Machine for making bristle tools

Abstract

A machine (1) for making bristle tools (50) comprises at least one of a first mobile operating element (2) provided with an internal longitudinal seat (4), a second operating element (3) mobile within the longitudinal seat (4) and adapted to insert into a cavity (52) of a body (51) of a tool (50) a bristle bundle (60) and an anchoring element (61), a third mobile operating element (7) for shearing a metal wire (65) and making anchoring elements (62); the machine comprises a moving device (10) for moving along a straight operating path (A, B) with reciprocating motion one of the operating elements (2, 3, 7) and comprising first and second rods (11, 12) parallel to a first direction (X) and to the operating path (A, B) and rotatably connected by a pair of rocker arms (13, 14) to form a first four-bar linkage mechanism (21), the first rod (11) supporting the operating element (2, 3, 7) and the second rod (12) being mobile along a second direction (Y) almost orthogonal to the first direction (X); the moving device comprises a driver connecting rod (15) having a first end (15a) rotatably connected to frame means (5) and a second end (15b) rotatably connected to an intermediate portion (13c) of one of the rocker arms (13) and driving means (30) for oscillating the driver connecting rod (15) around the respective first end (15a) with reciprocating motion so as to move the first four-bar linkage mechanism (21) and move the first rod (11) along the straight operating path (A, B).

Description

[0001] Machine for making bristle tools

[0002] The present invention relates to machines for making bristle tools for domestic and / or industrial use, in particular tools such as brushes, brooms, and the like, in which the bristle bundles are secured to the body of the tool by means of locking or anchoring elements.

[0003] According to the prior art, the bristle bundles or tufts are secured to the bodies or bases of bristle tools, such as brushes, brooms, and the like, by performing a drilling operation and a subsequent punching operation. Through the drilling process, cavities, or blind holes, are created on the body of the tool, generally made of plastic material, into which the bristle bundles are inserted during the subsequent punching operation and secured therein by respective locking or anchoring elements. More precisely, the bristles of each bundle are grouped and folded in a “U” shape around a respective anchoring element to form an anchoring end that is inserted by a punching element or punch together with the anchoring element into a corresponding hole of the tool body.

[0004] The punch comprises an internal seat leading to a front opening and suitable for receiving the bristle bundle and a related anchoring element from respective feeding means. Inside the punch and through the internal seat, a thrust element, said needle or tab, is mobile, adapted to push inside the hole of the tool body and there block the bristle bundle and the anchoring element by interference, when the punch is positioned adjacent and facing said hole. The tab is secured and supported by a slider or slide that is mobile inside the punch.

[0005] The punch and the tab are mobile with reciprocating motion and run respective forward strokes to insert the bristle bundle and the anchoring element into a respective hole of the tool body and respective backward strokes to disengage the hole and allow the displacement of the tool body.

[0006] The movement of the punch and in particular that of the tab are generally linear or straight. In particular, the movement of the tab is preferably straight to allow it to slide inside the punch and partially insert into the holes of the brush body.

[0007] Different types of mechanisms used for the linear movement of the tab are known that provide for the use of bushings or sliding bearings or linear bearings or ball recirculating pads capable of slidably supporting the tab inside the punch. The tab is moved linearly by cam mechanisms or by linear or rotary electric actuators.

[0008] However, due to the length of the forward and backward strokes of the tab and the high operating rates of modern machines for the production of brushes, the bushings and the sliding or ball recirculating bearings are subjected to very high speed and acceleration values (up to 10 m / s and 700 m / s2), which can compromise their durability and reliability over time. In some cases, the operating rate or speed of the machine must be reduced so that the speed and acceleration values to which the bushings and sliding or ball recirculating bearings are subjected fall within the limits set by the manufacturer.

[0009] WO 2011 / 045743 describes a punching head 1 for an apparatus for producing brushes or brooms which comprises at least one punch adapted to insert groups of bristles in a brush or broom body and punch driving means which are configured so as to be able to vary a stroke of the punch.

[0010] US 2014 / 167488 describes an automatic punching machine for the manufacture of brushes comprising a slide connected to a first actuator and suitable for receiving fibre bundles and forward them to a brush body; a needle connected to a second actuator for inserting the fibre bundles into corresponding openings of the brush body; first and second sensors for detecting first and second signals representing the position of the slide and the needle; a memory containing data of a trend of a control parameter representing the position of the slide as a function of a synchronization parameter having a predetermined relationship with a parameter representing the position of the needle; a processor programmed to derive in real time values of the synchronization parameter and to control the first actuator by feedback as a function of the first and second signals, the synchronization parameter, and the data contained in the memory.

