Patent Application
20220042638
The present invention relates to joining element feeding units with a connector coupling, wherein the connector coupling makes it possible to connect/disconnect two parts of the feeding unit without joining elements being able to come out in the disconnected state. The present invention also relates to methods for connecting/disconnecting parts of a feeding unit according to the invention by means of the connector coupling.
It is common to install small parts using industrial robots. For example, in automobile production, grounding studs or fastening studs are installed in a vehicle body shell by means of stud welding. For this, the weld studs are guided from a stud sorting machine by means of compressed air via feed hoses to a stud welding device. The stud welding device is usually fastened to an industrial robot. As the industrial robot operates in a freely movable manner in space and the stud sorting machine is arranged outside the range of movement of the industrial robot, the studs have to be guided from the stud sorting machine to the stud welding device via long, movable feed hoses. Feed lengths of several meters are not uncommon. For this, the feed hoses have to be connected to the stud sorting machine and the stud welding device. Moreover, several hoses are often to be connected to each other via so-called connector couplings or feed hose disconnection points. Because of the mobility of the industrial robot and the compressed air transport of the studs inside the feed hoses, the latter are at risk of cracking.
In the case of damage to a feed hose it must be replaced. In order to prevent the studs from shooting out when the feed hoses are disconnected from each other or a feed hose is disconnected from the stud sorting machine or from the stud welding device, to date feed hose disconnection points have been used, which are monitored by electrical safety switches. When the feed hoses are inserted at the feed hose disconnection point, studs can be conveyed as the electrical safety switches are closed as a result. If a feed hose is disconnected from the disconnection point, the electrical safety switch is opened. The feeding of the studs is thereby electrically and/or pneumatically interrupted.
An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified arrangement in which weld studs or other joining elements being delivered to an installation machine or robot are mechanically prevented from coming out of a disconnected feed hose and the disconnection of the feed hose can be made easier.
In particular, the present invention provides a joining element feeding unit with a connector coupling which has a connector plug and a connector socket. By pushing the connector plug into the connector socket they can be transferred reversibly from a disconnected state into a state in which they are connected to each other. The connector plug is penetrated by a cylindrical recess (passage) formed along the cylinder axis ZS. The connector socket is likewise penetrated by a cylindrical recess (passage) formed along the cylinder axis ZB. In the connected state, the axes ZS and ZB are aligned with each other along an alignment axis ZF and the cylindrical passages are connected to each other. The connector plug has a plug-in element with a radial widening. The connector socket has a push-in opening for the plug-in element, a locking element, and a latching element.
The locking element is designed in such a way that, in the disconnected state, it is in a locked position, in which the cylindrical passage of the connector socket is at least partially blocked by the locking element and thus is not passable for joining elements. Furthermore, the locking element is designed in such a way that, in the connected state, it is in an open position, in which the cylindrical passage is passable for joining elements. The push-in opening is designed in such a way that the plug-in element can be pushed from a push-in direction, in which the axes ZS and ZB are not aligned with each other, into an inserted position in the connector socket. Furthermore, the push-in opening is designed in such a way that, after the pushing-in, connector plug and connector socket can be transferred into the connected state through a latching movement. The locking element can be transferred out of the locked position into the open position through the latching movement. Furthermore, the latching element engages behind the radial widening through the latching movement in order to prevent the disconnection of connector plug and connector socket in the opposite direction along the axis ZF, that is, to prevent the separation of the connector plug and connector socket along the axis ZF.
Examples according to the invention of joining elements are studs, in particular weld studs, bolts, nuts, balls, nails, rivets or the like, wherein studs, in particular weld studs, are preferred. In an embodiment of the feeding units according to the invention it is preferred for these to be selected from the group which consists of studs, in particular weld studs, bolts, nuts, balls, nails and rivets, wherein studs, in particular weld studs, are preferred.
A joining element feeding unit includes at least two parts, which are connected to each other via the connector coupling. According to the invention, these include feed hoses, in which joining elements can preferably be transported by compressed air. According to the invention, however, these also include joining element sorting machines or joining element conveyors and a joining element installation device such as a welding device, for example a welding head. The joining element sorting machine includes the joining elements and transports them via one or more feed hoses to the joining element installation device. At the joining element sorting machine/feed hose, feed hose/feed hose and feed hose/installation device junctions, connector couplings according to the invention can be used to connect these parts of the feeding unit. It is preferred for a connector socket of the connector coupling according to the invention to sit at the joining element sorting machine and for a connector plug to sit at the welding device. These can be connected to each other via one or more feed hoses, which have a connector socket on one side and a connector plug on the other side. The feed hoses may have an inner hose which is surrounded by a protective hose, i.e. they preferably have a 2-part design. The joining elements are transported in the inner hose; the protective hose serves as additional security against joining elements coming out if the inner hose is damaged.
By the term “reversible” in connection with the pushing of the connector plug into the connector socket it is meant that connector plug and connector socket can be placed in a connected state and a disconnected state as often as desired.
By the expression “penetrated by a cylindrical passage formed along the cylinder axis ZS/ZB” it is meant that connector plug and connector socket are designed in such a way that the cylindrical passage, in the connected state, makes it possible for the joining elements to pass through connector plug and/or connector socket.
