WO2022162546A1

WO2022162546A1 - Machine for the manufacture of antennas

Info

Publication number: WO2022162546A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/050668
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcello Lolli; Claudio LOLLI; Silvio LOLLI
Original assignee: Pearfid Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata Semplificata
Priority date: 2021-01-26
Filing date: 2022-01-26
Publication date: 2022-08-04
Also published as: IT202100001388A1

Abstract

The Machine (1) for the manufacture of antennas comprises: - at least one movable body (2) around one axis of reference (A) along a predetermined path (12) and defining one work surface (3); - deposition means (4, 5) of at least one antenna on the work surface (3); wherein the movable body (2) comprises shaping means (7) mounted along the work surface (3) and adapted to retain the wire (6) along one predetermined path defining the shape of the antenna, the movement means (5) being configured to move the wire (6) along the predetermined path; wherein the shaping means (7) comprise a plurality of shaping elements (8) mounted protruding from the work surface (3) and adapted, in use, to be at least partly wrapped by the wire (6) and to retain the latter along the predetermined path.

Description

MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ANTENNAS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for the manufacture of antennas. Background Art

Several machines are known for the manufacture of antennas which use flexible electrical conductors properly shaped so as to give the antenna the desired shape.

In particular, document EP3311390 discloses the use an apparatus for the manufacture of antennas which employs a work surface provided with protruding elements between which a wire holder arranges an electrically conductive wire taut to manufacture the antenna.

More in detail, the wire stretcher and the work surface are mutually movable with respect to each other in order to allow maximum freedom of movement to the wire holder which, in this way, by operating in conjunction with the work surface, is able to give the antenna a wide variety of shapes according to the needs.

The machines of known type, however, are susceptible to improvements.

Specifically, according to document EP3311390, the work surface is movable close to a deposition surface on which the protruding elements are pressed retractable inside the surface itself, by laying the antenna on the deposition surface.

In fact, following the manufacture of an antenna, the work surface must be unloaded so that a new antenna can be manufactured.

Therefore, the production of antennas is interrupted at each cycle to allow the work surface to be unloaded.

This drawback greatly limits the production output of the apparatus described by document EP3311390.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a machine for the manufacture of antennas which allows a plurality of antennas to be manufactured on a continuous basis. A further object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the manufacture of antennas which allows manufacturing a wide variety of antennas according to needs.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a machine for the manufacture of antennas which allows the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present machine for the manufacture of antennas having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a machine for the manufacture of antennas, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric schematic view of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the machine according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an axonometric schematic view of another embodiment of the machine according to the invention;

Figures 4 to 6 are schematic views of a component of the machine shown in Figure 3.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a machine for the manufacture of antennas.

The machine 1 for the manufacture of antennas comprises: at least one movable body 2 around at least one axis of reference A along a predetermined path 12 and defining at least one work surface 3; deposition means 4, 5 of at least one antenna on the work surface 3, comprising: at least one guidance body 4 adapted to release at least one electrically conductive wire 6 at the point where the work surface 3 is located; movement means 5 of the guidance body 4 on the work surface 3 along at least one axis of movement X, Y, Z to define the shape of the antennas; wherein the movable body 2 comprises shaping means 7 mounted along the work surface 3 and adapted to at least partly retain the wire 6 along at least one predetermined path defining the shape of the antenna.

In the particular embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the movable body 2 has a substantially cylindrical conformation, is movable in rotation centered around the axis of reference A and defines the work surface 3 of circular conformation, which is arranged centered around the axis of reference A.

Advantageously, in this embodiment, the machine 1 comprises a movement assembly, not shown in the figures, of the movable body 2 rotating around the axis of reference A.

Preferably, the rotating assembly is of the type of a motorized movement assembly of known type, such as e.g. an electric motor or the like.

Advantageously, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 along a plurality of axes of movement X, Y, Z different from each other. In particular, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 along at least one of: at least a first axis of movement X arranged substantially parallel to the axis of reference A; at least a second axis of movement Y arranged substantially orthogonal to the axis of reference A; at least a third axis of movement Z arranged substantially orthogonal to the first and to the second axis of movement X, Y.

