Elastic ring member lining-up machine

Abstract

To provide an elastic ring member lining-up machine that can reduce costs.SOLUTION: There is provided an elastic ring member lining-up machine for lining up multiple elastic ring members. The elastic ring member lining-up machine includes: a base frame; a main shaft that is rotatably supported on the base frame and is provided with multiple holding grooves arranged in a longitudinal direction to hold the elastic ring members; an auxiliary shaft that is supported on the base frame and holds the elastic ring members together with the main shaft; and a rotational force imparting mechanism for imparting a rotational force to the main shaft. The holding grooves have inclined surfaces that incline toward the main spindle center shaft serving as a central axis as it extends toward one end of the main spindle longitudinal direction serving as a longitudinal direction of the main shaft, and wall surfaces that face the inclined surfaces. The auxiliary shaft has an outer peripheral surface inclined with respect to the main spindle center shaft of the main shaft so that the tension generated in the elastic ring members applied to the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft becomes smaller as it is disposed toward one end side in the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aligner for elastic ring members. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a supplying device for an elastic ring member.

[0003] When the elastic ring members wound around the helical shaft become entangled, the supply device vibrates the vibration shaft arranged inside the elastic ring members up and down to untangle the elastic ring members with the pins of the vibration shaft.The supply device then moves the vibration shaft to move it away from the inside of the elastic ring members.

[0004] Next, the supply device uses a cylinder to widen the distance between the helical shaft and the guide shaft, which are arranged in parallel to each other, and applies a constant tension to the elastic ring members wound around the helical shaft and the guide shaft.The supply device then rotates the helical shaft with a helical shaft drive motor, and moves the helical grooves formed in the helical shaft in the axial direction relative to the elastic ring members, fitting each elastic ring member into the valleys of the helical grooves and aligning them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-011635 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, such a supplying device requires a complicated mechanism for vibrating the vibration shaft and for retracting the vibration shaft, which increases costs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide an aligner for elastic ring members that can be manufactured at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elastic ring member aligner for aligning a plurality of elastic ring members, the elastic ring member aligner comprising: a base frame; a main shaft rotatably supported by the base frame and having a plurality of holding grooves arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction for holding the elastic ring members; an auxiliary shaft supported by the base frame and holding the elastic ring members together with the main shaft; and a rotational force applying mechanism for applying a rotational force to the main shaft, wherein the holding groove has an inclined surface inclined toward the central axis as it approaches one end side of the longitudinal direction of the main shaft, and a wall surface opposite to the inclined surface, and the auxiliary shaft has an outer peripheral surface inclined with respect to the central axis of the main shaft so that the tension generated in the elastic ring members applied to the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft is reduced as the auxiliary shaft is positioned toward one end side of the longitudinal direction. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the main shaft is rotated by the rotation imparting mechanism, each elastic ring member hung on the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft moves toward one end in the longitudinal direction so as to reduce tension, and is held in each holding groove of the main shaft. At this time, the outer surface of the elastic ring member held in the holding groove having an inclined surface is inclined toward the one end. Therefore, the elastic ring member overlapping the elastic ring member moves toward the one end and is aligned while being held in one of the holding grooves.

[0010] In this way, the elastic ring member alignment machine can align the elastic ring members without using a complicated mechanism for vibrating the vibration shaft that imparts vibration to the elastic ring members or for retracting the vibration shaft during alignment, thereby making it possible to reduce costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an aligner for elastic ring members according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an aligner for elastic ring members according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state in which the elastic ring members are hung on the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion where an elastic ring member is held in a holding groove. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first modified example, and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view showing an aligner for elastic ring members according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an aligner for elastic ring members according to a second modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing an aligner for elastic ring members according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an aligner 12 for an elastic ring member 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a front view showing an aligner 12 for an elastic ring member 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an aligner 12 for an elastic ring member 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state in which the elastic ring member 10 is hung on a main shaft 20 and an auxiliary shaft 22. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion where the elastic ring member 10 is held in a holding groove 50.

