Device with transport rail and method for guiding saw chain links

Abstract

Transport rail (2) for guiding saw chain links (20) to be supplied along a guide track (8), wherein the saw chain links (20) are each made of sheet steel by forming and stamping as a monolithic body and each have a cutting edge (40) formed on a plate-shaped base body (30) with a bottom surface (44) and a top surface (42) facing substantially towards the base body (30), wherein the top surface (42) and the bottom surface (44) are oriented substantially transversely to the base body (30), wherein a lower guide (6) is provided for guiding on the bottom surface (44) of the cutting edge (40) and an upper guide (4) opposite the lower guide (6) is provided for guiding on the top surface (42) of the cutting edge (40).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport rail for guiding saw chain links along a guide track. The invention further relates to a device with a transport rail and a method for guiding saw chain links.

[0002] According to current technology, transport rails are used as feed rails in the assembly of saw chains or chainsaw chains from the saw chain links, in order to feed the saw chain links directly or indirectly to a specific assembly or manufacturing process. With such a transport rail, a saw chain link can be guided along a transport path of the transport rail.

[0003] The problem with conventional chainsaw chain transport rails is that chainsaw chain links transported or guided one after the other can become jammed together. This is because, if there is a build-up of chain in the transport rail, the chain links can become misaligned or run into each other.

[0004] DE 10 2013 007 566 A1 describes a soldering machine for automatically soldering saw teeth to a saw tool body, forming a circular saw blade, a saw blade, a saw band, a saw wire, or a saw chain link. The machine detects the positions of the tool bodies and the saw teeth to be soldered and positions them appropriately for soldering. A saw tooth is aligned using a gripper system or, alternatively, an articulated arm with at least three axes of rotation. The saw teeth are supplied to the soldering machine via a feeding and singulation device. The tool body is supplied by a suitable conveying aid, removed from it (e.g., manually or by a robot), and attached to a mounting device on the soldering machine. The saw teeth are fed to the gripper via a sorting bowl with a spiral conveyor.

[0005] The invention aims to provide solutions for improving the guidance of saw chain links. In particular, it seeks to prevent saw chain links from becoming jammed in a transport rail. Specifically, it aims to avoid or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] The problem is solved in particular by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims and in the description, each of which, individually or in combination, can represent an aspect of the invention.

[0007] A transport rail is proposed for guiding saw chain links to be fed along a guide track. The saw chain links are each manufactured from sheet steel by forming and stamping as a monolithic body and each has a cutting edge integrally formed with a plate-shaped base body. The cutting edge has a bottom surface facing substantially towards the base body and a top surface oriented substantially transversely to the base body. The transport rail has a lower guide for guiding the cutting edge on the underside and an upper guide opposite the lower guide for guiding the cutting edge on the top surface.

[0008] The saw chain links must be fed, in particular, to a workpiece carrier.

[0009] The base body is perforated, for example, with one or two holes. These holes are typically intended for riveting a saw chain.

[0010] In other words, a product is proposed that is designed to guide saw chain links, each link having at least one section, in particular a perforated section, and a cutting edge. The cutting edge has two sides, one of which is the underside facing the base body. A special guide is provided that can guide the saw chain link from the underside of the cutting edge and along the underside of the cutting edge.

[0011] The invention addresses the fact that jamming of saw chain links is largely due to their specific shape. Conventional transport rails do not incorporate the guide on the underside of the cutting edge invented here. Instead, prior art solutions rely on the following arrangement of guides: A guide on the upper side of the cutting edge, two opposing guides for the base body, and optionally, a guide on the base body opposite the upper guide. This solution only engages the cutting edge from the outside, i.e., its upper side, but not from the inside, i.e., the underside of the cutting edge. This results in imprecise guidance of the saw chain links, allowing them to rotate in the transport rail if they jam. The invention avoids this problem.

[0012] The saw chain links can be guided, with particular advantage, on the inside of the cutting edge of the saw chain link. The underside of the cutting edge provides a large surface area for a guide to contact the saw chain link, thus ensuring high stability. In particular, the saw chain link can be guided with a lower risk of jamming because the underside is covered. Jamming is possible precisely when the underside is exposed, for example, when the underside runs onto and rests against the end of a preceding saw chain link. In this respect, the invention advantageously remedies this problem.

