Material feeding device and method for controlling material feeding device

Abstract

To provide a material feeding device which enables improvement of followability to a press device when a feed roll is released, and to provide a control method of the material feeding device.SOLUTION: A material feeding device includes: a fixed frame 214; a lower feed roll 210 rotatably attached to the fixed frame 214; a movable frame 216; an upper feed roll 212 rotatably attached to the movable frame 216; an air spring 230 which compresses the movable frame 216 downward; an eccentric shaft 236 rotatably attached to the fixed frame 214; and a motor 240 which rotates the eccentric shaft 236. The movable frame 216 moves vertically in response to rotation of the eccentric shaft 236. The upper feed roll 212 contacts with the lower feed roll 210 or presses the lower feed roll 210 by the air spring 230 compressing the movable frame 216 downward and separates from the lower feed roll 210 or stop pressing the lower feed roll 210 in conjunction with the movable frame 216 by the eccentric shaft 236 rotating to push up the movable frame 216.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a material feeding device and a method for controlling a material feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are press machines that perform progressive press working (hereinafter referred to as progressive working). In progressive working, one die has multiple working stages and performs multiple processes (multiple steps). The die of a press machine that performs progressive working is provided with a pilot pin to position the die and the coil material (also referred to as work). A pin hole into which the pilot pin fits is provided in the scrap portion of the coil material. While working is being performed by the press machine, the pilot pin is fitted in the pin hole. Progressive press working is also called multi-step press working or transfer press stamping.

[0003] A material feeding device is installed upstream of the press device to feed the coil material to the press device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The material feeding device has a pair of upper and lower rotating bodies (hereinafter referred to as feed rolls), and the feed rolls feed a predetermined feed length of the coil material to the press device before processing by the press device. The feed rolls can be in a closed state where they are in contact with each other or an open state where they are spaced apart. To allow free movement of the coil material while processing by the press device is being performed, the feed rolls are in an open state. The feed rolls change from a closed state to an open state when the pilot pins are inserted into the pin holes. The change of the feed rolls from a closed state to an open state is called the release of the feed rolls. On the other hand, the change of the feed rolls from an open state to a closed state to transport the coil material to the press device is called the application of pressure to the feed rolls. Conventionally, air cylinders are used to open and close the feed rolls. Air cylinders are compressible and therefore suitable for applying pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-159325 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the use of air cylinders for the feed roll opening and closing operation poses the following challenges. Controlling the opening and closing operation using air cylinders poses difficulties in achieving precise speed and position control, potentially preventing release from tracking the operation of the press. If the air cylinder speed increases with the press's rotation speed, the feed roll frame may collide with other components when the feed roll is switched from a closed state to an open state, or the feed roll may collide with the coil material when the feed roll is switched from an open state to a closed state. This can result in collision noise and damage to other components or the coil material. Furthermore, when the feed roll is switched to the open state, the gap between the upper and lower rotating bodies becomes larger than necessary, increasing air consumption and the stroke required to return to the closed state. For these reasons, there is a need to improve the followability of the feed roll's release.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a material feeding device and a method for controlling a material feeding device that can improve tracking ability with a press device when releasing a feed roll. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame movable relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body rotatably attached to the movable frame; a pressure unit that presses the movable frame downward; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with The movable frame moves up and down in response to the rotation of the eccentric shaft, A material feeding device in which the second rotating body abuts against or presses the first rotating body when the movable frame is pressed downward by the pressure unit, and moves away from the first rotating body or does not press the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame when the eccentric shaft rotates and the movable frame is pushed up.

[0008] Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a material feeding device and a method for controlling a material feeding device that can improve the follow-up ability of a press device when releasing a feed roll. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a press system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the press device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a pilot pin according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention (a), and (b) a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of the feeder according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a press system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a main part showing the relationship between the eccentric shaft and the upper and lower feed rolls in the embodiment and the contact and separation between them, where (a) is a diagram showing a case where the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft is pointing directly downward, and (b) is a diagram showing a case where the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft is pointing directly upward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment] (Press System) FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the press system of this embodiment. FIG. 1 also shows the conveying direction, upstream, downstream, and up-down directions. The press system of this embodiment includes an uncoiler 100, a feeder 200, and a press device 300. The uncoiler 100 and the feeder 200 operate in conjunction with the processing operation of the press device 300. A leveler, which is a straightening device that straightens the coiling tendency of the coil material, may be disposed between the uncoiler 100 and the feeder 200, and further, a loop table that controls the deflection (loop) of the coil material may be disposed between the leveler and the feeder 200.

