Segment coil management method and device

Abstract

Provided is a segment coil management method capable of managing a post-process for a segment coil according to information read from an information display unit. A plurality of segment coils 7 that are used for a stator 1 of a rotating electric machine and that each have an information display unit 11 are held, a target segment coil 7 is taken out for a post-process from the plurality of held segment coils 7, information is read from the information display unit 11 when the target segment coil 7 is taken out, and the post-process is managed according to the read information.

Description

Segment coil management method and device

[0001] The present invention relates to a segment coil management method and device for managing a plurality of segment coils used in a stator of a rotating electric machine.

[0002] A conventional segment coil management method is described in Patent Document 1. In this management method, identification information is attached to the segment coil in advance. After reading the identification information, three-dimensional measurements are performed on the segment coil after it has been press-bent. The measurement results and identification information are linked to the processing time by a management PC.

[0003] The system then determines whether the quality of the segment coil meets certain standards based on the three-dimensional measurement results. If the quality of the segment coil does not meet the standards, the segment coil is discarded and its identification information is recorded in the management PC.

[0004] In such conventional segment coil management methods, the identification information was simply linked to the results of three-dimensional measurement, which are the results of each process, or the fact that the segment coil had been discarded.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-40457

[0006] The problem to be solved was that the results of each process were simply linked to the segment coil identification information.

[0007] The present invention provides a method for managing segment coils used in the stator of a rotating electric machine, which holds a plurality of segment coils, each having an information display unit, removes a target segment coil from the held plurality of segment coils for subsequent processing, reads information from the information display unit of the target segment coil when removing the target segment coil, and manages the subsequent processing in accordance with the read information.

[0008] The present invention also provides a segment coil management device used in the stator of a rotating electric machine, comprising: a holding section for holding a plurality of segment coils, each having an information display section; an extraction section for extracting a target segment coil from the held plurality of segment coils for subsequent processing; a reading section for reading information from the information display section of the target segment coil when extracting the target segment coil; and a management section for managing the subsequent processing in accordance with the read information.

[0009] In the present invention, subsequent processes for a segment coil can be managed according to information read from the information display section of the segment coil.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stator of a rotating electric machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stator of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a segment coil used in the stator of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a coil end of the segment coil of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a segment coil management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are schematic diagrams partially showing a segment coil management device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram partially showing a segment coil management device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing an unloader of the management device of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a segment coil management device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a lifter of the management device of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a segment coil management device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a segment coil management device according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[0011] In one embodiment, a segment coil management method reads information from an information display unit 11 provided on each of a plurality of segment coils 7 used in a stator 1 of a rotating electric machine, and manages subsequent processes. In this management method, a plurality of segment coils 7 are held, and a target segment coil is removed for subsequent processes from the held plurality of segment coils 7. When removing this target segment coil 7, information is read from the information display unit 11 of the target segment coil 7, and subsequent processes are managed in accordance with the read information.

[0012] The target segment coil 7 is removed by moving the target segment coil 7 to a predetermined position for subsequent processing relative to the other segment coils 7, and information may be read while the coil is being moved.

[0013] The information can be read from various directions. In one embodiment, the information may be read from the front or rear of the direction of movement of the target segment coil 7. In another embodiment, the information may be read from the left or right direction relative to the direction of movement of the segment coil 7.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, information may be read while the plurality of segment coils 7 are being held. In this case, the plurality of segment coils 7 are maintained in a predetermined position by being held. Information is read while the plurality of segment coils 7 are being held.

[0015] In one embodiment, the segment coil management device 13 reads information from the information display unit 11 provided on each of the segment coils 7 used in the stator 1 of the rotating electric machine to manage subsequent processes. The management device 13 includes a holding unit 15, an retrieval unit 17, a reading unit 19, and a management unit 21.

[0016] The holding unit 15 holds a plurality of segment coils 7. The removal unit 17 removes a target segment coil 7 from the held plurality of segment coils 7 for a subsequent process. When removing the target segment coil 7, the reading unit 19 reads information from the information display unit 11 of the target segment coil 7. The management unit 21 manages the subsequent process according to the read information.

[0017] The removal unit 17 may move the target segment coil 7 to a predetermined position for subsequent processing relative to the other segment coils 7, and the reading unit 19 may read the information while the target segment coil 7 is being moved. Alternatively, the removal unit 17 may be provided with the reading unit 19, and the reading unit 19 may read the information while the target segment coil 7 is being moved.

