Fin manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a structure of a fin manufacturing device (100) capable of stabilizing the operation of a stacking device (80) when stacking and housing fins (30) for heat dissipation in the stacking device (80). As a solution, a falling guide plate (57) is provided at a position above a holding device (70) for fins (30) for heat dissipation, which is provided downstream of a cutting device (60) for singulating a fin formed body (31) for heat dissipation formed by a punching device (48) into fins (30) for heat dissipation. When transferring the fins (30) for heat dissipation from the holding device (70) to the stacking device (80), the falling guide plate (57) is brought close to the stacking device (80), and the fins (30) for heat dissipation are guided by the falling guide plate (57) and dropped into the stacking device (80), so that they are stacked and housed in the stacking device (80). The stacking device (80) after housing the fins (30) for heat dissipation only performs a lowering operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing heat dissipation fins for use in heat exchangers. Background Technology

[0002] In heat exchangers such as coolers, Figure 20A and Figure 20B As shown, the heat dissipation fins 30 are constructed by stacking multiple fins 30 with notches 34 through which multiple heat exchange tubes 32 are inserted, in a manner through which the heat exchange tubes 32 penetrate. Such heat dissipation fins 30 can be constructed by... Figure 19 The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus shown is used for manufacturing heat dissipation fins.

[0003] The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 is equipped with an uncoiler 40 on which a thin sheet 10 made of metal such as aluminum is wound in a coil shape. The thin sheet 10, which is pulled out from the uncoiler 40 via a loop controller 42, is fed intermittently to a die assembly 46 located in a stamping device 48 at certain lengths via an NC feeder 44. In addition, an oil supply unit can be provided to supply processing oil to the surface of the thin sheet 10 before it is supplied to the die assembly 46, although this is not shown.

[0004] The mold assembly 46 internally comprises an upper mold assembly 46A capable of vertical movement and a lower mold assembly 46B in a stationary state. Using this mold assembly 46, a continuous pattern is formed in both the width and length directions. Figure 20A and Figure 20B The metal strip 11 of the heat dissipation finned body 31 (heat dissipation fin 30) shown (refer to) Figure 2 The metal strip 11 is divided into sections of width orthogonal to the conveying direction in the horizontal plane by the inter-row cutting device 52, thereby forming a heat dissipation fin 31. After the heat dissipation fin 31 is fed to the holding device 70, it is cut into individual heat dissipation fins 30 by the cutting device 60 to the required length in the conveying direction. Then, it is stacked and stored in the stacking device 80, which is provided with stacking pins SP.

[0005] The heat dissipation fins 30 thus formed have notches 34 for inserting heat exchange pipes 32 at multiple locations, and plate-shaped portions 36 with louvers 35 are provided between the notches 34. The notches 34 are formed only from one side in the width direction of the heat dissipation fins 30. Therefore, the multiple plate-shaped portions 36 between the notches 34 are connected by connecting portions 38 extending along the length direction.

[0006] The applicant conceived of a structure for a heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 having a stacking device 80 suitable for use in stacking heat dissipation fins 30, and the specific structure of the stacking device 80 is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. WO2020 / 152736A1).

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. WO2020 / 152736A1 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0011] In the stacking device 80 of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the following method is used: the stacking device 80 is raised from the lower side of the holding device 70 of the heat dissipation fin 30, which is disposed adjacent to the cutting device 60 and downstream of the cutting device 60, and the heat dissipation fin 30 is stacked and stored from the holding device 70 (illustration of the overall picture omitted). That is, as the number of heat dissipation fins 30 stacked and stored increases, the weight increases, and there is a clear problem that the operation of the stacking device 80 is unstable when the stacking device 80 is raised.

[0012] Solution for solving the problem

[0013] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is as follows: to provide a structure for a heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus, in which, when the heat dissipation fins are stacked and stored in the stacking device of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus, by setting the stacking device to only perform a lowering action when the heat dissipation fins are stacked, the operation of the stacking device can be stabilized even if the weight increases due to the increase in the number of heat dissipation fins stacked and stored.

[0014] The inventors of this application conducted research to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, conceived of the following structure. That is, the present invention is a heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus comprises: a stamping device, which is provided with a die device that forms a notch in an unprocessed metal sheet supplied from a material supply unit, thereby forming a heat dissipation fin molded body; a conveying device that supplies the sheet to the stamping device and conveys the heat dissipation fin molded body from the stamping device; a cutting device that cuts the heat dissipation fin molded body to a predetermined length to form heat dissipation fins; a holding device having a pair of holding bodies and a holding body approaching and retracting action mechanism that causes the pair of holding bodies to approach and retract, the pair of holding bodies being able to approach and retract from each other between a lateral position of the heat dissipation fin molded body protruding from the conveying destination side of the cutting device and a holding position of the heat dissipation fin molded body, the pair of holding bodies holding the heat dissipation fin molded body and the heat dissipation fins; and a stacking device. The device, positioned below the holding device for stacking the heat dissipation fins cut to the predetermined length by the cutting device, includes a stacking guide holding section, a fin receiving section, and a moving mechanism. A stacking guide, capable of penetrating the heat dissipation fins held by the holding device, is erected in the stacking guide holding section. The fin receiving section abuts against the lower surface of the lowest heat dissipation fin among the plurality of fins penetrated by the stacking guide. The moving mechanism moves the fin receiving section along the stacking guide. A drop guide device, comprising a drop guide body and a drop guide moving section, is positioned above the pair of holding bodies at a planar position capable of penetrating any of the notches. The drop guide moving section causes the drop guide body to move closer to and further away from the stacking device. An operation control section controls at least the operations of the cutting device, the holding device, the stacking device, and the drop guide device.