[0012] (Uncoiler) Uncoiler 100, which is a holding device that holds coil material, has mandrel 110, control unit 130, and drive unit 140. Mandrel 110 holds coil material 120, which is the object to be processed by press device 300. For example, the inner diameter of coil material 120 wound into a coil is held by mandrel 110. Control unit 130 rotates mandrel 110 using drive unit 140 in conjunction with the processing operation by press device 300, thereby unwinding coil material 120.

[0013] (Press equipment) The press apparatus 300 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the press apparatus 300 of this embodiment, e.g., an integral straight-side frame type or C-frame type press apparatus 300. The press apparatus 300 is, for example, an apparatus that performs progressive press working, which performs multiple processes in multiple stages. FIG. 2 shows the conveyance direction of the coil material 120, as well as the upstream (left), downstream (right), up-down, and back-and-forth directions (front and back) in the conveyance direction. The press apparatus 300 includes a drive motor 304, a transmission mechanism 306, a crankshaft 308, a connecting rod 310, a slide 312, and a bolster 322 inside and outside a housing 302. The press apparatus 300 also includes a controller 314, a memory unit 315, a display unit 316, and an input unit 318. The press apparatus 300 also includes a sensor 324, a rotary encoder 325, and a gibber 326. The press device 300 of this embodiment is a progressive press device that performs progressive press working (hereinafter referred to as progressive working) and has multiple working stages. Progressive working is also called transfer stamping, and the transfer press tool that constitutes it can be a single press die (upper and lower dies) or multiple press dies arranged in successive stations.

[0014] The drive motor 304 is, for example, a servo-controlled servo motor, and moves the mold 303 (described later) up and down while controlling the amount and direction of rotation via a transmission mechanism 306, a crankshaft 308, and a connecting rod 310. The transmission mechanism 306 is configured to have transmission members such as gears and belts, and transmits the rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor 304 to the crankshaft 308. A control signal to the drive motor 304 is sent from a controller 314.

[0015] The crankshaft 308 and connecting rod 310 are used to convert the rotational movement of the motor shaft transmitted by the transmission mechanism 306 into reciprocating movement (vertical movement in this embodiment). Rotation of the motor shaft rotates the crankshaft 308, and this rotation is transmitted to connecting rod 310, one end of which is connected to crankshaft 308, causing connecting rod 310 to move up and down (raise and lower).

[0016] The crankshaft 308 is also provided with a rotary cam switch (not shown) that outputs an ON signal or OFF signal in conjunction with the rotation of the crankshaft 308. The rotary cam switch outputs an ON signal or OFF signal, for example, when the rotation of the crankshaft 308 reaches a predetermined angle, in other words, at a predetermined timing during the machining operation. The timing at which the rotary cam switch outputs an ON signal (or an OFF signal) is hereinafter referred to as the output timing. The controller 314 performs the machining operation in conjunction with the uncoiler 100 and the feeder 200 based on the signal output from the rotary cam switch.

[0017] A slide 312 is connected near the other end of connecting rod 310. Slide 312 moves up and down along gibb 326 as connecting rod 310 moves up and down. In press device 300, bolster 322 is arranged opposite slide 312. Upper die 303a, as part of die 303, is attached to the surface of slide 312 facing bolster 322 (the lower surface in this embodiment). Lower die 303b, which pairs with upper die 303a, is attached to the surface of bolster 322 facing slide 312 (the upper surface in this embodiment) as part of die 303.

[0018] Coil material 120, which is the object to be processed, is placed between upper mold 303a and lower mold 303b, and pressed by upper mold 303a and lower mold 303b, whereby press processing is performed on coil material 120 by press device 300. Coil material 120 is transported, for example, from the left (upstream) side to the right (downstream) side in FIG. 2, and hereinafter the transport direction of coil material 120 will also be referred to as the left-right direction. In press processing that has multiple steps, early processing is performed upstream in the transport direction of coil material 120, and final processing is performed downstream in the transport direction of coil material 120.

