Automatic magazine for a plurality of polishing brushes

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic magazine (1) for a plurality of polishing brushes. According to the invention, the automatic magazine (1) comprises a storage system (9) for the plurality of polishing brushes; a coupling system (10) for one of the polishing brushes – called the active polishing brush – to a polishing tool that works with the automatic magazine (1); and a motorized arm (11) configured to be able to pick up one of the polishing brushes stored on the storage system (9) and place it on the coupling system (10). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic magazine of a plurality of polishing brushes

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of polishing devices and more particularly of automatic replacement systems for brushes and discs used in polishing operations. More particularly, the invention relates to an automatic magazine for a plurality of polishing brushes.

[0002] It is known to use polishing devices to machine a surface by abrasion. These polishing devices make it possible to remove material from a surface by rubbing an abrasive accessory on said surface. The accessories are intended to be rubbed on the surface to be polished by a rotary, translational, or oscillatory movement. The accessories can be of the type of a pad, a disc or a brush, and have variable hardnesses that a user selects according to the surface to be polished and the desired result. Once the accessory is worn, it is necessary to exchange it with a new accessory, to guarantee the quality of the polishing. Also, for a polishing device adapted to different accessories, for example of variable hardness, it is necessary to remove the accessory mounted on the polishing device to exchange it with another.

[0003] In the state of the art, different technologies are known which are used to exchange rotating brushes.

[0004] In particular, the "Roloc Attachment" system produced by the 3M company is known. This system involves supports that hold different accessories such as discs or combination wheels. These systems consist of a hard rubber pad, an adapter rod and the necessary accessory. The rod allows the assembly to be mounted quickly and easily on common grinding tools such as drills or pneumatic tools. The discs are changed by a rotary movement, without the need for other tools.

[0005] Also known is the "X-Lock System" produced by Bosch, which allows for quick change of accessories on a grinding head by means of an X-shaped coupling. This is a simple change, without tools or additional mounting equipment, in which the accessories can only be mounted in the correct position. The disc is fixed to the shaft and an audible check is carried out.

[0006] There are also other systems for the automatic exchange of an accessory such as abrasive paper, which are attached in a different way, generally by Velcro.

[0007] The disadvantage of these solutions is that they are valid for only one type of accessory, instead of different types of accessories, for example brushes and rotating disks. It is understood that solutions require consumables specifically adapted to each system.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to propose a new automatic magazine for a plurality of polishing brushes in order to at least largely address the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to allow automatic replacement on the polishing device of brushes or discs used in polishing operations.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to allow replacement minimizing the number of manual operations necessary, on the polishing device, for changing brushes or discs used in polishing operations.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic magazine for a plurality of universal polishing brushes, capable of integrating a variety of consumable accessories of different types, whether of different nature or of different dimensions.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an automatic magazine of a plurality of polishing brushes, the automatic magazine comprising: (i) a system for storing the plurality of polishing brushes; (ii) a system for coupling one of the polishing brushes - called the active polishing brush - to a polishing tool collaborating with the automatic magazine; (iii) a motorized arm configured to be able to take one of the polishing brushes stored on the storage system and place it on the coupling system.

[0013] The automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be compatible with a variety of different consumable accessories. The plurality of polishing brushes intended to cooperate with the invention may be of different natures, with polishing brushes filled with different polishing material and / or polishing brushes of different dimensions.

[0014] The automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be compatible with different polishing tools. It is understood that when implementing the automatic magazine according to the invention, an operator guarantees compatibility between the polishing tool and the plurality of polishing brushes chosen.

[0015] In the automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention, the storage system is intended to store the plurality of polishing brushes.

[0016] In the automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention, the coupling system is intended to couple the active polishing brush to the polishing tool collaborating with the automatic magazine.

[0017] In the automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention, the motorized arm is intended to grip one of the polishing brushes stored in the system of storage. The motorized arm is intended to unlace the gripped polishing brush from the storage system to the coupling system. The motorized arm is intended to deposit the moved polishing brush from the storage system at the coupling system.

