Coil feeding device for manufacturing hairpin of electric machine of electric vehicle

Abstract

A coil feeding device is configured to feed a coil of material in a predetermined direction to manufacture a hairpin of an electric machine. The coil feeding device comprises a substrate, the upper surface of the substrate is provided with a base rail and a guide rail, and the base rail and the guide rail are connected with each other to form a linear path; a feed module provided to reciprocate along the base rail and provided with a plurality of feed grippers configured to grip material coils; a fixing module disposed downstream of the feeding module on a feeding path of the material coil with a predetermined distance from the feeding module, and provided with a fixing gripper configured to grip the material coil; and a guiding module disposed between the feeding module and the fixing module to guide the material coil such that the material coil is linearly fed.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0131744, filed on September 27, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a coil feeding device for manufacturing hairpins for electric motors of electric vehicles, and more particularly, to a coil feeding device configured to feed linear material coils in units of a feed pitch, the feed pitch being the length of the material coil required to manufacture each hairpin of the motor. Background Technology

[0004] Electric vehicles are driven by electric motors. Electric motors use electrical energy to generate kinetic energy. Most electric motors consist of a stator and a rotor. The stator is wound with highly conductive copper wire. When current flows through the copper wire, a specific magnetic field is created around the stator. The rotor can be a steel core and / or a magnet. The rotor rotates under the influence of the magnetic field generated around the stator. The motor converts the electrical energy supplied to the stator into kinetic energy, causing the rotor to rotate relative to the stator.

[0005] As the volume density of copper wire wound on the stator increases, the efficiency and performance of the motor can be improved. Therefore, copper wire with a rectangular cross-section can be used to allow for a denser winding of the copper wire on the stator.

[0006] In addition, hairpin stators are widely used in motor manufacturing to improve motor performance and efficiency. Hairpin stators are manufactured by cutting copper wires to a predetermined length into hairpin shapes and then installing the hairpins in stator slots.

[0007] Hair clips are made by machining linear copper coils with rectangular cross-sections.

[0008] The outer surface of the copper coil used to make hairpins is coated with a thin insulating film. The insulating film is made of an insulating material such as enamel.

[0009] Multiple hairpins are installed in stator slots. The hairpins arranged in a predetermined pattern in the stator slots form the stator.

[0010] An insulating film is coated on the surface of the hairpin to prevent short circuits between adjacent hairpins. To enable electrical connection with the circuit, portions of the insulating film coated on both ends of the hairpin are removed to expose the copper wires.

[0011] Traditionally, in most cases, a bending process is performed on a predetermined portion of the copper wire that is fed in real time along its length immediately after being unwound from the spool, and a stripping device and a cutting device are set in sequence.

[0012] However, as the difference between the time required for each process increases, the total hairpin production time increases, and the productivity decreases. SUMMARY

[0013] An aspect of the disclosure relates to an electric motor of an electric vehicle, and more particularly, to solving the problem of the prior art in which a portion of a copper wire is sagged or deformed due to an external force applied to the copper wire when the copper wire is fed.

[0014] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to solving the problem of the prior art that cannot adjust the speed at which the copper wire is fed or the length of the copper wire fed per unit time for each process and thus has low productivity.

[0015] Aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the above-described aspects, and other aspects or objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0016] In an aspect, a coil feeding device configured to feed a material coil to manufacture a hairpin of an electric motor can include a base plate having a base rail and a guide rail disposed on an upper surface thereof, the base rail and the guide rail being connected to each other to form a straight line path; a feeding module configured to grip an outer circumference of the material coil; a fixing module located downstream of the feeding module along a feeding path of the material coil, the fixing module being configured to grip the material coil; and a guide module disposed between the feeding module and the fixing module, the guide module being configured to guide the material coil.

[0017] In certain preferred systems, the feeding module can be configured to reciprocate along the base rail.

[0018] In certain preferred embodiments, the fixing module is located downstream of the feeding module.

