Device and method for setting conductor sections

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for setting conductor sections with features of claim 1 and a method for setting conductor sections with such a device (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for setting conductor sections with features of claim 1 and a method for setting conductor sections with features of the dependent claim.

[0002] In the manufacture of an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, conductor segments can be inserted or placed in circular paths within the stator. These conductor segments are intended to generate an electromagnetic field to drive the rotor. Typically, the conductor segments are inserted into the stator or into openings located within the stator using an insertion device. However, due to tolerances or defects, it can happen that not all conductor segments are correctly inserted into the stator. For example, the conductor segments may become entangled and / or be placed outside the intended insertion opening. This can lead to damage to the conductor segments, the stator, and / or the insertion device.

[0003] US 2019 / 0 199 184 A1, DE 10 2019 114 221 A1 and DE 31 21 660 A1 each disclose a device with features of claim 1.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method for inserting conductor sections, wherein faulty insertion of conductor sections can be detected safely and with simple means.

[0005] The above problem is solved by a device for setting conductor sections with the features of claim 1.

[0006] The ladder sections each have at least one leg. The ladder sections can, in particular, have two legs. The ladder sections can each be designed as so-called hairpins. A hairpin can have two elongated legs. The two legs can be connected to each other by means of a connecting section. The connecting section can be connected to one end of each of the two legs.

[0007] The device comprises at least one gripping device. The gripping device comprises at least one holder and at least one testing device. The holder is configured to hold and / or grip one leg of a ladder section.

[0008] The testing device is designed to detect movement of the leg held and / or gripped by the holder within the holder.

[0009] In this context, "holding" and / or "gripping" can refer to clamping or a clamping hold. In particular, "holding" and / or "gripping" can refer to exerting a force (from the outside) in the direction of the held and / or gripped leg.

[0010] In this context, "movement within the holder" refers specifically to movement of the leg relative to the holder. In other words, it can mean the leg slipping within the holder, particularly along a settling direction, for example, along the direction of gravity.

[0011] This allows for the simple detection of movement of the held and / or gripped leg relative to the holder. This enables the reliable and rapid detection of incorrect insertion, such as placing the leg onto the stator (e.g., next to the stator opening intended for leg insertion), allowing the insertion to be stopped if necessary. Damage to the device, the conductor sections, and / or the stator can thus be avoided or at least minimized.

[0012] According to a further development of the device, the holder can comprise at least two gripping jaws. The gripping jaws can be configured to grasp a leg of a ladder section. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the holder can also include other elements, e.g., suction cups, for holding and / or gripping the leg of the ladder section.

[0013] This allows the holder or gripping of a thigh to be implemented with simple means.

[0014] According to a further development of the device, the device can have two gripping devices. The gripping devices can be identical.

[0015] This allows for the simultaneous placement of two ladder sections, each with one leg. It also allows for the placement of a single ladder section (e.g., a hairpin) with two legs. When placing a hairpin, this ensures that both legs can be properly positioned.

[0016] According to a further development of the device, the testing apparatus can comprise a rotatably mounted measuring roller and a displacement measuring device. The measuring roller can be rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the setting direction, e.g., the direction of gravity. The displacement measuring device can be configured to detect a measuring distance traveled by the measuring roller and / or a rotation (or angular position) of the measuring roller.

[0017] In this context, a "measuring section" can refer to a path traveled by means of the running surface of the measuring roller. The displacement measuring device can include or be formed from a sensor, in particular a speed sensor and / or an angle sensor.

[0018] The measuring roller rotates only when it is in contact with a held and / or gripped leg and when movement of the held and / or gripped leg occurs within the holder, particularly within the gripping jaws – i.e., only in the event of a fault. Therefore, the measuring distance traveled by the measuring roller corresponds specifically to the movement of the leg within the holder, particularly within the gripping jaws.

[0019] This allows for the reliable detection of movement of the leg within the holder, particularly within the gripping jaws, thus indicating a fault, using simple means. Furthermore, the testing device can be designed to be as small as possible. Since installation space is typically limited, this can be very advantageous. Additionally, a small and therefore lightweight device prevents any negative impact on the device's rapid dynamics caused by increased weight.

[0020] According to a further development of the device, the measuring roller can be movably designed between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the measuring roller can be arranged at a distance from the leg held and / or gripped by the holder, in particular by the gripping jaws. In the second position, the measuring roller can contact the leg held and / or gripped by the holder, in particular by the gripping jaws.

