Device for straightening the wire ends of stator coils

Abstract

Device (1, 1') for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator of a rotating electrical machine, said coils being arranged in an inner housing of circular shape and surrounded by an omnibus ring, comprising an actuator (2), a support (5) movable in vertical translation integrally with said actuator and comprising a peripheral annular space (50), and a plurality of levers (3) supported by said movable support, arranged in said peripheral annular space of the movable support, and each lever (3) comprising a first arm (31) and a second arm (32) joined and extending substantially perpendicularly to each other, the first arm (31) having a head (310) of circular shape which constitutes the upper end of the lever which is received movable according to a rotational movement in said peripheral annular space (50), and a member (33) for gripping an end of wire to be straightened,fixedly fixed at the lower end of said second arm (32), and oriented towards the front of the lever, and said device comprising a fixed pivot axis (30), located in the front part (35) of the lever projecting from the junction between said two arms (31, 32), said pivot axis (30) being oriented axially perpendicular to the two arms (31, 32), the lever being able to pivot around this axis (30), so that, when the movable support (5) is driven by the actuator (2) in a downward vertical direction, the first arm, the head of which is movable in the annular space (50) of said movable support, pivots the lever around said pivot axis, and the gripping member (33) is driven in a circular movement directed towards the front of the lever. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Device for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator

[0001] The invention relates to a device for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator of a rotating electrical machine, and the straightening method using this device.

[0002] In a manner known per se, rotating electrical machines comprise a stator and a rotor, secured to a shaft. The rotor may be secured to a driving and / or driven shaft and may belong to a rotating electrical machine in the form of an alternator or an electric motor. The stator contains a casing which is configured to rotate the rotor shaft, for example by means of bearings.

[0003] As illustrated by [Fig.l] which represents a stator during its assembly, a stator S contains a casing C containing a plurality of coils of wires of an electrically conductive material, for example copper, surrounded by an insulator, each coil being able to be previously produced on a winding machine. Each coil B has two free wire ends B1, B2 for subsequent connections, these two ends being crossed in opposition at one end of the coil and inclined towards the coil, at the end of winding. The casing C has a hollow shape with a circular peripheral section, open on its upper face. When assembling the stator, the coils B are inserted in a circle into a dedicated housing, peripheral to the casing, by a machine, then a bus ring R, commonly called by its English name "bus ring", is installed against the inner face of the peripheral inner wall of the casing, the connection notches RI, R2 of the bus ring protruding from the open upper face of the casing, near the coils, so that each wire end Bl, B2 respective to a coil B, and for each coil, can be crimped and subsequently connected in the connection notch RI, R2 which is dedicated to it. For this purpose, it is necessary to straighten these wire ends of the coils to put them respectively in position in their dedicated connection notches. This wire straightening is done manually, for example using a simple support jig.For example, there are 24 coils in a housing, which means 48 ends to straighten, and straightening them can take an operator around forty seconds.

[0004] A disadvantage of this manual straightening operation is that it takes a little time, the coils being in plurality in the casing. Another disadvantage of this manual operation, very important due to the repetitive gesture, is that it risks causing tendino-musculoskeletal (TMS) problems for the operators, in the more or less long term.

[0005] There is therefore a need to improve the straightening of the wire ends of the coils, when mounting the stator.