[0018] Such an automatic magazine, provided with such a storage system, such a coupling system and such a motorized arm, makes it possible to ensure the automatic mounting of a polishing brush on a polishing tool. Thus, this solution makes it possible, universally and without manual intervention, to avoid the risks incurred by an operator who would carry out this manipulation. In addition, in a production line, this solution reduces production stoppages due to changing the polishing brush, while being simple to implement. The automatic magazine according to the invention has the advantage of overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0019] The automatic store according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0020] - the storage system comprises: (i) an axis along which the polishing brushes are stacked on top of each other via a central bearing of said polishing brushes; (ii) a flange movable along the axis and intended to support all of the polishing brushes stacked on the axis, said polishing brushes resting on the flange; (iii) a pre-loading device configured to be able to exert a non-zero force on the flange and in the direction of a free end - called the distribution end - of the axis. In the storage system, the polishing brushes are intended to form a set and to be stored in a stack. The axis of the polishing system makes it possible to maintain the polishing brushes stored in a stack. It is understood that the axis of the polishing system is intended to cooperate with the central bearing of each of the polishing brushes, for example by crossing the central bearing of each of the polishing brushes. In the storage system, the flange is intended to support the polishing brushes organized in a stack.By being mobile, the flange is configured to be able to be moved in translation in a direction of extension of the axis of the storage system. In particular, the flange is configured to be able to move in translation the set of polishing brushes stacked on the axis so that one of the polishing brushes of the set, corresponding to the highest polishing brush of the stack, cooperates with the distribution end of the axis. In the storage system, the pre-loading device is intended to move in translation the flange in the direction of extension of the axis of the storage system. Such a storage system makes it possible to present to the motorized arm the polishing brush intended to be grasped by said arm; .

[0021] - the pre-charging device takes the form of an electric motor configured to generate a displacement of the flange along the axis. Alternatively, the pre-loading device takes the form of a helical spring located between the flange and a base of the storage system secured to the ground and to which the axis is linked;

[0022] - the coupling system comprises: (i) a loading platform intended to receive the active polishing brush; (ii) a rotational coupling member configured to allow angular indexing of the active polishing brush with said rotational coupling member, the rotational coupling member being rotatable about a so-called coupling axis of rotation; (iii) an actuator configured to pivot the rotational coupling member about the coupling axis between a first configuration in which the active polishing brush is decoupled from the polishing tool and a second configuration in which the active polishing brush is coupled to the polishing tool. In the coupling system, the loading tray is intended to receive the active polishing brush deposited by the motorized arm.In the coupling system, the rotating coupling member makes it possible to control the positioning of the active polishing brush prior to its attachment to the polishing tool and / or prior to its detachment from the polishing tool. The rotating coupling member is intended to be pivoted by the actuator about a so-called coupling axis of rotation. By pivoting, the rotating coupling member makes it possible to couple or decouple the polishing brush and the polishing tool. It is understood that when the polishing brush is decoupled from the polishing tool, it cooperates with the polishing tool without being fixed thereto. When the polishing brush is coupled with the polishing tool, it cooperates with the polishing tool by being fixed thereto. When coupled with the polishing tool, the active polishing brush is operational, in other words it can be implemented by the polishing tool for polishing; .

[0023] - the motorized arm comprises: (I) a tool for gripping one of the brushes of polishing, called gripped polishing brush, the gripping tool being located at a free end of a gripping rod of the motorized arm; (II) a motor member configured to allow the gripping tool (i) to grip one of the polishing brushes stored on the storage system and (ii) to collaborate with the coupling system. In the motorized arm, the free end of the gripping rod is fixedly attached to the gripping tool. The polishing brush intended to be gripped by the motorized arm is intended to become the active polishing brush;

[0024] - the gripping tool comprises a casing taking the form of two half-discs distant from each other and secured to each other, the casing being configured to allow the insertion of the polishing brush gripped between the two half-discs. In the gripping tool, the casing forms an envelope intended to allow a gripping the polishing brush. In particular, the housing allows the polishing brush to be moved from the storage system to the coupling system;

[0025] - the motorized arm comprises a central shaft around which the gripping rod is movable in rotation, the motor member taking the form of an electric motor configured to control an angular position of the gripping rod around the central shaft;

[0026] - the motorized arm comprises a motor member configured to allow a linear placement of the gripping tool along the central shaft;

[0027] - the axis of the storage system and the coupling axis of the coupling system are all located along a circle, called a distribution circle, the center of which coincides with the central shaft of the motorized arm;

