Separation device for prefabricated wire elements and method for operating the separation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating device (10) for pre-formed wire elements (1), with a feed device (12) for the wire elements (1), which is designed to accumulate the wire elements (1) at a take-over position, with a separating element (20) which has a receptacle (26) for the wire element (1) facing the separating element (20), wherein the separating element (20) with the wire element (1) is translationally movable from the take-over position into a transfer position for transferring the wire element (1) to a gripping device (34).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a separating device for prefabricated wire elements, such as those used in the manufacture of brushless electric motors in the area of ​​wire windings for stators. The separating device is characterized by particularly reliable and secure positioning of the wire elements relative to a gripping device for handling the wire elements. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a separating device according to the invention. State of the art

[0002] From DE 10 2019 207 126 A1, it is known in connection with the production of electric motors to use prefabricated or essentially U-shaped bent wire elements so that they can be assembled into a stator winding. For this purpose, the individual wire elements, after their production or their separation from an endless wire, must be fed to further processing stations by means of a separating device and a gripping device. Regarding such a separating device, which typically separates the wire elements transported from the area of ​​the wire bending device and accumulated in a row so that they can be picked up safely and precisely by the gripping device, no details are disclosed in the cited document. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The separating device according to the invention for preformed wire elements with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it reliably aligns a wire element in a transfer position to a gripping device with precise positioning and thus enables a high process reliability of the transfer to the gripping device.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of ​​transferring the wire elements by means of a single, merely translationally movable separating element from a take-over position, in which the wire elements are taken over by the separating element, into a transfer position (for the gripping device), wherein in the transfer position the wire element is positioned in a defined manner on the separating element by a multi-point system in order to thereby also ensure the positioning to the gripping device, which is typically designed in the form of a gripper with two gripping fingers that can be moved relative to one another.

[0005] Against the background of the above explanations, a separating device according to the invention for preformed wire elements with the features of claim 1 therefore has a feed device for the wire elements. The feed device is designed to accumulate the wire elements at a receiving position by a separating element. Furthermore, the separating element has a receptacle for the wire element facing the separating element. The separating element, together with the wire element, is translationally movable from the receiving position into a transfer position for transferring the wire element to a gripping device. Furthermore, the separating element is designed to align the wire element with the gripping device, at least in the transfer position.

[0006] Advantageous further developments of the separating device according to the invention for preformed wire elements are listed in the subclaims.

[0007] A preferred structural design of the separating device for aligning the wire element on the separating element provides that the separating element, during its movement from the takeover position to the transfer position, cooperates with a stop element which is designed to press and align the wire element in the transfer position against the separating element.

[0008] In a further development of this proposal, it is provided that the stop element has run-on bevels which are designed to interact with first sections of the wire element in order to cause a rotation of the wire element about an axis of rotation running in the region of the receptacle, in order to thereby press second sections of the wire element spaced from the axis of rotation against the separating element and, together with the receptacle, to create a multi-point contact, in particular a 3-point contact, of the wire element on the separating element.

[0009] In order to align the wire elements arriving from the feed device in the direction of the separating element, in order to thereby enable a secure transfer of a single wire element to the separating element, it is provided that the stop element has a stop surface on the side facing the feed device, which is designed to arrange wire elements arranged in the area in front of the separating device in the form of a 1-layer row.

[0010] It is also essential that, when the wire element is transferred by means of the separating element toward the transfer position, no accumulated wire elements slide toward the separating element or change their position. To this end, the separating element is provided with a retaining surface on the side facing the feed device, which is designed to prevent wire elements not arranged in the receptacle in the region of the feed device from moving toward the separating element when the separating element moves from the receiving position to the transfer position.

[0011] In a preferred design of the holder for the wire element on the separating element, this is L-shaped in cross-section with a support surface. This has the advantage that the separating element can be released from its

[0012] The transfer position can be moved back into the takeover position because the wire element comes out of contact with the separating element due to the shape of the support surface during the return movement of the separating element.