[0006] The invention aims to resolve, at least in part, the drawbacks of manual straightening of the prior art.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention provides a device for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator of a rotating electrical machine, said coils being arranged in an inner housing of circular shape and surrounded by an omnibus ring, comprising: - an actuator, - a support mobile in vertical translation integrally with said actuator, of circular shape defining the radial direction of the device, and comprising a peripheral annular space, said mobile support occupying an inactive high position, - a plurality of levers supported by said movable support, arranged in said peripheral annular space of the movable support. Each lever includes: - a first arm and a second arm, said arms being joined and extending substantially perpendicularly to each other, the first arm having a circular head which constitutes the upper end of the lever, which end is received mobile following a rotational movement in the peripheral annular space of the mobile support, - a gripping member configured for gripping one end of the wire to be straightened, securely fixed to the lower end of this second arm, and oriented towards the front of the lever. Said device further comprises, for each lever, a fixed pivot axis, located in the front part of the lever projecting from the junction between said two arms, said pivot axis being oriented axially perpendicular to the two arms of the lever, the lever being able to pivot around this axis, so that, when the movable support, from its high inactive position, is driven by the actuator in a downward vertical direction, the first arm whose head is movable in the annular space of said movable support, pivots the lever around said pivot axis, and the gripping member integral with the second arm is driven in a circular movement directed towards the front of the lever.

[0008] The term "front" corresponds to an orientation directed towards the outside of the device, or also directed towards the ends of the wire to be straightened when the device is used.

[0009] In particular, said support mobile in vertical translation has a circular shape oriented in a horizontal plane, which defines the radial direction of the device.

[0010] The number of levers is equal to the number of ends of the wires to be straightened.

[0011] Preferably, said device comprises a fixed plate which supports the pivot axes of the levers, said fixed plate comprising through slots in a radial direction, and in each slot passes the first arm of a respective lever of said slot, the second arm of the lever extending below said fixed plate. In particular, said fixed plate is arranged horizontally, in other words it is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the vertical translation of the movable support of the levers. In particular, this fixed plate, which constitutes a fixed support for the pivot axes of the levers, comprises a central space receiving at least part of the movable support of the levers allowing the vertical translational movement of the movable support of the levers.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said gripping member is configured in the shape of a fork with two teeth arranged in a V shape, the spacing between the two teeth forming a notch receiving one end of the wire to be straightened, the points of the V being directed towards the front of the lever.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arms of each lever are flat, and preferably made of a single piece. For example, the piece is cut from a plate, in particular from a metal plate. In particular, the piece has a thickness of the order of a few millimeters, in particular between 3 and 8 millimeters.

[0014] Advantageously, said device comprises a guide plate intended to guide the pivoting movement of the levers, in particular the movement of the second arm of each lever and therefore of the gripping member which is integral with it. Preferably, said guide plate comprises radially directed teeth between which the second arms of the levers pass respectively, two adjacent teeth laterally guiding the second arm of a lever which passes between them during its pivoting movement. In particular, said guide plate is arranged horizontally. Preferably, said guide plate is located above and close to the respective gripping members of the levers, the guidance as close as possible to each gripping member making it possible to ensure good guidance of said member towards the end of the wire to be straightened and of the end of the wire towards the dedicated connection notch of the omnibus ring.

[0015] Preferably according to the invention, said device comprises means for controlling its support on the reference face of the stator, the face exposed opposite the device during the operation of straightening the ends of the wires. Preferably, said control means comprise at least one support surface and a control sensor, in relation to said support surface, validating the implementation of the support so that the actuator can be put into descent operation. If the support is poorly carried out, the descent operation of the actuator is not activated.

[0016] Preferably according to the invention, said device comprises elements for centering its position relative to the positions of the ends of the wires to be straightened, some of these centering elements being in correspondence with external shapes of the stator and others with bores arranged on the reference face of the stator, the face exposed opposite the device during the operation of straightening the ends of the wires. Preferably, other centering elements are in relation with the bus ring. Centering the device also makes it possible to center it relative to the connection notches of the bus ring around the coils.

[0017] Preferably according to the invention, said device comprises two handles allowing the device to be operated. In particular, said two handles are arranged laterally, on either side of the device, and in opposition in the direction perpendicular to the vertical translation direction of the mobile support.

[0018] Preferably according to the invention, said device comprises two triggers for controlling the actuator, and preferably the two triggers are connected to a safety module configured to verify that the two triggers are actuated simultaneously. Preferably, said two handles are each provided with a control trigger.