[0015] By adopting the above structure, when the heat dissipation fins are stacked and housed in the stacking device, the falling guide body moves closer and further away from the stacking device from the top, thus guiding the falling of the heat dissipation fins. Therefore, it is not necessary for the stacking device to insert the heat dissipation fins from the bottom, and it is not necessary to move the stacking device up and down. That is, when the stacking device is stacking and housing the heat dissipation fins, it is only in an unloaded state when it rises, and only in a descending state when the heat dissipation fins are stacked and housed. Therefore, even if the number of heat dissipation fins stacked and housed on the stacking device increases, the stacking device can operate stably.

[0016] Furthermore, conventionally, the heat dissipation fins are stacked and housed by raising the stacking device from below towards the heat dissipation fins. Therefore, the stacking pins need to be thin for proper alignment, resulting in low stiffness. Consequently, the stack of heat dissipation fins housed in the stacking device is unstable during processing. According to the present invention, the stacking pins of the stacking device can be made thicker, thus enabling the stack of heat dissipation fins housed in the stacking device to be processed in a stable state.

[0017] Furthermore, preferably, the motion control unit performs the following steps: a first process, in which, when the pair of retainers are in a holdable position capable of holding the heat dissipation fin molded body, the moving mechanism is activated, causing the fin receiving portion to rise to the receiving height position of the heat dissipation fin; a second process, in which the conveying device is activated, causing the heat dissipation fin molded body to pass through the cutting device within the predetermined length range; and a third process, in which, until the heat dissipation fin molded body held by the pair of retainers is cut into the heat dissipation fin by the cutting device, the falling guide moving portion is activated, causing the falling guide to pass through the notch of the heat dissipation fin molded body, and the falling portion... The lower end of the guide body approaches the upper end of the stacked guide body; in the fourth process, the heat dissipation fin forming body is cut to a predetermined size using the cutting device; in the fifth process, the holding body is moved away from the operating mechanism, thereby moving the pair of holding bodies away from each other, and placing the heat dissipation fin along the falling guide body onto the fin receiving portion; in the sixth process, after the heat dissipation fin is placed from the pair of holding bodies onto the fin receiving portion, the falling guide body moving part is operated, and the lower end of the falling guide body is retracted to a position above the pair of holding bodies; and in the seventh process, the moving mechanism is operated, and the fin receiving portion is lowered to a predetermined height.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, the motion control unit performs the following steps: a first process, in which the conveying device is activated when the pair of retainers are in a holdable position capable of holding the heat dissipation fin molded body, causing the heat dissipation fin molded body to pass through the cutting device within the predetermined length range; a second process, in which the moving mechanism is activated, causing the fin receiving section to rise to the receiving height position of the heat dissipation fin; and a third process, in which the falling guide moving section is activated until the heat dissipation fin molded body held by the pair of retainers is cut into the heat dissipation fin by the cutting device, causing the falling guide to pass through the notch of the heat dissipation fin molded body, and causing the falling... The lower end of the guide body approaches the upper end of the stacked guide body; in the fourth process, the heat dissipation fin forming body is cut to a predetermined size using the cutting device; in the fifth process, the holding body is moved away from the operating mechanism, thereby moving the pair of holding bodies away from each other, and placing the heat dissipation fin along the falling guide body onto the fin receiving portion; in the sixth process, after the heat dissipation fin is placed from the pair of holding bodies onto the fin receiving portion, the falling guide body moving part is operated, and the lower end of the falling guide body is retracted to a position above the pair of holding bodies; and in the seventh process, the moving mechanism is operated, and the fin receiving portion is lowered to a predetermined height.

[0019] By adopting the above structure, the operation of each structure when the heat dissipation fins are stacked and stored in the stacking device can be minimized.

[0020] Alternatively, preferably, the motion control unit performs the eighth process after performing the sixth process. In the eighth process, the holding body is moved closer to the motion mechanism to return the pair of holding bodies to the holdable position. More preferably, after performing the eighth process, the motion control unit returns to the first process and repeats the first to the eighth processes a predetermined number of times.

[0021] Based on these structures, it is possible to continuously perform the process of stacking heat dissipation fins on the stacking device.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable that the motion control unit performs the first process and the second process simultaneously.

[0023] This structure can shorten the production cycle time when manufacturing heat dissipation fins.

[0024] Additionally, preferably, the stacking guide has a stacking plate extending through the notch and a stacking pin abutting against the outer edge of the heat dissipation fins, the drop guide is a drop guide plate extending through the notch, and the drop guide moving part causes the drop guide plate to move closer to and further away from the stacking device.

[0025] According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the heat dissipation fins from shaking when the heat exchange fins held in the holder fall into the stacking device, and it is possible to further prevent the deformation of the heat dissipation fins during stacking.

[0026] In addition, preferably, the drop guide body also has a drop guide pin, which is configured to abut against the outer edge of the heat dissipation fins or be separated from the outer edge of the heat dissipation fins by a predetermined interval.

[0027] According to this structure, the heat dissipation fins held in the holder can be kept from moving with the holder when the holder is away, and the position relative to the stacking device can be maintained.

[0028] Additionally, preferably, the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus also includes a discharge device for preventing the heat dissipation fins from rising together as the falling guide moves away from the stacking device.

[0029] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat dissipation fins placed in the fin receiving section from being lifted in coordination with the rising action of the falling guide, and to prevent the placement state of the heat dissipation fins relative to the fin receiving section from becoming disordered.

[0030] The effects of the invention

[0031] According to the structure of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, when the heat dissipation fins are stacked and housed in the stacking device of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus, the stacking device is set to an unloaded state when it is raised, and when the heat dissipation fins are stacked and housed, the stacking device only performs a lowering operation. Therefore, even if the weight of the heat dissipation fins increases due to the increase in the number of heat dissipation fins stacked and housed in the stacking device, the stacking device can operate in a stable state. In addition, the stacking pins of the stacking device can be made thicker, so the stack of heat dissipation fins stacked and housed in the stacking device can be processed in a stable state. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the general overall structure of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 It is to utilize Figure 1 A top view of a metal strip manufactured by a mold device.

