US3248047A

US3248047A - Punch verification mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3248047A
Application number: US437441A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest R Basile
Original assignee: Sperry Rand Corp
Current assignee: Sperry Corp
Priority date: 1965-03-05
Filing date: 1965-03-05
Publication date: 1966-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 1983-04-26

Description

A ril 26, 1966 E. R. BASILE PUNCH VERIFICATION MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1965 W. m U L F ERNEST R. sfi fi ZW JMW ATTORNEYS April 26, 1966 BASILE 3,248,047

PUNCH VERIFICATION MECHANI SM Filed March 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

United States Patent O 3,248,047 PUNCH VERHICATION MECHANISM Ernest R. Basile, Norristown, Pa., assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 437,441 13 Claims. (Cl. 234-33) This invention relates to punching devices and more particularly to a mechanism for verifying that a punch has undergone an intended punching stroke.

In many punching operations it is important to check and see if a particular punching action, in fact, took place. This check-ingoperat-ion is often referred to as punch verification. In coded punching devices, where a particular hole pattern represents a particular item of information, a verification operation takes on added importance, and has become almost indispensable in todays high speed coded punching machines.

One common verification method is to wait until an item has been completely punched and then either cmpare it with a master or perform a reading operation to see if the item reads as intended. This method has two particular drawbacks The first is that two separate time consuming operations are requireda punching operation and a compare operation. The second major drawback is that use of the punched item is not only undesirably delayed, but when a punching error is detected it is oftentimes necessary to repunch all of the media that has beenpunched between the time of the error and the detection thereof. In a high speed data processing system it is the input-output mechanism that is usually the slowest element of the system; that is to say that the punching operation itself is too slow. Hence, the time lost in the punch-compare type of verification is often intolerable because it adds still another time consuming step to the inputoutput sequence.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel punch verification mechanism that operates during the actual punching stroke while the punch is still in the punched media.

Although various types of punch verification devices have been designed to verify during the punch stroke punch stroke verificationnone of them have been entirely satisfactory. Some of these devices have employed complicated systems of levers, springs, and sensing elements. In addition to their being generally too slow for use with high speed punches, these devices have been plagued with vibration and wear problems. Theoretically, the best solution thus far has been to shine a light beam somewhere between the punch and the media to be punched so that the beam impinges upon a light sensitive device such as a photocell. As the punch enters the media -during the punching stroke the light beam is interrupted and the output from the photocell drops. In this manner the output from the photocell is used to verify the punch stroke; but the photocell verification systems have not been satisfactory either.

A certain amount of punching dust is inherent in any punching operation. After a relatively short period of punching the photocells become so covered with punching dust that they become incapable of performing their intended function. Moreover, the light sources employed have, of necessity, been very small and have either been relatively expensive or of a short life span. As a practical matter, therefore, the photocell types of punch stroke verification systems have led to a great deal of machine down-time.

Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide a punch stroke Verification mechanism that is not sensitive to punching dust.

3,248,047 Patented Apr. 26, 1966 Another object of this invention is to provide a punch stroke verifying apparatus that has relatively long-life components. 7

Present day data processing machines have been developed on a modular basis. That is, a given basic element of a particular data processing system can be combined with another basic element, so as to rapidly increase the capacity of that particular system without installing another new system in its entirety. For example, the addition of a multiplexer may double or triple the input capacity of a processing installation without any substantial changes being made in the processor itself. Similarly, it is desirable that a punch stroke verification capability be easily added to a particular installation 'as the speed and accuracy requirements of that installation increase. One of the disadvantages of the prior art punch stroke verifiers has been the need to incorporate them into the basic structure of the punching machine itself. That is, it has been rather impractical to modify an existing punching machine to accommodate the present day punch stroke verifiers. In the case of photocell verifiers, for example, it has been necessary to place the light source on one side of a punch mechanism and the photocell on the other. In most cases this requires that the internal structure of the punching mechanism itself be modified.

An advantage of the instant invention is that, where a modular concept is desired, an existing punching .mechanism can be modified to obtain punch stroke verification without any wholesale changes of the internal structure of the punch mechanism itself.

