US3496966A

US3496966A - Method and apparatus for coiling wire

Info

Publication number: US3496966A
Application number: US561908A
Authority: US
Inventors: Erich Reth; Werner Colditz
Original assignee: Demag AG
Current assignee: Mannesmann Demag AG
Priority date: 1965-07-02
Filing date: 1966-06-30
Publication date: 1970-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1987-02-24
Also published as: AT303098B; NL6608397A; GB1154909A; NL154555B; DE1245405C2; DE1245405B; AT283413B; SE328014B

Description

Feb. 24, 1970 E. RETH ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 50, 1966 I1 w I Cv/I m H l l s |f/\,\ F\\ H m 3A mmm m m. C I. A A A l L wladw A AAF/ Hf/4, \\^A\|/ L WMHHA RYvl @www wl 4% @www I Nif SWW mw. Hl Ijan AU/INN. Q. l 67W nf A. .m kw id .A my o., m mm .s mi :.A Wk I Feb. 24, 1970 E. RETI-1 Erm.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed JuneI 30, 1966 Wen/va? cow/12 Br' nf'wwzzse..

United States Patent Giitice 3,496,966 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 Int. c1. B21f 3/04 U.S. Cl. 140-1 12 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A method of treating wire after it is coiled in a heated state upon leaving a rolling mill and is treated by cooling as it is moved downwardly in a cooling shaft after the coils are formed, comprises accumulating coils of wire adjacent the bottom of the cooling shaft until a predetermined amount is collected in a coil stack. Thereafter the supports for the coil stacks are moved away to permit the accumulated coil stack to drop downwardly to a collection base. The supports are returned to their original position and a few coils are permitted to accumulate in a new stack while maintaining the wire connection between the new stack and the stack which has been dropped downwardly. Thereafter the connection coil of wire between the two stacks is cut away. The method facilitates the maintenance of the newly formed coils in a stack orientation without displacement. The cutting of the wire connection between each successively formed coiled stack is made only after a few coils of the newly formed stack are rst accumulated on a support.

A device for carrying out the method includes a support made up of two supporting elements which are movable toward each other adjacent the bottom of the vertical shaft in order to support the coils for stack accumulation. The supporting elements are moved apart to drop each stack after a sucient number of coils has accumulated. When the supporting elements are moved together again, they separate one coil stack from another and permit accumulation of a new coil stack thereon while the connection between the successive stacks is maintained. Directly below the movable members is a cutting knife and a sweep arm which directs the connecting coil of wire between the old and the new stacks into association with the cutting knife.

SUMMARY 'OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for treating rolled wires coming directly from a rolling mill and in particular to a new and useful device for receiving and holding successively fed coils of such wires with means associated therewith for cutting the wire to separate the individual coils and also to improved means for forming the peripheries of the stacks of the wires which are fed from a cooling shaft in which the wire coils are formed and treated.

Wires which are formed in a rolling mill are directed from the rolling mill into a vertical annular shaft in which the wires are formed into a coil form and deposited on means for delivering the successive coils past a station traversed by cooling air. The present invention provides means for channeling the coils of wire after they are delivered downwardly from the cooling shaft.

'The problem of dealing with the coils is that the wire turns must be oriented in the coil position concentrically to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in which they are separated from adjacent groups of coils of such wire. In accordance with the invention, this is accomplished by arranging directly below the cooling shaft means for handling the coil groups of wire without requiring a lateral displacement before separation or transfer to a conveyor.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided below the cooling shaft two platform members which are movable on a trackway toward and away from each other and which provide a support when moved together for a coiled stack of wire. Associated with the trackway is a member for engaging the length of wire which extends between a coil resting on the cable platform and the one fed downwardly onto a centering mandrel therebelow. The member catches the free length between the coils at whatever location it may be in and moves it into association with one or another of a plurality of cutting elements which are arranged therebeneath. A feature of the construction is that without affecting the position of the accumulated coil of wire on the platform, it is possible to withdraw the platform elements outwardly at which time there occur two equal and opposite forces which prevent the coil from moving sideways. During this movement, the separation of the next coil is achieved when the platforms are moved backwardly to begin the accumulation of a new coil stack. The catching elements arranged below the platform will sweep through an arc to engage the connecting length of wire between successive coils (that is, the one accumulating on the platform elements and the one which has just been directed downwardly onto a collecting platform over and around a centering mandrel) and direct it toward means for severing the coil and the connecting length. The centering mandrel is advantageously mounted so that it may be withdrawn downwardly through an opening in the collecting bottom or platform so that the coil may be pushed to a wire coil tying machine after it is formed around the mandrel. In some instances, the collecting platform may be made in the form of a conveyor belt `for advancing the coil to the next station.