[0014] 1 to 4, the aligner 12 for the elastic ring members 10 according to this embodiment is a device that loosens a bundle of elastic ring members 10 (see FIG. 3) between a main shaft 20 and an auxiliary shaft 22, and aligns each elastic ring member 10 in a separated state. The elastic ring members 10 to be aligned are used in, for example, an automatic transmission.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 4, the elastic ring member 10 is formed of, for example, a D-ring having a D-shaped cross section with an outer circumferential surface 10A protruding outward in an arc shape. Fig. 4 shows the elastic ring member 10 in a state where it is laid down along an inclined surface 50A of a holding groove 50, which will be described later.

[0016] The elastic ring member 10 is formed in an elastic ring shape. When the elastic ring member 10 is pulled, the diameter of the elastic ring member 10 is expanded, and tension is generated in the direction in which the diameter of the elastic ring member 10 is reduced.

[0017] (Alignment machine) 1 and 2, the aligner 12 includes a base frame 30, a main shaft 20 rotatably supported by the base frame 30, an auxiliary shaft 22 supported by the base frame 30, and a rotational force imparting mechanism 32 that imparts a rotational force to the main shaft 20. The aligner 12 also includes a lifting mechanism 34 that raises and lowers the auxiliary shaft 22 relative to the main shaft 20.

[0018] (Base frame) The base frame 30 includes a base member 40 that is placed at a placement location, and a support column 42 that is provided on the base member 40 in an upright state.

[0019] (main axis) The spindle 20 has a base end 20A supported by a support 42 so as to be freely rotatable. The spindle 20 extends to one side of the support 42. A plurality of holding grooves 50 for holding the elastic ring member 10 (see FIG. 3) are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the spindle 20. Each holding groove 50 is independent of the others, and the holding grooves 50 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction 52 of the spindle.

[0020] Such a main shaft 20 is formed, for example, by connecting a plurality of truncated cone-shaped plates in the axial direction.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 4, the retaining grooves 50 are formed in the same shape. The retaining grooves 50 have an inclined surface 50A inclined toward the spindle central axis 66 as the central axis from the spindle base end 20A side (see Figs. 1 and 2) in the spindle longitudinal direction 52 toward the spindle tip end 20B side as one end side, and a wall surface 50B opposed to the inclined surface 50A. As a result, the retaining groove 50 becomes deeper from the spindle base end 20A side toward the spindle tip end 20B side, and the diameter of the portion of the spindle 20 formed by the inclined surface 50A in each retaining groove 50 becomes smaller from the spindle base end 20A side toward the spindle tip end 20B side.

[0022] The angle α formed between the inclined surface 50A of the holding groove 50 and the spindle central axis 66 is, for example, 45 degrees. Also, the angle β formed between the wall surface 50B of the holding groove 50 and the spindle central axis 66 is, for example, 90 degrees.

[0023] In this embodiment, the case where the inclined surface 50A of the retaining groove 50 inclines toward the spindle central axis 66 from the spindle base end 20A side toward the spindle tip end 20B side is described as an example, but the inclined surface 50A of the retaining groove 50 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the inclined surface 50A of the retaining groove 50 may incline toward the spindle central axis 66 from the spindle tip end 20B side toward the spindle base end 20A side.

[0024] The holding groove 50 has a width H that accommodates a single elastic ring member 10 in a state where one surface 10C constituting one side surface of the elastic ring member 10 is disposed along the inclined surface 50A.

[0025] Specifically, the width dimension H of the retaining groove 50 is represented by the length between a first imaginary straight line K1 extending radially from the edge of the inclined surface 50A on the spindle base end 20A side and a second imaginary straight line K2 extending radially from the edge on the spindle tip end 20B side. The width dimension H of the retaining groove 50 is set to a dimension at which an apex 10E of the outer circumferential surface 10A of the elastic ring member 10, which protrudes most toward the spindle base end 20A side, contacts the first imaginary straight line K1 with one surface 10C of the elastic ring member 10 being in surface contact with the inclined surface 50A and with an inner circumferential surface 10B of the elastic ring member 10 in contact with the wall surface 50B.

[0026] As a result, when the elastic ring member 10 is held in the holding groove 50, the gap that may be formed in the holding groove 50 in the groove width direction is substantially zero, and multiple elastic ring members 10 are prevented from entering a single holding groove 50. In addition, the elastic ring member 10 held in the holding groove 50 is prevented from protruding out of the holding groove 50.