In accordance with the principle of the invention a pressure sensitive element senses fluid pressure in a conduit across which the punch element travels during each punching stroke. As the punch moves during the punch stroke the resultant change in pressure in the conduit is reflected in a change in the output of the pressure sensing element. This change in output is used to indicate the position of the punching element and to verify that a desired punching stroke is taking place.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a punching mechanism accord ing to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a portion of the side thereof broken away and the punch element being shown in its retracted state;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but with the punch element shown during the punch stroke in its most extended position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, partially broken away, and also showing the punch in its most extended position during the punch stroke.

One embodiment of the invention will now be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. A punch element 2 is slidably located within a punch guide channel 4 of a punch block 6. A spring 8 embraces a portion of the punch element and operates on a flange thereof (not shown) to urge the punch element into its most retracted position as shown in FIG. 1. The punch element has a blade 10 located on one end thereof and a head member 12 located on the other end.

Although any suitable type of selective punch drive means could be employed, the embodiment being described has the punch thereof driven by a continuously totating cam 14 mounted on a shaft 16, through an interposer member 18. With the interposer moved to the right in FIG. 1 rotation of the cam will have no effect upon the punch. When the interposer 18 is moved to the left in FIG. 1, into a position between the punch and the cam,

malfunction.

rotation of the cam will force the interposer and punch downwardly against the force of spring 8, whereby the blade enters die portion of a die block 22 as shown in FIG. 2. As the blade of the punch enters the die block it cuts a chip 24 out of a punched medium 26 while the latter moves through a space 28 between the punch block and the die block.

A conduit 30 traverses the punch block and intersects the punch guide channel 4 as shown in the figures. An aperture 32 in the punch element is'aligned with the conduit 30 when the punch is in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 1. Also aligned with the conduit and fastened to the side of the punch block is a coupling 34 which, in this preferred embodiment, has a flexible tube 36 attached thereto.

A fluid block 40 has a plenum chamber 42 located therein. Some suitable fluid, in this embodiment air, is contained under pressure in the plenum chamber. The air is free to bleed from the plenum chamber through exit 44 and an orifice 46 into a conduit 48 extending to the right side of the fluid block 40 in FIG. 1. A pressure sensing conduit 50 intersects conduit 48 and connects the conduit 48 to a recess 52 wherein is located a pressure sensitive switch 54. The switch may, for example, be a pressure sensitive electrical switch of the type wherein the electrical output thereof changes in response to some predetermined pressure level.

A coupling 56, mounted on the right side of the pressure block in FIG. 1 connects conduit 48 to the flexible tube 36. In this manner air from the plenum chamber 42 is permitted to bleed therefrom through the exit 44, through orifice 46 and into conduit 48. From conduit 48 the air is conducted throughtube 36 into the left side of conduit 30 in the punch block; through the aperture 32; out conduit 30 on the right side of the punch block; and into the free air as shown in FIG. 1. At this time the pressure on the switch 54 is substantially equal to that in the plenum chamber, minus the drop across the orifice 46.

Whenever it is desired that medium 26 be punched,

the interposer 18 is inserted between the Punch head 12 and the cam 14. As the cam revolves, the punch, through interposition of the interposer, is. driven downwardly by the punch drive as shown in FIG. 2. In this position,

and as the medium is being punched, the aperture 32 in i the punch is no longer aligned with conduit 30. At this time air is no longer permitted to escape through the right side of conduit 30 andthe pressure in the left side of conduit 30 (as well as in tube 36, conduit 48, and sensing channel 50) undergoes a rapid surge upwardly towards the pressure-in the plenum chamber 42. This rapid pressure rise is sensed by switch 54 causing its output level to change. This change in output provides an indication that the punch is at that moment within the punching medium. The pressure switch output is used to vertify that the desired punching operation is in fact taking place.

Whenever a punching operation occurs and a simultaneous vertication signal is not received from the pressure switch, action can be taken at once to correct the Hence, the invention has obviated the problem of repunching media that have been punched betwe n the time an error is made and the time it is detected. Moreover, the punched media can-immediately be used in subsequent operations without performing separate readout or compare steps to verify punching accuracy.