[0011] US 6016757 describes an insertion device for a filling tool of a machine for making brushes that makes it possible to vary and adjust the stroke of the filling tool without affecting its speed and precision of operation. The insertion device has a guide block provided with a guide channel, a driving tab operated with a reciprocating motion and received in the guide channel so as to be mobile, and a head with a through channel aligned with the guide channel. The head and the guide block are operated with a relative reciprocating motion. The device also has a driving system with a rotating motor shaft, a cam on the motor shaft and a cam follower that slides on the cam. The cam follower is operated by the cam with reciprocating motion having a predetermined stroke length. The driving system further comprises a conversion mechanism for converting the reciprocating motion with predetermined stroke length into a driving stroke having an adjustable variable length. The reciprocating motion between the head and the guide block and the reciprocating motion of the driving tab are both derived from the driving stroke which imparts a variable length stroke to both reciprocating motions. The driving tab and the head and guide block constantly assume a predetermined starting position regardless of the stroke length of the reciprocating motions to take control of a tuft of fibre. It is an object of the present invention to improve the known machines for making bristle tools for domestic and / or industrial use, in particular tools in which the bristle bundles are secured to the body of the tool by means of locking elements.

[0012] Another object is to make a machine for making bristle tools capable of operating at high speeds or operating rates and which, in particular, allows precise and repeatable movement of operating elements of the machine with reciprocating straight motions.

[0013] A further object is to provide a machine for making bristle tools having a robust and reliable construction and particularly precise and accurate operation.

[0014] These and other objects are achieved by a machine for making bristle tools according to one or more of the claims set forth below.

[0015] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached figures which illustrate some exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which: figure l is a schematic view of the machine for making bristle tools of the invention; figure 2 is a front view of a moving device of the machine of figure 1 associated with and operating a thrust operating element in a first operating configuration; figure 3 is a front view of the moving device of figure 2 in a further operating configuration; figure 4 is a view of the kinematic diagram of the moving device of figure 2 illustrated in the first operating configuration and in dotted line in the second operating configuration; figure 5 is a front view of a variant of the moving device of the machine of figure 1 associated with and driving a punching operating element in a first operating configuration; figure 6 is a front view of the variant of the moving device of figure 5 in a second operating configuration; figure 7 is a view of the kinematic diagram of the variant of the moving device of figure 5 illustrated in the first operating configuration and in a dotted line in the second operating configuration; figure 8 is a front view of another variant of the moving device of the machine of figure 1 associated with and driving the thrust operating element in a first operating configuration; figure 9 is a front view of the variant of the moving device of figure 8 in a second operating configuration; figures 10 and 11 are views of the kinematic diagram of the variant of the moving device of figure 8 illustrated respectively in the first operating configuration and in the second operating configuration and in a dotted line in an intermediate configuration; figure 12 is a front view of a further variant of the moving device of the machine of figure 1 associated with and driving the thrust operating element in a first operating configuration; figure 13 is a view of the kinematic diagram of the variant of the moving device of figure 12 illustrated in the first operating configuration and in dotted line in an intermediate configuration; figure 14 is a front view of yet another variant of the moving device of the machine of figure 14 associated with and driving the thrust operating element in a first operating configuration; figure 15 is a view of the kinematic diagram of the variant of the moving device of figure 14 illustrated in the second operating configuration and in dotted line in an intermediate configuration.

[0016] With reference to figure 1, there is illustrated a machine 1 according to the invention adapted to make bristle tools 50 for domestic and / or industrial use, such as, for example, small brushes, brushes, brooms or the like, each tool 50 comprising a body or base 51 having a plurality of open cavities 52 suitable for receiving respective bundles 60 of bristles 61 and related anchoring elements 62.

[0017] In particular, the machine 1 comprises at least one first operating element 2 for punching 2, or punching element or punch, mobile with reciprocating motion along a straight operating path A and provided with an internal longitudinal seat 4 suitable for receiving a bristle bundle 60 and an anchoring element 62, and a second operating element 3 of thrust, or thrust element or tab, mobile inside the longitudinal seat 4 with reciprocating motion along the same operating path A and configured for pushing out of the punching element 2 and inserting a bristle bundle 60 and a related anchoring element 62 into a cavity 52 of the body 51.

[0018] The punching element 2, of known type and not described and illustrated in detail, is slidably supported by frame means 5 of the machine 1 and is mobile with a reciprocating motion between a disengagement position D, in which a front end 2a of said punching element 2 from which the thrust element 3 protrudes is spaced apart from the body 51 of the bristle tool 50 (figure 6), and an engagement position E, in which the front end 2a is adjacent and facing a cavity 52 of the body 51 (figure 5). In particular, the punching element 2 performs a respective forward stroke when moved from the disengagement position D to the engagement position E and a respective backward stroke when moved from the engagement position E to the disengagement position D.

