The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-431655 filed on Dec. 25, 2003 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-318111 filed on Sep. 10, 2003, including the specifications, drawings and abstracts thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing machine for manufacturing a layered core used for a stator core or a rotor core of a motor, and a stacking jig thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a manufacturing method and manufacturing machine for manufacturing a layered core used for a motor are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-228461, for example. A long belt-shaped steel sheet is punched by a die machine (progressive press) so as to form iron core sheets. A predetermined number of the iron core sheets thus formed are multi-layered, whereby the layered core for a motor (stator core or rotor core) having a layered structure is formed. The iron core sheets forming the stator core having such a layered structure are welded to one another on the perimeter thereof along the axial direction. Accordingly, each of the iron core sheets need to be layered with the axes thereof matching one another and with the rotational position thereof matching one another. Accordingly, each iron-core sheet includes a protrusion and a recess back-to-back. The iron-core sheets having such a structure are pressed so as to be fixed to one another with the protrusions and the recesses of the adjacent iron-core sheets fit to one another.
In general, the surface of each iron core sheet forming the layered core having the layered structure is coated with an insulating film for improving the performance of a motor. Accordingly, fixing the iron-core sheets to one another with the protrusions and the recesses fit to one another by crimping with a press may lead to a problem that the aforementioned insulating film tears around the portion where the protrusion is fit to the recess. Note that such a defect in the insulating film leads to deterioration in the performance of the motor. Accordingly, a manufacturing machine is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-298568 (claim 1,
The manufacturing machine disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-298568 (claim 1,
However, the manufacturing machine disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-298568 (claim 1,
Furthermore, with such a manufacturing machine, the predetermined number of the iron-core sheets punched out by the aforementioned die machine are stacked at the aforementioned stacking position, and is heated at the same stacking position for welding. This configuration leads to a problem that in a case wherein layered cores are consecutively manufactured, the die machine needs to stop the step wherein the iron-core sheets for the next motor layered core are punched out and stacked on the stacking jig until the aforementioned predetermined number of current iron-core sheets (motor layered core) are moved from the stacking position to another position following completion of heating/welding processing for the aforementioned number of current iron core sheets (i.e., such a manufacturing machine requires a waiting time).
The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems, and accordingly, it is an object thereof to provide a manufacturing method and manufacturing machine for manufacturing a motor layered core, and a stacking jig thereof, which allow the user to stack the iron-core sheets with the axes thereof suitably matching one another, and with the rotational positions thereof suitably matching one another, while preventing the insulating film from tearing, and maintaining manufacturing efficiency for the motor layered core.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, consistent with a first aspect of the present invention, with a manufacturing method for a motor layered core, a sheet metal material is punched so as to form a layer sheet in a predetermined shape, and multiple the layer sheets are stacked so as to form a motor layered core, a stacking jig is set at a lower-side stacking position along the punching direction underneath a die machine for punching the metal material for holding the layer sheets with the aligned axes and aligned rotational positions, with the stacking jig being moved upward to the upper-side stacking position along the punching direction within the die machine, and with the layer sheet punched out by the die machine being moved along the punching direction so as to be consecutively stacked on the stacking jig set at the upper-side stacking position without movement of the stacking jig.
The stacking jig may be moved from the lower-side stacking position to the upper-side stacking position such that the upper-end face of the stacking jig is moved at least to a straight portion extending along the punching direction in generally the same shape as the outline shape of the layer sheet, which is a part of an insertion hole formed within the die machine.
The stacking jig may be moved from the lower-side stacking position to the upper-side stacking position such that the upper-end face of the stacking jig and the upper-end face of the lower die of the die machine are positioned on a single generally flat plane extending in the horizontal direction.
The stacking jig may be set such that at the time of stacking the layer sheets at the upper-side stacking position, the stacking jig overlaps with the punch positioned within the die machine along the punching direction along which the layer sheet is to be punched out.
Consistent with a second aspect of the present invention, with a manufacturing method for a motor layered core, a sheet metal material is punched so as to form a layer sheet in a predetermined shape, and multiple layer sheets are stacked so as to form a motor layered core, with a stacking jig being set at a stacking position along the layer-sheet punching direction for holding the layer sheets with the aligned axes and aligned rotational positions, and with the layer sheets thus punched out being moved in the punching direction so as to be consecutively stacked on the stacking jig without movement of the stacking jig, and with the stacking jig holding predetermined layer sheets stacked thereon being moved to a next-step position away from the layer-sheet punching direction for performing processing in the next step.
