EP2316783B1 - Device and method for conveying springs - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transferring springs to a spring conveyor. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for transferring springs to a spring conveyor which can be used in a machine for producing a spring coil, in particular a pocket spring snake, or a machine for producing a spring core or a pocket spring core to springs to convict a spring conveyor. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method by which springs can be transferred from a spring former to a spring conveyor.

For the production of spring cores or pocket spring cores machines or machines are used, with which a high degree of automation in the production of spring rows, pocket spring snakes, spring cores or pocket spring cores can be achieved. Such machines or machines may include a spring former for making springs and a plurality of these downstream stations, in which the springs, for example, selectively rotated, arranged in rows, dipped and / or can be joined together to form a spring core or pocket spring core. The number and mode of operation of the downstream of the spring former stations may be different depending on the operation of the respective machine or the respective machine. The springs are transported in the machine or in the machine with a conveyor or with a plurality of conveyors, which is referred to as spring conveyor, from the spring former to the stations of the machine or the machine.

Machines or machines for producing spring rows, pocket spring coils, spring cores or pocket spring cores often have a device with which a spring can be transferred to a spring conveyor. Such a device may for example be provided to transfer springs from a spring former to a conveyor belt or a pair of conveyor belts, with which or with which the springs are further promoted by the machine or the machine. Conventional devices for transferring the springs are common designed such that one element or a pair of elements engages the spring and transferred to the spring conveyor, wherein the element or the pair of elements after the transfer of the spring to the spring conveyor must be moved back to an initial position before another in a new cycle Spring can be transferred to the spring conveyor. The return of the element or pair of elements to its home position prolongs the duration of each cycle and can limit the power stroke of the machine or machine in which the springs are being conveyed. Conventional devices for transferring springs are also often designed such that the spring conveyor is driven clocked, as for example for in the US 5,950,473 described conveyor is the case. Timed operation requires, for a given number of springs to be transported per time, that a sufficiently strong and correspondingly expensive drive be provided to ensure the required acceleration and deceleration of the conveyor.

From the WO 00/47348 A1 a device is known for rotating and positioning springs produced on a spring coiling machine, in which insertion means engage in end turns of springs to transfer them to a transport means, for example a pair of endless belts, with which the springs are transferred to a spring core assembly plant , The insertion means are pivoted back to a starting position before the start of a new work cycle.

From the EP 1 492 637 B1 For example, a device for aligning springs is known, which may have a plurality of turntable pairs, which may be provided in a pair of hubs. A spring is transferred from a transport star of a spring coiling machine to a spring conveyor, wherein the spring is clamped during transfer between one of the turntable pairs. The spring is output at a predetermined position from the turntable pair.

The US Pat. No. 4,653,185 A , which serves as a basis for the preamble of claim 1, describes a device for automatically mounting springs. A robotic arm with a gripping hand inserts the springs into a seat frame to form a support for a support.

There is a need for an improved apparatus and method for transferring springs to a spring conveyor. In particular, there is a need for such a device and method that allows springs to be transferred at a higher rate. There is still a need for such a device and method that allows springs to be transferred to a spring conveyor which is continuously moved.

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus and a method as defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous or preferred embodiments.

The device and the method make it possible to transfer springs to a spring conveyor. A spring conveyor is understood to mean a device with which one or more springs can or can be transported. The spring conveyor may for example comprise separate elements for receiving one or more springs, a conveyor belt or a plurality of conveyor belts, a transport wheel or the like.

According to one aspect, there is provided a device for transferring springs to a spring conveyor, in particular for a machine for producing a pocket spring coil, comprising a transfer device and an output device. The transfer device is movable between a plurality of positions in which the transfer device is arranged in each case for receiving a spring. The transfer means is arranged to transport a picked-up spring when the transfer means is moved between two positions of the plurality of positions. The dispenser is configured to selectively dispense the spring received by the transfer device at one of a plurality of dispensing positions from the transfer device, wherein the plurality of dispensing positions are pairwise different from one another. The dispensing positions may in particular be spaced apart in pairs.

Since the transfer device of the apparatus is arranged to be arranged in the plurality of positions each for receiving a spring, the different positions of the plurality of positions can each serve as a starting position for a new working cycle. In particular, since the picked-up spring can be dispensed from the transfer device at one of a plurality of different dispensing positions, the position in which a spring is dispensed from the transfer device can simultaneously serve as the starting position of a new work cycle in which another spring is picked up by the transfer device , In this way, a separate return step of the transfer device between the end position of a cycle can be omitted in an initial position of a subsequent cycle. The device is thus particularly suitable for transferring springs to a continuously moving spring conveyor.