In a further development of the invention, there is provided between the cooling shaft for cooling the newly formed coils of wire and the movable collective platform elements a vertical cylindrical shaft having an upper aperture consisting of a rotation ring with guide means for directing the wire turns. In the preferred form, the guide means are angled inwardly and downwardly and provide a means for insuring the uniform stacking of the wire turns so that their outermost portions will lie in a circular ring. In this manner the loops of wire are stacked in uniform layers of cylindrical cross section suitable for being lowered onto a collecting bottom and centered over a centering mandrel. According to a feature of this inventive concept, the guide means includes one or more arms which are rigidly fastened to the rotating ring and which press against the periphery of the wire turns towards and against the diametrically opposite smooth shaft wall of the cylindrical member. The guiding arms each include an oblique portion extending inwardly for guiding the turns downwardly gradually and a straight portion which presses against the periphery of the four coils in a circular. The circumferential speed of the arm is regulated according to the number of turns produced per unit of time. The spacing in a horizontal plane of a wire turn can be inuenced by the speed of the rotation of the ar-m.

A further characteristic of the invention is the drive for the movable platform elements upon which the coils are deposited after they leave the cooling shaft. The platform elements are mounted so that they may be rolled backwardly and forwardly along a trackway and the movement is controlled by a fluid piston engine having piston rod elements connected separately to the individual platform members. The weight of the coils upon the platforms permits the easy withdrawal of the two platform elements outwardly to permit the coils to drop downwardly. Only the empty weight of the platform elements must be moved upon closing. In the preferred arrangement, the actuation of the fluid piston engine is accomplished by switch means as a function of the wire weight collected on the bottom platform elements. Such switch means are adjustable in stages for minimum weights of the coil with the beginnings adapted to the large coil diameters and wire diameters.

A further feature of the invention is the arrangement of the catcher elements which are designed as two armed levers which are mounted so that they will pivot through arcs to engage a collecting length of wire between two successive coils regardless of its location. The location of the connecting length of wire of the coil will vary so that the arm on one side may in some instances engage the connecting wire and direct it to a cutter arm on the adjacent side, or the arm on the opposite side may move the connecting length to a cutter arranged on its side. The levers may be arranged in different parallel planes so that overlapping movements are possible. In this manner one lever is certain to seize the loop or to pass it to the other lever. In some instances the platform members may themselves be designed as catcher elements to insure that the connecting link of wire cable is directed into association with a cutting element. When separate levers are employed as catchers they are advantageously movable along with the movement of the platform members.

A further characteristic is the provision of shears which are mounted for association with each catcher or lever arm member for guiding the connecting length of cable into association with the cutter. The shears are such that their mass need not be either accelerated or retarded. The shears are advantageously secured to the collecting shaft circumference at diametrically opposite locations. They may be controlled by limit switches arranged in the guide track for the platform members so that they will be actuated to cut off the connecting length of wire for example when the platform members are closed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for receiving a newly coiled wire from a cooling tower or shaft and Ifor supporting the wire in a position above cutting elements on a movable platform and to sever successive groups of coils of such wire and to thereafter permit the wire to be moved onto a collecting bottom or platform in which the groups of coils are collected for transfer to a further location.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ring guiding member for use in association with a movable platform element on which successively formed groups of coiled wire are positioned and which includes a rotating guide member for insuring a cylindrical formation of each of the coils as they are deposited.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of treating wire which is formed directly from a rolling mill and then cooled in a cooling tower comprising directing the wire directly from the cooling tower onto a receiving platform for forming a coiled stack of a predetermined number of coils, cutting the connecting wire between the formed coil and the previously formed coil and dropping the newly formed coil downwardly onto a collecting bottom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wire coil treating and forming device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical axial sectional view of a device for cutting newly formed coils of wire into stacks having a predetermined number of coils constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the device;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein as indicated in FIGS. 1 3 comprises a device for forming and separating groups of coiled stacks of wires which are delivered or which fall downwardly from a tower or shaft 10 in which the newly formed coils are cooled. The wire turns 51 are dropped so that they are collected over a shaft bottom or platform generally designated 22. The platform in accordance with the invention includes two platform elements or