The predetermined number of layer sheets stacked on the stacking jig may be subjected to processing in the next step.
Consistent with a third aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing apparatus for a motor layered core, with a sheet metal material being punched so as to form a layer sheet in a predetermined shape, and with multiple layer sheets being stacked so as to form a motor layered core, comprises: a die machine for punching the metal material; a stacking jig set at a stacking position along the punching direction, along which the layer is to be punched out by the die machine, for stacking and holding the layer sheets which have been moved along the punching direction with aligned axes and aligned rotational positions; and jig moving means for moving the stacking jig between an upper-side stacking position within the die machine and a lower-side stacking position underneath the die machine along the layer-sheet punching direction.
The stacking jig may be moved by the jig moving means from the lower-side stacking position to the upper-side stacking position such that the upper-end face of the stacking jig is moved at least to a straight portion extending along the punching direction in generally the same shape as the outline shape of the layer sheet, which is a part of an insertion hole formed within the die machine.
The stacking jig may be moved by the jig moving means from the lower-side stacking position to the upper-side stacking position such that the upper-end face of the stacking jig and the upper-end face of the lower die of the die machine are positioned on a single generally flat plane extending in the horizontal direction.
The stacking jig may be disposed such that at the time of the jig moving means moving the stacking jig to the upper-side stacking position, the stacking jig overlaps with a punch positioned within the die machine along the layer-sheet-punching direction.
Consistent with a fourth aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing apparatus for a motor layered core, with a sheet metal material being punched so as to form a layer sheet in a predetermined shape, and with multiple layer sheets being stacked so as to form a motor layered core, comprises: a die machine for punching the metal material; a stacking jig set at a stacking position along the punching direction, along which the layer sheet is to be punched out by the die machine, for stacking and holding the layer sheets which have been moved along the punching direction with aligned axes and aligned rotational positions; and jig moving means for moving the stacking jig holding a predetermined number of the layer sheets from the stacking position to a next-step position away from the layer-sheet punching direction for performing processing in the next step.
The stacking jig may include a positioning member having functions for aligning the axes and rotational positions of the layer sheets, with the positioning member being provided so as to extend along the layer-sheet punching direction, and with the positioning member having a configuration for being engaged along the horizontal direction with the perimeter of the layer sheet stacked on the stacking jig.
Consistent with a fifth aspect of the present invention, a stacking jig for holding layer sheets stacked along the punching direction, the layer sheets being punched out in a predetermined shape from a sheet metal material by a die machine so as to form a motor layered core, includes a positioning member for being engaged along the horizontal direction with the perimeter other than the outer perimeter which defines the outline shape of the stacked layer sheets, thereby enabling positioning of the layer sheets with aligned axes and aligned rotational positions.
The positioning member may have a configuration for being engaged along the horizontal direction with at least one of the inner perimeter which defines the inner outline of the layer sheet and the opening perimeter which defines the shape of an opening punched on the layer sheet.
The positioning member may be formed of a first positioning member for aligning the axes of the layer sheets, and a second positioning member for aligning the rotational positions of the layer sheets.
The stacking jig may further include an auxiliary positioning member provided so as to extend along the layer-sheet punching direction for being engaged along the horizontal direction with the outer perimeter of the layer sheet, thereby assisting at least alignment of the axis, as well as alignment of the axis and alignment of the rotational position performed by the positioning member.
The stacking jig may further include a guide hole for guiding the layer sheet punched out by a punch included in the die machine, wherein at least the upper portion of the guide hole is formed in generally the same shape as the outline shape of the layer sheet, with the guide hole including a groove formed on the inner face thereof up to a predetermined height underneath the lower dead point of the punch for punching out the layer sheet, which allows insertion of the auxiliary positioning member.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the inner perimeter which defines the inner outline of the stator-core layer sheet, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeter which defines the shape of an opening punched on the stator-core layer sheet.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple openings and teeth having protrusions at the tips thereof formed by punching so as to protrude along the circumference direction of the stator-core layer sheet, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the tip corners of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent one to another, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeter which defines the shape of the opening.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including teeth having protrusions at the tips thereof formed by punching so as to protrude along the circumference direction of the stator-core layer sheet, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the teeth on both sides, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the tip corners of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent one to another. The second positioning member may also be engaged along the horizontal direction with the side perimeters of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent one to another, or be engaged along the horizontal direction with the corners formed in the outside direction of the radius of the aforementioned stator-core layer sheet, which are parts of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent one to another, or be engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the protrusions on both sides, or be engaged along the horizontal direction with the side perimeters of the protrusions each of which extend from the base end of the protrusion along the circumference direction, or be engaged along the horizontal direction by being fit to a slot formed between the side perimeters of the teeth adjacent one to another.