[0019] Preferably according to the invention, said device comprises means for holding the bus ring arranged around the coils. In particular, some of these holding means are also centering elements of the device.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said actuator is a pneumatic cylinder with a vertically oriented piston.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the straightening device which has just been described and a supporting structure supporting said device and comprising a system for guiding said device above and up to the stator containing the coils.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator in which the device for straightening the wire ends of the coils which has just been described is used.

[0023] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator of a rotating electrical machine, the wire ends of each coil being inclined towards the coil, said coils being arranged in an inner housing of circular shape and surrounded by an omnibus ring provided with connection notches, in which a device for straightening the wire ends of coils as described above is used, and in which the stator is preferably brought to the station of an operator of a stator assembly line. The said method comprises the following steps: - centering of said device above the reference face of the stator, exposed face opposite the device, so that each gripping member corresponds to a wire end of a coil and to a dedicated connection notch of the omnibus ring, - placing said device in support on said reference face of the stator, then - control of the operation of the actuator, said movable support of the levers which is in the inactive high position then being driven in downward vertical translation by said actuator, so that, for each lever, the first arm, the head of which is movable in the annular space of said movable support, pivots the lever around said fixed pivot axis, the gripping member integral with the second arm being (then) driven in a circular movement directed towards the front of the lever which makes it possible to take one end of wire from a coil inclined towards the coil to bring it to the dedicated connection notch of the omnibus ring. Furthermore, the method comprises a step at the end of straightening the wire ends of the coils, following which the actuator automatically raises the movable support of the levers to its inactive high position, the levers returning to their respective initial positions.

[0024] Preferably in the straightening method, the centering of said device is carried out using said centering elements, and the pressing of said device on said reference face of the stator is carried out using said pressing control means. The centering elements preferably comprise elements for holding the omnibus ring. The control of the operation of the actuator is carried out by an operator by simultaneously pressing the two control triggers.

[0025] Preferably, said stator is arranged on a movable plate.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a stator as assembled, containing a housing and a plurality of coils having their wire ends straightened toward the connecting notches of a bus ring, manually in accordance with prior art.

[0028] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a wire end straightening device coils of a stator according to the invention, resting on the open face of the stator.

[0029] [Fig.3] is a partial perspective view, illustrating in close-up, the device in press on the stator of [Fig.2], once the ends of the coil wire are straightened.

[0030] [Fig.4] is a perspective view, schematically illustrating the operation of elements of a device for straightening wire ends of the coils of a stator in accordance with the invention.

[0031] [Fig.5] is a partial perspective and bottom view of a variant of an embodiment of a straightening device according to the invention.

[0032] [Fig.6] is a partial perspective and bottom view of one side of the straightening device illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0033] [Fig.7] is a side view illustrating the straightening device according to figures 5 and 6, mounted on a supporting structure and placed resting on the stator, on a stator assembly line.

[0034] In the orthonormal frame (Z, H), the Z axis corresponds to the vertical direction and the H axis to the horizontal direction of the straightening device.

[0035] In the present description, the terms "upper" and "lower", or "top" and "bottom" refer to the vertical direction Z of the device for straightening wire ends of the coils of a stator in accordance with the invention.

[0036] The radial direction of the device is defined by that of the circular mobile support 5 which will be described. For the purpose of aid in understanding, the term "exterior" refers to an orientation directed towards the outside of the device relative to the center of the circular mobile support, the term "interior" thus referring to an orientation directed towards the center. The term "front" corresponds to an orientation directed towards this exterior, or even directed towards the ends of the wire to be straightened when the device is used. The straightening devices to be described have a generally circular shape.

[0037] [Fig.l] was commented on in the introduction.

[0038] The straightening devices 1,1' shown in Figures 2 to 3 and 5 to 7 use the same main operating elements as those illustrating the operating principle shown schematically in [Fig.4].

