Apparatus for supplying spokes from a spoke discharge gun to holes in a spoke wheel hub

Abstract

A device (1) for supplying spokes (2) from a spoke discharge gun (2) into a hole in the hub of a spoke wheel (2), the device (1) comprising: a reservoir (4) for storing spokes (2), wherein the spokes (2) to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles; means (5) for individually collecting spokes (2) from an inlet located in the reservoir (4) and transporting the spokes to a discharge area (3) located opposite the spoke discharge gun; an intermediate holding area (11) in which the spokes (2) are placed individually. According to the invention, the intermediate holding area (11) is located between the outlet of the means (5) responsible for the collection and transport and the discharge area (3), the intermediate holding area (11) being provided with means (12) for enabling the spokes (2) to fall individually into the discharge area (3) to be supplied to the gun.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of manufacturing spoked wheels, which are used to equip vehicles such as bicycles or motorcycles.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for supplying spokes to a gun, with the aim of discharging the spokes into a bore in the hub of a spoked wheel. Background Technology

[0003] The hub of a spoked wheel typically includes a cylindrical central portion that is rotatably mounted about an axis and is bounded at both ends by vertical flanges, each flange including a perforated ring for receiving spokes to connect the hub to the rim of the spoked wheel.

[0004] In particular, it is known from the prior art that the spokes are inserted into the holes in the hub by an ejection device called a gun, so as to perform the operation quickly and automatically.

[0005] Therefore, the guns (e.g., two or four guns) are located on both sides of the hub and automatically insert the spokes into the holes of the hub.

[0006] Therefore, the spokes to be discharged must also be automatically supplied to the gun.

[0007] Devices known in the prior art for supplying spokes include: spoke storage containers, wherein the spokes to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles;

[0008] A device for individually collecting spokes from an inlet located in a reservoir and conveying the spokes to a discharge area located opposite the discharge gun.

[0009] In practice, the gun has an upper groove where spokes are continuously loaded to accommodate spoke discharge. Therefore, the groove is positioned perpendicularly to the discharge area to receive the spokes discharged by the supply equipment.

[0010] This type of supply equipment is specifically described in document WO99 / 12754.

[0011] The problem with this known device is that the means for collecting and conveying spokes may fail to collect them successfully, or the collected spokes may not be correctly positioned, or instead of collecting one spoke at a time, several spokes may be collected and stacked, causing a correctly positioned spoke to shift when one spoke falls. All these drawbacks mean that spoke collection is not necessarily constant and continuous, resulting in missing spokes becoming stuck when the ejector gun supplies spokes.

[0012] The extended dwell time prolongs the manufacturing time of the spoked wheel, which is undesirable.

[0013] These drawbacks also exist in documents EP0071856 and EP0424050 that describe similar devices.

[0014] The device is also known from document US4427047, which describes the device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0015] However, in this document, the intermediate holding area marked (35) discharges the spokes one by one into the second holding area, then into the tube, and then into the discharge area, opposite which is the device for discharging the spokes into the hub. Discharge to the discharge device is carried out vertically.

[0016] This solution still has a dwell time, which prolongs the manufacturing time of the spoked wheel, which is undesirable.

[0017] Furthermore, the free end of the spokes must be stabilized during the guiding process and before individual selection of the spokes in order to continuously discharge them into the unloading area, which results in an increased duration of spoke supply from the discharge gun.

[0018] Finally, this device can only supply spokes to one side of the hub flange. Therefore, once the flange is half-loaded with spokes, it is necessary to return to the hub, as the spokes are inserted alternately from the inside and outside of the flange. However, it is difficult to insert spokes into a hub that is already half-loaded with spokes. Summary of the Invention

[0019] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a device for supplying spokes from a spoke discharge gun to a bore in the hub of a spoked wheel, the device being capable of achieving a constant supply to avoid waiting time during the operation of discharging spokes through the spoke discharge gun.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to benefit from longer machine operating cycles by reducing the intervention of resupplying spokes from the supply equipment itself.

[0021] To this end, a device has been developed that includes:

[0022] Spoke storage unit, in which spokes to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles;

[0023] A device for individually collecting spokes from an inlet located in a reservoir and conveying spokes to a discharge area located opposite the discharge gun.

[0024] According to the invention, the device includes an intermediate holding region in which spokes are individually placed, the spokes being located between the outlet of the collecting and conveying device and the unloading region. The intermediate holding region is provided with means to allow the spokes to fall individually into the unloading region for supply to the gun.