[0013] The transport rail features an upper guide opposite the lower guide for guiding the saw chain from above. Specifically, both the upper and lower guides engage the cutting edge. This results in a particularly favorable "guide height to guide length" ratio. Consequently, the saw chain link is even better aligned, making it even less likely that the links will slip into each other. Jamming is thus virtually impossible.

[0014] In particular, the underside defines at least a section of a plane, with the base body located on one side of the plane and the cutting edge on the other side. In particular, the underside is substantially oriented towards the base body if it is located at the cutting edge on the side of the base body.

[0015] The cutting edge can consist of several partial cutting edges. An upper partial cutting edge is, in particular, oriented transversely to the base body. A lateral partial cutting edge is, in particular, oriented substantially parallel to the base body. The lateral partial cutting edge can be integrally formed with the base body. The upper partial cutting edge can be integrally formed with the lateral partial cutting edge. The lateral partial cutting edge can be arranged between the upper partial cutting edge and the base body, in particular as a connecting piece. The lateral partial cutting edge can project laterally from the base body, in particular on one side or only on one side of the base body. The upper partial cutting edge can project from the base body on both sides. The upper partial cutting edge and the lateral partial cutting edge are, in particular, arranged transversely to each other or merge transversely into one another. An outer and / or an inner chamfer can be present between the partial cutting edges.The upper cutting edge typically has a bottom and a top surface. The lateral cutting edge typically has an inside and an outside surface. The inside surface is oriented perpendicular to the bottom surface.

[0016] In particular, a transport rail is understood to be a device that guides saw chain links along a guide path defined by the transport rail. The transport rail is typically a purely passive device, but can also be designed to be motor-assisted.

[0017] In particular, a saw chain consists of riveted saw chain links. Riveting is typically done via two holes in the base chain. A saw chain can have connecting links, drive links, cutting links, or a combination thereof. The invention relates in particular to the guiding and handling of cutting links, i.e., saw chain links with a cutting edge.

[0018] The saw chain link is made, in particular, of sheet steel. The saw chain link is, in particular, a monolithically manufactured body. The saw chain link can be manufactured by forming and / or stamping. The saw chain link can be coated, at least in sections. The base body is, in particular, a substantially flat sheet metal segment and / or has a plate shape. The base body has, in particular, a depth gauge next to the cutting edge, which is, in particular, integrally formed or fixed to the base body. A gap can be provided between the depth gauge and the cutting edge. A rake face is provided, in particular, on the cutting edge side, especially on the side of the depth gauge. The base body has, in particular, two holes, one hole being located in the area below the cutting edge and / or one hole being located in the area below the depth gauge.The cutting edge, in particular the upper and / or lower surface, is oriented essentially transversely to the base body. The cutting edge is specifically formed on the base body, extending from it on both sides.

[0019] At the cutting edge, the underside is typically oriented towards the base body, while the top side is typically oriented away from the base body.

[0020] The workpiece carrier is a device designed to carry the saw chain links, for example to the next manufacturing step towards a finished saw chain.

[0021] Preferably, the transport rail has a first lateral guide for guiding along a first side of the base body. Preferably, the transport rail has a second lateral guide opposite the first lateral guide for guiding along a second side of the base body. The two sides of the base body face away from each other and / or are parallel to each other.

[0022] The first lateral guide can be arranged to run at least substantially parallel to the second lateral guide. The lateral guide(s) is / are particularly advantageous for improving guiding accuracy, as the surface load on at least the lower guide is reduced and the play when guiding saw chain links in directions transverse to the guide path is limited.

[0023] The term "guide" refers specifically to a guiding element. The guide's function (at least as a sub-task when multiple guides interact) is to guide the saw chain link along the guide path, ensuring it adheres to the path as precisely as possible. Ideally, the guide should also prevent rotation of the saw chain link and primarily allow translational movement along the guide path. A support surface can provide a guide. For example, an elongated support surface along which the saw chain link can slide constitutes a guide. The guide path can have straight and / or curved sections.

