Device for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for collecting bulk layered assemblies for electrical use cut by a cutting die to form layered assemblies for use in an electric machine, the apparatus being arranged inside the cutting die, the cutting die comprises a separating base body (12), a lower column (13) arranged coaxially with and below the separating die (12), a brake (11) coupled to and coaxial with the lower column (13), a lower base (14) arranged below the lower column (13), the device comprising a central cylinder (16) arranged coaxially and centrally with respect to a separating base body (12) comprises first means for accumulating cut metal sheets (17), second means for accumulating cut metal sheets (17) arranged below the central cylinder (16), and means for aligning metal sheets (17) arranged below the central cylinder (16) and inside the lower base (14) and means for unloading the components (17 '), and which are movable relative to the lower base.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use.

[0002] In more detail, the present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting layered components for electrical use, and even more in detail, the present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for collecting bulk components of metal sheets cut by cutting dies to subsequently form layered components for use in electrical machines, such as motors, generators, transformers, meters, ignition coils and similar electrical appliances.

[0003] As is known, the magnetic metal sheets required for forming the layered assembly are obtained starting from metal sheets subjected to a cutting operation with the aid of a special die, which obtains the metal sheets starting from a strip or sheet and comprises at least one separation base provided with associated brakes and punches, such a device being suitable for separating the cut metal sheets and subsequently assembling them to form the layered assembly.

[0004] The cut metal sheets can be assembled in bulk (i.e. not rigidly joined together to define a finished product) for the needs of transport, storage, control or subsequent processing, or again for specific and concrete production needs (such as the handling, alignment or management of the height of components (meaning the dimensions of the layered components in the warehouse), improvement of the efficiency of the production process (such as, for example, increased production speed or a reduction in personnel), and also for increased storage flexibility and reduced storage costs (in fact, assemblies of bulk metal sheets are placed in the warehouse, which can then be arranged at different heights, instead of having stocks / groups of dedicated metal sheets according to the required height, as it usually happens).

[0005] Devices for collecting conventional type of bulk layered assemblies have drawbacks related to the fact that they do not guarantee the correct alignment and orientation of the stacked or assembled bulk metal sheets; the alignment and orientation are then performed manually by the operator and this leads to a prolongation of the production time, implying a consequent increase in production costs.

[0006] Another disadvantage of conventional devices for accumulating bulk metal sheets is that such devices cannot be positioned inside a cutting die and therefore require preparatory work for modifications to the base of the cutting press.

[0007] Devices for accumulating bulk metal sheets positioned below a die and a pressing plane are known.

[0008] For example, US2018 / 200778 describes an accumulation device for cut metal sheets, which is arranged below the cutting die and comprises a vertically movable cylinder that collects the cut metal sheets and brings them to a conveyor belt.

[0009] Document EP0995516 describes a device for punching metal sheets, comprising guide means for guiding the punched sheet under the die and comprising elements for locking and circumferential clamping of the cut metal sheet.

[0010] Document US Pat. No. 4,383,356 describes an apparatus for forming a laminar assembly comprising means for aligning said assembly radially and circumferentially, and means for accumulating and unloading the laminar assembly formed outside a cutting die.

[0011] Another example of an accumulation device for bulk metal sheets is described in US Pat. No. 4,710,085, which relates to an accumulation device that is vertically movable and located outside the cutting die.

[0012] However, even such a solution involves disadvantages related to the fact that more space and modifications to the press are required in order to achieve the adaptation and positioning of the accumulation device.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages disclosed above.

[0014] In more detail, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting bulk laminar components for electrical use, which device is suitable for allowing the collected laminar components to be aligned and orientated in an automatic way (laterally and rotationally) and without manual intervention of an operator.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting laminar assemblies suitable for allowing a drastic reduction in production times downstream of the sheet metal cutting operations and, therefore, in production costs.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for collecting layered components that is completely arranged inside the cutting die.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for collecting laminar assemblies which is suitable for being easily adapted to any mould and cutting press, without requiring modifications to the mould and / or the press.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for collecting layered assemblies suitable for improving the safety level of the cutting device during the operations of cutting and collecting the cut metal sheets.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to enable the user to have at his disposal a device for collecting bulk laminar components suitable for guaranteeing high strength and reliability over time and, moreover, for easy and cost-effective manufacture of the device.

[0020] These and other objects are achieved by the invention having the features outlined in claim 1 .

