Device for conveying electrically conductive connecting element from transmitting station to receiving station

Abstract

The utility model relates to a device for conveying a conductive connecting element from a sending station to a receiving station, which is provided with a pipeline leading from the sending station to the receiving station and a first coil assembly, and the first coil assembly is provided with a first electromagnetic coil used for generating a first electromagnetic field in a conveying channel. A winding of the first electromagnetic coil surrounds a first section of the transfer channel, a first electromagnetic field induces an eddy current in the connecting element that accelerates the connecting element in the direction of the receiving station, and a second coil assembly is provided having a second electromagnetic coil for generating a second electromagnetic field in the transfer channel, a winding of a second electromagnetic field, which induces an eddy current in the connecting element that accelerates the connecting element in a direction away from the receiving station, surrounds a second section of the transfer channel, which is arranged closer to the receiving station than the first section. The equipment provided by the utility model can better control the connecting element to arrive at the receiving station.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a device for conveying electrically conductive connecting elements from a sending station to a receiving station. BACKGROUND

[0002] A device of the type mentioned in the opening part is disclosed by US 1,441,250 and serves for conveying rivets to a rivet holder. The rivets are conveyed by accelerating them by means of a magnetic field of an electromagnetic coil which is arranged around a conveying line for the rivets. In the known device described above, however, the rivets impact uncontrolled and in extreme cases at high speed onto a stop on the receiving station or onto a rivet which is already waiting there. SUMMARY

[0003] It is therefore an object of the utility model to improve a device of the type mentioned in the opening part, so that the arrival of the connecting elements at the receiving station can be better controlled.

[0004] According to the utility model, this object is achieved by a device for conveying connecting elements from a sending station to a receiving station, having a line which leads from the sending station to the receiving station and encloses a conveying channel for the connecting elements and having a first coil assembly which has at least one first electromagnetic coil for generating a first electromagnetic field in the conveying channel, the winding of which encircles a first section of the conveying channel, wherein the first electromagnetic field induces an eddy current in the connecting element which accelerates the connecting element in the direction of the receiving station, wherein a second coil assembly is provided which has at least one second electromagnetic coil for generating a second electromagnetic field in the conveying channel, the winding of which encircles a second section of the conveying channel, which is arranged closer to the receiving station than the first section, wherein the second electromagnetic field induces an eddy current in the connecting element which accelerates the connecting element in the direction away from the receiving station.

[0005] The utility model is based on the idea that a connecting element which moves at high speed through the conveying channel of the line towards the receiving station is braked in a defined manner before it reaches the receiving station. In this way, on the one hand, it is possible to avoid the connecting element reaching the end of the line at high speed and to generate wear there over time. On the other hand, it is also possible to brake the connecting element in the end region of the line and to keep it in a ready state there, so that it only has to be conveyed over a very short distance to the receiving station. Here, the winding of the at least one first and the at least one second electromagnetic coil does not necessarily encircle the entire first or second section of the conveying channel. As a rule, it only encircles a part of the relevant section.

[0006] According to an advantageous improvement, the pipeline has a switch between a first section and a second section, which optionally connects the second section to the first section or to a third section of the transport channel that is adjacent to the second section in a direction away from the receiving station. It can also selectively connect to other sections. In this way, it is possible to transport unwanted connecting elements back from the receiving station without hindering the transport of other connecting elements from the sending station. For example, connecting elements can be transported into a container into which the third section suitably passes. In another mode of operation, different connecting elements can be transported to the switch via the first, third, and, if necessary, additional sections, and thereby to the second section. Furthermore, advantageously, a detector is arranged between the second section and the switch to determine the parameters defining the connecting elements. For example, the detector can be used to identify defective or incorrectly typed connecting elements. This identification can be made, for example, by setting the detector to measure eddy currents induced through the connecting elements. Additionally, a control device can be provided to operate the switch based on the data obtained from the detector. If the data determined by the detector indicates that the connecting element does not meet the requirements, for example because the parameters of the connecting element determined by the detector are outside the preset tolerance range, the switch can be adjusted to connect the second section and the third section, and the connecting element can be returned to the third section. Identification of the connecting element, as if removing it from the second section (e.g., by returning it via the switch or clearing the second section), can be performed manually by the operator, who may also adjust the switch. The second section can also be automatically cleared when interference is detected.