[0039] The straightening device 1' illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 is a variant of the straightening device 1 illustrated in Figures 2 to 3.

[0040] Identical references may be used for these two devices 1,1' shown, and [Fig.4], to designate identical or similar elements.

[0041] The device 1, 1' comprises a set of levers 3, as many levers as there are ends of wire to be straightened, mounted movably on a movable support 5, said support being movable in translation in the vertical direction Z in solidarity with an actuator 2, said movable support 5 occupying an inactive high position, in other words a rest position. The movable support 5 has a circular shape oriented in a horizontal plane, which defines the radial direction of the device.

[0042] The actuator 2 is a pneumatic cylinder with a vertically directed piston, which makes it possible to lower and raise said movable support 5 of the levers 3. The actuator comprises a movable plate, arranged above the movable support 5 and connected to this movable support 5, this plate being movable in vertical translation guided by a guide bar following a vertical sliding connection when the piston of the cylinder is actuated. This movable plate of the actuator lowers / raises the movable support 5 of the levers.

[0043] Said mobile support 5 of the levers is made up of two circular plates 51, 52 arranged horizontally and facing each other, and between which is mounted a spacer 53 leaving a peripheral annular space 50 between the two circular plates, receiving one end 310 of the levers. In other words, this annular space 50 forms an open circular groove. The levers are thus mounted side by side, that is to say next to each other in a circle and slightly spaced according to the arrangement of the ends of the wire to be straightened and the connection notches of the bus ring, following the circular periphery, open to the outside, of said annular space 50 of the mobile support 5. The arrangement of the levers is sized according to the location and number of wire ends to be straightened and the bus ring connection notches. According to the example, there are 24 coils, each having two wire ends to be straightened, so there are 48 connection notches on the bus ring to receive these ends and the straightening device includes 48 levers.

[0044] Each lever 3 comprises a first arm 31 extended by a second arm 32, said arms being substantially perpendicular to each other. Each lever 3 also comprises a member 33 for gripping the wire to be straightened, located at the lower end of the second arm 32.

[0045] The straightening device 1,1' comprises, for each lever, a pivot axis 30 which passes through a through hole located in the front part 35 of the lever projecting from the junction of the first and second arms of the lever, said pivot axis being oriented axially perpendicular to the two arms of the lever.

[0046] The straightening device 1,1' further comprises a fixed plate 6, of generally circular shape, arranged horizontally and lower than the movable support 5. This fixed plate supports the pivot axes 30 of the levers, said fixed plate 6 comprising (through) slots, and in each slot passes the first arm 31 of a lever 3, the second arm 32 carrying the gripping member 33 extending below. The pivot axes 30 are arranged in a circular groove hollowed out in the lower face of said fixed plate 6, each pivot axis being retained by a plate 60 fixed to said fixed plate 6. This fixed plate 6 thus constitutes a fixed support for the pivot axes of the levers. This fixed plate 6 comprises a central space receiving at least part of the mobile support 5 of the levers 3. The mobile support 5 passes at least partly into this central space of said fixed plate 6, which allows the downward / upward translational movement of the mobile support 5.

[0047] Said gripping member 33 has the shape of a fork with two teeth 331, 332 arranged in a V shape, the spacing 330 between the two teeth forming a notch receiving one end of the wire to be straightened, the points of the V, in other words the ends of the teeth, being directed towards the front of the lever. The first arm 31 has a circular head 310 which constitutes the upper end of the lever, which end is received in the peripheral annular space 50 of the movable support 5 with a certain clearance at the rear of said head 310, allowing said lever head to be movable following a rotational movement in this annular space 50, following a circular rotational movement around the pivot axis of the lever and inducing a variation in the contact radius between the head 310 and the peripheral annular space 50, when the movable support rises or falls under the action of the actuator. Said head 310 comprises a notch 311 which holds it in the annular space 50. When said mobile support 5 occupies its inactive high position, the first arm 31 extends substantially slightly inclined downwards relative to the radial direction of the mobile support 5, and the second arm 32 extends below the first arm, perpendicular to said first arm, in a direction slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction, towards the center of the device, which is the center of all the levers around the mobile support 5.