[0021] According to the present invention, a device is provided for collecting bulk layered components for electrical purposes cut by a cutting die to form layered components for use in electrical machines, such as motors, generators, transformers, meters, ignition coils and similar electrical appliances, and the device is arranged inside the cutting die, the cutting die includes a separation substrate, a lower column arranged coaxially with and below the separation die, a brake connected to and coaxial with the lower column, a lower base arranged below the lower column, and a central cylindrical member arranged coaxially and centrally relative to the separation substrate. The device includes: a first device for accumulating cut metal plates; a second device for accumulating cut metal plates arranged below the central cylindrical member; and a device for unloading components of cut metal plates arranged below the central cylindrical member and inside the lower base, and the device is movable relative to the lower base.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.

[0023] The structural and functional characteristics of the device for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments of the structural and functional characteristics of said device given only by way of explanation and not by way of limitation, and in which:

[0024] Figure 1 Schematically shows a view in longitudinal cross section of a device according to the invention for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use;

[0025] Figures 2 to 8 A sequence of operational steps for operating the apparatus of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0026] Referring to the cited drawings, the device for collecting bulk layered components for electrical purposes of the present invention, which is generally represented by 10 in the drawings, is arranged inside a cutting mold, which includes: a separation matrix 12, which is centrally provided with an opening 12' corresponding to the external shape of a metal plate manufactured from a metal sheet; a lower column 13 of the mold, which is arranged coaxially with the separation matrix 12 and arranged below the separation matrix 12, and is also centrally provided with an opening 13' coaxial with the opening 12' of the separation matrix; a brake 11 for the mold, which is coaxially connected to the lower column 13 at the opening 13' of the lower column 13; a lower base 14, which is arranged below the lower column 13 and coaxial with the lower column 13, and is centrally provided with an opening 14' coaxial with the central opening 12' of the separation matrix 12 and the central opening 13' of the lower column 13, respectively.

[0027] A central cylindrical member 16 is arranged coaxially and centrally with the separation base 12 and the lower column 13, and the outer diameter and shape of the central cylindrical member 16 correspond to the inner shape (or inner diameter) of the metal plate cut from the metal sheet, wherein the central cylindrical member 16 includes a first functional element that allows the cut metal plate 17 to accumulate, and the characteristics and operation of the first functional element will be better described below.

[0028] The second functional element cooperates with the first functional element of the central cylinder during the action of accumulation of the cut metal sheet 17 and remains stable under the lower column 13 as better described below.

[0029] Below the central cylinder 16 , coaxially therewith and inside the lower base 14 (more specifically, in the central opening 14 ′), an unloading element for the metal sheets accumulated at the central cylinder 16 is arranged.

[0030] The first functional element that allows the cut metal sheet 17 to accumulate at the central cylindrical member 16 includes: a pair of opposing fins 18, which have a fulcrum at their end portions 18' relative to the central cylindrical member 16 and the side walls of the central cylindrical member 16, and the pair of opposing fins 18 extend longitudinally according to a direction parallel to the axis of the central cylindrical member itself; and a device for actuating the opposing rods 18, which is defined by a pair of opposing actuators 19, preferably pneumatic pistons, which are stabilized on the central cylindrical member 16 according to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the central cylindrical member and are stabilized at the ends of the opposing fins 18 opposite to the ends having a fulcrum relative to the central cylindrical member itself.

[0031] The above-mentioned second functional element cooperating with the elements of the central cylinder during the action of accumulating the metal plate 17 comprises a pair of relative slides 20 which are movably stabilized relative to the lower column 13 according to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the central cylinder 16 .

[0032] The unloading element for the cut metal sheets accumulated at the central cylindrical member 16 comprises a lifting device 22 which is able to move vertically according to an axial direction (by means of a pneumatic or electric or similar known type of actuating means - not shown in the figure) and which, as described in better detail below, operates as an elevator for collecting the cut metal sheets 17 accumulated by the central cylindrical member and for unloading them onto a conveyor belt (not shown) of a cutting die.

[0033] The lifting device 22 includes a central block 22', which is provided with a base 22B (oriented vertically relative to the axis of the central block 22'), and a pair of protruding appendages 22" are stabilized on the outside of the central block 22', and the pair of protruding appendages 22" extend vertically from the lower end or front of the central block 22' in the direction of the central cylindrical member 16 to define a space 23 for accumulating the cut metal plates 17, and wherein the pair of protruding appendages 22" abut against the lower front part 14" of the lower base 14.

