PROCESSING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a processing device with at least two carousel supports that are pivotable or rotatable about a rotational axis, each carousel support having at least one receiving device for receiving at least one body to be processed. The invention relates in particular to a brush manufacturing device with at least two carousel supports that are pivotable or rotatable about a rotational axis, each carousel support having at least one receiving device for receiving at least one brush body to be processed.

[0002] Machining devices of the type mentioned above are known in practice in various designs. The carousel carriers are part of a carousel carrier device, about whose axis of rotation the carousel carriers can be pivoted. The body to be machined, held in a receiving device of a carousel carrier, is pivoted towards different processing stations, where various machining operations can be performed on the body. Machining operations such as drilling, grinding, milling, punching, and the like are possible. It is also already known to use several carousel carriers on a carousel carrier device, whereby the bodies to be machined held by the carousel carriers can be fed sequentially to the processing stations by pivoting the carousel carriers.In many of these known devices, a motor for moving the receiving device or the object being received is arranged on each carousel support. This motor must be supplied with electrical current. According to a first embodiment, the motor is driven by a decentralized power unit. In this case, the power supply to the motor is ensured via a rotary feedthrough. The disadvantage of this embodiment is that only a relatively low power output is available. In a second known embodiment, the motor is controlled via a cable from a centrally located power unit. This embodiment has the disadvantage that a complex forward and backward rotation of the carousel supports is required for proper cable routing. Improvements are therefore needed.

[0003] Document EP 3 085 268 A1 discloses a generic brush manufacturing device.

[0004] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a machining device of the type described above in which the disadvantages described above can be avoided in a simple, inexpensive and efficient manner.

[0005] To solve this technical problem, the invention teaches a machining device with at least two, in particular at least four, carousel carriers pivotable or rotatable about a rotary axis D, wherein each carousel carrier has at least one receiving device for receiving at least one body to be machined, wherein at least one motor, in particular at least one servo motor for moving the receiving device or the body is arranged on each carousel carrier, wherein a switching unit with power components for the motors or servo motors is provided, and wherein the switching unit is arranged at least partially or at least partly centrally on the rotary axis D, and wherein the switching unit is pivotable or rotatable about a rotational axis when the carousel carriers are rotated about the rotary axis D.According to a very preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation corresponds to the axis of rotation D and then the switching unit with the carousel supports can be pivoted or rotated about the axis of rotation D.

[0006] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processing device according to the invention is designed as a brush manufacturing device, wherein the body to be processed is a brush body. The brush body is, in particular, the base body of a brush into which the bristles of the brush are inserted. It is within the scope of the invention that processing operations, in particular in the form of drilling and / or inserting the bristles or punching, are carried out at processing stations of the device. This will be discussed in more detail below.

[0007] Advantageously, the switching unit according to the invention is designed as a control cabinet. Preferably, in addition to the power components for the motors or servomotors, input and output terminals for the cable connections to the motors or servomotors are also arranged in the switching unit or in the control cabinet.

[0008] It is within the scope of the invention that the switching unit or the control cabinet as a whole can be pivoted or rotated about the axis of rotation. Advantageously, the switching unit and the carousel carrier rotate in the same direction, preferably intermittently or continuously in the same direction. It is within the scope of the invention that the switching unit follows the rotational movement of the carousel carrier. According to an advantageous embodiment, the rotational movement of the switching unit is not synchronized with the rotational movement of the carousel carrier, even though the switching unit and the carousel carrier rotate in the same direction. Advantageously, the motors or servomotors of the carousel carrier are connected to the switching unit or to the power components of the switching unit via cable connections, or advantageously short cable connections.

[0009] It is recommended that the switching unit be decoupled or mechanically decoupled from the carousel support assembly K, which includes the carousel supports. Preferably, the switching unit is connected to or suspended from a frame separate from the carousel support assembly K. It is within the scope of the invention that the switching unit has a separate rotary drive and that at least one rotary drive separate from the rotary drive of the switching unit is provided for the carousel support assembly K or for the carousel supports. It is proven that the switching unit is equipped with its own rotary drive via a geared motor including a frequency converter.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the switching unit as a whole can be pivoted or rotated intermittently with the carousel carriers. In this way, the switching unit rotates with the carousel carriers during start / stop operation. According to another embodiment, the switching unit as a whole can be rotated or pivoted continuously with the carousel carriers. It is within the scope of the invention that, in these embodiments, the switching unit and the carousel carriers rotate in the same direction and preferably always rotate in the same direction during operation of the device. Advantageously, the position of the carousel carriers is monitored intermittently via initiators or in continuous operation via at least one conductance value.

