Improved device for supplying spokes to a gun for ejecting spokes into holes of a hub of a spoked wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for supplying spokes to a gun for ejecting spokes into holes of a hub of a spoked wheel, the device (1) comprising: - an intermediate standby zone (11) located upstream of a discharge zone (3) opposite which an ejection gun (2) is intended to be positioned, and defining a plane for receiving spokes positioned side-by-side and flat, wherein the spokes are deposited one by one, the intermediate standby zone (11) being angled towards the discharge zone (3) and equipped with means (13) for isolating a spoke, allowing the spokes to fall into the discharge zone (3) one by one in order to supply a gun. According to the invention, the means (13) for isolating a spoke comprise at least an ejector finger (14) and a guide part (15), the finger (14) being movable so as to pass through the plane of the intermediate standby zone from below and to strike and push an end spoke out of the plane against the guide part (15), the guide part (15) having an arched portion (15a) oriented towards the discharge zone (3) and an abutment (15b) positioned in line with the spokes that precede the end spoke.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Improved device for supplying spokes to a spoke ejection gun in the holes of a spoke wheel hub technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical sector of manufacturing spoked wheels intended to equip locomotion vehicles, such as bicycles or motorcycles for example.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a spoke supply device for a gun of an installation intended to eject said spokes into the orifices of a hub of a spoked wheel, improved in terms of production rate. Previous art

[0003] The hubs of spoked wheels generally have a central cylindrical portion mounted freely to rotate around an axis, and bordered at both ends by perpendicular flanges, each having a ring of holes intended to receive spokes to connect the hub to the rim of the wheel.

[0004] It is particularly known from the earlier art of threading spokes into the hub holes by means of ejection devices, called pistols, or "Gun" in English, to perform this operation quickly and automatically.

[0005] Spoke insertion guns, for example two to four, are then positioned on either side of the hub and automatically insert the spokes into the hub's holes. These guns must also be automatically supplied with spokes to be ejected.

[0006] A shelf-supplying device known from the prior art comprises: - a reserve of rays in which the rays to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles; - means of collecting and conveying the rays, one by one, from an entrance positioned in the reserve, and towards a ray evacuation zone, opposite which the ejection gun is intended to be positioned.

[0007] In practice, the gun has an upper slot into which the beams are successively loaded for ejection. This slot is then positioned directly above the ejection zone to receive the beams ejected by the supply device.

[0008] Such a supply arrangement is described in particular by document WO99 / 12754.

[0009] The problem with this known device is that the beam picking and conveying mechanisms may fail to pick up a beam, or beams picked up may be misaligned, or instead of picking up only one at a time, several beams may be picked up and stacked so that when one beam falls, it pulls down the one that was correctly positioned. All these drawbacks mean that beam picking is not necessarily constant and continuous, so missing beams create delays in the beam supply to the gun.

[0010] Waiting times lengthen the manufacturing time of a spoked wheel, which is undesirable.

[0011] The Applicant has already provided a solution to this problem with the teaching of document WO2023 / 017216 which describes a spoke supply device for a spoke ejection gun into holes in a spoke wheel hub; the device comprises: - a reserve of rays in which the rays to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles; - means of collecting and conveying the shelves, one by one, from an entrance positioned in the reserve, and towards an evacuation zone opposite which an ejection gun is intended to be positioned; - an intermediate waiting area defining a plane to receive the beams positioned side by side and flat, in which the beams are deposited one by one, located between an exit of the sampling and conveying means and the evacuation area, the intermediate waiting area being inclined towards the evacuation area and equipped with means of isolating a beam allowing the beams to fall one by one into the evacuation area to supply a gun.

[0012] In particular, the means of isolating a beam take the form of two fingers crossing the plane defined by the intermediate waiting area, to isolate a beam between them, the fingers are notably retractable independently of each other in order, on the one hand, to allow a beam to enter between the two fingers and, on the other hand, to allow said beam to escape by gravity into the evacuation area.

