Laminated iron core manufacturing apparatus and laminated iron core manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a laminated iron core manufacturing apparatus for supporting a workpiece to which coupling means such as an adhesive is imparted by a lifter part contacting a coupling means non-imparted part of the workpiece, and progressing working and conveyance of the workpiece.SOLUTION: Coupling means is imparted to a part to be worked of a workpiece 80 corresponding to iron core pieces before punching the ion core pieces from the workpiece 80. The iron core pieces which is punched from the workpiece 80 and laminated is integrated with the coupling means, and a laminated iron core is manufactured. The workpiece 80 is supported by a lifer part 27 having a relief part 27a in a part overlapping with a coupling means imparted position of the workpiece 80, and the coupling means imparted to the workpiece 80 moves the relief part 27a of the lifter part 27 while the workpiece 80 to which the coupling means has been imparted is conveyed. Thereby, each part of the workpiece is supported by the lifter part 27 without contacting with the coupling means even during the conveyance of the workpiece 80, and adverse effects by the contact between each part of the manufacturing apparatus and the workpiece or the coupling means can be avoided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a laminated core and a manufacturing method applied thereto. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In a stator or rotor of a rotating electric machine such as an electric motor or a generator, a laminated core is generally used as a core in which a coil or a permanent magnet is disposed. Such laminated cores are manufactured by punching out the core pieces that make up the laminated core using a press and then laminating them.

[0003] When punching out complex shapes, such as iron core pieces, from a metal workpiece by press working, a method known as progressive processing is commonly used, in which a strip of workpiece is fed while multiple punching steps are carried out using a press die. Finally, the core pieces punched out from the workpiece are laminated, and a plurality of laminated core pieces are integrated by crimping, adhesive, or the like to form a laminated core.

[0004] When stacked core pieces are integrated by adhesion, an adhesive applicator provided in the die applies adhesive to the processing target portions of the workpiece corresponding to the core pieces at a stage before the core pieces are punched out. The iron core pieces to which the adhesive has been applied in this way are punched out and stacked, thereby bonding the core pieces together. An example of such a laminated core manufacturing apparatus that employs integration through conventional bonding is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6843887. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6843887 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As shown in the above-mentioned patent document, conventional laminated cores are manufactured by applying an adhesive to multiple locations in the areas of the workpiece to be processed, punching out these areas, and stacking and bonding the resulting core pieces together.

[0007] In the manufacturing device described in the patent document, the workpiece (hoop material) is supported at both widthwise ends by lifter pins during feeding and is lifted up, so that it is transported in a state separated from the upper surface of the die plate supporting the die.

[0008] On the other hand, in recent years, as workpieces become thinner, they become more susceptible to deformation. For this reason, when supporting both ends of the workpiece in the width direction in order to raise the workpiece, the center of the workpiece sags, increasing the risk of the workpiece being dragged against the die plate on the upper surface of the lower die.

[0009] If the workpiece is dragged against the die plate on the upper surface of the lower die during transportation, there is a risk that the adhesive applied to the workpiece will adhere to the die plate. In such a state, the amount of adhesive adhering to the workpiece is insufficient, and it is easy for the iron core pieces punched out from the workpiece to not be properly laminated together. Also, the adhesive may adhere to and remain on the surface of the die plate, adversely affecting the transportation and processing of the workpiece.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a laminated core manufacturing device and a laminated core manufacturing method in which a workpiece to which a connecting means such as an adhesive has been applied is supported by a lifter portion that contacts a portion of the workpiece to which the connecting means has not been applied, thereby progressing the processing and transportation of the workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The laminated core manufacturing apparatus disclosed in the present invention presses a strip-shaped workpiece that is intermittently transported to obtain core pieces of a predetermined shape, and stacks a plurality of these core pieces to manufacture a laminated core, and comprises an attachment section that attaches a plurality of connecting means to the processing target portions of the workpiece that correspond to the core pieces for connecting the stacked core pieces together, a punching section that punches out the processing target portions to which the connecting means have been attached from the workpiece to obtain the core pieces, and a lifter section consisting of one or more plate-shaped bodies that supports from below the workpiece that is transported at least from the attachment section to the punching section, and the lifter section has a plurality of recesses that overlap with the positions of the connecting means in the transported workpiece, which are provided continuously in the transport direction of the workpiece, and supports the workpiece by contacting a position in the workpiece where there are no connecting means at a location that is not one of the recesses.