[0011] It has already been pointed out that, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotational axis of the switching assembly corresponds to the rotational axis D, and then the switching assembly with the carousel supports can be pivoted or rotated about the rotational axis D. It is recommended that the switching assembly be arranged centrally on the rotational axis D, and preferably the rotational axis D runs centrally or centrally through the switching assembly or through the switch cabinet. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the switching assembly or the switch cabinet is arranged above the carousel support device or above the carousel supports in the operating state of the device.

[0012] It is within the scope of the invention that a rotary feedthrough device – preferably only one rotary feedthrough device – is provided, through which electrical current and / or control signals or bus signals can be supplied to the switching unit. Advantageously, the power supply and / or signal supply to the switching unit is provided via at least one rotary feedthrough or rotary feedthrough device, and the power components of the switching unit are in turn connected to the motors or the respective motors of the carousel supports via cable connections or advantageously short cable connections. The switching unit preferably comprises power components in the form of at least one power element from the group consisting of "energy converters, power semiconductors, circuit breakers, control and / or regulating elements". The rotary feedthrough or rotary feedthrough device is preferably designed in the form of a slip ring arrangement.

[0013] According to a recommended embodiment of the invention, at least two or two carousel supports are coupled to one another to form a support unit and, as a support unit, are pivotable or rotatable together about the axis of rotation D. A very preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least two pairs, in particular two pairs of carousel supports are present and that the two carousel supports of each pair of carousel supports are coupled to one another, in particular are rigidly connected to one another, so that each pair of carousel supports can be pivoted or rotated about the axis of rotation D as a support unit. The carousel supports of a pair of carousel supports are expediently arranged opposite one another with respect to the axis of rotation D and, particularly preferably, these two carousel supports are arranged on a straight line running through the axis of rotation.According to a recommended embodiment, the two carousel supports of a carrier unit or the receiving devices arranged on the carousel supports are positioned diametrically opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D.

[0014] It is within the scope of the invention that the device according to the invention comprises at least one processing station for processing at least one body held in a receiving device, and that a carousel carrier or a carrier unit is rotatable or pivotable relative to the processing station. Preferably, at least two processing stations are provided – in particular, opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D, preferably diametrically opposed – for processing at least one body held in a receiving device. In particular, if the device according to the invention is a brush manufacturing device, one processing station comprises at least one processing device from the group consisting of "drilling device, punching device, bristle shearing device, bristle feeding device".

[0015] A particularly recommended embodiment of the invention is characterized in that two carrier units, each consisting of two carousel carriers, are provided, and that in a processing position of the first carrier unit, a receiving device of each of the two carousel carriers of this carrier unit is assigned to or oriented towards a processing station for processing a body, and that preferably in the processing position of the first carrier unit, the second carrier unit, consisting of two carousel carriers, is arranged in a waiting position. Recommendedly, both carrier units have two carousel carriers opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D, or receiving devices opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the switching unit is positioned at a distance from the axis of rotation D. Preferably, the smallest distance between the axis of rotation and the axis of rotation D is 100 to 200 mm, more preferably 125 to 175 mm, and for example 150 mm. It is within the scope of the invention that the axis of rotation of the switching unit is arranged at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation D. Preferably, the angle between the axis of rotation and the axis of rotation D is 10 to 20°, more preferably 12 to 18°, and for example 15°.

[0017] The invention is based on the understanding that the device according to the invention enables high performance of the motors or servomotors of the carousel supports, while simultaneously allowing for trouble-free rotation of the carousel supports in one direction without constraints or impairments – particularly affecting cable connections. Furthermore, the invention is based on the understanding that the technical problem can be solved in a simple, cost-effective, and efficient manner by centrally arranging the switching unit and decoupling it. Continuous or intermittent operation is readily possible with the device according to the invention, without any risk of cable breakage. Compared to devices known from practical experience, a significant reduction in downtime is achieved.Reduced effort is primarily due to the short cable runs between the central switching unit and the motors. Thanks to the design according to the invention, the drive units on the carousel carriers can be made significantly less complex compared to devices known from practice, resulting in a correspondingly lower moment of inertia for the carousel carrier assembly. Due to the central arrangement of the switching unit with the integrated power components, the sizes of the motors or servomotors can also be selected more flexibly compared to known devices. The central arrangement of the switching unit and the continuous, slow rotational movement also ensure that no adverse centrifugal forces affect the electronic components. Vibrations on the electronic components can also be considerably reduced compared to known devices.By supplying the switching unit with signals, preferably via a rotary union or slip ring, process reliability can be significantly increased. The measures according to the invention can be implemented with minimal effort and low cost.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a schematic drawing that illustrates only one embodiment. The schematic representation shows: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a processing device according to the invention in the form of a brush manufacturing device, and Fig. 2 is a top view of the device according to the invention. Figure 1 .