[0018] In one embodiment, the reading unit 19 reads information from the front or rear of the target segment coil 7 in the direction of movement.

[0019] In another embodiment, the holding unit 15 may maintain a predetermined posture by holding a plurality of segment coils 7, and the reading unit 19 may read information while holding the plurality of segment coils 7.

[0020] The post-process may be any of various processes. In one embodiment, the post-process may be an alignment process of aligning the plurality of segment coils 7 in a circular shape.

[0021] [Stator] The segment coil management device and method of this embodiment are used in the manufacturing process of a stator for a rotating electrical machine. An example of a stator will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stator of a rotating electric machine. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stator of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a segment coil used in the stator of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a coil end of the segment coil of Fig. 3.

[0023] 1 and a rotor (not shown) constitute a rotating electric machine, which is configured as, for example, a three-phase (U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase) eight-pole AC permanent magnet synchronous motor.

[0024] Here, Fig. 1 shows a state in which the stator coil 5 is assembled into the stator core 3 as shown in Fig. 2. In the state shown in Fig. 1, the leg portion 7a including the coil end 7aa of the stator coil 5 protrudes from the stator core 3. Although not shown, this protruding portion is subjected to diameter expansion and twisting processing.

[0025] The coil ends 7aa are then welded to other coil ends 7aa adjacent in the radial direction and coated with insulating paint. The stator coil 5 is then sealed with resin or the like to obtain the stator 1 for the rotating electric machine. For convenience, the following description will be made as if it were the stator 1 shown in FIG.

[0026] The stator 1 includes a stator core 3 and a stator coil 5. The stator core 3 is formed, for example, by laminating multiple annular electromagnetic steel plates. The stator coil 5 is configured to have a wave-wound shape with multiple layers in the radial direction of the stator core 3. The stator coil 5 is made up of multiple segment coils 7.

[0027] The stator core 3 has a plurality of teeth 3a and slots 3b arranged alternately at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (the direction of rotation of the rotating electrical machine). A segment coil 7 is inserted into each slot 3b.

[0028] Each segment coil 7 inserted into each slot 3 b of the stator core 3 has a leg 7 a including a coil end 7 aa protruding from an end of the stator core 3 as described above.

[0029] 1 and 3, each segment coil 7 is formed by bending a rectangular wire with a rectangular cross section into a U-shape, for example, a hairpin shape. The multiple segment coils 7 are aligned in the circumferential direction of the stator core 3, and each segment coil 7 is shifted to the adjacent layer at its vertex 7b.

[0030] The segment coil 7 is coated with an insulating layer 7c. The insulating layer 7c is a layer that ensures the insulation of the segment coil 7, and in this embodiment is made of a coating. The insulating layer 7c is formed on the segment coil 7 except for the coil end 7aa. Therefore, the coil end 7aa does not have the insulating layer 7c.

[0031] In this embodiment, the coil end 7aa has a flat surface on the front. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flat surface is provided with a code 11 (Figure 4) as an information display section. The code 11 can also be provided on other parts of the segment coil 7. The code 11 can also be provided in multiple locations on the segment coil 7. For example, it can be provided in two or more locations on the front, back, left, or right of the coil end 7aa of the segment coil 7. When the code 11 is provided in multiple locations, the orientation of the segment coil 7 can be determined.

[0032] The code 11 in this embodiment is a two-dimensional code, but it can also be, for example, a one-dimensional code. The information display unit may be other than the code 11, such as characters or symbols that can be recognized by image processing or the like.

[0033] The code 11 can be formed by engraving, printing, pasting, etc. The code 11 in this embodiment is an engraving formed by a laser marker.

[0034] The information recorded in the code 11 includes attribute information that identifies the equipment, materials, manufacturing conditions, manufacturing date and time, and / or shape and weight of the segment coil 7 to be manufactured, or any combination thereof. Note that the code 11 can also include other information. Examples of other information include producer information indicating the producer of the materials. The other information can also be information other than information related to manufacturing.

[0035] The code 11 may be partially or completely burned away after welding the coil end 7aa. This prevents information leakage from the code 11. The disappearance of the code 11 means that the code 11 is no longer readable. Therefore, the code 11 can also be disappeared by applying an insulating paint to the coil end 7aa.