[0019] In an aspect, a coil feeding device for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure is a device configured to feed a material coil (e.g., in a predetermined direction by a predetermined length), and includes a base plate having a base rail and a guide rail disposed on an upper surface thereof, the base rail and the guide rail being connected to each other to form a straight line path; a feeding module disposed to reciprocate along the base rail, the feeding module being provided with a plurality of feeding grippers configured to grip the material coil; a fixing module disposed downstream of the feeding module at a predetermined distance apart from the feeding module on a feeding path of the material coil, the fixing module being provided with a fixing gripper configured to grip the material coil; and a guide module disposed between the feeding module and the fixing module to guide the material coil such that the material coil is fed in a straight line.

[0020] In the coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the feeding module can include a feeding plate coupled to the base rail to move along the base rail, a clamping case provided on the feeding plate, a space defined in the clamping case to allow the material coil to pass in a length direction of the material coil, a plurality of feeding clamps provided in the clamping case, the plurality of feeding clamps configured to clamp the material coil, and a plurality of clamping driving units provided corresponding to the plurality of feeding clamps, the plurality of clamping driving units configured to press the plurality of feeding clamps such that the plurality of feeding clamps surround at least a portion of an outer circumference of the material coil.

[0021] Optionally, in the coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the feeding plate can include a feeding motor configured to move the feeding plate in a predetermined direction by a predetermined distance along the base rail.

[0022] In the coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the guide module can include a reference bar provided adjacent to the fixing module and fixed to one end of the guide rail, and a plurality of variable bars provided between the reference bar and the feeding module to linearly reciprocate along the guide rail, and the reference bar and the plurality of variable bars can guide the material coil such that the material coil is fed in a straightened state along a straight path between the feeding module and the fixing module.

[0023] Optionally, in the coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the feeding plate can linearly reciprocate between a first point at which a distance from the reference bar is the smallest and a second point at which a distance from the reference bar is the largest.

[0024] In the coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the guide module can include an expansion unit, one end of the expansion unit connected to the reference bar, the other end of the expansion unit connected to the feeding plate, the expansion unit configured to expand to increase a length or contract to decrease the length according to a change in a position of the feeding plate with respect to the reference bar.

[0025] Optionally, in the coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in the guide module, the plurality of variable bars can be coupled to the expansion unit in a state in which the plurality of variable bars are provided at a predetermined interval, and can move away from or close to each other with the same interval therebetween according to a change in the length of the expansion unit.

[0026] The coil feeding apparatus for manufacturing a hairpin according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include an image sensor installed between the guide module and the fixing module and configured to sense presence or absence of a predetermined marker from the material coil and transmit information about the presence or absence of the marker to the controller.

[0027] A vehicle can include an electric machine having a hairpin manufactured using a coil feeding device.

[0028] An electric vehicle can include an electric machine having a hairpin manufactured using a coil feeding device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a view for explaining a hairpin of an electric machine;

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view for explaining a material coil wound on a winding shaft;

[0032] Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process of manufacturing a hairpin of an electric machine;

[0033] Figure 4 is a hairpin manufacturing process diagram schematically showing an entire process of manufacturing a hairpin of an electric machine;

[0034] Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a coil feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is an operation state view schematically showing a process in which the coil feeding device feeds a material coil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0036] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a coupling relationship between a feeding module and a guide module in the coil feeding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar term used herein generally includes motor vehicles such as passenger cars, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles including various boats and ships, aircraft, etc., and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel (e.g., fuel source other than petroleum-based fuels) vehicles. As used herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more sources of power, such as a gasoline and electric dual-powered vehicle.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, but not to the exclusion of any other elements, integers or steps. In addition, the terms "unit", "device", "machine" and "module" described in the specification refer to a unit for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by a hardware component or a software component and combinations thereof.

[0039] Further, the control logic of the present disclosure can be embodied as a non-transitory computer readable medium on a computer readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller, or the like. Examples of the computer readable medium include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over a network coupled computer system so that the computer readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed fashion, e.g., by a remote processing server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] In the following description of embodiments disclosed in the specification, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein can be omitted when it can make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the specification less clear.

[0042] In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided only for better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the technical idea disclosed in the specification.

[0043] It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another component, the component can be directly connected to or coupled to the other component, or intervening components can be present.