[0007] The at least one first electromagnetic coil and the at least one second electromagnetic coil may be arranged in different ways on or connected to the conduit. In particular, it is possible that the at least one electromagnetic coil and / or the at least one second electromagnetic coil are embedded in the conduit. Furthermore, it is possible that the at least one electromagnetic coil and / or the at least one second electromagnetic coil are arranged to surround the outside of the conduit.

[0008] Advantageously, the conveying channel has a cross-section whose shape corresponds to the longitudinal section of the connecting element. The connecting element can then be conveyed through the conduit in a predetermined orientation. For example, in the longitudinal section, all T-shaped rivets can be conveyed identically, for example, head-up oriented, so that the rivets do not need to be rotated into the correct position at the receiving station.

[0009] According to an advantageous refinement, a fiber-optic sensor is provided, which has at least one sensor fiber guided with the tube, a light detector connected to the at least one sensor fiber for detecting light guided through the at least one sensor fiber, and a light source for introducing light into the at least one sensor fiber. If the tube is bent to such an extent that the passage of the connecting element is significantly restricted by the conveying channel, the sensor fiber guided through the tube is also bent, so that the intensity of the light detected by the light detector decreases.

[0010] The utility model also claims a device for conveying connecting elements, such as rivets or screws, from a sending station to a receiving station, which has a tube guiding the conveying channel for the connecting elements from the sending station to the receiving station and has means for accelerating the connecting elements in the direction from the sending station to the receiving station, wherein a fiber-optic sensor is provided, which has at least one sensor fiber guided with the tube, a light detector connected to the at least one sensor fiber for detecting light guided through the at least one sensor fiber, and a light source for introducing light into the at least one sensor fiber. Suitably, a control unit for controlling the conveying of the connecting elements is provided, which obtains information about the intensity of the received light from the light detector. If the intensity is low, the control unit concludes that an excessively strong bend is present in the sensor fiber and thus also in the tube, so that the conveying of the connecting elements can be stopped and the bend in the tube can be eliminated.

[0011] The utility model is explained further below by means of two embodiments which are shown schematically in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1a 、 Figure 1b A perspective schematic view and detail views of a device for conveying connecting elements according to a first embodiment are shown;

[0014] Figure 2a 、 Figure 2b A perspective schematic view and detail views of a device for conveying connecting elements according to a second embodiment are shown;

[0015] Figure 3 A perspective schematic view of a device for conveying connecting elements according to a third embodiment is shown; and

[0016] Figure 4a 、 Figure 4b A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a tube are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] According toFigure 1a , Figure 1b The device 10a, shown only schematically, is used to transport rivets 12a from a sending station (not shown) to a receiving station (also not shown), such as from a rivet storage depot to a processing station equipped with rivet pliers. The device has a conduit 20 that surrounds a transport channel 22, which is configured in a T-shape in cross-section. Therefore, the cross-section of the transport channel 22 matches the longitudinal section of the rivet 12a, such that the rivet shank is accommodated in the vertical line of the T, and the rivet head is accommodated in the horizontal line of the T. In this way, the rivet 12a can be transported in a defined position. For transporting the rivet 12a, the device 10a has a first coil assembly 24 having a first electromagnetic coil 26, the winding of which extends around a portion of a first section 28 of the transport channel 22. The first coil assembly 24 generates a first electromagnetic field in the transport channel 22, which generates eddy currents in the rivet 12a that accelerate the rivet 12a toward the receiving station. The device 10a also includes a second coil assembly 30 having a second electromagnetic coil 32, the winding of which surrounds a portion of a second section 34 of the conveying channel 22. The second coil assembly 30 generates a second electromagnetic field in the conveying channel 22, which induces eddy currents in the rivet 12a that accelerate it away from the receiving station. This electromagnetic field allows the rivet 12a, which is accelerating from the first coil assembly 24 towards the receiving station, to be braked before reaching the receiving station.