[0034] The lifting device 22 comprises a central cone 24 extending vertically relative to the base 22B and oriented in the direction of the central cylinder 16 ; said central cone 24 allows a precise coupling between the central cylinder 16 and the lifting device 22 for a function better explained below.

[0035] Refer to the following Figures 1 to 8 Detailed Description The operation of the apparatus for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use of the present invention as described above with reference to the technical construction features is described.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , the metal sheet 17 cut from the separation die 12 by the cutting die accumulates inside the stopper 11 of the die and falls (by gravity) on the device 22, thereby accumulating one on top of another in the accumulation space 23 to a predetermined height according to the number of strokes of the cutting press; during this step, the central cylindrical member 16 is supported by the device 22.

[0037] Afterwards ( Figure 2), a solenoid valve (not shown) introduces air into the device 22 and activates a pair of opposing actuators 19, which act on a pair of opposing fins 18, which are inclined away from each other relative to the constraint point due to the fulcrum constraint relative to the central cylindrical member 16 (such as Figure 2 ) to define the taper (as indicated by the arrow "K" in Figure 2 (indicated by the arrow “X” in the figure).

[0038] In such a state, as described above, the cut metal sheet 17 falling from the brake 11 by gravity is stopped by a pair of opposing flaps 18 activated by a pair of opposing actuators 19 (at Figure 3 Schematically shown in FIG.

[0039] Afterwards ( Figure 4 ), two solenoid valves and a pneumatic cylinder (not shown because they are of a known type) activate the movement of a pair of opposing slides 20, which move toward each other relative to the axis of the central cylinder 16 (as shown in FIG. Figure 4 ) and positions itself below the front or lower base 16' of the central cylindrical member 16, thereby allowing the pair of opposing slides 20 to be supported, as better described in detail below).

[0040] at this time( Figure 5 ), by means of a solenoid valve, a pair of opposite actuators 19 acting on a pair of opposite vanes 18 are activated (such as Figure 5 The pair of opposite fins 18 return to the vertical position (as indicated by the arrow "K'" in FIG. Figure 5 Therefore, the metal plate 17 blocked by a pair of opposing wings 18 falls onto a pair of opposing slide members 20.

[0041] Figure 6 shows the unloading of a group of accumulated metal sheets and, in particular, the Figure 5 In the case of the configuration shown in , the device 22 capable of moving vertically and collecting the assembly 17' of superimposed metal plates 17 thereon descends inside the lower base 14 (as indicated by the arrow "Y" in the figure) to reach the level of a conveyor belt (not shown) onto which the assembly 17' of metal plates 17 is unloaded.

[0042] The operation for unloading the assembly 17 ′ of metal sheets 17 onto the conveyor belt takes place simultaneously with the accumulation of a new quantity of cut metal sheets 17 onto a pair of opposing slides 20 .

[0043] Once the device 22 has unloaded the assembly 17' of the metal plates 17, the device 22 rises inside the lower base 14 (eg Figure 7 The center cylindrical member 16 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical members 14 and 15. The center cylindrical member 16 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical members 14 and 15.

[0044] In such a configuration, a pair of opposing slides 20 are disengaged from contact with the lower front portion or base 16' of the central cylindrical member 16, wherein the slides move away from each other (eg, Figure 8 ), thereby allowing the cut metal sheet 17 to fall onto the device 22.

[0045] As can be understood from the foregoing, the advantages achieved by the apparatus of the present invention for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use are significant.

[0046] The device of the present invention for collecting bulk layered components for electrical purposes advantageously enables the collection of bulk metal plates that are stacked, oriented and aligned with each other in a fully automatic manner, wherein, due to the fact that the intervention of an operator is no longer required for manually orienting and aligning the collected metal plates, there is the attendant advantage of reducing the production time downstream of the metal plate cutting operation.

[0047] Another advantage of the device of the invention is that it allows to increase the safety level of the device during the steps of cutting and collecting the metal sheets, and this is achieved by means of a movable slide for temporarily collecting the cut metal sheets.

[0048] Another advantage of the apparatus of the invention is that it is completely housed in the cutting die, with a consequently smaller footprint, and does not require structural modifications to the base of the press.

