Steel sheet transfer device for press mold
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure KR2026001456_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Sheet metal transfer device for press molds
[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet metal transfer device for a press mold, and more specifically, to a transfer device capable of precisely transferring thin and sensitive materials, such as thin sheets, over long distances at high speed without damaging them.
[0002] This application is filed claiming priority based on Korean Patent Application 10-2025-0013597 (Application Date: February 4, 2025, Title of Invention: Steel Plate Transfer Device for Press Mold), and all contents included in the application specification and drawings of the said Korean Patent Application 10-2025-0013597 are incorporated into this specification.
[0003] Generally, the production process of electric motors largely involves core fabrication, winding, assembly, and testing. Among these, for mass production, the core is manufactured using a die in a high-speed press.
[0004] The entire press process includes an uncoiler that unwinds and supplies a material (steel plate) wound in a coil form, a leveler that corrects the bending of the uncoiled material (steel plate), a feeder (transfer device) that supplies the flattened material, and a press that processes the material.
[0005] In the case of high-speed operations, the performance of the feeder (transfer device) affects the working speed because the material (steel plate) must be supplied quickly and stably. Since the stator used in EV motors is approximately 200mm in size, a transfer distance of about 250 to 300mm must be guaranteed in the mold. Therefore, a transfer distance of 300mm is also required for the feeder.
[0006] For the above transfer, roller and gripper methods are used.
[0007] A roller-type feeder (transfer device) conveys the material by rotating while pressing the upper and lower surfaces of the material (steel plate) respectively.
[0008] Roller-type feeders offer the advantages of fast response and no limitations on material transport distance. However, because two rollers grip the material through strong linear contact, thin sheets may be damaged, and correcting the gap between the rollers or misalignment is challenging.
[0009] Gripper-type feeders move materials directly by gripping them with upper and lower grippers. Gripper-type feeders offer the advantages of high-precision control and a low risk of material damage.
[0010] However, gripper-type feeders have the disadvantage that the maximum transfer distance is limited by the machine design dimensions, the operating speed is also limited, and they are not suitable for high-speed operations.
[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a transfer device that enables high-precision control without damaging the material, has a long transfer distance, and a high operating speed.
[0012] The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a transfer device capable of precisely transferring thin and sensitive materials, such as thin sheets, over long distances at high speed without damaging them.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a transfer device with a high operating speed.
[0014] To achieve the above objective, a steel plate transfer device (100) for a press mold according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises: a belt (10) installed to connect a driving pulley (22) and a driven pulley (23) and alternately repeating forward movement and reverse movement by a driving motor (20); a first gripper (30) installed in a first section (1) of the belt (10) and gripping a steel plate (3) and moving a predetermined distance together with the belt (10) and then releasing the gripping; and a second gripper (40) installed in a second section (2) of the belt (10) and gripping a steel plate (3) and moving a predetermined distance together with the belt (10) and then releasing the gripping.
[0015] The first section (1) and the second section (2) face each other, but move in opposite directions when moving in the forward and reverse directions.
[0016] While the first gripper (30) sequentially performs gripping the steel plate (3), moving in the forward direction, releasing the grip, and moving in the reverse direction, the second gripper (40) sequentially performs release the gripping of the steel plate (3), moving in the reverse direction, gripping the steel plate (3), and moving in the forward direction.
[0017] A steel plate transfer device (100) for a press mold according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises: a belt (10) installed to connect a driving pulley (22) and a driven pulley (23) and alternately repeating forward movement and reverse movement by a driving motor (20); a first gripper (30) installed in a first section (1) of the belt (10) and gripping a steel plate (3) and moving a predetermined distance together with the belt (10) and then releasing the gripping; and a second gripper (40) installed in a second section (2) of the belt (10) and gripping a steel plate (3) moved by the first gripper (30) and moving a predetermined distance together with the belt (10) and then releasing the gripping.
[0018] In the second embodiment, the first section (1) and the second section (2) are located on opposite sides of the driven pulley (23) and move in opposite directions during forward and reverse movement, and the first gripper (30) and the second gripper (40) alternately repeat approach and distance. While the first gripper (30) sequentially performs gripping the steel plate (3), forward movement, release of gripping, and reverse movement, the second gripper (40) sequentially performs release of gripping the steel plate (3), reverse movement, gripping of the steel plate (3), and forward movement.