[0044] The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z described herein refer to each dimension and direction of a three-dimensional coordinate system for describing a three-dimensional shape. Accordingly, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z can be represented by arrows that perpendicularly intersect each other at a point in space.

[0045] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus 64 for feeding a material coil 50 to manufacture a hairpin 10.

[0046] Figure 1 is a view for explaining a hairpin of an electric motor, and Figure 2 is a perspective view for explaining a material coil wound on a bobbin.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an electric motor includes a stator 20 and a rotor.

[0048] In general, the stator 20 corresponds to a fixed portion of the electric motor. The material coil 50 can be wound on the stator core 22 in a predetermined direction.

[0049] As illustrated, the material coil 50 can be processed into the shape of the hairpin 10 and can be coupled to the stator core 22. The stator core 22 can be provided in plural, and the plural stator cores 22 can be provided at regular intervals. Each of the stator slots 24 is formed between adjacent stator cores among the stator cores 22.

[0050] The material coil 50 can be cut into a predetermined length (feed pitch), and the cut material coil can be converted into the hairpin 10. The hairpin 10 can be installed in each of the stator slots 24.

[0051] When a current is applied to the hairpin 10 densely coupled to the stator 20, a magnetic field is formed around the stator 20. Then, the rotor rotates relative to the stator 20 under the action of the magnetic field formed around the stator 20.

[0052] The apparatus 64 for feeding the material coil 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in a process of manufacturing the hairpin 10.

[0053] The hairpin 10 is manufactured by processing the material coil 50 cut into a predetermined length (hereinafter referred to as "feed pitch"). Alternatively, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bending, peeling, or grooving process can be performed on certain portions of the material coil 50 in advance, and after the processing and peeling processes, a process of cutting the material coil 50 in units of the feed pitch can be performed.

[0054] The material coil 50 is a linear wire having a rectangular cross section.

[0055] In detail, the material coil 50 includes a conductive core 58 made of conductive material and an insulating film 59 coated on the surface of the conductive core 58. The conductive core 58 may be a linear copper component with a rectangular cross-section, and the insulating film 59 may be an insulating material, such as enamel, coated on the surface of the conductive core 58 to a predetermined thickness.

[0056] The hair clip 10 is manufactured by cutting the linear material coil 50 to a predetermined length, and forming a pair of conductive terminals 18 at each end of the hair clip 10. The pair of conductive terminals 18 are formed at each end of the hair clip 10 and have a predetermined length.

[0057] The conductive terminal 18 corresponds to the portion of the material coil 50 where the insulating film 59 has been removed, exposing a portion of the conductive core 58 to the outside, thereby serving as a terminal for electrical connection.

[0058] The hair clip 10 can be divided into a clip head 12, a clip shoulder 14, a clip arm 16, and the aforementioned conductive terminal 18.

[0059] The clip 12 is the central part of the hairpin 10 and corresponds to the vertex part that is bent at a predetermined angle.

[0060] The chuck 12 is the point where a pair of shoulders 14 meet each other. The pair of shoulders 14 are linear portions extending from the chuck 12 to both sides.

[0061] Based on such Figure 1 The sharp curved portion of the clamp 12 shown is oriented upwards. In the plan view and the front view, a pair of shoulders 14 can correspond to the virtual triangle forming an angle between them, with the vertices of the angle being the two sides of the clamp 12.

[0062] Clamping arms 16 extend downward from the ends of each clamping shoulder 14. The clamping arms 16 form a linear portion extending in a straight line in the upward-downward direction, and conductive terminals 18 are formed at the lower ends of each clamping arm 16. Furthermore, the two clamping arms 16 may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0063] The material coil 50 used to manufacture the hair clip 10 is a linear component with a rectangular cross-section and can be stored and transported in a state of being wound on a spool 40.

[0064] The spool 40 may include a spool core 44 having a cylindrical shape, shielding plates mounted at each end of the spool core 44, and a center hole 42 forming a through hole passing through the center of the spool core 44 in the longitudinal direction of the spool core 44.

