SORTING MACHINE AND PRODUCTION PLANT AS WELL AS SORTING PROCESS FOR ROD ARRESTERS

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a sorting machine for stator bars. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manufacturing plant for stator bars. In addition, the invention relates to a method for sorting stator bars.

[0002] For the manufacture of electrodynamic machines, such as electric generators or electric motors, copper-containing, bent stator bars can be used.

[0003] The production of bent conductor bars can be carried out in a machine line or production facility as follows: A flat copper wire coated and insulated with an insulating layer is unwound from a wire reel and straightened. The sheathing of the straightened flat copper wire is removed ("stripped") at equal intervals, for example, using a cutting tool or a laser beam. The flat copper wire is then split into equally long, unbent conductor bars (also known as I-pins) in the stripped areas. The resulting unbent conductor bars can then be passed on to a bending machine and further processed into bent conductor bars.

[0004] However, production defects can occur during the manufacture of unbent conductor bars. For example, the flat copper wire wound on the wire reel may already exhibit damage, such as defects in the insulation layer. Manufacturing defects can also occur during stripping or cutting of the flat copper wire, for example, due to insufficient stripping of the flat copper wire or uneven spacing of the stripped flat copper wire.

[0005] However, faulty, unbent conductor rods are unusable for the production of an electrodynamic machine and must be sorted out accordingly. To eject a faulty conductor rod, for example, a chute can be retracted, onto which the corresponding conductor rod is placed or dropped, so that it is guided out of the production process into a suitable storage facility under the influence of gravity. However, retracting the chute to sort out conductor rods is time-consuming. In particular, it is necessary to reduce the cycle rate at which the conductor rods are manufactured in order to be able to retract the chute.

[0006] US 9,015,929 B2 describes an apparatus for inserting a preformed electrical rod conductor into a bending device (twisting device). The preformed rod conductor has two rectilinear arms that run parallel to each other and are connected by a curved section. The insertion apparatus comprises the following: a feed device that arranges the preformed rod conductor in a feed direction; and a transfer device rotatable about a rotation axis, which pulls the conductor from the feed device into a gripping position in which the conductor is arranged along the feed direction and rotates it by 90° into an insertion position in which the conductor is arranged along an insertion direction that runs perpendicular to the feed direction and parallel to a pocket on the bending device. The transfer device can have four gripping clamps offset from one another by 90° with respect to the rotation axis.Using a mechanical index plate, the transfer device can be rotated around the rotation axis in 90° increments, so that with each rotation step, a conductor is transferred from the gripping position to the insertion position. The apparatus further comprises an insertion device that inserts the conductor into the bending device. The insertion device is equipped with pushing means that move the conductor along the insertion direction until the conductor is at least partially inserted into the pocket. The conductor remains clamped during the pulling from the feed device, the transfer from the gripping position to the insertion position, and the insertion into the bending device until it has been inserted into the pockets of the bending device.

[0007] US 9,624,039 B2 discloses a container treatment machine having a transport element rotatably driven about a machine axis. The direction of rotation of the transport element is reversible. The transport element has multiple container receptacles and is suitable for transporting containers from a container inlet to possibly multiple treatment stations and finally to a container outlet. While the respective containers are engaged with one of the container receptacles and are being relocated with the aid of the transport element, they can be held in the respective container receptacle by curved container guides arranged in sections around the transport element. Furthermore, a method for treating containers is described, wherein the reversibility of the direction of rotation of a transport element is utilized.

[0008] US 2016 / 03680040 A1 discloses a machine tool and a method for discharging workpiece parts. The machine tool has a movable receiving device and preferably a controllable discharging device for discharging workpiece parts from the receiving device. In one embodiment, the controllable discharging device has a pivotable flap with at least two pivot positions. The machine tool can further have one or more discharging chutes for forwarding discharging workpiece parts to a respective collecting container. Using the disclosed method, the machine tool can be used to sort workpiece parts during the machining of a workpiece.

[0009] US 2019 / 0190359 A1 describes a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for producing an electrical rotary machine (motor, generator). In a continuous process, rod conductors of a specific length are fed and bent into coil segments, which in turn can be arranged using a rotatable assembly body to form a coil element.