[0021] This ensures, with simple means, that the measuring roller does not obstruct the movement of the leg when it is held and / or gripped in the first position. In the second position, the measuring roller can contact the held and / or gripped leg, thus enabling the measurement of any movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder, particularly within the gripping jaws, using simple means. Specifically, the measuring roller is designed to exert no or only a slight force on the held and / or gripped leg in the second position, so as not to bend it. In other words, in the second position, the measuring roller can contact the held and / or gripped leg without bending it.

[0022] According to a further development of the device, the measuring roller can be pivoted between the first and second positions. The pivot axis can be oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the leg held and / or gripped by the holder, in particular by the gripping jaws. The pivot axis can be oriented perpendicular to the setting direction, e.g., the direction of gravity. The pivot axis can be oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the measuring roller.

[0023] This allows the movement of the measuring roller to be implemented in the simplest and most space-saving way possible.

[0024] According to a further development of the device, the test setup can include a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder can be configured to move and / or pivot the measuring roller. Alternatively or additionally, the test setup can include an electromagnetic actuator for moving and / or pivoting the measuring roller.

[0025] This allows for rapid movement of the measuring roller using simple means. Cycle times of less than one second can be achieved when setting conductor sections. This requires correspondingly fast measurement and therefore rapid movement of the measuring roller between the first and second positions. Such rapid movement of the measuring roller can be achieved particularly well using the pneumatic cylinder.

[0026] According to a further development of the device, the measuring roller can have a rubber coating and / or a rubber O-ring. The rubber coating and / or the O-ring can form a running surface of the measuring roller. In the second position of the measuring roller, the held and / or gripped leg can be contacted by means of the running surface, the rubber coating, and / or the O-ring. The measuring roller can be made of a high-friction material or can be designed by coating or applying a ring of a friction-enhancing material to the running surface (e.g., rubber coating and / or O-ring). It is particularly important for the coating that there is sufficiently high friction between the coating and the running surface, but that the held and / or gripped leg is not damaged.

[0027] This allows for the creation of maximum friction between the running surface of the measuring roller and the held and / or gripped leg. This friction, in particular, enables highly accurate measurements, as the measuring roller is set into rotation as soon as the held and / or gripped leg moves within the holder, especially within the gripping jaws.

[0028] According to a further development of the device, the test equipment, in particular the displacement measuring device, can have a detection time of a maximum of 1 second.

[0029] When inserting conductor segments, cycle times of less than one second can be achieved. This requires correspondingly fast detection. Such rapid detection allows a fault to be detected and, if necessary, aborted within a single cycle. This prevents or at least reduces damage to the device, the conductor segments, and / or the stator.

[0030] According to a further development of the device, the device, gripping mechanism, holder, gripping jaws, testing device, measuring roller and / or displacement measuring device can be made at least partially, and in particular completely, of aluminum. Other lightweight materials are also conceivable, such as engineering plastics and / or magnesium.

[0031] This allows for the implementation of the lightest possible device. A lighter device prevents the negative impact of increased or high weight on the device's rapid dynamics.

[0032] The above problem is solved by a method for setting conductor segments with the features of the dependent claim. The method is carried out by a device according to the above description.

[0033] The ladder sections each have at least one leg. In particular, the ladder sections may have two legs. The ladder sections may each be designed as hairpins (see the above descriptions of the device).

[0034] The process may include the following steps: Moving the measuring roller into the first position. This can be achieved using the pneumatic cylinder.

[0035] Holding and / or gripping at least one leg of a ladder section using the holder, in particular using the gripping jaws. In the case of a ladder section with two legs (e.g., hairpin), each leg can be held and / or gripped using the holder, in particular using two gripping jaws.

[0036] Moving the measuring roller to the second position. This can be achieved using the pneumatic cylinder.

[0037] Setting the leg held and / or gripped by the holder, in particular by the gripping jaws. The leg can be inserted or inserted into a setting device or a stator (or the opening provided for this purpose in the stator). In the case of a conductor section with two legs (e.g., hairpin), both legs can be set simultaneously.

[0038] Regarding the advantages achievable with this method, reference is made to the relevant explanations concerning the device. The measures described in connection with the device and / or those explained below can serve to further develop the method.

[0039] According to a further development of the procedure, the process can include the following step: Aborting the setting of the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder, in particular by means of the gripping jaws, if a movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder, in particular within the gripping jaws, in particular of greater than 0.1 mm (millimeters), is detected.

[0040] If movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder, particularly within the gripping jaws, is detected – i.e., a fault – the insertion of the leg or conductor section can be aborted. Subsequently, an operator can decide whether and how the process should continue.