[0065] The material coil 50 with a rectangular cross-section includes a long side portion 52 with a relatively long length and a short side portion 54 with a relatively short length.

[0066] A pair of the clip shoulders 14 are linearly extended from the clip head 12 to both sides, and a pair of the clip arms 16 are linearly extended from the end portions of the respective clip shoulders 14, which are bent downward.

[0067] Each end of the material coil 50 cut in the feed pitch is formed with a pair of the conductive terminals 18. The linear line portion interconnecting the pair of the conductive terminals 18 is subjected to a bending process so as to have a predetermined three-dimensional shape, and thus the hairpin 10 composed of the clip head 12, the clip shoulders 14, and the clip arms 16 can be manufactured.

[0068] Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process of manufacturing a hairpin of an electric machine, and Figure 4 is a hairpin manufacturing process diagram schematically showing an entire process of manufacturing a hairpin of an electric machine.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the process of manufacturing the hairpin 10 can include an unwinding step S10, a buffering step S20, a flattening step S30, a feeding step S40, a stripping step S50, a shaping step S60, an inspection step S70, and a discharge step S80.

[0070] The unwinding step S10 is a step of unwinding the material coil 50 having a rectangular cross section from the coil reel 40 using the unwinding device 30 and linearly feeding the unwound material coil 50 from one end of the coil reel 40.

[0071] The buffering step S20 is a step of storing the material coil 50 unwound from the coil reel 40 and linearly fed so that the material coil 50 is fed without delay in a unit length to manufacture the hairpin 10. That is, the buffering step S20 is a step of sufficiently securing the length of the unwound material coil 50 that can be fed to be more than a predetermined length using the buffering device 60.

[0072] The flattening step S30 is a step of straightening the material coil 50 unwound from the coil reel 40 using the flattening device 62.

[0073] The feeding step S40 can be performed by the feeding device 64. The feeding device 64 holds the material coil 50 and feeds the material coil 50 in a predetermined unit length in a predetermined direction.

[0074] The stripping step S50 is a step of removing the insulating film 59, such as enamel, coated on the surface of the material coil 50. The stripping step S50 can be performed by the stripping device 66, and can further include a slotting process of the conductive terminal 18 formed by removing the insulating film 59.

[0075] The forming step S60 is a step of cutting the material coil 50 into a length, i.e., a feed pitch, at which each of the hairpins 10 is manufactured, using a forming device 68, and bending the material coil 50 cut into the feed pitch, thereby forming the clip head 12, the clip shoulder 14, and the clip arm 16.

[0076] The inspection step S70 is a step of inspecting the hairpin 10 that has passed through the forming step S60 using an inspection device 70 to determine whether the hairpin 10 is a non-defective product or a defective product.

[0077] The discharge step S80 is a step of feeding the hairpin 10 determined as the non-defective product in the inspection step S70 to a discharge device 72. The hairpin 10 determined as the non-defective product can be moved along the discharge device 72 and can be loaded at a predetermined position.

[0078] A feed guide 74 can be provided between the devices for performing the respective processes described above to correct the direction and position of the material coil 50 fed between the devices.

[0079] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a coil feeding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 1, the coil feeding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a base plate 102, a feed module 200, a fixing module 400, and a guide module 300. Figure 5

[0081] The base plate 102 is formed as a firm base structure.

[0082] An upper surface of the base plate 102 can be formed flat, and a base rail 110 and a guide rail 120 can be mounted on the flat upper surface of the base plate 102.

[0083] Each of the base rail 110 and the guide rail 120 can be composed of two feed rails disposed parallel to each other. The base rail 110 and the guide rail 120 can be connected to each other to form a single straight path.

[0084] The feed module 200 includes a plurality of feed grippers 250 configured to grip an outer circumference of the material coil, and is coupled to the base rail 110 and / or the guide rail 120 so as to reciprocate along a predetermined path.

[0085] The fixing module 400 includes a fixing gripper 440 configured to grip the outer circumference of the material coil when pressing the outer circumference of the material coil. In addition, the fixing module 400 is disposed downstream of a path at which the material coil is fed by the feed module 200, and is spaced apart from the feed module 200 by a predetermined distance.