[0028] - the axis of the storage system, the coupling axis of the coupling system and the shaft central motorized arm are all parallel to each other;

[0029] - the automatic store includes a device for recovering the brushes from used polishing brushes, the recovery device comprising a pillar configured to receive a plurality of used polishing brushes stacked on top of each other. In the recovery device, the polishing brushes are intended to be stored in stacks. The polishing brushes are stacked on top of each other along the pillar via the central bearing of said polishing brushes. The recovery device makes it possible to collect the polishing brushes which have been used with the polishing tool and which have been used and / or worn out;

[0030] - the pillar of the recovery device is located along the distribution circle, the pillar being parallel to the central shaft of the motorized arm. Such a pillar allows the motorized arm to move a polishing brush from the coupling system to the recovery device. In other words, such a recovery device is automated;

[0031] - the automatic store comprises a control unit configured to control selectively the storage system, the coupling system and the motorized arm. The control unit allows the storage system, the coupling system and the motorized arm to be controlled individually. This selective control can be activated manually or advantageously in an automated manner.

[0032] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for changing a polishing brush on a polishing tool by an automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the method comprising the following steps: (i) a step of decoupling a used polishing brush mounted on the polishing tool, the decoupling step comprising a step of coupling the used polishing brush to the coupling system; (ii) a step of gripping the used polishing brush by the motorized arm; (iii) a step of depositing the used polishing brush on the device of recovery; (iv) a step of selecting a polishing brush - called grasping - in the storage system; (v) a step of coupling the grasped polishing brush with the polishing tool, the coupling step comprising a step of engaging the grasped polishing brush on the coupling system.

[0033] Such a method, implementing the automatic magazine according to the first aspect of the invention, makes it possible to ensure the automatic mounting of a polishing brush on a polishing tool. Thus, this solution makes it possible, universally and without manual intervention, to avoid the risks incurred by an operator who would carry out this manipulation. In addition, in a production line, this solution reduces production stoppages due to changing the polishing brush, while being simple to implement.

[0034] The method according to the second aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0035] - in particular, the decoupling step comprises a step of rotating the actuator so as to pivot the used polishing brush relative to the polishing tool in order to decouple it from said polishing tool. When the polishing tool is thus decoupled from the used polishing brush, the polishing tool is raised and moved away from said used polishing brush;

[0036] - in particular, the gripping step includes a step of rotating the motorized arm in order to that the gripping tool introduces the used polishing brush present on the coupling member of the coupling system. Following the insertion of the used polishing brush into the gripping tool, the gripping tool is lifted. In other words, the drive member linearly moves the gripping tool along the central shaft in order to decouple the used polishing brush from the coupling member;

[0037] - in particular, the step of depositing the used polishing brush on the device of recovery comprises a step of pivoting the motorized arm so as to place the gripping tool directly above the pillar of the recovery device, a step of linear movement of the gripping tool along the central shaft in order to lower the gripping tool relative to the pillar. In other words, the linear movement makes it possible to engage the pillar in a central bearing of the used polishing brush. Following this linear movement, the motorized arm is pivoted so as to extract the used polishing brush from the gripping tool;

[0038] - in particular, the selection step includes a position adjustment step of the gripping tool relative to the coupling axis of the coupling system, by linear displacement of the gripping tool relative to the central shaft of the motorized arm. Subsequently, the motorized arm is pivoted relative to the central shaft so as to insert the gripped polishing brush into the gripping tool. Finally, the tool gripping device - thus carrying the gripped polishing brush - is moved along the axis of the storage system in order to extract the gripped polishing brush from the axis of said storage system. The gripped polishing brush is then moved towards the coupling system;

[0039] - in particular, the engagement step comprises: (i) a step of depositing the brush polishing brush gripped on the coupling member of the coupling system. The gripped polishing brush is then coupled in rotation with the coupling member; (ii) a step of approaching the polishing tool opposite the gripped polishing brush thus presented on the coupling member; (iii) a step of rotating the actuator so as to pivot the gripped polishing brush - via the coupling member - relative to the polishing tool in order to couple it to said polishing tool. When the polishing tool is thus coupled to the gripped polishing brush, the polishing tool can then be raised and used to polish a surface.

