WO2002078155A1

WO2002078155A1 - Motorised pliers for flanging winding bars

Info

Publication number: WO2002078155A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/001033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Vincent
Original assignee: Vincent Industrie
Priority date: 2001-03-27
Filing date: 2002-03-25
Publication date: 2002-10-03
Also published as: FR2823029B1; FR2823029A1

Abstract

The invention concerns pliers (2) a having a fixed jaw (8), borne by a pliers body (3), and a mobile jaw (12), the two jaws having mutually opposite L-shaped profiles. The mobile jaw (12) is borne by a mobile support (15) guided in translation, relative to the pliers body (3), along two mutually perpendicular directions (X, Y), which correspond respectively to the two directions of the two wings (9, 10; 13, 14) of the L-shaped profile of the jaws (8, 12). The pliers (2) comprise a jack-type actuator (26), in particular a locked electro-actuator type, whereof the mount is adapted to the movements of the support (15) of the mobile jaw (12) along both said directions. Thus, the pliers (2) are automatically adapted without adjustment to elements to be clamped (33) with various cross-sections (34). Said pliers (2) are useful for machines designed to shape, draw or deform metal bars (33), such as copper bars for stator and rotor windings.

Description

MOTORIZED FORCEPS FOR FOLDING WINDING BARS

The present invention relates to a motorized clamp, intended for clamping rigid elongated elements, which must be maintained for their machining or their deformation. This clamp can be used more particularly, but not exclusively, on machines for forming, stretching or deforming metal bars, such as copper bars, for example automatic machines intended for "shuttle" forming of single or multiple copper bars. which constitute the stator and rotor windings of relatively large rotating electrical machines (motors or generators).

For clamping elongated elements, manual or hydraulic clamps are generally used. Insofar as the elongated elements to be clamped may have various sections, in particular rectangular sections of variable length and width, these clamps must include more or less complex mechanisms, to be adjusted manually, to adapt to section dimensions variables of the elements to maintain. In addition, the clamping force of such pliers is generally only manually adjustable. In the field of "shuttle" forming machines, such pliers serve to hold and move in space the straight sections of the copper bars, two pliers being provided, respectively, at the two ends of each straight section. For example, document EP 0107314 shows such a forming machine, in which the clamps are hydraulically clamped, no adjustment means being described for these clamps. Another document EP 0135483 shows another machine of this kind, in which the clamps are clamped by electrical means, each clamp comprising on the one hand a fixed jaw, on the other hand a movable jaw moved by a stepping electric motor -not, the two jaws each having an "L" profile. However, in this document also, no adjustment means is described which would allow adaptation of the clamps to bars, the section of which would have a variable "length / width" ratio. The document EP 0135483 only provides for an overall pivoting of the clamps, for the formation of the "shuttle" by twisting thereof, which has nothing to do with the adjustment of the clamps themselves. Document US 2506219 describes another machine for forming "shuttles", the clamps of which are effectively adjustable. Each clamp here comprises on the one hand a fixed jaw in "L" shape, on the other hand a mobile jaw in "L" shape moved by a pneumatic cylinder. The adjustment of the clamp, for its adaptation to various sections of the bars to be formed, is carried out by laterally shifting the jack and, consequently, the movable jaw. The clamp is therefore not automatically adaptable to the cross-section of the bars, its adjustment necessitating manually loosening the jack, moving it to another position, and tightening it. In addition, the already old embodiment according to this document US 2506219 does not include any means of controlling the clamping force of the clamp on the bar.

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks or inadequacies of current clamps for elongated elements, by providing an improved clamp, which in particular adapts automatically, and without prior manual adjustment, to various sections of the elements to be maintained, while ensuring perfect control of the gripper's movements and clamping force.

To this end, the invention essentially relates to a motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements, the clamp having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw displaceable in the direction of the fixed jaw, the two jaws each having an "L" profile. , and the profiles of the two jaws being opposite to each other, this clamp being characterized in that the fixed jaw is carried by a clamp body, while the movable jaw is carried by a movable support guided in translation relatively to the gripper body, in two directions perpendicular to each other which correspond, respectively, to the directions of the two wings of the "L" profile of the jaws, the gripper comprising an actuator of the jack type, the main part of which is linked to the gripper body and the displaced part of which is linked to the movable support guided by the movable jaw, the structure and / or mounting of the actuator being adapted to the movements of said support in the two above-mentioned perpendicular directions s.

