US3610006A

US3610006A - Coil spring winding machine with bar transfer means

Info

Publication number: US3610006A
Application number: US855833A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Scheublein Jr; Louis P Fister; James A Mcneely; Jay W Talmage
Original assignee: Moog Industries Inc
Current assignee: Moog Industries Inc
Priority date: 1969-09-08
Filing date: 1969-09-08
Publication date: 1971-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-05

Abstract

IN A COIL SPRING WINDING MACHINE HAVING A MANDREL ROTATABLE AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND A ROD STOCK GUIDE ADAPTED FOR LINEAR TRAVEL LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID MANDREL AT VARIABLE SPEEDS FOR PITCH CONTROL OF THE SPRING TO BE FORMED, A BAR TRANSFER ASSEMBLY CARRIED BY SAID ROD STOCK GUIDE AND BEING MOVABLE WITH REAPECT THERETO FOR REGULATING THE HELICAL ANGLES ON WHICH THE SPRING IS FORMED. A ROLLER IS PROVIDED ON SAID GUIDE FOR TRAVEL THEREWITH TO ENGAGE THE STOCK AS FED TO THE MACHINE TO CONTROL TRANSITION PITCHES.

Description

Oct. 5, 1971 COIL SPRING WINDING MACHINE WITH BAR TRANSFER MEANS W. A. SCHEUBLEIN, JR,

ETAL

Filed Sept. 8. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 75 20 J (9 5 z /r /7 4 a F IG.|

4 Lu I 4 /4 \4 7 o FIG. s 20 5 I l I SERVO LEAD SCREW ASSEMBLY SYSTEM H II I 65 HYDRAULIC POWER 2:29 MANDREL TRANSDUCER SOURCE PRESET- sPRING PRESET -E SERVO G 4 DATA COUNTER VOLTAGE AMPLIFIER I I {CIRCUIT MENT I L J 45 66 67 37 I P g I f g E E I [TABLET SERVO 'B J P CARRIAGE l $8'ffi AMP F 5 ASSEM- -C|RCUIT MENT IRAII SFER BLY CONSOLE ASSEMBLY INVENTORS 6 WILLIAM A. SCHEUBLEIN, JR.

QM Kw ATTORNEY 1971 w. A. SCHEUBLEIN. JR., ETAL 3,610,006

COIL SPRING WINDING MACHINE WITH BAR TRANSFER MEANS Filed Sept. 8. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet B F|G.2 ZZ\ 47 J r FIG.3

W l.- INVENTORS 4 WILLIAM A. SCHEUBLEIN, JR. Louls. P. FISTER JAMES A. MCNEELY JAY Y V. TALMAGE QM (M ATTORNEY Oct. 5, 1971 w. A. SCHEUBLEIN, JR., E 3,610,005

COIL SPRING WINDING MACHINE WITH BAR TRANSFER MEANS Filed Sept. 8, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet Z INVENTORS WILLIAM A. SCHEUBLEIN, JR.

LOUIS P. FISTER JAMES A. MCNEELY JAY V1. TALMAGE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,610,006 COIL SPRING WINDING MACHINE WITH BAR TRANSFER MEANS William A. Scheublein, Jr., Ballwin, Louis P. Fister, St. Louis, James A. McNeely, Manchester, and Jay W. Talmage, Berkeley, Mo., assignors to Moog Industries, Inc., Wellston, Mo. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 611,210, Jan. 3, 1967. This application Sept. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 855,833

Int. Cl. B21j 7/26, 3/]() US. CI. 7222 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to coil spring winding machines and, more particularly, to bar transfer means for controlling the helical angle or angles of the formed coils. This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending patent application Ser. No. 611,210, now Pat. No. 3,470,721, filed Jan. 3, 1967, upon a Coil Spring Winding Machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for producing compression coil spring having a unique rod stock control device to assure proper feeding of the stock to the mandrel for developing the predetermined helical angle of the coil or coils being formed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine of the character stated wherein the rod stock control device is adapted for automatic positionment during the spring forming operation to allow for an infinite variation in the helic angles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control device of the character stated which may be incorporated in existing coil winding machines wherein the forming mandrel serves as the commanding source without requiring costly modification.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a coil spring winding machine a work engaging member located with respect to the forming mandrel so as to control the transition pitches of the spring being formed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide work controlling means for a coil spring winding machine which is reliable, durable, and fully effective in use; and which is adapted for programming so as to be automatically operative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a coil spring wind ing machine having bar transfer means constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged front view of the bar transfer assembly, illustrating the same after the first quarter turn of the mandrel.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the bar transfer assembly illustrating same in one operative position.