[0010] US 2021 / 0194340 A1 relates to a method for providing shaped bars from bar conductors. Preferably, several bar conductors are arranged and fixed in recesses of a product carrier and then formed together. A forming tool can be part of the product carrier. The product carrier can be formed in at least two parts, wherein the at least two product carrier parts are connected to one another via a common pivot axis. Furthermore, a production system for producing the shaped bars is disclosed, wherein the production system can be part of an overall system for producing assemblies for electrical machines. The production system has devices for unwinding, straightening, cutting to length, and partially stripping a conductor wire. Object of the invention

[0011] It is an object of the invention to accelerate the sorting of rod conductors that are not to be passed on to a subsequent process. Description of the invention

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a sorting machine according to claim 1, a production plant with the features specified in claim 15 and a sorting method according to claim 18. Sorting machine according to the invention

[0013] According to the invention, a sorting machine for bar conductors is provided, which comprises the following: a rotor rotatable in two opposite directions about a rotation axis with at least two receptacles offset from one another in the circumferential direction, each for a rod conductor, a feed device, in particular a gripper, for bringing a rod conductor to a receptacle of the rotor located at a receptacle point, a guide device in order to guide the rod conductor received at the receptacle point by one of the receptacles from the receptacle to a transfer point when the rotor rotates in a first direction, an ejection device in order to remove the rod conductor received at the receptacle point by one of the receptacles from the receptacle when the rotor rotates in a second direction.

[0014] The sorting machine thus makes it possible to move a conductor rod placed on one of the holders to the transfer point, from where it can be fed for further processing, or to remove it from the production process by rotating the rotor in one direction or the other. By placing both conductor rods for further processing and conductor rods to be sorted out at the same pick-up point on one of the rotor's holders, the conductor rods can always be fed in the same way and at the same speed or cycle rate, regardless of their further purpose. The rotor can also rotate at the same speed or cycle rate, regardless of the direction of rotation. In both cases (removing or transferring the conductor rod), after a conductor rod has been placed on one of the holders, the rotor is rotated far enough that an adjacent holder reaches the pick-up point.Thus, the next bar conductor can be placed on this holder without delay or even interruption of the production process and - as previously described - sorted by rotating the rotor in a suitable direction.

[0015] The conductor bars are generally straight / unbent (so-called I-pins). The receptacles are usually arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rotor's axis of rotation. Typically, the feeder receives the respective conductor bar from a production machine for the manufacture of (straight) conductor bars. The receptacle is preferably located vertically above the rotor's axis of rotation.

[0016] From the transfer point, the conductor rod can be fed to a subsequent process, for example, the conductor rod can be transferred to a bending machine. The guide device can hold a picked-up conductor rod at the holder during rotation of the rotor in the first direction until it reaches the transfer point or until shortly before it reaches the transfer point.

[0017] The discharge device causes a picked-up conductor rod to be released from the holder when the rotor rotates in the second direction—typically after passing through a certain angle of rotation. The discharge device can then guide the conductor rod into a collection device.

[0018] The sorting machine according to the invention is preferably used in a method according to the invention for sorting bar conductors as described below.

[0019] The guide device can have a guide groove. A guide groove can ensure that the rod conductors do not detach prematurely from the holder when the rotor rotates in the first direction. The guide groove can guide the rod conductors safely to the transfer point. The guide groove extends, at least in a first section, along a circumferential path around the axis of rotation of the rotor, with a radius of the guide groove corresponding to a distance of the holders from the axis of rotation. When the rotor rotates in the first direction, a rod conductor held in one of the holders is first inserted into the guide groove. The guide groove then holds the rod conductor on the holder, at least over a certain angular range, and guides it to the transfer point.

[0020] Each of the receptacles can be formed with a receiving groove. This simplifies the rotor design. Furthermore, receiving grooves allow for particularly easy insertion of the conductor rods into the respective receiving groove. The recessed design of the groove automatically secures the conductor rods against slipping in the circumferential direction.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the sorting machine, the receptacles are each formed on a blade of the rotor. By having separate blades, each with a receptacle, the rotor can be designed to be particularly lightweight and have a low moment of inertia.

[0022] It is preferably further provided that the guide device and the discharge device have common rail segments, and that the wings each have radial recesses for engagement of the rail segments. Depending on the rotational position of the rotor, the rail segments each extend through a recess on one or more wings. The recesses allow the common rail segments to extend through the wings. The common design of the rail segments for the guide device and the discharge device can ensure that the rod conductors cannot fall into the sorting machine, for example if, exceptionally, a rod conductor is not correctly positioned in a receptacle. On the side of the guide device, the rail segments can delimit a guide groove towards the rotor.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the rotor has two receptacles opposite each other with respect to the rotation axis. To sort a conductor rod held in one of the receptacles, the rotor is rotated 180° in the first or second direction; the other receptacle is thereby brought to the receiving location. The receptacles are preferably each formed on a radial vane of the rotor. The vanes are also typically opposite each other.