[0019] Similarly, the thrust element 3, also of a known type and not described and illustrated in detail, is moved with a reciprocating motion between a forward position F, in which a front end 3a thereof protrudes from the punching element 2 to insert a bundle of bristles 60 and a related anchoring element 61 in a cavity 52 of the tool body 51 (figure 2), and a retracted position R in which said front end 3a is inside the internal longitudinal seat 4 and spaced from the body 51 of the tool 50 (figures 1 and 3). In particular, the thrust element 3 performs a respective forward stroke, when it is moved from the retracted position R to the forward position F, and a respective backward stroke, when it is moved from the forward position F to the retracted position R.

[0020] Bristle feeding means 61 and anchoring elements 62 are provided in the machine 1 for inserting into the internal longitudinal seat 4 of the punching element 2 respectively one bristle bundle 60 and one corresponding anchoring element 62 at a time.

[0021] More precisely, the bristle bundle feeding means 40, of known type and not described and illustrated in detail, comprise, for example, a storage 41 containing a plurality of bristles 61 from which one bristle bundle 60 at a time is taken, transferred and released into the internal longitudinal seat 4 by a transfer element 42, so-called arch, mobile with reciprocating motion along an arched path.

[0022] The feeding means 6 of the anchoring elements, also of known type and not described and illustrated in detail, comprise, for example, forward means 45 arranged to linearly move and introduce a metal wire 65 inside the punching element 2 and a third cutting operating element 7 or cutting element arranged to cut the wire 65 and obtain wire pieces of defined length that form respective anchoring elements 62.

[0023] The metal wire 65 is moved and inserted inside the punching element 2 along a forward direction C, transverse and almost orthogonal to the operating path A by the forward means 45 comprising for example a pair of opposed motorised rollers.

[0024] The cutting element 7 is mobile with reciprocating motion along a respective further straight operating path B, for example inside the internal longitudinal seat 4. In this case, the further operating path B of the cutting element 7 coincides with the operating path A of the punching element 2 and of the thrust element 3.

[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the cutting element 7 is configured, in addition to shearing the wire 65 in order to obtain the wire pieces of defined length, to fold each wire piece into a "U" shape against a shaping element 8, of a known type, insertable and disengageable with reciprocating motion transversely inside the internal longitudinal seat 4. The machine 1 of the invention also comprises at least one moving device 10 supported by the frame means 5 and arranged to move along the operating path A with a reciprocating motion one of the aforementioned operating elements 2, 3, 7, i.e. the punching element 2 or the thrust element 3 or the cutting element 6.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the machine 1 of the invention comprises for example a plurality of driving devices 10 for respectively moving the punching element 2, the thrust element 3 and the cutting element 7 with respective reciprocating motions along the straight operating path A.

[0027] With particular reference to figures 2 to 4, each moving device 10 includes a first rod 11 and a second rod 12, parallel to a first direction X, opposed to each other and rotatably connected to respective opposite ends I la, 1 lb, 12a, 12b by a pair of rocker arms 13, 14 so as to form a first four-bar linkage mechanism 21. The first rod 11 supports and / or moves the thrust element 3 (as illustrated in figures 2-4 by way of example) or the punching element 2 or the cutting element 7, while the second rod 12 is connected to the frame means 5 by means of joining means 25 so as to be mobile at least along a second direction Y almost orthogonal to the first direction X, the latter being parallel to the straight operating path A of the thrust element 3 and the punching element 2.

[0028] The first and second rods 11, 12 have the same length and similarly the two rocker arms 13, 14 have the same length.

[0029] The moving device 10 also comprises a driver connecting rod 15 having a first end 15a rotatably connected to the frame means 5 and a second end 15b rotatably connected to an intermediate portion 13c of one of the rocker arms 13, for example a first rocker arm 13 which rotatably connects together respective first ends I la, 12a of the first rod 11 and the second rod 12. More precisely, a first end 13a of the first rocker arm 13 is rotatably connected to the first end I la of the first rod 11 and a second end 13b of the first rocker arm 13 is rotatably connected to the first end 12a of the second rod 12.

[0030] A second rocker arm 14 rotatably connects respective second ends 1 lb, 12b of the first rod 11 and the second rod 12 to each other. For example, the second end 1 lb of the first rod 11 is the end of the latter closest to the thrust element 3. More precisely, a first end 14a of the second rocker arm 14 is rotatably connected to the second end 1 lb of the first rod 11 and a second end 14b of the second rocker arm 14 is rotatably connected to the second end 12b of the second rod 12.