Also, the layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple teeth formed by punching, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the teeth on both sides, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the teeth on both sides.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including teeth having protrusions at the tips thereof formed by punching so as to protrude in the circumference direction of the stator-core layer sheet, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the teeth on both sides, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the bottom of a slot formed between the teeth adjacent one to another. The second positioning member may also be engaged along the horizontal direction with the side perimeters which defines the outline shape of the teeth adjacent one to another so as to be fitted to a slot formed between the teeth adjacent one to another.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple openings and multiple teeth formed by punching, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the teeth on both sides, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeters which define the shape of the openings.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple openings formed by punching, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeters which define the shape of the openings, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeters which define the shape of the openings.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple openings and teeth having protrusions at the tips thereof so as to protrude along the circumference direction of the stator-core layer sheet, which are formed by punching, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeters which define the shape of the openings, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the tip corners of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent one to another. The second positioning member may also be engaged along the horizontal direction with the side perimeters of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent one to another, or may be engaged along the horizontal direction with the corners formed in the outside direction of the radius of the aforementioned stator-core layer sheet, which are parts of the protrusions of the teeth adjacent to one another.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple openings and teeth having protrusions at the tips thereof so as to protrude along the circumference direction of the stator-core layer sheet, which are formed by punching, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeters which define the shape of the openings, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the protrusions on both sides, or may be engaged along the horizontal direction with the side perimeters of the protrusions each of which extend from the base end of the protrusion along the circumference direction.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple openings and teeth formed by punching, with the first positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the opening perimeters which define the shape of the openings, and with the second positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction by being fit to a slot formed between the side perimeters of the teeth adjacent one to another, or the second positioning member may be engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the teeth on both sides.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple welding portions formed by punching the outer perimeter which defines the outline shape of the stator-core layer sheet, with the auxiliary positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the welding portions, or the auxiliary positioning member may be engaged along the horizontal direction with the base ends of the flanges on both sides, or may be engaged along the horizontal direction with the perimeters of the flanges on both sides.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple flanges formed by punching the outer perimeter which defines the outline shape of the stator-core layer sheet, with the auxiliary positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the tip corners of the flanges.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple flanges formed in the shape of an arc by punching the outer perimeter which defines the outline shape of the stator-core layer sheet, with the auxiliary positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the tips formed in the shape of an arc on the flanges.
The layer sheet may be a stator-core layer sheet including multiple welding portions and multiple flanges by punching the outer perimeter which defines the outline shape of the stator-core layer sheet, with the auxiliary positioning member being engaged along the horizontal direction with the perimeter between the welding portions, other than the flanges.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of stacking layer sheets (iron-core sheets) with suitably aligned axes and suitably aligned rotational positions without deterioration in manufacturing efficiency for a motor layered core while preventing an insulating coating from tearing.
Description will be made below regarding a specific arrangement consistent with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with reference to
As shown in
A rotor-core punch holder 16 is disposed just above the first rotor-core die 12, and a first rotor-core punch 17 is fixed on the lower face of the punch holder 16. A rotor-core punch holder 18 is disposed just above the second rotor-core die 13, and a second rotor-core punch 19 is fixed on the lower face of the punch holder 18. A stator-core punch holder 20 is disposed just above the first stator-core die 14, and a first stator-core punch 21 is fixed on the lower face of the punch holder 20. A stator-core punch holder 22 is disposed just above the second stator-core die 15, and a second stator-core punch 23 is fixed on the lower face of the punch holder 22. Each of the punch holders 16, 18, 20, and 22 are moved along the vertical direction with the corresponding driving means (not shown). The first rotor-core punch 17 fixed to the punch holder 16 is integrally moved in the vertical direction, and the second rotor-core punch 19 fixed to the punch holder 18 is integrally moved in the vertical direction. The first stator-core punch 21 fixed to the punch holder 20 is integrally moved in the vertical direction, and the second stator-core punch 23 fixed to the punch holder 22 is integrally moved in the vertical direction.