[0019] More specifically, the drive motor 304 rotates under the control of the controller 314. The rotation of the drive motor 304 is transmitted to the connecting rod 310 via the transmission mechanism 306 and the crankshaft 308, causing the slide 312 to move up and down. The downward movement of the slide 312 presses the upper die 303a and the lower die 303b together, thereby performing press processing on the coil material 120. That is, in the press device 300, the drive motor 304, the transmission mechanism 306, the crankshaft 308, the connecting rod 310, and the slide 312 form a press unit. The transmission mechanism 306 is provided with a rotary encoder 325, which is a rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the crankshaft 308. The controller 314 can detect the position of the slide 312 by detecting the rotation speed of the crankshaft using the rotary encoder 325.

[0020] The sensor 324, which is a load detection means for detecting the load during processing, is a sensor, such as a load cell, for detecting the load acting on the connecting rod 310 when the press 300 presses the coil material 120. The sensor 324 may be, for example, a strain gauge installed in the housing 302. The sensor 324 may be installed at any position on the connecting rod 310 (for example, a position near the center). Furthermore, multiple sensors 324 may be installed, and for example, the strain on the left and right sides of the housing 302 may be detected separately, and the detected results may be added up to determine the total load. Note that in FIG. 2, the side on which the display unit 316 is located is the front side of the press 300.

[0021] The controller 314 controls the press apparatus 300 in accordance with various programs stored in the memory unit 315. The display unit 316 displays data indicating the status of the press apparatus 300. The input unit 318 is used to input data necessary for operating the press apparatus 300. The input unit 318 is used when a user inputs the length to which the coil material 120 is transported (hereinafter referred to as the feed length). The feed length is, for example, the length in the transport direction of the processing stage. The controller 314 controls the feeder 200 and the press apparatus 300 to perform processing in conjunction with each other. In a press apparatus 300 that performs progressive processing, the controller 314 controls the feeder 200 to transport the coil material 120 to the next processing stage at a predetermined feed speed by a predetermined feed length when processing at one processing stage is completed.

[0022] (Mold) FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of dies used to perform progressive press working according to this embodiment, and is a schematic diagram particularly illustrating dies 303 (upper die 303a, lower die 303b) included in a press device 300 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 also shows a portion of the feeder 200, the conveying direction, the upstream, downstream, and up-down directions. The press device 300 according to this embodiment performs a variety of processes (a variety of steps) using a single die 303, such as coining, restriking, shaving, ironing, and drilling. The area (range) in the die 303 where a single process is performed is called a processing stage. The die 303 shown in FIG. 3 has, for example, four processing stages St1, St2, St3, and St4, arranged from the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0023] In processing stage St1, upper mold 303a is provided with punch 350. Lower mold 303b is provided with die 360 at a position opposite punch 350. Punch 350 and die 360 open pilot holes 122 in, for example, a portion of coil material 120 that will become scrap (hereinafter referred to as scrap portion) when processing is performed in processing stage St1. Pilot holes 122 are holes into which pilot pins 352 are fitted to position die 303 and coil material 120 during processing operation.

[0024] In the processing stages St2 to St4, the upper mold 303a is provided with a pilot pin 352. The lower mold 303b is provided with a die 362 at a position opposite the pilot pin 352. When processing is performed in the processing stages St2 to St4, the pilot pin 352 fits into a pilot hole 122 opened in the coil material 120, and positions the mold 303 and the coil material 120 during the processing operation.

[0025] (feeder) The feeder 200 is a material feeding device that feeds the coil material 120 held in the uncoiler 100 to the press device 300. Fig. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the feeder 200 of this embodiment, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 4(a) also shows the up-down direction and the front-rear direction (front and back), and Fig. 4(b) also shows the up-down direction and the left-right direction (conveying direction) (upstream and downstream). Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of the feeder 200 of this embodiment, and also shows the up-down direction, the front-rear direction (front and back), and the left-right direction (conveying direction).

[0026] Feeder 200 has a lower feed roll 210, an upper feed roll 212, a fixed frame 214, a movable frame 216, a motor 218, a coupling 220, a cam follower 222, an eccentric cam follower 224, and a center guide pin 226. Feeder 200 also has a gear 228, an air spring 230, a precision regulator 232, a suspension spring 234, an eccentric shaft 236, a roller follower 237, a coupling 238, and a motor 240. Feeder 200 also has a control unit 250 and a memory unit 260. Note that feeder 200 may also have a display unit and an input unit.