[0012] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, before punching out the core pieces from the workpiece, the connecting means is applied to the processing target portion of the workpiece corresponding to the core pieces, and the core pieces punched out from the workpiece and laminated are integrated by the connecting means, thereby manufacturing a laminated core. Meanwhile, the workpiece is supported by a lifter section having a recess in a portion overlapping with the position where the connecting means is applied to the workpiece, and while the workpiece to which the connecting means is applied is being transported, the connecting means applied to the workpiece moves along the recess of the lifter section. As a result, even while the workpiece is being transported, the lifter section supports each part of the workpiece without contacting the connecting means, thereby suppressing deformation of the workpiece. In addition, adverse effects due to contact between each part of the manufacturing device and the workpiece or the connecting means can be avoided, and the efficiency of laminated core manufacturing can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of a workpiece conveying state in the laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic plan view of a lower die in a laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is an explanatory diagram of the state in which a workpiece is punched by the laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] Figure 3(a) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the position of the lifter section in the laminated iron core manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention when transporting the workpiece, and Figure 2(b) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the maximum lowered state of the lifter section in the laminated iron core manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic explanatory view of an upper die in a laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a maximum lowered state. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a plan view of a lifter portion in a laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between an adhesive application unit, adhesive application sites of a workpiece, and a lifter unit in a laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (First embodiment of the present invention) A laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, an example of an apparatus will be described in which core pieces of a predetermined shape are obtained by press working, and then a plurality of the core pieces are laminated and bonded together to manufacture a laminated core for a stator of a rotating electric machine.

[0015] In each figure, the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment performs press processing using a progressive processing method on a workpiece 80, which is a strip of magnetic metal material, to obtain core pieces 81 of a predetermined shape, and then stacks multiple core pieces 81 to manufacture a laminated core 85. The laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 is configured to include an adhesive application section 25 as an application section, a punching section 30, and a lifter section 27.

[0016] The laminated core manufacturing equipment 1 is configured to perform multiple stages of punching on an intermittently transported workpiece 80 by progressive processing using an upper die 10 and a lower die 20, and to form the shapes of each part of the core piece 81 in the processing target portion of the workpiece 80 that corresponds to the core piece 81.

[0017] In addition, the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 has an adhesive application section 25 as an application section that applies multiple connecting means for connecting stacked core pieces to the processing target portion of the workpiece 80 at a predetermined intermediate stage of progressive processing.

[0018] Furthermore, the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 has a punching section 30 which, in the final stage of the progressive processing, punches out the processing target portion to which the connecting means has been applied in the adhesive application section 21 from the workpiece 80 to form the core piece 81. In addition, the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 has a lifter section 27 that supports, from below, the workpiece 80 that is transported from the adhesive application section 25, which serves as an adhesive application section, to the punching section 30.

[0019] The basic configuration of this laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1, in which the upper die 10 and lower die 20 perform progressive processing, is similar to that of a known press processing apparatus used in progressive processing type press processing, and detailed explanation will be omitted. In particular, the mechanisms of the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 that perform multiple punching stages upstream of the adhesive application section 25 are similar to known devices used in progressive processing press working, and so a description thereof will be omitted. On the other hand, the configuration in which the lifter portion 27 supports the workpiece 80 in the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 is a characteristic configuration of this embodiment, and will be described in detail below.

[0020] The laminated core manufacturing method applied to the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes at least an adhesive application step as an application step, and a punching step. The adhesive application process is a process in which adhesive 40 is applied to a plurality of locations of a portion to be processed of workpiece 80 by adhesive application unit 25. Moreover, the punching process is a process in which punching unit 30 punches out the portion to be processed of workpiece 80 to obtain core pieces 81.

[0021] The laminated core 85 manufactured by the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is formed by stacking a plurality of core pieces 81 made of a magnetic metal material. This laminated core 85 has a known structure that includes an annular yoke portion and a plurality of teeth portions that protrude from the inner periphery of the yoke portion and are arranged radially, forming a main part of the stator of a rotating electric machine (electric motor or generator), and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] The laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 performs progressive processing on a workpiece 80, which is intermittently transported by a known delivery device 60, using an upper die 10 arranged above the transport path of the workpiece 80 and a lower die 20 arranged below the transport path of the workpiece 80. Specifically, the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 moves the upper die 10 up and down relative to the lower die 20 for the intermittently transported workpiece 80, and punches out the portions of the workpiece 80 to be processed multiple times with the punch of the upper die 10 and the die of the lower die 20.