[0034] Figure 3This is a side view of the holding device and stacking device parts.

[0035] Figure 4 Is to make Figure 3 The main view of the holding device section from the destination side to the source side.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a top view of the fin receiving section.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a side view of the main part of the stacking device in this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 7 Is to make Figure 6 Part VII is a front view from the destination side to the source side.

[0039] Figure 8 From Figure 7 A top view of the main part of the body, viewed from above.

[0040] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the general structure of the unloader.

[0041] Figure 10 It means from Figure 6 The shown is a side view of the stacking device after the fin receiving section has been raised.

[0042] Figure 11 Is to make Figure 10 The XI section is a front view from the destination side to the source side.

[0043] Figure 12 It means from Figure 10 The shown is a side view of the main part of the stack guide body and the fin receiving section, which are raised synchronously to the height position of the heat dissipation fin receiving section.

[0044] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 In and Figure 11 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0045] Figure 14 This indicates the state in which the guide body descends to a position through which the heat dissipation finned body held by a pair of retainers passes. Figure 11 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0046] Figure 15 This refers to the state in which a pair of retaining bodies are kept apart after the heat dissipation fins are cut off. Figure 11 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0047] Figure 16This indicates the state in which the heat dissipation fins fall down from a pair of retainers and are placed on the fin receiving section along the stacked plate. Figure 11 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0048] Figure 17 This indicates a state in which the falling guide body retracts towards a position above the pair of retaining bodies. Figure 11 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0049] Figure 18 This indicates a state where only the fin receiving section is lowered to the height corresponding to one heat dissipation fin. Figure 11 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0050] Figure 19 This is a side view showing the general overall structure of a conventional heat dissipation fin manufacturing device.

[0051] Figure 20A This is a top view of a heat dissipation finned structure. Figure 20B This is the front view of the heat dissipation finned body. Detailed Implementation

[0052] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a general overall structure of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment can be broadly divided into a fin forming section 100A and a stacking section 100B. The fin forming section 100A includes a material supply section 47, a stamping device 48, a feeding device 50, an inter-row cutting device 52, and a cutting device 60. The stacking section 100B includes a holding device 70 and a stacking device 80.

[0053] In this embodiment, the motion control of each structure in the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 is performed by a motion control unit 90. This motion control unit 90 has at least a motion control program pre-stored in a storage unit and a CPU that operates based on the motion control program. As is well known, such a motion control unit 90 can be implemented not only in the form of being assembled in the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100, but also by a personal computer or the like, which is installed separately from the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100; therefore, a detailed description is omitted here.

[0054] The material supply section 47 in the fin forming section 100A includes an uncoiler 40, a loop controller 42, and an NC feeder 44. A sheet of unprocessed metal, such as aluminum (hereinafter referred to as sheet 10), which serves as the material for heat dissipation fins 30, is wound in a coil shape in the uncoiler 40. The sheet 10 pulled out from the uncoiler 40 is inserted into the loop controller 42, which suppresses the oscillation of the intermittently fed sheet 10. The NC feeder 44 is located downstream of the loop controller 42. The NC feeder 44 consists of two rollers that contact the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet 10. By driving the two rollers to rotate, the sheet 10 is clamped between them and intermittently fed to the sheet 10 at a certain length.

[0055] A stamping device 48 is provided downstream of the NC feeder 44, and a die device 46 is arranged inside the stamping device 48. The die device 46 is provided with an upper die 46A that can move up and down and a lower die 46B that is stationary. In addition, the sheet 10 is supplied to the stamping device 48 after oil is applied to its surface by an oil supply unit (not shown).

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the metal strip 11 formed by the stamping device 48 is arranged in a state where multiple products are arranged in the product width direction orthogonal to arrow A, which is the conveying direction. In the specific product, the heat dissipation fin 30, obtained by appropriately dividing the metal strip 11 in the width and conveying directions, notches 34 are formed at multiple locations for inserting flat heat exchange tubes 32. A plate-like portion 36 with louvers 35 is formed between the notches 34. Furthermore, openings 37 are formed at both ends of the louvers 35 in the width direction; these openings 37 are formed by cutting a thin metal plate 10. One of the two openings 37, 37 relative to one louver 35, is formed at the front end of the plate-like portion 36.

[0057] A notch 34 is formed only on one side of the heat dissipation fin 30 in the width direction. Therefore, the multiple plate-like portions 36 between the notches 34 are connected by a connecting portion 38 that extends continuously along the length direction. The opening 37 on the other side of the two openings 37, 37 relative to a louver 35 is formed on this connecting portion 38.

[0058] Figure 2The metal strip 11 shown is formed in multiple groups of two products arranged opposite each other with their opening sides of the notch 34 adjacent to each other. That is, the two products are arranged with their opening sides of the notch 34 facing each other, so that their connecting parts 38 are adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the metal strip 11 is formed with 6 groups (12 pieces) of heat dissipation fins 31 (not shown), but the metal strip 11 is not limited to this form.

[0059] Returning to the description of the overall structure of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100. (As follows...) Figure 1 As shown, the metal strip 11 formed by the die device 46 inside the stamping device 48 is intermittently fed in the conveying direction by the feed device 50 located on the downstream side of the stamping device 48. By means of the motion control unit 90, the feeding timing of the feed device 50 is synchronized with the NC feeder 44 and the stamping action of the stamping device 48, so that stable intermittent feeding can be performed.