The transfer device may be configured to selectively transport the picked-up spring in a first direction or in a different second direction, in particular in a second direction opposite to the first direction. This embodiment allows the transfer device to be alternately reciprocated in opposite directions between the positions, in particular between a first position and a second position. The spring may be transported in the first direction or in the second direction depending on the position of the plurality of positions it has been picked up by the transfer device before it is output from the transfer device.

The device may be configured such that the transfer device is movable between positions of the plurality of positions substantially parallel or substantially antiparallel to a direction of movement of the spring conveyor. In this way, springs can be transferred to the delivery conveyor at different delivery positions over a short distance.

The device may be configured such that each dispensing position of the plurality of dispensing positions is associated with a position of the transfer device in which the spring dispensed at the corresponding dispensing position has been received by the transfer device. This allows the transfer device to sequentially receive a plurality of springs to be transferred to the spring conveyor in the plurality of positions that can be dispensed in a well-defined manner at a dispensing position associated with the respective pickup position. Thus, for example, a desired equidistant arrangement of springs on the spring conveyor can be achieved in a simple manner.

The device is set up such that the dispensing device outputs the spring received by the transfer device overlapping in time with the picking up of a further spring by the transfer device. For this purpose, a controller coupled to the output device can be provided, which controls the output device depending on the position assumed by the transfer device such that the spring received by the transfer device is output from the transfer device while a new spring is received. By temporally overlapping the output of a spring and the inclusion of another spring, the rate at which springs can be transferred, can be further shortened.

The apparatus may be configured such that the transfer means has a first position and a second position and is arranged to output a spring in each of the first position and the second position and to receive a further spring. The transfer device can be moved alternately between the first and the second position. A spring received in the first position by the transfer means may be dispensed from the transfer means at a first delivery position from the transfer means when the transfer means is in the second position. While the transfer device is in the second position, the transfer device may receive a second spring. The second spring received in the second position by the transfer device can be output from the transfer device at a second delivery position from the transfer device when the transfer device is again in the first position.

The device may comprise holding means for positively supporting the spring received by the transfer device. The holding means make it possible to hold the spring on movement of the transport device between positions of the plurality of positions on the transfer device. In addition, retaining means which positively retain the spring can also serve to suppress vibrations of the spring when the spring is received in the transfer device, in particular when the spring is formed in the transfer device. The holding means may be configured such that a resultant force exerted on the spring by the holding means is directed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spring.

In a further embodiment, the device may comprise holding means for frictionally holding the spring received by the transfer device.

The holding means may be controllable to release the spring received by the transfer means depending on a position occupied by the transfer means of the plurality of positions. In particular, the holding means may be arranged to release a spring received by the transfer means in a first position when the transfer means is in the second position. The holding means may be arranged to release another spring received by the transfer means in the second position when the transfer means is in the first position. This configuration makes it possible for the transfer device supported spring during a movement of the transfer device to support the transfer device and selectively release at one of a plurality of issue positions.

The transfer means may comprise a cavity for receiving the spring, wherein the holding means comprise a relative to the cavity movable wall portion of the cavity. The holding means may in particular comprise a bottom portion of the cavity movably mounted relative to the transfer means. In this way, with a simple construction, a positive support of the received spring can be achieved, which can be brought into abutment with the bottom portion. The cavity may be defined by at least one pair of walls between which the cavity extends. The pair of walls may be spaced from one another, or the walls may be angled toward one another. In one embodiment, the retaining means may comprise a trap door mechanism allowing passage of the spring received by the transfer means at one of the plurality of dispensing positions.

The transfer device can also have a plurality of cavities, wherein a spring can be received in each of the cavities. The number of cavities may correspond to the number of positions of the transfer device.

The apparatus may be arranged to supply a transfer molded spring to the transfer means.

The device may be configured such that the spring is formed in a cavity of the transfer device. For this purpose, the device may comprise a spring-winding device, which is arranged and arranged relative to the transfer device such that it winds a spring to be received by the transfer device in a cavity of the transfer device. In particular, the spring-winder device may comprise a wind-head, which is arranged in each of the plurality of positions of the transfer device in a cavity of a plurality of cavities of the transfer device.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a machine for producing at least one spring coil for a spring core, comprising a spring conveyor for conveying springs and a device for transferring the springs to the spring conveyor wherein the device for transferring the springs is designed as a device according to one aspect or exemplary embodiment. In such a device, the use of the spring transfer device allows the springs to be transferred at a high rate to the spring conveyor. The device makes it possible to transfer the springs to a continuously moving spring conveyor.