[0036] [Management Device] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a management device 13 for the segment coil 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The management device 13 reads information from the codes 11 provided on each of the plurality of segment coils 7 attached to the stator 1 of the rotating electric machine, and manages the subsequent processes of the segment coils 7. The management device 13 of this embodiment includes a holder 15 as a holding unit, a pusher 16, an unloader 17 as an unloading unit, a reader 19 as a reading unit, and a controller 21 as a management unit.

[0038] The holder 15 holds a plurality of segment coils 7. The holder 15 may be of any holding form, but it holds a plurality of segment coils 7 together. The holder 15 of this embodiment has a bar 15a over which the plurality of segment coils 7 are hung so as to straddle.

[0039] The plurality of segment coils 7 are arranged in a row on the holder 15 so as to be slidable along a bar 15a. The holder 15 is disposed at an appropriate position relative to the unloader 17 by a base or the like.

[0040] The pusher 16 presses the plurality of segment coils 7 on the holder 15 toward the unloader 17. In this embodiment, the pusher 16 is a block that is movable along the bar 15a of the holder 15. The movement of the pusher 16 may be performed by an appropriate actuator such as a cylinder device.

[0041] The unloader 17 removes a target segment coil 7 for subsequent processing from the plurality of segment coils 7 held in the holder 15. The target segment coil 7 refers to the segment coil 7 that is the target for removal.

[0042] The target segment coil 7 is removed by moving the target segment coil 7 to a predetermined position for the subsequent alignment process. The alignment process is a process of aligning multiple segment coils 7 in a circular shape.

[0043] The unloader 17 may take any form of removal, including suction, a shooter, a robot arm, etc. The unloader 17 of this embodiment removes the target segment coil 7 by suction, and includes a suction unit 23.

[0044] The suction unit 23 is made of, for example, a suction block, and adsorbs the segment coil 7 onto the suction surface 23a by air suction. The suction unit 23 may also be a sheet of electrorheological gel. The suction unit 23 is supported by a machine frame (not shown) and is configured to be movable between an ejection position and a release position.

[0045] The suction unit 23 may be moved by an appropriate actuator such as a cylinder device. In this embodiment, the direction of movement of the suction unit 23 is the direction of the rows of the plurality of segment coils 7 on the holder 15.

[0046] The removal position is a position at which the target segment coil 7 can be removed, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the removal position is a position adjacent to the end of the holder 15, and is a position that abuts against the target segment coil 7 located forward in the pressing direction among the multiple segment coils 7 pressed by the pusher 16.

[0047] The release position is a position where the removed segment coil 7 is released, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 5, and is a predetermined position for the alignment process. In this embodiment, at the release position, the segment coil 7 is dropped downward from the suction part 23.

[0048] The dropped segment coils 7 are held by an alignment jig 25 for aligning them in a ring shape. Note that the dropped segment coils 7 may be aligned on the stator core 3 instead of using the alignment jig 25.

[0049] When extracting the target segment coil 7, the reader 19 reads information from the code 11. The reader 19 may be one that corresponds to the type of code 11, and may be a dedicated reader, camera, or the like.

[0050] The reader 19 in this embodiment is a reader for the code 11, which is a two-dimensional code, and optically reads information within the reading region R. In this embodiment, the information is read from the front of the movement direction of the target segment coil 7 while the target segment coil 7 is moving to the release position for the alignment process. Therefore, the reading region R of the reader 19 is located in the movement path of the target segment coil 7.

[0051] The information may be read from behind the target segment coil 7 in the direction of movement, as shown in Figure 6 (A). In this case, the position of the code 11 is reversed between the front and rear of the segment coil 7 in the direction of movement, or the code 11 is also displayed on the back side. The direction in which the information is read is not limited to the front and rear of the direction of movement, but may also be left and right relative to the direction of movement. In either case, the code 11 is attached to a position according to the reading direction.

[0052] 6(B), information reading may be performed when multiple segment coils 7 are held on the holder 15. For example, the reading region R is positioned so that it reaches the target segment coil 7 (the first of the segment coils 7 held in a row) held on the holder 15. This allows information to be read from the target segment coil 7 after the previous segment coil 7 has been removed and before the target segment coil 7 is removed.

[0053] 6A and 6B are effective for segment coils 7 having relatively short legs 7a. This is because, when the segment coil 7 has relatively short legs 7a, the coil ends 7aa do not protrude from the suction portion 23 when the segment coil 7 is attached to the suction portion 23, and the code 11 may not be read from the front in the direction of movement.