[0060] In the feeding device 50 of this embodiment, the reciprocating moving unit 51, which is capable of moving horizontally, is controlled by the motion control unit 90 to reciprocate between an initial position and a transfer position, while the metal strip 11 is pulled by the stamping device 48. A feed pin 55 is disposed protruding upward on the upper surface of the reciprocating moving unit 51, and enters from below into the notch 34 or opening 37 formed in the metal strip 11. The metal strip 11 is moved to the transfer position by the pull of the feed pin 55. In this embodiment, the material supply unit 47 and the feeding device 50 constitute the conveying device described in the claims. Furthermore, the feeding device 62, described later, can also be added to this conveying device.

[0061] A row-to-row cutting device 52 is provided downstream of the feeding device 50 and adjacent to the feeding device 50. The row-to-row cutting device 52 has an upper cutter 53 disposed on the upper surface of the metal strip 11 and a lower cutter 54 disposed on the lower surface of the metal strip 11. The row-to-row cutting device 52 can be configured to operate by the up-and-down movement of the stamping device 48. In addition, the row-to-row cutting device 52 can be operated and controlled by controlling the operation of the drive mechanism of the row-to-row cutting device 52 (not shown) by the motion control unit 90. The upper cutter 53 and the lower cutter 54 are formed into strips along the conveying direction of the metal strip 11. The intermittently fed metal strip 11 is cut to a predetermined width by the meshing upper cutter 53 and lower cutter 54 to produce a heat dissipation finned body 31 with a product width that is longer in the conveying direction.

[0062] The heat dissipation fin formed bodies 31, cut by the inter-row cutting device 52, are fed into the separately provided cutting device 60. Furthermore, before being fed into the cutting device 60, the multiple heat dissipation fin formed bodies 31 are arranged such that adjacent heat dissipation fin formed bodies 31 are spaced apart by a predetermined interval. Additionally, before being fed into the cutting device 60, the multiple heat dissipation fin formed bodies 31 are formed with a buffer portion BF that flexes downwards to temporarily retain a length longer than the feed length of one pass of the cutting device 60.

[0063] The cutting device 60 is equipped with a feeding device 62 that intermittently conveys each heat dissipation finned body 31 along the conveying direction. The feeding device 62 is configured to increase the feed length per cycle compared to the feeding device 50 located downstream of the stamping device 48. Furthermore, the feeding device 62 is controlled by an operation control unit 90, which moves the horizontally movable conveying unit 64 a predetermined distance, thereby pulling the heat dissipation finned body 31 from the stamping device 48 side and conveying it downstream of the cutting device 60. Multiple rows of feed pins 65 are arranged in a row, protruding upwards on the upper surface of the conveying unit 64, and are arranged horizontally in a number corresponding to the number of heat dissipation finned bodies 31. The feed pins 65 enter from below into the notches 34 or openings 37 formed in each heat dissipation finned body 31, and are used for traction, thereby moving each heat dissipation finned body 31 to the conveying position.

[0064] Within the cutting device 60, a cutting device 66 is provided downstream of the feeding device 62. The cutting device 66, controlled by an operation control unit 90, cuts each heat dissipation fin forming body 31 to a predetermined size (predetermined length), thereby forming heat dissipation fins 30. The cutting device 66 has an upper cutter 68 disposed on the upper surface of each heat dissipation fin forming body 31 and a lower cutter 69 disposed on the lower surface of each heat dissipation fin forming body 31. By closing the upper cutter 68 and the lower cutter 69, each heat dissipation fin forming body 31 is cut to a predetermined length in the conveying direction, manufacturing heat dissipation fins 30 as a product. A cutting device 66 is provided downstream of the cutting device 60. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The holding device 70 shown is the stacking part 100B, and the stacking device 80 is used to stack the manufactured heat dissipation fins 30 in the thickness direction (vertical direction).

[0065] The holding device 70 supports the heat dissipation finned body 31, before it is cut to the required length in the conveying direction and is fed from the downstream side of the cutting device 60 in the conveying direction, so that it can slide in the conveying direction. Specifically, the holding device 70 has a pair of holding bodies 71 disposed on both sides of the heat dissipation finned body 31 in the width direction, which can hold the ends of the heat dissipation finned body 31 in the width direction after it has passed through the cutting device 60 and before it is cut. Each holding body 71 is formed with a cross-sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the length direction (conveying direction) of the heat dissipation finned body 31. That is, when the pair of holding bodies 71 is viewed from the conveying direction, as shown in the figure... Figure 4 As shown, the recesses 74, which are formed to be recessed outward in the width direction, are opposite to each other. Such a holding device 70 can maintain the holding state from the point in time before the heat dissipation fin molded body 31 was cut off until it was cut to a predetermined length by the cutting device 66 to form the heat dissipation fin 30.

[0066] Furthermore, the pair of retainers 71 are configured to be able to move closer and further apart in the horizontal direction between their side position on the heat dissipation fin molded body 31 and their holding position on the heat dissipation fin molded body 31. As a retainer approaching and moving-away mechanism for causing the pair of retainers 71 to move closer and further apart, a fluid cylinder 72 (described later) is provided, whose operation is controlled by the motion control unit 90. Figure 1 (The fluid cylinder 72 is omitted in the accompanying drawings, except for those shown).

[0067] The stacking device 80 includes: a flat stacking guide holding portion 82, on which a stacking plate 81 serving as a stacking guide and a stacking pin SP are erected; and a flat fin receiving portion 83, which abuts against the lower surface of the lowermost heat dissipation fin 30 among a plurality of heat dissipation fins 30 penetrating through the stacking plate 81. The stacking pin SP abuts against the outer edge of the heat dissipation fin 30 in the width direction, defining the planar position of the heat dissipation fins 30 stacked on the fin receiving portion 83.