"ice

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the primary components of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference numerals to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a coil spring winding machine adapted for producing coil springs, as used for automobile suspensions. For purposes of orientation, the front of machine A will be the elevation shown in FIG. 1, while the inner and outer ends of said machine will be, respectively, toward the left hand side and right hand side of said figure. Machine A comprises a bed 1 supported by legs 2, 3; there being an overhead member 4 mounted on

upstanding brackets

5, 6 disposed on bed 1. Overhead member 4 has formed on its opposite sides thereof cooperating longitudinaly progressing ways 7 for slideable engagement thereon of slide bodies 8 formed integral with, and provided at the upper end of, a tailstock 9 whereby the latter is reciprocally movable along said ways 7. Tailstock 9 contains a bearing 10 for journalling of the outer end of a mandrel 11, the opposite or inner end of which is rotatably supported by the chuck 12 of a spindle 13 which is rotatable by means of a conventional gear train (not shown) within a reduction gear box 14; said train being driven, through suitable transmitting means by a motor 15 which may be disposed on top gear box 14 for compactness.

Tailstock 9 is operatively connected to a fluid pressure actuated motor (not shown) of conventional design, being adapted for either liquid or air; which may be mounted on the rear face of overhead member 4 having the usual connecting rods for engaging tailstock 9 to the motor piston. By operation of said fluid pressure actuated motor, tailstock 9 will be moved outwardly along ways 7 carrying mandrel 11 therewith so as to effect disengagement of the inner end thereof from chuck 12 for allowing release of the work formed on mandrel 11 as will be described more fully hereinbelow. Said fluid motor may be adapted for timed sequential operation to effect a return stroke for restoring mandrel 11 to engagement within chuck 12 for the succeeding work forming operation.

Depending from overhead member 4 is a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart, transversely extending mounting plates 16, 17 with the spacing between same coinciding with the effective coil-winding length of mandrel 11; both of said plates 16, 17 projecting laterally beyond mandrel 11 on either side thereof. Extending between the lower outer portions of mounting plates 16, 17 and being fixed at their ends therein is a pair of

parallel guide rods

18, 19. Intermediate of, and axially parallel with,

guide rods

18, 19, is a lead screw 20 for presentation in overlying, vertically spaced relationship to mandrel 11 with the axes thereof being substantially within the same vertical plane; said lead screw being journalled at its ends within plates 16, 17 in bearings formed therein.

Lead screw 20 threadedly engages a tapped bore 21 in a bar guide body 22 having axially parallel lateral smoothbore openings 23, 23' for respectively slideably receiving

rods

18, 19, which latter stabilize bar guide body 22 in its traversing movement consequent to rotation of lead screw 20. On its forward face, bar guide body 22 carries a bar transfer assembly, indicated generally B, which comprises a mounting plate 24 having two sets of vertically aligned, slot-like openings, as at 25, 25, which sets are horizontally spaced-apart for extension therethrough of bolts 26, 26', respectively, whereby a range of vertical adjustability is accorded assembly B with respect to its securement upon bar guide body 22. Rigid with mounting plate 24 and extending forwardly therefrom in planar normal relationship thereto is a relatively narrow support plate 27 within which is formed an elongated aperture 28 extending substantially throughout its length (FIG. for purposes presently appearing. At the inner and outer end of support plate 27 there are provided

upstanding end plates

29, 30, respectively, which are rigid with mounting plate 24, as well as the confronting ends of support plate 27. Centrally of end plate 30 is formed an opening 31 through which projects the piston 32 of a fluid cylinder 33, said latter being bolted or otherwise fixed to the forward face of end plate 30 whereby piston 32 is adapted for movement toward and away from inner end plate 29. Fluid cylinder 33 is an integral part of bar transfer assembly B and is connected by conduits, as indicated at 34, 35, to a conveniently located source of fluid (not shown); said conduits 34, 35 being of requisite length and flexibility to permit of effective operation of said cylinder 33 during travel of bar guide body 22 along lead screw 20. Piston 32 is, accordingly, axially parallel to, and overlyingly of, aperture 28, and at its inner end is fixedly engaged to the upper portion 36 of a guide carriage 37. Said upper portion 36 is of greater width than aperture 28 so as to provide lateral slide shoulders as at 38, for movement along support plate 27 consequent to actuation of piston 32. Said upper portion 36 of carriage 37 is integral on its under surface with a relatively narrowed, centrally located neck 39 for downward extension through slot 28 for securement, as by a bolt 40, to the under portion of carriage 37, generally denoted 41, and which is so formed as to present a pair of horizontally extending