In other words, the movement means 5 are of the type of automated movement means configured to move the guidance body 4 in three axes X, Y, Z.

In this way, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 freely in space, preferably to explore substantially the entirety of the work surface 3.

In particular, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 juxtaposed to the work surface 3.

Preferably, in the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 juxtaposed to the work surface 3 during the rotation of the rotating body 2.

In fact, the movement means 5 allow moving the guidance body 4 to explore the work surface 3, following the rotation of the rotating body 2.

Similarly, upon completion of the manufacture of an antenna, the movement means 5 allow the guidance body 4 to be repositioned at a different location of the work surface 3 and an additional antenna to be manufactured, preferably arranged close to the first one.

In this way, the deposition means 4, 5 allow a plurality of antennas arranged on the work surface 3 to be made on a continuous basis during the rotation of the movable body 2, as shown in Figure 1.

Advantageously, the deposition means 4, 5 are configured to manufacture a plurality of antennas having a plurality of shapes.

In other words, the deposition means 4, 5 are configured to manufacture a plurality of antennas, each one having a shape chosen from a plurality of predefined shapes different from each other.

Conveniently, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 along the predetermined path, thus guiding the wire 6 along the latter to define the shape of the antenna.

In this way, the antenna is manufactured on the movable body 2. Subsequently, the movable body 2 will release the antenna, so as to allow the manufacture, preferably on a continuous basis, of a plurality of antennas, as will be explained later in the present disclosure.

Advantageously, the movement means 5 are configured to move the guidance body 4 along a plurality of predetermined paths, each defining a shape of the antenna.

In particular, the shaping means 7 are configured to at least partly retain the wire along the predetermined path at the point where a plurality of retaining points arranged on the work surface 3 is located.

Advantageously, the shaping means 7 comprise a plurality of shaping elements 8 mounted protruding from the work surface 3 and adapted, in use, to be at least partly wrapped by the wire 6 and to at least partly retain the latter along the predetermined path.

According to a possible, but not exclusive embodiment of the machine 1, the shaping elements 8 are arranged equally spaced apart from each other.

In addition, further embodiments wherein the shaping elements 8 are evenly distributed over the work surface 3 in a regular manner cannot be ruled out. In particular, each shaping element 8 defines a retaining point of the wire 6.

In this way, the shaping elements 8 define a plurality of retaining points, e.g. to compose a matrix, among which the guidance body 4 stretches the wire 6 to define at least one section of the antenna. Consequently, the pattern of such sections defines the shape of the antenna.

Conveniently, the movable body 2 comprises release means 9 adapted to release, preferably on a continuous basis, the antennas from the same movable body at the point where substantially at least one release point is located.

In this way, the work surface 3 is progressively and steadily cleared so as to allow the deposition means 4, 5 to deposit additional antennas on the work surface 3.

In fact, the antennas made on the work surface 3 are retained to the movable body 2 until they reach the release point.

In particular, the movable body 2 cyclically travels along the predetermined path 12, along which it transits, in succession, in the proximity of the deposition means 4, 5, where it receives at least one antenna, and at the point where the release point is located, where the same antenna is released.

With particular reference to the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, during the rotation around the axis of reference A, each portion of the work surface 3 on which an antenna is made, reaches the release point, where it is cleared from the antenna, and transits in the proximity of the deposition means 4, 5, where it receives a new antenna, running through a closed loop that repeats itself periodically on a continuous basis.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises receiving means 10, 11 provided with at least one receiving surface 10 of the antennas made on the work surface 3.

In addition, the machine 1 comprises at least one actuator assembly, not shown in the figures, and configured to move the receiving surface 10 along a direction of forward movement B.

With particular reference to the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures

I and 2, the movable body 2 rotates in contact with the receiving surface 10 at the point where the release point of the antenna is substantially located.

Advantageously, the receiving surface 10 is of the type of a backing preferably made of a flexible material, such as e.g. paper, film or the like.

In this way, the receiving surface 10 is conveniently stored on a coil from which it is unwound to receive the antennas, and is later wound on another coil on which it is wound after receiving the antennas.

Furthermore, the receiving means 10, 11 comprise at least one adhesive backing

I I applied to at least partly cover the receiving surface 10 and is adapted to receive the antennas which, in this way, remain affixed to the backing itself.