[0019] The figures show a processing device according to the invention in the form of a brush manufacturing device for producing brushes from brush bodies 6 to be processed. The device according to the invention preferably has, and in the exemplary embodiment has, four carousel carriers 1, 2, 3, 4 which are pivotable or rotatable about a pivot axis D. Each of these carousel carriers 1, 2, 3, 4 is equipped with a receiving device 5 for receiving a brush body 6 to be processed. Furthermore, a servo motor (not shown in detail) for moving the receiving device 5 or the brush body 6 is arranged on each carousel carrier 1, 2, 3, 4. In the exemplary embodiment, each receiving device 5 is displaceable, in particular vertically, by means of the servo motor.

[0020] According to the invention, a switching unit 7 with power components for the servomotors (not shown in detail) is provided, and in the exemplary embodiment, this switching unit 7 is arranged centrally on the axis of rotation D. Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, the switching unit 7 is designed as a control cabinet. In the exemplary embodiment, the axis of rotation D of the device runs centrally or centrally through the switching unit 7. Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, the switching unit 7 is arranged above the carousel supports 1, 2, 3, 4.

[0021] According to the invention, the switching unit 7, together with the carousel supports 1, 2, 3, 4, is pivotable or rotatable about the axis of rotation D. It is within the scope of the invention that the switching unit 7, as a whole, together with the carousel supports 1, 2, 3, 4, is pivotable or rotatable about the axis of rotation D. The switching unit 7 follows the rotational movement of the carousel supports 1, 2, 3, 4. Advantageously, and in the exemplary embodiment, the switching unit 7 is decoupled or mechanically decoupled from the carousel support assembly K with the carousel supports 1, 2, 3, 4 and is connected to or suspended from a frame separate from the carousel support assembly K.

[0022] In preferred embodiments and in the exemplary embodiment, a rotary feedthrough device 8 is provided, with which electrical current and / or control signals or bus signals can be supplied to the switching unit 7. The rotary feedthrough device 8 is preferably designed as a slip ring arrangement in the exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, two pairs of carousel supports 1, 2, 3, 4 are provided, and the two carousel supports 1, 2 and 3, 4 of each pair are expediently coupled to one another or rigidly connected to each other, so that each pair of carousel supports 1, 2 and 3, 4 can be pivoted or rotated about the axis of rotation D as a support unit. Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, the two carousel supports 1, 2 and 3, 4 of each pair are arranged opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation D and are recommended, and in the exemplary embodiment, each positioned on a straight line passing through the axis of rotation D.

[0024] It is within the scope of the invention that the switching unit 7 and the carousel carriers 1, 2, 3, 4, or the carrier units of the carousel carrier device K, rotate together in one direction around the axis of rotation D. This is illustrated by an arrow in the figures. The rotation can be intermittent or continuous. By rotating the carousel carriers 1, 2, 3, 4, or the carrier units around the axis of rotation D, the brush bodies 6, which are held in the receiving devices 5, are fed to the processing stations 9, 10 for processing. Preferably, and in the exemplary embodiment, the processing station 9 has a drilling device 11 as a processing unit, and with this drilling device 11, the brush bodies 6 are each provided with bores into which the bristles are inserted. Advantageously, and in the exemplary embodiment, the second processing station 10 is equipped with a punching device 12 as a processing unit.Here the bristles are inserted into the holes of the brush bodies 6.

[0025] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first carrier unit, consisting of the two coupled carousel carriers 1 and 2, is in a machining position. The receiving device 5, or the brush body 6 held therein, of each of the two carousel carriers 1, 2 is oriented towards one of the two machining stations 9, 10 for machining the respective brush bodies 6. Holes are drilled into the brush body 6 held by the receiving device 5 of the first carousel carrier 1 using the drilling device 11 of machining station 9. Bristles are inserted into the brush body 6 held by the receiving device 5 of the second carousel carrier 2 using the punching device 12 of machining station 10. During these machining operations, the second carrier unit, consisting of the two carousel carriers 3 and 4, is in a waiting position.In this process, a brush body 6 that has already been machined is expediently removed from the receiving device 5 of the carousel carrier 4 and a brush body 6 that still needs to be machined is then inserted into this receiving device 5 of the carousel carrier 4.