bosses

42, 43 for engaging depending fingers 44, '45, respectively, on which are suitably mounted frictionreducing, freely rotatable sleeves 44', 45', respectively; said

bosses

32, 43 being so related that the distance intervening sleeves 44, 45' will be adequate to accommodate the diameter of the rod or bar stock feed to machine A for coil-forming purposes. Between

bosses

42, 43 under portion 41 of carriage 37 is provided with an upwardly extending recess 46 for reception therein of a roller 47 adapted for free rotation upon a shaft 48 fixed at its ends in the confronting side wall portions of said recess 46; the diameter of roller 47 being such as to cause the lower portion of the same to extend slightly below

bosses

42, 43 for cooperating with the said sleeves 44, 45' for conducing to movement between the latter of the stock. With reference to FIG. 4, it will be observed that fingers 44, 45 are presented forwardly of the proximate upper zone of mandrel 11 for work-directing purposes as will be more fully described hereinbelow.

Although in the preferred form of the invention, a servo system will automatically control the stroke of piston 32 for effecting the indicated relationship between fingers 44, 45 and bar guide body 22, there are shown in the figures detent members which are useful for stroke control (and hence travel of carriage 37 with respect to support plate 27) when automatic means are not utilized. Accordingly, a block or shim 49 may be used between outer end plate 30 and upper portion 36 of carriage 37 for limiting the travel thereof in a direction toward outer end plate 30. Travel of carriage 37 in the opposite direction, that is, toward inner plate 29 may be controlled by an abutment 50 carried on the end of a threaded stem 51 engaged within a tapped opening (not shown) in end plate 29 so that by suitable manipulation thereof, the abutment may be presented at the requisite location. Such motion limiting members, although mechanically effective, do not conduce to the ease of travel control brought about by the servo system to be described below.

On the under face of bar guide body 22, substantially centrally thereof, there is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis a depending housing 52 having a downward 4 ly and inwardly opening recess, as at 53, within which is received a guide roller 54, rotatably mounted upon a shaft 55 secured within the outer wall of housing 52, for rotation of said roller about an axis parallel to the axis of mandrel 11. In its forward end, roller 54 is provided with a peripheral, shoulder-forming flange, 56 the lower portion of which projects below the bottom portion of housing 52 into relatively close proximity to underlying mandrel 11. Housing 52, in its upper or top wall, mounts a short shaft-like member 57 suitably received within a bearing formed in the lower face of bar guide 22 so that housing 52 together with the associated roller 54, is rotatable about its vertical axis.

Mandrel 11 is adapted to rotate at a constant, predetermined speed, while lead screw 20 is rotatable at any of various rates so that the linear velocity of bar guide body 22 will vary directly therewith. Bar guide body 22 serves as an immediate pitchcontrol mechanism since its rate of travel regulates the distance in a longitudinal direction between the individual coils of the spring being formed on mandrel 1 1. The means for controlling the angular velocity of lead screw 20 during the course of a spring forming operation is fully set forth in our aforesaid copending patent application Ser. No. 611,210, filed Jan. 3, 1967. By reference to said application, it will be seen that lead screw 20 projects through a bearing in plate 17 for mounting a pulley 58 about which is engaged a drive belt 59; said belt being also trained about a pulley (not shown) carried on the drive shaft (not shown) of a servo motor (not shown) of a conventional servo mechanism, indicated at S, in the block diagram set forth in FIG. 6. The aforesaid motor is of the hydraulic type, having a customary servovalve (not shown) which is connected by conduits to a convenient source of hydraulic fluid, indicated at H in FIG. 6; having pump means. The said servovalve (not shown) is operationally connected to a servo amplifier or controller, designated schematically 60. The output of servo amplifier 60 will be fed to the said servovalve, which latter connects hydraulic power source H with the motor of servo system S for operation of the latter. The speed of rotation of lead screw 20 is directly controlled by servo mechanism on system S as the shaft of the related servo motor will rotate at a speed determined by the particular input to servo amplifier 60. The various components of the system for effecting operation of servo mechanism S may be disposed within a console assembly C for convenient disposition with respect to machine A. A pulse counter of the preset type, designated 61, being designed to emit a signal after receiving an externally selected number of input pulses, is provided within said console assembly C; the same having the capacity of counting elevated speeds, such as, within the range of 120,000 pulses per minute, and being of electronic character. Counter 61 is connected to a presettable command voltage circuit 62 also provided within console assembly C and incorporating a number of adjustable voltages as obtained by potentiometers. The presettable potentiometers of command voltage circuit 62, in accordance with common practice, are engaged, as by relays, to various presettings of counter 61 so that as the predetermined pulse is received by counter 61 a circuit will be closed to the related potentiometer to provide the pre-intended output for feeding to servo amplifier 60, with which said voltage command circuit is connected, for effecting cor relative operation of the respective servo motor of servo system S whereby lead screw 20 will rotate at the related r.p.m.s.