[0025] In this way, the intermediate holding area ensures that a sufficient number of spokes are ready to be discharged directly into the gun, which is to avoid any downtime and is unrelated to whether the collecting and conveying device fails to collect and / or convey one or more spokes.

[0026] Therefore, the method of manufacturing spoked wheels is continuous, which optimizes productivity.

[0027] The intermediate holding area is appropriately sized to receive multiple spokes, ensuring the entire hub can be accommodated even if the collection and conveying devices fail. The required number of spokes depends on the number of holes present on the hub, the number of supply devices used, and the number of guns used for threading the spokes. For example, in the case of a wheel with 36 spokes, there are two discharge guns, each supplied by two supply devices, and each intermediate holding area must be appropriately sized to accommodate at least nine spokes.

[0028] The device for allowing spokes to fall individually into the unloading area is preferably in the form of an intermediate holding area tilted toward the unloading area, so as to force the held spokes toward the unloading area by gravity, and is combined with a device for isolating the spokes.

[0029] Therefore, the spokes present in the intermediate holding area are continuously isolated so that they fall individually into the unloading area for supply to the gun.

[0030] According to one particular embodiment, the intermediate holding region defines a plane to receive spokes positioned side-by-side and flat.

[0031] Therefore, the spokes are essentially horizontal and supported at least at two points, which improves the positional stability of the spokes to be ejected.

[0032] Therefore, by reducing the time and interval between the spoke supply and discharge steps, the rate of spoke discharge from the gun is increased.

[0033] Furthermore, the spokes are discharged directly from the intermediate holding area to the unloading area located opposite the discharge gun, allowing for direct supply to the gun at the outlet of the intermediate holding area. This further increases the feed rate.

[0034] Another advantage of this invention is that the spoke unloading is flat, i.e., a low unloading distance to the gun based on the spoke thickness, whereas in some prior art devices, unloading is vertical, i.e., along the length of the spoke. Therefore, the spokes must travel a longer distance to be supplied to the gun.

[0035] In this configuration, the device for isolating the spokes preferably exists in the form of two fingers passing through a plane defined by a central retaining area to isolate the spokes between the two fingers. The fingers can retract independently of each other, allowing the spokes to pass between the two fingers to isolate them, and allowing the isolated spokes to enter the unloading area.

[0036] The device according to the invention can also be adapted to spokes of different sizes to be threaded. For this purpose, the device preferably includes adjustable-width guides located on both sides of the storage container and the collecting and conveying device. The width of the guides is adjusted according to the length of the spokes to be guided.

[0037] Preferably, the device includes means for detecting the presence of spokes at the inlet and / or outlet of the intermediate holding area and / or the collection and conveying device. These detection means are connected to any suitable device to signal and / or take action in the presence or absence of spokes.

[0038] To maximize the operating time of the device according to the invention, the storage unit exists in the form of a plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the spokes. Therefore, the spokes can be bundled together and interlaced to form a significantly larger number of spoke layers than in the prior art, where only one bundle of spokes can be placed.

[0039] The spokes of the storage plate are supplied manually, or advantageously by a conveyor belt, to avoid manual supply operations.

[0040] According to one particular embodiment, the device for collecting and conveying spokes exists in the form of a notched band on its outer surface, with the spokes intended to be positioned between two notches on the band.

[0041] To prevent spokes from clogging the inlet of the collecting and conveying device, the device includes a button located at the inlet of the collecting and conveying device to push the spokes from below. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the spoke supply device of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, taken from the side, to illustrate the spoke reservoir and the button.

[0044] Figure 3 The device for collecting and conveying spokes, as well as the button, are shown separately.

[0045] Figure 4 The apparatus for collecting the spokes and conveying them to the central holding area is shown in detail with perspective.

[0046] Figure 5The top of the collecting and conveying device is shown, along with screws used to limit the height through which the spokes pass.

[0047] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the outlet of the collection and conveying device in the intermediate holding area and the device for limiting the height of the spokes passing through the intermediate holding area.

[0048] Figure 7 The central holding area and the unloading area toward the discharge gun are shown in frontal perspective.

[0049] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A detailed view shows that the device for limiting the height of the spokes is hidden on the right-hand device so that the device for isolating the spokes can be detected.

[0050] Figure 9 The device for isolating the spokes is shown in a separate manner and from a perspective. Detailed Implementation

[0051] refer to Figures 1 to 9 The present invention relates to a device (1) capable of supplying spokes (2) to a gun for discharging the spokes (2) into a hole in the hub of a spoked wheel (2).

[0052] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, neither the gun nor the hub is shown, and two supply devices (1) are assembled to alternately supply spokes (2) to the gun.