[0040] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0041] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0042] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic view of an automatic store conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0043] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic view of the automatic store according to the first aspect of the invention put into context;

[0044] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a method of changing a brush of polishing on a polishing tool by the automatic magazine shown in [Fig.l].

[0045] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0046] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0047] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0048] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, a schematic view of an automatic magazine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention is illustrated. In particular, [Fig. 2] shows the automatic magazine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention in a situation collaborating with a polishing tool 3. [Fig. 2] shows the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention cooperating with different polishing brushes among which a plurality of polishing brushes 2, new, stored in a first stack 4, used polishing brushes 5 stored in a second stack 6, a polishing brush mounted on the polishing tool 3 and ready to polish, called the active polishing brush 7. In the plurality of polishing brushes 2, the highest polishing brush in the stack corresponds to a polishing brush intended to be gripped by the automatic magazine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention to be mounted on the polishing tool 3.When gripped, said polishing brush is designated as gripped polishing brush. The active polishing brush 7 mounted on the polishing tool 3 is, once used, intended to be decoupled from the polishing tool 3 by the automatic magazine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention to be added to the second stack 6 with other used polishing brushes 5.

[0049] [Fig.l] shows that the automatic magazine 1 comprises a storage system 9, a coupling system 10 and a motorized arm 11. The automatic magazine 1 further comprises a device 12 for recovering used polishing brushes 5.

[0050] [Fig. 1] shows that the storage system 9 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention comprises an axis 13, a flange 14 and a pre-loading device 15. The axis 13 of the storage system 9 comprises a free end - called a distribution end 16 - opposite the end 17 fixed to a base 18 of the storage system 9. The pre-loading device 15 of the storage system 9 takes the form of an electric motor 19 configured to generate a movement of the flange 14 along the axis 13 of the storage system 9. [Fig. 2] shows that the storage system 9 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention is intended to store the plurality of polishing brushes 2. In the plurality of polishing brushes 2, the polishing brushes 2 are stacked on top of each other along the axis 13 of the storage system 9.The axis 13 of the storage system 9 collaborates with a central bearing 20 of said polishing brushes in which an orifice 21 is formed through which the axis 13 of the storage system 9 passes. [Fig. 1] shows by a first arrow 101, bidirectional, that the flange 14 of the storage system 9 is movable along the axis 13 of the storage system 9. In [Fig. 2], the plurality of polishing brushes 2 rests on the flange 14, not visible in [Fig. 2], which supports all of the polishing brushes stacked on the axis 13 of the storage system 9. [Fig. 2] shows that the pre-loading device 15 of the storage system 9 exerts a non-zero force, represented by a second arrow 102 on the flange 14. The non-zero force is oriented towards the end of the disc. tribution 16 of the axis 13 of the storage system 9. The pre-loading device 15 of the storage system 9 thus makes it possible to raise the first stack 4 of new polishing brushes in order to present them to the motorized arm 11 which is configured to be able to take them.

[0051] [Fig.l] shows that the coupling system 10 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention comprises a loading plate 22, a coupling member 23 and an actuator 24. The coupling member 23 of the rotating coupling system 10 is rotatable about an axis of rotation, called the coupling axis 25. Said coupling member 23 is rotatable about the coupling axis 25 in a bidirectional manner, as shown by a third arrow 103 and a fourth arrow 104 in [Fig.l]. By bidirectional rotation, the coupling member 23 can alternately couple and decouple the polishing brush and the polishing tool 3 together.

[0052] [Fig. 1] shows that the motorized arm 11 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention comprises a gripping tool 26, a motor member 27 taking the form of an electric motor 28 and a gripping rod 29 having a free end 99.

[0053] [Fig.l] shows that the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 comprises a casing 30 taking the form of two half-discs 31 spaced apart from each other and secured to each other.

[0054] [Fig. 1] shows that the motorized arm 11 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention comprises a central shaft 32 around which the gripping rod 29 of the motorized arm 11 is rotatable. The motor member 27 of the motorized arm 11 is configured to control an angular position of the gripping rod 29 around the central shaft 32, as shown by a fifth bidirectional arrow 105. The motor member 27 of the motorized arm 11 is configured to allow a linear movement of the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 along the central shaft 32, as shown by a sixth bidirectional arrow 106. The axis 13 of the storage system 9 and the coupling axis 25 of the coupling system 10 are all located along a circle, called distribution 33, of which a center 34 coincides with the central shaft 32 of the motorized arm 11.The axis 13 of the storage system 9, the coupling axis 25 of the coupling system 10 and the central shaft 32 of the motorized arm 11 are all parallel to each other.