A sheet-shaped steel metal material 24 is intermittently transported between the punches 17, 19, 21, and 23 and the corresponding dies 12, 13, 14, and 15, along the direction from the first rotor-core die 12 to the second stator-core die 15. The first rotor-core punch 17 is moved in the vertical direction while keeping the metal material 24 stationary, whereby the metal material 24 is punched so as to form an opening in a predetermined shape corresponding to the first rotor-core punch 17.
Upon the first rotor-core punch 17 reaching the uppermost position, the metal material 24 is moved by a predetermined distance along the direction from the first rotor-core die 12 to the second stator-core die 15. Following this movement, the portion of the metal material 24 where the opening has been formed in the predetermined shape by punching is positioned between the second rotor-core die 13 and the second rotor-core punch 19. Following positioning of the portion of the metal material 24, where the opening in the predetermined shape has been formed by punching, between the second rotor-core die 13 and the second rotor-core punch 19, the second rotor-core punch 19 is moved in the vertical direction, whereby the metal material 24 is punched so as to form a rotor-core layer sheet (not shown) generally in the shape of a circle.
Upon the second rotor-core punch 19 reaching the uppermost position, the metal material 24 is moved by a predetermined distance along the direction from the first rotor-core die 12 to the second stator-core die 15. Following this movement, the portion of the metal material 24 where the aforementioned rotor-core layer sheet has been formed by punching is positioned between the first stator-core die 14 and the first stator-core punch 21. Following positioning of the portion of the metal material 24, where the rotor-core layer sheet has been formed by punching, between the first stator-core die 14 and the first stator-core punch 21, the first stator-core punch 21 is moved in the vertical direction, whereby the metal material 24 is punched so as to form an opening in a predetermined shaped corresponding to the stator-core punch 21.
Upon the first stator-core punch 21 reaching the uppermost position, the metal material 24 is moved by a predetermined distance along the direction from the first rotor-core die 12 to the second stator-core die 15. Following this movement, the portion of the metal material 24 where the aforementioned opening has been formed in the predetermined shape by punching is positioned between the second stator-core die 15 and the second stator-core punch 23. Following positioning of the portion of the metal material 24, where the aforementioned opening has been formed in the predetermined shape by punching, between the second stator-core die 15 and the second stator-core punch 23, the second stator-core punch 23 is moved in the vertical direction, whereby the metal material 24 is punched so as to form a stator-core layer sheet 26 (shown in
Furthermore, with the aforementioned stator-core layer sheet 26, each of the portions (three portions in the exemplary embodiment) including the bolt insertion openings 262 are formed as a flange 26c protruding toward the outside along the radial direction. On the other hand, predetermined portions (six portions in the exemplary embodiment) on the outer circumference (outer perimeter) other than the flanges 26c serve as welding portions 26d. On the other hand, each pair of the teeth 26a adjacent one to another along the circumference direction forms a slot 26e. The aforementioned base 11, the second stator-core die 15, the punch holder 22, and the second stator-core punch 23, form a die machine 27 (shown in
As shown in
As shown in
An oil-hydraulic cylinder 31 is provided underneath the second stator-core punch 23. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the setting portions 305 and 306 formed on both ends of the support base 30 include a stacking jig 34 set thereon, each of which have a configuration shown in
That is to say, the aforementioned cylinder 37 serves as a first positioning member for supporting each stator-core layer sheet 26 thus punched out on the stacking jig 34, wherein the stator-core layer sheet 26 is positioned with the inner perimeter (center opening 261) extending in the horizontal direction, which determines the inner outline of the stator-core layer sheet 26, in contact with the cylinder 37, whereby the axis thereof is aligned. On the other hand, each of the aforementioned positioning rods 39 serve as a second positioning member for supporting each stator-core layer sheet 26 including the bolt insertion opening 262 thus formed by punching, wherein the stator-core layer sheet 26 is positioned with the perimeter of the bolt insertion opening 262 extending in the horizontal direction, which determines the shape of the bolt insertion opening 262, in contact with the positioning rod 39, whereby the rotational position thereof is aligned.