[0027] In addition, the retaining groove 50 has a depth such that when one surface 10C of the elastic ring member 10 is positioned along the inclined surface 50A, the other surface 10D opposite to the one surface 10C is flush with the inclined surface 50A of the adjacent retaining groove 50.

[0028] More specifically, depth dimension D of retaining groove 50 is represented by the height of wall surface 50B extending in the radial direction of spindle 20. Depth dimension D of retaining groove 50 is set so that the step from inclined surface 50A of retaining groove 50 to inclined surface 50A of the adjacent retaining groove 50 matches the thickness of elastic ring member 10 from one surface 10C to the other surface 10D.

[0029] As a result, when one surface 10C of the elastic ring member 10 is in face contact with the inclined surface 50A of the retaining groove 50 and the inner surface 10B of the elastic ring member 10 is in contact with the wall surface 50B, the difference in height between the other surface 10D of the elastic ring member 10 and the inclined surface 50A of the adjacent retaining groove 50 is approximately zero.

[0030] The other surface 10D of the elastic ring member 10 and the adjacent inclined surface 50A of the holding groove 50 form a continuous surface without any steps.

[0031] As a result, the upper elastic ring member 10 overlapping the elastic ring member 10 in the retaining groove 50 is guided into the adjacent retaining groove 50 along the other surface 10D of the lower elastic ring member 10 in the retaining groove 50 and the inclined surface 50A of the adjacent retaining groove 50.

[0032] (auxiliary shaft) 1, the auxiliary shaft 22 has a base end 22A supported by a lift slider 60 of the lift mechanism 34, and the lift slider 60 is supported so as to be movable up and down along the support column 42. As a result, the auxiliary shaft 22 has a base end 22A supported by the support column 42.

[0033] The auxiliary shaft 22 extends to one side of the support column 42. The auxiliary shaft 22 is disposed below the main shaft 20. The auxiliary shaft 22 is disposed spaced apart from the main shaft 20. A distance 62 between the auxiliary shaft 22 and the main shaft 20 is adjustable, and the auxiliary shaft 22 can hold the elastic ring member 10 together with the main shaft 20.

[0034] The auxiliary shaft 22 is supported in a tilted state relative to the support 42 in a front view. As a result, the auxiliary shaft center axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 22 is tilted vertically relative to the support 42 so as to approach the main shaft 20 from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A side toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B side. A separation distance 62 in the height direction between the auxiliary shaft center axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 22 and the main shaft center axis 66 of the main shaft 20 is configured to become smaller from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B.

[0035] In addition, the auxiliary shaft center axis 64 (see FIG. 1) is configured to extend directly below the main shaft center axis 66, and the auxiliary shaft center axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 22 and the main shaft center axis 66 of the main shaft 20 are configured to overlap in the vertical direction.

[0036] As a result, the auxiliary shaft 22 has an auxiliary shaft outer peripheral surface 22C which is an outer peripheral surface that is inclined with respect to the main shaft central axis 66, which is the central axis of the main shaft 20, so that the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10, which is stretched by the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22, decreases as the elastic ring member 10 is moved from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A to the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B, which is one end side in the auxiliary shaft longitudinal direction 68.

[0037] In this embodiment, the case where the auxiliary shaft 22 is inclined with respect to the main shaft central axis 66 so that the auxiliary shaft 22 approaches the main shaft 20 toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B side will be described as an example, but the aligner 12 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the aligner 12 may incline the auxiliary shaft 22 with respect to the main shaft central axis 66 so that the auxiliary shaft 22 moves away from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A side toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B side. In this case, the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22 decreases as the elastic ring member 10 is disposed toward the auxiliary shaft base end 22A side.

[0038] The auxiliary shaft 22 includes a shaft core portion 70 extending from the lift slider 60, and a cylindrical portion 72 supported on the outer periphery of the shaft core portion 70, and an auxiliary shaft outer periphery 22C of the auxiliary shaft 22 is formed by the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 72. The cylindrical portion 72 is supported rotatably on the shaft core portion 70, and the cylindrical portion 72 facilitates rotation of the elastic ring member 10 held together with the main shaft 20.

[0039] (Rotation mechanism) The rotational force imparting mechanism 32 includes a rotating shaft 80 connected to the main shaft 20 by inserting the support 42, an L-shaped crank portion 82 provided at the end of the rotating shaft 80, and a handle 84 provided at the end of the crank portion 82.