[0048] According to the examples, the arms of the lever are flat, with a thickness of a few millimeters. They are made from a single piece, by water jet cutting in a metal plate. The V-shaped gripping fork 33 is fixed at the lower end of the second arm 32, the points of the V being directed towards the front of the lever, i.e. approximately in line with the front part of the lever 35 supporting the pivot axis.

[0049] When the actuator 2 descends, the movable support 5 of the levers descends (arrow D in [Fig.4]), and simultaneously for each lever, the first arm 31, whose head 310 is movable in the annular space 50 of said movable support 5, pivots the lever around its fixed pivot axis 30, and the gripping fork 33, fixed integrally at the lower end of the second arm 32, is driven in a circular movement towards the front of the lever (arrow A in [Fig.4]). Thus the gripping fork 33 can catch the end of a wire inclined on a spool, in the gap 330 between these two teeth 331, 332, to straighten it by bringing it into the dedicated connection notch of the bus ring R ([Fig.3]).

[0050] Advantageously, as illustrated by the embodiment in Figures 5 and 6, the straightening device 1' comprises a guide plate 7, of circular shape, arranged horizontally, fixed, below the fixed plate 6 which supports the pivot axes of the levers. This guide plate 7 comprises radial teeth between which the second arms 32 of the levers pass. Between two adjacent radial teeth 71, 72, passes the second arm 32 of a lever, so as to be guided laterally during its pivoting movement. Said guide plate 7 is located above the gripping fork 33, while being as close as possible to this fork. This allows the gripping fork 33 to be correctly guided towards the corresponding connection notch of the bus ring R, and therefore the correct guidance of the end of the wire to be straightened towards its dedicated connection notch.

[0051] For the handling of the device 1,1' by an operator, the device comprises two handles (41, 42 in [Fig.2] and 41' in [Fig.6] where only one of the handles is visible). These handles are fixed symmetrically laterally to the fixed plate 6, supporting the pivot axes 30 of the levers, possibly via lateral extension bars (40 in [Fig.6]) fixed horizontally to said fixed plate 6. Here, the term "lateral" means the sides of the device relative to the operator, when the operator is facing it. For the operation of the device 1,1' by an operator, the device 1,1' comprises two triggers 411, 421, 411', pneumatic according to the example, located respectively on the two handles, allowing the operator to control the actuator 2, according to the example to lower or raise the piston of the jack which actuates the vertical movement of the mobile support 5 of the levers. These two triggers are connected to a safety module 4 configured to check that the two triggers are actuated simultaneously. This safety ensures that the operator has both hands placed on the triggers, which avoids the risk that the operator has a hand which could be in the device during the descent of the system of levers towards the coils of the stator.

[0052] Furthermore, the information given by the sensor validating the implementation of the press is used “in series” with that emitted by the safety module itself controlled by the two triggers, for controlling the actuator.

[0053] To install the device 1,1' above the stator S with the casing C containing the coils B arranged in the dedicated housing and provided with the bus ring on the periphery, as shown in [Fig.l] in the introduction except for the fact that the wire ends of the coils are not yet straightened, the gripping forks 30 and the connection notches of the bus ring R must be brought into correspondence. The face of the stator exposed opposite the device during the operation of straightening the ends of the wires constitutes the reference face S0 of the stator S. For this purpose, elements centering elements of the device are arranged on the device itself. These elements comprise pre-centering elements 91, using the external shapes SI of the stator, hollow external shapes according to the example, which ensure the pre-centering of the device above the stator, and centering elements 92 using internal shapes of the stator such as bores on the reference face S0 of the stator S, to finalize the centering of the device above the stator. These bores can be pre-existing fixing holes for mounting the stator, or added holes. These pre-centering elements and centering elements are in the form of vertical bars, cylindrical according to the example, supported by the fixed plate 6 of the device which supports the pivot axes 30 of the levers. The bars of the pre-centering elements are fixed on the external periphery of said fixed plate 6 while the bars of the centering elements are fixed to the fixed plate more internally.The bars of the pre-centerers are longer than the bars of the said centerers. Bars have conical ends which allow to guide the centering of the device and to gradually install the device on the reference face of the stator.