The expression “in the connected state, the axes ZS and ZB are aligned with each other along an alignment axis ZF” is to include, on the one hand, that the corresponding axes lie in the center of the direction of extension of the passages and, on the other hand, that they are identical.
By the expression “the cylindrical passages are connected to each other”, it is to be explained that the cylindrical passages of the connector plug and of the connector socket adjoin each other in the connected state in such a way that it is made possible for the joining elements to pass through the connector coupling.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the connector plug and the connector socket preferably each have, at one end, a connecting element for the feeding units for joining elements. These connecting elements are preferably located at the opposite ends from the push-in opening of the connector socket and of the plug-in element of the connector plug. These connecting elements are preferably designed hollow-cylindrical, with the result that, for example, a feeding unit part comprising a feed hose can be fitted onto or inserted into the connecting elements and then connected thereto using a fastening element such as a suitable hose clamp. It is preferred for the inner hose of the feed hose to be inserted into a cavity of the connecting element and for the protective hose to be fitted onto the outside of the hollow cylinder.
Because connector plug and connector socket typically have cylindrical passages inside them for transporting the joining elements, connector plug and connector socket are preferably designed as elements running radially around the cylindrical passages.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the plug-in element is preferably a plug nipple, the radial widening of which is a radial ridge, which can be a circumferential radial ridge or a radial ridge which is interrupted at one or more points about the circumference. The diameter of the plug nipple is preferably smaller than the diameter of the part of the connector plug adjoining it. Thus, the connector plug preferably has a stop comprising a stop surface at the end lying opposite the outer end of the plug nipple, the stop preventing the connector plug from being pushed into the push-in opening of the connector socket beyond the plug nipple.
The push-in opening of the connector socket is designed according to the invention in such a way that the plug-in element can be pushed into the push-in opening from a push-in direction in which the axes ZS and ZB are not aligned with each other. According to the invention this includes several possible ways in which the connector plug can be connected to the connector socket. In one embodiment, the push-in opening can be designed in such a way that the plug-in element can be pushed from a push-in direction, in which the axes ZS and ZB are aligned parallel to each other during the pushing-in, into the push-in opening. According to a preferred embodiment, however, the push-in opening is designed in such a way that the plug-in element, which preferably has a stop, can be pushed into the push-in opening from a push-in direction in which the axes ZS and ZB are inclined relative to each other, i.e. do not run parallel to each other, into the push-in opening. In the first-mentioned case, the latching movement for the transfer into the connected state takes place at the moment at which the parallel axes ZS and ZB transition into their aligned position. In the more preferred variant, the axes ZS and ZB that are inclined relative to each other are transferred into their aligned position at the moment of the latching movement. In this latter embodiment it is preferred for the push-in opening to be designed such that, during the latching movement, the axes ZS and ZB are inclined relative to each other at an angle in the range of from 30° to 60°.
According to the invention, the locking element is designed in such a way that on the one hand, when the connector plug and connector socket are in the disconnected state, it is in a locked position, in which the cylindrical passage of the connector socket is not passable for joining elements, and that on the other hand, in the connected state, it is in an open position, in which the cylindrical passage is passable for joining elements. By “passable” is herein meant that the locking element does not block the cylindrical passage of the connector socket, with the result that the cylindrical passage is designed in such a way that joining elements can pass through the connector socket from one end to the other end. By “not passable” is herein meant that the locking element blocks the cylindrical passage in such a way that joining elements cannot pass through the connector socket from one end to the other end. The locking element is preferably located on the side of the connector socket on which the push-in opening for the plug-in element is arranged. The locking element preferably adjoins the push-in opening and is preferably partially enclosed by the wall surrounding the cylindrical passage.
The locking element can be designed spherical, cylindrical or stud-shaped.
If the locking element is designed spherical or cylindrical, the sphere or the cylinder preferably has a continuous hole. The continuous hole preferably has a receiving opening for receiving the plug-in element of the connector plug on one side. In the connected state of the connector coupling according to the invention, at least a portion of the hole may serve as a passage for the joining elements. In the connected state of the connector coupling according to the invention, the axis of the hole is preferably aligned with the alignment axis ZF, i.e. the hole of the locking element is located in a concentric position relative to the alignment axis ZF. In the disconnected state of the connector coupling used according to the invention, the axis of the hole is preferably arranged eccentric relative to the alignment axis ZF, for example in that the spherical or cylindrical locking element is turned such that the axis of the hole is inclined relative to the alignment axis ZF. In this case it is preferred for the latching movement to take place in such a way that the axes ZS and ZB initially inclined relative to each other are transferred into their aligned position, as is described further above as a possible embodiment for the latching movement. As described further above, it is in particular preferred here for the push-in opening to be designed such that, during the latching movement, the axes ZS and ZB are inclined relative to each other at an angle in the range of from 30° to 60°. In this way it is guaranteed that—in particular in the case of a spherical locking element—although the cylindrical passage can prevent joining elements from passing through, the cylindrical passage is not completely blocked. This has the advantage that compressed air can further escape from the connector socket. In this way an undesired pressure build-up in the feeding units can be avoided. In other words, the hole of the locking element is designed such that, in the locked position at an angle of inclination of the axis of the hole to the axis ZB in the range of from 30° to 60°, compressed air can escape from the push-in opening.