[0018] According to the second embodiment, device 10b ( Figure 2a , Figure 2b The only difference between the device 10b and the device 10a according to the first embodiment is the form of the conduit 20. Therefore, the same features are given the same reference numerals. The schematic structure of the device 10b according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the device 10a according to the first embodiment. However, the device 10b is provided for conveying screws 12b, elongated rivets (preferably having a length of at least 10 mm), positioning or stamping rivet bolts or pins, and the conveying channel 22 has a circular cross-section or a regular polygonal cross-section. Figure 2b As shown, screw 12b is conveyed axially through pipe 20. The other operating principles of device 10b are the same as those of device 10a according to the first embodiment.

[0019] According to the third embodiment, device 10c ( Figure 3) also works on the same principle. Here, too, the connecting elements, such as rivets 12a or screws 12b, are also delivered from a not shown sending station to a not shown receiving station. For this purpose, a first coil assembly 24c is provided, which has two electromagnetic coils 26c arranged at a distance from one another, the windings of which encircle portions of a first section 28c of a delivery channel 22c provided for delivering the connecting elements. Furthermore, a second coil assembly 30c is provided, which has two second electromagnetic coils 32c, the windings of which encircle portions of a second section 34c of the delivery channel 22c. The delivery channel 22c is in turn surrounded annularly by a tube 20c. Between the first section 28c and the second section 34c, a switch 40 is arranged, from which a third section 42 of the delivery channel 22c extends away from the receiving station in the direction of a not shown container. A third coil assembly 44 has two third electromagnetic coils 46, the windings of which encircle portions of the third section 42. The third coil assembly 44 serves to induce eddy currents in the connecting elements, which accelerate the connecting elements to the container. The connecting elements from the sending station are first delivered through the first section 28c and the switch 40 into the second section 34c. A not shown detector arranged there determines parameters defining the connecting elements in that the detector measures the eddy currents induced in the connecting elements by their movement. If the detector recognizes that the connecting elements do not comply with the specifications, for example that the parameters determined by the detector do not fall within the standard range, a control device, likewise not shown in detail, actuates the switch 40 so that the switch connects the second section 34c with the third section 42 and not with the first section 28c. The second coil assembly 30c brakes the connecting elements in the second section 34c and accelerates them back to the switch 40 and into the third section 42, from where the connecting elements are delivered to the container by means of the third coil assembly 44.

[0020] For the device 10c according to the third embodiment, a further mode of operation is also conceivable. In this way, connecting elements of different types can be delivered from the sending station to the receiving station. Connecting elements of a first type can be delivered by a not shown first sending station through the first section 28c to the switch 40, while connecting elements of a second type are delivered by a not shown second sending station through the third section 42 to the switch 40, as required. The delivery to the receiving station takes place by the switch 40 via the second section 34c. Here, for example, screws with two different lengths can be involved. It is also possible to combine more than two sections at the switch 40 in order to deliver more than two types of connecting elements to the switch 40. As a rule, the connecting elements required are prepared near the receiving station. If another connecting element is required, the connecting elements reserved near the receiving station can be delivered back to the sending station from which they came. The switch 40 is then switched over to deliver another connecting element to the receiving station. It is also possible in this embodiment to provide a detector which recognizes which connecting element is delivered or reserved.

[0021] In Figure 4a , Figure 4b Fig. 8 shows a line 20 which can be applied in the device 10a, 10b, 10c according to Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 2a , Figure 2b , Figure 3 and completely or partially replaces the line 20, 20c shown there. The line 20 encloses a transport channel 22 which in turn is T-shaped in cross section and serves for transporting the rivet 12a. The T-shaped cross section is, however, only considered exemplary here. Four sensor fibers 50 which are constituent parts of a fiber-optic sensor are embedded in the line 20. The sensor fibers 50 extend parallel and spaced apart from one another over the entire length of the line 20. In addition to the sensor fibers 50, the fiber-optic sensor also has a light source whose light rays are introduced into the sensor fibers 50 on one end and a light detector which is arranged on the other end of the sensor fibers 50 and receives the light rays of the light source there. The light source and the light detector are not shown in detail in the drawing. If the line 20 is bent too severely, this leads to a reduction in the intensity of the light received by the light detector. A control unit which is likewise not shown in detail recognizes a reduction in the intensity of the light received below a preset minimum value and stops the transport of the connecting element through the bent line 20. Of course, it is not mandatory to embed four sensor fibers 50 in the line 20. It is also possible to use only one sensor fiber 50 or a different number of sensor fibers 50 based on the principle of the utility model aspect.