[0023] The upper die 10 is configured to include punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 for punching, a stripper 15 for suppressing unnecessary movement of the workpiece 80, and a punch holder 16 for supporting the punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 and the stripper 15. The punch, stripper, and punch holder mechanisms constituting the upper die 10 are similar to those of an upper die in a press working apparatus which performs punching by a known progressive feed process.

[0024] The punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 punch out the workpiece 80 into a predetermined shape together with the corresponding dies on the lower mold 20 side. The punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 are attached to a punch holder 16 and supported in a suspended state. The configuration of these punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 is similar to that used in a press processing device that punches out iron core pieces that form a laminated iron core by known progressive processing, and detailed explanation will be omitted. Of the punches, the fourth punch 14 forms a part of a punching section 30 that punches out a portion to be processed of a workpiece 80 to form an iron core piece 81 .

[0025] The stripper 15 holds the workpiece 80 by pressing it from above against each die of the lower die 20 when the punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 punch out the workpiece 80. The stripper 15 also plays a role in holding back the workpiece 80 that tries to rise as the punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 that have bitten into the workpiece 80 try to return to their original positions after punching, and in moving the workpiece 80 away from the punches 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0026] The stripper 15 is supported in a suspended state by the punch holder 16 so as to be vertically movable relative to the punch holder 16 . The lower portions of the punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 are inserted through the stripper 15, and before and after punching, the punches 11, 12, 13, and 14 move up and down relative to the stripper 15 in contact with the workpiece 80.

[0027] The stripper 15 is provided with a pressing portion 19 that protrudes downward and is movable vertically relative to the die on the lower mold 20 side integrally with the stripper 15. The pressing portion 19 also constitutes a part of the punching section 30.

[0028] The pressing portion 19 contacts the lifter portion 27 and presses it down relatively as the punching processing portion 30 punches out the portion to be processed from the workpiece 80, so that the underside of the workpiece 80 supported by the lifter portion 27 comes into contact with the upper end of the die.

[0029] The configuration of the stripper 15, except for the pressing portion 19, is similar to that used in a known press processing device that performs punching, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] The punch holder 16 is a known plate-shaped part that supports the plurality of punches 11, 12, 13, 14 and the stripper 15 by suspending them from above.

[0031] The lower die 20 is equipped with punching dies 21, 22, 23, and 24, an adhesive applicator 25, a die shoe 26 that supports the dies 21, 22, 23, and 24 and the adhesive applicator 25, and a lifter 27 that supports the workpiece 80.

[0032] The dies 21, 22, 23, and 24 are disposed above the die shoe 26 at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction of the workpiece 80. The dies 21, 22, 23, and 24 are each provided with a die hole 21a, 22a, 23a, or 24a that penetrates in the vertical direction and allows the corresponding punch 11, 12, 13, or 14 on the upper die 10 side to be inserted or removed. Each of the dies 21, 22, 23, and 24 is a known metal die that performs punching on the workpiece 80 in combination with the corresponding punch 11, 12, 13, and 14, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] Of the dies, the fourth die 24, together with the corresponding fourth punch 14, constitutes a major part of the punching section 30. The fourth punch 14 and the fourth die 24 execute punching of the part to be processed of the workpiece 80 after the adhesive has been applied by the adhesive application section 25, and form an iron core piece 81 to which the adhesive has been applied. In the die hole 24a of the fourth die 24, the core pieces 81 punched out from the workpiece 80 are stacked on top of the previously punched core pieces 81, so that the multiple core pieces 81 are in a stacked state.

[0034] The adhesive application section 25 is disposed between the third die 23 and the fourth die 24 at the upper part of the die shoe 26, and applies adhesive as a connecting means from below to multiple locations of the portions to be processed on the workpiece 80.

