Rotary device for a setting machine for rivets

Abstract: Rotary device for a setting machine, for example for rivets, in particular self-punching rivets or pop rivets, with a rotatable pick-up device (1), characterised in that the pick-up device (1) has an angle of rotation lock (2), wherein the angle of rotation lock (2) in the open state allows free rotation of the pick-up device (1) relative to a headpiece (12) and in the closed state stops the pick-up device (1) at predeterminable angle positions. The invention is characterised in that free rotating and stopping of the pick-up device (1) relative to a headpiece (12) is possible in a simple manner, manually and without enlisting the help of a further tool.

Description: The invention relates to a rotary device for a setting machine, for example for rivets, in particular self-punching rivets or blind rivets, with a headpiece, in particular a C-bracket, and a rotatable pick up device fastened to it, which picks up rivets in order to set them on a workpiece. A pick up device for a setting machine has the function of picking up rivets in order to set them on a workpiece and fasten them there. With the aid of a C-bracket, which substantially has the shape of a large C and surrounds the workpiece, forces which act on the workpiece via a rivet during the setting process are absorbed on the opposite side of the workpiece. A feed tube is connected to the pick-up device and supplies the pick-up device with rivets. It is known to provide setting machines with a C-bracket, which is rotatable, in order to avoid a collision of the space-filling C-bracket with the workpiece. An orientating pin, for example, was provided on the C-bracket, by which the pick-up device of the rotary device could be stopped. Orientation of a pick-up device of this kind with orientation pins of this kind was possible only with corresponding expenditure and the use of a tool. In order to achieve free rotation of the pick-up device of the setting machine to date the orientation pin has been pulled out, the pick-up device rotated and the orientation pin inserted again. The problem with this was that changing the position of the pick-up device was time-intensive and manual intervention was often necessary, in particular when there was a danger of the supply leads, such as for example the feed tube, touching the workpiece. A rotatable pick-up device is for example known from EP-A-0 338 563. It is the object of the present invention to disclose a rotary device for a setting machine for rivets, in which a C-bracket and a pick-up device are rotatable relative to one another and can easily be stopped at different angle settings. This object is achieved according to the invention by a rotary device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations and further developments of the invention, which can occur in each case individually or in combination, are the subject of the dependent claims. The rotary device according to the invention for a setting machine for rivets, in particular self-punching rivets or blind rivets, with a rotatable pick-up device has a pick-up device with an angle of rotation lock, wherein the angle of rotation lock in the open state allows free rotation of the pick-up device relative to a headpiece, in particular a C-bracket, also held so as to be rotatable, and in the closed state stops the pick-up device at predeterminable angle positions with respect to the headpiece. With the aid of the rotatable pick-up device the feed tube is appropriately turned away from a workpiece, so a collision of the feed tube with the workpiece is avoided. By means of the predeterminable angle settings the pick-up device can be stopped at desired angle settings. With the aid of the angle of rotation lock stopping can be carried out in a simple manner and released again without parts having to be pulled out or dismantled, so free rotation without complications and simple stopping is allowed. In a further development of the invention the rotary lock has latching means, by which the pick-up device is stopped at predeterminable angle settings. With the aid of the latching means certain angles of rotation can be predetermined, so simple setting of the angle of rotation of the pick-up device is possible and undesired distortion of the pick-up device is prevented. In an advantageous further development at least one ball and at least one cavity are present as latching means, wherein by means of a guide non-rotatably connected to the headpiece the ball is movable only in a plane encompassing the axis of rotation of the rotary lock and the cavity is located on a pick-up device holder non-rotatably connected to the pick-up device, so in the stopped state of the pick-up device the ball extends at least partially into the cavity, thus preventing rotation of the pick-up device relative to the headpiece. In that the ball is movable by means of a guide in a plane encompassing the axis of rotation of the