[0019] The above belt (10) may include an upper belt (11) installed to connect a driving pulley (22) and a driven pulley (23); and a lower belt (12) installed to connect the driving pulley (22) and the driven pulley (23), and installed parallel to the upper belt (11) at a predetermined distance below the upper belt (11).
[0020] The first and second grippers (30) (40) may each include a release (31) and a clamp (36).
[0021] The release (31) is installed on either the upper belt (11) or the lower belt (12), and the clamp (36) is installed on either the upper belt (11) or the lower belt (12) with the steel plate (3) in between so as to face the release (31), and alternately moves the release (31) up and down so as to grip and release the steel plate (3).
[0022] The above release (31) may include: an upper pressure plate (32) coupled to the upper belt (11) and installed to slide along the upper linear guide (33); and an upper lifting / lowering part that raises and lowers the upper pressure plate (32) and the upper linear guide (33).
[0023] The clamp (36) may include a lower pressure plate (37) that is coupled to the lower belt (12) and installed to be slidable along the lower linear guide (38); and a lower lifting / lowering part that raises and lowers the lower pressure plate (37) and the lower linear guide (38).
[0024] The upper and lower linear guides (33)(38) are installed parallel to the belt (10), and the upper linear guide (33) is installed on top of the lower linear guide (38).
[0025] The above transfer device (100) may further include a guide pulley (24) installed between the driving pulley (22) and the driven pulley (23).
[0026] The guide pulley (24) can adjust the tension of the belt (10) and change the direction of the belt (10).
[0027] The guide pulley (24) may include an upper guide pulley (24a) and a lower guide pulley (24b) installed below the upper guide pulley (24a). And, the driven pulley (23) may include an upper driven pulley (23a) and a lower driven pulley (23b) installed below the upper driven pulley (23a).
[0028] The steel plate (3) can pass between the upper and lower guide pulleys (24a)(24b) and between the upper and lower driven pulleys (23a)(23b).
[0029] The steel plate conveying device according to the present invention has the following effects.
[0030] First, it is possible to transport thin and sensitive steel plates (materials), such as thin sheets, at high speed over long distances with precision without damaging them.
[0031] Second, the operating speed is high.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a steel plate transfer device for a press mold according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1.
[0034] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part III of Figure 2.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a drive motor, a pulley, a belt, and first and second grippers.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a steel plate being transported by the first and second grippers.
[0037] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are drawings showing examples of the operation of the transfer device, respectively.
[0038] [Explanation of the symbol]
[0039] 1 : Section 1 2 : Section 2
[0040] 3 : Sheet metal (thin) 10 : Belt
[0041] 11: Upper belt 12: Lower belt
[0042] 20 : Drive motor 21 : Reducer
[0043] 22: Driving pulley 23: Driven pulley
[0044] 23a: Upper driven pulley 23b: Lower driven pulley
[0045] 24: Guide pulley 24a: Upper guide pulley
[0046] 24b: Lower guide pulley 30: First gripper
[0047] 31 : Release 32 : Upper pressure plate
[0048] 33: Upper linear guide 34a: Cylinder
[0049] 34b : Piston 36 : Clamp
[0050] 37: Lower pressure plate 38: Lower linear guide
[0051] 39a: Cylinder 39b: Piston
[0052] 39c: Solenoid valve
[0053] 40: Second gripper 51: Upper plate
[0054] 52 : Upper plate 100 : Steel plate conveying device
[0055] s : Transfer distance
[0056] The present invention is a device for transferring (supplying) a steel plate to a press mold to manufacture the core (stator, rotor) of an electric motor. While a thin sheet may primarily be used as the steel plate, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and steel plates of various thicknesses may be used.
[0057] In addition, the steel plate conveying device according to the present invention may be used to supply materials in the form of flat plates (or flat strips), such as steel plates, in various devices as well as in press molds, which will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art who has referenced the specification below. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description will be given as an example of supplying a strip-shaped steel plate to a press mold.
[0058]
[0059] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a steel plate transfer device for a press mold according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part III of FIG. 2. In the drawings, the x, y, and z axes are the three axes of the Cartesian coordinate system and are perpendicular to each other.
[0060] As shown in the drawing, the sheet metal transfer device (100) for a press mold includes a drive motor (20), pulleys (22)(23)(24), a belt (10) installed on the pulleys (22)(23)(24) and alternately repeating forward and reverse movement by the drive motor (20), and first and second grippers (30)(40).