[0035] The adhesive applicator 25 has a plurality of outlets 25a for discharging adhesive, which are arranged so that the adhesive can be applied to a plurality of preset locations on the portion to be processed on the underside of the workpiece 80. Meanwhile, the adhesive applicator 25 is arranged so that there are also areas on the portion to be processed of the workpiece 80 where no adhesive is applied, by setting the arrangement of the outlets 25a and the amount of adhesive to be applied. The configuration for supplying and applying adhesive in the adhesive application section 25 is similar to the adhesive application mechanism used in known press processing devices, which has a process of applying adhesive to multiple locations on the workpiece during progressive processing, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0036] The die shoe 26 is a platform-shaped component that supports the dies 21, 22, 23, 24, the adhesive applicator 25, and the lifter 27. The dies 21, 22, 23 are supported by the die shoe 26 in a state in which they are fitted into a die plate 28 provided on the upper part of the die shoe 26. The die shoe 26 is configured to be connected to the punch holder 16 of the upper die 10 by a known guide mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in the vertical direction while restricting movement in any direction other than the vertical direction.

[0037] The die shoe 26 has a plurality of discharge holes 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d formed therein. Among these, the discharge holes 26a, 26b, and 26c communicate with the die holes 21a, 22a, and 23a of the dies 21, 22, and 23, and are used to discharge material pieces (waste material) punched out from the workpiece 80. In addition, the discharge hole 26d of the die shoe 26, which communicates with the die hole 24a in the fourth die 24, is intended to send the multiple core pieces 81 that have been punched and stacked to the outside in the final state of a laminated core 85.

[0038] The laminated core pieces 81 are bonded to other core pieces with a coated adhesive and integrated to become laminated core 85. Laminated core 85 passes through discharge hole 26d and reaches a known discharge device such as a belt conveyor that discharges laminated core 85 to a device for the next process (for example, a heating device, a magnet insertion device, a resin injection device, etc.).

[0039] The lifter section 27 is formed of a plate-like body and is arranged to be movable up and down from the end of the adhesive application section 25 on the upper side of the die shoe 26 to the periphery of the fourth die 24, and is configured to support the vicinity of the adhesive on the workpiece 80 being transported with the upper surface of the plate-like body.

[0040] While the workpiece 80 is being transported, the lifter section 27 pushes up the workpiece 80 from below, so that the lower surface of the workpiece 80 and the adhesive serving as a connecting means are positioned above the upper end of the die 24, and the workpiece 80 and the adhesive do not come into contact with the die 24.

[0041] Lifter portion 27 is provided with a groove that continues in the transport direction of workpiece 80 as escape portion 27a that corresponds to the application position of adhesive on workpiece 80. Then, a portion of lifter portion 27 without escape portion 27a contacts a position in the workpiece 80 near the adhesive, i.e., a position where adhesive is not applied, and supports workpiece 80.

[0042] The lifter part 27 is attached to the die shoe 26 so as to be movable up and down within a predetermined range, and is configured to be biased upward by a predetermined elastic member. When the workpiece 80 is being transported and no external force is being applied to the lifter part 27, the lifter part 27 pushes up the workpiece 80 and separates it from the die 24 by the bias of the elastic member.

[0043] On the other hand, during punching, the lifter portion 27 is forcibly pressed down by the pressing portion 19, which is part of the punching processing section 30, so that the underside of the workpiece 80 supported by the lifter portion 27 comes into contact with the upper end of the die 24.

[0044] The position where lifter portion 27 is pressed from above by pressing portion 19 is set to a portion that does not overlap with workpiece 80 at the timing of punching and is exposed upward, for example, a position corresponding to a through hole provided in workpiece 80 or a portion outside an end portion in the width direction of workpiece 80. The through hole provided in workpiece 80 is a portion that is punched in a process prior to adhesive application portion 25.

[0045] The lifter portion 27 is not limited to being one continuous plate-like body, but may be a combination of a number of small plate-like bodies.

[0046] The relief portion 27a of the lifter portion 27 is not limited to a groove, so long as it can contain the adhesive applied to the workpiece 80 within the range of the relief portion 27a while the workpiece 80 is being transported, and can move the workpiece 80 on the lifter portion 27 without contact between the lifter portion 27 and the adhesive. For example, the relief portion may be a recess, notch, or hole that continues in the transport direction of the workpiece in the lifter portion. In addition, when the lifter portion is configured by combining multiple plate-like bodies, the relief portion may be a gap between the plate-like bodies.

[0047] The lower die 20 may be provided with another lifter section upstream of the adhesive application section 25. Such another lifter section may be of the same mechanism as that used in known progressive press working devices, so long as it prevents the bottom surface of the workpiece 80 from contacting the dies 21, 22, 23 when the workpiece 80 is transported. In that case, it goes without saying that the other lifter section descends during punching to allow the bottom surface of the workpiece to come into contact with the dies.