Thus, the present invention provides a clamp whose movable jaw is movable, remaining parallel to itself, in two directions perpendicular therefore in a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated elements to be clamped. Thus, the movable jaw has freedom of positioning in this plane, relative to the fixed jaw, so that these two opposite jaws define a "corridor" of variable rectangular section, adapting to the section of the elongated element to be clamped.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamp body is hollowed out and comprises two parallel lateral flanges, connected by spacers, and the mobile support of the mobile jaw, taking place between these flanges, is guided in translation in a first direction , parallel to one of the wings of the "L" profile of the jaws, relative to two intermediate guide parts, located on either side of said support, which are themselves guided in translation, in a second direction parallel to the other wing of the “L” profile of the jaws, relative to the adjacent lateral flanges of the clamp body. In detail, for the production of the guides, the support of the movable jaw comprises for example, on each side, at least two rollers engaged in a slot or groove in the corresponding intermediate guide piece, while each of the intermediate guide pieces has , externally, at least two rollers engaged in a slot or groove in the lateral flange adjacent to the clamp body, this latter slot or groove being orthogonal to that of the intermediate guide piece.

According to an advantageous additional arrangement, the support of the movable jaw comprises, on each side, at least one additional roller provided to be guided in a slot or groove in the corresponding lateral flange of the clamp body, this slot or groove extending in a direction oblique, with reference to the directions of the wings of the “L” profile of the jaws, said oblique slot or groove opening into a recess in the lateral flange allowing freedom of movement in a plane for the additional roller of the support of the movable jaw, therefore for this mobile jaw itself. Thus, the support of the movable jaw, moved by the actuator of the jack type, describes (during a clamp closing operation) first a perfectly guided approach movement, in an oblique direction, then a final movement of clamping in which it can freely make variable displacements in two perpendicular directions, to adapt exactly to the section of the elongated element to be clamped.

According to a simple arrangement, allowing these particular movements of the support of the movable jaw, the actuator of the jack type has, as main part, a jack body pivotally mounted on the clamp body, about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated elements to be clamped, and as a displaced part, a cylinder rod the end of which is linked by articulation to the support of the movable jaw. The jack can thus pivot, to accept the variable movement of the support of the movable jaw, adapting to the section of the elongated element to be clamped.

Preferably, the actuator of the jack type is an electric jack, of the screw and nut type, with a controlled electric motor, which makes it possible to regulate the speed of movement of the movable jaw, the position of this movable jaw and the clamping force of the clamp.

Overall, the motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements, object of the present invention, has the following advantages: This clamp allows self-adaptation to the dimensions of the section of the elongated elements to be maintained, without the need for any prior adjustment, in particular manual (of course, this self-adaptation takes place within certain dimensional limits, defined by the construction of the clamp). The movable jaw moving while being perfectly guided, orthogonally to the faces of the element to be clamped, there is no pinching therefore no deterioration of the elements to be clamped.

Thanks to the oblique slots or grooves, for example oriented at 45 ° relative to the directions of the wings of the “L” profile of the jaws, the device makes it possible to have the mobile jaw describe a rapid and perfectly guided approach course, before it describes its variable movement of adaptation to the dimensions of the element to be clamped and of final clamping of this element. Conversely, when opening the clamp, this oblique guide allows rapid and complete release of the movable jaw, for the removal of the elongated element previously clamped in the clamp.

The servo-control, carried out with an actuator of the electric jack type, allows perfect control of the operation of the clamp, in various aspects:

The position control makes it possible to check whether the tightening or holding of the elongated element to be clamped is carried out correctly; the theoretical dimensions of this element being supplied to the system, it performs a "self-check". In addition, this position control makes it possible to regulate the clearances, as required.

The speed control provides a short maneuvering time of the clamp, the movable jaw being movable at high speed over its entire approach stroke (guided in oblique direction), and at higher speed slow only during the final movement of adaptation to the dimensions of the elongated element to be clamped, for a gentle "docking" of this element.

Finally, the torque control of the electric actuator makes it possible to apply, to the elongated element to be clamped, a clamping force adapted to the constituent material or to the coating of this element.