[0086] ​The guide module 300 is installed between the feeding module 200 and the fixing module 400. The guide module 300 guides the material coil such that the material coil is fed in a straightened state without being bent or twisted.

[0087] In more detail, the feeding module 200 includes a feeding plate 210, a clamping case 230, a feeding clamp 250, and a clamping driving unit 240.

[0088] The feeding plate 210 is coupled to the base rail 110 and / or the guide rail 120 provided on the base plate 102 so as to be movable along a straight path formed by the base rail 110 and / or the guide rail 120.

[0089] The clamping case 230 is provided on the feeding plate 210. The clamping case 230 defines a space through which the material coil passes so as to be fed in a length direction thereof. That is, the material coil passes through the space defined in the clamping case 230 in the length direction thereof.

[0090] The feeding clamp 250 is provided in a plurality and is provided in the clamping case 230. The feeding clamp 250 can be made of a high-elasticity material and can be provided adjacent to the straight path in which the material coil is fed.

[0091] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the feeding clamp 250 can be implemented in the form of two pads facing each other with the material coil interposed therebetween.

[0092] The gap between the two pads can be adjusted according to the operation of the clamping driving unit 240. Accordingly, the two pads can clamp the outer circumference of the material coil when pressing the outer circumference of the material coil fed therebetween.

[0093] As illustrated, a plurality of feeding clamps 250 can be provided in a row. The operation of each of the feeding clamps 250 can be controlled by a corresponding one of the first clamping driving unit 242, the second clamping driving unit 244, and the third clamping driving unit 246 which are independently controlled from each other.

[0094] The feeding plate 210 can be further provided with a feeding motor 220. The feeding motor 220 moves the feeding plate 210 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined distance along the base rail 110 and / or the guide rail 120.

[0095] The guide module 300 is installed between the feeding module 200 and the fixing module 400. The guide module 300 supports the load of the material coil to prevent the portion of the material coil fed between the feeding module 200 and the fixing module 400 from sagging.

[0096] In addition, the guide module 300 prevents an undesirable stress from occurring in the material coil fed between the feeding module 200 and the fixing module 400. That is, the guide module 300 guides the material coil such that a portion of the material coil is fed in a straightened state in a straight line direction without being twisted or bent.

[0097] The guide module 300 includes a reference bar 310, a variable bar 320, and a spread unit 330.

[0098] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the reference bar 310 and the variable bar 320 can be implemented as plate-shaped members having a rectangular upper surface. In addition, the reference bar 310 and the variable bar 320 can be made of a material that is highly rigid and hardly deformed due to external force or temperature change.

[0099] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is an operation state view schematically showing a process in which the coil feeding apparatus feeds the material coil according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0100] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the base rail 110 and the guide rail 120 form a straight line path having a predetermined length on the base plate 102.

[0101] The feeding module 200 and the guide module 300 are coupled to the base rail 110 and / or the guide rail 120.

[0102] One end of the guide rail 120 is connected to the base rail 110 in a case where the guide rail 120 faces the feeding module 200. The other end of the guide rail 120 is located at a position opposite to the feeding module 200.

[0103] The fixing module 400 is disposed at a position adjacent to the other end of the guide rail 120.

[0104] The reference bar 310 is fixed to the other end of the guide rail 120. The reference bar 310 is fixed to the other end of the guide rail 120 in a manner that its relatively wide and flat surface faces upward.

[0105] A plurality of variable bars 320 can be disposed parallel to the reference bar 310 between the other end of the guide rail 120 to which the reference bar 310 is fixed and the feeding module 200.

[0106] The variable bars 320 can slide along the movement path formed by the base rail 110 and the guide rail 120. The sliding direction of the variable bars 320 can be set such that the variable bars 320 move away from the reference bar 310 toward the feeding module 200 or approach the reference bar 310 at the same height as the reference bar 310.

[0107] That is, the variable bars 320 can slide in the X-axis direction as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0108] The deployment unit 330 can be coupled to the feeding module 200, the reference bar 310, and the variable bars 320. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the deployment unit 330 can be coupled to the lower portions of the reference bar 310 and the variable bars 320.