[0013] In order to ensure a secure and defined attachment of the wire element to the separating element in the transfer position, the separating element has receiving sections adapted to the second sections of the wire element for positioning the second sections on the separating element.

[0014] With regard to the design and arrangement of the gripping device for taking over a wire element in the transfer position, it is preferably provided that the gripping device has two gripping fingers movable against each other and against a wire element, and that the gripping device is arranged laterally in relation to the separating element and is designed to be movable in all three spatial axes.

[0015] In a particularly simple design, the feed device is designed as a rod-shaped bar or chute arranged at an angle to the horizontal, so that the wire elements can be conveyed or slide towards the separating element by the effect of gravity.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for separating wire elements using a separating device designed according to the invention as described above. The method provides that, in a first method step, the separating element is positioned in the receiving position and a wire element facing the separating element is received in the receiving device of the separating element. Subsequently, the wire element is transferred from the receiving position to the transfer position, wherein the wire element is aligned with the gripping device on the separating element in the transfer position.

[0017] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a side view of a wire element that can be fed to a gripping device by means of a separating device, Fig. 2 the wire element according to the Fig. 1 in a front view, Fig. 3 a separating device in a perspective view, in which a separating element is arranged in a takeover position, Fig. 4 a detail of the separating device according to the Fig. 3 in a sectional view, Fig. 5 the separation device according to the Fig. 3 in a transfer position of the separating element in a perspective view, Fig. 6 is a detail of the separating device according to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 a perspective view of a separating element with a wire element. Embodiments of the invention

[0018] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0019] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a wire element 1 preformed by means of a bending device (not shown), such as is used to form a winding in an electric motor, for example, the winding of a stator of a brushless electric motor. A plurality of such wire elements 1 are used and connected to one another, in particular by welded joints, to form the aforementioned winding of the electric motor.

[0020] The wire element 1 is essentially U-shaped and has two legs 2, 3 arranged parallel to one another. The two legs 2, 3 are connected to one another by means of a connecting section 4. The connecting section 4 has two sections 5, 6, between which an angle α of, for example, approximately 90° is formed. Furthermore, the two sections 5, 6 of the connecting section 4 are not arranged in a common plane to the two legs 2, 3, but at an angle β, which can be, for example, 135°. The cross section of the wire element 1 can be either round or, preferably, rectangular, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 6. It is also mentioned that the connecting section 4 can also be U-shaped or curved instead of V-shaped.

[0021] In the Fig. 3 shows a separating device 10 arranged at an end region of a feed device 12. The feed device 12 serves to convey or feed wire elements 1 from the aforementioned bending device to the separating device 10. The feed device 12 has a rod 14, for example, with a round cross-section, which is arranged at an angle γ to the horizontal. The angle γ is selected such that wire elements 1 arranged on the rod 14 in the region of the connecting section 4 slide in the direction of arrow 16 toward the separating element 10 due to the effect of gravity.

[0022] To the one in the Fig. 4, a separating element 20 of the separating device 10 is connected to the front end 18 of the feeding device 12.

[0023] The separating element 20, which is designed in the form of a slider 21 and which is Fig. 7 is shown in detail, has a vertically aligned support section 22, at the lower end of which a cross member section 24 runs perpendicular to the support section 22. The support section 22 has, according to the illustration of Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 at the end of the support section 22 opposite the cross member section 24, a cross-sectionally L-shaped receptacle 26 for receiving or positioning a wire element 1 in the region of the connecting section 4. The receptacle 26 is, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 7, in the region of the connecting section 4 of the wire element 1, it is provided with a driver lug 28 adapted to the angle α as a support surface for the wire element 1, which promotes a parallel alignment of the two legs 2, 3 to the support section 22. Above the driver lug 28, the receptacle 26 has a stop surface 29 for a wire element 1.

[0024] The cross member section 24 has, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 7, two groove-like receiving sections 30, 31 with insertion bevels, which are designed to receive the end sections 7, 8 of the legs 2, 3 facing away from the connecting section 4 or to position them relative to the separating element 20.