[0031] The first and second rods 11, 12 have the same length and similarly the first and second rocker arms 13, 14 have the same length. The length of the rod, rocker arm, lever or similar means the linear distance between the rotation axes or fulcrums in which the rods, rocker arms, levers, etc. are rotatably connected to each other.

[0032] The moving device 10 further comprises driving means 30 configured to oscillate the driver connecting rod 15 around the respective first end 15a, i.e. around a first axis of oscillation Al, with reciprocating motion so as to move the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and move the first rod 11 that supports the thrust element 3, or the punching element 3, along the straight operating path A with reciprocating motion.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 2-4, the joining means 25 of the moving device 10 comprise linear guide means 25 arranged to slidably connect the second rod 12 to the frame means 5 so as to allow its translation along the second axis Y.

[0034] The linear guide means 25, of known type and not described in detail, comprise, for example, a plurality of carriages 26 secured to the second connecting rod 12 and slidably coupled to respective straight guides 27 secured to the frame means 5 and arranged parallel to the second axis Y.

[0035] The driving means 30 comprise, for example, a crank 31, connected to a rotary actuator 32 and rotatably driven by the latter around a first axis of rotation Cl and a transmission connecting rod 33 having respective opposite ends 33a, 33b rotatably connected respectively to the crank 31 and to an intermediate portion 15c of the driver connecting rod 15.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the crank 31 comprises a disc provided at the centre with a seat coaxial to the first rotation axis Cl for connection to a motor shaft of the rotary actuator 32 and with a pin 34 eccentric with respect to the seat for rotatable connection with a first end 33a of the transmission connecting rod 33 about a second rotation axis C2. The distance between the first rotation axis Cl and the second rotation axis C2, that is, between the seat that houses the motor shaft of the rotary actuator 32 and the eccentric pin 34 represents the length of the crank 31.

[0037] As is known, the connecting rod-crank mechanism allows a rotary motion to be transformed into a linear motion. In this case, by controlling the rotation of the rotary actuator 32 (about the first rotation axis Cl and with the same rotation direction), it is possible to oscillate the driver connecting rod 15 by a desired oscillation angle a , in both directions of rotation, this oscillation angle a corresponding to a forward or backward stroke of the thrust element 3 or the punching element 2 along the operating path A.

[0038] In particular, the rotary actuator 32 comprises an electric motor controllable in position, speed, acceleration, in particular a brushless electric motor, which makes it possible to set, in a known way, a desired law of motion in its rotation to regulate speed and acceleration of the driver connecting rod 15, i.e. of the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21. More precisely, it is possible to control the brushless electric motor so that it operates following a particular law of motion so as to have the desired values of speed and acceleration of the first rod 11, i.e. of the thrust element 3 or of the punching element 2, in the forward and backward strokes along the straight operating path A.

[0039] The amplitude of the stroke of the first rod 11 can be set by adjusting the length of the various elements (rods, rocker arms, connecting rods, crank) forming the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and of the driving means 30.

[0040] Alternatively, the driving means 30 may comprise a linear electric motor acting on the driver connecting rod 15, in particular rotatably connected to an intermediate portion 15c of the driver connecting rod 15. The linear electric motor, of known type, can be controlled in position, speed, acceleration to move with reciprocating motion according to a desired law of motion of the driver connecting rod 15 and therefore the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and the first rod 11.

[0041] The operation of the machine 1 of the invention provides for the activation of the various driving devices 10 for respectively moving the punching element 2, the thrust element 3 and the cutting element 7.

[0042] In particular, the operation of each moving device 10 provides for driving the respective brushless electric motor 32 to rotate the crank 31 about the first axis of rotation C 1 according to a predefined law of motion. The crank 31, by rotating (according to a defined direction of rotation), oscillates by means of the transmission connecting rod 33 the driver connecting rod 15 which oscillates with reciprocating motion of the angle of oscillation a.

[0043] The driver connecting rod 15 by oscillating, i.e. rotating about the oscillation axis Al, moves the first rocker arm 11 and with it the entire first four-bar linkage mechanism 21. More precisely, with the second rod 12 secured along the first axis X, the first rod 11 is moved along the first axis X. However, since the second rod 11 is free to move along the second direction Y, the first rod 11 is not subject to displacements along the second axis Y as it would be if the second rod 12 were completely secured.

[0044] It should be noted that the driver connecting rod 15 (having a first end 15a rotatably secured to the frame means 5 and a second end rotatably connected to an intermediate portion 11c of the first rocker arm 11) and the first rocker arm 11 (having the second end 1 lb sliding along the second axis Y) form an ellipsoidal guide mechanism in which the first end I la of the first rocker arm 11 moves (in the case of complete 360° rotation of the driver connecting rod 15 around the rotation axis passing through the first end 15a) along a closed ellipsoidal path having a large, substantially straight section.