Counter 61 is also connected to a transducer or sensing device 63, which latter is operatively engaged to mandrel 11 and being of the angular encoder type for transmission of electric pulses responsive to the angular displacement of mandrel 11. Thus, with each degree of rotation of mandrel 11 a pulse is discharged for reception by counter 61. It will be seen that the rotary motion of mandrel 11 is used as the commanding source for the operation of lead screw 20 at varying rates of rotation. Counter 61, being presettable, is adapted to effect operation upon reception of a predetermined signal, such as, closing a switch, relay, or the like; and being capable of effecting a series of operations through receipt of predetermined sequential input signals from transducer 63. Upon completion of a particular cycle, counter 61 will reset to in preparation for the succeeding cycle. Counter 61 is synchronized in a well known fashion with the drive system for mandrel 11 so that the operation thereof will control the start of the cycle (for formation of the spring and release of the finished spring therefrom) and will cause the resetting of counter 61. It is understood that a conventional tachometer is provided within servo system S to assure proper motor speed with respect to the preselected voltage fed to servo amplifier 60.

Also provided within console assembly 0 is a read-out instrument 64 for indicating preset voltages.

A similar system is incorporated within machine A for automatically controlling the movement of carriage 37 whereby the positionment of fingers 44, 45 is regulated with respect to bar guide body 22, as the latter is moved responsively to rotation of lead screw 20. In this phase of the operation as well, the rotary motion of mandrel 11 provides the commanding source for the operation, as preset counter 61 is also connected to a presettable command voltage circuit 65, which latter is adapted to feed its output to a servo amplifier 66 for operation of a servo system 67; said latter being also connected to hydraulic power source H. Said servo system '67 embodies a servovalve for causing predetermined activation of fluid cylinder 33 to bring about the related stroke of piston 32 for causing the respective travel of carriage, which is broadly indicated in said FIG. 6 as the carriage assembly. The

components

65, 66, 67 of the carriage operating system of the present invention correspond structurally and functionally to the related components of the system for effecting rotation of lead screw 20, as above described. However, as observed above, mandrel 11 through transducer 63 and preset counter 61 controls when the change of rate of rotation of lead screw 20 occurs, as well as when carriage 37 and, hence, fingers 44, 45 are moved.