platform halves

22a and 22b having rollers 21 which are guided for lateral movement on a trackway or guide 20. The movement of the

platform elements

22a and 22b is controlled by a fluid pressure-operated piston engine 52 having a connecting rod 52a connected through a crank arm 53a to a double lever 53. One arm of the double lever 53 is connected through a linkage 53' to one end of the table 22a and the other arm of the lever 53 is connected through a linkage S3 and additional linkage 53" to one end of the platform 22b. Actuation of the fluid operated cylinder 52 causes movement of the piston and its associated connecting rod 52a to effect the displacement of the tables 22a and 22b either toward each other or away from each other. When the

bottom supporting plates

22a and 22b are moved outwardly, the coil of wire which has accumulated thereon is dropped downwardly over the mandrel 24 onto a collecting bottom 23. The collecting bottom 23 in the embodiment illustrated may advantageously comprise a platform or wall member having an opening through which the centering mandrel 24 may be moved in vertical directions. The mandrel may be extended to the position indicated in FIG. 1 in order to provide a centering element for stacking a coiled -bundle 54 therearound.

When the coil 54 has reached its specified height or the specified weight, the fluid operated piston engine 52 is actuated to return the

bottom portions

22a and 22b together leaving a gap 221.` as shown in FIG. 3. At this time control means (not shown) are provided for actuating a pair of double armed levers 55 which are pivotally mounted adjacent diametrically opposite ends of a receiving or stacking shaft 9. The outer ends 55b are moved through a curved path under the guidance of a movable member or stop element 57 which bear against elements 55a on the arms. The end 55b sweep the area beneath the

platform

22a and 22b and one or the other of the arms will engage the length of connecting cable 51a between the completed stack 54 of the coils and the newly forming stack 54. Connecting cable length 51a iS directed by the associated arm 55 into association with one of the cutter mechanisms generally designated 58 and 58. The cutter mechanisms include shearing members which are moved together to sever the connecting cable 51a between the two formed coil stacks.

The mandrel 24 is then lowered into the platform or bottom wall 23 to free the stack 54 so that it can be moved to a following treatment station. In some instances the mandrel may comprise a reel which may be rotated. 'Ihe arms 55 are advantageously actuated by movement of the

platforms

22a and 22b so that they will move the connecting length 51a into association with the cutter for severing the same when the two

platform parts

22a and 22b are moved together. They are returned to their starting position after their platform bottom halves 22a and 22b have been returned together to a closed position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 in addition to the mechanism indicated in FIGS. l-3 there is provided a vertical cylindrical coil stack-forming cylinder generally designated 61 which is located between the treatment or cooling air shaft and the receiving or stacking shaft 9. As indicated the cylindrical shaft 61 is mounted on brackets 70 directly above the

movable platform members

22a and 22b. A toothed rim or wheel member 62 is rotatably mounted adjacent the top of the cylinder 61 and is driven from a gear 63a aixed to a shaft of a motor 63. The rim 62 is carried on a ring plate 62a upon which is mounted a mouth ring or frustoconical member 62b. The structural group comprising the tooth rim 62, the plate 62a and the mouth ring 62b is guided at several points of the circumference of the cylinder 61 by means of rolls 62C.

When the motor 63 is rotated the mouth ring assembly including the rim 62, the plate 62a and the mouth 62b is rotated to rotate guide means comprising an arm 64 therewith. The arm 64 includes an oblique portion 64a and a vertical portion 64b which provide the double function of guiding the wire downwardly into a stack and then insuring that it is formed into a cylindrical formation.