[0068] In this embodiment, the stacking plate 81 is sized to pass through the notch 34 of the heat dissipation fin 30. Specifically, it is a thin plate with its long side formed in the width direction of the product to match the shape of the notch 34. Furthermore, the upper end of the stacking plate 81 can be formed as an inclined front end 81A cut obliquely relative to the central axis of the so-called vertical setting direction, as shown in this embodiment, or it can be formed as a flat front end. Additionally, a flat product side guide 81B is provided at the base of the stacking plate 81. The product side guide 81B is used to limit the side position of the heat dissipation fin 30 stacked on the fin receiving portion 83, and is provided at a position close to or abutting against the end edge of the heat dissipation fin 30 in the width direction (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0069] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the fin receiving portion 83 of this embodiment is formed from a rectangular plate with a flat upper surface so that the heat dissipation fins 30 can be stacked. In the fin receiving portion 83, through holes 93 for the stacking plate 81 and the product side guide 81B to pass through and pin avoidance portions 96 for the stacking pins SP to pass through are provided at positions corresponding to their respective planar positions. On the other hand, the stacking guide holding portion 82, on which the stacking plate 81, the product side guide 81B and the stacking pins SP are respectively erected, also has its upper surface formed as a flat surface, similar to the fin receiving portion 83.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, the stacking guide holding part 82 of this embodiment has a tray 82A as a base and a box 82C on which spacers 82B for holding stacking plates 81 are fixed. The spacers 82B, which hold the stacking plates 81 in an upright position, are mounted on the tray 82A via the box 82C. In this stacking device 80, the fin receiving part 83 and the stacking guide holding part 82 can be moved independently in the vertical direction along the vertical setting direction of the stacking plates 81 using a first moving mechanism 84 and a second moving mechanism 85, respectively. Furthermore, the first moving mechanism 84 corresponds to the moving mechanism described in the claims.

[0071] Furthermore, the first moving mechanism 84 of the stacking device 80 in this embodiment, which moves the fin receiving portion 83, includes a first servo motor 84A, a first ball screw 84B, a first timing belt 84C, and a lifting plate 84D. The first ball screw 84B is arranged parallel to the vertical setting direction of the stacking plate 81. The first timing belt 84C is mounted between a first timing pulley 84F mounted on the output shaft 84E of the first servo motor 84A and a first driven timing pulley 84G mounted on one end of the first ball screw 84B. The lifting plate 84D is threadedly connected to the first ball screw 84B and is configured to support the fin receiving portion 83. The lifting plate 84D can move vertically along the axial direction of the first ball screw 84B (along the vertical setting direction of the stacking plate 81) while supporting the fin receiving portion 83, depending on the rotation direction of the first ball screw 84B.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first moving mechanism 84 is provided at both ends along the length direction (the conveying direction of the heat dissipation fin forming body 31) of the fin receiving part 83. In addition, when the fin receiving part 83 is raised or lowered, the motion control unit 90 controls the first moving mechanism 84 to synchronize their movements so that the upper surface of the fin receiving part 83 remains horizontal.

[0073] Furthermore, the second moving mechanism 85 for moving the stack guide holding part 82 in this embodiment includes a second servo motor 85A, a second ball screw 85B, a second timing belt 85C, and a lifting platform 85D. The second ball screw 85B is positioned below the stack guide holding part 82, parallel to the vertical direction of the stacking plate 81. The second timing belt 85C is mounted between the second timing pulley 85F, which is mounted on the output shaft 85E of the second servo motor 85A, and the second driven timing pulley 85G, which is mounted on one end of the second ball screw 85B. The lifting platform 85D is mounted on the second ball screw 85B with its lateral ends threadedly connected to the second ball screw 85B, and its upper end is mounted on the stack guide holding part 82. The lifting platform 85D can move the stacking guide holding part 82 in the vertical direction along the axis of the second ball screw 85B (along the vertical setting direction of the stacking plate 81) according to the rotation direction of the second ball screw 85B.

[0074] The second moving mechanism 85 is controlled by the motion control unit 90 to operate independently and synchronously with the motion of the first moving mechanism 84. Furthermore, when synchronizing the motion of the second moving mechanism 85 with that of the first moving mechanism 84, the motion control unit 90 controls their respective motions to maintain their relative positional relationship. Additionally, the structure of the second moving mechanism 85 can be omitted; by omitting the second moving mechanism 85, the stacking guide holder 82 can be fixed. Because of the second moving mechanism 85, the distance between the holder 71 and the stacking guide holder 82 can be sufficiently ensured, allowing for the large-scale stacking and collection of heat dissipation fins 30. Furthermore, because of the second moving mechanism 85, the tray 82A can be replaced (moved) without avoiding the falling guide pin 59. As explained above, the second moving mechanism 85 is suitable for maximizing the efficiency of the stacking and collection operation of the heat dissipation fins 30.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, a drop guide device 56 is provided to guide the falling of the heat dissipation fins 30 when the self-holding device 70 is transferred to the stacking device 80. In this embodiment, the drop guide device 56 includes a drop guide plate 57 and a drop guide pin 59 as drop guide bodies, and a drop guide plate moving part 58 as a drop guide body moving part. In this embodiment, the drop guide plate 57 is formed similarly to the stacking plate 81, having an inclined front end 57A, and is arranged in a state aligned with a plane position that allows passage through any notch 34. Here, the notch 34 through which the stacking plate 81 passes and the notch 34 through which the drop guide plate 57 passes need not be the same notch 34 (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0076] The drop guide plate 57 thus formed can move vertically from above to below the holding device 70 using a drop guide plate moving part 58 disposed above the holding device 70 (allowing it to move closer to and further away from the stacking device 80). In this embodiment, a fluid cylinder is used as the drop guide plate moving part 58, but other structures can also be used. The lifting and lowering movement of the drop guide plate 57 using the drop guide plate moving part 58 is controlled by the motion control unit 90.