[0025] Furthermore, as can be seen particularly from the Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the separating element 20 has, on the side facing the feed device 12 or the rod 14, a retaining surface 33 on a web 32, which is vertically aligned on the end face of the separating element 20 facing the rod 14. The web 32 extends into a U-shaped groove in the rod 14 to enable a gap-free transition from the rod 14 into the receptacle 28 of the separating element 20.

[0026] The separating element 20 is arranged between a Fig. 3 shown takeover position for taking over one wire element 1 from the rod 14 to the separating element 20 and one in the Fig. 5 shown transfer position for transferring the wire element 1 to a for the sake of simplicity only in the Fig. 5, the gripping device 34 can be moved translationally vertically in the direction of the double arrow 36 by means of a drive not shown.

[0027] The gripping device 34, which is arranged laterally next to the separating element 20, has two gripping fingers 40, 41 which are horizontally movable in the direction of the double arrow 38 for gripping or holding the leg 2 of a wire element 1 facing the gripping device 34. Furthermore, the gripping device 34 or its gripping fingers 40, 41 are movable horizontally between a position in which the gripping fingers 40, 41 are spaced from the leg 2 to a position in which the two gripping fingers 40, 41 are arranged in overlap with the leg 2 in order to grip it. For removing or handling a wire element 1 held by the gripping device 34, the gripping device 34 is furthermore preferably designed to be movable in all three spatial directions.

[0028] Furthermore, the separating device 10 has a stop element 44. The stop element 44 has a base section 46, from which a fin-like element 48 projects in the direction of the separating element 20 and aligned with the rod 14 of the feed device 12, the underside of which, facing the rod 14, forms a stop surface 50. The stop surface 50 extends, as can be seen from the Fig. 4, parallel or at a slightly oblique angle to the rod 14 at a distance a which is preferably only slightly greater than the height h or the diameter of a wire element 1 in the connecting section 4. In addition, two fin-like guide elements 52, 54 protrude from the base section 46, each at a horizontal distance b from the element 48. The distance b of the guide elements 52, 54 from the element 48 is such that during a vertical movement of the separating element 20 and thus also of the wire element 1, the wire element 1 with its sections 5, 6 comes into contact with run-on bevels 56, 58 on the guide elements 52, 54.

[0029] It is essential that, according to the presentation of the Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 upon contact of the run-on slopes 56, 58 with the sections 5, 6 of the connecting section 4 at contact points K in the region of the end region of the connecting section 4 facing the legs 2, 3, a force F is introduced into the connecting section 4, which force causes a rotation of the wire element 1 about an angle perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the Fig. 1. This causes the wire element 1 to move counterclockwise in the direction of arrow 62. The end sections 7, 8 of the legs 2, 3 come into contact with the receiving sections 30, 31, so that the wire element 1 is aligned with the separating element 20 and pressed against it to form a multi-point or 3-point contact with the separating element 20. In this case, reaction forces R are generated at the stop surface 29 of the receiving section 26 and the receiving sections 30, 31.

[0030] The separating device 10 described so far operates as follows: In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the foremost wire element 1 facing the separating element 20 moves into the area of ​​the receptacle 26 by gravity. The separating element 20 is then moved vertically upwards. In the process, the retaining surface 33 on the separating element 20 comes into contact with the next accumulated wire element 1 and prevents it from moving further in the direction of the separating element 20 or from slipping off the rod 14. Furthermore, the stop surface 50 prevents vertical movements of the wire elements 1 on the rod 14, so that the wire elements 1 are accumulated in the form of a single-layer row in front of the separating element 20. In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the run-on slopes 56, 58 are arranged in contact with the sections 5, 6 of the connecting section 4 and generate a torque on the wire element 1 about the rotational axis 60, so that the wire element 1 is vertically aligned, wherein the end sections 5, 6 of the legs 2, 3 are arranged in the receiving sections 30, 31. In this position, the gripping fingers 40, 41 of the gripping device 34 are brought into contact with the leg 2 of the wire element 1 facing the gripping device 34 in order to hold the wire element 1. Subsequently, the separating element 20 is moved from the transfer position back into the position shown in the Fig.3. In doing so, the wire element 1 comes out of contact with the receptacle 26 of the separating element 20. In order to remove the wire element 1 from the separating device 10 by means of the gripping device 34, the two gripping fingers 40, 41 of the gripping device 34 are then initially moved in the direction of arrow 64, preferably parallel to the rod 14, until the legs 2, 3 are at a distance from the separating element 20. The gripping device 34 then conveys the wire element 1 to a further station (not shown).