[0026] After completion of the machining operations on the brush bodies 6 of the carousel carriers 1 and 2 of the first carrier assembly, this first carrier assembly then rotates to the standby position, and the second carrier assembly consisting of the carousel carriers 3 and 4 pivots to the machining position, in which the drilling and punching operations are then performed on the respective brush bodies 6. It is within the scope of the invention for the carrier assemblies to switch between the machining position and the standby position due to their rotation. The switching assembly 7 according to the invention always rotates in the same direction.

Claims

1. A machining device with at least two, in particular with at least four carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4) that can be pivoted or turned around an axis of rotation D, wherein each carousel carrier (1, 2, 3, 4) has at least one receiving device (5) for receiving at least one body to be machined, wherein at least one motor, in particular a servomotor for moving the receiving device (5) or the body, is arranged on each carousel carrier (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a switching aggregate (7) with power units for the motors or servomotors is present, and characterized in that the switching aggregate (7) is at least sectionally or at least partially arranged centrally on the axis of rotation D, and wherein the switching aggregate (7) can be pivoted or turned around an axis of rotation while turning the carousel carrier (1, 2, 3, 4) around the axis of rotation D.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is set up to manufacture brushes, and wherein a body to be machined is a brush body (6).

3. The device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the switching aggregate (7) can be pivoted or turned around the axis of rotation as an entire aggregate.

4. The device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switching aggregate (7) is decoupled or mechanically decoupled from the carousel carrier device K with the carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4), and preferably connected to or suspended from a frame separate from the carousel carrier device K.

5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the switching aggregate (7) has a separate rotary drive, and wherein a rotary drive separate from the rotary drive of the switching aggregate (7) is provided for the carousel carrier device K.

6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the switching aggregate (7) can be pivoted or turned in cycles as an entire aggregate with the carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4).

7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the switching aggregate (7) can be pivoted or turned continuously as an entire aggregate with the carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4).

8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the axis of rotation corresponds to the axis of rotation D.

9. The device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the switching aggregate (7) is centrally arranged on the axis of rotation D, and wherein the axis of rotation D preferably runs through the middle or center or essentially through the middle or center of the switching aggregate (7).

10. The device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the switching aggregate (7) is arranged above the carousel carrier (1, 2, 3, 4) or above the carousel carrier device K in the operating state of the device.

11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a rotary feedthrough device (8)-preferably just one rotary feedthrough device (8)-is provided, with which electrical current and / or control signals can be fed to the switching aggregate (7).

12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the switching aggregate has power units in the form of at least one power element from the group "energy converter, power semiconductor, power switch, control and / or regulating element".

13. The device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least two pairs-in particular two pairs-of carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4) are present, and wherein the two carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4) of each pair of carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4) are coupled with each other, in particular rigidly connected to each other, so that each pair of carousel carriers (1, 2, 3, 4) can be pivoted or turned around the axis of rotation D as a carrier aggregate.

14. The device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one machining station (9, 10) is provided for machining at least one body or brush body (6) received in a receiving device (5), and wherein a carousel carrier (1, 2, 3, 4) or a carrier aggregate can be pivoted or turned toward the machining station.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, in a machining position of a first carrier aggregate comprised of two carousel carriers (1, 2), at least one receiving device (5) of each of the two carousel carriers (1, 2) is allocated to or faces a respective machining station for machining a body or brush body (6), and wherein the second carrier aggregate comprised of two carousel carriers (3, 4) is arranged in a standby position, preferably in the machining position of the first carrier aggregate.

16. The device according to one of claims 14 or 15, wherein a machining station (9, 10) has at least one machining device from the group "drilling device (11), stamping device (12), bristle feeding device".

17. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 11 to 16, wherein the axis of rotation is positioned a distance from the axis of rotation D, and wherein the smallest distance between the axis of rotation and the axis rotation D mainly measures 100 to 200 mm, and preferably 125 to 175 mm.

18. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 10 to 16, wherein the axis of rotation is inclined in relation to the axis of rotation D, and wherein the angle between the axis of rotation and the axis of rotation D mainly measures 10 to 20°, preferably 12 to 18°.