[0077] Additionally, a drop guide pin 59 is suspended on the side of the drop guide plate 57. The drop guide pin 59 is disposed at a position where its outer peripheral surface abuts or is about to abut the two end edges (side surfaces) of the heat dissipation fin molded body 31 (heat dissipation fin 30) in the width direction, and passes through the recessed portion 96 formed in the retainer 71. The required range of the front end of the drop guide pin 59, including the portion passing through the retainer 71, is formed as a narrow diameter portion. The lower end of the drop guide pin 59 is located below the lower end of the drop guide plate 57 and overlaps with the front end of the stacking pin SP in the height direction. By disposing the drop guide pin 59 adjacent to the drop guide plate 57 as in this embodiment, it is suitable for more precise positioning of the heat dissipation fin 30 in the width direction based on the drop guide plate 57 and the drop guide pin 59.

[0078] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, this embodiment includes a feeder 92 suspended on a stand MT that holds the holder 71. The feeder 92 in this embodiment is J-shaped, having a mounting portion 92A mounted on the stand MT, a suspension portion 92B suspended from the stand MT, and an abutment portion 92C that abuts against the heat dissipation fins 30. The feeder 92 adjusts the length of the suspension portion 92B to hold the abutment portion 92C at a predetermined distance from the heat dissipation fins 30, directly above them. With this feeder 92, even if the heat dissipation fins 30 and the drop guide plate 57 retract when the feeder 92 passes through the heat dissipation fins 30, the heat dissipation fins 30 can be separated at the abutment portion 92C when the feeder 92 is in operation.

[0079] Next, the operation of the holding device 70 and the stacking device 80, which are characteristic operations of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, will be described in detail. The stacking device 80... Figure 6 The initial position shown is towards Figure 10 and Figure 11 When the standby position is shifted as shown, the motion control unit 90 activates the first moving mechanism 84, causing only the fin receiving unit 83 to rise along the stacking plate 81 (stack collection begins standby). Then, when the operation to stack the heat dissipation fins 30 onto the stacking device 80 begins, the motion control unit 90 activates the first moving mechanism 84. In this embodiment, in addition to the first moving mechanism 84, the second moving mechanism 85 is also activated in a synchronized state. That is, as shown... Figure 12 , Figure 13 As shown, while maintaining the protrusion of the stacking plate 81 and the stacking pin SP relative to the upper surface of the fin receiving part 83, the fin receiving part 83 and the stacking guide holding part 82 are raised to the receiving height position of the heat dissipation fin 30 (first process).

[0080] Next, the motion control unit 90 activates the conveying unit 64 of the cutting device 60, such as... Figure 13 As shown, the cutting device 66 of the self-cutting device 60 allows the heat dissipation fin molded body 31 to pass through the required length (second process). Furthermore, Figure 12 The single-dot dashed line in the figure is the trajectory line of the heat dissipation fin forming body 31 (the height position of the heat dissipation fin 30 where it intersects with the pair of retainers 71 towards the fin receiving part 83).

[0081] Next, as Figure 14 As shown, the motion control unit 90 operates the drop guide plate moving unit 58, causing the drop guide plate 57 to descend from a position above the pair of holders 71 to a position through which the heat dissipation finned body 31 held in the pair of holders 71 can pass. At this time, the drop guide plate 57 passes through the notch 34 of the heat dissipation finned body 31 and approaches a position where the inclined front end 57A is about to abut against the inclined front end 81A (upper end) of the stacking plate 81 (third process). Thus, the heat dissipation finned body 31, which is held in a position in the width direction by the pair of holders 71, is further positioned in the transport direction by the drop guide plate 57. In this state, the motion control unit 90 operates the cutting device 66 to cut the heat dissipation finned body 31 to a predetermined size in the transport direction and convert it into a single heat dissipation fin 30 (fourth process).

[0082] Next, the motion control unit 90 causes the fluid cylinder 72 to operate, such as... Figure 15 As shown, the recesses 74 of the pair of retainers 71 are moved away from each other. At this time, the guide pin 59 abuts against the outer edge of the heat dissipation fin 30 in the width direction, thus limiting the positional displacement of the heat dissipation fin 30 in the width direction. When the pair of retainers 71 are moved away from each other, as... Figure 16 As shown, the heat dissipation fins 30 held in a pair of holders 71 are dropped along the drop guide plate 57 in a planar position and placed in a state in which the stack plate 81 of the fin receiving portion 83 passes through the notch portion 34 (5th process).

[0083] Next, the motion control unit 90 causes the falling guide plate moving unit 58 to operate, such as... Figure 17 As shown, the drop guide plate 57 is retracted above the pair of retainers 71 (sixth process). Furthermore, the retraction position of the drop guide plate 57 should be above the trajectory line of the heat dissipation fin molded body 31 and at a height that does not interfere with the newly fed heat dissipation fin molded body 31. For example... Figure 17 As shown, in this embodiment, the motion control unit 90 performs the sixth process while also performing the process of returning a pair of holding bodies 71 to a position where the heat dissipation fin molded body 31 can be held.

[0084] Furthermore, during the execution of the sixth process, the motion control unit 90 activates the fluid cylinder 72, causing the pair of mutually separated retaining bodies 71 to approach each other and return to a position capable of holding the heat dissipation finned body 31, but this configuration is not limited to this. The motion control unit 90 can also execute the process of returning the pair of mutually separated retaining bodies 71 to a position capable of holding the heat dissipation finned body 31 before or immediately after the execution of the sixth process. Additionally, the motion control unit 90 can also execute the process of returning the pair of mutually separated retaining bodies 71 to a position capable of holding the heat dissipation finned body 31 as an eighth process after the execution of the seventh process described later.