[0053] Therefore, the supply devices (1) shown all share the same area (3) for discharging spokes (2), with the discharge gun vertically aligned with this area for such supply.

[0054] Two supply devices (1) can each receive spokes (2) of different sizes, since spokes (2) of different sizes are mounted on the hub.

[0055] Each supply device (1) includes a storage container (4) for storing spokes (2), for example in the form of an extension plate, on which the spokes (2) to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles.

[0056] The spokes (2) are positioned substantially parallel to each other in particular across the width of the plate, such that the plate extends and is stretched in a direction perpendicular to the spokes (2). The plate is inclined so that the spokes (2) are guided by gravity from the inlet located in the reservoir (4) toward the unloading area (3) to the means (5) for collecting and conveying the spokes (2).

[0057] The device (1) according to the invention also includes a guide (6), which is specifically formed by the sidewalls defining the reservoir (4) and the collecting and conveying device (5), the width of which, i.e., the spacing between the sidewalls, is adjustable to accommodate the length of the spokes (2) to be supplied. In the example shown, the width of the guide (6) is adjusted by actuation of a crank (6a) associated with a worm (6b) controlled by the guide (6).

[0058] refer to Figure 3 The device (5) for collecting and conveying the spokes (2) exists in the form of a belt (5a) that rotates between two wheels, at least one of which is electric, or even an electric motor (5b), and is slotted at least on its outer surface, preferably on both of its surfaces, so that the spokes (2) present in the reservoir (4) can be collected and conveyed individually.

[0059] The notches of the belt (5a) are spaced apart by a sufficient width to allow for individual reception of spokes (2) transversely to the belt (5a). Thus, the spokes (2) are positioned between the two notches of the belt (5a) to be transported to the unloading area (3).

[0060] To prevent spokes (2) from clogging the inlet of the collecting and conveying device (5), the device (1) includes a button (7) that can be moved, for example by an actuator, and is positioned to push spokes (2) down to flip spokes (2) and prevent inlet clogging.

[0061] Preferably, the button (7) has a beveled end on the side of the reservoir (4) to repel the spoke bundle (2) and leave only a small number of spokes at the inlet to reduce blockage.

[0062] The device (1) also includes means (8) for detecting the presence of spokes (2) in the storage (4) and at the inlet of the collection and conveying device (5), for example in the form of a sensor. The button (7) can be activated based on the signals emitted by these detection means (8).

[0063] At the outlet of the collecting and conveying device (5), the notched belt (5a) is associated on both sides with a classifier in the form of notched wheels (9) located on both sides of the belt (5a), the cavity of the notched wheel is aligned with the cavity of the notched belt (5a), and the size of the cavity of the notched belt is adjusted to the diameter of the spokes (2) so that only one spoke (2) can be accommodated at a time.

[0064] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5The device for limiting the height of the channel, for example in this case, at least one screw (10), preferably two screws, is located above and close to the spokes (2) so that if the spokes (2) are conveyed by being placed on another spoke, the excess spokes (2) are pushed by the device for limiting the height, thereby causing them to fall and return to the storage (4).

[0065] During this operation, the spokes (2) that are correctly positioned in the collecting and conveying device (5) can fall down as the spokes (2) are pushed, thus affecting the expected continuous conveying.

[0066] To overcome this situation, or even if the collecting and conveying device (5) cannot successfully collect the spokes (2) in the storage container (4), the device (1) includes an intermediate holding area (11) at the outlet of the collecting and conveying device (5), in which the spokes (2) are placed separately.

[0067] Therefore, the intermediate holding area (11) is located between the outlet of the collecting and conveying device (5) and the unloading area (3).

[0068] The intermediate holding area (11) is also provided with a device (12) that allows the spokes (2) to fall individually into the unloading area (3) to be supplied to the gun.

[0069] The intermediate holding area (11) serves as a buffer zone and ensures that there is always a sufficient number of spokes (2) ready to be removed for supply to the gun. This makes it possible to guarantee a continuous supply of ejected guns and avoid any downtime. As a result, productivity is optimal.

[0070] The intermediate holding area (11) can be of any suitable type and is in principle sized by volume or surface area to receive a sufficient number of spokes (2) to allow the spokes (2) to pass through all the spokes (2) of the hub.

[0071] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the central holding region (11) defines a plane such that the spokes (2) are individually positioned, side-by-side, and flat, and are adapted to receive nine spokes (2). To insert the spokes (2) into the hub, two devices (1) according to the invention are placed on either side of the hub, such that two guns are supplied by four supply devices (1). A conventional hub comprises 36 spokes, i.e., 4 × 9 spokes.