The rotation of the vertical bar 64b around with the mouth ring causes the wires to form into an even cylinder so that when the wire turns are deposited on the

plat form parts

22a and 22b they describe cyclic curves which always lie with their greatest diameters on the inside diameter of the shaft and with their smallest diameters on the circle described by the arm 64. When a suicient number of windings have collected on the

shaft bottom portions

22a and 22b they move the part to permit the coil to drop downwardly over the mandrel 24 and to effect the cutting of the connecting cable 51a which is between the newly formed stack and the next stack to be formed on the

platform parts

22a and 22b when they are moved together.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for forming coils of wire into individual coils and bundles comprising a treatment shaft for transporting and treating newly coiled wire, a coil stack supporting bottom located below said treatment shaft in a position to receive and accumulate successively fed coils of wire into a coiled stack, said supporting bottom including at least two movable bottom coils supporting portions movable away from each other to withdraw from support of the stack and to permit the stack to fall downwardly and movable together to form a support for accumulating the coils of wire, means for moving said bottom coil supporting portions, receiving means below said coil stack supporting bottom for receiving the coiled stack which is permitted to fall, and cutting means disposed between said receiving means and said coil stack supporting bottom for cutting the wire at a location between the formed stacks in said receiving means and the wire being transported by said treatment shaft onto said supporting bottom.

2. A device according to claim 1, including a horizontal trackway, said bottom coil supporting portions being rollable on said trackway, and a fluid pressureoperated piston motor connected to said bottom coil supporting portions for displacing said portions toward and away from each other.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means includes a catching member, and means mounting said catching member for movement through an arc below said bottom coil supporting portions to engage the 6 length of coil between a coiled stack in said receiving means and the stack being formed on said supporting bottom.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said cutting means includes a catching member, and means mounting said catching member for movement through an arc below said bottom coil supporting portions to engage the length of coil between a coiled stack in said receiving means and the stack being formed on said supporting bottom.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means includes a separate cutting element located at at least diametrically opposite locations on each side of said receiving means, and catching means for engaging a length of cable and directing it into association with a selected one of said cutting elements.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein said cutting means includes a separate cutting element located at at least diametrically opposite locations on each side of said receiving means, and catching means for engaging a length of cable and directing it into association with a selected one of said cutting elements.

7. A device according to claim 1 including a cylindrical guide shaft located between said treatment shaft and said coil stack supporting bottom and including guide means for forming the coils into a uniform vertical stack as it is delivered from said treatment shaft onto said coil stack supporting bottom.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said guide means includes a member having an upper oblique portion for defiecting the successive coils downwardly into said cylinder and onto said supporting bottom and a substantially vertical portion for engaging the ends of the coil stack and urging them against said guide cylinder interior.

9. A device according to claim 8 including a rotatable rim carried at the upper end of said cylinder, motor means including a gear connected to said rim and drivingly rotating said rim, and a mouth plate at the upper end of said rim having an oblique wall for deflecting wire downwardly into said cylinder.

10. A method of treating wire after it is coiled in a heated state upon leaving the rolling mill and also treated by cooling, and as the wire is moved downwardly in a cooling shaft after the coils are formed, comprising accumulating the coils of wire adjacent the bottom of the cooling shaft until a predetermined amount is collected in a coiled stack, moving the support for the coiled stack away and permitting the stack to drop downwardly, and returning the support to accumulate a few coils of a new stack while maintaining a connection between the new stack and the previous Stack, and thereafter cutting the cable connecting the dropped stack from the new stack.

11. A device for collecting individual and groups of wire windings such as from a treating shaft comprising means defining a vertical cylindrical shaft, a rotatable member adjacent the upper end of said shaft including a wire coil guiding arm extending into said shaft, a shaft bottom including at least two separable bottom parts, means for guiding said shaft bottom parts for movement apart to open said shaft and for movement together to close said shaft, means for directing a continuous length of coiled wire to the top of said cylinder and for permitting it to fall downwardly onto said bottom, means to rotate said member with said guiding arm to form the wire as it is accumulated onto said bottom, means connected to said separable bottom parts to open said bottom parts after a predetermined accumulation of wire has formed on said bottom parts to drop a stack therebetween below said shaft, and cutting means located below said shaft engageable with the wire between a dropped stack and the coiled wire being directed to said shaft bottom for cutting the wire between successive coiled stacks.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said means for guiding said shaft bottom parts includes a guideway formed on each side of the bottom of said shaft, roll means supporting said bottom parts for movement along said guideway, said guiding arm including a member extending obliquely downwardly from the rim of said shaft and terminating in a portion extending into said shaft for contacting the ends of the wire being formed to urge them against the opposite wall of said shaft, said cutting means including means to direct the length of wire between the dropped stack and the coiled wire being directed to said shaft bottom and move it into association with said cutting means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner LOWELL A. LARSON, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.