[0013] This technique is satisfactory, but can still be improved in terms of speed of execution to feed the beams one by one into the ejection gun, and adaptation to different beam qualities (lack of linearity).

[0014] Also known is document EP 0 071 856 A1 which describes a spoke distributor for the manufacture of spoked wheels. Description of the invention

[0015] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide a spoke supply device for a gun of an installation intended to eject said spokes into the orifices of a hub of a spoked wheel, which has an increased rate.

[0016] Another objective of the invention is to provide such a device which can tolerate the lack of linearity of the rays.

[0017] To this end, a device was developed comprising: - an intermediate waiting area located upstream of an evacuation zone, opposite which an ejection gun is intended to be positioned, and defining a plane for receiving beams positioned side by side and flat, into which the beams are deposited one by one. The intermediate waiting area is inclined towards the evacuation zone and is equipped with means for isolating a beam, allowing the beams to fall one by one into the evacuation zone to supply a gun.

[0018] According to the invention, the means for isolating a spoke comprise at least one ejection finger and a guide piece, the finger being movable so as to traverse the plane of the intermediate waiting area from below and strike and push an end spoke out of said plane against the guide piece, the guide piece guide featuring an arched part oriented towards the evacuation zone and a stop positioned at the right of the spokes preceding the end spoke.

[0019] In this way, the beam is isolated from the intermediate holding area for the gun's feeding system much more quickly. The finger strikes, pushes, and ejects the beams one by one against the guide piece, whose shape guides the beams, flat and rapid, toward the ejection zone. The guide piece's stop ensures that only the end beam is isolated. The beams are therefore projected at a speed higher than gravity toward the ejection zone. The rate of fire is improved.

[0020] This configuration also allows for tolerance of ray linearity defects.

[0021] Preferably, the arched part of the guide piece is extended by a flat exit portion inclined towards the evacuation zone so as to improve the guidance of the beams exiting the guide piece.

[0022] Similarly, the arched part of the guide piece is preceded by a flat entry portion parallel to the movement of the ejector finger, so as to improve the guidance of the rays at the entry of the guide piece.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment, one end of the intermediate waiting area, intended to form a stop for the end radius, has a face substantially parallel to the entry portion of the guide piece, so as to improve the guidance of the rays during the push by the finger, by forming a guide channel between the face of the stop of the intermediate waiting area and the parallel entry portion of the guide piece.

[0024] Similarly, the stop of the intermediate waiting area has a face substantially parallel to the exit portion of the guide piece, so as to improve the guidance of the rays at the exit of the guide piece, by forming a guide channel between the face of the stop of the intermediate waiting area and the parallel exit portion of the guide piece.

[0025] Preferably, the ejection finger includes a spoke contact face that is inclined and parallel to the plane of the intermediate waiting area so as to ensure the correct thrust direction and encourage the spoke to move towards the evacuation area.

[0026] To ensure that the spokes remain flat, the device preferably includes another set of ejection fingers and guide pieces so as to strike and guide a spoke by its two ends. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the shelf supply device of the present invention.

[0028] [Fig. 2] is a side perspective view of the device in Figure 1.

[0029] [Fig. 3] represents, in detail, the intermediate waiting area, the evacuation area and the means of isolating a beam from the intermediate waiting area.

[0030] [Fig. 4] illustrates in detail the means of isolating a beam and guiding it towards the evacuation zone, seen from the side.

[0031] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view to illustrate the positioning of an ejection finger and guide piece set on each side of the intermediate waiting area. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] With reference to figures 1 to 5, the invention relates to a device (1) for supplying spokes to a gun (2) intended to eject said spokes into the orifices of a hub of a spoked wheel.

[0033] With reference to figures 1 to 3, and in the illustrated example, the hub is not shown, and two supply devices (1) are assembled to supply, in turn, a gun (2) with spokes.