Preferably, the receiving surface 10 and the adhesive backing 11 are made in a single body piece and are of the paper or self-adhesive film type.

Conveniently, the release means 9 coincide with the shaping means 7.

Advantageously, the release means 9 coincide with the shaping means 7. Furthermore, the shaping elements 8 and/or the work surface 3 are movable with respect to the work surface 3 and the shaping elements 8 respectively, to move the shaping elements 8 at least partly retractable inside the work surface 3 to release at least one antenna on the receiving surface 10.

In particular, the shaping elements 8 are movable between an exposed position, wherein they protrude from the work surface 3, and a concealed position, wherein they are at least partly concealed and retracted inside the work surface 3. With particular reference to the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shaping elements 8 are mounted movable and retractable inside the work surface 3 and are arranged, in use, to abut against the receiving surface 10 at the point where the release point is located, by disappearing and releasing the antenna on the same receiving surface, as shown in Figure 2.

Advantageously, each shaping element 8 is provided with spring-back means, not shown in the figures; the spring-back means are at least partly elastically loaded when the shaping element 8 is arranged concealed and retracted, tending to move the latter to the exposed position, and are at least partly elastically unloaded when the shaping element is in the exposed position, tending to keep the latter in such a position.

A further embodiment of the machine 1 is shown in Figures 3-6.

In this embodiment, unlike the embodiment described above, the machine 1 comprises a plurality of movable bodies 2, separate from each other and arranged along the predetermined path 12.

However, one or more of the characteristics of the machine 1 described above are believed to apply as an alternative or in combination to the characteristics of the machine 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 described below.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the movable bodies 2 are moved around the axis of reference A along a predetermined closed path 12, as shown in Figure 3. Conveniently, in this embodiment, the machine 1 comprises means of transport 13 for transporting the movable bodies 2 along the predetermined path 12.

In particular, the means of transport 13 comprise a transport member 14 connected, preferably mechanically, to the movable bodies 2.

In more detail, the transport member 14 extends along the predetermined path 12 and is preferably of the type of a flexible closed-loop member, such as e.g. a belt, a chain or the like.

Appropriately, the means of transport 13 comprise at least one motorized member, not shown in the figures, operatively connected to the transport member 14 and configured to move the movable bodies 2 along the predetermined path 12. Advantageously, in this embodiment, each movable body 2 defines its own work surface 3, preferably having a flat conformation.

Conveniently, the work surface 3 faces, in use, outwards from the predetermined path 12.

In other words, the work surface 3 is arranged, in use, to have its back to the axis of reference A.

According to this embodiment, the movable body 2 is movable in rotation around the axis of reference A along the predetermined path 12.

In particular, following a complete turn along the predetermined path 12, the movable body 2 is substantially rotated by 360° around an axis of revolution C of the same movable body, as shown in Figure 3.

Conveniently, the predetermined path 12 defines at least one pair of straight sections 15, 16, preferably arranged opposite each other.

In this way, along a straight section 15, the deposition means 4, 5 lay at least one antenna on the work surface 3 of at least one movable body 2, while along the other straight section 16, at least another movable body 2 releases at least one antenna by means of the release means 9.

Advantageously, the deposition means 4, 5 are movable, preferably in an automated or semi- automated manner, between the work surfaces 3 of a plurality of movable bodies 2.

With particular reference to the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures 3-6, each of the movable bodies comprises at least one fixed portion 17 and at least one movable portion 18, defining the work surface 3 and coupled movable close to/away from the fixed portion 17 to operate in conjunction with the release means 9 and release the antennas from the same movable body.

In addition, the movable portion 18 is movable with respect to the shaping elements 8.

Preferably, the movable portion 18 is movably coupled to the fixed portion 17. Preferably, the fixed portion 17 is associated with the transport member 14.

Furthermore, the shaping elements 8 are preferably associated with the fixed portion 17 and cross the movable portion 18, protruding from the work surface 3.

According to this embodiment, the movement of the movable portion 18 causes the movement of the shaping elements between the exposed position and the concealed position.

In fact, during the movement of the movable portion 18 away from the fixed portion 17 the shaping elements 8 re-enter at least partly inside the same movable portion through the work surface 3 until they clear the antenna.