[0040] The rotational force imparting mechanism 32 is configured so that the main shaft 20 connected to the rotating shaft 80 can be rotated about the main shaft central axis 66 by operating a handle 84 to rotate the rotating shaft 80 with a crank portion 82.

[0041] In this embodiment, a manual rotational force imparting mechanism 32 in which an operator rotates the handle 84 to transmit a rotational driving force to the spindle 20 is taken as an example for description, but the rotational force imparting mechanism 32 is not limited to this configuration. The rotational force imparting mechanism 32 may be, for example, an electric mechanism that transmits a rotational driving force output from an electric motor to the spindle 20.

[0042] (Lifting mechanism) The lifting mechanism 34 includes a lifting section 92 supported by a support plate 90 on the upper part of the support column 42 , an operating rod 94 extending from the lifting section 92 , and a lifting slider 60 connected to the operating rod 94 .

[0043] 2, the lifting unit 92 is provided with a lever 98 having a gripping portion 96. The tip of the lever 98 is bifurcated, and each of the bifurcated portions is provided with an L-shaped portion 100 (see FIG. 8).

[0044] A corner portion of an L-shaped portion 100 provided at the tip of the lever 98 is disposed between a pair of opposing walls 102 standing on the support plate 90, and is rotatably supported by the opposing walls 102. An operating rod 94 is disposed between the tips of the pair of L-shaped portions 100, and the operating rod 94 is rotatably supported by the tips of the L-shaped portions 100.

[0045] When the lever 98 is rotated, the tip of the L-shaped portion 100 is displaced upward or downward. Accordingly, the operating rod 94 moves upward or downward, and raises and lowers the auxiliary shaft 22 together with the lifting slider 60. In this manner, the distance 62 between the auxiliary shaft 22 and the free end formed by the spindle tip portion 20B of the main shaft 20 can be changed.

[0046] Specifically, with the aligner 12 positioned so that the handle 84 of the rotational force imparting mechanism 32 is located to the right hand side of the operator, the lever 98 of the lifting mechanism 34, which is located on the opposite side of the aligner 12 from the operator, is tilted towards the operator.

[0047] Then, the tip of the L-shaped portion 100 of the lever 98 moves upward, and the actuation rod 94 is pulled up. Accordingly, the lift slider 60 slides upward along the support column 42, and the auxiliary shaft 22 moves together with the lift slider 60 in a direction approaching the main shaft 20.

[0048] This makes it easier for the worker to perform the setting work of hanging the bundle of elastic ring members 10 on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22 from the free end sides of the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22.

[0049] On the other hand, when the lever 98 is tilted to the side opposite the operator across the aligner 12, the tip of the L-shaped portion 100 of the lever 98 is positioned downward, and the operating rod 94 is pushed down. Then, the lift slider 60 slides downward along the support 42, and the auxiliary shaft 22 moves together with the lift slider 60 in a direction away from the main shaft 20.

[0050] As a result, each elastic ring member 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22 is pulled so as to expand in diameter by the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22 moving away from each other, and tension in the direction of shrinking the diameter is generated in each elastic ring member 10.

[0051] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the entire auxiliary shaft 22 extending from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A to the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B is raised and lowered relative to the main shaft 20, but the lifting mechanism 34 is not limited to this configuration. The lifting mechanism 34 may be configured, for example, so that the auxiliary shaft base end 22A is supported by a shaft member on a support 42 of the base frame 30 and the auxiliary shaft 22 is rotatable about the shaft member, thereby making it possible to change the separation distance 62 between the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B and the free end, which is the main shaft tip end 20B.

[0052] In this embodiment, the auxiliary shaft central axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 22 inclines toward the main shaft 20 as it moves from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A side toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B side. As a result, the elastic ring member 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22 is disposed on the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B side, and therefore the auxiliary shaft outer circumferential surface 22C of the auxiliary shaft 22 is configured to incline with respect to the main shaft central axis 66 so that the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10 is reduced.

[0053] However, this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The aligner 12 may be configured, for example, as in the first and second modified examples shown below.

[0054] (First Modification) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first modified example, and corresponds to FIG. 3 of the embodiment.