[0024] With two opposing receptacles, the guide device can rotate the conductor rod by 180° between the receptacle and the transfer point. When the conductor rod rotates by 180°, the rotor also rotates by 180°. If the conductor rod has a rectangular cross-section and is placed on the receptacle with, for example, a lower broad side facing up, the lower broad side will point upwards after the 180° rotation, and the upper broad side will point downwards when placed on the receptacle. The orientation of the conductor rod is retained in that one of its broad sides points downwards even after the 180° rotation. This may be desirable for further processing.

[0025] Preferably, the transfer point is located opposite the receiving point with respect to the rotor's rotation axis. This simplifies turning the conductor rod by 180° when the rotor is rotated 180°. The conductor rod can then be held at the receiving point until the transfer point.

[0026] Particularly preferably, the guide device holds the rod conductor at the receptacle until the transfer point. This ensures that the rod conductor is rotated 180° in time with the rotation of the rotor.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, the rotor has three receptacles, each offset by 120° relative to the rotation axis. To sort a conductor rod held in one of the receptacles, the rotor is rotated by 120° in the first or second direction; the next receptacle is thereby brought to the receiving location. The receptacles are preferably each formed on a radial vane of the rotor. The vanes can also be offset by 120° relative to each other.

[0028] With three receptacles offset by 120°, the guide device can rotate the conductor rod by 90° between the receptacle and the transfer point. When the conductor rod is rotated by 90°, the rotor is typically rotated by 120°. The conductor rod can first be rotated by 120° with the rotor, and then the guide device - after the conductor rod has been released from the receptacle - can rotate it back by 30°. If the conductor rod has a rectangular cross-section and is placed on the receptacle with one broad side facing down, for example, after the 90° rotation, one narrow side will point downwards. The orientation of the conductor rod is thus rotated by 90°. This may be desirable for further processing.

[0029] Preferably, the transfer point is laterally offset relative to the receiving point for a 90° rotation of the rod conductor. This simplifies the detachment of the rod conductor from the receiving point after a 120° rotation of the rotor and the guiding of it to the transfer point.

[0030] Particularly preferably, the guide device releases the rod conductor from the receptacle before the transfer point. The rod conductor is then guided independently of the rotor by the guide device to the transfer point. In particular, after a rotation of 120°, the rod conductor can be rotated back by 30° together with the rotor, so that the total rotation of the rod conductor is 90°. The transfer point can be located below the position at which the rod conductor is released from the receptacle.

[0031] If the guide device has a guide groove, the guide groove can end at the transfer point with a vertically extending groove section. The rod conductor can fall downwards in the vertically extending groove section under the influence of gravity. The length of the vertical groove section is typically relatively short, for example, no more than 2 cm, preferably no more than 1 cm. This reduces the load on the rod conductor upon impact at the end of the guide groove. The vertical extension also allows the rod conductor to be rotated by 90° to achieve the desired orientation.

[0032] The discharge device can have a chute. The chute engages underneath the conductor rod as the rotor rotates in the second direction, lifting the conductor rod from the holder. The conductor rod can then slide down the chute. This enables a controlled discharge of the conductor rod using simple means.

[0033] Advantageously, the discharge device includes a switch to selectively feed the conductor rods from the chute to one of several different collection devices. For example, conductor rods with identified defects can be separated from those that are discharged as test parts to monitor the process flow. The switch can be formed with a pivoting flap. By pivoting the flap, switching between the collection devices can be carried out particularly easily and quickly.

[0034] Alternatively or in addition to the chute, the discharge device can have a removal tool, preferably a fork, for lifting the conductor rod from the receptacle. The removal tool can grasp the conductor rod to be discharged, gripping underneath in the case of a fork, and transport it to a collection device. When using such a removal tool, the collection device or one of the collection devices can be arranged at the same height as the rotor or above the rotor.

[0035] An advantageous embodiment of the sorting machine is characterized in that a storage device, in particular a cassette, is provided for receiving the conductor bars at the transfer point. Several conductor bars can be collected in the storage device and forwarded together for further processing. Unlike the direct transfer of individual conductor bars to a subsequent process, collecting the conductor bars in the storage device avoids interruptions to the subsequent process if one of the conductor bars is rejected and thus not available for further processing. By collecting several conductor bars in the storage device and forwarding them together, a buffer is created for the subsequent process.