rotary lock and in the stopped state of the pick-up device at least partially extends into the cavity, in the stopped state rotation of the pick-up device holder relative to the guide or the pick-up device relative to the headpiece is prevented. For example, the movement of the ball along the guide can take place directed radially outwards, away from the axis of rotation, or in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the pick-up device, or in combination of the two directions. Rotation of the pick-up device is in any case only possible if the ball does not extend into the cavity. According to a special further development of the invention at least 8, in particular at least 15, preferably 24 cavities are present as latching means. The number of predeterminable angle positions is established by the number of cavities. For example with 24 cavities arranged so as to be equidistant the angle difference of two successive rotary positions of the angles of rotation is 15 degrees. In a further special further development of the invention at least two, in particular four balls are present as latching means. The stability and rotational symmetry of the rotary stopping is increased by using a plurality of balls. In a particular configuration of the invention the angle of rotation lock has at least one bolt by which the latching means are bolted. With the bolt a higher reliability of stopping with respect to an undesired movement of the pick-up device is achieved. In a special further development of the invention the bolt comprises the guide in which the at least one ball is movable only in a plane encompassing the axis of rotation of the rotary lock. In a further particular configuration of the invention the bolt is part of a ring surrounding the latching means. An annular structure is advantageous for the bolt in particular with configurations where the balls are movable radially inwards or outwards, as it has a particularly high stability with respect to twisting. In a further advantageous configuration of the invention the ring can be moved in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the angle of rotation lock along grooves in the headpiece. The pick-up device holder is fastened to the headpiece by a groove nut. In a further development of the rotary device according to the invention the bolt is held with the aid of at least one spring in a position in which the latching means are bolted. This prevents undesired rotation of the pick-up device. In a particular configuration of the invention the angle of rotation lock can be opened and closed manually without any further auxiliary means. This is particularly important if the rotary device is manually actuated. In a further configuration of the invention the angle of rotation lock can be automatically actuated, for example magnetically, pneumatically or hydraulically. A higher degree of automation is herewith achieved. Further advantages and special configurations of the invention will be described using the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically a rotary device according to the invention, broken down into its individual components to make it easier to see, in a perspective view, Fig. 2 shows schematically a rotary device according to the invention in longitudinal section in the open state, Fig. 3 shows schematically the rotary device according to Fig. 2 in the closed state, and Fig. 4 shows schematically a setting machine in a perspective side view. Fig. 1 shows a rotary device according to the invention for a setting machine, for example for rivets, with a rotatable pick-up device holder 15, an angle of rotation lock 2 and a headpiece 12, to which the rotatable pick-up device 1 is fastened. The angle of rotation lock 2 contains four balls 4, which, with the aid of four corresponding bolts 6 attached to a ring 7, are pressed by four springs 8 into cavities 5 in a pick-up device holder 15. The ring 7 can be moved along the grooves in the headpiece 12 and prevents rotation of the pick-up device holder 15 when the balls 4 are pressed into their respective cavities 5. The bolt 6 together with the balls 4 and the cavities 5 form latching means, by means of which the pick-up device holder 15 can be stopped at a predeterminable angle position in the headpiece 12. The cavities 5 are worked into the pick-up device holder 15, which is connected to the headpiece 12 with the aid of a groove nut 11. A feed tube 10 supplies the pick-up device 1 with rivets. By movement of the ring 7 the bolts 6 are pushed forward and back, so the balls 4 are pressed along their guides 16 into the cavities 5 or let out of the cavities 5. The guides 16 allow movement of the balls only in a plane running parallel to the axis of rotation D and substantially containing the axis of rotation D. Fig. 2 shows the rotary device according to the invention in the open state. The balls 4 are released from the bolts 6 attached to the ring 7, in that the ring 7 is moved