[0055] The aligner 200 according to the first modification is different from the embodiment in the attachment state of the auxiliary shaft 210 to the base frame 30 and the configuration of the auxiliary shaft 210 .

[0056] 5, the auxiliary shaft 210, which holds the elastic ring member 10 together with the main shaft 20, is supported by the support pillar 42 of the base frame 30 in a state substantially perpendicular to the support pillar 42. As a result, the auxiliary shaft central axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 210 and the main shaft central axis 66 of the main shaft 20 are configured to be substantially parallel to each other.

[0057] Further, the auxiliary shaft 210 is formed in a tapered shape in which the outside dimensions become smaller from the auxiliary shaft base end 210A side toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 210B side.

[0058] As a result, the auxiliary shaft 210 has an auxiliary shaft outer peripheral surface 210C which is an outer peripheral surface inclined with respect to the main shaft central axis 66 of the main shaft 20 so that the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10, which is stretched by the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 210, decreases as the elastic ring member 10 is positioned toward the auxiliary shaft tip portion 210B, which is one end side of the auxiliary shaft longitudinal direction 68.

[0059] (Second Modification) Fig. 6 is a front view showing an aligner 300 for elastic ring members 10 according to a second modified example. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing an aligner 300 for elastic ring members 10 according to a second modified example. Fig. 8 is a side view showing an aligner 300 for elastic ring members 10 according to the second modified example.

[0060] An aligner 300 according to the second modified example is different from the above-described embodiment in the manner in which the auxiliary shaft 22 is attached to the base frame 30.

[0061] 6, the auxiliary shaft 22, which holds the elastic ring member 10 together with the main shaft 20, is supported by the support pillar 42 of the base frame 30 in a state substantially perpendicular to the support pillar 42. As a result, the height difference between the auxiliary shaft central axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 22 and the main shaft central axis 66 of the main shaft 20 is configured to be constant over the entire area from the auxiliary shaft base end portion 22A to the auxiliary shaft tip end portion 22B in a front view.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lifting slider 60 of the lifting mechanism 34 that supports the auxiliary shaft base end portion 22A of the auxiliary shaft 22 is disposed on the side of the support column 42.

[0063] The auxiliary shaft 22 supported by the lift slider 60 is inclined horizontally with respect to the main shaft 20 in a plan view (see FIG. 7) so as to enter under the main shaft 20 from the auxiliary shaft base end 22A toward the auxiliary shaft tip end 22B. As a result, in a plan view (see FIG. 7), the auxiliary shaft central axis 64 is located at a position away from the main shaft central axis 66 at the auxiliary shaft base end 22A and is configured to overlap with the main shaft central axis 66 at the tip of the auxiliary shaft 22.

[0064] In addition, the auxiliary shaft 22 has an auxiliary shaft outer peripheral surface 22C that is inclined with respect to the main shaft center axis 66 of the main shaft 20 so that the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10, which is stretched by the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22, decreases as the elastic ring member 10 is positioned toward the auxiliary shaft tip portion 22B, which is one end side of the auxiliary shaft longitudinal direction 68.

[0065] (Action and Effects) The main effects of the aligners 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring member 10 configured as above will be summarized.

[0066] (1) The aligner 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring member 10 is a device for aligning a plurality of elastic ring members 10. The aligner 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring member 10 includes a base frame 30 and a main shaft 20 that is rotatably supported by the base frame 30 and has a plurality of holding grooves 50 arranged in a main shaft longitudinal direction 52 as a longitudinal direction for holding the elastic ring members 10. The aligner 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring member 10 includes an auxiliary shaft 22, 210 that is supported by the base frame 30 and holds the elastic ring members 10 together with the main shaft 20, and a rotational force imparting mechanism 32 that imparts a rotational force to the main shaft 20. The holding groove 50 has an inclined surface 50A that is inclined toward the main shaft central axis 66 as a central axis toward one end side of the main shaft longitudinal direction 52 of the main shaft 20, and a wall surface 50B that faces the inclined surface 50A. The auxiliary shafts 22, 210 have auxiliary shaft outer peripheral surfaces 22C, 210C that are inclined with respect to the main shaft central axis 66 of the main shaft 20 so that the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10 applied to the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 decreases as the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 are disposed toward one end side of the auxiliary shaft longitudinal direction 68 as the longitudinal direction.