In the operation of machine A, for coiling work W about mandrel 11, bar guide body 22 will be at its innermost limit. With carriage 37 immediately proximate end plate 29, and with fingers 44, 45 immediately adjacent chuck 12 (FIG. 2), the hot rod stock is directed to mandrel 11 between fingers 44, 45, for reception upon the upper surface of mandrel 11 abutting against the face plate of chuck 12. The initial free end portion of the work W is maintained on mandrel 11 against displacement through clamping by a dog d mounted on chuck 12 and projecting outwardly therefrom. Immediately such clamping action, rotation of mandrel 11 is commenced with carriage 37 being moved linearly outwardly a predetermined distance from end plate 29 through the system hereinabove described, comprising transducer 63, counter 61, command voltage circuit 65, servo amplifier 66, and servo system 67. By such movement of carriage 37, fingers 44, 45 will be moved to a predetermined position relative to bar guide body 22 for accomplishing several purposes: one being to cause the rod stock to be directed beneath roller 54, and against shoulder 55 (FIG. 3), for assuring proper control of the transition pitches of the spring to be formed; and the other being to effect a presentation of the bar stock to the mandrel at a precalculated helic angle, such being the angle developed by the coils of the spring in a line established perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Such initial movement of carriage 37 is effected prior to commencement of linear travel of bar guide body 22; but it is to be particularly noted, however, that the rod stock will make contact with the roller 54 after the first turn of the mandrel. The relative travel of carriage 37 with respect to bar guide body 22 will be dictated by the particular angle being developed so that suitable calculations must be programmed into the console assembly C to effect the length of stroke of piston 32 and the particular juncture of such stroke during traversing of bar guide body 22 linearly of lead screw 20. Accordingly, the first movement of carriage 37 will be effected prior to rotation of lead screw 20, but any such further movements of carriage 37 will occur during travel of bar guide body 22. Accordingly, by such action of carriage 37, the helic angle of the coils being formed is appropriately controlled; it being recognized that with springs of varying pitch, commensurate movement of carriage 37, both toward and away from end plate 30 will be effected during the forming operation. The initial movement of carriage 37 prior to rotation of lead screw 20 is a critical action in that, as above stated, it brings about rod stock controlling action by roller 54 so as to assure maximum accuracy of the transition pitches. It is to be observed, as by reference to FIG. 4 that roller 54 is presented immediately above mandrel 11 which location assures of the requisite control. The unique rockable mounting for roller 54 endows same with the capacity to follow any helic angle which may be required for the spring being formed. Shoulder 56 prevents any unauthorized displacement of work W during the forming operation.

As shown in FIG. 6 a read-out instrument 68 is connected to servo amplifier 66 for indicating preset voltages in the system. There is also provided a reference chart, indicated 69, having set forth thereon the requisite spring data for proper presetting of counter 61 and

command voltage circuits

62 and 65 for the particular coil spring to be produced. From such chart 69, the length of each pitch of the spring is given in degrees (of rotation of mandrel 11) so that the same may be fed to counter 61 to assure of the appropriate signal at the required juncture. Also, there is provided in degrees with respect to rotation of mandrel 11, the helic angle of the coils being formed so that counter 61 may energize the command voltage circuit 65 at the necessary point to bring about movement of carriage 37. Accordingly, counter 61 and

command voltage circuits

62 and 65 are placed n a fully preset state preparatory for the particular forming operation, with lead screw 20 and carriage 37 being thus programmed for the given spring. Reference is made to the two examples fully set forth and described in our said co-pending patent application Ser. No. 611,210 for demonstrating the actual operation of the system for utilizing the mandrel as a commanding source for development of the particular pitches and their respective locatron within the spring being formed. From the operatron of such system, the effectiveness and reliability of the programming method of the present invention for effecting requisite operation of carriage 37 is readily apparent since the components correspond to like elements for controlling lead screw 20 with the commandmg source being the same.

Having thus described our invention, What we desire to claim and obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. In a coil spring winding machine having a mandrel for coiling of rod stock thereabout, means for effecting rotation of said mandrel, a rod stock guide body, means causing said guide body to travel in a linear path longitudinally of said mandrel throughout substantially its effective coiling length, the improvement comprising rod stock directing means moveably provided on said body, and means responsive to rotation of said mandrel effecting movement of said directing means for preselected disposition of the same with respect to said guide body at predetermined junctures during rotation of said mandrel.

2. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said rod stock directing means comprising a carriage slideably mounted on said rod stock guide body for movement relatively thereof, fluid motive means engaged to said carriage,

said means responsive to rotation of said mandrel being operatively connected to said fluid motive means, and a pair of fingers depending from said carriage for movement therewith.

3. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said carriage being mounted for movement longitudinally of said mandrel.

4. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said fingers being located spacedly from said mandrel in the direction toward the source of the rod stock fed thereto.

5. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by a guide roller carried on said rod stock guide body for movement therewith, means mounting said guide roller for rotation about a normally horizontal axis.

6. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said guide roller being positioned on said guide body for presentation immediately above said mandrel.

7. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by a shoulder formed on said guide roller for abutment against stock fed to said machine to prevent unauthorized displacement thereof.

8. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by means mounting said guide roller on said guide body for permitting rotatability of said roller about a vertical axis.

9. In a coil spring winding machine, the improvement as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said rod stock directing means comprising a carriage slidably mounted on said rod stock guide body for movement relatively thereof, fluid motive means engaged to said carriage, said means responsive to rotation of said mandrel being operatively connected to said fluid motive means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,039,706 6/1962 Toth 72-l43 US. Cl. X.R. 72-138, 144

3/1969 Cavagnero 72-438