[0048] Next, a manufacturing process of the laminated core using the laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. The laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1 performs progressive processing on a strip-shaped workpiece 80 that is intermittently transported by a delivery device 60 . In this progressive processing, the workpiece 80 is punched out to correspond to the shape of each part of the core piece 81 other than the outer periphery, and adhesive is applied to the workpiece 80 by the adhesive application unit 25. Finally, the core piece 81 is punched out and separated from the workpiece 80.

[0049] A continuous strip-like workpiece 80 is intermittently transported by the delivery device 60, and fed into between the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 of the laminated core manufacturing apparatus 1. A preset feed amount of the workpiece 80 is transported, and when a predetermined portion of the workpiece 80 reaches between the first punch 11 and the die 21, the transport is temporarily stopped and the upper die 10 is lowered so as to approach the lower die 20.

[0050] The stripper 15 of the upper die 10 gradually approaches the workpiece 80, comes into contact with the workpiece 80, and presses the workpiece 80 against the die 21, so that the workpiece 80 is sandwiched between the stripper 15 and the die 21. While the stripper 15, which is pressing down on the workpiece 80 from above, does not move any further, the punch holder 16 and punch 11 move further downward, and the tip of the punch 11 reaches the die 21 through the insertion portion of the stripper 15. As a result, a part of the workpiece 80 is punched out by the punch 11 and the die 21, and this punching forms a through hole in the workpiece 80 (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0051] After punching, the punch holder 16 and the punch 11 move upward, and when the punch 11 separates from the workpiece 80, the stripper 15 also rises and separates from the workpiece 80. Then, as each part of the upper die 10 returns to its initial position, transportation of the workpiece 80 is resumed at an appropriate timing.

[0052] When the portion to be processed of the conveyed workpiece 80 reaches between the second punch 12 and the die 22, as in the case of the first punch 11 and the die 21, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, the upper die 10 is lowered, and a part of the workpiece 80 is punched out by the punch 12 and the die 22. This punching provides a new through hole in the workpiece 80 (see FIG. 2(b)). After punching, the conveyance of the workpiece 80 is resumed as each part of the upper die 10 returns to its original position.

[0053] When the portion to be processed of the conveyed workpiece 80 reaches between the third punch 13 and the die 23, as in the case of the first punch 11 and the die 21, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, the upper die 10 is lowered, and a part of the workpiece 80 is punched out by the punch 13 and the die 23. This punching provides a further through hole in the workpiece 80 (see FIG. 2(b)). After punching, the conveyance of the workpiece 80 is resumed as each part of the upper die 10 returns to its original position.

[0054] Each punching operation using the first punch 11 and die 21, the second punch 12 and die 22, and the third punch 13 and die 23 is similar to punching by progressive processing in a known press processing device, so further detailed explanation is omitted.

[0055] The punching by the first punch 11 and die 21 is for example for providing a pilot hole 83 in the workpiece 80 (see FIG. 2(b)). The pilot hole 83 is a hole provided and used in known progressive processing, for inserting a positioning pin to prevent the workpiece from moving when punching by the subsequent punches and dies.

[0056] Moreover, punching with the second punch 12 and die 22 is for example intended to provide a hole in the workpiece 80 that corresponds to a portion of the shape of the core piece 81 (see FIG. 2(b)). Furthermore, punching with the third punch 13 and die 23 is for example intended to punch out the center of the portion to be processed of the workpiece 80 so that the shapes of the portions of the workpiece 80 other than the outer periphery of the core piece 81 appear in the workpiece 80 (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0057] Waste material produced by punching out with each punch and die is discharged to the outside through each die hole 21a, 22a, 23a and each discharge hole 26a, 26b, 26c of the die shoe 26 communicating with them.

[0058] When the portion to be processed of the workpiece 80 being conveyed after being punched by the third punch 13 and the die 23 reaches the adhesive application section 25, the conveyance is temporarily stopped. Then, the upper die 10 is lowered so as to approach the lower die 20. The stripper 15 of the upper die 10 gradually approaches the workpiece 80, comes into contact with the workpiece 80, and presses the workpiece 80 against the adhesive application section 25, so that the workpiece 80 is sandwiched between the stripper 15 and the adhesive application section 25.