[0085] Next, as Figure 18 As shown, the motion control unit 90 activates the first moving mechanism 84, causing the fin receiving unit 83 to descend to a preset height (seventh process). The descent height of the fin receiving unit 83 is set to the height of a single heat dissipation fin 30, which is the object of the stacking. This ensures that the fin 30 descends from the holding device 70 to the fin receiving unit 83 at a constant height.

[0086] Furthermore, the motion control unit 90 performs a process that increments by 1 on the count value of the number of stacked heat dissipation fins 30 (which is reset to 0 at the start of stacking of the heat dissipation fins 30) stored in a pre-stored storage unit (not shown). Next, the motion control unit 90 performs a process that compares the comparison object value stored in the same pre-stored storage unit (not shown) with the count value of the number of stacked fins (stack count confirmation process). If the comparison object value > the count value of the number of stacked fins, the motion control unit 90 performs a process that returns to the second process and repeats until the stack count confirmation process is completed.

[0087] In the stack count confirmation process, when the comparison object value equals the stack count value, the following process is performed. Specifically, the motion control unit 90 performs a process of moving the stack of heat dissipation fins 30, the fin receiving unit 83, and the stack guide holding unit 82 to the stack junction position using a stacking device moving mechanism (not shown) (stack removal moving process). Next, the motion control unit 90 performs a process of removing the stack of heat dissipation fins 30 from the stacking device 80 using a stack removal device (not shown) (stack removal process). Then, after resetting the stack count value in the storage unit to 0, the motion control unit 90 activates the stacking device moving mechanism to return the stacking device 80 to its original position (stacking device restoration process). Furthermore, the stacking device restoration process can also be replaced by a process of installing another fin receiving unit 83 and a stack guide holding unit 82.

[0088] Next, the motion control unit 90 activates the first moving mechanism 84 to perform a process that raises the fin receiving unit 83 to the stacking start reference height position (standby state transition process). Then, the process after the first process is repeated in the same manner as described above. Furthermore, here, raising the fin receiving unit 83 from the initial state of the stacking device 80 is set to the standby state transition process, but it is also possible to set the state after the standby state transition process back to the initial state.

[0089] According to the structure of the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when the heat dissipation fins 30 are stacked and stored in the stacking device 80, the movement of the stacking guide holding part 82, which acts as a weight, upward can be minimized. This reduces the power consumption of the stacking device 80 when stacking and storing the heat dissipation fins 30, thereby lowering operating costs. Furthermore, after the heat dissipation fins 30 are stacked in the fin receiving part 83, the fin receiving part 83 only performs a downward movement; therefore, the stacking operation of the heat dissipation fins 30 can be performed in a stable state.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 is configured such that the stacking device 80 does not receive the heat dissipation fins 30 from below. Therefore, it is not necessary to ensure the positioning function of the stacking pins SP, which allows the stacking pins SP to be thicker and improves their rigidity. Consequently, it is also suitable in that the stack of heat dissipation fins 30 stored in the stacking device 80 can be processed in a stable state.

[0091] Furthermore, the heat dissipation fins 30 can fall from the pair of retainers 71 to the fin receiving portion 83 with the smallest possible drop. Moreover, the heat dissipation fins 30 can be stacked and stored in the stacking device 80 while being positioned using the drop guide plate 57 and the stacking plate 81, the drop guide pin 59 and the stacking pin SP.

[0092] Furthermore, the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 in the above-described embodiments is manufactured by arranging a plurality of heat dissipation fins 30 in the width direction of an unprocessed metal sheet 10. Therefore, the configuration with the inter-row cutting device 52 has been described, but it is not limited to this configuration. When using a metal sheet 10 formed as an elongated strip and adopting a configuration where one heat dissipation fin 30 is taken in the width direction of the sheet 10, the structure of the inter-row cutting device 52 can also be omitted.

[0093] Furthermore, by omitting the structure of the second moving mechanism 85 from the structure of the above embodiment, the stack guide holding part 82 is completely fixed, and the upward movement of the guide holding part 82 can be eliminated. With this configuration, in the first process, only the first moving mechanism 84 operates, and only the fin receiving part 83 rises to the receiving height position of the heat dissipation fins 30. This simplifies the structure of the stacking device 80, further reduces power consumption, and further lowers operating costs.

[0094] In addition, the falling guide in the above embodiments has a falling guide plate 57 and a falling guide pin 59, but the structure of the falling guide pin 59 can also be omitted.

[0095] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a retainer 71 with a cross-sectional shape shaped like the Japanese katakana character コ is described. However, the retainer 71 may have a bottom surface and a side surface, at least as a recess 74 that is recessed outward in the width direction. Specifically, a structure in which the retainer 71 is formed with a cross-section shaped like the letter L or the letter C can be adopted.

[0096] Furthermore, regarding the retainer 71 described above, it is shown to be in a continuous configuration in the delivery direction of the metal strip 11. However, it can also be configured such that multiple pairs of retainers 71, each of the required length, are arranged at intervals along the length of the heat dissipation fins 30. If the drop guide pin 59 is arranged such that it enters the space between the retainers 71, the drop guide pin 59 can be prevented from interfering with the retainers 71.

[0097] Furthermore, while the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 in the above embodiments uses a fluid cylinder 72 as an approach and retraction actuator for the retainer 71, the structure of the fluid cylinder 72 is not particularly limited as long as it enables the retainer 71 to move. Moreover, this specification describes an embodiment where the first moving mechanism 84 and the second moving mechanism 85 employ a first servo motor 84A, a second servo motor 85A, a first ball screw 84B, and a second ball screw 85B. The first ball screw 84B and the second ball screw 85B are connected to the output shafts 84E and 85E of the first servo motor 84A and the second servo motor 85A via a first synchronous pulley 84F, a second synchronous pulley 85F, a first synchronous belt 84C, and a second synchronous belt 85C. However, the first moving mechanism 84 (and the second moving mechanism 85) of the present invention are not limited to the structures described above.