[0055] [Fig. 1] shows that the recovery device 12 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention comprises a pillar 35 located along the distribution circle 33. The pillar 35 of the recovery device 12 is parallel to the central shaft 32 of the motorized arm 11 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention. [Fig. 2] shows that the pillar 35 of the recovery device 12 is configured to receive the used polishing brushes 5 stacked on top of each other to form the second stack 6.

[0056] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a method 36 according to the second aspect of the invention. Method 36 is a method of changing a polishing brush on the polishing tool 3 by the automatic magazine 1 according to the first aspect of the invention shown in [Fig.l]. In [Fig.3], arrows are used to represent connections between consecutive steps of the method 36 according to the invention.

[0057] In [Fig.3], the method 36 comprises the following steps: a step 37 of decoupling a used polishing brush 5 mounted on the polishing tool 3, a step 38 of gripping the used polishing brush 5 by the motorized arm 11, a step 39 of depositing the used polishing brush 5 on the recovery device 12, a step 40 of selecting a polishing brush - called gripping 8 - in the storage system 9, a step 41 of coupling the polishing brush with the polishing tool 3.

[0058] In [Fig. 3], a first insert 301, a second insert 302 and a third insert 303 show the decoupling step 37 of the method 36 according to the invention. In the decoupling step 37, a used polishing brush 5 mounted on the polishing tool 3 is decoupled from the polishing tool 3. The decoupling step 37 comprises a coupling step 42 during which the used polishing brush 5 is coupled to the coupling system 10 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention, as illustrated in the first insert 301 of [Fig. 3].

[0059] The first insert 301 of [Fig. 3] shows the active polishing brush 7 coupled to the polishing tool 3. It is understood that this active polishing brush 7 is a used polishing brush 5 which is intended to be changed using the method 36 according to the invention. The polishing tool 3 moves in a translational movement along the coupling axis 25 of the coupling system 10, this translational movement being represented by a seventh arrow 107.

[0060] The second insert 302 of [Fig. 3] shows that the decoupling step 37 comprises a step 43 of rotating the actuator 24 so as to pivot the used polishing brush 5 relative to the polishing tool 3 in order to decouple it from said polishing tool 3. The second insert 302 of [Fig. 3] shows that at the end of the translational movement represented by the seventh arrow 107, the coupling system 10 is coupled to the used polishing brush 5. The used polishing brush 5 cooperates with the loading plate 22 of the coupling system 10 and with the coupling member 23 of the coupling system 10. The coupling member 23 of the coupling system 10 is rotated about the coupling axis 25 by the actuator 24, as shown by the third arrow 103, to decouple the used polishing brush 5 from the polishing tool 3.

[0061] The third insert 303 of [Fig. 3] shows that when the polishing tool 3 is decoupled from the used polishing brush 5, the polishing tool 3 is raised and moved away from said used polishing brush 5. The polishing tool 3, decoupled from the used polishing brush 5, is moved in a reverse translational movement along the coupling axis 25 of the coupling system 10. The reverse translational movement is represented by an eighth arrow 108. The used polishing brush 5 cooperates with the loading plate 22 of the coupling system 10.

[0062] A fourth insert 304 of [Fig. 3] shows the gripping step 38. In the gripping step 38, the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 grips the used polishing brush 5, which becomes a used gripped polishing brush 8. The used gripped polishing brush 8 is inserted into the housing 30. The gripping step 38 includes a rotation step 44 of the motorized arm 11 so that the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 introduces the used polishing brush 5 present on the coupling member 23 of the coupling system 10, as shown by a ninth arrow 109. Following the insertion of the used gripped polishing brush 8 into the gripping tool 26, the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 is lifted as shown by a tenth arrow 110.It is the motor member 27 of the motorized arm 11 which linearly moves the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 along the central shaft 32 in order to decouple the used gripped polishing brush 8 from the coupling member 23 of the coupling system 10.