[0024] Each guide is specifically designed for direct contact with a particular saw chain link or its respective side (top, bottom, first side, second side).

[0025] Preferably, the lower guide is arranged facing away from the base body. Preferably, the lower guide is arranged facing away from the first lateral guide and / or the second lateral guide. In particular, the lower guide points away from the guides for the base body.

[0026] In particular, the lower guide – e.g., in relation to the sides surrounding the base body – is located on the side of the cutting edge. Specifically, the lower guide – e.g., in relation to the sides surrounding the base body – is located on the side of a depth stop molded onto the base body. The term "on the side" means, in particular, that the guide is located in close proximity.

[0027] Preferably, the lower guide is arranged and / or directed away from the base body.

[0028] In particular, at least two or all of the guides point in the same direction, or parallel to the guide path, at least to an essential degree.

[0029] The transport rail can be designed as a vibratory conveyor, as a drop chute, or at least as part thereof, so that the saw chain links jam very rarely or not at all.

[0030] A device for feeding saw chain links to a workpiece carrier is further proposed, comprising a transport rail for the saw chain links and a holder for the workpiece carrier. According to the proposal, the transport rail is designed as described herein. The device can include the workpiece carrier. The workpiece carrier can be a rotary table and / or have a rotary axis. The workpiece carrier can have a plurality of support elements designed or intended to support a saw chain link. The device can further include a guide device designed to hold the transport rail.

[0031] A further method is proposed for guiding saw chain links, in particular those to be supplied to a workpiece carrier, in a transport rail, in particular the transport rail described here, wherein the saw chain links have a base body and a cutting edge formed on the base body, the method in particular comprising: inserting a saw chain link into the transport rail preferably before guiding it in the transport rail, and the method comprising: guiding one or the saw chain link, in particular the inserted one, as a guided saw chain link along a guide track of the transport rail preferably after / the insertion into the transport rail.The proposed method provides that the guided saw chain link is guided along the top and bottom of the cutting edge through and / or along the transport rail, preferably wherein the guided saw chain link is guided along at least one side or both sides of the base body through and / or along the transport rail, and preferably wherein the saw chain link is fed to the workpiece carrier, in particular to a support element of the workpiece carrier. In this method, the workpiece carrier can be rotated to continuously feed the saw chain links to the support elements until the workpiece carrier is fully equipped with saw chain links.

[0032] Thanks to the method, a workpiece carrier can be quickly equipped with a large number of saw chain links, thereby creating a productivity gain for the production of saw chains due to the reduced risk of saw chain links jamming, as proposed.

[0033] Within the context of revelation, the abbreviation "bzw." is used as a short form for "respectively" and is intended to indicate alternative, essentially equivalent and / or synonymous characteristics or terms in order to clarify the idea or meaning of a particular use of a characteristic or term. "Respectively" can always be replaced with "and / or".

[0034] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention, either individually or in combination. The drawings show: Fig. 1. A device for feeding saw chain links to a workpiece carrier, comprising a transport rail for the saw chain links, in a perspective view. Fig. 2 a detail of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a transport rail for guiding saw chain links to be supplied from a workpiece carrier along a guide track with a guided saw chain link and in a schematic view parallel to the guide track, and Fig. 4 A saw chain link in a perspective view.

[0035] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a device 50 for feeding saw chain links 20 to a workpiece carrier 52, which is rotatable about a rotary axis 56 and is designed as a rotary table. The device 50 has a transport rail 2 for the saw chain links 20 and a rotatable holder 58 for the workpiece carrier 52. The transport rail 2 is a drop chute fed from above, which runs along a straight guide track 8.

[0036] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the workpiece carrier 52 has a plurality of support elements 54 which are designed or intended to carry the saw chain links 20. The workpiece carrier 52 and / or the support elements 54 are already partially fitted with saw chain links 20.

[0037] The device 50 has a guide device 60 which is designed to hold, in particular to operate and / or move, the transport rail 2.

[0038] The transport rail 2 is designed in particular for selectively stopping or halting the saw chain links 20 guided along the movement path 8.

[0039] The saw chain links 20 are fed to the carrier elements 54 with their cutting edge 40 facing forward and their depth limiter 38 facing backward.

