Spoke ejector gun for a spoke in an opening in the hub of a spoked wheel

Abstract

Ejection device (1) for a spoke (2) in an opening of a hub of a spoked wheel (2), the device (1) comprises a barrel (3) into which a spoke (2) is inserted, the spoke having a bent portion (20) provided with a head (21), the device (1) comprises an axial thrust system (4) having a piston (40) movable within the barrel (3) to exert an axial thrust force (4) at the head (21) of the spoke (2) to eject the spoke (2). According to the invention, the axial thrust system (4) is driven by an electric motor (5). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Gun for ejecting a spoke into an orifice in a hub of a spoked wheel Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for ejecting a spoke into an orifice in a hub of a spoked wheel intended to equip locomotion vehicles, such as bicycles or motorcycles. Prior art

[0002] The hubs of spoked wheels generally comprise a cylindrical central portion mounted to rotate freely around an axis, and bordered at its two ends by perpendicular flanges, each comprising a ring of orifices intended to receive spokes to connect the hub to the rim of the spoked wheel.

[0003] It is known in particular from the prior art to thread the spokes into the holes in the hub by means of ejection devices, called pistols, or "Guns" in English, to carry out this operation quickly and automatically.

[0004] These devices for ejecting a spoke into an orifice of a hub comprise a barrel capable of ejecting spokes. The spokes are in particular of the type comprising a bent part provided with a head. The ejection of the spoke is carried out by a piston system exerting an axial thrust force at the head of the spoke.

[0005] The piston system is generally driven and controlled pneumatically or hydraulically as described in document WO2013 / 110321.

[0006] However, such control devices have the disadvantage of having ejection movements of the piston system which are not optimized, in particular when the hub has to receive spokes of different sizes, for example.

[0007] Furthermore, these beam ejection devices have the disadvantage of being noisy.

[0008] Another difficulty in ejecting spokes lies in the orientation of the bent end portion of the spoke which can cause the spoke to become blocked when not controlled. Statement of the invention

[0009] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to propose a device for ejecting a spoke into an orifice of a hub of a spoked wheel, which is adaptable to the size of the spokes to be ejected.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide such an ejection device reducing the manufacturing cost of a spoked wheel means.

[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for ejecting a radius with low noise pollution.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide such an ejection device in which the orientation of the bent portion of the spoke is controlled during ejection of the spoke.

[0013] For this purpose, a device has been developed for ejecting a spoke into an orifice in a hub of a spoked wheel, the device comprises a barrel into which a spoke is inserted with a bent part provided with a head forming a pellet, the device comprises an axial thrust system comprising a piston movable in the barrel to exert an axial thrust force at the head of the spoke to eject the spoke.

[0014] According to the invention, the axial thrust system is moved by an electric motor.

[0015] The electric motor can be any type of electric motor, for example a motor linear, or preferably a brushless motor.

[0016] In this way, the piston is driven by an electric motor which makes it easier to adjust the position and speed of said piston. Thus, the movement of the piston is optimized, which consequently makes it possible to reduce the production time of a spoked wheel hub, and thus its production cost. In particular, when it is necessary to eject spokes of different sizes, the piston can return a necessary and sufficient distance to eject the spoke. If the spoke to be ejected is shorter, the rear stroke of the piston can be reduced, which reduces the spoke ejection time and improves productivity.

[0017] Of course, the electric motor system is much less noisy than the pneumatic devices of the prior art.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, the axial thrust system comprises a rod connected to the piston, the rod being moved by the electric motor, via drive means.

[0019] The drive means are, for example, in the form of a first roller positioned in support on the rod and driven in rotation by the electric motor.

[0020] Preferably, the drive means comprise a second roller, mounted free to rotate, and positioned in counter-support on the rod relative to the first roller.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the piston comprises a contact face with the head of the spoke which has a hollow shape, preferably frustoconical, in which said head of the spoke is housed.

[0022] Generally speaking, the barrel of the ejection device comprises a slot allowing the loading of a beam.

[0023] In order to control the orientation of the bent part of the spoke during its ejection, the device comprises a system for radially pushing the spoke.

[0024] In this way, the combination of axial support against the head of the spoke, and a radial thrust force from the spoke, makes it possible to force the bent part to orient itself in a direction opposite to the radial thrust force, which therefore makes it possible to control the orientation of the bent part of the spoke.

[0025] Preferably, the radial thrust system comprises a jack capable of exerting a bearing force, for example on a tongue pivotally mounted inside the barrel, between a bearing position against the spoke and a free position, in order to adequately orient the head of the spoke before its ejection.

[0026] Advantageously, the ejection device comprises means for detecting a ray to be ejected into the barrel, and / or for detecting a rear position of the piston and / or for detecting a rear position of the rod. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, of the device according to the invention, from the appended drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of the ejection device of a ray of the present invention, protective covers having been hidden.

[0029] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the ejection device illustrating in detail the axial thrust system, protective covers and the upper part of the barrel having been masked.

[0030] [Fig.3] is an isolated view of the axial thrust system.

[0031] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the radial thrust system.

[0032] [Fig.5] is a perspective representation of the ray. Detailed description of the invention

[0033] With reference to Figures 1 to 9, the present invention relates to an ejection device (1) for a spoke (2) in an orifice of a hub of a spoked wheel (2).

[0034] The invention aims in particular to reduce the noise pollution of these ejection devices (1), while optimizing the movement of the axial thrust system (4) to adapt to the different sizes of spokes (2), and reduce the manufacturing cost of the hub.

[0035] The ejection device (1) according to the invention comprises a barrel (3) into which a spoke (2) with a bent part (20) provided with a head (21) is intended to be inserted.

