Separating device

Abstract: A separating device for connection to a rotating magazine. The separating device transports rivets (3) via a conveyor duct (6) formed by three limiting faces. The first limiting face is a base plate (5), the second limiting face is a right-hand guide segment (1) and the third limiting face is a left-hand guide segment (2). At least one of the guide segments is designed and arranged to be excited and oscillate to avoid jamming of rivets (3) in the conveyor duct (6).

Description: The subject of the present invention is a separating device suitable for connection to a rotating magazine, consisting at least of a conveyor duct for transporting rivets, wherein a first limiting face of the conveyor duct is formed by a base plate; a second limiting face of the conveyor duct is formed by a right-hand guide segment, and a third limiting face is formed by a left-hand guide segment. Separating devices with the features according to the preamble of claim 1 are known, wherein the conveyor duct formed by the guide segments and base plates is rigid in design, i.e. the cross-sectional profile of the conveyor duct is formed, for example, in a T-shape for punch rivets by rigidly fastened limiting faces. The limiting faces are conventionally formed by guide segments, wherein the guide segments are fastened to the base plate by means of a plurality of fastening elements. With the aid of a rotating magazine connected directly to the entrance region of the conveyor duct, rivets are introduced into the conveyor duct in a particular orientation and are brought to an end point due to the gravitational force in the conveyor duct so as to be transported there to a desired position via a slider system. Individual rivets can wedge in the transport path through the conveyor duct due to tolerances between the rivet size and the size of the conveyor duct cross-section, so the transport of rivets is stopped within the conveyor duct. A transport stoppage of this type is particularly disadvantageous as it may be necessary to release the individual guide segments from their fastening to remove the wedging. Effort of this type for disassembly is not only time-consuming but also technically complicated due to the numerous individual parts. From US-A-6105753 a linear vibratory parts feeder is known for transporting parts along a processing path. This feeder comprises a linear parts transport track connected to a counterweight via flat leaf springs. The track is driven and vibrated back and forth by an electromagnetic driver attached to the counterweight and connected to the track by an armature plate. The leaf springs are inclined so that the track, when driven by the driver, moves upwardly and in the direction of movement of the armature plate as the springs are caused to bend in a direction perpendicular to the flatness thereof The linear vibratory parts feeder is operative positioned adjacent to an upstream vibratory bowl-type feeder which includes a parts feeding and orienting unit. It is the object of the invention therefore to provide a separating device which significantly reduces the risk of rivets wedging in the conveyor duct. This object is achieved by the separating device according to the invention with the features according to claim 1. Due to the oscillating ability of at least one guide segment, preferably the left-hand guide segment, the conveyor duct, preferably T-shaped in cross-section, is not and does not remain rigid in design, but, due to the oscillation of a segment, preferably the left-hand guide segment, its cross-sectional area continuously alters slightly when the slider of the conveyor duct pushes the last rivet in each case out of the conveyor duct at the exit region. By introducing the oscillation into the at least one, preferably left-hand guide segment, wedging of rivets inside the conveyor duct is released and continuous movement in the exit direction of the conveyor duct caused by the gravitational force is thus assisted. The oscillation is preferably introduced into the left-hand guide segment by mechanical means. It is also conceivable to introduce an oscillation into at least one guide segment electronically and, for example, this can be brought about by a piezoelectric element which is designed and arranged so as to allow the conveyor duct to oscillate. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical means is used, consisting of a friction face with a corrugated surface profile and integrated on the slider and also having a pin mounted on a helical spring, wherein the pin is designed and arranged in such a way that, as a result of a longitudinal movement of the slider and therefore of the friction face, the pin is moved over the corrugated surface profile and an oscillation is thus introduced into at least one, preferably left-hand, guide element. The slider is expediently arranged at the entrance region of the conveyor duct and receives the last rivet in each case into a gap and transports it preferably perpendicularly to the conveyor duct axis into a further region in order to transport the rivet aligned in the predetermined position for further use. Directly downstream of a recess in the slider into which the rivet is introduced for transport, a friction face with a corrugated surface profile is preferably arranged on which friction face the mechanical means located in at least one, preferably the left-hand, guide segment rests