[0109] One end of the deployment unit 330 is coupled to the feeding module 200, and the other end of the deployment unit 330 is coupled to the reference bar 310.

[0110] As the feeding module 200 slides in the ±X-axis direction with respect to the reference bar 310, the deployment unit 330 is deformed such that the length between one end and the other end of the deployment unit 330 coupled to the feeding module 200 and the reference bar 310, respectively, increases or decreases.

[0111] The variable bars 320 are coupled to the upper side of the deployment unit 330 at regular intervals. As the distance between the reference bar 310 and the feeding module 200 increases, the plurality of variable bars 320 disposed between the reference bar 310 and the feeding module 200 move away from each other at intervals equivalent to the expansion of the deployment unit 330.

[0112] Conversely, as the distance between the reference bar 310 and the feeding module 200 decreases, the plurality of variable bars 320 disposed between the reference bar 310 and the feeding module 200 move closer to each other at intervals equivalent to the contraction of the deployment unit 330.

[0113] In an embodiment of the disclosure, when a position of the feeding module 200 at which the distance between the reference bar 310 and the feeding module 200 is the smallest is defined as a first point, and a position of the feeding module 200 at which the distance between the reference bar 310 and the feeding module 200 is the largest is defined as a second point, the feeding module 200 moves between the first point and the second point on the base rail 110 and / or the guide rail 120 according to the operation of the feeding motor 220.

[0114] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the coupling relationship between the feeding module 200 and the guide module 300 in the coil feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0115] As Figure 8As shown, the expansion unit 330 can be implemented in the form of a plurality of pairs of linear members arranged in a row, each pair of the plurality of pairs of linear members being rotatably hinged to each other at the center thereof and being hinged to another pair of linear members adjacent thereto at the end thereof. Accordingly, even when the feeding module 200 moves in one direction on the base rail 110 according to the operation of the feeding motor 220 provided at the feeding module 200, the variable bars 320 provided between the feeding module 200 and the reference bar 310 can be provided in the space between the feeding module 200 and the reference bar 310 in a uniform distribution manner having regular intervals therebetween.

[0116] A reference guide 312 can be provided on the upper surface of the reference bar 310, and a variable guide 322 can be provided on the upper surface of the variable bar 320. The reference guide 312 and the variable guide 322 guide the feeding path of the material coil such that the material coil is fed in the length direction thereof.

[0117] A reference feeding path 314 is formed in the reference guide 312 as a passage through which the material coil can pass. A variable feeding path 324 is formed in each of the variable guides 322 as a passage through which the material coil can pass.

[0118] The fixed module 400 includes a fixed frame 410, a fixed case 420, a fixed driving unit 430, and a fixed gripper 440.

[0119] The fixed module 400 is provided at a position adjacent to the other end of the guide rail 120.

[0120] The fixed frame 410 is formed in a structure coupled to the upper surface of the base frame 100 and extending upward from the base frame 100 to a predetermined height.

[0121] The fixed case 420 is provided at the upper end of the fixed frame 410. Also, the fixed case 420 is provided on the feeding path of the material coil to form a passage through which the material coil can pass.

[0122] The fixed gripper 440 can be provided in the fixed case 420. Like the feeding gripper 250, the fixed gripper 440 can be made of a highly elastic material and can be implemented in the form of two pads facing each other with the material coil interposed therebetween.

[0123] The gap between the two pads of the fixed gripper 440 facing each other can be adjusted according to the operation of the fixed driving unit 430. Accordingly, the two pads of the fixed gripper 440 can selectively press and grip the outer circumference of the material coil when the outer circumference of the material coil is pressed.

[0124] In addition, the image sensor 500 can be provided in the space between the guide module 300 and the fixed module 400.

[0125] The image sensor 500 functions to inspect the appearance of the material coil that enters the fixing case 420 of the fixing module 400 after passing through the upper side of the guide module 300.