[0045] By means of the moving device 10, the machine 1 of the invention is therefore able to operate at high operating rates, allowing precise and repeatable movement of operating elements of the machine with reciprocating straight motions and in particular allowing the bristle bundles 60 and their respective fixing elements 62 to be inserted very quickly, accurately and efficiently into the cavities 52 of the body 51 of the tool 50, in particular by moving the thrust element 3 and / or the punching element 2 and / or the cutting element 7 with very high speeds and accelerations / decelerations (up to 10 m / s and 700 m / s2). The elements (rods, rocker arms, connecting rods, crank) that form the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and the driving means 30 are in fact connected to each other by means of rotational torques, i.e. using rotation bearings, for example rolling bearings, which can be subjected to high values of speed and acceleration, unlike linear bearings, in particular ball recirculation bearings.

[0046] The second rod 12, which is linearly mobile along the second axis Y and therefore requires linear guide means 25, such as bushings, bearings, ball recirculating pads, performs a very reduced (less than 10%) stroke (forward and backward) compared to the stroke (forward / b ackward) of the first rod 11 along the first axis X. Therefore, even at high operating rates of the machine, the linear guide means 25 are not excessively stressed and maintain normal functionality, durability and reliability over time.

[0047] With particular reference to figures 5 to 7, a variant of the moving device 10 of the machine 1 of the invention is illustrated, which differs from the embodiment described and illustrated in figures 2 to 4, only in the joining means 125 which comprise, instead of the linear guide means, a first connecting rod 16 and a second connecting rod 17 parallel and opposed and having respective first end portions 16a, 17a rotatably connected to the frame means 5 and respective second end portions 16b, 17b rotatably connected to opposite ends 12a, 12b of the second rod 12 so as to form a second four-bar linkage mechanism 22. In this variant, the second rod 12 is therefore moved when the driver connecting rod 15 is oscillated by the driving means 30 also along the first direction X.

[0048] In figures 5 to 7 the moving device 10 is associated with the punching element 2 of the machine 1 of the invention.

[0049] In operation, the brushless electric motor 32 is driven so as to rotate the crank 31 about the first axis of rotation Cl according to a predefined law of motion. The crank 31, by rotating according to a defined direction of rotation oscillates, by means of the transmission connecting rod 33, the driver connecting rod 15 which oscillates with reciprocating motion of the angle of oscillation a.

[0050] The driver connecting rod 15 oscillating, i.e. rotating around the oscillation axis Al, moves the first rocker arm 11 and with it the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and the second four-bar linkage mechanism 22. More precisely, the second rod 12 is moved both along the first axis X and along the second axis Y while the first rod 11 is moved only along the first axis X, since it is not subject to displacements along the second axis Y as it would be if the second rod 12 were completely secured.

[0051] In particular, the length of the first and second connecting rods 16, 17 is such as to move the second rod 12 along the second axis Y so as to avoid displacements of the first connecting rod 11 along said second axis Y, that is, so as to move in a straight manner along the operating path A.

[0052] Note that this variant of the moving device 10 comprises elements (rods, rocker arms, connecting rods, crank) forming the first and second four-bar linkage mechanisms 21, 22 and the driving means 30 which are connected to each other only by means of rotational torques, i.e. by using rotating bearings, for example rolling bearings which can be subjected to high values of speed and acceleration, as opposed to linear bearings, in particular ball recirculating bearings.

[0053] With reference to figures 8 to 11, another variant of the moving device 10 of the machine 1 of the invention is illustrated, which differs from the embodiments described above, only in the joining means 225 which comprise a third rocker arm 35 having a respective central portion 35c rotatably connected to a first end 12a of the second rod 12 and to a second end 13b of the first rocker arm 13 and having two opposite end portions 35a, 35b rotatably connected to first ends 36a, 37a respectively of a first and a second lever 36, 37. Second ends 36b, 37b of the first and second levers 36, 37 are rotatably connected to the frame means 5. The third rocker arm 35 and the first and second levers 36, 37 form a Watt mechanism, i.e. a mechanism in which the moving central or median point of the mechanism (i.e. the central portion 35c of the third rocker arm 35) is constrained to move approximately along a straight line. The third rocker arm 35 and the first and second levers 36, 37 forming a Watt mechanism are arranged in such a way that the central portion 35c of the third rocker arm 35 and thus the first end 12a of the second rod 12 are moved along the second direction Y when the driver connecting rod 15 is oscillated by the driving means 30.

[0054] The first 36 and second levers 36 have the same length.