[0027] The fixed frame 214 is a frame fixed to the feeder 200, and has a pair of support portions 214a in the left-right direction (see FIG. 4(b)). Only the right support portion 214a of the pair of support portions 214a is shown in FIG. 5. The support portions 214a are arranged on both ends of the center guide pin 226, and support the center guide pin 226 in a state where it can move up and down.

[0028] The movable frame 216 is capable of moving up and down relative to the fixed frame 214. The movable frame 216 moves up and down according to the rotation angle of the eccentric shaft 236. The movable frame 216 has support portions 216a and 216b, a plate-shaped portion 216c, a frame portion 216d, and spring contact portions 216e and 216f.

[0029] The support portion 216a, which is a first support portion, rotatably supports one end of the upper feed roll 212, for example, the front side of the rotation shaft. The support portion 216b, which is a second support portion, rotatably supports the other end of the upper feed roll 212, for example, the rear side of the rotation shaft. The plate-shaped portion 216c, which is a connecting portion, connects the support portion 216a and the support portion 216b and is a plate-shaped portion that extends approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the upper feed roll 212 (the front-rear direction in this embodiment). The frame portion 216d has a frame-like shape when viewed from the front, and multiple frame portions (for example, two in this embodiment) are provided in the front-rear direction. The frame portion 216d surrounds the eccentric shaft 236. The frame portion 216d is connected to the support portions 216a, 216b and the plate-shaped portion 216c.

[0030] The spring contact portion 216e is connected to the front frame portion 216d and presses the front first air spring 230a (hereinafter simply referred to as air spring 230a) from below when the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft 236 is directly upward. The spring contact portion 216f is connected to the rear frame portion 216d and presses the rear second air spring 230b (hereinafter simply referred to as air spring 230b) from below when the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft 236 is directly upward. The support portion 216a of the movable frame 216 is sandwiched between the cam follower 222 and the eccentric cam follower 224 attached to the fixed frame 214. The support portion 216b is similarly sandwiched between a cam follower (not shown) and an eccentric cam follower (not shown).

[0031] The lower feed roll 210, which is the first rotating body, has a rotation shaft rotatably attached to a fixed frame 214. The lower feed roll 210 is coupled to a motor 218 by a coupling 220 and rotates when driven by the motor 218. A gear 228 is provided at one end (e.g., the front side) of the lower feed roll 210 and the upper feed roll 212. The rotation of the lower feed roll 210 is transmitted to the upper feed roll 212 by the gear 228.

[0032] The upper feed roll 212, which is the second rotating body, has a rotation shaft rotatably attached to support portions 216a and 216b of the movable frame 216, and moves up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the movable frame 216. That is, when the movable frame 216 moves up, the upper feed roll 212 is in an open state, separated from the lower feed roll 210, and when the movable frame 216 moves down, the upper feed roll 212 is in a closed state, abutting against the lower feed roll 210. When the upper feed roll 212 is in the closed state and abutting against the lower feed roll 210, the coil material 120 is sandwiched between the upper feed roll 212 and the lower feed roll 210 and transported in the transport direction. Note that the abutment here does not necessarily mean that the lower feed roll 210 is in contact with the coil material 120; it is sufficient if the distance between the upper feed roll 212 and the lower feed roll 210 is equal to or shorter than the thickness of the coil material 120.

[0033] The cam follower 222 and the eccentric cam follower 224 are attached to the fixed frame 214. In this embodiment, the eccentric cam follower 224 is arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction, and the cam follower 222 is arranged on the downstream side. The eccentric cam follower 224 is provided to adjust the gap or interference between the support portion 214a (or support portion 214b) and the cam follower 222. Note that the arrangement of the cam follower 222 and the eccentric cam follower 224 in the conveying direction may be reversed. Also, in this embodiment, two cam followers 222 and two eccentric cam followers 224 are provided in the vertical direction, but the number is not limited to two. The gap between the cam follower 222 and the support part 216a (or 216b) of the movable frame 216 is appropriately adjusted, so that the movement of the support part 216a (or 216b) of the movable frame 216 in the left-right direction (conveying direction) is restricted and the movement in the up-down direction is guided.