[0067] According to this embodiment, when the main shaft 20 is rotated by the rotational force imparting mechanism 32, each of the elastic ring members 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 moves toward one end of the main shaft longitudinal direction 52 so that the tension therein becomes smaller, and is held in each of the retaining grooves 50 of the main shaft 20.

[0068] At this time, one surface 10C of the elastic ring member 10 held in the holding groove 50 is in surface contact with the inclined surface 50A of the holding groove 50 in the fallen state. Then, the other surface 10D of the elastic ring member 10 arranged outside the holding groove 50 is inclined toward one end side of the main shaft 20.

[0069] Therefore, the elastic ring member 10 overlapping the elastic ring member 10 is moved toward one end of the main shaft 20 and held in one of the holding grooves 50. As a result, the multiple elastic ring members 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 are aligned while being held in each of the holding grooves 50.

[0070] In this way, the aligners 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring members 10 can align the elastic ring members 10 without using a complicated mechanism for vibrating the vibration shaft that applies vibration to the elastic ring members 10 or for retracting the vibration shaft during alignment. Therefore, the aligners 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring members 10 can be manufactured at low cost.

[0071] The auxiliary shaft 22, 210 in the above-described embodiment has the auxiliary shaft outer peripheral surface 22C, 210C as an outer peripheral surface that is inclined with respect to the main shaft central axis 66 of the main shaft 20 so that the tension generated in the elastic ring member 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shaft 22, 210 decreases as the auxiliary shaft 22, 210 is disposed toward the auxiliary shaft tip portion 22B in the auxiliary shaft longitudinal direction 68.

[0072] Therefore, by rotating the main shaft 20, the elastic ring member 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 can be moved toward the free ends of the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22, 210. This improves the ease of removing the aligned elastic ring members 10.

[0073] (2) In the aligners 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring members 10, the holding groove 50 has a width H that accommodates a single elastic ring member 10 with one surface 10C of the elastic ring member 10 disposed along the inclined surface 50A.

[0074] In this embodiment, the holding groove 50 is set to a width dimension H that accommodates a single elastic ring member 10, and therefore it is possible to prevent a plurality of elastic ring members 10 from being held in the same holding groove 50. This makes it easy to individually remove the elastic ring members 10 that are held and aligned in each holding groove 50.

[0075] In addition, the elastic ring members 10 held in the holding grooves 50 are prevented from protruding out of the holding grooves 50. Therefore, compared to a case in which the elastic ring members 10 held in the holding grooves 50 protrude from the holding grooves 50, it becomes easier for the overlapping elastic ring members 10 to be held in the adjacent holding grooves 50.

[0076] (3) In the aligner 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring member 10, the retaining groove 50 has a depth such that when one surface 10C of the elastic ring member 10 is positioned along the inclined surface 50A, the other surface 10D opposite the one surface 10C is flush with the inclined surface 50A of the adjacent retaining groove 50.

[0077] In this embodiment, in a state in which the elastic ring member 10 is held in the holding groove 50, the other surface 10D of the held elastic ring member 10 is flush with the inclined surface 50A of the adjacent holding groove 50.

[0078] Therefore, the elastic ring member 10 overlapping the held elastic ring member 10 is guided into the holding groove 50 by the other surface 10D of the held elastic ring member 10 and the inclined surface 50A of the adjacent holding groove 50. This makes it possible to facilitate the accommodation of the overlapping elastic ring members 10 into the holding groove 50.

[0079] (4) In the aligners 12, 200, 300 for the elastic ring member 10, the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 are supported by the base frame 30 so that the separation distance 62 between the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 and the free end of the main shaft 20 can be changed.

[0080] In this embodiment, when an operator sets a bundle of elastic ring members 10 on the aligner 12, 200, 300, the free ends of the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 are brought close to the main shaft 20. This allows the bundle of elastic ring members 10 to be set around the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 without spreading it out.

[0081] Then, by separating the free ends of the auxiliary shafts 22 and 210 from the main shaft 20, the elastic ring members 10 hung on the main shaft 20 and the auxiliary shafts 22 and 210 are pulled so as to expand in diameter. This makes it possible to generate tension in each elastic ring member 10 in a direction in which the diameter of the elastic ring members 10 is reduced.