[0036] The supply of the beam (2) is carried out by baskets, preferably positioned on either side of the barrel (3), which load a beam (2) in isolation via a slot (31) positioned on the barrel (3).

[0037] The device (1) comprises an axial thrust system (4) comprising a rod (41) connected to a piston (40).

[0038] The rod (41) is driven by an electric motor (5), via drive means, the latter may be in the form of two, for example: rollers (6, 7), each provided for example with an annular groove complementary to the section of the rod (41), and positioned on either side of the rod to roll against the rod. One of the rollers (6) is driven by the electric motor (5), the other roller (7) provides the counter-support and is mounted to rotate freely.

[0039] The electric motor (5) may be any type of electric motor, for example a linear motor, or preferably a brushless motor or any other suitable electric motor.

[0040] The electric motor (5) makes it possible to control the speed and position of the rod (41) by changing the values ​​of its magnetic field. Thus, the motor is capable of performing accelerations, adjusting the speed and positioning precision of the rod (41) optimally in order to adapt to the different sizes of spokes (2) to be ejected.

[0041] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the drive means may be in the form, for example, of a pulley system, or even belts, or any other suitable drive means.

[0042] The electric motor (5) allows the rod (41) to move back and forth, causing the piston (40) to return back following the ejection of the spoke (2).

[0043] This therefore makes it possible to move the piston (40) in the barrel (3) and to exert an axial thrust force at the head (21) of the spoke (2) to eject said spoke (2).

[0044] When manufacturing a spoked wheel hub (2), the size of the spokes (2) to be inserted can vary. Thus, the ejection device (1) must be adjustable in order to optimize the ejection system of a spoke (2), and to reduce the production costs of a hub.

[0045] The use of an electric motor (5) thus makes it possible to easily control the speed and length of movement of the piston (40), in particular to adapt to the size of spokes (2), while reducing the noise emitted by the device (1).

[0046] Thus, the movement of the rod (41) will cause the piston (40) to move inside the barrel in order to eject the spoke (2) positioned in the barrel (3) from the ejection device (1).

[0047] The piston (40) comprises a contact face (401) with the head (21) of the spoke (2), which has a hollow shape, for example frustoconical, in which said head (21) is housed.

[0048] The contact face (401) optionally comprises a radially hollowed-out portion, not shown, making it possible to guide the head (21) of the spoke (2) during its loading.

[0049] After loading, the bent part (20) of the spoke (2) is found resting on the contact face (401) and the head (21) of the spoke (2) is found positioned in the center of the hollow shape of the contact face (401) of the piston (40).

[0050] The barrel (3) is equipped at one outlet end with a pro module lengthening in order to be able to control the orientation of the bent part (20) of the spoke (2). For this purpose, the extension module comprises a radial thrust system (9) of the spoke (2).

[0051] The radial thrust system (9) is for example composed of a jack (90) capable of exerting a bearing force on a tongue (91) pivotally mounted inside the barrel (3), between a radial bearing position against the spoke (2) and a free position, in order to adequately orient the head (21) of the spoke (2) before its ejection.

[0052] In this way, the combination of axial support against the head (21) of the spoke (2), and a radial thrust force of the spoke (2), makes it possible to force the bent part (20) to orient itself in a direction opposite to the radial thrust force, which therefore makes it possible to control the orientation of the bent part (20) of the spoke (2).

[0053] The ejection device (1) also comprises detection means (10), such as sensors, making it possible to verify the presence of a beam (2) to be ejected in the barrel (3).

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the device (1) comprises several detection means (10) making it possible to control the positioning of the rod (41) and / or the piston (40) of the axial thrust system (4) in a rear position.

[0055] The piston (40) may further comprise a key, not shown, intended to be guided by a complementary passage (30) provided in the barrel (3) in order to prevent any rotation of the piston (40).

[0056] In a particular embodiment, the corridor (30) opens onto the slot (31).

[0057] It is clear from the above that the invention does indeed provide an ejection device (1) of a spoke (2) in an orifice of a hub of a spoked wheel (2), carrying out optimized ejection movements, in particular in speed and stroke, to adapt to the different sizes of the spokes (2) in order to reduce the production cost of such a spoked wheel hub (2). The noise pollution linked to the use of the device (1) according to the invention is reduced.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for ejecting a spoke (2) into an orifice of a hub of a spoked wheel (2), the device (1) comprises a barrel (3) into which a spoke (2) is inserted with a bent part (20) provided with a head (21), the device comprises an axial thrust system (4) comprising a piston (40) movable in the barrel (3) to exert an axial thrust force (4) at the head (21) of the spoke (2) to eject the spoke (2), characterized in that the axial thrust system (4) is moved by a linear or brushless electric motor (5) controllable in speed and position.

2. Ejection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial thrust system (4) comprises a rod (41) connected to the piston (40), the rod (41) being moved by the electric motor (5) via drive means.

3. Ejection device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive means are in the form of a first roller (6) positioned in support on the rod (41) and driven in rotation by the electric motor (5).

4. Ejection device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive means comprise a second roller (7), mounted free to rotate, and positioned in counter-support on the rod (41) relative to the first roller (6).

5. Ejection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston (40) comprises a contact face (401) with the head (21) of the spoke (2) which has a hollow shape in which said head (21) of the spoke (2) is housed.

6. Ejection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrel (3) comprises a radial thrust system (9) of the beam (2) in order to adequately orient the head (21) of the beam (2) before its ejection.

7. Ejection device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the radial thrust system (9) comprises a jack (90) capable of exerting a bearing force on a tongue (91) pivotally mounted inside the barrel (3) between a bearing position against the radius (2) and a free position.

8. Ejection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (10) for detecting a beam (2) to be ejected into the barrel (3) and / or detection of a rear position of the piston (40) and / or detection of a rear position of the rod (41).

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