[0034] The center guide pin 226, which serves as a guide shaft, penetrates the plate-shaped portion 216c of the movable frame 216 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction; in other words, it penetrates the plate-shaped portion 216c in a direction approximately parallel to the conveying direction of the coil material 120. Both ends of the center guide pin 226 are supported by a pair of support portions 214a of the fixed frame 214 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The presence of the center guide pin 226 restricts movement of the plate-shaped portion 216c in the front-rear direction. However, the center guide pin 226 does not restrict rotation about the center guide pin 226. Therefore, the plate-shaped portion 216c can tilt in the front-rear direction, and the upper feed roll 212, which moves in conjunction with the movable frame 216, can also tilt in the front-rear direction.

[0035] Air spring 230, which serves as a pressure applying unit, is provided on the upper part of movable frame 216. In this embodiment, for example, two air springs 230a and 230b are provided. Air spring 230a is provided at one end (front side) in the front-to-rear direction, and air spring 230b is provided at the other end (rear side) in the front-to-rear direction. Precision regulator 232 adjusts the air pressure of air spring 230 (hereinafter referred to as air pressure). Precision regulator 232a, which serves as a first adjusting means, adjusts the air pressure of air spring 230a. Precision regulator 232b, which serves as a second adjusting means, adjusts the air pressure of air spring 230b. The upper feed roll 212 comes into contact with the lower feed roll 210 when movable frame 216 is pressed downward by air spring 230. Precision regulators 232a, 232b can independently adjust the air pressure of air springs 230a, 230b, and can apply different pressure forces to the front and rear of upper feed roll 212. As described above, upper feed roll 212 is configured to be tiltable in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore the force that presses lower feed roll 210 in the front-to-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as pressing force) can be made to differ.

[0036] The suspension spring 234 lifts the center guide pin 226, which penetrates the plate-shaped portion 216c of the movable frame 216, thereby lifting the upper feed roll 212 upward via the movable frame 216. Here, if the coil material 120 is, for example, a soft thin plate, there is a risk that the coil material 120 will be rolled by the weight of the upper feed roll 212 even if the pressure applied to the upper feed roll 212 by the air spring 230 is set to zero. For this reason, the tension of the suspension spring 234 is adjusted to lift the weight of the upper feed roll 212. The motor 218 is, for example, a servo motor, and rotates the lower feed roll 210.

[0037] The eccentric shaft 236 has a rotation axis attached to the fixed frame 214. The relationship between the rotation of the eccentric shaft 236 and the upper feed roll 212 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The eccentric shaft 236 is coupled to a motor 240 by a coupling 238 and rotates when driven by the motor 240. The roller follower 237 is annular, and its inner diameter is fitted to the outer diameter of the eccentric shaft 236. The roller follower 237a is fitted to one end of the eccentric shaft 236, for example, the front side, and is located below the air spring 230a. The roller follower 237b is fitted to the other end of the eccentric shaft 236, for example, the rear side, and is located below the air spring 230b. When the eccentric direction of the eccentric shaft 236 is directly downward, the roller followers 237a, 237b are not in contact with the spring contact portions 216e, 216f of the movable frame 216, and a gap (hereinafter referred to as an initial gap) Si is present.

[0038] The motor 240, which is a drive unit, is, for example, a servo motor. The reducer 242 is provided between the coupling 238 and the motor 240, and reduces the rotation speed of the motor 240 and outputs the reduced rotation speed to the coupling 238 side.

[0039] The control unit 250 controls the motors 218 and 240 in conjunction with the operation of the press device 300, thereby feeding the coil material 120 to the press device 300. The control unit 250 controls the rotation of the lower feed roll 210 and the rotation of the eccentric shaft 236 by a known method using a detection means such as an encoder.

[0040] The control unit 250 controls the feeder 200 in conjunction with the press device 300 in accordance with various programs stored in the memory unit 260. The memory unit 260 stores necessary information such as the feed length, which is the length of the coil material 120 required for one processing run, and the feed speed, which is the speed at which the coil material 120 is transported. The control unit 250 transports the coil material 120 in accordance with the processing speed of the press device 300.