[0022] It is determined as follows: The utility model relates to a kind of equipment 10a, 10b, 10c for transporting conductive connecting element 12a, 12b such as rivet or screw from sending station to receiving station, the equipment has the pipe 20, 20c for the transport channel 22, 22c of connecting element 12a, 12b, from sending station to receiving station and has first coil assembly 24, 24c, the first coil assembly has at least one for generating first electromagnetic field in transport channel 22, 22c first electromagnetic coil 26, 26c, the winding of the first electromagnetic coil surrounds the first section 28, 28c of transport channel 22, 22c, wherein, first electromagnetic field induces eddy current in connecting element 12a, 12b, so that connecting element 12a, 12b accelerates towards receiving station direction.According to the utility model, second coil assembly 30, 30c is provided, the second coil assembly has at least one for generating second electromagnetic field in transport channel 22, 22c second electromagnetic coil 32, 32c, the winding of the second electromagnetic field surrounds the second section 34, 34c of the transport channel 22, 22c, the second section is arranged closer to the receiving station than the first section 28, 28c, wherein, the second electromagnetic field induces eddy current in connecting element 12a, 12b, so that connecting element 12a, 12b accelerates towards the direction away from receiving station.

Claims

1. A device for conveying a conductive connecting element from a transmitting station to a receiving station, the device having a conduit enclosing a conveying channel for the connecting element, a conduit leading from the transmitting station to the receiving station, and having a first coil assembly having at least one first electromagnetic coil for generating a first electromagnetic field in the conveying channel, the winding of the first electromagnetic coil surrounding a first section of the conveying channel, wherein, The first electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in the connecting element that accelerate the connecting element toward the receiving station. The first electromagnetic field is characterized by having a second coil assembly having at least one second electromagnetic coil for generating a second electromagnetic field in the transport channel. The winding of the second electromagnetic field surrounds a second section of the transport channel, the second section being disposed closer to the receiving station than the first section. The second electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in the connecting element that accelerate the connecting element toward a direction away from the receiving station.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting element is a rivet or a screw.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipeline (20c) has a switch (40) between the first section (28c) and the second section (34c), which selectively connects the second section (34c) to the first section (28c) or to a third section (42) of the transport channel (22c) that is adjacent to the second section (34c) in a direction away from the receiving station.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third section (42) leads to the container for the connecting element.

5. The device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, A detector is provided between the second section (34c) and the switch (40), the detector being used to determine parameters defining the connecting element.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The switch (40) is provided with a control device for operating the switch based on data obtained from the detector.

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The detector is configured to measure the eddy currents induced by the connecting element.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The at least one first electromagnetic coil and / or the at least one second electromagnetic coil are embedded in the conduit.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The at least one first electromagnetic coil and / or the at least one second electromagnetic coil are arranged to surround the outside of the conduit.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The conveying channel has a cross-section, the shape of which corresponds to the longitudinal section of the connecting element.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, An optical fiber sensor is provided, the optical fiber sensor having at least one sensor optical fiber (50) guided by the conduit, a photodetector connected to the at least one sensor optical fiber (50) for detecting light guided through the at least one sensor optical fiber (50), and a light source for guiding light into the at least one sensor optical fiber (50).

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that, A control unit is provided for controlling the delivery of the connecting element, the control unit obtaining information about the intensity of the received light from the photodetector.

13. An apparatus for conveying a connecting element from a transmitting station to a receiving station, the apparatus having a conduit enclosing a conveying channel for the connecting element, guiding it from the transmitting station to the receiving station, and having means for accelerating the connecting element in the direction from the transmitting station to the receiving station, characterized in that, An optical fiber sensor is provided, the optical fiber sensor having at least one sensor optical fiber (50) guided by the conduit, a photodetector connected to the at least one sensor optical fiber (50) for detecting light guided through the at least one sensor optical fiber (50), and a light source for guiding light into the at least one sensor optical fiber (50).

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The connecting element is a rivet or a screw.

15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, A control unit is provided for controlling the delivery of the connecting element, the control unit obtaining information about the intensity of the received light from the photodetector.

Images