[0061] The drive motor (20) is an electric motor that alternately repeats forward rotation and reverse rotation. Due to the rotation, the belt (10) alternately repeats forward movement and reverse movement. In this specification, forward movement indicates movement in the +x direction, and reverse movement indicates movement in the -x direction.
[0062] A drive pulley (22) is connected to a drive motor (20) and rotated by the drive motor (20). Preferably, a reduction gear (21) is installed between the drive motor (20) and the drive pulley (22) to adjust the rotational speed (RPM) of the motor.
[0063] The driven pulley (23) is a pulley that is rotated by the belt (10), and the guide pulley (24) regulates and maintains the tension of the belt (10).
[0064] Preferably, gears are formed on the outer surfaces of the drive pulley (22), guide pulley (24), and driven pulley (23), and gears that mesh with the gears are formed on the inner surface of the belt (10). The structure in which the gears mesh can accurately transmit rotational force and prevent slippage during belt stopping and movement.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is preferable that the guide pulley (24) changes the direction of the belt (10). A structure in which the direction of the belt (10) is changed by the guide pulley (24) has the advantage of reducing interference (collision) between the steel plate (3) and the drive motor (20). This will be explained further below.
[0066] Although the drawing shows the belt (10) being turned 90° by the guide pulley (24), it is not necessarily limited to this angle and can be turned at an appropriate angle to eliminate interference between the drive motor (20) and the steel plate (3).
[0067] Preferably, the driven pulley (23) includes an upper driven pulley (23a) and a lower driven pulley (23b) installed parallel to each other so as to face each other, wherein the upper driven pulley (23a) is rotatably installed on the upper plate (51) and the lower driven pulley (23b) is rotatably installed on the lower plate (52), and the upper and lower driven pulleys (23a) (23b) are spaced apart at a distance such that a steel plate (3) can pass through.
[0068] Likewise, the guide pulley (24) includes an upper guide pulley (24a) and a lower guide pulley (24b) installed parallel to each other, wherein the upper guide pulley (24a) is rotatably installed on the upper plate (51) and the lower guide pulley (24b) is rotatably installed on the lower plate (52), and the upper and lower guide pulleys (24a) (24b) are spaced apart at a distance such that the steel plate (3) can pass through.
[0069] The belt (10) is installed to connect the drive pulley (22), the guide pulley (24), and the driven pulley (23), and moves in the forward and reverse directions by the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor (20). It is preferable that the belt (10) be a timing belt with gears formed on its inner surface.
[0070] Preferably, the belt (10) includes an upper belt (11) and a lower belt (12). The upper belt (11) is installed on the drive pulley (22), the upper driven pulley (23a), and the upper guide pulley (24a), and the lower belt (12) is installed on the drive pulley (22), the lower driven pulley (23b), and the lower guide pulley (24b).
[0071] The first and second grippers (30) (40) repeat the process of gripping the steel plate (3), transporting it a predetermined distance, and then releasing the grip and returning it to its original position. Due to the movement of the belt (10), the upper and lower pressure plates (32) (37) of the first gripper (30) and the upper and lower pressure plates (32) (37) of the second gripper (40) move in opposite directions. The predetermined distance corresponds to the transport distance (s) of the steel plate (3) once. The transport distance (s) is the distance the steel plate (3) must move in correspondence with one up-and-down reciprocating movement of the press mold.
[0072] The first gripper (30) is installed to correspond to the first section (1), and the second gripper (40) is installed to correspond to the second section (2). Meanwhile, the first and second sections (1) and (2) refer to one side of the part connecting the driven pulley (23) and the guide pulley (24) of the belt (10), and the other side facing this side.
[0073] Since the first and second grippers (30) and (40) have the same structure, only the first gripper (30) will be described below.
[0074] The first gripper (30) may include a release (31) and a clamp (36). The release (31) may be installed on either of the upper or lower plates (51) (52) and the clamp (36) may be installed on either of the other of the upper or lower plates (51) (52), but below, only the case where the release (31) is installed on the upper plate (51) and the clamp (36) is installed on the lower plate (52) will be described.
[0075] The release (31) includes an upper pressure plate (32), an upper linear guide (33), and an upper lifting / lowering part.
[0076] The upper pressure plate (32) is connected to the upper belt (11) and installed to be slidable on the upper linear guide (33). Accordingly, when the upper belt (11) moves, the upper pressure plate (32) slides while being guided by the upper linear guide (33).