[0054] The controller 21 in Fig. 5 is a controller that manages the subsequent alignment process in accordance with the read information, and can be configured with a computer having a processor and memory. Management of the alignment process will be described later as a management method. The controller 21 in this embodiment also controls each part of the management device 13. However, each part may be controlled by a controller other than the controller 21.

[0055] [Management Method] In the management method of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , information is read from the code 11 provided on each of the plurality of segment coils 7 used in the stator 1 of the rotating electric machine, and the post-processing of the segment coils 11 is managed.

[0056] That is, in the management method, first, a plurality of segment coils 7 are held on the holder 15. Specifically, the plurality of segment coils 7 are formed into a hairpin shape by pressing wire or the like, and then hung one after another on the holder 15. As a result, the plurality of segment coils 7 are held in a row on the holder 15 in a predetermined position.

[0057] Next, the target segment coil 7 is removed for subsequent processing from the multiple segment coils 7 held on the holder 15 by the unloader 17. Specifically, the suction part 23 of the unloader 17 is moved to the removal position, and the multiple segment coils 7 held in a row by the pusher 16 are pressed toward the suction part 23.

[0058] As a result, the target segment coil 7 located at the front comes into contact with the suction unit 23. The suction unit 23 then adsorbs the target segment coil 7. The suction unit 23, which has adsorbed the target segment coil 7, moves to the release position as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 5. Therefore, the target segment coil 7 moves to a predetermined position (release position) for subsequent processing relative to the other segment coils 7. In this way, the target segment coil 7 is removed.

[0059] When the target segment coil 7 is removed in this manner, the reader 19 reads information from the code 11 of the target segment coil 7. In this embodiment, the reader 19 located in front of the target segment coil 7 in the direction of movement reads information from the code 11 of the target segment coil 7.

[0060] Therefore, information can be read while the target segment coil 7 is moving, improving work efficiency. Information can be read reliably from the front of the direction of movement of the target segment coil 7 while the target segment coil 7 is moving. In addition, the target segment coil 7 is held in its position while moving by being attracted to the suction portion 23, which also makes it possible to reliably read information.

[0061] The segment coil 7 whose information has been read and moved to the release position is then subjected to a subsequent alignment process in accordance with the read information.

[0062] In managing the alignment process, for example, the controller 21 controls the rotation of the alignment jig 25 and the release of the segment coils 7. In the alignment process, the alignment jig 25 is rotated to drop the segment coils 7 from the suction section 23 at the release position, and align them on the alignment jig 25. By repeating this process, multiple segment coils 7 are aligned in a ring shape on the alignment jig 25.

[0063] The segment coil 7 can be dropped by releasing the suction or by moving the segment coil 7 downward with a pusher (not shown). This control may also be performed by the controller 21.

[0064] In this alignment process, segment coils 7 with different lengths of leg 7a may be mixed on the holder 15. In this case, the segment coils 7 are aligned on a predetermined alignment jig 25 or at a predetermined position on the alignment jig 25 according to the length of the leg 7a obtained from the information read from the code 11.

[0065] For example, the segment coils 7 with relatively long legs 7a are aligned in a ring shape on the alignment jig 25 as they are, and the segment coils 7 with relatively short legs 7a are aligned in a predetermined position on the same alignment jig 25. Alternatively, the segment coils 7 with relatively long legs 7a are aligned on one alignment jig 25, and the segment coils 7 with relatively short legs 7a are aligned on another alignment jig 25.

[0066] In this way, the management device 13 and method of this embodiment make it possible to manage the subsequent alignment process even if different types of segment coils 7 are mixed on the holder 15.

[0067] The post-process may be a process other than the alignment process, such as a direct insertion process, a disposing process, an additional processing process, an inspection process, or management. Therefore, it is possible to selectively perform various post-processes depending on the segment coil 7.

[0068] The direct insertion process involves inserting the segment coils 7 directly into the stator core without using the alignment jig 25. In this case, a stator core is placed in place of the alignment jig 25, and the segment coils 7 are aligned with the stator core in the same manner as they are aligned with the alignment jig 25.

[0069] In the arranging process, the segment coils 7 are aligned in a predetermined position in the holder 15 or the like before being supplied to the arranging process or the direct insertion process. In the additional processing process, additional processing is performed on the segment coils 7 of a predetermined shape as necessary.

