in a cylinder 18.4. Said cylinder has means 18.5, 18.6, to admit air selectively on each side of the piston, aslater described.

It will be apparent,

wardly-that is, away from thework. Upward move ment of the yoke will rotate the arms 18 toward the work. .Meanssuch as the adjustable stop 13.7 limits the upward drive of the yoke.

. Rotation of the arms 18 is tra emitted to the associated brush-carriage. support arms 17 by a yoke mechanism best shown in Fig. 5. h The arm Isis free to rotate with respect to arm 17. A rmj18'has fixed thereto a yoke 29 having legportions "straddling the arm 17 and said leg portions accornmodate the screws 2111 by which the position of arms 17 and 18 may be adjusted angularly relative to arm 18. It will be seen that armslj andlS may be arranged so as to have the same degree of rotation in either direction; orby "adjusting one or the other o f the to a greater extent than the other, but it permits' the effective work'stroke of each brush to be diiierent. For example, one brush may have heavy duty bristles to'a ttack a hard outer layerpf insulation, and the other have lighter, relatively flexible bristles which may beineffective against said outer layer but sutiicient to remove a softer inner layer of insulation and to 'burnish the ex p'osed conductor. By suitably setting up theyoke slcrews 20.1 of the heavy duty brush so that the arm 17 thereof is at an angle relative to the associated arm 13,

the brush can be established so that it wilt engage.

the insulation only at the end of its operating stroke nd it will therefore penetrate only such outer layer.

In the meantime the flexible bristles of the other brush may have engaged. the insulation butwill merely flex under the inw'arddrive of the brush without substantial eifect on the outer insulation layer.

A suitable control system is schematically shown in Fig. 9. .Brush motors 16.7 and clutch motorlS are suitably Wired into an electric power circuit having a main control switch 21. Asshown, all of the motors will be in continuous operationduringperiods when switch 21 is closed. Control of the machine is thus transferred to the switch 22, which controlsa solenoid-actuated valve orgariization regulating' flow 'of compressed air to the, brushmovement cylinder 18.4 and clutch operation cylinder .14. The air valve organization may bethe Ross Operating Valve Companys type 835FD. The figure. shows the As indicated in: Figs. 1 and 3, the housings. are supported on arms 17 from Fig.1 that as yoke 18l2 is drawn downwardly, the arms 18 'will be rotated outvalves schematically; the valve body 23 has an inlet port 23.1 supplied by compressed air from a source not shown; outlet ports 23.2 and 23.3 through which air is selectively discharged into piping serving the cylinders; an exhaust air port 23.4; internal bypass passages 23.5 and 23.6; and valve mechanisms 23.7 and 23.8 by means of which the supply and exhaust of air are controlled. Means for operating said valve mechanisms include a rocker arm 24 having a suitable mechanical connection to the valve mechanisms of each side of the pivot 24.1 as indicated by the dotted lines. It will be noted that when the arm 24 is rotated about its pivot, the respective valve mechanisms will be rotated in opposite directions;-and it will be understood that suitable stop means (not shown) will limit-the rotation of the mechanisms to one-quarter turn in either direction. A spring 25 biases the am 24 for movement in one direction and a-solenoid having an armature 26 operatively associated with the arm 24, will, upon energization of coil 26.1, rotate the arm in the opposite direction against the bias of said spring. The switch 22 may be of any conventional foot or knee operated type. As shown, the switch is normally open (as by a suitable spring bias, not shown) and effort by the operator is required to close the circuit.

It is apparent that with switch 22 in open circuit position, the brushes 16 are moved to inoperative position and the clutch is disengaged by reason of the distribution of the compressed air by the valve mechanisms. Valve 23.7 diverts air through passage 23.5 to a discharge port 23.3 whence it flows to piping 18.6 of cylinder 18.4 and to piping 14.1 of cylinder 14. Valve 23.8 is in a position opening port 23.2 to the discharge port 23.4 through passage 23.6, whereupon the respective cylinders 14 and 18.4 will be vented through their piping connections 14.2 and 18.5.

The compressed air has therefore driven the pistons of the respective cylinders to one extreme of movement. Piston rod 12 of the clutch operator has rotated the clutch actuator lever to a retracted position in which the clutch jaws 8.3 are relaxed and the clutch mechanism is therefore rotating idly. Piston rod 18.3 operating through links 18.1 has rotated the brush actuating arms 18 about their respective pivots to withdraw the brushes 16 to inoperative position and said brushes are therefore rotating idly.