[0054] The device 1,1' also comprises means for holding the bus ring around the coils which was arranged before the operation of straightening the wire ends of the coils. These holding means 93 are vertical cylindrical bars, supported by a spacer between the fixed plate 6 supporting the pivot axes 30, which will be inserted into the bus ring. These bus ring holding bars also participate in centering the device above the stator.

[0055] These centering operations including the holding of the bus ring thus make it possible to easily match the gripping forks 33 of the device 1,1' and the ends of the wires to be straightened in the stator.

[0056] The device also comprises means for controlling the support of the device on the reference face S0 of the stator before the movable support plate 5 descends, causing the levers 3 to pivot to straighten the wire ends of the coils. These control means comprise flat surfaces 920 located at the end of bars of certain centering devices 92, and at least one of the support surfaces of which is in relation with a pneumatic control sensor 95, to which a rod carried by the bar carrying said support surface 920 is connected, so that the actuator 2 can only be put into descending operation if the support of the device on the reference face S0 of the stator is correctly carried out.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to guarantee the safety of the operator, in particular to prevent him from passing a hand between the device and the stator during assembly, a fairing is provided around the device, in particular around all of the levers and the part of which is located in front of the operator is made of transparent plastic, said fairing being provided to cover at least the space above the stator, when the device is applied to the face of the stator.

[0058] The device 1,1' comprises a frame 8 in its upper part, supported by the fixed plate 7 which supports the pivot axes 30 of the levers. This frame allows the installation in particular of the actuator 2 and of components annexed to the actuator or of safety such as the safety module 4 associated with the control triggers.

[0059] Furthermore, with reference to [Fig.7], the device 1' is installed on a supporting structure making it possible to support all of the components of the device to form a self-contained and easy-to-use apparatus on the stator assembly line. This structure comprises a vertical mast M fixed in the ground, and in which a pulley counterweight system is installed to counterbalance in particular the weight of the straightening device 1' with its frame integrating the actuator and the ancillary components. This mast is extended at its upper end by a horizontal beam P and from which, by means of a vertical support V, the straightening device 1' with its frame integrating the actuator and the ancillary components is suspended.A device guidance system is arranged on the vertical support of the device and in connection with the device to bring the latter above and up to rest on the reference face of the stator, for example a rolling roller system on a cam allowing the device to descend only if the device is correctly aligned.