[0070] In the case of the inspection process, the target segment coil 7 can be held in an inspection jig (not shown) instead of the alignment jig 25. In addition, in the case of the inspection process, it is also possible to judge whether the segment coil 7 is good or bad by comparing the shape of the information read from the segment coil 7 with the shape of the actual inspection result.

[0071] Furthermore, the management of the segment coils 7 involves reading the code 11, determining whether the subsequent process for the segment coil 7 whose code 11 was read is correct, and if it is incorrect, removing the segment coil 7 whose code 11 was read, etc. Another way of managing the segment coils 7 is to classify the segment coils 7 (large, normal, small, etc.) according to the dimensions measured in the inspection process.

[0072] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram partially illustrating a segment coil management device according to Example 2 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic front view showing the unloader of Fig. 7. Note that, in Example 2, the basic configuration is common to Example 1, and therefore, the configuration corresponding to Example 1 is indicated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the management device 13 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the structure of the holder 15 and the unloader 17.

[0074] The holder 15 is configured as a chute and is disposed at an angle so that one longitudinal end of the bar 15a is positioned downward and the other end is positioned upward. The holder 15 slides the segment coil 7, which is disposed so as to straddle the bar 15a, along the bar 15a and supplies it to the unloader 17, which is positioned on one end side of the bar 15a.

[0075] The holder 15 may have a movable stopper at one end of the bar 15a. In this case, the stopper prevents the multiple segment coils 7 from sliding, and the stopper is released when the target segment coil 7 is removed. By providing multiple stoppers, the target segment coil 7 can be slid to the removal position and the other segment coils 7 connected to it can be prevented from sliding.

[0076] The holder 15 may also be configured to move between an inclined state in which one end is positioned downward and a non-inclined state in which the other end is positioned at the same level as the one end or below.

[0077] The unloader 17 receives and holds the target segment coil 7 that has slid from the holder 15 to the removal position. Specifically, the unloader 17 includes a receiving portion 27 and a retainer 29.

[0078] The receiving portion 27 is formed in a plate or block shape and has a groove 27a into which the leg 7a of the target segment coil 7 is inserted at the removal position. The receiving portion 27 also has a receiving wall portion 27b that receives the base of the leg 7a in the vertical direction with the leg 7a inserted in the groove 27a.

[0079] A pair of receiving portions 27 are provided corresponding to the leg portions 7a. In this embodiment, the receiving portions 27 are integrally formed via a frame 31. The frame 31 is moved between a removal position and a release position by an actuator.

[0080] The retainers 29 are provided on the receiving portions 27, respectively, to hold the leg portions 7a of the segment coils 7 inserted into the grooves 27a within the grooves 27a. Note that the retainers 29 may be provided on only one of the receiving portions 27.

[0081] The retainer 29 is made of, for example, a block of resin or the like, and is configured to be movable between a holding position located above the groove 27a and a non-holding position retracted from above the groove 27a. The movement of the retainer 29 can be performed by an actuator 29a, such as an air cylinder, attached to the frame 31. The retainer 29 may also be configured to press the leg 7a against the receiving wall 27b.

[0082] The reader 19 may perform the reading when the target segment coil 7 is moved or held, as in the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0083] In the second embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0084] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a segment coil management device according to Example 3 of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a schematic side view showing a lifter of the management device of Fig. 9. Note that, in Example 3, the basic configuration is common to Example 1, and therefore, the configuration corresponding to Example 1 is indicated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0085] In the management device 13 of the third embodiment, the unloader 17 is provided with a robot hand 33 instead of the suction unit 23. Accordingly, the configuration of the holder 15 is changed from that of the first embodiment.

[0086] Any known robot hand 33 can be used as long as it is capable of grasping the target segment coil 7.

[0087] The holder 15 holds a plurality of segment coils 7, and allows the target segment coil 7 located at one end (tip) to be removed by the robot hand 33. The holder 15 of this embodiment has a lifter 35 as a lifting section.

[0088] The lifter 35 pushes up the target segment coil 7 located at one end (tip) in the row direction of the multiple segment coils 7. The lifter 35 in this embodiment is made of a plate-shaped body and has a recess 35a into which the leg 7a of the target segment coil 7 fits. As the lifter 35 moves upward, the abutment surface 35b of the recess 35a pushes up the edge of the leg 7a of the target segment coil 7 from below. The movement of the lifter 35 can be performed by an appropriate actuator. The movement direction of the lifter 35 in this embodiment is an inclined direction in which the lifter 35 gradually moves forward in the pressing direction as it moves upward.