[0041] The process steps described above can be carried out in the sequence described. It is also conceivable that at least two of the process steps described above can be carried out simultaneously.

[0042] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of a device for setting conductor sections and Fig. 2 an enlarged section from the Fig. 1.

[0043] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements are assigned the same reference symbols. For clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in every figure.

[0044] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for setting conductor sections and Fig. Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 1.

[0045] The ladder sections have at least one, and in particular two, legs (e.g., hairpin). The device 10 comprises at least one gripping device 12. For clarity, the ladder sections and their legs are not shown in the figures.

[0046] The gripping device 12 comprises at least one holder 11. The holder 11 is designed to hold and / or grip a leg of a ladder section. The holder 11 may include two gripping jaws 14. The two gripping jaws 14 may be configured to grip a leg of a ladder section. The gripping device 12 includes a testing device 16. The testing device 16 is configured to detect movement of the leg held and / or gripped by the holder 11, in particular by the gripping jaws 14, within the holder 11, and in particular within the gripping jaws 14.

[0047] If, for example, the held and / or grasped leg does not fall into the opening intended for placement, but instead encounters an obstacle, it will be moved against a placement direction 13 (into the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 upwards) relative to the holder 11, in particular relative to the gripping jaws 14. This movement, contrary to the setting direction 13 and relative to the holder 11, in particular relative to the gripping jaws 14, can be detected by the test device 16 and identified as a fault. The setting direction 13 can be oriented parallel to the direction of gravity. It is also conceivable that the setting direction 13 can be inclined or oriented perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0048] The test device 16 can comprise a rotatably mounted measuring roller 18 and a displacement measuring device 20. The measuring roller 18 can be rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 15. The pivot axis 15 can be oriented perpendicular to the setting direction 13. The displacement measuring device 20 can be configured to detect a measuring distance traveled by the measuring roller 18. Alternatively or additionally, the displacement measuring device 20 can be configured to detect a rotation or an angular position of the measuring roller 18. The displacement measuring device 20 can include or be formed from a sensor, e.g., an angle sensor and / or a speed sensor.

[0049] The measuring roller 18 can be movably configured between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the measuring roller 18 can be arranged at a distance from the leg held and / or gripped by the holder 11, in particular by the gripping jaws 14. In the second position, the measuring roller 18 can contact the leg held and / or gripped by the holder 11, in particular by the gripping jaws 14.

[0050] In particular, the contact between the held and / or gripped leg and the measuring roller 18 in the second position allows a movement of the leg within the holder 11, especially within the gripping jaws 14, and along, especially against, the setting direction 13 to be converted into a rotary movement of the measuring roller 18.

[0051] The measuring roller 18 can be designed to pivot about a pivot axis 22 between the first position and the second position.

[0052] The test device 16 can include a pneumatic cylinder 24 for moving and / or pivoting the measuring roller 18. Other drives for moving and / or pivoting the measuring roller 18 are also conceivable.

[0053] The measuring roller 18 can have a rubber coating and / or a rubber O-ring 26. The rubber coating and / or the O-ring 26 can form a running surface 28 of the measuring roller 18. Other coatings and / or elements with a high coefficient of friction are also conceivable (e.g., felt, foam).

[0054] The test device 16, in particular the displacement measuring device 20, can have a detection time of a maximum of 1 second. This allows for rapid termination in the event of a fault. With a cycle time of a maximum of 1 second, the test can thus be aborted within the cycle time in the event of a fault.

[0055] The device 10, the gripping device 12, the holder 11, the gripping jaws 14, the testing device 16, the measuring roller 18 and / or the displacement measuring device 20 can be made at least partially, and in particular completely, of aluminum. Other lightweight materials are also conceivable, such as glass fiber reinforced plastic and / or magnesium.

[0056] The device 10 in this case has two gripping devices 12, wherein the holders 11 of the gripping devices 12 each comprise two gripping jaws 14. The two gripping devices 12 are identical in this case. The device 10 thus has a total of four gripping jaws 14 and two testing devices 16, each with a measuring roller 18 and a displacement measuring device 20.

[0057] For example, a first gripping device 12 can hold and / or grip the first leg of a hairpin, and a second gripping device 12 can hold and / or grip the second leg of the hairpin. With these two gripping devices 12, a hairpin can be set safely and quickly, and any malfunction can be detected for both legs.

[0058] In the present case, the two gripping devices 12 each have a pneumatic cylinder 24 for pivoting the respective measuring roller 18 about the respective pivot axis 22 between the first position and the second position.