[0059] With the workpiece 80 in contact with the adhesive applicator 25 in this manner, liquid adhesive is supplied to each outlet 25a of the adhesive applicator 25. As a result, adhesive is applied to a plurality of predetermined locations facing each outlet 25a on the underside of the portion to be processed of the workpiece 80. Meanwhile, the underside of the workpiece 80 other than the locations facing the outlets 25a is maintained in a state where no adhesive is applied.

[0060] After the adhesive is applied, the stripper 15 rises together with the other parts of the upper die 10, such as the punch holder 16, and moves away from the workpiece 80. As each part of the upper die 10 subsequently returns to its initial position, the transportation of the workpiece 80 is resumed at an appropriate timing.

[0061] Note that adhesive is not applied to the processing target portion of workpiece 80 corresponding to core piece 81 constituting the bottom layer of laminated core 85 by preventing adhesive from being supplied to each outlet 25a of adhesive application unit 25. This makes it possible to prevent adhesive adhering to the underside of bottom layer core piece 81 obtained by punching in punching unit 30 from adversely affecting each part of the mechanism that stacks the core pieces.

[0062] Similarly, as another mechanism for preventing adhesive from being applied to the portion of the workpiece to be processed if necessary, a mechanism can be adopted in which the adhesive application section moves downward and retracts so as not to come into contact with the workpiece at times when adhesive should not be applied.

[0063] In this way, while the portion of the workpiece 80 to be processed to which adhesive has been applied is transported from the adhesive application section 25 to the section between the fourth punch 14 and the die 24 which constitutes the punching section 30, the portion to be processed is supported by the lifter section 27. In a state in which the portion to be processed of the workpiece 80 is supported by the lifter portion 27, the upper surface of the plate-like body constituting the lifter portion 27 comes into contact with and supports each position of the workpiece 80 that is in the vicinity of the applied adhesive. In addition, since the portion of the lower surface of the workpiece 80 where the adhesive is applied passes through the groove constituting the relief portion 27a of the lifter portion 27, the adhesive does not adhere to the lifter portion 27.

[0064] Furthermore, in this transport state, the stripper 15 is located above and away from the workpiece 80, and the presser portion 19 is also located away from the lifter portion 27, so that the lifter portion 27, to which no external force is being applied, supports the workpiece 80 so that it is located above the upper end of the die 24. In this state, the workpiece 80 is supported so that the adhesive applied to the lower surface of the workpiece 80 is also located above the upper end of the die 24, so that there is no possibility of the adhesive or the lower surface of the workpiece 80 coming into contact with the die, and any problems associated therewith.

[0065] When the portion to be processed of the conveyed workpiece 80 reaches the portion between the fourth punch 14 and the die 24 that constitutes the punching section 30, the conveyance is temporarily stopped. Even at this stage, the stripper 15 is still positioned above the workpiece 80, and the pressing portion 19 is also away from the lifter portion 27, so that the lifter portion 27, which is not receiving any pressing force from above, supports the workpiece 80 above the die 24.

[0066] With the conveyance temporarily stopped, the upper die 10 descends so as to approach the lower die 20. The stripper 15 of the upper die 10 gradually approaches the workpiece 80 and comes into contact with the workpiece 80. The descending stripper 15 then presses the workpiece 80 while pressing the lifter portion 27 downward with the integral pressing portion 19. The stripper 15 also lowers the workpiece 80 supported by it until it comes into contact with the die 24, and the workpiece 80 is sandwiched between the stripper 15 and the die 24 (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0067] The stripper 15 not only presses down the lifter portion 27 via the workpiece 80, but also directly presses down the lifter portion 27 with the pressing portion 19 at a portion where the workpiece 80 is not present, so that a force pressing down the lifter portion 27 can be applied evenly to the lifter portion 27.

[0068] In addition, the configuration is not limited to one in which the pressing portion 19 directly presses down on the lifter portion 27, and as long as the lifter portion can be pressed down appropriately, a configuration in which a stripper without a pressing portion presses the workpiece, thereby pressing down the lifter portion through the workpiece, is also acceptable.