The machine can be configured as a machine for producing a pocket spring snake. The machine may accordingly comprise a single-pocket insertion device, to which the springs are transported by the spring conveyor.

The spring conveyor may be configured as a cooling wheel in which the springs cool after heat treatment of the wire from which the springs are formed or after heat treatment of the springs before being doused.

With the machine, the spring conveyor can move continuously. As a result, the required accelerations and thus forces can be reduced compared to a clocked movement. Accordingly, the requirements of the spring conveyor can be reduced, so that a longer life of the components can be achieved and / or cheaper components can be used for the spring conveyor.

In one aspect, there is provided a method of transferring springs to a spring conveyor, particularly for a machine for making a pocket spring coil. In the method, a spring to be transferred is received by a transfer means positionable in a plurality of positions, the transfer means is moved to transport the spring to be transferred, and the spring to be transferred is discharged from the transfer means. At this time, the spring to be transferred is selectively output from the transfer means at one of a plurality of discharge positions, the plurality of discharge positions being different from each other in pairs. The dispensing positions may in particular be spaced apart in pairs.

In this method, since the picked-up spring can be output from the output device at one of a plurality of different discharge positions from the transfer device, the position of the transfer device in which a spring is output from the transfer device, at the same time serve as an initial position of a new duty cycle, in which a further spring is received by the transfer device.

The spring to be transferred can be transported in a first direction or in a different second direction, in particular in a second direction opposite to the first direction, depending on a position of the transfer device in which the spring to be transferred has been picked up by the transfer device.

The spring to be transferred is output by the transfer device overlapping in time with the reception of a further spring to be transferred by the transfer device. In this way, a rate at which springs can be transferred can be further increased.

The transfer device can be moved sequentially in opposite directions for transporting the spring to be transferred and the other spring to be transferred.

The spring to be transferred can be positively supported on the transfer device while the transfer device is being moved. Holding means for positively supporting the spring to be transferred can be provided, which already support the spring to be transferred while it is being shaped.

For an explanation of the effects of the advantageous or preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the effects of the corresponding embodiments of the device according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for transferring springs to a spring conveyor, in particular for a machine for producing a pocket spring coil, comprising a transfer device and holding means. The transfer device is adapted to receive a spring and movable between a plurality of positions. The transfer means is arranged to transport a picked-up spring when the transfer means is moved between two positions of the plurality of positions. The holding means are adapted to the spring received by the transfer device support positively while the transfer device is moved between two positions of the plurality of positions. The holding means may further be arranged to allow the spring taken up by the transfer means to be dispensed from the transfer means when the transfer means has reached a desired position. The holding means may be arranged so that a force exerted by the holding means on the spring is directed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spring.

The holding means may comprise a relative to a defined by the transfer device cavity movably mounted wall portion of the cavity. In particular, the holding means may comprise a trap door mechanism which is selectively opened when the spring received by the transfer means is to be dispensed from the transfer means.

The apparatus and methods according to various embodiments of the invention can be generally used to transfer springs to a spring conveyor. An exemplary field of application is the transfer of springs from a wind head of a spring coiling machine to a spring conveyor. Another field of application is the transfer of springs in a machine for making pocket spring snakes. However, the devices and methods are not limited to these fields of application.

• Fig. 1 ist eine schematische Darstellung einer Maschine zum Herstellen einer Taschenfederschlange nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• Fig. 2A-2F sind schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Überführen von Federn nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten während des Betriebs der Vorrichtung.
• Fig. 3A-3D sind schematische Darstellungen einer Vorrichtung zum Überführen von Federn nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten während des Betriebs der Vorrichtung, und Fig. 3E ist eine schematische Darstellung zur Erläuterung der Funktionsweise.
• Fig. 4 ist eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Überführen von Federn nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.
• Fig. 5 ist eine schematische Draufsicht der Vorrichtung von Fig. 4.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a machine for producing a pocket spring snake according to an embodiment.
• Fig. 2A-2F are schematic representation of an apparatus for transferring springs according to an embodiment at different times during operation of the device.
• Fig. 3A-3D FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a device for transferring springs according to an embodiment at different times during operation of the device; and FIG Fig. 3E is a schematic representation for explaining the operation.
• Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a device for transferring springs according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the device of Fig. 4 ,