[0060] The method of straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator of a rotating electrical machine, wire ends being inclined towards the coil, said coils being arranged in a circular inner housing, is carried out on a stator assembly line as follows, after having arranged the bus ring provided with connection notches on the outer periphery of the coils of the stator which has been brought onto a mobile pallet P ([Fig.7]) of the assembly line, in front of an operator. The bus ring is arranged manually by the operator according to the example. The device 1' (or the device 1) being offset to the side of its supporting structure during the installation of the bus ring, the operator brings the device up to the stop above the stator containing the coils by taking it by one of the handles and lets it descend towards the stator thanks to the guidance system of the device, the device then being facing the operator (transparent fairing facing him). The centering of the device on the reference face S0 of the stator, face of the stator exposed opposite the device, is done in such a way that each gripping member 33 is in correspondence with a wire end of a coil and with the connection notches of the bus ring, thanks to the wedging of the centering members 92 in bores on the reference face S0 of the stator S, and if necessary thanks to the wedging of the pre-centering members 91 in the hollow external shapes S1 of the stator. At the same time, the support of the device on the reference face S0 of the stator is finalized and controlled using the flat support surfaces 920 located at the end of two centering bars 92, the support being validated by the control sensor 95 associated. The operator can, if necessary, move the assembly plate P supporting the stator, to achieve good centering, in particular by wedging the pre-centering devices 91 in the hollow external shapes SI of the stator, and / or to have good support of the device relative to the reference face of the stator. Once the centering and support of the device have been achieved, the operator can then move on to the stage of actually straightening the ends of the wires. For this straightening step, the operator presses the two control triggers at the same time to control the operation of the pneumatic actuator 2, the piston of the cylinder then being actuated, so that said movable support 5 of the levers which is in the inactive high position is then driven in downward vertical translation (arrow D in [Fig. 4]) by said actuator 2, and the respective first arms 31 of the levers, whose respective heads 310 are movable in the annular space 50 of said movable support 5, respectively pivot the levers in pivoting about the respective pivot axes 30 of the levers, and the respective gripping forks 33 of the levers are then driven simultaneously in a circular movement directed towards the front (arrow A in [Fig.4]) respective levers which allow them to each take an end of wire inclined towards a coil, to bring it to its respective dedicated connection notch of the omnibus ring. Once the straightening operation has been carried out by the device, which takes about ten seconds according to the example, the piston of the jack rises, thus causing the return of the mobile support 5 to the inactive high position with the levers which return to their respective initial positions. The device is then released from the stator by lifting it up and returning it to the side, to its initial position, thanks to the device's guidance system. The operator can visually check that the wire ends are straightened.

[0061] The straightening device according to the invention makes it possible to automatically straighten all the wire ends of the spools at the same time, which avoids the operator having to do it manually, and also saves time. In the case of the example with 48 wire ends to be straightened, a saving of approximately thirty seconds is obtained compared to manual straightening.

[0062] The straightening device has a weight of approximately 4 kg, which is a weight considered by health recommendations as acceptable so as not to create significant risks of MSDs.