[0082] Here, in the aligners 12, 200, 300 of this embodiment, the handle 84 of the rotational force imparting mechanism 32 is disposed to be located on the right hand side of the operator, and when the free ends of the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 are brought close to the main shaft 20, the grip portion 96 of the lever 98 of the lifting mechanism 34 is disposed on the operator side. Also, when the free ends of the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 are moved away from the main shaft 20, the grip portion 96 of the lever 98 of the lifting mechanism 34 is disposed on the opposite side of the aligners 12, 200, 300 from the operator.

[0083] Therefore, when setting the elastic ring member 10 and applying tension to the elastic ring member 10, the grip portion 96 of the lever 98 is located on the operator's side, making it easy for the operator to operate the grip portion 96 of the lever 98. On the other hand, when aligning the elastic ring members 10 by operating the rotational force applying mechanism 32, the grip portion 96 of the lever 98 is located on the opposite side of the aligner 12, 200, 300 from the operator, making it easy for the operator to operate the handle 84 of the rotational force applying mechanism 32. Therefore, the aligners 12, 200, 300 improve the workability during the alignment work.

[0084] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0085] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the auxiliary shaft central axis 64 of the auxiliary shaft 22, 210 is inclined vertically toward the main shaft 20 as it approaches the auxiliary shaft tip 22B, and a configuration in which the auxiliary shaft central axis 64 is inclined horizontally so as to enter the lower part of the main shaft 20 as it approaches the auxiliary shaft tip 22B have been shown as examples. However, the aligners 12, 200, 300 are not limited to this configuration.

[0086] For example, the auxiliary shafts 22, 210 may be configured so that the auxiliary shaft center axis 64 inclines vertically toward the main shaft 20 as it moves toward the auxiliary shaft tip portion 22B, and also inclines horizontally so as to penetrate into the lower part of the main shaft 20 as it moves toward the auxiliary shaft tip portion 22B in a plan view. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Elastic ring member 10C one side 10D Other side 12, 200, 300 Alignment Machine 20 spindle 20A spindle base end 20B Spindle tip 22 Auxiliary shaft 22A Auxiliary shaft base end 22B Auxiliary shaft tip 22C Auxiliary shaft outer circumferential surface 30 Base Frame 32 Rotational force imparting mechanism 34 Lifting mechanism 40 Base material 50 Retaining groove 50A sloped surface 50B Wall 52 Main shaft longitudinal direction 62 Separation distance 64 Auxiliary axis center axis 66 Spindle center axis 68 Auxiliary shaft longitudinal direction 210 Auxiliary shaft 210A Auxiliary shaft base end 210B Auxiliary shaft tip 210C Auxiliary shaft outer surface D Depth dimension H Width dimension

Claims

1. An elastic ring member alignment device for aligning a plurality of elastic ring members, comprising: A base frame; a main shaft that is rotatably supported by the base frame and has a plurality of holding grooves arranged in a longitudinal direction for holding the elastic ring member; an auxiliary shaft supported by the base frame and holding the elastic ring member together with the main shaft; a rotational force imparting mechanism that imparts a rotational force to the spindle; Equipped with the retaining groove has an inclined surface inclined toward a central axis as it approaches one end side in a longitudinal direction of the spindle, and a wall surface opposed to the inclined surface, the auxiliary shaft has an outer peripheral surface inclined with respect to a central axis of the main shaft so that tension generated in the elastic ring member applied to the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft decreases as the auxiliary shaft is disposed toward one end side in the longitudinal direction; An alignment machine for elastic ring components.

2. 2. The elastic ring member alignment device according to claim 1, the retaining groove has a width dimension sufficient to accommodate a single elastic ring member in a state in which one surface of the elastic ring member is disposed along the inclined surface; An alignment machine for elastic ring components.

3. The elastic ring member alignment device according to claim 1 or 2, the retaining groove has a depth such that, when one surface of the elastic ring member is disposed along the inclined surface, the other surface opposite to the one surface is flush with the inclined surface of the adjacent retaining groove; An alignment machine for elastic ring components.

4. 2. The elastic ring member alignment device according to claim 1, The auxiliary shaft is supported by the base frame so that a distance between the auxiliary shaft and a free end of the main shaft can be changed. An alignment machine for elastic ring components.

Images