[0098] In addition, such as Figure 8As shown, in this embodiment, the drop guide pin 59 is positioned on the drop guide plate 57 in a predetermined manner along the longitudinal extension line of the notch 34 into which the drop guide plate 57 enters, but this configuration is not limited to this configuration. It is also possible to arrange the drop guide plate 57 and the drop guide pin 59 at positions not along the longitudinal extension line of the same notch 34.

[0099] Alternatively, the heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus 100 can be configured by appropriately combining various modifications described in this specification.

Claims

1. A heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that, The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus includes: A stamping device is provided with a die device that forms a notch in an unprocessed metal sheet supplied from a material supply unit, thereby forming a heat dissipation fin molded body. A conveying device that supplies the sheet metal to the stamping device and sends the heat dissipation finned body out of the stamping device; A cutting device that cuts the heat dissipation fin molded body to a predetermined length to form heat dissipation fins; A holding device having a pair of holding bodies and a holding body approaching and retracting mechanism for the pair of holding bodies to perform approaching and retracting actions, the pair of holding bodies being able to approach and retract from each other between a lateral position of the heat dissipation fin molded body protruding from the transport destination side of the cutting device after passing through the cutting device and a holding position of the heat dissipation fin molded body, the pair of holding bodies holding the heat dissipation fin molded body and the heat dissipation fins. A stacking device, disposed below the holding device for stacking heat dissipation fins cut to the specified length by the cutting device, includes a stacking guide holding part, a fin receiving part, and a moving mechanism. A stacking guide is erected in the stacking guide holding part, which can penetrate the heat dissipation fins held by the holding device. The fin receiving part abuts against the lower surface of the lowest heat dissipation fin among the multiple heat dissipation fins penetrated by the stacking guide. The moving mechanism moves the fin receiving part along the stacking guide. A drop guide device having a drop guide body and a drop guide body moving part, the drop guide body being disposed above the pair of retainers at a planar position capable of penetrating either of the notches, and the drop guide body moving part causing the drop guide body to move closer to and further away from the stacking device. as well as The motion control unit controls the actions of at least the cutting device, the holding device, the stacking device, and the dropping guide device. The drop guide also has a drop guide pin, which is configured to abut against the outer edge of the heat dissipation fins or be separated from the outer edge of the heat dissipation fins by a predetermined interval.

2. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The action control section executes the following respectively: In the first process, when the pair of retainers are in a holdable position capable of holding the heat dissipation fin molded body, the moving mechanism is activated, and the fin receiving part is raised to the receiving height position of the heat dissipation fin. In the second process, the conveying device is operated, and the heat dissipation finned body passes through the cutting device within the specified length range; In the third process, before the heat dissipation fin molded body held by the pair of retainers is cut into heat dissipation fins by the cutting device, the falling guide moving part is operated, so that the falling guide passes through the notch of the heat dissipation fin molded body, and the lower end of the falling guide approaches the upper end of the stacking guide. In the fourth process, the heat dissipation fin molded body is cut to a specified size using the cutting device. In the fifth process, the holding body is brought closer to the action mechanism while the pair of holding bodies are moved away from each other, thereby placing the heat dissipation fins along the falling guide body onto the fin receiving part. In the sixth process, after the heat dissipation fins are placed from the pair of holders onto the fin receiving portion, the falling guide moving portion is activated, causing the lower end of the falling guide to retract to a position above the pair of holders. as well as In the seventh process, the moving mechanism is activated, causing the fin receiving section to descend to a predetermined height.

3. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The action control section executes the following respectively: In the first process, when the pair of holders are in a holdable position capable of holding the heat dissipation finned body, the conveying device is operated, and the heat dissipation finned body passes through the cutting device within the range of the predetermined length. In the second process, the moving mechanism is activated, causing the fin receiving section to rise to the receiving height position of the heat dissipation fins. In the third process, before the heat dissipation fin molded body held by the pair of retainers is cut into heat dissipation fins by the cutting device, the falling guide moving part is operated, so that the falling guide passes through the notch of the heat dissipation fin molded body, and the lower end of the falling guide approaches the upper end of the stacking guide. In the fourth process, the heat dissipation fin molded body is cut to a specified size using the cutting device. In the fifth process, the holding body is brought closer to the action mechanism while the pair of holding bodies are moved away from each other, thereby placing the heat dissipation fins along the falling guide body onto the fin receiving part. In the sixth process, after the heat dissipation fins are placed from the pair of holders onto the fin receiving portion, the falling guide moving portion is activated, causing the lower end of the falling guide to retract to a position above the pair of holders. as well as In the seventh process, the moving mechanism is activated, causing the fin receiving section to descend to a predetermined height.

4. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, After performing the sixth process, the motion control unit performs the eighth process, in which the holding body is moved closer to the motion mechanism and the pair of holding bodies are returned to the holdable position.

5. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, After executing the 8th process, the motion control unit returns to the 1st process and repeats the 1st to 8th processes a preset number of times.

6. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The motion control unit executes the first process and the second process simultaneously.

7. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The stacking guide has a stacking plate extending through the notch and a stacking pin abutting against the outer edge of the heat dissipation fins. The drop guide is a drop guide plate that penetrates the notch. The falling guide moving part causes the falling guide plate to move closer to and further away from the stacking device.

8. The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heat dissipation fin manufacturing apparatus also has a discharge device for preventing the heat dissipation fins from rising together as the falling guide moves away from the stacking device.

Images