[0041] (Block diagram of press system) 6 is a block diagram of the press system of this embodiment. The control unit 250 of the feeder 200 controls the motor 218 to rotate the lower feed roll 210. The control unit 250 controls the motor 240 to rotate the eccentric shaft 236, thereby moving the upper feed roll 212 up and down and switching between an open state and a closed state. The control unit 250 adjusts the air pressure of the air spring 230a using the precision regulator 232a and adjusts the air pressure of the air spring 230b using the precision regulator 232b. The memory unit 260 stores various information, programs, etc. required for the control unit 250 to control the feeder 200.

[0042] A controller 314 of the press apparatus 300 controls the drive motor 304. The controller 314 is also connected to a display unit 316 and an input unit 318. The controller 314 reads various parameters and programs stored in advance in a memory unit 315, and controls the processing operation of the press apparatus 300 based on these. A rotary encoder 325 detects the rotation speed of the output shaft (not shown) of the drive motor 304 and outputs the detection result to the controller 314. The controller 314 controls the drive motor 304 based on the detection result by the rotary encoder 325. The controller 314 also detects the load generated during processing using a sensor 324. A control unit 130 of the mandrel 110 rotates the mandrel 110 using a drive unit 140 to unwind the coil material 120.

[0043] The control unit 130 of the mandrel 110, the control unit 250 of the feeder 200, and the controller 314 of the press device 300 can send and receive various information to each other using known communication methods, for example, via communication ports (not shown) that each device has.

[0044] (Regarding pressurization and release in feeders) 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the contact and separation between the eccentric shaft 236 and the upper feed roll 212 and the lower feed roll 210 in this embodiment, where (a) shows the case where the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft 236 is directed directly downward, and (b) shows the case where the eccentricity of the eccentric shaft 236 is directed directly upward.

[0045] The upper feed roll 212 is pressurized when the eccentric direction of the eccentric shaft 236 is directly downward as shown in Figure 7(a), and the air spring 230 presses the movable frame 216 downward, causing the upper feed roll 212, the coil material 120, and the lower feed roll 210 to come into contact with or press against each other (feed roll pressurization process).

[0046] On the other hand, the upper feed roll 212 is released, i.e., separated from the coil material 120, by rotating the eccentric shaft 236, whose rotation shaft is attached to the fixed frame 214, and the movable frame 216 is pushed upward, causing the upper feed roll 212 to separate from (separate from) the coil material 120 or to enter a non-pressurized state (a state in which the upper feed roll 212 does not press against) the coil material 120 (feed roll release process). When the movable frame 216 is pushed up, the spring contact portions 216e and 216f compress the air springs 230a and 230b, but at this time, the pressure of the air springs 230a and 230b is not released and the pressurized state is maintained. As a result, in this embodiment, the amount of air consumed by the air springs 230 is reduced, thereby achieving energy savings.

[0047] The amount by which the upper feed roll 212 is pushed upward (hereinafter referred to as the release amount) can be adjusted by controlling the rotation angle of the eccentric shaft 236 with a motor 240 connected via a coupling 238. Here, as shown in Figure 5(a), a state in which the eccentric direction of the eccentric shaft 236 faces directly downward is defined as an angle of 0 rad (radian) for the rotation of the eccentric shaft 236.

[0048] The initial gap Si (see FIG. 5) when the eccentric shaft 236 is at an angle of 0 rad is set to, for example, 1.5 mm. The eccentric shaft 236 has an eccentricity Ec, which is set to, for example, 3 mm. The angle (hereinafter referred to as the eccentric angle) when the eccentric shaft 236 rotates in a predetermined direction from the angle of 0 rad around the rotation center Ro is set to θ (rad). At this time, the distance between the lower feed roll 210 and the upper feed roll 212 (hereinafter referred to as the gap Gp) is expressed by the following equation (1): Gap Gp = max[0,Ec×{1-cosθ}-Si] =max[0,3×{1-cosθ}-1.5] Equation (1) Here, max[x, y] means that it takes the larger value of x or y. For example, when the eccentricity is oriented directly upward at an angle θ (=π) as shown in Figure 5(b), the gap Gp is 4.5 mm.