[0072] refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The device (1) includes a means (8) for detecting the presence of spokes (2) at the outlet of the collection and conveying device (5) and at the intermediate holding area (11) to give a signal that spokes (2) are present or absent.

[0073] Referring to these figures, a device for limiting the passing height of the spokes (2), such as a folded sheet (13), is placed at each intermediate holding area (11) to ensure that the spokes (2) are in a flat position when unloaded individually.

[0074] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The device (12) that allows the spokes (2) to fall into the unloading area (3) individually is presented in the form of the intermediate holding area (11) tilted toward the unloading area (3), and the device (12a) for isolating the spokes (2).

[0075] The device (12a) for isolating the spokes (2) can be of any suitable form, for example, in the form of two fingers (12b) positioned through the plane defined by the intermediate retaining region (11) to isolate the spokes (2) between the two fingers (12b). In particular, the two fingers (12b) are spaced apart from each other by a distance adjusted to the diameter of the spokes (2).

[0076] The two fingers (12b) can retract independently of each other. On the one hand, due to the inclination of the middle holding area (11), the spokes (2) are inserted between the two fingers (12b) by gravity. On the other hand, the spokes (2) are always inserted into the unloading area (3) by gravity.

[0077] In practice, when one finger (12a) extends, the other finger retracts, and vice versa, so as to avoid downtime.

[0078] Figure 9 An isolation device (12a) with two fingers (12b) is shown in perspective. The isolation device (12a) is controlled by, for example, pneumatic, electric or any other suitable means.

[0079] refer to Figure 8 For example, each intermediate holding region (11) has two isolation devices (12a) positioned on either side of the intermediate holding region (11). In the illustrated embodiment, the isolation device (12a) is located below the intermediate holding region (11), such that a finger (12b) extends through the lower intermediate holding region (11). An opposite configuration can be considered, such that the finger (12b) extends through the intermediate holding region (11) from above.

[0080] The fingers (12b) have sloping upper ends, facing each other and outward. For the fingers located on the unloading area (3) side, the isolation spokes (2) are pushed toward the unloading area (3) if necessary. For the fingers with other spokes (2) facing each other in the middle holding area (11), the holding spokes (2) are pushed so that only one spoke (2) passes through between the two fingers (12b) alone.

[0081] As can be seen from the above, the present invention actually provides a device for supplying spokes to a gun, which can operate continuously regardless of the spoke collection or conveying conditions to ensure a constant load and optimal productivity for the gun.

Claims

1. A device (1) for supplying spokes (2) from a spoke discharge gun into a hole in the hub of a spoked wheel, said device (1) comprising: Storage container (4) for storing the spokes (2), wherein the spokes (2) to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles; A collection and conveying device (5) is used to collect the spokes (2) individually from the inlet located in the storage tank (4) and convey the spokes (2) to the unloading area (3) located opposite the discharge gun; The device (1) is characterized in that it further includes an intermediate holding region (11) that defines a plane for receiving the spokes (2) positioned side by side and flat, wherein the spokes (2) are placed individually therein; The intermediate holding area (11) is located between the outlet of the collecting and conveying device (5) and the unloading area (3), and the intermediate holding area (11) is provided with a device (12) that allows the spokes (2) to fall individually into the unloading area (3) to be supplied to the gun.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (12) that allows the spokes (2) to fall individually into the unloading area (3) exists in the form of the intermediate holding area (11) tilted toward the unloading area (3), and an isolation device (12a) for isolating the spokes (2).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The isolation device (12a) exists in the form of two fingers (12b) passing through the plane defined by the intermediate holding area (11) to isolate the spokes (2) between the two fingers (12b), the fingers (12b) being retractable independently of each other to allow the spokes (2) to pass between the two fingers (12b) on the one hand, and to allow the spokes (2) to leave the unloading area (3) on the other hand.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate holding area (11) has dimensions suitable for receiving at least nine spokes (2).

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a guide (6) located on either side of the storage (4) and the collection and conveying device (5), the width of the guide (6) being adjustable.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a detection device (8) for detecting whether the spokes (2) are present in the intermediate holding area (11) and / or at the inlet and / or outlet of the collection and conveying device (5).

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reservoir (4) exists in the form of a plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the spokes (2).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collecting and conveying device (5) is in the form of a notched band (5a) on its outer surface, and the spokes (2) are designed to be positioned between two notches of the band (5a).

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a button (7) located at the inlet of the collection and conveying device (5) to push the spokes (2) below.

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