[0034] The illustrated supply devices (1) therefore both share the same evacuation zone (3) of the beams, directly above which the ejection gun (2) is intended to be positioned for supplying as such.

[0035] The two supply devices (1) can each admit a different spoke size since there are hubs fitted with spokes of different sizes.

[0036] The supply devices (1) each include a reserve (4) of rays, presented for example in the form of an elongated tray on which rays to be supplied are intended to be stored in a bundle.

[0037] The spokes are positioned substantially parallel to each other across the width of the tray, so that the tray extends and is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the spokes. The trays are inclined so as to direct, by gravity, the spokes towards means for picking and conveying the spokes (5), from an inlet located in said storage area (4), and towards the discharge zone (3). In the illustrated example, the trays are open in the center, with the spokes held at both ends.

[0038] The device (1) also includes a guide (6), formed in particular by the side walls enclosing the reservoir (4) and the picking and conveying means (5), the width of which, i.e., the spacing between the side walls, is adjustable to adapt to the length of the shelves to be supplied. The width of the guides (6) can be adjusted by any suitable means, for example by actuating a crank associated with a worm gear attached to the guide (6).

[0039] In a known manner, the means of picking up and conveying (5) spokes are in the form of a belt, driven in rotation between two wheels, at least one of which is motorized, and toothed at least on its outer face, and preferably on both faces, in order to be able to pick up and convey, one by one, the spokes present in the reserve (4).

[0040] The belt's teeth are spaced far enough apart to allow the spokes to be received, one by one, transversely to the belt. The spokes are therefore designed to position themselves between two belt teeth to be transported towards a discharge zone (3).

[0041] In order to avoid the clogging of the shelves at the entrance of the picking and conveying means (5), the device (1) includes a pusher (7) which can be moved, for example, by means of a cylinder, and which is positioned to push the shelves from below to jostle the shelves and avoid clogging of the entrance.

[0042] Preferably, the pusher (7) has a beveled end, on the side of the reservoir (4), to move the beam of rays back and leave only a smaller quantity of rays at the inlet to reduce clogging.

[0043] The device (1) also includes means for detecting the presence of radiation in the storage area (4) and at the entry point of the picking and conveying means (5), for example in the form of inductive sensors. The push button (7) can be actuated according to the signal emitted by these detection means.

[0044] At the exit of the sampling and conveying means (5), the toothed belt is associated, on either side, with a sorter in the form of toothed wheels (9) positioned on either side of the belt, whose hollows are positioned in accordance with the hollows of the toothed belt, and whose hollows have a dimension adjusted to the diameter of the spokes so as to grasp only one spoke at a time.

[0045] During this operation, rays correctly positioned in the picking and conveying means (5) may fall at the same time as the ray that was pushed, so as to impair the expected continuous conveying.

[0046] To overcome this situation, or even the situation in which the picking and conveying means (5) would not succeed in picking a shelf from the reserve (4), the device (1) includes, at the exit of the picking and conveying means (5), an intermediate waiting area (11) in which the shelves are deposited one by one, see figures 3 and 4.

[0047] The intermediate waiting area (11) is therefore located between the exit of the sampling and conveying means (5) and the evacuation area (3).

[0048] The intermediate waiting area (11) is also equipped with means to drop the beams one by one into the evacuation area (3) to supply the gun (2).

[0049] This intermediate waiting area (11) acts as a buffer zone and ensures that there is always a sufficient quantity of beams ready to be dispensed to supply the spray gun (2). This guarantees a constant supply to the spray gun (2) and avoids any downtime. Productivity is therefore optimal.

[0050] The intermediate waiting area (11) is in principle dimensioned in volume or surface area, to receive a sufficient number of waiting spokes to be able to thread all the spokes of a wheel hub.