[0063] The invention which has just been described has therefore achieved its objectives. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described with a pneumatic actuator, other types of actuators being able to be used. The invention is not limited to the number of coils and ends of wires to be straightened in the embodiments described. Generally a coil consists of one wire and therefore two wire ends, however the The device of the invention may be suitable if the ends of several wires of a coil were to be straightened in a configuration suitable for connections to a bus ring and for the device, which is why "wire ends of coil(s)" may also be understood as "wire ends of coil(s)". Furthermore, the straightening process can be fully automated or only certain steps are automated, including the actual straightening of the ends of the wires to be straightened.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1, 1') for straightening the wire ends of the coils of a stator of a rotating electrical machine, said coils being arranged in an inner housing of circular shape and surrounded by an omnibus ring, comprising: - an actuator (2), - a support (5) movable in vertical translation integrally with said actuator, of circular shape defining the radial direction of the device, and comprising a peripheral annular space (50), said movable support occupying an inactive high position, - a plurality of levers (3) supported by said movable support, arranged in said peripheral annular space of the movable support, and each lever (3) comprising - a first arm (31) and a second arm (32), said arms being joined and extending substantially perpendicularly to each other, the first arm (31) having a head (310) of circular shape which constitutes the upper end of the lever, end which is received mobile following a rotational movement in the peripheral annular space of the mobile support (5), - a gripping member (33) configured for gripping an end of wire to be straightened, fixedly attached to the lower end of said second arm (32), and oriented towards the front of the lever, and said device comprising a fixed pivot axis (30), located in the front part (35) of the lever projecting from the junction between said two arms (31, 32), said pivot axis (30) being oriented axially perpendicular to the two arms (31, 32), the lever being able to pivot around this axis (30), so that, when the movable support (5), from said inactive high position, is driven by the actuator (2) in a downward vertical direction, the first arm whose head is movable in the annular space (50) of said movable support, pivots the lever around said pivot axis, and the gripping member (33) secured to the second arm is driven in a circular movement directed towards the front of the lever.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a fixed plate (6) which supports the pivot axes (30) of the levers, said fixed plate comprising through slots in a radial direction, and in each slot passes the first arm (31) of a respective lever of said slot, the second arm (32) of the lever extending below said fixed plate (6), and in particular said fixed plate (6) comprises a central space receiving at least a part of the movable support (5) of the levers.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said gripping member (33) is configured in the shape of a fork with two teeth (331, 332) arranged in a V shape, the spacing (330) between the two teeth forming a notch receiving an end of wire to be straightened, the points of the V being directed towards the front of the lever.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the arms (31, 32) of each lever (3) are flat, and preferably made of a single piece.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a guide plate (7), said guide plate comprising radially directed teeth between which the second arms (32) of the levers pass respectively, two adjacent teeth (71, 72) laterally guiding the second arm (32) of a lever which passes between them during its pivoting movement, and preferably said guide plate is located above and close to the respective gripping members (33) of the levers.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (920, 95) for controlling its support on the reference face (S0) of the stator, the face exposed opposite the device during the operation of straightening the ends of the wires, and preferably said control means comprise at least one support surface (920) and a control sensor (95), in relation to said support surface, validating the carrying out of the support so that the actuator (2) can be put into descent operation.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises centering elements (91, 92, 93) for its position relative to the positions of the ends of the wires to be straightened, some of these centering elements (91) being in correspondence with external shapes (SI) of the stator and others (92) with bores arranged on the reference face (S0) of the stator, face exposed opposite said device during the operation of straightening the ends of the wires, and preferably other centering elements (93) being in relation to the omnibus ring.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises two handles (41, 42, 41') and which are each provided with a control trigger (411, 421, 411') of the actuator, and preferably the two triggers are connected to a safety module (4) configured to verify that the two triggers are actuated simultaneously.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises means (93) for holding the omnibus ring arranged around the coils of the stator.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said actuator (2) is a pneumatic cylinder with a vertically directed piston.

11. A method of straightening the wire ends (B1, B2) of the coils (B) of a stator(s) of a rotating electrical machine, the wire ends of each coil being inclined towards the coil, said coils being arranged in a circular inner housing and surrounded by an omnibus ring (R) provided with connection notches, on a stator assembly line, in which a coil wire end straightening device (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used, and preferably in which the stator is brought to the station of an operator of a stator assembly line, and said method comprises the following steps: - centering said device above the reference face (S0) of the stator, exposed face opposite the device, so that each gripping member (33) is in correspondence with a wire end of a coil and with a dedicated connection notch of the bus ring,- placing said device in support on said reference face (S0) of the stator, then - controlling the operation of the actuator (2), the movable support (5) of the levers (3) which is in the inactive high position then being driven in downward vertical translation by said actuator, so that, for each lever, the first arm (31), the head (310) of which is movable in the annular space (50) of said movable support, pivots the lever around its fixed pivot axis (30), the gripping member integral with the second arm (32) of the lever being driven, following a circular movement directed towards the front of the lever which makes it possible to take one end of wire from a coil inclined towards the coil to bring it to the dedicated connection notch of the omnibus ring, and preferably the method comprises a step at the end of straightening the ends of the wires, according to which the actuator (2) automatically raises the movable support (5) of the levers towards its inactive high position, the levers (3) then returning to their respective initial positions.

12. Straightening method according to claim 11, in which the centering of said device (1, 1') is carried out using the centering elements according to claim 7, and the pressing of said device on said reference face of the stator (SO) is carried out using the pressing control means (920, 95) according to claim 6, and the control of the operation of the actuator is carried out by an operator by simultaneously pressing the two control triggers according to claim 8.

Images