[0031] The separating device 10 described so far can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. For example, instead of guide sections 52, 54 or ramps 56, 58 for rotating the wire element 1 about the rotation axis 40, it is conceivable to arrange magnetic elements on the cross member section 24 in the region of the receiving sections 30, 31, which serve to securely position the legs 2, 3 or align the wire element 1 with the gripper fingers 40, 41. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 207 126 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Separating device (10) for pre-formed wire elements (1), with a feed device (12) for the wire elements (1), which is designed to accumulate the wire elements (1) at a take-over position, with a separating element (20) which has a receptacle (26) for the wire element (1) facing the separating element (20), wherein the separating element (20) with the wire element (1) is translationally movable from the take-over position into a transfer position for transferring the wire element (1) to a gripping device (34), and wherein the separating element (20) is designed to align the wire element (1) with the gripping device (34) at least in the transfer position. [2] Separation device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the separating element (20) interacts with a stop element (44) during its movement from the takeover position to the transfer position, which stop element is designed to press and align the wire element (1) in the transfer position against the separating element (20). [3] Separation device according to claim 2, characterized by in that the stop element (44) has run-on bevels (56, 58) which are designed to cooperate with first sections (5, 6) of the wire element (1) in order to bring about a rotation of the wire element (1) about an axis of rotation (60) running in the region of the receptacle (26), in order to thereby press second sections (7, 8) of the wire element (1) spaced apart from the axis of rotation (60) against the separating element (20) and, together with the receptacle (26), to produce a multi-point contact, in particular a 3-point contact, of the wire element (1) on the separating element (20). [4] Separation device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the stop element (44) has a stop surface (50) on the side facing the feed device (12), which is designed to arrange wire elements (1) arranged in the area in front of the separating device (20) in the form of a 1-layer row. [5] Separation device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the separating element (20) has a retaining surface (33) on the side facing the feed device (12), which is designed to prevent wire elements (1) not arranged in the receptacle (26) in the region of the feed device (12) from moving in the direction of the separating element (20) when the separating element (20) moves from the take-over position to the transfer position. [6] Separation device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the receptacle (26) for the wire element (1) on the separating element (20) is L-shaped in cross section with a support surface (28). [7] Separation device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the separating element (20) has receiving sections (30, 31) adapted to the second sections (7, 8) of the wire element (1) for positioning the second sections (7, 8) on the separating element (20). [8] Separation device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the gripping device (34) has two gripping fingers (40, 41) which are movable relative to one another and relative to a wire element (1), and that the gripping device (34) is arranged laterally relative to the separating element (20) and is designed to be movable in all three spatial axes. [9] Separation device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the feed device (12) has a rod-shaped rod (14) or chute arranged at an angle (γ) to the horizontal, so that the wire elements (1) can be conveyed in the direction of the separating element (20) by the effect of gravity. [10] Method for separating wire elements (1) by means of a separating device (10) designed according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least the following steps: - positioning the separating element (20) in the takeover position and taking over a wire element (1) facing the separating element (20) in the receptacle (26) of the separating element (20) - Transferring the wire element (1) from the take-over position to the transfer position, wherein the wire element (1) is aligned with the gripping device (34) in the transfer position.

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