[0049] The control unit 250 controls the motor 240 to rotate the eccentric shaft 236, and controls the gap Gp by adding a predetermined margin to the thickness of the coil material 120, thereby performing the release operation. The margin value for the gap Gp may be input by an operator via an input unit. The control unit 250 may also automatically set the angle θ for achieving the gap Gp based on the results of a pre-determined pressurization and release state of the coil material 120, based on the known torque of the motor 240. In this way, the control unit 250 determines the torque of the motor 240, thereby determining the pressurization position (angle θ) and release position (angle θ) of the coil material 120, and automatically minimizes the amount of vertical movement of the upper feed roll 212.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, the upper feed roll 212 is pressurized by the air spring 230 and is released in conjunction with the eccentric shaft 236, which is rotated by the motor 240, pushing up the movable frame 216. This improves the ability of the upper feed roll 212 to follow the press device 300 when released.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a material feeding device and a method for controlling a material feeding device that can improve the follow-up ability of the press device when the feed roll is released.

[0052] The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof, including, for example, the following modifications and ideas.

[0053] For example, the structure and control of this embodiment may be applied to a leveller feeder in which a leveller and a feeder are integrated. For example, the guide for the movable frame can be a groove instead of a cam follower. For example, the structure for moving the movable frame up and down may be such that the motor rotates continuously as a cam curve, rather than an eccentric shaft. The movable frame can be guided in the front and rear directions with grooves, and pressure can be applied equally to the front and rear to simplify the structure. The motor 218 that rotates the lower feed roll 210 may be decelerated by a reducer. The precision regulator may be an electro-pneumatic regulator or may be automatically adjusted. A directional control valve may be provided in the air spring circuit, and the valve may be closed after the pressure is set. The pressurizing unit is not limited to an air spring, but may be, for example, a single-acting cylinder. Also, the pressure source is not limited to air, but may be other gases or liquids.

[0054] (Objective 1) The material feeding device of the present invention comprises: A material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame movable relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body rotatably attached to the movable frame; a pressure unit that presses the movable frame downward; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with The movable frame moves up and down in response to the rotation of the eccentric shaft, The second rotating body contacts or presses the first rotating body when the movable frame is pressed downward by the pressure applying section, and moves away from the first rotating body or does not press the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame when the eccentric shaft rotates and the movable frame is pushed up.

[0055] (Objective 2) The drive unit may be a servo motor.

[0056] (Objective 3) the pressurizing unit has a first air spring provided at one end side and a second air spring provided at the other end side in a longitudinal direction of the second rotating body, a first adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the first air spring; a second adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the second air spring; The device may also include:

[0057] (Objective 4) the movable frame has a first support portion that supports one end side of the second rotating body in the longitudinal direction, a second support portion that supports the other end side, and a connection portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction, a guide shaft whose both ends are supported by the fixed frame and which penetrates the connecting portion in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the coil material at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion; The second rotating body may be able to tilt in the longitudinal direction by tilting the movable frame about the guide shaft.

[0058] (Objective 5) The method for controlling a material feeding device of the present invention comprises: A method for controlling a material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, comprising: The material feeding device is a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame movable relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body rotatably attached to the movable frame; a pressure unit that presses the movable frame downward; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with The movable frame moves up and down in response to the rotation of the eccentric shaft, a pressurizing step of pressing the movable frame downward by the pressurizing unit to bring the second rotating body into contact with the first rotating body or press the second rotating body against the first rotating body; a release process in which the eccentric shaft is rotated to push up the movable frame, thereby separating the second rotating body from the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame or not pressing the first rotating body; Equipped with. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100 Uncoiler 110 Mandrel 120 Coil material 122 pilot hole 130 control section 140 Drive unit 200 feeders 210 Lower feed roll 212 Upper feed roll 214 Fixed frame 214a, 214b Support portion 216 Movable frame 216a, 216b Support portion 216c Plate-shaped part 216d Frame 216e, 216f Spring contact part 218 Motor 220 Coupling 222 Cam follower 224 Eccentric Cam Follower 226 Center guide pin 228 Gear 232, 232a, 232b Precision Regulators 236 Eccentric shaft 237, 237a, 237b Roller followers 238 Coupling 240 motor 242 Reducer 250 control section 260 Storage section 300 Press Equipment 302 Case 303 Mold 303a Upper mold 303b Lower mold 304 Drive motor 306 Transmission Mechanism 308 crankshaft 310 connecting rod 312 slides 314 Controller 315 Storage section 316 Display section 318 Input section 322 Bolster 324 Sensors 325 rotary encoder 326 give 350 punches 352 Pilot pin 360, 362 Dies