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention are explained in detail. The features of the various embodiments may be combined with each other unless expressly excluded in the following description. Although individual embodiments are described with respect to specific applications, for example, in the context of a pocket coil forming machine, the present invention is not limited to these applications.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a machine 1 for producing a pocket spring snake according to an embodiment. The machine 1 comprises a spring-winding device with a wind head 2, a device 3 for transferring the springs from the wind head 2 to a spring conveyor, designed as a transport wheel 4 spring conveyor with a drive 6 and a device for embedding the springs, which on a frame 28 of Machine are attached. During operation of the device, springs formed by the wind head 2 of the spring-winding device are transferred from the device 3, which will be described in more detail below, to the transport wheel 4. The transport wheel 4 has a plurality of receptacles 5, in each of which a spring 21 can be received. The drive 6 drives the transport wheel 4 continuously in a direction 27. The direction 27 is chosen so that the springs cool during transport from the wind head 2 to the device for embedding the springs, so that the transport wheel 4 acts as a cooling wheel, in which cool the springs after a heat treatment and before the pockets of the springs. In this case, for example, the wire can be heated prior to forming the springs, or a heat treatment of the shaped springs can be made. The springs are then doused in the spring loading device, forming a pocket spring coil 25 with a plurality of pocketed springs 26. As a pocket spring snake is generally a plurality of interconnected pockets called therein eingetaschten springs.

An embodiment of the device for embedding the springs in the machine according to an embodiment will be described below. The device for Eintaschen the springs has a guide means 7 for a supplied web-shaped bag material 22, for example, a non-woven on. The guide means 7 may be formed so that it folds edge portions of the web of the bag material 22 before the springs are inserted into the material web 22. Transfer means 9, which may comprise, for example, one or more pivoting levers, each transfer a spring from a receptacle of the transport wheel 4 to the material web 22. In a device 8, the pocket material is placed in a tubular manner over the inserted springs 22 after insertion of the spring 22, so that the springs are between layers 23, 24 of the bag material. In the device 8, the tubular folded bag material can be joined together with a longitudinal seam in the longitudinal direction of the web, for example by ultrasonic welding. With an ultrasonic welding device, the sonotrode 10 is shown schematically, then the transverse seams between the pockets are formed by ultrasonic welding to form pockets for the eingetaschten springs 26 of the pocket spring coil 25. Even if referring to Fig. 1 An embodiment of a device for embedding springs has been described, in machines for producing pocket spring snakes according to further embodiments also Eintaschvorrichtungen may be provided with alternative embodiments.

Embodiments and modes of operation of the device 3 for transferring springs according to various embodiments will be described in more detail below. The device 3 comprises a transfer device 11, which has a plurality of sections 13, 14, in which the transfer device 11 can each receive a spring. The sections 13, 14 may be formed in a chamber shape and each bounded on at least two sides by a pair of walls, wherein in the cavity defined between the walls in each case a spring is receivable. The transfer device 11 is movably mounted so that it can be moved between a first and a second position, as shown schematically by the arrow 12. In the first position, the transfer device is arranged so that the first portion 13 receives a spring formed by the windhead 2. In the in Fig. 1 illustrated second position, the transfer device is arranged so that the second portion 14 receives a spring formed by the windhead 2.

The device 3 for transferring the springs further comprises an output device which outputs a spring received in the transfer device 11 at one of a plurality of discharge positions from the transfer device. The output device may comprise a pair of sliders 15, 16, which are movably mounted, as shown by the arrows 17, 18. The dispensing device is designed such that in each of the plurality of positions in which the transfer device 11 receives a spring in one of its sections 13, 14, by actuating one of the slides, the spring received in the other section 13, 14 of the transfer device 11 moves out of the Transfer device 11 is output to the transport wheel 4. The issue positions are spaced apart in pairs. In particular, a spring, which in the in Fig. 1 shown second position of the transfer device 11 is formed by the wind head 2 and received in the second portion 14 of the transfer device 11, at a second output position from the transfer device 11, which is spaced along the transport wheel 4 circumferentially from the first dispensing position, on in Fig. 1 illustrated, the spring received in the first section 13 is output from the transfer device 11.