in the direction of the arrow, so the balls 4 can leave their cavities 5. This allows rotation of the pick-up device 1 about its axis of rotation D. Movement of the ring 7 to open the angle of rotation lock 2 is possible only against the spring force of the springs 8. Fig. 3 shows the rotary device according to the invention according to Fig. 2 in the closed state. The springs 8 have pressed the ring 7 in the direction of the arrow and thus effected bolting of the balls 4 in their cavities 5 by the bolt 6. As the guides 16 allow movement of the balls only in a plane containing the axis of rotation, rotation of the pick-up device 1 with respect to the pick-up device holder 15 or the headpiece 12 is impossible. With the aid of the ring 7 manual, simple release of the angle of rotation lock is possible without enlisting the aid of further tools. Fig. 4 shows a setting machine in which the angle of rotation of the pick-up device 1 is set with the aid of a tool 9 driven by a drive 14 and, optionally, bolted. The tool 9 is rotatable along the arrow directions indicated and movable in the axial direction. With the aid of the drive 14 an axial stroke is effected between pick-up device 1 and female die 17. The rotary device according to the invention for a setting machine for rivets, in particular self-punching rivets or blind rivets, with a rotatable pick-up device 1 has a pick-up device 1 with an angle of rotation lock 2, wherein the angle of rotation lock 2 in the open state allows free rotation of the pick-up device holder 15 relative to a headpiece 12 and in the closed state stops the pick-up device 1 at a predeterminable angle. The rotary device according to the invention is particularly characterised in that simple, free rotation of the pick-up device or simple stopping are possible, without a further tool being necessary.

Claims: Rotary device for a setting machine for rivets, in particular self-punching rivets or blind rivets, the rotary device comprising a headpiece (12), in particular a C-bracket, and a rotatable pick-up device (1) fastened to it, which picks up rivets in order to set them on a workpiece, characterised in that the pick-up device (1) has an angle of rotation lock (2), wherein the angle of rotation lock (2) in the open state allows free rotation of the pick-up device (1) relative to a headpiece (12) and in the closed state stops the pick-up device (1) at predeterminable angle positions. Rotary device according to claim 1, characterised in that the angle of rotation lock (2) has latching means (3), by means of which the pick-up device (1) is stopped at predeterminable angle positions. Rotary device according to claim 2, characterised in that at least one ball (4) and at least one cavity (5) are present as latching means (3), wherein the ball by means of a guide (16) non-rotatably connected to the headpiece (12) is movable only in a plane which encompasses the axis of rotation (D) of the rotary lock (2) and the cavity (5) is located on a pick-up device holder (15) non-rotatably connected to the pick-up device (1), so in the closed state of the pick-up device (1) the ball (4) extends at least partially into the cavity (5), whereby rotation of the pick-up device (1) relative to the headpiece (12) is prevented. Rotary device according to claim 3, characterised in that at least eight, in particular at least fifteen, preferably twenty-four cavities (5) are present as latching means (3). Rotary device according to claim 3, characterised in that at least two, in particular four, balls (4) are present as latching means (3). Rotary device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the angle of rotation lock (2) has at least one bolt (6) with which the latching means (3) are bolted. Rotary device according to claim 6, characterised in that the bolt (6) comprises the guide (16). Rotary device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the bolt (6) is part of a ring (7) surrounding the latching means (3). Rotary device according to claim 8, characterised in that the ring (7) can be moved in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (D) of the angle of rotation lock (2) along grooves in the headpiece (12). Rotary device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the bolt (6) is held with the aid of at least one spring (8) in a position in which the latching means (3) are bolted. Rotary device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the angle of rotation lock (2) can be opened and closed manually and without further auxiliary means. Rotary device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the angle of rotation lock (2) can be actuated automatically, for example electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

Inventors: GUTIERREZ ROMERO RUBEN, MOESER JOACHIM, OPPER REINHOLD, GUTIERREZ ROMERO, RUBEN, MOESER, JOACHIM, OPPER, REINHOLD
Applicants: NEWFREY LLC
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B21J15
IPC codes: B21J15, B23K9