Furthermore, a hole 40 is formed through the center portion of the aforementioned disk 35 and the center portion of the cylinder 37. A recess 351 is formed on the lower face of the disk 35. Furthermore, a positioning notch 352 is formed on the perimeter of the recess 351 so as to communicate therewith. Either of the protrusions 312 and 322 of the oil-hydraulic cylinder 33 and 32 can be fit to the recess 351, and the protrusion 304 of the support base 30 can be fit to the positioning notch 352.
Next, description will be made regarding a method for manufacturing a stator core using the stacking jig 34. As shown in
The stacking jig 34 is positioned underneath the aforementioned die machine 27 along the punching direction, i.e., at the lower-side stacking position (position shown in
The stacking jig 34 moved to the stacking position S is inserted into the holding hole 112 and the insertion hole 111, and the disk 35 is pressed into contact with the step 113 as shown in
Following setting of the stacking jig 34 at the stacking position S, the second stator-core punch 23 is moved in the vertical direction, whereby the stator-core layer sheet 26 is punched out from the metal material 24.
As described above, the stator-core layer sheet 26 is stacked on the stacking jig 34 with the axis aligned by the aforementioned cylinder 37 and the rotational position aligned by the positioning rods 39. Subsequently, the stator-core layer sheet 26 punched out in the next punching step is held by the stacking jig 34 so as to be stacked on the stator-core layer sheet 26 punched out in the previous punching step. That is to say, the stator-core layer sheets 26 punched out is moved along the punching direction without change in direction of the movement, whereby a predetermined number of the stator-core layer sheets 26 are consecutively stacked on the stacking jig 34.
Upon completion of the processing wherein the predetermined number of the stator-core layer sheets 26 have been punched out, the stacking jig 34 holding the predetermined number of the stator-core layer sheets 26 stacked thereon is moved downward from the stacking position S to the waiting position T by the retraction stroke of the oil-hydraulic cylinder 31.
As shown in
As shown in
As described above, the preliminary stator core 41 is held by the oil-hydraulic cylinder 32 and the oil-hydraulic cylinder 33 at the welding position Y away from the stacking position along the punching direction, following which welding is performed for the perimeter of the preliminary stator core 41. Welding is performed while moving multiple welding tools 42 along the axial direction of the preliminary stator core 41, whereby the adjacent stator core layer sheets 26 are welded together at the welding portions 26d thereof. That is to say, the stacking jig 34 holding the predetermined number of the stator core layer sheets 26 stacked thereon is transported for the next step, i.e., the welding step, where the processing of the next step, i.e., welding, is performed for the preliminary stator core 41.
Following completion of welding for the preliminary stator core 41, the oil-hydraulic cylinders 32 and 33 are operated so as to be retracted, whereby the stator core formed by welding is released from being held by the oil-hydraulic cylinders 32 and 33. Subsequently, while the stator core is transported for the next step, a new stacking jig is set on the setting portion 305.
On the other hand, the stacking jig 34A set at the aforementioned waiting position T by 180° rotation of the aforementioned carrying device 28 is moved upward to the stacking position S within the aforementioned die machine 27 by extension action of the aforementioned oil-hydraulic cylinder 31 as shown in
The present exemplary embodiment has the following advantages. The preliminary stator core 41 is formed of the multiple stator-core layer sheets 26 stacked on the stacking jig 34 or 34A with the cylinder 37 preventing deviation of the axis of each stator-core layer sheet 26, and with the positioning rods 39 preventing deviation of the rotational position thereof. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment having such a configuration wherein each stator-core layer sheet 26 is stacked using the stacking jig 34 or 34A has the advantage that each stator-core layer sheets 26 is stacked without damage of the insulation coating while preventing deviation of the axis and deviation of the rotational position, unlike an arrangement disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-228461 having a problem of damage of the insulating coating, wherein the stator-core layer sheets 26 are stacked with the protrusions and recesses of the adjacent stator-core layer sheets 26 fit one to another.
The adjacent stator-core layer sheets 26 are stacked without deviation of the axes thereof and deviation of the rotational positions thereof under the conditions wherein the adjacent stator-core layer sheets 26 are stacked with the center openings 261 thereof matching one another, and with the bolt-insertion openings 262 matching one another. Each of the stacking jigs 34 and 34A include the cylinder 37 for aligning the axis, and the positioning rods 39 for aligning the rotational position, wherein the cylinder 37 and the positioning rods 39 are provided so as to extend along the punching direction for punching out the stator-core layer sheet 26. This configuration allows each stator-core layer sheet 26 to be stacked on the stacking jig 34 or 34A without deviation of the axis thereof and deviation of the rotational position thereof. Thus, the stacking jigs 34 and 34A each of which include the cylinder (first positioning member) 39 for aligning the axis using the center opening 261 of the stator-core layer sheet 26, and the positioning rods (second positioning members) 39 for aligning the rotational position using the bolt insertion openings 262, are suitably employed as a stacking jig for holding the stator-core layer sheets 26 with the axes thereof aligned with each other, and with the rotational positions matching one another.