Assuming the work W to be in position and located by one of the stops 3.3 to establish the place at which insulation is to be removed, the operator closes switch 22 which.

energizes solenoid coil 26.1 to rotate the valves 23.7 and 23.8 to their second operating position. This establishes the following air distribution pattern: The port 23.3 is connected through the air exhaust port 23.4 and port 23.2 is disconnected therefrom. Inlet port 23.1 is connected to port 23.2 and disconnected from passage 23.5. Passage 23.6 is blocked at valve 23.8. Air then enters the cylinder ports 14.2 and 18.5 moving the respective pistons in their cylinders to the opposite ends thereof. The clutch operation takes place immediately by reason of the rotation of actuator arm 18 in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, but brush actuation is delayed by means of a throttling valve 27 (which is preferably in the form of an adjustable orifice) in the air line 18.6 of cylinder 18.4. This insures the rotation of the work W before the brushes come into operation. It will be noted that when the switch 21 is again opened to establish the opposite air flow pattern, the throttling valve 27 will delay the return movement of the piston of brush actuation cylinder 18.4, whereas the piston of cylinder 14 will move immediately. However, the spring 12.1 of piston rod 12 and the collar 11 which provides the driving connection between said piston rod and clutch lever 10 establishes a mechanical delay against release of the clutch elements. Said delay, however, is ineffective during the stage of engagement of the clutch. Therefore by appropriate selection of the spring 12.1 in its relationship to other operating components of the clutch mechanism, the clutch may be arranged 'into their established operating position.

"claims all such modifications as fall within the true to release coincidentally with or immediately following or both of the brush levers 17 with respect to the arms 18, i the brushes may be arranged to produce only a light burnishing contact of either or both of them with the exposed conductor, whereupon the clutch assembly is only lightly loaded at the completion of the insulation removal operation.

In the operation of the machine, the operator spaces the several stops 3.2 pursuant to the number and spacing of the portions along the wire at which insulation is to be removed. Then assuming the machine to be in operation, he feeds the wire through the clutch and the bearings 4 until the end of the wire strikes the first of the stops. By closing the solenoid valve circuit, the operator then causes the clutch, to engage the wire and the brushes to move If, because of exceptionally resistant insulation, or if one or both of the brushes is equipped with fine bristles, the bristles tend to spread as they engage the work, the sloping faces of the bearings engage the tips of the brushes and restrict the spreading. This effectively establishes a maximum width of insulation removal while protecting the brush bristles against unwanted deformation.

After the insulation has been removed at the first station, the operator causes the control system to disengage the clutch and retract the brushes, whereupon he advances the'wire to the next station at which the process is re peated. v

The insulation waste falls through an appropriately positioned chute C into a waste bin B disposed below the 35 machine.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: r

1. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length of wire, comprising means for rotatably supporting said wire at locations establishing the length of insulation to be removed, a rotatable brush disposed on each side of said wire, means for bringing the bristles of each said brush into and out of engagement with said wire, said Wire supporting means having substantially conical head width of said brushes, means for rotating said brushes,

and means for rotating the wire about its axis during the engagement of said insulation by said brushes.

2. Mechanism as in claim 1, in which said support means are adjustably spaced relative to each other.

3. Mechanism as in claim 1, in which the substantially conical faces of said support means are in mutually opposing relationship and have tubular hard metal surfaces for engagement with the bristles of the sides of said brushes.

4. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length of wire, comprising means for rotatably supporting said wire at locations establishing the length of insulation to be removed, a rotatable, relatively flat, bristle-provided brush disposed on at least one side of said wire, means for bringing said brush into and out of engagement with said wire, said wire supporting means having conical head portions engageable with the bristles of said brush at the radially outermost sides of said brush to limit the spread of the bristles in an axial direction and thus to establish the maximum effective width of said brushes, means for rotating said brush, and means for rotating ward, a brush rotatably carried as the free end of each said arm member, 'meansfor rotatingeach said brush,'means for conjointly rotatinggsaid arm members in a vertical plane toward or away from said wireto cause the brushes to engage ordisengage said insulation, stop means for limiting the rotation of said arm members toward said wire, and means for independently adjusting the travel of each said arm member relative to the work.

6. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length of wire, comprising a work table, means fixed relative to said table for rotatably supportingsaid wire while establishing the length of'insulation to be removed, arm members'pivotally mounted. on. said :work table on each 'side ofsaid Wire and extending substantially vertically upward, a brush rotatably carried as the free end of each said arm member, means for rotating said brushes, means for conjointly rotating said arm members in a vertical plane toward or' away from said wire to .cause the brushes to engage or disengage said insulation, stop means for limiting the rotationof said' arm' members toward said wire, a single means for driving said arm memberrotating means, and means interposed between said single driving means and the respectivearm members for V 8 r of Wire, comprising means for r wire at spaced locations establishing the length of insulation tobe removed, a rotatableibrush disposedon rotatably supporting said each side of said wire'intermediatesaid supporting means,

.a pivotally mountedjar'mmemb'er forsupportingeach brush for movement'towar'd and "away from saidwire a lever individual to each said arm memberand mounted for rotation relative thereto, amotor forj conjointly' r10 tating each said lever, and means for connecting each arm member. to its associated lever to be rotated there;

' by, said means having an adjustment optionally per;

effecting diflerent arcs of movement of each arm memb'er toward saidjinsulation. V l

7. Mechanism for removinginsulation from a length of wire, comprising means for rotatably supporting said wire "at'lo'cations establishing-the length of insulation to be removed, rotatable brush disposed on each side'of said wire, a brush support member for each brush to bring the-same into and out of engagement with said wire between said support means, a fluid-pressure operated devicefor actuating said brush support members, means for rotating said brushes, means for rotating said wire-about its axis during the engagement o'f'said insulation by said brushes, said means including a clutch for engaging said wireto effect said rotation, a fluid pressure actuated device for actuating said clutch, valve means for controlling flow ,of fluid under pressure to the respective' fluid pressure actuated device, means for operat ing said valve means, and means for delaying the operation of one of said fluid actuated devices'relative to the other.

8. Mechanism according to claim 6, in which at least one of said fluid pressure actuated device's comprises an .air cylinder, a'piston therein'and conduits for admitting air under pressure into said cylinder selectively on each sideof said' piston and the delay means includes a throttling valve in at least one of said air-admission con-' duits.

9. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length mitting' freemovementfof said lever relative to its associated'arm member. 1

10., Mechanism for removinginsulation from a length of wire, comprising means forrotatablysupporting. said. wire at spaced locationsestablishing the length of in sulation to be. removed,ja rotatable brush disposed on, each side of said wire intermediate said supporting means," a pivotally mounted arm member for supporting each. 7

brush for-movementtoward and away from said-.wire,; a lever individualjo each said arm member and mounted for rotation relative thereto, eachsaid arm member and lever having a common axis of rotation, a fluid actuated,

motor for conjointly rotating each said lever, and means to be rotated, thereby, saidmeans having an adjustment for connecting each arm member to its associated lever optionally permitting said leverv to be angularly dis-.

placed relative to its associated arm member.

11. Mechanism for removing insulation-from a length each side of said wire intermediate'said supporting means a lever individualto each said arm member and mounted for rotation relative thereto, each said arm member and 1' said lever being mounted on-a common pivot in overlying relationship one with the other, a motor for CO]1 jointly rotating each said lever, means for adjustably establishing the limits of rotation of said levers, 'and' means for connecting each arm member to its, associated lever to be rotated thereby, said means including'a yoke disposed on 'said lever and having members embracing said arm member. v v V 12. Mechanism as in claim 11, in Which'at least one of said yoke membershas a screw adjustably engaging a side wall of said arm member to establish a desired .of wire, comprising means for rotatably supporting said .wire at spaced locations establishing the length-of insulationto'be removed, a rotatable brushdisposed on 'a pivotally mounted arm member for supporting each brush for movement toward and away from said wire,fl

angularl relationship between said lever and said arm member. V r References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,473,582 Leedom Nov. 6, 1923 1,532,717 Schiller Apr. 7, 1925 1,930,219 Zimber Oct. 10, 1 933 1,970,031 'Collins Aug. 14, 1934 2,307,046 Johnson Jan. 5, 1943 Penn et al. Aug; 25, 1953

Images