[0036] Preferably, a changing device is provided for selectively arranging one of several storage devices, in particular cassettes, at the transfer point. This allows for rapid switching between the two storage devices when a first of the storage devices is full. Preferably, no interruption of the bar conductor production is required when changing the storage devices. It is generally sufficient to reduce the speed or clock rate at which the bar conductors are provided for changing the storage device. Inventive manufacturing plant

[0037] The present invention also includes a manufacturing plant for rod conductors. The manufacturing plant comprises the following: a decoiling device for unwinding wire from a spool, a straightening device for straightening the unwound wire, a stripping device for partially removing an insulating layer from the wire, a separating device for dividing the wire so that individual bar conductors are obtained, a sorting machine according to the invention as described above.

[0038] The production line enables the production of straight pin conductors (I-pins) from coiled wire, particularly flat wire with a rectangular cross-section. Defective pin conductors or pin conductors intended for testing purposes can be quickly sorted out, particularly without slowing down production speed. The unwinding device, straightening device, stripping device, and cutting device can collectively be referred to as a production machine for straight or unbent pin conductors.

[0039] The wire wound on the spool is generally coated with an insulating layer throughout. The unwinding device can have a drive for the spool. Alternatively or additionally, the unwinding device can allow unwinding by pulling on the wire.

[0040] The straightening device typically comprises several rollers between which the wire can be passed. The rollers are preferably arranged on four sides to straighten a flat wire with a rectangular cross-section in both transverse directions.

[0041] The stripping device may comprise a laser for melting and / or vaporizing the insulating layer. Alternatively, the stripping device may comprise one or more punching tools for cutting the insulating layer from the wire. Preferably, four sets of two punching tools each are provided to cut the insulating layer from the four flat sides and the edges of the wire.

[0042] The cutting device may comprise a knife and an anvil. Cutting typically occurs in areas where the insulation layer has been removed, particularly in the center of the stripped areas. Cutting the wire produces individual, unbent conductors.

[0043] The sorting machine's feed device allows the conductor rods to be transferred to one of the rotor's receptacles after they have been separated from the wire by the separating device. In particular, a gripper can be provided to grasp the conductor rods and place them on the respective receptacle.

[0044] The production plant can further comprise a bending machine for bending the conductor bars. The conductor bars that have been determined for further processing by the sorting machine by rotating the rotor in the first direction are fed to the bending machine. The production plant can comprise one or more storage devices for the conductor bars, into which the conductor bars to be further processed are sorted by the sorting machine. The conductor bars temporarily stored in one of the storage devices can then be fed together to the bending machine. Bent conductor bars can be obtained by bending the unbent conductor bars.

[0045] Preferably, the production system further comprises an optical sensor for detecting color markings and / or defects on the wire and a control device. Color markings may have been applied during the manufacture of the wire to identify defects in the wire, in particular its insulating layer. Whether and where such color markings are present can be detected with the optical sensor. It is particularly advantageous if the optical sensor is also configured to automatically detect (further) defects in the insulating layer of the wire. The control device is configured to to cause a rotation of the rotor in the second direction when a bar conductor with a recognized color marking and / or a recognized defect has been brought to the receptacle of the rotor located at the receptacle location, and in a majority of cases to cause a rotation of the rotor in the first direction when a bar conductor without a recognized color marking and without a recognized defect has been brought to the receptacle of the rotor located at the receptacle location.

[0046] By rotating the rotor in the second direction, the defective conductor rods are sorted out in line with the production process. By rotating the rotor in the first direction, the conductor rods deemed acceptable are transported to the transfer point, from where they can be further processed, such as in a bending machine. In special cases, such as for statistical testing purposes, the control device can also cause the rotor to rotate in the second direction for conductor rods without a detected color marking and without a detected defect. Sorting method according to the invention

[0047] The present invention also includes a method for sorting conductor bars within a manufacturing process. The sorting method can be carried out, in particular, with a sorting machine according to the invention described above, preferably with a manufacturing system according to the invention described above. The sorting method comprises the following steps: B) repeatedly placing a bar conductor at a receiving point onto a holder of a rotor which can rotate in two opposite directions and checking whether the respective bar conductor has a defect; C) in a majority of cases in which no defect was detected on the respective bar conductor, rotating the rotor in a first direction so that the respective bar conductor is moved from the receiving point to a transfer point for further processing within the production process; D) rotating the rotor in a second direction so that the respective bar conductor is removed from the production process if a defect was detected on the respective bar conductor.

[0048] The rod conductors can be provided by the production facility in step A). ​​In this respect, reference is made to the above description, particularly regarding the unwinding device, straightening device, stripping device, and cutting device. It goes without saying that the rod conductors could, in principle, also be provided in other ways.