and is moved by the longitudinal slider movement of the slider. This mechanical means inside the at least one, preferably left-hand, guide segment is formed, in a preferred embodiment, by a pin biased by means of a spring in a blind hole and, as a result of this bias, rests with a certain force on the friction face with the corrugated surface profile. Due to the longitudinal movement of the slider, the point of the pin is guided along the profile, so the point travels the contour profile in each case and is thus made to oscillate, the oscillation, in turn, being transmitted to the at least one, preferably left-hand, guide segment. In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface profile of the friction face is not corrugated in design, but has peaks or a curved profile (for example involutes). The only crucial factor in the design of the surface profile is that, as a result of the mechanical contact of a movable means inside at least one, preferably the left-hand guide segment, oscillation is introduced therein. The present invention will be described in detail hereinafter by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a conveyor duct of a separating device according to the invention with an unwedged rivet; Fig. 2 is a cross-section through a conveyor duct of a separating device according to the invention with a wedged rivet; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a separating device according to the invention; Fig. 3a is a cross-section through the separating device according to figure 3 along line A - A; Fig. 4 shows a detail of the separating device according to the invention according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the separating device according to the invention, connected to a rotating magazine; and Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the separating device according to the invention according to Fig. 5. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section through the conveyor duct with a rivet which is transported through the conveyor duct in an unwedged state. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the conveyor duct of the separating device according to the invention according to Fig. 1, wherein the rivet is wedged, however, inside the conveyor duct and therefore cannot be transported on. Fig. 1 and 2 also show in section the base plate 5 and the right-hand segment 1. Fig. 3 is a complete cross-section of the separating device according to the invention, wherein a large number of rivets 3 are shown in the conveyor duct 6. The guide elements 1 and 2 and their connection region are also shown on a rotating magazine. Fig. 4 shows a detail of the separating device according to the invention according to Figs. 3 and 3a, wherein a rivet 3 is received by the slider and is transported with a longitudinal movement. Arranged directly next to the conveyor duct 6 is the mechanical means 11 consisting of a pin 11 which is biased by a helical spring 10 in such a way that it rests with force on the friction face 4 with a corrugated surface profile located underneath. During a longitudinal movement of the slider the friction face 4 with corrugated surface profile is guided past the point region of the pin 11 and optionally pushes it upwards by a certain amount. With the subsequent further movement of the slider, the pin 11 is pressed into a trough of the surface profile due to the bias. With a swift longitudinal movement due to operation, there occurs, as a result of the pin's 11 travel over the corrugated profile, an oscillation which, according to the invention, prevents or releases a possible wedging of the rivets 3 in the conveyor duct 6. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the separating device according to the invention as attached to a rotating magazine. Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the at least one guide segment 1, the helical spring 10, the pin 11, a rivet 3 and the friction face 4.

Claims: Separating device, suitable for connecting to a rotating magazine, at least consisting of a conveyor duct (6) suitable for transporting rivets (3), wherein a first limiting face of the conveyor duct is formed by a base plate (5); a second limiting face of the conveyor duct is formed by a right-hand guide segment (1) and a third limiting face is formed by a left-hand guide segment (2), characterised in that at least one guide segment is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be excited by mechanical means to oscillate, wherein the mechanical means consists of a friction face (4) with a corrugated or peaked surface profile and a pin (11) biased by a spring, and the pin (11) is designed and mounted in such a way that the pin (11) is moved by a longitudinal movement of the friction face over the corrugated or peaked surface profile and, in so doing, induces an oscillation in at least one guide segment (1, 2). Separating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveyor duct (6) is T-shaped in design. Separating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the friction face (4) is integrated on a longitudinally movable slider arranged at one end of the conveyor duct (6) and transporting the last rivet in each case aligned in a predetermined position for further use.

Inventors: REITER CHRISTIAN, REITER, CHRISTIAN
Applicants: NEWFREY LLC
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65G47
IPC codes: B65G11, B23P19, B21J15