[0051] The intermediate waiting area (11) defines an inclined plane towards the evacuation area (3), so that the spokes are positioned one by one, side by side and flat, and is adapted to receive nine spokes, because to thread the spokes into a hub, two devices (1) according to the invention are arranged on either side of the hub, so that two spoke guns (2) are supplied by four supplying devices (1). A conventional hub comprises 36 spokes, or 4 x 9 spokes.

[0052] With reference to Figure 4, the device includes means for isolating an end radius (8) (13). These means (13) include at least one ejection finger (14) and a guide piece (15).

[0053] The finger (14) is movable, pneumatically, electrically or hydraulically, so as to perform back-and-forth movements and cross the plane of the intermediate waiting area (11), from below, to strike and push the end radius (8a) out of said plane and against the guide piece (15).

[0054] In particular, the speed of movement of the finger (14) is important to achieve an impact on the radius (8a) which is projected against the guide piece (15).

[0055] The guide piece (15) has an arched part (15a) oriented towards the evacuation zone (3) and a stop (15b) positioned at the right of the rays preceding the end ray (8a), so as to guide the ray (8a) projected towards the evacuation zone (3) to feed the gun (2).

[0056] The arched part (15a) of the guide piece (15) is extended by a flat exit portion (15c) inclined towards the evacuation zone (3), and preceded by a flat inlet portion (15d) parallel to the movement of the ejection finger (14).

[0057] The end of the intermediate waiting area (11), intended to form a stop for the end radius, has a face (16) substantially parallel to the entry portion (15d) of the guide piece (15) and a face (17) substantially parallel to the exit portion (15c) of the guide piece (15), so as to form guide channels for the radii.

[0058] The ejection finger (14) includes a contact face (14a) with the beam which is inclined and parallel to the plane of the intermediate waiting area to encourage the beam to evacuate towards the evacuation area (3), and to push only one beam at a time.

[0059] With reference to figure 5, the isolation means (13) are for example two in number per intermediate waiting area (11), arranged on either side of said intermediate waiting area (11).

[0060] It follows from the above that the invention does indeed provide a device for supplying rays to a gun (2) which allows continuous operation, regardless of incidents in picking or conveying the rays in order to ensure constant loading of the gun (2) and optimal productivity.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (1) for supplying spokes to a spoke ejection gun (2) in holes of a spoke wheel hub, the device (1) comprises: - an intermediate waiting area (11) located upstream of an evacuation area (3) opposite which an ejection gun (2) is intended to be positioned, and defining a plane to receive beams positioned side by side and flat, in which the beams are deposited one by one, the intermediate waiting area (11) being inclined towards the evacuation area (3) and is equipped with means of isolating a beam (13) allowing the beams to fall one by one into the evacuation area (3) to supply a gun (2);characterized in that the means for isolating a spoke (13) comprise at least one ejection finger (14) and a guide piece (15), the finger (14) being movable so as to cross the plane of the intermediate waiting area from below and strike and push an end spoke out of said plane against the guide piece (15), the guide piece (15) having an arched part (15a) oriented towards the evacuation area (3) and a stop (15b) positioned at the right of the spokes preceding the end spoke.; [Claims 2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the arched part (15a) of the guide piece (15) is extended by a flat outlet portion (15c) inclined towards the discharge zone (3). [Claims 3] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arched part (15a) of the guide piece (15) is preceded by a flat inlet portion (15d) parallel to the movement of the ejection finger (14). [Claims 4] Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that one end of the intermediate waiting area (11), intended to form a stop for the end radius, has a face (16) substantially parallel to the entry portion (15d) of the guide piece (15). [Claims 5] Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop of the intermediate waiting area has a face (17) substantially parallel to the exit portion (15c) of the guide piece (15). [Claims 6] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ejection finger (14) comprises a contact face (14a) with the radius which is inclined and parallel to the plane of the intermediate waiting area. [Claims 7] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises another set of ejection finger (14) and guide piece (15) so as to push and guide a beam by its two ends.

Images