Claims

1. A material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame movable relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body rotatably attached to the movable frame; a pressure unit that presses the movable frame downward; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with the movable frame moves up and down in response to rotation of the eccentric shaft, and includes a first support portion that supports one end of the second rotating body in the longitudinal direction of the second rotating body, a second support portion that supports the other end of the second rotating body, and a connection portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction, a guide shaft whose both ends are supported by the fixed frame and which penetrates the connecting portion in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the coil material at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion; A material feeding device in which the second rotating body abuts against or presses the first rotating body when the movable frame is pressed downward by the pressure section, and moves away from the first rotating body or does not press the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame when the eccentric shaft rotates and the movable frame is pushed up, and can tilt in the longitudinal direction when the movable frame tilts around the guide shaft.

2. A material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame having a support portion and a frame portion provided on the support portion, the movable frame being movable in a vertical direction relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body having both longitudinal ends rotatably attached to the support portion of the movable frame; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame and surrounded by the frame portion; a pressure applying unit provided above the frame unit and applying downward pressure to the movable frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with The movable frame moves up and down in response to the rotation of the eccentric shaft, The second rotating body contacts or presses the first rotating body when the movable frame is pressed downward by the pressure applying section, and moves away from the first rotating body or does not press the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame when the eccentric shaft rotates and the movable frame is pushed up.

3. 3. The material feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is a servo motor.

4. the pressurizing unit has a first air spring provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction and a second air spring provided at the other end side, a first adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the first air spring; a second adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the second air spring; 4. The material feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. the movable frame has a first support portion that supports one end side of the second rotating body in the longitudinal direction, a second support portion that supports the other end side, and a connection portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction, a guide shaft whose both ends are supported by the fixed frame and which penetrates the connecting portion in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the coil material at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion; The material feeding device according to claim 2 , wherein the second rotating body is capable of tilting in the longitudinal direction by tilting the movable frame about the guide shaft.

6. A method for controlling a material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, comprising: The material feeding device is a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame movable relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body rotatably attached to the movable frame; a pressure unit that presses the movable frame downward; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with the movable frame moves up and down in response to rotation of the eccentric shaft, and includes a first support portion that supports one end of the second rotating body in the longitudinal direction of the second rotating body, a second support portion that supports the other end of the second rotating body, and a connection portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction, the material feeding device is provided with a guide shaft, both ends of which are supported by the fixed frame, which penetrates the connecting portion at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction in a direction approximately parallel to the conveying direction of the coil material, the second rotating body is capable of tilting in the longitudinal direction as the movable frame tilts around the guide shaft, a pressurizing step of pressing the movable frame downward by the pressurizing unit to bring the second rotating body into contact with the first rotating body or press the second rotating body against the first rotating body; a release process in which the eccentric shaft is rotated to push up the movable frame, thereby moving the second rotating body away from the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame or preventing the second rotating body from being pressed against the first rotating body; A method for controlling a material feeding device, comprising:

7. A method for controlling a material feeding device that feeds coil material to a press device, comprising: The material feeding device is a fixed frame fixed to the material feeding device; a first rotating body rotatably attached to the fixed frame; a movable frame having a support portion and a frame portion provided on the support portion, the movable frame being movable in a vertical direction relative to the fixed frame; a second rotating body having both longitudinal ends rotatably attached to the support portion of the movable frame; an eccentric shaft rotatably attached to the fixed frame and surrounded by the frame portion; a pressure applying unit provided above the frame unit and applying downward pressure to the movable frame; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric shaft; Equipped with The movable frame moves up and down in response to the rotation of the eccentric shaft, a pressurizing step of pressing the movable frame downward by the pressurizing unit to bring the second rotating body into contact with the first rotating body or press the second rotating body against the first rotating body; a release process in which the eccentric shaft is rotated to push up the movable frame, thereby moving the second rotating body away from the first rotating body in conjunction with the movable frame or preventing the second rotating body from being pressed against the first rotating body; A method for controlling a material feeding device, comprising:

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