[0049] In step B), a single conductor is placed on each of the rotor's receptacles several times in succession (i.e., repeatedly). The respective receptacle is located at the receptacle location when the conductor is placed. Between the placement of two conductors on two of the receptacles, the rotor is rotated during steps C) and D) so that a different receptacle is positioned at the receptacle location.

[0050] Checking for defects can be performed before and / or during installation. The defect can be indicated by a color marking. The color marking and / or the defect itself can be detected by an optical sensor. Preferably, the inspection is performed before installation. This simplifies inspection of the conductor from all sides. For installation, the conductor can be grasped with a gripper and placed on the support.

[0051] The rotation of the rotor in steps C) and D) generally occurs stepwise, corresponding to the pitch of the receptacles in the circumferential direction of the rotor. By selectively rotating the rotor in the first or second direction, the conductor rods can be sorted in time with their delivery. Whether the conductor rods are transported to the transfer point or removed from the production process is irrelevant to the speed or duration of the sorting process. The conductor rods removed in step D) can be collected in a waste collection device.

[0052] If no defects are detected, the rotor is typically rotated in the first direction (for a majority of the conductor bars without a detected defect). The conductor bars then move to the transfer point. The conductor bars moved to the transfer point in step C) can undergo further processing, particularly a bending operation. For this purpose, the conductor bars can be moved individually or in groups to a bending machine.

[0053] In individual cases, the rotor can be rotated in the second direction if no defects have been detected. This can occur, in particular, after a predetermined number of conductor rods have been moved to the transfer point by rotating the rotor in the first direction. The respective conductor rod without a detected defect can be sent for inspection. In particular, the conductor rods rejected from the production process without a detected defect can be collected in a collection device for test samples. For example, every hundredth, five hundredth, or thousandth conductor rod can be designated for inspection. A switch on an ejection device can be switched to route the rejected conductor rods to the collection devices for test samples or scrap.

[0054] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawings. The embodiments shown and described are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather serve as examples for describing the invention. Detailed description of the invention and drawing

[0055] The invention is illustrated in the drawing and described using exemplary embodiments. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a production plant according to the invention with a sorting machine according to the invention during the implementation of a sorting method according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a sorting machine according to the invention in a schematic perspective view; Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the sorting machine of Figure 2, where it can be seen that a rotor has three blades, each with a holder for rod conductors; Fig. 4 an enlarged partial view of the sorting machine of Figure 2 , where it can be seen that rail segments pass through recesses in the blades of the rotor; Fig. 5 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sorting machine of Figure 2 , where a chute with a switch and two storage devices for rod conductors to be processed can be seen; Fig. 6 a further perspective view of the sorting machine of Figure 2 ; Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a sorting machine according to the invention with a two-bladed rotor, in a schematic, partial cross-sectional view;

[0056] Figure 1 shows a sorting machine 10, which is part of a production facility 12 for staff leaders 14The production line 12 comprises several stations, with which straight (unbent) conductor bars 14 are initially produced. The straight conductor bars 14 are then sorted by the sorting machine 10. Conductors 14 intended for further processing are processed into bent conductor bars 14' bent.

[0057] The rod conductors 14 are made of wire 16, in particular copper wire, with a rectangular cross-section. The wire 16 is initially wound on a coil 18 wound up. By means of an unwinding device 20, which can drive the coil 18 and / or pull the wire 16 (not shown in detail), the wire 16 is unwound from the coil 18. The wire 16 provided on the coil 18 is continuously provided with an insulating layer 22 coated.

[0058] After unwinding, the wire 16 is first straightened by means of a straightening device 24straightened. The straightening device 24 comprises several rollers arranged on different sides of the wire 26.

[0059] Then, using a stripping device 28 the insulating layer 22 is removed from the wire 16 in certain areas. The stripping device 28 can have a laser for evaporating or melting the insulating layer 22.

[0060] In the stripped areas, the wire 16 is then cut by means of a separating device 30 divided into pieces so that individual straight bar conductors 14 (so-called I-pins) are obtained.

[0061] The rod conductors 14 are supplied with a feeding device 32, which has a gripper 34 to the sorting machine 10. The feed device 32 places the bar conductors at a receiving point 36 on one of several recordings 38of the sorting machine 10. The receptacles 38 are mounted on a rotating 40 rotating rotor 42 trained.

[0062] An optical sensor 44 checks the bar conductors 14 for defects before or during transfer to the sorting machine 10. Such defects can be identified, for example, by color markings. The optical sensor 44 is connected to a control device 46 tied together.

[0063] If no defect has been detected, the control device 46 in most cases causes the rotor 42 to rotate in a first direction 48. If a defect has been detected, the control device 46 always causes the rotor 42 to rotate in a second direction 50.In special cases, for example after a certain number of bar conductors 14, the control device 46 can cause the rotor 42 to rotate in the second direction 50 even if no defect has been detected.