[0055] Preferably, the joining means 225 of the moving device 10 further comprise a fourth rocker arm 55 having a respective central portion 55c rotatably connected to a second end 12b of the second rod 12 and to a second end 14b of the second rocker arm 14 and having two opposite end portions 55a, 55b rotatably connected to first ends 56a, 57a respectively of a third and a fourth lever 56, 57. Second ends 56b, 57b of the third and fourth levers 56, 57 are rotatably connected to the frame means 5. The fourth rocker arm 55 and the third and fourth levers 56, 57 form a respective Watt mechanism arranged in such a way that the central portion 55c of the fourth rocker arm 55 and thus the second end 12b of the second rod 12 are moved along the second direction Y when the driver connecting rod 15 is oscillated by the driving means 30.

[0056] The fourth rocker arm 55 has a length equal to that of the third rocker arm 35 and the first 36 and the second lever 36 have the same length and equal to that of the third 56 and fourth lever 57.

[0057] In operation, the brushless electric motor 32 is driven so as to rotate the crank 31 about the first rotation axis Cl so as to oscillate, by means of the transmission connecting rod 33, the driver connecting rod 15 which oscillates with reciprocating motion of the oscillation angle a.

[0058] The driver connecting rod 15 moves the first rocker arm 11 and with it the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and the Watt mechanisms formed by the third and fourth rocker arms 35, 55 and by the respective levers 36, 37, 56, 57 that allow the second rod 12 to be moved along the second axis Y, which allows the first rod 11 to be moved only along the first axis X, since it is not subject to displacements along the second axis Y as it would be if the second rod 12 were completely secured.

[0059] Note that this variant of the moving device 10 also comprises elements (rods, rocker arms, connecting rods, crank), which form the first four-bar linkage mechanism 21 and 22, the Watt mechanisms and the driving means 30, which are connected to each other only by means of rotational torques, i.e. using rotation bearings, for example rolling bearings that can be subjected to high values of speed and acceleration, unlike linear bearings, in particular ball recirculating bearings.

[0060] With reference to figures 12 and 13, a further variant of the moving device 10 of the machine 1 of the invention is illustrated, which differs from the embodiment described and illustrated in figures 8 to 11 only in that it further comprises a connecting rod 65 having a first end 65a rotatably connected to the frame means 5 and a second end 65b rotatably connected to an intermediate portion 14c of the rest of the rocker arms 14, in particular to the second rocker arm 14. The connecting rod 65, which has the same length as the driver connecting rod 15, gives greater rigidity and precision in operation to the moving device 10. With reference to figures 14 and 15, another variant of the moving device 10 of the machine 1 of the invention is illustrated, which differs from the embodiment described and illustrated in figures 12 and 13 in that it does not comprise the second rod 12 that connects the second ends 13b, 14b of the first and second rocker arms 13, 14. More precisely, the moving device 10 includes the first rod 11 arranged to support the operating element 2, 3, 7, parallel to the first direction X and to the operating path A, B and having the respective opposite ends I la, 11b rotatably connected to the respective first ends 13a, 14a of the pair of rocker arms 13, 14. The second ends 13b, 14b of the rocker arms 13, 14 are instead connected to the frame means 5 via the joining means 225 so as to be mobile along the second direction Y.

[0061] The moving device 10 also comprises in this variant a driver connecting rod 15 and a connecting rod 65 having the respective first ends 15a, 65a rotatably connected to the frame means 5 and the respective second ends 15b, 65b rotatably connected to the intermediate portions 13c, 14c of the first and second rocker arms 13, 14. Also in this variant, the driving means 30 are configured to oscillate the driver connecting rod 15 around the respective first end 15a with reciprocating motion so as to move the first and second rocker arms 13, 14 and move the first rod 11 that supports the operating element 2, 3, 7 along the straight operating path A, B with reciprocating motion.

[0062] Also in this variant the joining means 225 comprise the third and fourth rocker arms 35, 55 each having a respective central portion 35c, 55c rotatably connected to the second ends 13b, 14b respectively of the first and second rocker arms 13, 14 and having the two opposite end portions 35a, 35b, 55a, 55b rotatably connected to the first ends 36a, 37a respectively of the first and second levers 36, 37 and of the third and fourth levers 56, 57. The second ends 36b, 37b, 56b, 57b of the first and second levers 36, 37 and of the third and fourth levers 56, 57 are rotatably connected to the frame means 5. The third rocker arm 35 and the first and second levers 36, 37 and the fourth rocker arm 55 and the third and fourth levers 56, 57 form two corresponding Watt mechanisms, which are arranged such that the central portions 35c, 55c of the third and fourth rocker arm 35, 55 and thus the second ends 13b, 14b of the first and second rocker arm 13, 14 are moved along the second direction Y when the driver connecting rod 15 is oscillated by the driving means 30.

