BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
In order for the nature of this invention to be better understood, the attached drawings show an industrial embodiment which is by way of a merely illustrative, non-limiting example.
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the machine according to the invention. It includes two enlarged details which show examples of the pin (13) and supplement (14) respectively and of the pin and supplement placing head (7).
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of section II-II indicated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view which shows an enlargement of a portion of the pin distributor (3) according to FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged section view of detail V indicated in FIG. 3 and shows the pin distributor (3) with the radial socket (3a) in the vertical position.
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate sectional views of the pin distributor (3) operation for taking and delivering the pins (13). FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of detail VI indicated in FIG. 3 and shows the radial socket (3a) rotated to its position facing the pin feeder (4) and having received a pin (13). FIG. 7 shows the radial socket (3a) in FIG. 6 again in the vertical position in FIG. 5 and holding the pin (13). FIG. 8 is like FIG. 7 but with the pin transferred to the hollow vertical rod (11).
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show the supplement feeder (6) in respective views, partially sectioned perspective, plan and section indicated XI-XI in FIG. 10.
The following references are indicated in these illustrations.
- 1. Longitudinal base
- 1a. Rail on longitudinal base (1)
- 2. Linear electric motor
- 3. Pin (13) distributor
- 3a. Pin (13) distributor radial sockets
- 4. Pin (13) feeder
- 5. Supplement (14) distributor
- 6. Supplement (14) feeder
- 7. Pin (13) and supplement (14) placing head
- 8. Support for combination cylinder (12)
- 9. Computerized unit for command and numerical control
- 10. Threaded rod in radial socket (3a)
- 11. Head (7) hollow vertical rod
- 12. Combination cylinder
- 13. Combination pins
- 14. Masterkeying supplements
- 15. Rear air injection duct.
- 16. Channel for outlet of air for impulse and agitation (suspension, nebulization) of supplements.
- 17. Front air injection duct
- 18. Area for storing supplements prior to outlet.
- 19. Oriented supplements outlet duct
- 20. Impulse air return channel.
- 21. Channel for outlet of return air used for advancing the pins to the outlet area.
- 22. Masterkeying supplement chamber.
- 23. Turbulence
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With regard to the drawings and references set out above, the attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the object of the invention, referring to a flexible manufacturing machine for assembling combination cylinders, i.e. for placing the sets of combination pins (13) and, if applicable, master-keying supplements (14), in the combination cylinder (12). The composition of the machine proposed is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, although in a more expressive way in FIG. 1. It comprises: a linear electric motor (2), a pin distributor (3), a pin feeder (4), a supplement distributor (5), a supplement feeder (6), a pin (13) and supplement (14) placing head (7), a support (8) for a single cylinder (12) and a computerized unit (9) for command and numerical control, operating the machine. The linear electric motor (2) produces movement along a rail (la) fitted to a longitudinal base (1). The pin distributor (3) is a cylindrical bar which is located parallel with the rail (la), has along it as many radial sockets (3a) receiving the respective pins (13) as there are different pins (13) and has means capable of moving it between a position for receiving pins (13) from the pin feeder (4) and another for delivering them to the placing head (7). The pin feeder (4) has independent pin (13) feeding positions for the pin distributor (3) receiving positions. The supplement distributor (5) is located parallel with the rail (1a) and has along it as many supplement (14) receiving positions as there are different classes of supplements. The supplement feeder (6) has independent supplement (14) feeding positions for the supplement distributor (5) receiving positions. The pin (13) placing head (7) travels with the linear motor (2) and has means capable of taking one of the pins (13) which is suitable from the pin distributor (3) and delivering it in the precise place of the combination cylinder (12) and of taking one of the supplements (5) which is suitable and delivering it in the precise place of the combination cylinder (12). The computerized unit (9) for command and numerical control, operating the machine, comprises processing programs for the various different models and sizes of combination cylinders (12) and of the pins (13) and supplements (14) to be fed. As has been stated, the functional philosophy of this machine consists, by means of the head (7), of taking pins (13) from the pin distributor (3), or supplements (14) from the supplement distributor (5), in order for them to be moved one by one with great speed and precision to their position in the combination cylinder (12), which is carried out by the linear motor (2) under the command and CNC of the computer program of the computerized unit (9). In this composition, the invention considers a solution in which the head (7) has a hollow vertical rod ( 11) which is connected to a vacuum pump and which is capable of being axially aligned with all and each one of the pins (13) and supplements (14) and with each and every one of the positions which the combination cylinder has for placing the sets of pins (13) and supplements (14). In such a way, the capture and release of the pins (13) takes place, producing and ceasing the suction effect generated by the vacuum pump associated with the head (7). Enabling an effective, reliable solution to be given for the delicate handling which the master-keying supplements require, as has been stated.