Because of its characteristics and advantages, the motorized clamp, object of the present invention, is particularly suitable for use on machines for forming, drawing or deforming metal bars, such as copper bars. The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements, and by illustrating an application :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp according to the present invention, in the open position, a lateral flange of the clamp body being assumed to be removed;

Figure 2 is a side view of the clamp in the open position, corresponding to Figure 1 (with flange removed);

Figure 3 is another side view of this clamp, illustrating an intermediate position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing the same clamp in the closed position;

Figure 5 is a last side view of this clamp, similar to Figure 3 but in the closed position; Figure 6, 7 and 8 are very schematic views, respectively from the front, from above and from the side, of a machine for forming "shuttles" using this clamp.

The motorized clamp, designated as a whole by the reference 2, comprises a hollowed-out clamp body 3, consisting of two parallel lateral flanges 4 (one of these flanges 4 being assumed to be removed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), and spacers 5, 6 and 7 in the form of plates, connecting the two flanges 4. The clamp body 3 carries a fixed jaw 8, fixed between the two lateral flanges 4 in the lower front part of the clamp 2 (with reference to drawing).

The fixed jaw 8 has an "L" profile, resulting from two perpendicular wings 9 and 10, that is (with reference to the drawing):

- a first horizontal wing 9, and - a second vertical wing 10.

This fixed jaw 8 is divided into several parallel teeth, separated by intervals 11.

Opposite the fixed jaw 8 is disposed a movable jaw 12, which also has an "L" profile, resulting from two perpendicular wings 13 and 14, ie (with reference to the drawing):

a first horizontal wing 13, and

- a second vertical wing 14.

This movable jaw 12 is divided into two or more teeth, separated by one or more intervals, so that its teeth can penetrate into the above-mentioned intervals 11 when the movable jaw 12 is brought closer to the fixed jaw 8, the two jaws 8 and 12 thus fitting into each other.

The movable jaw 12 is fixed to a movable support 15, by its vertical wing 14. The movable support 15 extends in particular in horizontal direction, between the two lateral flanges 4 of the clamp body 3. This support 15 comprises, each side, two rollers 16 and 17 located at the same level, and separated by a certain horizontal distance. In addition, the support 15 of the movable jaw 12 comprises, on each side, an additional roller 18, located towards the rear of this support 15. On each side of the movable support 15 of the movable jaw 12 are provided intermediate guide pieces 19 , in the form of vertical cheeks. Each of the two guide pieces 19 includes a horizontal slot 20, in which the two rollers 16 and 17 are engaged, carried by the corresponding side of the support 15. The length of the slot 20 is greater than the horizontal distance separating the two rollers 16 and 17, so that the support 15 is guided in translation horizontally, in the direction indicated X and over a certain stroke, relative to the two intermediate guide pieces 19.

Each of the two intermediate guide pieces 19 has, on its outer face, two superimposed rollers 21 and 22, separated by a certain vertical distance. The two rollers 21 and 22 are engaged in a vertical slot 23 which comprises the lateral flange 4 adjacent to the clamp body 3. The length of the slot 23 is greater than the vertical distance separating the two rollers 21 and 22, so that each intermediate piece 19 is guided in translation vertically, in the direction indicated Y and on a certain stroke, relative to the adjacent lateral flange 4, therefore to the clamp body 3.

In each of the two side flanges 4 of the clamp body 3 is further provided an oblique bore 24 which opens at one of the corners of a recess 25, of substantially rectangular shape, of the same flange ^lateral 4. The oblique slots 24 respective side flanges 4 are, for example, oriented at 45 ° relative to the horizontal and vertical. On each side of the support 15 of the movable jaw 11, the additional roller 18 is engaged in the oblique opening 24 of the corresponding lateral flange 4, or in the recess 25 extending this oblique opening 24.

The clamp 2 is motorized and comprises, for this purpose, an electric actuator 26 provided with a body 27, housing a controlled electric motor, and a rod 28 moved by a mechanism of the screw-nut type. The actuator body 27 has two lateral pins 29, mounted to rotate on the lateral flanges 4 of the clamp body 3, in the upper part of this body 3. Thus, the electric actuator 26 can pivot around a transverse axis 30. This cylinder 26 occupies a mean oblique position inclined at approximately 45 °.

The rod 28 of the electric actuator 26 is itself articulated, by its head 31, around another transverse axis 32, on a part shaped as a yoke of the support 15 of the movable jaw 12.