[0126] The image sensor 500 observes the appearance of the material coil that passes through a predetermined area and transmits data about the appearance of the material coil to the controller. The controller determines a damaged portion of the insulating film of the material coil, a crack in the insulating film, and a deformed portion of the material coil based on the data about the appearance of the material coil transmitted by the image sensor 500, thereby determining whether the material coil is defective.

[0127] As is apparent from the above description, according to the present disclosure, the material coil can be fed in units of a feed pitch required to manufacture a hairpin. Thus, the material coil can be supplied to each of the processing devices in one feed pitch, thereby being able to prevent material coil congestion that can occur between different processing devices.

[0128] According to the present disclosure, even in the case where the material coil per unit feed pitch is long and heavy in order to manufacture a large hairpin, the fed material coil can be uniformly supported, thereby preventing partial sagging or deformation of the material coil.

[0129] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily adjust the speed of material coil feeding and the length of material coil feeding per unit time, thereby improving productivity.

[0130] Effects achievable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above description.

[0131] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments are proposed only for illustrative purposes, and the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings.

[0132] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made in form and details without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are part of the present disclosure.

[0133] The embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should be defined by the technical spirit set forth in the appended claims.

[0134] In addition, although not all the effects or effects of the configuration according to the embodiments are explicitly described, it is apparent that effects or effects predictable from the configuration should also be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A coil feeding device for feeding material coils to manufacture hairpins for an electric motor, the coil feeding device comprising: A substrate, wherein a base rail and a guide rail are disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the base rail and the guide rail are connected to each other to form a straight path; The feed module clamps the outer periphery of the material coil; A fixing module clamps the material coil along the feed path of the material coil; as well as A guide module is disposed between the feed module and the fixing module, and the guide module guides the material coil.

2. The coil feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, The feed module reciprocates along the base rail.

3. The coil feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing module is located downstream of the feeding module.

4. The coil feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, The feed module includes: A feed plate is connected to the base rail to move along the base rail; A clamping box is disposed on the feed plate, and a space is defined in the clamping box to allow the material coil to pass through in the longitudinal direction; Multiple feed grippers are disposed in the gripper box, each feed gripper gripping the material coil; and Multiple clamping drive units, corresponding to the feed clamps, each clamping drive unit presses the corresponding feed clamp such that the corresponding feed clamp surrounds at least a portion of the outer periphery of the material coil.

5. The coil feeding device according to claim 4, wherein, The feed plate includes a feed motor, which causes the feed plate to move a predetermined distance along the base rail in a predetermined direction.

6. The coil feeding device according to claim 5, wherein, The guidance module includes: A reference rod is disposed adjacent to the fixing module and fixed to one end of the guide rail; and Multiple variable levers are disposed between the reference lever and the feed module, and the multiple variable levers reciprocate along the guide rail. The reference rod and the variable rod guide the material coil, which is in a straightened state, along a straight path between the feed module and the fixed module.

7. The coil feeding device according to claim 6, wherein, The feed plate reciprocates linearly between a first point and a second point, with the first point being the closest to the reference rod and the second point being the furthest from the reference rod.

8. The coil feeding device according to claim 7, wherein, The guiding module includes an unfolding unit, one end of which is connected to the reference rod, and the other end of which is connected to the feed plate. The length of the unfolding unit expands or contracts depending on the position of the feed plate relative to the reference rod.

9. The coil feeding device according to claim 8, wherein, The variable rods in the guide module are connected to the deployment unit at predetermined intervals. As the length of the deployment unit changes, the variable rods move away from or closer to each other while maintaining the same interval.

10. The coil feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising: An image sensor, located between the guiding module and the fixing module, observes the appearance of the material coil passing through a predetermined area; as well as The controller determines whether the material coil has defects based on appearance information from the image sensor.

11. The coil feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, The coil feeding device feeds the material coil in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined length.

12. The coil feeding device according to claim 1, wherein, The coil feeding device manufactures the hairpin for the motor of an electric vehicle.

13. A vehicle comprising a motor having a hairpin, the hairpin being manufactured using the coil feeding device according to claim 1.

14. An electric vehicle comprising a motor having a hairpin, the hairpin being manufactured using the coil feeding device according to claim 1.

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