The greatest portion of the dust that occurs during a punching operation does so during the time that the punch cuts the media. In the normal punching device the retraction of the punch element after it completes a punch stroke causes a vacuum in the area about the medium whereby the dust is drawn into the punching mechanism. It is this dust that coated the photocells of prior ,art punch stroke verification devices thereby 4 rendering them inoperative. In the instant device a slight bit of air is permitted to leak past the blade of the punch element to blow the dust out the die portion 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Moreover, because the pressure switch 52 is located upstream from the punchingthereof. Consequently, almost any punching mechanism can be readily modified to include a punch stroke verification merely by adding a pressure module of the type just described.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention and will now bedescribed. In this embodiment, instead of separating the pressure switch from the plenum chamber by an orifice, the pressure witch is separated from the plenum chamber by the punch itself.

Using the same numbers to describe parts that are similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2: a plenum chamber 42 delivers air through a conduit 48 and a flexible tube 36 into the left side of conduit 30 in punch block 6. In this embodiment, and by Way of illustration only, the aperture 32 is aligned with conduit 30 when the punch element is in the most extreme downward portion of its punching stroke. At this time the plenum chamber 42 is directly connected through a flexible tube 58 to a conduit 60 in a switch block 62 and the output level of a pressure indicator switch 64 (located in recess 66 connected to conduit 60) is that level corresponding to the relatively high pressure of the plenum chamber 42.1

As soon as the punch withdraws from the die block,

under urging of the spring 8, the right side of conduit 30 is substantially blocked off. At this time the air that is trapped beneath the pressure indicator switch 64 and" that from the plenum chamber bleeds by the blade of; the punch and blows the punching dust out of the die.

portion of the die block. As soon as the air escapes e from conduit 60 the output level of the pressure indicator switch drops indicating that the punching operation has been completed.

Because pressure switches are generally not susceptible to malfunction due to normal build up of punching dust,

the fact that the pressure switch 64 is located down stream from the punch should not normally cause any difficulty. However, over a period of time it is conceivable that conduit 60, for example, could become somewhat clogged and affect the accuracy or response time of the pressure indicating switch. Consequently, it may be desired to bore a channel such as 68 in the lower rtion of the punch member as shown in FIG.

3. In this manner, a greater amount of air will be. directed towards the punch die thereby decreasing the likelihood of dust building up within the punching mechr anism.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privelcge is claimed are follows:

1. A punch vertiflcation mechanism comprising:

a pressure chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

a conduit adapted to conduct said fluid across said guide means;

a punch movable across said conduit between a first.

defined as i said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch moves from its first position to its second position;

and pressure sensitive indicating means connected to said conduit for sensing said changes in pressure thereby indicating that said punch has changed its position.

2. A punch verification mechanism comprising:

a pressure chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

a conduit adapted to conduct guide means;

a punch movable across said conduit between a first and a second position with said guide means, said conduit being permitted to conduct said fluid through said guide means when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch means moves from its first position to its second position;

a pressure sensitive indicating means;

means for connecting said pressure indicating means to said conduit between said pressure chamber and said punch guide means;

and means in said conduit between said pressure chamber and said connecting means for restricting the flow of fluid therebetween, whereby said pressure indicating means senses said changes in pressure and thereby indicates that said punch has changed position..

3. A punch verification mechanism comprising:

a pressure chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

a first conduit adapted to conduct said fluid from said pressure chamber across said guide means to a discharge point;

a punch movable across said conduit between a first and a second position within said guide means, said conduit being permitted to conduct said fluid through said guide means when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position; i

a pressure sensitive indicating means;

a second conduit connecting said pressure sensitive indicating means to said discharge point, whereby said pressure sensitive indicating means senses the changes in fluid pressure as said punch moves from its first position to its second position and indicates that said punch has changed its position.

4. A punch verification mechanism comprising:

a pressure chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

a conduit adapted to conduct said fluid across said guide means;

a punch having an aperture therethrough and movable across said conduit between a first and a second position within said guide means, said aperture being aligned with said conduit when said punch is in said said fluid across said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch moves from its first position to its said second position;

and pressure sensitive indicating means connected to said conduit for sensing said changes in pressure and thereby indicating that said punch has changed its position.