The clamp 2, described above, is designed for clamping an elongated element, such as a copper bar or the like 33, to be placed between its fixed jaw 8 and its movable jaw 12, the clamp 2 automatically adapting to section 34 of the elongated element 33. In detail, the operation of this clamp 2, illustrated by the figures, is as follows:

At the start, the clamp 2 is placed in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The electric actuator 26 is retracted, its rod 28 being retracted into its body 27, so that the movable jaw 12 is separated as far as possible of the fixed jaw 8. The support 15 of the movable jaw 12 then occupies its most remote position, while the two intermediate guide pieces 19 occupy their highest position. The additional rollers 18, carried by the support 15 of the movable jaw 12, are then located towards the upper ends of the respective oblique slots 24 of the lateral flanges 4. The elongated element 33 can thus be freely engaged between the fixed jaw 8 and the jaw mobile 12. From this open position, the electric actuator 26 is actuated in this direction from the exit of its rod 28. The movable jaw 12 then performs a linear approach stroke, being guided in an oblique direction by the sliding of the rollers 18 of its support 15 in the oblique slots 24. The other rollers 16, 17 and 21, 22, cooperating with the corresponding slots 20 and 23, allow movement in the oblique direction of the support 15 of the movable jaw 12, as a combination of a horizontal movement (in the X direction) and a vertical movement (in the Y direction), while keeping the movable jaw 12 parallel to itself. In this approach phase, the intermediate guide pieces 19 describe a vertical downward movement, of stroke equal to the horizontal movement of the support 15 of the movable jaw 12. FIG. 3 illustrates the position of the various members at the end of this movement of approach, when the rollers 18 reach the opening of the oblique slots 24 in the recesses 25 of the lateral flanges 4.

From this intermediate position, the electric actuator 26 continues to be actuated, so that the movable jaw 12 continues to be pushed with its support 15, and to approach the fixed jaw 8. However, the rollers 18 having reached in the recesses 25 inside which they can move freely, both vertically and horizontally, the support 15 of the movable jaw 12 describes a movement whose vertical and horizontal components, ie in X and Y, are variable, this support 15 always being kept parallel to itself by the guides produced by means of the lights 20 and 23. The movable jaw 12 thus describes a final tightening movement, during which its position automatically adapts to the height H and to the width L of section 34 of the elongated member 33.

During this final tightening movement, the pivoting mounting of the jack 26 around the transverse axis 30 allows this jack 26 to tilt slightly, to allow all positions of the support 15 of the movable jaw 12 which, to adapt to the section 34 of the elongated element 33, no longer necessarily describes a linear movement of predefined direction.

In the final closed position of the clamp 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the elongated element 33 is clamped between the two wings 9 and 10 of the fixed jaw 8, on the one hand, and between the two wings 13 and 14 mobile jaw 12, on the other hand. Depending on the size of the elongated element 33 thus clamped, the teeth of the movable jaw 12 are more or less strongly nested in the intervals 11 of the fixed jaw 8.

The control of the electric motor of the jack 26 is adapted to the operation described above. In particular, it allows a rapid approach stroke, followed by a slower clamping movement, with a controlled clamping force of the elongated element 33.

For the opening of the clamp 2, in order to release the elongated element 33, the electric actuator 26 is controlled in the opposite direction, that is to say that of the retraction of its rod 28. The clamp 2 returns thus in its initial position (Figures 1 and 2), going back through the intermediate position of Figure 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the clamp 2, previously described, can in particular be used with other identical clamps 2, on an automatic machine 35 intended to form "shuttles" 36 constituting the stator and rotor windings of rotating machines electric. Such a "shuttle" 36 comprising two parallel rectilinear sections 36a and 36b, the machine 35 is equipped in total with four pliers 2, that is to say a first pair of pliers 2 tightening one of the rectilinear sections 36a towards its two ends, and a second pair of pliers 2 clamping the other straight section 36b towards its two ends. It should be noted that, in this application, the clamps 2 not only ensure the clamping of the "shuttle" 36, but also participate directly in its deformation, thanks to their movements suggested by the various arrows of the drawing (the detail of the operation of machine 35 not being the subject of the present invention, and therefore not being described here).

In the context of this application in particular, the clamp 2 object of the invention can ensure not only the clamping of monolithic copper bars, but also the clamping of copper bars composed of a plurality of elementary bars (or "strands") parallel, joined and joined together.