The preliminary stator core 41 is held at the welding position Y between the oil-hydraulic cylinder 32 and the oil-hydraulic cylinder 33 by the press member 332 being pressed contact with the upper face of the preliminary stator core 41. In the aforementioned holding state, the preliminary stator core 41 is set without positional deviation, thereby allowing precise welding for the preliminary stator core 41 at predetermined portions (welding portions 26d of each stator-core layer sheet 26).
In some cases, formation of an opening in a predetermined shape of the stator-core layer sheet 26 by punching actions of the first stator-core die 14 and the first stator-core punch 21 leads to a problem of burring. Such burrs may leads to a problem that the preliminary stator core 41 is formed with greater thickness in the stacking direction than predetermined. With the present exemplary embodiment, the press member 332 is pressed into contact with the upper face of the preliminary stator core 41, thereby correcting the thickness of the preliminary stator core 41 in the stacking direction to the predetermined thickness. Thus, the oil-hydraulic cylinder 33 including the press member 332 for pressing the upper face of the preliminary stator core 41 is suitably employed as a means for correcting the thickness of the preliminary stator core 41 in the stacking direction to the predetermined thickness.
The carrying device 28 including the support shaft 29 and the support base 30 for switching the turning position in units of half-turns is suitably employed as a means for switching from the stacking jig 34 holding the preliminary stator core 41 to the new stacking jig 34A.
The stacking jig 34 holding a predetermined number of stator-core layer sheets 26 stacked thereon at the stacking position S is moved downward to the waiting position T by the retraction stroke of the oil-hydraulic cylinder 31. That is to say, the stacking jig 34 is set on the setting portion 306 which is one of the setting portions of the support base 30. The stacking jig 34 (preliminary stator core 41) set on the setting portion 306 is moved to the welding position Y by the support base 30 being turned with the support shaft 29 as the center by 180°, following which the preliminary stator core 41 is subjected to welding with the welding tools 42. On the other hand, at the same time of welding for the preliminary stator core 41 held by the aforementioned stacking jig 34, the stacking jig 34A set on the other setting portion 306 of the support base 30 is moved to the waiting position T. Then, the stacking jig 34A is moved upward to the stacking position S by the extension stroke of the aforementioned oil-hydraulic cylinder 31, following which the stator-core layer sheets 26 is stacked thereon. This configuration allows the step of stacking the stator-core layer sheets 26 on the stacking jig (e.g., the stacking jig 34A) and the step for welding for the preliminary stator core 41 held by the stacking jig (e.g., the stacking jig 34) at the same time, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency for the stator core.
Each stator-core layer sheet 26 is stacked on the stacking jig 34 with the cylinder 37 of the stacking jig 34 in contact with the perimeter of the center opening 261 extending in the horizontal direction, and with the positioning rods 39 in contact with the perimeter of the bolt insertion openings 262 extending in the horizontal direction. Note that the stacking jig 34 can be set at the stacking position S within the die machine 27. This configuration allows each stator-core layer sheet 26 punched out by the second stator-core punch 23 to be stacked on the stacking jig 34 with small movement. That is to say, the second stator-core punch 23 punches out the stator-core layer sheet 26 with a short stroke length. This allows the second stator-core punch 23 to punch out each stator-core layer sheet 26 within a short period of time, thereby further improving manufacturing efficiency for the stator core.
Other modifications and arrangements consistent with the present invention may be made.
Description has been made regarding an arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment wherein each of the stacking jigs 34 and 34A include the cylinder 37 formed in generally the same outline shape as with the center opening 261, which serves as the first positioning member for aligning the axis of the stator-core layer sheet 26. In the same way, each of the stacking jigs 34 and 34A include the three positioning rods 39 formed in generally the same outline shape as with the bolt insertion openings 262, which serve as the second positioning members for aligning the rotational position of the stator-core layer sheet 26. With the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the first positioning member and the second positioning member may be made.