[0069] With the workpiece 80 clamped between it and the die 24 and the stripper 15 now immobile, the punch holder 26 and punch 14 move further downward, and the tip of the punch 14 passes through the insertion portion of the stripper 15 and reaches the die 24. As a result, the portion to be processed of the workpiece 80 is punched out by the punch 14 and die 24 which form the punching section 30. By this punching, the portion to be processed is separated from the workpiece 80 and becomes the core piece 81, while a hole corresponding to the outer edge shape of the core piece 81 remains in the workpiece 80 (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0070] The core pieces 81 obtained by punching with the punch 14 and die 24 constituting the punching processing section 30 are stacked in multiple layers in the die hole 24a. In the die hole 24a, the core pieces 81 are temporarily held in a stacked state, and each time a new core piece 81 is punched out and stacked, the core pieces 81 are moved downward. The core pieces 81 can also be stacked while being adjusted, such as by rotating, as necessary.

[0071] The multiple core pieces 81 are bonded together during this stacking process. When the number of stacked core pieces 81 (stacking thickness) reaches a specified value, the stacked and integrated core pieces 81, i.e., the laminated core 85, reach the outside of the device through the discharge hole 26d of the die shoe 26 and are carried out to the next process by a carrying-out device (not shown).

[0072] In this way, in the laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment, before punching out the core pieces from the workpiece 80, adhesive is applied to the processing target portion of the workpiece 80, and the laminated core pieces 81 punched out from the workpiece 80 are integrated by adhesion to manufacture the laminated core 85. Meanwhile, while the workpiece 80 is supported by the lifter portion 27 having the relief portion 27a at the portion of the workpiece 80 that overlaps with the adhesive application position of the workpiece 80 and the workpiece 80 is transported, the adhesive applied to the workpiece 80 moves through the relief portion 27a of the lifter portion 27. As a result, even while the workpiece 80 is transported, the lifter portion 27 supports each portion of the workpiece 80 without contacting the adhesive, and deformation of the workpiece 80 is suppressed. In addition, adverse effects due to contact between each portion of the apparatus and the workpiece 80 or the adhesive can be avoided, and the efficiency of laminated core manufacturing can be improved.

[0073] In the laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment, the adhesive application unit 25 is provided as an application unit, and adhesive is applied to the workpiece 80 as a connecting means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connecting means applied to the workpiece may be a crimping portion that is concave on the upper surface side and convex on the lower surface side of the workpiece. In this case, the applying section for applying the connecting means is replaced by a section for applying adhesive, and is a mechanism for forming a crimped portion by press working the workpiece.

[0074] The lifter portion supports the workpiece so that the crimping portion, which is convex on the lower surface of the workpiece, does not come into contact with the die, and the relief portion prevents the crimping portion from coming into contact with the lifter portion itself. In this case, the lifter portion supports the workpiece with its upper surface in contact with a position on the workpiece near the crimping portion, i.e., a position where there is no crimping portion. The core pieces punched out at the punching processing section are then stacked with other core pieces and integrated together by crimping, in which the overlapping crimped sections are connected by applying upward and downward pressure, to finally form a laminated core.

[0075] When the connecting means is a crimping portion in this way, as in the case of an adhesive, the portion to be processed of the workpiece corresponding to the core piece arranged in the bottom layer of the laminated core is set so that the crimping portion as the connecting means is not formed in the application portion. For example, in the application portion, a normal crimping portion that is convex on the lower surface side is not formed in the portion to be processed of the workpiece, but instead a hole is provided that can be connected and integrated by crimping with the crimping portion of the other core piece located above.

[0076] In addition, when a heat-curing adhesive or crimping method that does not easily connect the core pieces to other overlapping core pieces is used as a connecting means, after punching, the stacked core pieces are not integrated, but rather are discharged from the laminated core manufacturing equipment at predetermined stack levels while maintaining a separable stacked state, and are then integrated outside the equipment as a laminated core before being sent to the next process.

[0077] (Second embodiment of the present invention) In the laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, in the band-shaped workpiece 80 used, the processing target portions corresponding to the core pieces are set to be lined up in a row in the transport direction of the workpiece 80, and the punch and die set, adhesive applicator 25, and lifter 27 are arranged accordingly. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the processing target portions in the workpiece 80 may be set to be lined up in multiple rows, such as two rows, in the transport direction of the workpiece 80, and the laminated core manufacturing apparatus may be configured accordingly.