If the locking element is designed stud-shaped, the stud is located in the cylindrical passage of the connector socket in the disconnected state of the connector coupling according to the invention. In the connected state of the connector coupling according to the invention, the stud preferably does not obstruct the cylindrical passage of the connector socket. The stud is preferably pushed away during the latching movement in such a way that the cylindrical passage extends from one end of the connector socket to the other. If the locking element is stud-shaped, both variants of the latching movement mentioned further above are conceivable according to the invention.
As the transition from a disconnected state to a connected state of connector plug and connector socket is reversible, the connector plug can be disconnected from the connector socket again. Here, the pushing of the connector plug into the connector socket required for the connection and the subsequent latching movement are carried out in the reverse order, called “pulling out” and “unlatching” or “unlatching movement” in the following. During the transition from the connected state to the disconnected state, an unlatching movement of the connector plug is thus carried out first, in which the axis ZS is brought out of the alignment axis ZF. The locking element is designed such that it takes up the locked position during the unlatching movement. Joining elements are thereby prevented from coming out of the connector socket.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the connector socket has a force element, which provides a biasing force to the locking element such that the locking element takes up the locked position during the transition from the connected state to the disconnected state of the connector coupling according to the invention. This is preferably brought about by the previously mentioned unlatching movement. Here, the force element is preferably designed in such a way that the locking element is compression-loaded in the open position. The locking element thereby transitions from the open position into the locked position during the transition from the connected state to the disconnected state. During the connection of the connector plug to the connector socket through the latching movement, a force must be applied in order to bring the locking element from the locked position into the open position. This force to be applied is so great that an operating person is not capable of bringing the locking element from the locked position into the open position with their bare hands. Injuries caused by joining elements shooting out can thereby be avoided. The force element can be a spring or an elastic material, for example a rubber.
The latching element of the connector socket is preferably an element which engages behind the radial widening in the connected state of the connector coupling according to the invention. The latching element can be formed as a partially ring-shaped element, the imaginary center of the circle of which runs around the axis ZB. It is preferably located at the end of the connector socket at which the push-in opening is arranged, preferably such that the ring shape of this element is interrupted by the push-in opening. At the furthest end the latching element preferably has a thickening which runs radially and in the direction of the imaginary center of the circle. In this way, this thickening can engage behind the radial widening of the plug-in element, in order to prevent the disconnection of connector plug and connector socket in the opposite direction along the axis ZF.
The connector plug can furthermore have a sliding element, which is designed in such a way that only by moving the sliding element can the plug-in element be introduced into the push-in opening. Furthermore, the sliding element is preferably designed in such a way that it can be moved out of a covering position into an open position. In the covering position the sliding element prevents the unlatching movement from being carried out. For this, it must first be brought out of the covering position into the open position. In other words, the sliding element is designed in such a way that the unlatching movement cannot be carried out until the sliding element has been moved, for example out of the covering position into the open position. The sliding element is preferably designed such that it surrounds the connector plug in a ring-like manner. In order to move it out of the covering position into the open position, it is preferably moved along the axis ZS. The sliding element is preferably designed in such a way that a force must be applied in order to move it out of the covering position into the open position. For this purpose, springs can for example be used, which are preferably correspondingly arranged between the sliding element and the part bordering the cylindrical passage of the connector plug.
The connector coupling according to the invention has particular application in connecting feeding units for joining elements in a welding system which preferably has a joining element sorting machine, feeding units and a welding head.
In a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method for connecting/disconnecting parts of a feeding unit according to the invention for joining elements by means of the named connector coupling. The method comprises the following steps (a) and (b), or (a′) and (130, or (a), (b), (a′) and (130:
All features structurally and functionally defining the connector coupling according to the invention are preferably also features of the method according to the invention.
These and other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of representative embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings.
As used herein, whether in the above description or the following claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, that is, to mean including but not limited to. Also, it should be understood that the terms “about,” “substantially,” and like terms used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.
Any use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the following claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another, or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Rather, unless specifically stated otherwise, such ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term).
In the above descriptions and the following claims, terms such as top, bottom, upper, lower, vertical, and the like with reference to a given feature are made with reference to the orientation of the structures shown in the drawings and are not intended to exclude other orientations of the structures.
The term “each” may be used in the following claims for convenience in describing characteristics or features of multiple elements, and any such use of the term “each” is in the inclusive sense unless specifically stated otherwise. For example, if a claim defines two or more elements as “each” having a characteristic or feature, the use of the term “each” is not intended to exclude from the claim scope a situation having a third one of the elements which does not have the defined characteristic or feature.
The above-described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in some instances, one or more features disclosed in connection with one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. More generally, the various features described herein may be used in any working combination.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2018 119 089.1 | Aug 2018 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE2019/100707 | 8/2/2019 | WO | 00 |