[0077] The upper lifting / lowering unit raises and lowers the upper linear guide (33) and the upper pressure plate (32). Multiple upper lifting / lowering units may be installed at predetermined intervals along the x-direction, and the number may be increased as needed.
[0078] The upper lifting / lowering unit may be equipped with a cylinder (34a) fixed to the upper plate (51) and a piston (34b) installed to move up and down inside the cylinder (34a). The lower end of the piston (34b) is connected to the upper linear guide (33). Accordingly, when air is supplied to the upper space of the piston (34b), the upper linear guide (33) and the upper pressure plate (32) descend, and when air is supplied to the lower space of the piston (34b), the upper linear guide (33) and the upper pressure plate (32) ascend.
[0079] When inserting the steel plate (3) between the release (31) and the clamp (36), the upper linear guide (33) and the upper pressure plate (32) are raised to facilitate insertion. Additionally, the pressure of the piston (34b) can be adjusted to control the force applied to the steel plate (3) when the transfer device (100) is operated.
[0080] The clamp (36) includes a lower pressure plate (37), a lower linear guide (38), and a lower lifting / lowering part. The clamp (36) rapidly raises and lowers the lower pressure plate (37) to rapidly grip (pressure) and release (release pressure) the steel plate (3).
[0081] The lower pressure plate (37) is coupled to the lower belt (12) and installed so as to be slidable on the lower linear guide (38). Accordingly, when the lower belt (12) moves, the lower pressure plate (37) slides while being guided by the lower linear guide (38).
[0082] The lower lifting / lowering unit raises and lowers the lower linear guide (38) and the lower pressure plate (37). Multiple lower lifting / lowering units may be installed at predetermined intervals along the x-direction.
[0083] The lower lifting / lowering unit may be equipped with a cylinder (39a) fixed to the lower plate (52) and a piston (39b) installed to move up and down inside the cylinder (39a). When air is supplied to the space below the piston (39b), the lower linear guide (38) and the lower pressure plate (37) rise, and when the air in the space below is discharged to the outside, the lower linear guide (38) and the lower pressure plate (37) lower.
[0084]
[0085] Then, below, the operation process of the transfer device (100) will be explained.
[0086] First, the steel plate (3) is inserted between the upper and lower pressure plates (32)(37), between the upper and lower driven pulleys (23a)(23b), between the upper and lower guide pulleys (24a)(24b), and between the upper and lower belts (11)(12). Then, the release (31) of the first and second grippers (30)(40) is operated to move the upper pressure plate (32) slightly downward.
[0087] Next, when the drive motor (20) is driven, the drive pulley (22) rotates, and when the drive pulley (22) rotates, the belt (10) alternately moves in the forward direction and the reverse direction.
[0088] By the movement of the belt (10), the upper and lower pressure plates (32) (37) of the first gripper (30) grip the steel plate (3), move in the forward direction to transport the steel plate (3) for a predetermined distance (s), then release the grip on the steel plate (3) and move in the reverse direction to return to the original position. During this time, the second gripper (40) moves in the reverse direction for a predetermined distance (s) and grips the steel plate (3), then moves in the forward direction to transport the steel plate (3) for a predetermined distance and releases the grip on the steel plate (3).
[0089] In this way, the conveying device (100) according to the present invention can prevent damage to the steel plate (3) by gripping the steel plate (3) with upper and lower pressure plates (32) (37), and the conveying amount is large because the first gripper (30) and the second gripper (40) alternately convey the steel plate (3). (That is, since the two grippers alternately convey the steel plate, the return time is fast and the conveying speed can be increased.)
[0090] Meanwhile, the above describes a configuration in which the first and second grippers (30) (40) each grip and transport the steel plate (3) at the beginning of the first and second sections (1) (2), and then release the grip on the steel plate (3) at the end of the first and second sections (1) (2). FIG. 6(a) illustrates this. This configuration can be effectively applied when the width (w) of the steel plate (3, thin plate) is wide and can increase the transport distance (S).
[0091] However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transport distance can be varied by changing the position of the grippers, etc. In FIG. 6(a), when the width (w) of the steel plate (3, thin plate) is wide, the first and second grippers (30) (40) can be arranged perpendicular to the transport direction to reduce the size of the device in the transport direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the width (w) of the steel plate (3, thin plate) is narrow, the first and second grippers (30) (40) cannot be arranged perpendicular to the transport direction, so they can be arranged in the transport direction. In FIG. 6(a) and (b), the upper and lower pressure plates (32) (37) indicated by solid lines represent the current position, and the upper and lower pressure plates (32) (37) indicated by dotted lines represent the position after movement.