[0040] Fig. Figure 3 shows a transport rail 2 for guiding saw chain links 20, in particular to a workpiece carrier 52, along a guide track 8. The saw chain link 20 shown has a base body 30 perforated with two holes 36, 37 and a cutting edge 40 formed on the base body 30 with a bottom surface 44 facing substantially towards the base body 30.

[0041] A depth limiter 38 is integrally formed on the base body 30. The depth limiter is located, in particular, on the side of a rake face 41 of the cutting edge 40.

[0042] The transport rail 2 has a lower guide 6 for guiding on the underside 44.

[0043] The transport rail 2 has an upper guide 4 opposite the lower guide 6 for guiding the upper surface 42. The upper guide 4 and the lower guide 6 engage the cutting edge 40, as they grip the cutting edge from two sides.

[0044] The transport rail 2 has a first lateral guide 12 for guiding along a first side 32 of the base body 30. The transport rail 2 has a second lateral guide 14 opposite the first lateral guide 12 for guiding along a second side 34 of the base body 30.

[0045] The two sides 32, 34 of the base body 30 face away from each other and run parallel to each other. The first lateral guide 12 is arranged parallel to the second lateral guide 14.

[0046] The guides 4, 6, 12, 14 are specifically designed for direct contact with the saw chain link 20 in order to guide the saw chain link 20.

[0047] The lower guide 6 is arranged facing away from the base body. Furthermore, the lower guide 6 is arranged facing away from the first lateral guide 12 and the second lateral guide 14. The lower guide 6 points away from the guides 12 and 14 for the base body 30.

[0048] The lower guide 6 is arranged on the side of the cutting edge 40, on the side of the depth limiter 38 and away from the base body 30.

[0049] All of the guides 4, 6, 12, 14 point in the same direction in guide track 8 or parallel to guide track 8.

[0050] Fig. Figure 4 shows a single saw chain link 20 that is suitable for use with the proposed transport rail 2.

[0051] The saw chain link 20 is manufactured from sheet steel by forming and stamping and is, in particular, a monolithically manufactured body. The base body 30 is a substantially flat sheet metal segment and has a plate shape. The base body 30 has a depth gauge 38 next to the cutting edge 40, which is integrally formed on the base body 30. A gap 39 is provided between the depth gauge 38 and the cutting edge 40. A rake face 41 is provided on the cutting edge 40, on the side of the depth gauge 38. The base body 30 has two holes 36, 37, one hole 36 being located in the area below the cutting edge 40 and the other hole 37 being located in the area below the depth gauge 38. The top surface 42 and the bottom surface 44 are oriented substantially transversely to the base body 30.The cutting edge 40 is in particular extending on both sides of the base body 30, i.e. on the side of the first and the second side 32, 34, formed on the base body 30.

[0052] The cutting edge 40 has, or consists of, two partial cutting edges 43, 46, an upper 43 and a lateral 46. The partial cutting edges 43, 46 each have, in particular, a section of the rake face 41.

[0053] The upper cutting edge 43 is oriented transversely to the base body 30. The lateral cutting edge 46 is oriented essentially parallel to the base body 30. The lateral cutting edge 46 is integrally formed with the base body 30. The upper cutting edge 43 is integrally formed with the lateral cutting edge 46. The lateral cutting edge 46 is arranged as a connecting element between the upper cutting edge 43 and the base body 30. The lateral cutting edge 46 projects from the base body 30 only on the second side 34. The upper cutting edge 43 projects from the base body 30 on both sides 32, 34. The cutting edges 43 and 46 are arranged transversely to each other and merge transversely into one another. An outer and an inner radius are present at the transition between the cutting edges 43 and 46. The upper cutting edge 43 has a bottom surface 42 and a top surface 44. The lateral cutting edge 46 has an outer surface 45 and an inner surface 47. The inner surface 47 is oriented transversely to the underside 42.

[0054] The inner side 47 is arranged in particular on the side of the underside 42 or on the side of the base body 30 or on the side of the upper partial cutting edge 43.