[0078] In this case, too, relief portions 47a are provided in the lifter portion 47 in correspondence with a plurality of adhesive application positions on the workpiece 80 by the adhesive applicator 45 arranged for each row of processing target portions aligned in the conveying direction of the workpiece 80 (see Figs. 5 and 6). As a result, as in the first embodiment, while the workpiece 80 is being conveyed, the upper surface of the lifter portion 47 comes into contact with a position on the workpiece 80 near the adhesive, and supports each portion of the workpiece 80 without contacting the adhesive, thereby suppressing deformation of the workpiece 80. In addition, adverse effects due to contact between each portion of the device, including the die 44 and the lifter portion 47, and the workpiece 80 or the adhesive can be avoided, and the efficiency of laminated core manufacturing can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Laminated core manufacturing equipment 10 Upper mold 11, 12 punch 13, 14 punch 15 Stripper 16 Punch holder 19 Holding part 20 Lower mold 21, 22 Die 21a, 22a Die holes 23, 24 Die 23a, 24a Die holes 25 Adhesive application section 25a Discharge port 26 Daishu 26a, 26b drain hole 26c, 26d exhaust hole 27 Lifter part 27a Relief 28 Die Plate 30 Punching section 44 Die 45 Adhesive application section 45a Discharge port 47 Lifter part 47a Relief 60 Delivery device 80 Work material 81 Core piece 83 Pilot hole 85 Laminated core

Claims

1. A laminated core manufacturing apparatus for press-forming a strip-shaped workpiece that is intermittently conveyed to obtain a core piece of a predetermined shape, and for manufacturing a laminated core by stacking a plurality of the core pieces, comprising: an applying unit that applies a plurality of connecting means for connecting the laminated core pieces to each other to a processing target portion of the workpiece that corresponds to the iron core pieces; a punching section for punching out the processing target portion to which the connecting means is provided from the workpiece to form the core piece; and a lifter portion consisting of one or more plate-shaped bodies that supports from below the workpiece transported from at least the application portion to the punching portion, The lifter portion has a plurality of recesses that overlap with the positions of the connecting means in the transported workpiece, and the recesses are provided continuously in the transport direction of the workpiece, and the lifter portion supports the workpiece by contacting the workpiece at a position where the connecting means is not present at a position other than the recesses. This laminated core manufacturing equipment is characterized by:

2. 2. The laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, the punching section has a punch arranged above the workpiece and a die arranged below the workpiece, and is capable of punching out the processing target portion of the workpiece positioned between the punch and the die to form the core piece; The lifter portion positions the lower surface of the workpiece and the connecting means above the upper end of the die at least while the workpiece is being transported. This laminated core manufacturing equipment is characterized by:

3. 3. The laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, The lifter portion is capable of supporting the workpiece such that a lower surface of the workpiece and the connecting means are positioned above an upper end of the die when no external force is applied to the lifter portion; The punching section has a pressing section that is movable in a vertical direction relative to the die, and the pressing section presses down the lifter section relatively from above as the processing target portion is punched out of the workpiece, so that the lower surface of the workpiece supported by the lifter section is brought into contact with the upper end of the die. This laminated core manufacturing equipment is characterized by:

4. 2. The laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The application section is an adhesive application section that applies adhesive as the connecting means from below to a plurality of locations of the processing target portion of the workpiece. This laminated core manufacturing equipment is characterized by:

5. 2. The laminated core manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, The relief portion of the lifter portion is at least one of a groove, a recess, a notch, a hole, and a gap between the plurality of plate-like bodies constituting the lifter portion, which are continuous in the conveying direction of the workpiece. This laminated core manufacturing equipment is characterized by:

6. A laminated core manufacturing method comprising the steps of: pressing a strip-shaped workpiece that is intermittently conveyed to obtain a core piece having a predetermined shape; and laminating a plurality of the core pieces to manufacture a laminated core, the method comprising the steps of: an application step of applying a plurality of connecting means for connecting the laminated core pieces to each other at a processing target portion of the workpiece corresponding to the iron core pieces; a punching process for punching out the processing target portion to which the connecting means is provided from the workpiece to obtain the core piece, The workpiece that is transported to the punching step after at least the application step is supported from below by a lifter portion consisting of one or more plate-shaped bodies, The lifter portion has a plurality of recesses that overlap with the positions of the connecting means in the transported workpiece, and the recesses are provided continuously in the transport direction of the workpiece, and the lifter portion supports the workpiece by contacting the workpiece at a position where the connecting means is not present at a position other than the recesses. A laminated core manufacturing method.

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