[0059] In this case, the two pivot axes 22 of the two measuring rollers 18 are each oriented perpendicular to the setting direction 13. The pivot axis 22 and the rotation axis 15 of the respective measuring rollers 18 are aligned parallel to each other.

[0060] In the present case, the two measuring rollers 18 each have a rubber O-ring 26, which each forms the running surface 28 of the respective measuring roller 18.

[0061] The following will be used as an example to illustrate the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. A method for setting conductor sections using a device 10 as described above is presented. The device 10 may in particular be the one described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 device shown 10 act.

[0062] The conductor sections have at least one, and in particular two, legs (e.g., hairpin). The process comprises the following steps: Moving the measuring roller 18 into the first position. In this case, both measuring rollers 18 can be moved into the first position. This can be achieved using the two pneumatic cylinders 24.

[0063] Holding and / or gripping at least one leg of a ladder section by means of the holder 11, in particular by means of the gripping jaws 14. In the present case, two legs of two ladder sections or two legs of one ladder section (e.g. hairpins) can be held by means of the four gripping jaws 14 of the two in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The gripping devices 12 shown in the illustration can be gripped.

[0064] Moving the measuring roller 18 into the second position. In this case, both measuring rollers 18 can be moved into the second position. Both measuring rollers 18 then come into contact with the two legs gripped by the four gripping jaws 14.

[0065] Positioning of the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder 11, in particular by means of the gripping jaws 14.

[0066] The procedure may include the following steps: The setting of the leg held and / or gripped by the holder 11, in particular by the gripping jaws 14, is aborted if movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder 11, in particular within the gripping jaws 14, is detected. This can be implemented if movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder 11, in particular within the gripping jaws 14, and contrary to the setting direction 13, is detected.

[0067] Break-off can be implemented, in particular, if a movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder 11, especially within the gripping jaws 14, of greater than 0.1 mm, especially greater than 1 mm, is detected. From a movement of 0.1 mm, especially from a movement of 1 mm, it can be assumed that the leg is actually moving along, especially against, the setting direction 13 and relative to the holder 11, especially relative to the respective gripping jaws 14. This prevents, for example, a break-off from being erroneously initiated due to possible measurement tolerances.

[0068] The process steps described above can be carried out in the sequence described. It is also conceivable that at least two of the process steps described above can be carried out simultaneously.

Claims

[1] Device (10) for placing ladder sections, wherein the ladder sections each have at least one, in particular two, legs, wherein the device (10) comprises at least one gripping device (12), wherein the gripping device (12) comprises: - at least one holder (11) for holding and / or gripping one leg of a ladder section, - at least one testing device (16), wherein the at least one testing device (16) is configured to detect movement of the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder (11) within the gripper. [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the holder (11) comprises at least two gripping jaws (14) for gripping a leg of a ladder section. [3] Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the device (10) has two gripping devices (12), wherein the gripping devices (12) are identical. [4] Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one test device (16) comprises a rotatably mounted measuring roller (18) and a displacement measuring device (20) for detecting a measuring distance traveled by means of the measuring roller (18) and / or a rotation of the measuring roller (18). [5] Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the measuring roller (18) is designed to be movable between a first position in which the measuring roller (18) is arranged spaced apart from the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder (11), and a second position in which the measuring roller (18) contacts the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder (11). [6] Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the measuring roller (18) is designed to pivot about a pivot axis (22) between the first position and the second position. [7] Device (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one test device (16) has a pneumatic cylinder (24) for moving and / or pivoting the measuring roller (18). [8] Device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by , that the measuring roller (18) has a rubber coating and / or an O-ring (26) made of rubber, wherein the rubber coating and / or the O-ring (26) forms a running surface (28) of the measuring roller (18). [9] Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one test device (16), in particular the displacement measuring device (20), has a detection time of a maximum of 1 second. [10] Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the device (10), the gripping device (12), the holder (11), the gripping jaws (14), the at least one testing device (16), the measuring roller (18) and / or the displacement measuring device (20) are at least partially, in particular completely, made of aluminium. [11] Method for setting conductor sections using a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor sections each have at least one, in particular two, legs, the method comprising the steps: - Moving the measuring roller (18) into the first position; - Holding and / or gripping at least one leg of a ladder section by means of the holder (11); - Moving the measuring roller (18) into the second position; - Positioning of the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder (11). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by the step: - Aborting the setting of the leg held and / or gripped by means of the holder (11) if a movement of the held and / or gripped leg within the holder (11), in particular of greater than 0.1 mm, is detected.

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