[0089] The pushed-up target segment coil 7 is grasped by the robot hand 33 and moved to a release position. During this movement, the reader 19 reads information from the code 11 of the segment coil 7. Then, the robot hand 33 aligns the target segment coil 7 on the alignment jig 25 according to the read information, and releases it.

[0090] In the third embodiment having such a configuration, the target segment coil 7 can be easily and reliably removed by the robot hand 33. In addition, the third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0091] 11 is a schematic plan view showing a segment coil management device according to Example 4 of the present invention. Note that, since Example 4 has the same basic configuration as Example 1, the configuration corresponding to Example 1 is indicated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0092] In the management device 13 of Example 4, the holder 15 has multiple cassettes 37 (37a, 37b, 37c, 37d). Each cassette 37 holds multiple segment coils 7 (not shown), similar to the holder 15 of Example 1. The multiple cassettes 37, for example, each hold a different type of segment coil 7. The number of cassettes 37 is arbitrary.

[0093] The unloader 17 is equipped with a robot hand 33, as in the third embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of alignment jigs 25a and 25b are provided. The reader 19 is disposed so that the reading region R is located in the path of movement of the segment coil 7 between the alignment jigs 25a and 25b and the cassette 37.

[0094] With this configuration, while the robot hand 33 moves the target segment coil 7 taken out of the cassette 37 to the alignment jigs 25a and 25b, the reader 19 reads information from the code 11 of the target segment coil 7. According to the read information, the target segment coil 7 is released while being aligned to a predetermined position on the alignment jig 25a or 25b.

[0095] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a segment coil management device according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[0096] In the modified example of Figure 12, a conveyor 39 is used instead of the cassette 37. The conveyor 39 is a belt type, but it may also be a roller type or other type of conveyor. In this modified example, a target segment coil 7 is removed from the multiple segment coils 7 being transported on the conveyor 39. Thereafter, as in the fourth embodiment, information is read from the code 11 of the target segment coil 7, and the target segment coil 7 is aligned to a predetermined position on the alignment jigs 25a and 25b according to the read information and released.

[0097] The fourth embodiment and the modified example thereof can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0098] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 stator 7 segment coil 11 code (information display section) 13 management device 15 holder (holding section) 17 unloader (removal section) 19 reader (reading section) 21 controller (management section)

Claims

1. A method for managing segment coils, which are used in a stator of a rotating electrical machine, hold a plurality of segment coils each having an information display portion, take out a target segment coil from the plurality of held segment coils for a subsequent process, read information from the information display portion of the target segment coil when taking out the target segment coil, and manage the subsequent process according to the read information.

2. The method for managing segment coils according to claim 1, wherein the taking out of the target segment coil is performed by moving the target segment coil to a predetermined position for the subsequent process with respect to other segment coils, and the reading of the information is performed during the movement.

3. The method for managing segment coils according to claim 2, wherein the reading of the information is performed from the front or rear in the moving direction of the target segment coil.

4. The method for managing segment coils according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of segment coils are maintained in a predetermined posture by the holding, and the reading of the information is performed in the holding state of the plurality of segment coils.

5. The method for managing segment coils according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the subsequent process is an aligning process for aligning the plurality of segment coils in a ring shape.

6. A management device for segment coils, comprising: a holding portion that holds a plurality of segment coils each having an information display portion and is used in a stator of a rotating electrical machine; a taking-out portion that takes out a target segment coil from the plurality of held segment coils for a subsequent process; a reading portion that reads information from the information display portion of the target segment coil when taking out the target segment coil; and a management portion that manages the subsequent process according to the read information.

7. The management device for segment coils according to claim 6, wherein the taking-out portion moves the target segment coil to a predetermined position for the subsequent process with respect to other segment coils, and the reading portion performs the reading of the information during the movement.

8. The segment coil management device according to claim 7, wherein the reading unit reads the information from the front or the rear in the moving direction of the target segment coil, the segment coil management device.

9. The segment coil management device according to claim 6, wherein the holding unit maintains the plurality of segment coils in a predetermined posture by holding the plurality of segment coils, and the reading unit reads the information in the holding state of the plurality of segment coils, the segment coil management device.

10. The segment coil management device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the post-process is an alignment process of aligning the plurality of segment coils in a ring shape, the segment coil management device.

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