[0049] The fact that the device of the invention, housed inside a mould, is very versatile and can be easily adapted to any mould and cutting press is another advantage.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described above with particular reference to the embodiments of the present invention given by non-limiting examples, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the present invention encompasses all modifications and variations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (10) for collecting bulk layered components for electrical use cut by a cutting die to form layered components for use in electrical machines, such as motors, generators, transformers, meters, ignition coils and similar electrical appliances, characterized in that The device comprises a central cylindrical member (16) coaxially and centrally arranged relative to a separation base (12) of a cutting die, and comprises: a first device for accumulating a metal plate (17) cut by the cutting die, and the first device comprises a pair of opposite movable rods (18) for temporarily stopping the cut metal plate; a second device for accumulating the cut metal plate (17) arranged below the central cylindrical member (16) and the first accumulation device, and the second device comprises a pair of opposite movable rods (18) for temporarily stopping the cut metal plate; The second device includes a pair of relative movable sliding members (20); and a device for unloading the assembly (17') of the cut metal plate, the device includes a vertically movable lifting device, the lifting device is located below the central cylindrical member (16) and inside the lower base (14) of the cutting mold, the lower base (14) is arranged below the lower column (13) of the cutting mold, and the lower column (13) is coaxially arranged relative to the separation base (12) and arranged below the separation base (12).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that A pair of the opposite wings (18) have a fulcrum at the ends of the opposite wings (18) relative to the central cylindrical member (16) and the side wall of the central cylindrical member (16), and the opposite wings (18) extend longitudinally in a direction parallel to the axis of the central cylindrical member (16), and the opposite wings (18) have an actuating device of the opposite rod (18).

3. The collecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The actuating means of the relative rods (18) include a pair of relative pneumatic piston type actuators (19), which are stabilized at the central cylindrical member (16) and at the ends of the relative wing (18) opposite to the ends having the fulcrum relative to the central cylindrical member itself according to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the central cylindrical member, and the actuators actuate the relative rods (18), and the relative rods (18) rotate relative to the fulcrum point to move away from / close to each other.

4. The collecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that A pair of relatively movable slides (20) are stabilized below the lower column (13).

5. The collecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that The relative slides (20) are capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the central cylindrical member (16) in the following manner: moving closer to each other to define a configuration of engagement and contact with the lower front portion (16') of the central cylindrical member (16); and moving away from each other to define a state of separation relative to the lower front portion (16') of the central cylindrical member (16).

6. The collecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that The lifting device (22) is capable of vertically moving between a configuration of contact with the lower front part (16') of the central cylindrical member (16) and a configuration separated from the central cylindrical member (16) according to the axial direction, wherein the configuration of contact with the lower front part (16') of the central cylindrical member (16) defines an accumulation or loading configuration of an assembly (17') of cut metal plates (17), and the configuration separated from the central cylindrical member (16) defines an unloading configuration of the assembly (17') of metal plates (17), and the lifting device (22) includes a central cone (24), which extends vertically relative to the base (22B) and is oriented in the direction of the central cylindrical member (16), and the central cone defines a precise connection between the central cylindrical member (16) and the lifting device (22) in the contact configuration.

7. The collecting device according to claim 6, characterized in that The lifting device (22) comprises a central block (22') provided with a base (22B) perpendicular to the axis of the central block (22'), and a pair of protruding appendages (22") are stabilized on the outside of the central block (22'), and the pair of protruding appendages (22") extend vertically from the base (22B) in the direction of the central cylindrical member (20) to define a space (23) for accumulating an assembly (17') of cut metal plates (17).

8. Collection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The operation of the collection device comprises the following steps: - cutting the metal sheet (17); - causing the metal plates (17) to fall by gravity and causing them to accumulate so as to define an assembly (17') on the lifting device (22); - actuating a pair of said opposing rods (18) in order to temporarily stop the fall of said cut metal sheet (17) in the direction of said lifting device (22); - actuating a pair of said opposing slides (20) to support said central cylindrical member (16); - actuating a pair of said opposing rods (18) for dropping said cut metal sheet (17) onto a pair of said opposing slides (20); - actuating the lifting device (22) downwards, simultaneously moving the lifting device (22) away from the central cylinder (16) and unloading the assembly (17') of metal plates (17); - actuating the lifting device (22) upwards so that the lifting device (22) comes into contact with the central cylindrical member (16); - Actuating a pair of said opposing slides (20) for releasing the cut metal sheet (17) by gravity drop onto said lifting device (22).

9. The collecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that The step of actuating a pair of said opposing rods (18) to drop and release the cut metal sheet (17) onto a pair of said opposing slides (20) occurs simultaneously with the step of actuating the lifting device (22) downwardly, simultaneously moving the lifting device (22) away from the central cylindrical member (16) and unloading the assembly (17') of metal sheets (17).

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