[0063] It should be noted that this variant of the moving device 10 also includes elements (rods, rocker arms, connecting rods, crank) that are connected to each other only by means of rotational torques, that is, using rotation bearings, for example rolling bearings that can be subjected to high speed and acceleration values. The Watt mechanisms formed by the third and fourth rocker arms 35, 55 and the respective levers 36, 37, 56, 57 allow the second ends 13b, 14b of the first and second rocker arms 13, 14 to be moved along an almost straight path along the second axis Y and allow the first rod 11 to be moved only along the first axis X.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine (1) for making bristle tools (50), each bristle tool comprising a body (51) provided with a plurality of open cavities (52) suitable for receiving respective bristle bundles (60) and related anchoring elements (62), comprising at least one of:- a first operating element (2) of punching that is mobile and provided with an internal longitudinal seat (4) suitable for receiving a bristle bundle (60) and a related anchoring element (62);- a second operating element (3) of thrust that is mobile inside said longitudinal seat (4) and configured for pushing out of said first operating element (2) and inserting in a cavity (52) of the body (51) a bristle bundle (60) and a related anchoring element (61);- a third operating element (7) of cutting that is mobile and configured for shearing a metal wire (65) and making anchoring elements (62); characterized in that it comprises at least one moving device (10) supported by frame means (5) of said machine (1) and arranged to move one of said operating elements (2, 3, 7) along a straight operating path (A, B) with a reciprocating motion, said moving device (10) including: a first rod (11) and a second rod (12), parallel to a first direction (X) and to said operating path (A, B), opposed to each other and rotatably connected to respective opposite ends (I la, 1 lb, 12a, 12b) by means of a first and second rocker arms (13, 14) so as to form a first four-bar linkage mechanism (21), said first rod (11) supporting said operating element (2, 3, 7) and said second rod (12) being connected to said frame means (5) by means of joining means (25; 125; 225) so as to be mobile at least along a second direction (Y) substantially orthogonal to said first direction (X); a driver connecting rod (15) having a first end (15a) rotatably connected to said frame means (5) and a second end (15b) rotatably connected to an intermediate portion (13c) of one of said rocker arms (13); driving means (30) to oscillate said driver connecting rod (15) around the respective first end (15a) with reciprocating motion so as to move said first four-bar linkage mechanism (21) and move said first rod (11) supporting said operating element (2, 3, 7) along said straight operating path (A, B) with reciprocating motion.

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said joining means (25) of the moving device (10) comprise linear guide means (25) for slidably coupling said second rod (12) to saidframe means (5).

3. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the joining means (125) of the moving device (10) comprise a first connecting rod (16) and a second connecting rod (17) parallel and opposed and having respective first end portions (16a, 17a) rotatably connected to said frame means (5) and respective second end portions (16b, 17b) rotatably connected to opposite ends (12a, 12b) of said second rod (12) so as to form with the latter a second four-bar linkage mechanism (22), said second rod (12) also being moved along said first direction (X) when said driver connecting rod (15) is oscillated by said driving means (30).

4. Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the joining means (225) of the moving device (10) comprise a third rocker arm (35) having a respective central portion (35c) rotatably connected to a first end (12a) of said second rod (12) and to a second end (13b) of said first rocker arm (13) and having two opposite end portions (35a, 35b) rotatably connected to first ends (36a, 37a) respectively of a first and a second lever (36, 37), second ends (36b, 37b) of said first and second lever (36, 37) being rotatably connected to said frame means (5), wherein said third rocker arm (35) and said first and second levers (36, 37) form a Watt mechanism arranged in such a way that said central portion (35c) of the third rocker arm (35) and said first end (12a) of said second rod (12) are moved along said second direction (Y) when said driver connecting rod (15) is oscillated by said driving means (30).

5. Machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein the joining means (225) of the moving device (10) further comprise a fourth rocker arm (55) having a respective central portion (55c) rotatably connected to a second end (12b) of said second rod (12) and to a second end (14b) of said second rocker arm (14) and having two opposite end portions (55a, 55b) rotatably connected to first ends (56a, 57a) respectively of a third and a fourth lever (56, 57), second ends (56b, 57b) of said third and fourth lever (56, 57) being rotatably connected to said frame means (5), wherein said fourth rocker arm (55) and said third and fourth levers (56, 57) form a Watt mechanism arranged in such a way that said central portion (55c) of said fourth rocker arm (55) and said second end (12b) of said second rod (12) are moved along said second direction (Y) when said driver connecting rod (15) is oscillated by said driving means (30).