As described above, description has been made regarding an arrangement consistent with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the stator-core layer sheet 26 is set with the axis aligned by the cylinder 37 and with the rotational position aligned by the three positioning rods 39. Furthermore, an arrangement may be made wherein auxiliary positioning members are provided so as to extend along the punching direction for being engaged along the horizontal direction with the outer perimeter forming the outline shape of the stator-core layer sheet 26 as described in the following modifications, as well as the cylinder 37 for aligning the axis thereof, and the positioning rods 39 for aligning the rotational position thereof. Note that
With the aforementioned modifications having such configurations, the stacking jig 34 holds the stator-core layer sheets 26 which have been moved along the aforementioned punching direction with the aligned axes thereof and aligned rotational positions in a surer manner. Note that each of the stacking jig 34 shown in the aforementioned second modification through twentieth modification may include one set of the auxiliary positioning members 50A through 50F shown in the aforementioned twenty-first modification through twenty-sixth modification. Furthermore, the stacking jig 34 may include only one set of the auxiliary positioning members 50A through 50F for aligning the axes of the stator-core layer sheets 26.
With an arrangement employing the stacking jig 34 including one set of the aforementioned auxiliary positioning members 50A through 50F, the arrangement includes grooves 60 formed on the inner face of the insertion hole 111 which allows insertion of the auxiliary positioning members (e.g., the auxiliary positioning members 50E), as shown in
Furthermore, an arrangement may be made wherein a turn table is set on the tip of the rod 311 of the oil-hydraulic cylinder 31, the stacking jig 34 is set on the turn table, and the stacking jig 34 is moved in the vertical direction between the waiting position T and the stacking position S. In this case, an arrangement may be made wherein following stacking of ⅓ of the predetermined number of the stator-core layer sheets 26 on the stacking jig 34, the turn table is turned by ⅓ revolution, for example. In this case, following further stacking of ⅓ of the predetermined number of the stator-core layer sheets 26 on the stacking jig 34, the turn table is further turned by ⅓ revolution, and so on in the same way, for example. This configuration allows the stator-core layer sheets 26 to be stacked while compensating deviation of the thickness of the single preliminary stator core 41 due to deviation of the thickness of the metal material 24.
In this case, an arrangement may be made wherein the perimeter of the turn table is formed as a gear portion. With such a configuration, upon the stacking jig 34 being set on the stacking position S, a driving gear meshes with the aforementioned gear portion. In this case, a driving motor is provided around the base 11 for driving the driving gear.
Alternatively, an arrangement may be made wherein the gear portion of the turn table meshes with the driving gear beforehand, and the driving motor is set on the rod 311 of the oil-hydraulic cylinder 31.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a manufacturing method for the rotor core.
The aforementioned stacking jig 34 consistent with the present exemplary embodiment may include a slidable support member 80 formed generally in the shape of a ring which is to be slidable fit to the cylinder 37 along the axial direction as shown in
On the other hand, multiple (nine in
Upon stacking the stator-core layer sheet 26 punched out by the die machine 27 (second stator-core punch 23) on the aforementioned slidable support member 80, the slidable support member 80 is pressed downward by the punch 23 of the die machine 27 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the single stator-core layer sheet 26 through the stator-core layer sheet 26 thus punched out. Then, the engaging balls 82 fit to the aforementioned notches 90 come out from the corresponding notches 90, and accordingly, the aforementioned slidable support member 80 is moved downward along the axial direction of the cylinder 37.
The slidable support member 80 includes the aforementioned oil seal 83. Accordingly, following the slidable support member 80 moving downward by the thickness of the single stator-core layer sheet 26, the slidable support member 80 is kept stationary by friction between the outer circumference of the cylinder 37 and the oil seal 83. Subsequently, upon the next stator-core layer sheet 26 punched out by the die machine 27 being moved downward by pressing action of the punch 23, the slidable support member 80 is further moved down by the thickness of the single stator-core layer sheet 26. In the same way, the slidable support member 80 is moved down by the thickness of the single stator-core layer sheet 26 for each action wherein the stator-core layer sheet 26 is punched out by the die machine 27.
The invention has now been explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art out in light of this disclosure. The scope of the invention should not be thought of as being limited by the exemplary embodiment; rather the appended claims should be consulted.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2003-431655 | Dec 2003 | JP | national |
2003-318111 | Sep 2003 | JP | national |