5. A punch verification mechanism comprising:

a fluid chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

a conduit adapted to conduct said fluid across said guide means;

a punch having an aperture therethrough and movable across said conduit between a first and a second position within said guide means; said aperture being aligned with said conduit when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the-flow of said fluid when in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch moves from its first position to its said second position;

a pressure sensitive indicating means;

means for connecting said pressure indicating means to said conduit; between said pressure chamber and said punch guide means;

means between said pressure chamber and said connecting means for restricting the flow of fluid therebetween, whereby said pressure indicating means senses said changes in pressure and thereby indicates that said punch has changed position.

6. A punch verification mechanism comprising;

a pressure chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

a punch having an aperture therethrough and movable across said conduit between a first and a second position within said guide means said aperture being aligned with said conduit when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch moves from its first position to its second position;

a pressure sensitive indicating means;

a second conduit connecting said pressure sensitive indicating means to said discharge point, whereby said pressure sensitive indicating means senses the changes in said fluid pressure as said punch moves from its first position to said second position, said pressure sensitive indicating means thereby indicating that said punch has changed its position.

7. A punch verification mechanism comprising:

a pressure chamber for fluid;

a punch guide means;

said punch guide means being comprised of a punch block and an adjacent die block, a punch guide channel extending through said punch block and said die block;

a conduit intersecting said guide channel and adapted to conduct said fluid across said guide channel to a discharge point;

a punch movable across said conduit between a first and a second position Within said guide channel, said conduit being permitted to conduct said fluid through said guide means when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid When in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch moves from its first position to said second position, the space between said punch and said punch guide channel being suflicient to permit said fluid to bleed past said punch and out of said die block when the punch obstructs the flow of fluid through said conduit;

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said punch has an aperture therethrough, said aperture being aligned with said conduit when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pressure sensitive indicating means is connected to said conduit between said pressure chamber and said punch guide means;

and including means between said pressure chamber and said connecting means for restricting the flow of fluid therebetween.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 including a second conduit and wherein said pressure sensitive indicating means is connected by said second conduit to said discharge point.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said indicating means is connected to said conduit between said pressure chamber and said punch guide means;

12. The apparatus of claim 7 including a second conduit connecting said pressure sensitive indicating means a to said discharge point.

13. A punch verification mechanism comprising: a pressure chamber for fluid; a punch guide means;

said punch guide means being comprised of a punch block and an adjacent die block, and having a punch guide channel extending through said punch block into said die block; a conduit intersecting said punch guide channel and adapted to conduct said fluid across said guide means; a punch having an aperture therethrough and movable across said conduit between a first and a second position within said guide means, said aperture being aligned with said conduit when said punch is in said first position, but said punch obstructing the flow of said fluid when in said second position so that the fluid pressure in said conduit changes when said punch moves from its first position'to its second position;

a biasing means urging said punch towards said first position;

cyclic drive means; an interposer adapted to be selectively inserted between said cyclic drive means and said punch, said drive means being operative to drive said punch towards said second position against the force of said biasing means when said interposer is inserted between said a drive means and said punch and said drive means being ineffective to drive said punch when said interposer is not inserted between said drive means and said punch;

means permitting said fluid to leak past said punch and into said punch guide channel towards said die block when said punch is in said second position;

and pressure sensitive indicating means, connected to said conduit for sensing said changes in pressure and 1 thereby indicating that said punch has changed its position.

Claims

1. A PUNCH VERTIFICATION MECHANISM COMPRISING: A PRESSURE CHAMBER FOR FLUID; A PUNCH GUIDE MEANS; A CONDUIT ADAPTED TO CONDUCT SAID FLUID ACROSS SAID GUIDE MEANS; A PUNCH MOVABLE ACROSS SAID CONDUIT BETWEEN A FIRST AND A SECOND POSITION WITHIN SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID CONDUIT BEING FREE TO CONDUCT SAID FLUID WHEN SAID PUNCH IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION, BUT SAID PUNCH OBSTRUCTING THE FLOW OF SAID FLUID WHEN IN SAID SECOND POSITION SO THAT THE FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID CONDUIT CHANGES WHEN SAID PUNCH MOVES FROM ITS FIRST POSITION TO ITS SECOND POSITION; AND PRESSURE SENSITIVE INDICATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CONDUIT FOR SENSING SAID CHANGES IN PRESSURE THEREBY INDICATING THAT SAID PUNCH HAS CHANGED ITS POSITION.