6. Machine (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said moving device (10) further comprises a connecting rod (65) having a first end (65a) rotatably connected to said frame means (5) and a second end (65b) rotatably connected to an intermediate portion(14c) of the rest of said rocker arms (14), in particular said connecting rod (65) having the same length as said driver connecting rod (15).

7. Machine (1) for making bristle tools (50), each bristle tool comprising a body (51) provided with a plurality of open cavities (52) suitable for receiving respective bristle bundles (60) and related anchoring elements (62), comprising at least one of:- a first operating element (2) of punching that is mobile and provided with an internal longitudinal seat (4) suitable for receiving a bristle bundle (60) and a related anchoring element (62);- a second operating element (3) of thrust that is mobile inside said longitudinal seat (4) and configured for pushing out of said first operating element (2) and inserting in a cavity (52) of the body (51) a bristle bundle (60) and a related anchoring element (61);- a third operating element (7) of cutting that is mobile and configured for shearing a metal wire (65) and making anchoring elements (62); characterized in that it comprises at least one moving device (10) supported by frame means (5) of said machine (1) and arranged to move one of said operating elements (2, 3, 7) along a straight operating path (A, B) with a reciprocating motion, said moving device (10) including: a first rod (11) arranged to support said operating element (2, 3, 7), parallel to a first direction (X) and to said operating path (A, B) and having respective opposite ends (I la, 11b) rotatably connected to respective first ends (13a, 14a) of a first and a second rocker arm (13, 14), second ends (13b, 14b) of said first and second rocker arm (13, 14) being connected to said frame means (5) by means of joining means (225) so as to be mobile along a second direction (Y) almost orthogonal to said first direction (X); a driver connecting rod (15) and a connecting rod (65) having respective first ends (15a, 65a) rotatably connected to said frame means (5) and respective second ends (15b, 65b) rotatably connected to intermediate portions (13c, 14c) of said first and second rocker arms (13, 14); driving means (30) for oscillating said driver connecting rod (15) around the respective first end (15a) with reciprocating motion so as to move said rocker arms (13, 14) and move said first rod (11) supporting said operating element (2, 3, 7) along said straight operating path (A, B) with reciprocating motion.

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein the joining means (225) of the moving device(10) comprise a third and a fourth rocker arm (35, 55) each having a respective central portion (35c, 55c) rotatably connected to a second end (13b, 14b) respectively of said first and said second rocker arm (13, 14) and having two opposite end portions (35a, 35b, 55a, 55b) rotatably connected to first ends (36a, 37a, 56a, 57a) respectively of a first and a second lever (36, 37) and of a third and fourth lever (56, 57), second ends (36b, 37b, 56b, 57b) of said first and second levers (36, 37) and of said third and fourth levers (56, 57) being rotatably connected to said frame means (5), wherein said third rocker arm (35) and said first and second levers (36, 37) and said fourth rocker arm (55) and said third and fourth levers (56, 57) form two corresponding Watt mechanisms, the latter being arranged in such a way that said central portions (35c, 55c) of said third and fourth rocker arms (35, 55) and said second ends (13b, 14b) of said first and second rocker arms (13, 14) are moved along said second direction (Y) when said driver connecting rod (15) is oscillated by said driving means (30).

9. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said driving means (30) comprise a crank (31) connected and rotatably driven by a rotary actuator (32) about a first axis (Cl) and a transmission connecting rod (33) having respective opposite ends (33a, 33b) rotatably connected respectively to said crank (31) and to an intermediate portion (15c) of said driver connecting rod (15).

10. Machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein said rotary actuator (32) comprises an electric motor that can be controlled in position, speed, acceleration, in particular a brushless electric motor.

11. Machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said driving means (30) comprise a linear electric motor acting on said driver connecting rod (15), in particular rotatably connected to an intermediate portion (15c) of said driver connecting rod (15).

12. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of driving devices (10) for respectively moving said first operating element (2), said second operating element (3) and said third operating element (7) with respective reciprocating motions along said straight operating path (A, B).

13. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first punching operating element (2) is moved with reciprocating motion between a disengagement position (D), in which a front end (2a) of said first operating element (2) from which said second operating element (3) protrudes is spaced apart from the body (51) of the bristle tool (50), and an engagement position (E), in which said front end (2a) is adjacent and facing a cavity (52) of said body (51).

14. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second thrust operating element (3) is moved with reciprocating motion between a forward position (F), in which a front end (3a) thereof protrudes from the first operating element (2) to insert a bundle of bristles (60) and a related anchoring element (62) in a cavity (52) of the tool body (51), and a retracted position (R) in which said front end (3a) is inside the internal longitudinal seat (4) and spaced apart from said body (51).

15. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said third cutting operating element (7) is mobile within said first operating element (2).

Images