[0063] A fifth insert 305 of [Fig.3] shows the step 39 of depositing the used captured polishing brush 8 on the recovery device 12 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention. The step 39 of depositing the used gripped polishing brush 8 on the recovery device 12 comprises a step 45 of pivoting the motorized arm 11 so as to place the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 in line with the pillar 35 of the recovery device 12, as shown by an eleventh arrow 111. The step 39 of depositing the used gripped polishing brush 8 on the recovery device 12 comprises a step of linear displacement 46 of the gripping tool 26 along the central shaft 32 in order to lower the gripping tool 26 relative to the pillar 35, as shown by a twelfth arrow 112. The linear displacement shown by the twelfth arrow 112 makes it possible to engage the pillar 35 in the central bearing 20 of the used gripped polishing brush 8.Following this linear movement, the motorized arm 11 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention is pivoted so as to extract the polishing brush, which is then no longer designated as “grasped”, from the gripping tool 26 as shown by a thirteenth arrow 113.

[0064] A sixth insert 306 of [Fig. 3] shows the used polishing brush 5 stored in the pillar 35 at the end of the depositing step 39. The sixth insert 306 of [Fig. 3] further shows the selection step 40 of the gripped polishing brush 8 in the storage system 9 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention. The motor member 27 of the motorized arm 11 allows the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 to grip one of the polishing brushes of the plurality of new polishing brushes 2, stored in the first stack 4 on the storage system 9 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention.

[0065] In particular, the selection step 40 comprises a step 47 of adjusting the position of the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 relative to the axis 13 of the storage system 9, by linear displacement of the gripping tool 26, as shown by a fourteenth arrow 114. Subsequently, the motorized arm 11 is pivoted relative to the central shaft 32 so as to insert the polishing brush to be gripped, from the plurality of polishing brushes 2, into the casing 30 of the gripping tool 26, as shown by a fifteenth arrow 115, to make it the new gripped polishing brush 8. The motorized arm 11 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention thus picks up the highest polishing brush from the first stack 4.Finally, the gripping tool 26 moves the gripped polishing brush 8 along the axis 13 of the storage system 9 in order to extract the gripped polishing brush 8 from the axis 13 of said storage system 9, as shown by a sixteenth arrow 116.

[0066] The polishing brush 8 gripped by the gripping tool 26 of the motorized arm 11 is moved by the motor member 27 of the motorized arm 11 towards the coupling system 10 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention, as shown by a seventeenth arrow 117 shown in a seventh insert 307 of [Fig.3].

[0067] The seventh insert 307, an eighth insert 308, a ninth insert 309 and a tenth insert 310 of [Fig. 3] show the coupling step 41 of the polishing brush 8 gripped with the polishing tool 3. The coupling step 41 comprises a step 48 of engagement of the polishing brush 8 gripped on the coupling system 10 of the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention.

[0068] The seventh insert of [Fig. 3] shows that the engagement step 48 includes a step 49 of depositing the polishing brush 8 gripped on the coupling system 10. During the step 49 of depositing the polishing brush 8 gripped on the coupling system 10, the motorized arm 11 deposits the gripped polishing brush 8 on the loading plate 22 of the coupling system 10 so that said brush is coupled in rotation with the coupling member 23 of the coupling system 10.

[0069] The eighth insert 308 of [Fig. 3] shows that the engagement step 48 comprises an approach step 50 of the polishing tool 3. During the approach step 50, the polishing tool 3 is placed opposite the polishing brush 8, centered on the coupling axis 25.

[0070] The ninth insert 309 of [Fig. 3] shows that the engagement step 48 includes a rotation step 51 of the actuator 24 so as to pivot the polishing brush. The actuator 24 of the coupling system 10 pivots the coupling member 23 of the coupling system 10 about the coupling axis 25, as shown by the eighteenth arrow 118 to couple the polishing brush to the polishing tool. 3. The polishing brush becomes “active” polishing brush 7.

[0071] The tenth insert 310 of [Fig. 3] shows that when the polishing tool 3 is coupled to the active polishing brush 7, the polishing tool 3 can then be raised, moved away from the automatic magazine 1 according to the invention and used to polish a surface. It is understood that the method 36 according to the invention can be repeated, starting with a new decoupling step 37. In particular, the method 36 according to the invention can be repeated when the active polishing brush 7 has become worn.