One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:

- By modifying the detail shapes of the jaws, and / or the guide means, for example by modifying the number of teeth of the jaws, or by replacing the guide lights with grooves; - by replacing the electric actuator with any other equivalent actuator, preferably controlled in position and in force; by using the same clamp to clamp elongated, monobloc or composite elements of any kind and any section (not necessarily rectangular); by mounting this clamp on all kinds of machines or installations requiring the clamping of elongated elements, for their forming or machining or any other operation, the clamp itself being able to be fixed or mobile on the machine, according to the operating mode of it.

Claims

1 - Motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements, the clamp having a fixed jaw (8) and a movable jaw (12) movable in the direction of the fixed jaw (8), the two jaws (8, 12) each having a profile in "L" shape and the profiles of the two jaws (8, 12) being opposite to each other, characterized in that the fixed jaw (8) is carried by a clamp body (3), while the jaw mobile (12) is carried by a mobile support (15) guided in translation, relative to the gripper body (3), in two directions (X, Y) perpendicular to each other which correspond, respectively, to the directions of the two wings (9, 10; 13, .14) of the “L” profile of the jaws (8, 12), the clamp (2) comprising an actuator (26) of the jack type, the main part (27) of which is linked to the clamp body ( 3) and the displaced part (28) of which is linked to the guided mobile support (15) of the mobile jaw (12), the structure and / or mounting of the actuator (26) being adapted to the movements of said support (15) su iving the two above-mentioned perpendicular directions (X, Y).

2 - motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamp body (3) is hollowed out and comprises two parallel lateral flanges (4), connected by spacers (5, 6, 7) , and in that the mobile support (15) of the mobile jaw (12), taking place between these flanges (4), is guided in translation in a first direction (X), parallel to one of the wings (9, 13 ) of the “L” profile of the jaws (8, 12), relative to two intermediate guide pieces (19), located on either side of said support (15), which are themselves guided in translation, according to a second direction (Y) parallel to the other wing (10, 14) of the "L" profile of the jaws (8, 12), relative to the lateral flanges (4) adjacent to the clamp body (3).

3 - motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to claim 2, characterized in that the support (15) of the movable jaw (12) comprises, on each side, at least two rollers (16, 17) engaged in a light or groove (20) of the corresponding intermediate guide piece (19), while each of the intermediate guide pieces (19) has, externally, at least two rollers (21, 22) engaged in a slot or groove (23) of the lateral flange (4) adjacent to the clamp body (3), this last lumen or groove (23) being orthogonal to that (20) of the intermediate guide piece (19). 4 - Motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the support (15) of the movable jaw (12) comprises, on each side, at least one roller (18) additional provided to be guided in a lumen or groove (24) of the corresponding lateral flange (4) of the clamp body (3), this lumen or groove (24) extending in an oblique direction, with reference to the directions (X, Y) of the wings (9, 10; 13, 14) of the “L” profile of the jaws (8, 12), said slot or oblique groove (24) opening into a recess (25) in the lateral flange (4) allowing freedom of movement in a plane for the additional roller (18) of the support (15) of the movable jaw (12), therefore for this movable jaw (12) itself.

5 - motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to claim 4, characterized in that the slots or oblique grooves (24) of the side flanges (4) of the clamp body (3) are oriented at 45 °, relative to directions (X, Y) of the wings (9, 10; 13, 14) of the "L" profile of the jaws (8, 12).

6 - Motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the recesses (25) of the lateral flanges (4) of the clamp body (3), into which open the slots or oblique grooves ( 24), have a substantially rectangular shape. 7 - Motorized clamp for clamping elongate elements according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the actuator (26) of the jack type has, as a main part, a jack body (27) pivotally mounted on the gripper body (3), about an axis (30) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated elements (33) to be clamped, and as a displaced part, a jack rod (28) of which the end (31) is linked by articulation (axis 22) to the support (15) of the movable jaw (12).

8 - Motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to all of claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the actuator body (27) of the actuator (26) has lateral pins (29), mounted so as to rotate the lateral flanges (4) of the clamp body (3).

9 - Motorized clamp for clamping elongated elements according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the actuator (26) of the jack type is an electric jack, of the screw and nut type, with electric servo motor.

10 - Use of the motorized clamp for the clamping of elongated elements, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, on a machine for forming, stretching or deforming metal bars (33), such as bars of copper, in particular an automatic machine (35) intended for "shuttle" forming (36) copper bars, single or multiple, constituting the stator and rotor windings of electric rotating machines.