[0092] For example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the first gripper (30) grips and transports the steel plate (3) at the beginning of the first section (1) and then releases the grip on the steel plate (3) at a predetermined point of the first section (e.g., point S / 2 from the beginning of the first section), the second gripper (40) can then grip the steel plate (3) and transport it for a predetermined distance (e.g., S / 2) before releasing the grip on the steel plate (3). This configuration can be effectively applied when the width (w) of the steel plate (3, thin plate) is narrow and can increase the transport speed.
Claims
1. A belt (10) installed to connect a driving pulley (22) and a driven pulley (23), and which alternately repeats forward and reverse movement by a driving motor (20); A first gripper (30) installed in the first section (1) of the belt (10), which grips a steel plate (3) and moves a predetermined distance together with the belt (10) and then releases the grip; and, It includes a second gripper (40) installed in the second section (2) of the belt (10), which grips a steel plate (3) and moves a predetermined distance together with the belt (10), and then releases the grip. The first section (1) and the second section (2) face each other, but move in opposite directions when moving in the forward and reverse directions. A steel plate conveying device characterized by the fact that while the first gripper (30) sequentially grips the steel plate (3), moves forward, releases the grip, and moves in reverse, the second gripper (40) sequentially releases the steel plate (3), moves in reverse, grips the steel plate (3), and moves forward.
2. A belt (10) installed to connect a driving pulley (22) and a driven pulley (23), and which alternately repeats forward and reverse movement by a driving motor (20); A first gripper (30) installed in the first section (1) of the belt (10), which grips a steel plate (3) and moves a predetermined distance together with the belt (10) and then releases the grip; and, It includes a second gripper (40) installed in the second section (2) of the belt (10), which grips the steel plate (3) moved by the first gripper (30), moves a predetermined distance together with the belt (10), and then releases the grip. The first section (1) and the second section (2) are located on opposite sides of the driven pulley (23) and move in opposite directions during forward and reverse movement, and the first gripper (30) and the second gripper (40) alternately repeat approach and distance. A steel plate conveying device characterized by the fact that while the first gripper (30) sequentially grips the steel plate (3), moves forward, releases the grip, and moves in reverse, the second gripper (40) sequentially releases the steel plate (3), moves in reverse, grips the steel plate (3), and moves forward.
3. In Paragraph 1 or 2, The belt (10) is, An upper belt (11) installed to connect the driving pulley (22) and the driven pulley (23); and It includes a lower belt (12) installed to connect a driving pulley (22) and a driven pulley (23), and installed parallel to the upper belt (11) at a predetermined distance below the upper belt (11). The first and second grippers (30)(40) each include a release (31) and a clamp (36), and A steel plate conveying device characterized by the release (31) being installed on either the upper belt (11) or the lower belt (12), and the clamp (36) being installed on either the upper belt (11) or the lower belt (12) so as to face the release (31) with the steel plate (3) in between, and alternately repeating the upward and downward movement of the release (31) to grip and release the steel plate (3).
4. In Paragraph 3, Release (31) is, An upper pressure plate (32) coupled to an upper belt (11) and installed to be slidable along an upper linear guide (33); and, It includes an upper lifting / lowering unit that raises and lowers the upper pressure plate (32) and the upper linear guide (33), and The clamp (36) is, A lower pressure plate (37) coupled to the lower belt (12) and installed to be slidable along the lower linear guide (38); and, It includes a lower lifting / lowering unit that raises and lowers the lower pressure plate (37) and the lower linear guide (38), and A steel plate conveying device characterized by upper and lower linear guides (33)(38) being installed parallel to the belt (10), and the upper linear guide (33) being installed on top of the lower linear guide (38).
5. In Paragraph 3, It further includes a guide pulley (24) installed between the driving pulley (22) and the driven pulley (23), and The guide pulley (24) adjusts the tension of the belt (10) and changes the direction of the belt (10), and The guide pulley (24) includes an upper guide pulley (24a) and a lower guide pulley (24b) installed below the upper guide pulley (24a). The driven pulley (23) includes an upper driven pulley (23a) and a lower driven pulley (23b) installed below the upper driven pulley (23a). A steel plate conveying device characterized by the steel plate (3) passing between the upper and lower guide pulleys (24a)(24b) and between the upper and lower driven pulleys (23a)(23b).