In other words, during the movement of the movable portion 18 away from the fixed portion 17, the work surface 3 pushes the antenna along the shaping elements 8 until the ends of the latter substantially disappear inside the movable portion 18 and clear the antenna.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the shaping elements do not abut against the receiving surface 10 at the point where the release point is located; in fact, at the release point, the movable portion 18 is moved away from the fixed portion 17 to bring the work surface 3 close to the receiving surface 10. Preferably, the work surface 3 is moved close to the receiving surface 10 until the antenna is brought to abut against the latter.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that also the work surface 3 abuts against the receiving surface 10 at the point where the release point is located.

In this embodiment, the machine 1 comprises displacement means 19 of the movable portion 18 close to/away from the fixed portion 17.

Preferably, the displacement means 19 comprise at least one actuating member, not shown in the figures, to move the movable portion 18 close to/away from the fixed portion 17.

Further embodiments of the machine 1 cannot, however, be ruled out wherein the shaping elements 8 are made retracted inside the movable body 2 as described in the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and wherein the movable body 2 is movable close to/away from the receiving surface 10 until bringing the shaping elements 8 to abut against the latter, causing them to move backward inside the movable body 2 to clear the antenna. It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the fact is emphasized that the rotating body and the deposition means allow manufacturing a plurality of antennas on a continuous basis and/or in series. In addition, the deposition means and the shaping means allow a plurality of antennas to be manufactured according to a wide variety of shapes as needed.

Claims

1) Machine (1) for the manufacture of antennas, comprising: at least one movable body (2) around at least one axis of reference (A) along a predetermined path (12) and defining at least one work surface (3); deposition means (4, 5) of at least one antenna on said work surface (3), comprising: at least one guidance body (4) adapted to release at least one electrically conductive wire (6) at the point where said work surface (3) is located; movement means (5) of said guidance body (4) on said work surface (3) along at least one axis of movement (X, Y, Z) to define the shape of the antennas; wherein said movable body (2) comprises shaping means (7) mounted along said work surface (3) and adapted to at least partly retain the wire (6) along at least one predetermined path defining the shape of the antenna, said movement means (5) being configured to move the wire (6) along said at least one predetermined path; wherein said shaping means (7) comprise a plurality of shaping elements (8) mounted protruding from said work surface (3) and adapted, in use, to be at least partly wrapped by the wire (6) and to at least partly retain the latter along said at least one predetermined path.

2) Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said movement means (5) are configured to move said guidance body (4) along at least one of: at least a first axis of movement (X) arranged substantially parallel to said axis of reference (A); at least a second axis of movement (Y) arranged substantially orthogonal to said axis of reference (X); at least a third axis of movement (Z) arranged substantially orthogonal to said first and said second axis of movement (X, Y).

3) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said shaping elements (8) are arranged equally spaced from each other and equally distributed over said work surface (3) in a regular manner.

4) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said movable body (2) comprises release means (9) adapted to release the antennas from the same movable body substantially at the point where at least one release point is located.

5) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises receiving means (10, 11) provided with at least one receiving surface (10) of the antennas made on said work surface (3).

6) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said release means (9) coincide with said shaping means (7) and by the fact that said shaping elements (8) and/or said work surface (3) are movable with respect to said work surface (3) and to said shaping elements (8), respectively, to move said shaping elements (8) at least partly retracted inside said work surface (3) to release at least one antenna on the receiving surface (10).

7) Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said movable body (2) has a substantially cylindrical conformation, is movable in rotation centered around said axis of reference (A) and defines said work surface (3) of circular conformation, which is arranged centered around said axis of reference (A).

8) Machine (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of said movable bodies (2), separate from each other and arranged along said predetermined path (12).

9) Machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that it comprises means of transport (13) for transporting said movable bodies (2) along said predetermined path (12).

10) Machine (1) according to one or more of claims 8 to 9, characterized by the fact that each of said movable bodies (2) comprises at least one fixed portion (17) and at least one movable portion (18), defining said work surface (3) and coupled movable close to/away from said fixed portion (17) to operate in conjunction with said release means (9) and release the antennas from the same movable body.