[0064] When the rotor 42 rotates in the first direction 48, the respective bar conductor 14 becomes a transfer point 52 This will be explained in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments of the sorting machine 10. At the transfer point 52, the rod conductors 14 can be transferred to a storage device 54 be introduced.

[0065] With the storage device 54, the rod conductors 14 become a bending machine 56The bending machine 56 bends the previously straight bar conductors 14 to produce bent bar conductors 14' (so-called hairpins). The bent bar conductors 14' can then be inserted, for example, into a stator for an electric motor (not shown in detail).

[0066] When the rotor 42 rotates in the second direction 50, the currently applied conductor rod 14 is removed from the production process. The conductor rods 14 to be removed can be stored in particular in collecting devices 58, 60 This will be explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments of the sorting machine 10. If a defect is detected, the respective bar conductor 14 is directed to a collection device 58 for rejects. If no defect is detected, the respective bar conductor 14 is directed to a collection device 60 for test parts.

[0067] The Figures 2 to 6show a first embodiment of the sorting machine 10 in different views.

[0068] In the Figures 2 and 4 It can be seen that the feed device 32 has two grippers 34. A rod conductor 14 (see Figure 1 ) can be handled particularly safely and precisely.

[0069] A drive motor 61 for the rotor 42 can be arranged parallel to its axis of rotation 40, compare Figure 6 . In this case, the drive motor 61 is connected via a toothed belt 61a coupled to the rotor.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the rotor 42 has three blades 62 on, compare Figures 3 , 4 and in particular Figure 5The wings 62 each extend radially away from the rotation axis 40. The wings 62 are each rotated by 120° relative to each other. At the free ends of the wings 62, the receptacle 38 is provided with a receiving groove 64 formed.

[0071] The receiving point 36 is located vertically above the rotation axis 40. In this embodiment, the transfer point 52 is arranged laterally offset below the rotation axis 40.

[0072] In order to move a rod conductor 14 from the receiving point 36 to the transfer point 52, the rotor 42 is rotated by 120° in the first direction 48. In order to initially hold the rod conductor 14 at the receiving point 38 and to guide it to the transfer point 52, a guide device 66 with a guide groove 68 Towards the rotational axis 40 of the rotor 42, the guide groove 68 is formed by rail segments 70limited. From the rotational axis 40 of the rotor 42, the guide groove 68 is formed by link parts 72 limited.

[0073] The guide groove 68 ends at the transfer point 52 with a vertically running groove section 74.When the rotor 42 rotates by 120° in the first direction 48, the received conductor rod 14 is initially also rotated by 120°. When the wing 62 with the conductor rod 14 has reached the position rotated by 120° in the first direction 48 from the receiving point 36, the conductor rod 14 detaches from the receiving point 38. The conductor rod 14 then falls downwards in the vertical groove section 74 of the guide groove 68. In the process, the conductor rod 14 is rotated back by 30°. The conductor rod 14 thus reaches the transfer point 52 in an orientation that is rotated by 90° compared to its orientation at the receiving point 36. If a broad side of the conductor rod 14 was pointing downwards when the conductor rod 14 was placed on the receiving point 38, a narrow side of the conductor rod 14 now points downwards.

[0074] At the transfer point 52, the rod conductor 14 is inserted into a storage device 54, which is designed here as a cassette. Since the rod conductor 14 is oriented upright, ie with a narrow side facing downwards, tilting of the rod conductor 14 in the storage device 54 can be avoided by dimensioning its receiving space sufficiently narrow.

[0075] In the present case, two storage devices 54 are provided. By means of a changing device 76 Optionally, one of the two storage devices 54 can be arranged at the transfer point 52 to accommodate the conductor rods 14. The production process does not need to be interrupted to switch between the storage devices 54, but at most needs to be slowed down briefly. A filled storage device 54 can thus be replaced by an empty storage device 54 during ongoing operation of the production plant 12.

[0076] In order to remove a bar conductor 14 from the receiving point 36 from the production process, in particular to transfer it to one of the collecting devices 58, 60, the rotor 42 is rotated by 120° in the second direction 50. During this rotation, a removal device 78 the respective staff leader 14 from the recording 38.

[0077] The discharge device 78 is equipped with a chute 80 The rail segments 70, which delimit the guide groove 68 towards the rotation axis 40, are also part of the discharge device 78. The rail segments 70 extend through recesses 81 in the wings 62 through, compare Figures 4 , 5 and 6 . When the rotor 42 rotates in the second direction 50, the rail segments 70 engage under the rod conductor 14 and lift it out of the receptacle 38. The rod conductor 14 then slides down the slide 80.