[0055] The underside 44 is arranged in particular on the side of the inside 47 or on the side of the base body 30 or on the side of the lateral partial cutting edge 46.

[0056] It is in Fig. Figure 4 indicates that a transport path 8 can be curved. As shown, the transport path 8 typically has the cutting edge leading and the depth limiter 38 trailing.

[0057] Not shown is a method for guiding saw chain links 20, in particular those to be fed to a workpiece carrier 52, in a transport rail 2, e.g., one of the transport rails 2 described above. This method includes, for example, inserting a saw chain link 20 into the transport rail 2 and guiding the inserted saw chain link 20 as a guided saw chain link 20 along a guide track 8. The guided saw chain link 20 is guided through the transport rail 2 at a top 42 and a bottom 44 of the cutting edge 40. Optionally, the guided saw chain link 20 is guided through the transport rail 2 at at least one side 32, 34 or at both sides 32, 34 of the base body. Optionally, and with particular advantage, the guided saw chain link 20 is fed to a workpiece carrier 52, in particular to a support element 54 of the workpiece carrier 52.In particular, the workpiece carrier 52 is rotated to continuously feed saw chain links 20 to the carrier elements 54 until the workpiece carrier 52 is fully equipped with saw chain links 20. Reference symbol list 2 Transport rail 4 upper guide 6 lower guide 8 Guide rail 12 first lateral guide 14 second lateral guide 20 saw chain links 30 basic shapes 32 first side of the basic body 34 second side of the basic body 36 holes 37 holes 38 Depth Limiters 39 space 40 cutting edges 41 Chip surface 42 Top of the cutting edge 43 upper partial cutting edge 44 Underside of the cutting edge 45 Outer side of the cutting edge 46 lateral partial cutting edge 47 Inside of the cutting edge 50 Device 52 workpiece carriers 54 Support element 56 Rotation axis 58 Holder for the workpiece carrier 60 Guide system

Claims

[1] Transport rail (2) for guiding saw chain links (20) to be supplied along a guide track (8), wherein the saw chain links (20) are each made of sheet steel by forming and stamping as a monolithic body and each have a cutting edge (40) formed on a plate-shaped base body (30) with a bottom surface (44) and a top surface (42) substantially facing the base body (30), wherein the top surface (42) and the bottom surface (44) are substantially oriented transversely to the base body (30), wherein a lower guide (6) is provided for guiding on the bottom surface (44) of the cutting edge (40) and an upper guide (4) opposite the lower guide (6) is provided for guiding on the top surface (42) of the cutting edge (40). [2] Transport rail (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a first lateral guide (12) for guiding on a first side (32) of the base body (30). [3] Transport rail (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a second lateral guide (14) opposite the first lateral guide (12) for guiding on a second side (34) of the base body (30). [4] Transport rail (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the first lateral guide (12) is arranged at least substantially parallel to the second lateral guide (14). [5] Transport rail (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lower guide (6) is arranged facing away from the base body (30) and / or from the first lateral guide (12) and / or from the second lateral guide (14). [6] Transport rail (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lower guide (6) is arranged on the side of the cutting edge (40) and / or that the lower guide (6) is arranged on the side of a depth limiter (38) formed on the base body (30). [7] Transport rail (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least two of the guides (4, 6, 12, 14) or all guides (4, 6, 12, 14) point in the same direction at least substantially in the guide track (8), and / or that the transport rail (2) is designed as a vibratory conveyor or drop chute or at least as part thereof. [8] Device (50) for feeding saw chain links (20) to a workpiece carrier (52), comprising a transport rail (2) for the saw chain links (20) and a holder (58) for the workpiece carrier (52), characterized by that the transport rail (2) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Method for guiding saw chain links (20) to be supplied in a transport rail (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: guiding the saw chain link (20) as a guided saw chain link (20) along the guide track (8) of the transport rail (2), wherein the guided saw chain link (20) is guided along the transport rail (20) on the top (42) and on the bottom (44) of the cutting edge (40), preferably wherein the guided saw chain link (20) is guided through the transport rail (2) on at least one side (32, 34) or on both sides (32, 34) of the base body (30). [10] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the guided saw chain link (20) is fed to a workpiece carrier (52).

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