[0072] In summary, the invention relates to an automatic magazine 1 for a plurality of polishing brushes 2. According to the invention, the automatic magazine 1 comprises a storage system 9 for the plurality of polishing brushes 2; a coupling system 10 for one of the polishing brushes - called the active polishing brush 7 - to a polishing tool 3 collaborating with the automatic magazine 1; and a motorized arm 11 configured to be able to take one of the polishing brushes stored on the storage system 9 and place it on the coupling system 10.

[0073] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Automatic magazine (1) of a plurality of polishing brushes (2), the automatic magazine (1) comprising: - a storage system (9) for the plurality of polishing brushes (2); - a coupling system (10) of one of the polishing brushes - called the active polishing brush (7) - to a polishing tool (3) collaborating with the automatic magazine (1); - a motorized arm (11) configured to be able to take one of the polishing brushes stored on the storage system (9) and place it on the coupling system (10).

2. Automatic magazine (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the storage system (9) comprises: - an axis (13) along which the polishing brushes are stacked on top of each other by means of a central bearing (20) of said polishing brushes; - a flange (14) movable along the axis (13) and intended to support all of the polishing brushes stacked on the axis (13), said polishing brushes resting on the flange (14); - a pre-loading device (15) configured to be able to exert a non-zero force on the flange (14) and in the direction of a free end - called the distribution end (16) - of the axis (13).

3. Automatic magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling system (10) comprises: - a loading tray (22) intended to receive the active polishing brush (7); - a rotating coupling member (23) configured to allow angular indexing of the active polishing brush (7) with said rotating coupling member (23), the rotating coupling member (23) being rotatable about a so-called coupling axis of rotation (25); - an actuator (24) configured to pivot the rotating coupling member (23) about the coupling axis (25) between a first configuration in which the active polishing brush (7) is decoupled from the polishing tool (3) and a second configuration in which the active polishing brush (7) is coupled to the polishing tool (3).

4. Automatic store (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the motorized arm (11) comprises: - a gripping tool (26) for one of the polishing brushes, called the gripped polishing brush (8), the gripping tool (26) being located at a free end (99) of a gripping rod (29) of the motorized arm (11); - a motor member (27) configured to allow the gripping tool (26) (i) to grip one of the polishing brushes stored on the storage system (9) and (ii) to collaborate with the coupling system (10).

5. Automatic magazine (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the motorized arm (11) comprises a central shaft (32) around which the gripping rod (29) is movable in rotation, the motor member (27) taking the form of an electric motor (28) configured to control an angular position of the gripping rod (29) around the central shaft (32).

6. Automatic magazine (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the motorized arm (11) comprises a motor member (27) configured to allow linear movement of the gripping tool (26) along the central shaft (32).

7. Automatic store (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the axis (13) of the storage system (9) and the coupling axis (25) of the coupling system (10) are all located along a circle, called a distribution circle (33), a center (34) of which coincides with the central shaft (32) of the motorized arm (11).

8. Automatic store (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the axis (13) of the storage system (9), the coupling axis (25) of the coupling system (10) and the central shaft (32) of the motorized arm (11) are all parallel to each other.

9. Automatic magazine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic magazine (1) comprises a device (12) for recovering used polishing brushes (5), the recovery device (12) comprising a pillar (35) configured to receive a plurality of used polishing brushes (5) stacked on top of each other.

10. Method (36) for changing a polishing brush on a polishing tool (3) by an automatic magazine (1) according to the preceding claim, the method (36) comprising the following steps: - a step of decoupling (37) a used polishing brush (5) mounted on the polishing tool (3), the decoupling step (37) comprising a step of coupling (42) the used polishing brush (5) to the coupling system (10); - a step of gripping (38) the used polishing brush (5) by the motorized arm (11); - a step of depositing (39) the used polishing brush (5) on the recovery device (12); - a step of selecting (40) a polishing brush - called grasping - in the storage system (9); - a coupling step (41) of the polishing brush (8) gripped with the polishing tool (3), the coupling step (41) comprising a step (48) of engagement of the polishing brush (8) gripped on the coupling system (10).

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