According to the invention, the moving means of the pin distributor (3) are alternating rotary means which drive the pin (13) receipt and delivery positions. Their composition is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and, in greater detail, in FIGS. 4 and 5. Their operation is very simple, effective and reliable, as is illustrated by means of FIGS. 6 to 8. In FIG. 6, the pin distributor (3) is rotated so that it receives one of the pins (13) lined up within the pin feeder (4). In FIG. 7, the pin distributor (3) has rotated to the vertical position, being aligned with the tip of the hollow vertical rod (11). In FIG. 8, the hollow vertical rod (11) has come down and, by suction, has captured the pin (13) from the pin distributor (3), and it has then gone up again to the position in which it will carry out the rapid movement to the position in the cylinder (12) which has been programmed in advance.
Another special feature is that the diameter of the radial sockets (3a) of the pin distributor (3) is adjusted to exceed that of the pins (13), and these sockets have a movable floor which is formed by the tip of a rod (10) which screws in through the open base of the radial sockets (3a) themselves. With this solution, the depth of the pin distributor (3) radial socket (3a) can be regulated in accordance with the length of the pin (13) so that the position of capture by the hollow vertical rod (11) is always the same. For this, it is sufficient to screw the rod (10) into the radial socket (3a) to a greater or lesser extent, and, also with this, there can be a quick change of pin models and/or length, for another of the same or a different key system.
Another special feature of the invention is that the supplement distributor (5) and supplement (14) feeder assembly comprises an airtight chamber (22) which is connected to a compressed air inlet (15), in conjunction with channels (16) which place and serve the supplements (14) in their flat position.
The head (7) has a hollow vertical rod (11) which is connected to a vacuum pump and which is capable of being axially aligned with all and each one of the pins (13) and supplements (14) and with all and each one of the positions which the combination cylinder has for placing the sets of pins (13) and supplements (14).
The inlet of air is carried out alternately by the ducts (15 and 17). Air is impelled from the duct (15) to the channel (16), the outlet of air through the channel (16) causes the supplements to be pushed up, with turbulence being formed and the supplements are “suspended” in the air inside the chamber (22), falling on to the area (18) and being pushed out through the duct (19), pushed by the very air which comes out through (16). Alternately, air is impelled through the duct (17) to withdraw the supplements stored in the area (18) and to prevent an accumulation of pins unsuitably placed and thus to prevent blockages. The cycle is subsequently repeated.
The secondary channel of return air (20), on entering the store through the channel (21), contributes to the “suspension” of the supplements and pushes the supplements from the “rear” area of the store to the outlet area.
In this way, the master-keying supplements (14) are served in the position in which they will be captured, moved and placed inside the cylinder (12), handling the said suction effect. Operation consists of the master-keying supplements (14) being situated in the closed chamber (22) of the supplement feeder (6) where, due to the effect of compressed air, they are flying around and reaching an outlet area which is adjusted to their dimensions and into which they are impelled by a fine air jet (16). Other air jets (17) near this outlet attend to preventing friction between supplements (14), easing their advance and returning to the group of pins in the chamber (22), causing those which were not well placed for the outlet to fly around. Once the outlet has them lined up, these master-keying supplements (14) are conveyed by a well-fitting channel to the supplement distributor (5).
Patent Application
20080028600