[0078] In order to route the rod conductors 14 either to the collecting device 58 for rejects or to the collecting device 60 for test parts, the discharge device 78 has a switch 82 at the chute 80. The switch 82 is here with an L-shaped flap 84 formed (compare in particular Figure 5 ), which is controlled by an actuator 86 (compare Figure 6 ) can be swiveled. In the Figure 5 In the position of the switch 82 shown, the bar conductors 14 are guided into the collecting device 58 for rejects.

[0079] In addition to the chute 80, the discharge device 78 can have a preferably fork-shaped removal tool 88 have, compare Figure 3The removal tool 88 can be moved toward the rotor 42 by means of a mechanism not shown in detail in order to engage between the rail segments 70 and lift a bar conductor 14 from the receptacle 38. The bar conductor 14 can then be removed from the sorting machine 10 using the removal tool 88.

[0080] Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the sorting machine 10. The second embodiment essentially corresponds to the one shown in the Figures 2 to 6 shown first embodiment; in this respect, reference is made to the above description. The differences are primarily described below.

[0081] At the sorting machine 10 of Figure 7 The rotor 42 has two receptacles 38 opposite one another with respect to its rotational axis 40. The receptacles 38 are each formed on a radially projecting vane 62, wherein the vanes are offset from one another by 180°.

[0082] Here, the receiving point 36 and the transfer point 52 are opposite each other with respect to the rotation axis 40. The receiving point 36 is located vertically above the rotation axis 40. In this embodiment, the transfer point 52 is arranged vertically below the rotation axis 40.

[0083] The guide device 66 comprises a guide groove 68, which is delimited by rail segments 70 and guide elements 72. The guide groove 68 extends in a semicircle concentric with the rotation axis 40. When the rotor 42 rotates in the first direction 48, the received rod conductor 14 is held on the holder 38 up to the transfer point 52.

[0084] When the rotor 42 rotates 180° in the first direction 48, the conductor rod 14 is thus also rotated 180°. If one broad side of the conductor rod 14 was facing downward when the conductor rod 14 was placed on the holder 38, the other broad side of the conductor rod 14 now faces downward. At the transfer point 52, the conductor rod 38 detaches from the holder 38 and can be directly inserted into a storage device 54.

[0085] In summary, the invention relates to a sorting machine for straight (unbent) conductor rods. The sorting machine has a rotor with at least two holders evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, each for a single conductor rod. For sorting, a respective conductor rod is placed on one of the holders. The rotor is then rotated by a fraction of a revolution in one direction or the other, depending on the pitch of the holders. Depending on the direction of rotation, the conductor rod is guided to different locations. In particular, conductor rods intended for further processing can be inserted into a storage device; conductor rods not to be further processed can be guided to a collection device. As the rotor rotates to sort the respective conductor rod, the next holder rod is simultaneously positioned so that another conductor rod can be placed on it.The step-by-step rotation of the rotor generally occurs faster than the provision of the conductor bars. The duration of a sorting process (rotation of the rotor until the next receptacle for another conductor bar is ready) can be less than 1 second, in particular less than 0.8 seconds. List of reference symbols

[0086] sorting machine 10 manufacturing facility 12 unbent / straight rod ladder 14 curved ladder 14' wire 16 Sink 18 Unwinding device 20 Insulating layer 22 straightening device 24 Roll 26 Stripping device 28 Separating device 30 Feeding device 32 gripper 34 Reception center 36 Recording 38 axis of rotation 40 rotor 42 optical sensor 44 Control device 46 first direction 48 second direction 50 handover point52 Storage device 54 Bending machine 56 Collection device 58 for reject collection device 60 for test parts drive motor 61 Timing belt 61a wing 62 Recording groove 64 Guide device 66 guide groove 68 Rail segments 70 Scenery parts 72 vertical groove section 74 Exchange device 76 Discharge device 78 slide 80 Withdrawals 81 Switch 82 flap 84 Actuator 86 Removal tool 88

Claims

1. Sorting machine (10) for bar conductors (14), comprising - a rotor (42) which is rotatable in two opposite directions about a rotation axis (40) and has at least two receptacles (38) for one bar conductor (14) each, which receptacles are offset from one another in the circumferential direction, - a feed device (32), in particular a gripper (34), for bringing one bar conductor (14) in each case to a receptacle (38) of the rotor (42) located at a receiving point (36), - a guide device (66) for guiding the bar conductor (14), which is received at the receiving point (36) by one of the receptacles (38), from the receptacle (38) to a transfer point (52) when the rotor (42) is rotated in a first direction (48), - a discharge device (78) for removing the bar conductor (14), which is received at the receiving point (36) by one of the receptacles (38), from the receptacle (38) when the rotor (42) is rotated in a second direction (50).

2. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide device (66) has a guide groove (68).

3. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the receptacles (38) are each formed with a receiving notch (64).

4. Sorting machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacles (38) are each formed on a wing (62) of the rotor (42), in that the guide device (66) and the discharge device (78) have common rail segments (70), and in that the wings (62) each have radial recesses (81) for engagement of the rail segments (70).

5. Sorting machine (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotor (42) has two receptacles (38) which are opposite one another with respect to the rotation axis (40).

6. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide device (66) causes the bar conductor (14) to rotate by 180° between the receiving point (36) and the transfer point (52), preferably wherein the transfer point (52) is opposite the receiving point (36) with respect to the rotation axis (40) of the rotor (42), and more preferably wherein the guide device (66) holds the bar conductor (14) on the receptacle (38) until the transfer point (52).

7. Sorting machine (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotor (42) has three receptacles (38) which are each offset from one another by 120° with respect to the rotation axis (40).

8. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide device (66) causes the bar conductor (14) to rotate by 90° between the receiving point (36) and the transfer point (52), preferably wherein the transfer point (52) is laterally offset with respect to the receiving point (36), more preferably wherein the guide device (66) releases the bar conductor (14) from the receptacle (38) before the transfer point (52).

9. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 2 and claim 8, characterized in that the guide groove (68) ends at the transfer point (52) with a vertically extending groove portion (74).

10. Sorting machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge device (78) has a chute (80).

11. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the discharge device (78) has a switch (82) for selectively feeding bar conductors (14) from the chute (80) to one of a plurality of different collection apparatuses (58, 60).

12. Sorting machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge device (78) has a removal tool (88), preferably a fork, for lifting the bar conductor (14) out of the receptacle (38).

13. Sorting machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a storage device (54), in particular a case, is provided for receiving the bar conductors (14) at the transfer point (52).

14. Sorting machine (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that a switching device (76) is provided for selectively arranging one of a plurality of storage devices (54), in particular cases, at the transfer point (52).

15. Production system (12) for bar conductors (14) comprising - an unwinding device (20) for unwinding wire (16) from a spool (18), - a straightening device (24) for straightening the unwound wire (16), - a stripping device (28) for removing, in regions, an insulating layer (22) from the wire (16), - a separating device (30) for cutting the wire (16) so that individual bar conductors (14) are obtained, - a sorting machine (10) according to any of the preceding claims.

16. Production system (12) according to claim 15, further comprising a bending machine (56) for bending the bar conductors.

17. Production system according to claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising an optical sensor (44) for detecting color markings and / or defects on the wire (16), and a control device (46) which is designed - to cause the rotor (42) to rotate in the second direction (50) when a bar conductor (14) with a detected color marking and / or a detected defect has been brought to the receptacle (38) of the rotor (42) located at the receiving point (36), and - in a plurality of cases, to cause the rotor (42) to rotate in the first direction (48) when a bar conductor (14) without a detected color marking and without a detected defect has been brought to the receptacle (38) of the rotor (42) located at the receiving point (36).

18. Method for sorting bar conductors (14) as part of a production process, in particular using a sorting machine (10) according to any of claims 1 to 14, preferably using a production system according to any of claims 15 to 17, the method comprising the steps of B) repeatedly placing one bar conductor (14), in each case, on a receptacle (38) of a rotor (42) at a receiving point (36), which rotor is rotatable in two opposite directions, and checking whether the relevant bar conductor (14) has a defect, C) in a plurality of cases in which no defect has been detected on the relevant bar conductor (14), rotating the rotor (42) in a first direction so that the relevant bar conductor (14) is brought from the receiving point (36) to a transfer point (52) for further processing as part of the production process, D) rotating the rotor (42) in a second direction (50) so that the relevant bar conductor (14) is discharged from the production process when a defect has been detected on the relevant bar conductor (14).

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that in some cases, the rotor (42) is rotated in the second direction (50) when no defect has been detected, in particular after a predetermined number of bar conductors (14) have been brought to the transfer point (52) by rotating the rotor (42) in the first direction (48).

20. Method according to claim 18 or claim 19, characterized in that the bar conductors (14) brought to the transfer point (52) in step C) are subjected to further processing, in particular a bending process.