The device 3 for transferring the springs has at least one (not shown) drive mechanism with which the transfer device is alternately pivoted in the conveying direction of the transport wheel 4 and against the conveying direction of the transport wheel 4, and with which the slides 15, 16 of the output device so moves be that when reaching one of the two positions in which the transfer device 11 receives a further spring, a recorded in the transfer device 11 spring from the transfer device 11 is output. The drive mechanism (s) of the apparatus 3 may be suitably controlled by a controller 20 of the machine 1. The control can be done depending on an angular position of the transport wheel 4 and / or depending on a power stroke of the Eintaschvorrichtung 7-10.

With reference to Fig. 2-5 the design and operation of the device for transferring springs to a spring conveyor according to various embodiments will be described in more detail. The referring to Fig. 2-5 described devices can be used in the machine 1 as a device 3. Here are elements or devices that correspond in their design or function elements or devices, with reference to Fig. 1 have been described, denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 2A-2F Fig. 2 are schematic illustrations of a device 30 for transferring springs to a spring conveyor. The device 30 comprises a transfer device 31, wherein for clarity in Figs. 2A and 2F the transfer device in a first position with 31a and in Fig. 2C and 2D the transfer device is designated 31 b in a second position. The transfer device 31 has two sections 32, 33 which are each designed to receive a spring. For example, portions 32, 33 may be chambered, with a first pair of sidewalls 34, 36 defining first portion 32 for receiving a spring, and a second pair of stone walls 35, 36 defining second portion 33 for receiving a spring. The transfer device 31 is pivotably mounted about an axis 38. A drive 39a is operatively connected to the transfer device 31 to move the transfer device alternately in a first direction 46 and a second direction 48 between the two positions 31a, 31b in which the transfer device 31 receives a respective spring.

The device 30 comprises a wall section 37. The wall section 37 is designed such that, depending on its position relative to the transfer device 31, it acts as the bottom of at least one of the sections 32, 33. The wall portion 37 is pivotally mounted about the axis 38 and is moved by a drive 39b such that the wall portion 37 a received in one of the sections 32, 33 spring in the movement of the transfer device 31 between the positions 31 a, 31 b in the corresponding Section 32, 33 supports. The wall portion 37 thus acts as a holding means for the spring. The wall portion 37, together with the side wall 36, defines the respective cavities for receiving a spring.

The device 30 comprises an output device for outputting a spring received by the transfer device from the transfer device. The dispensing device is designed so that in each of the positions 31 a, 31 b of the transfer device, in which the transfer device in one of its sections 32, 33 receives a spring, the output device in the other of the sections 32, 33 recorded spring from the transfer device outputs. The dispenser may comprise a pair of movably mounted slides 15, 16, the ends of which are arranged to retract into the sections 32, 33 of the transfer device 31 and to dispense a spring received therefrom from the transfer device. The output device is equipped with a (only in Fig. 2A shown) drive 40, which can move depending on the position of the transfer device, the slider 15, 16 such that either the slider 15 or the slider 16 moves into one of the sections 32, 33 of the transfer device 31.

In operation of the spring-transfer device 30, a spring may be selectively received by the transfer device 31 in one of the positions 31a, 31b. Depending on the position in which the spring is received, the spring is received in one of the sections 32, 33 of the transfer device. In particular, the spring in the corresponding section 32, 33 can be formed by the wind head 2. After receiving the spring, the transfer device 31 is moved, wherein the picked-up spring is transported by the transfer device 31 to a discharge position. The wall section 37 supports the spring in a form-fitting manner. The transfer device may be moved in a first direction 46 or a second direction 48 opposite thereto, depending on which of the positions 31a, 31b the spring has been received in, to transport the picked spring to the dispensing position. Depending on whether the spring has been received in the first position or in the second position 31a, 31b of the transfer device, the spring is dispensed from the transfer device at a first or a second dispensing position spaced therefrom. Temporally overlapping with the output of the spring another spring is received in another section 32, 33 of the transfer device.

The operation of the device is described with reference to Fig. 2A-2F explained in more detail.

Fig. 2A shows an operating state of the device 30, in which the transfer device 30 is in the first position 31a. In the first section 32 of the transfer device 31, a spring 42 formed by the wind head 2 is received. The wall section 37 is positioned so that it at least partially closes the chamber formed by the first section 32 downwards, ie in the direction of the spring conveyor. The wall portion 37 may already support the spring 42 formed in the first portion 32 during the molding operation to reduce vibrations of the spring 42. A spring 41 formed in a preceding cycle, which is received in the second portion 33 of the transfer device 31, is outputted from the transfer device 31, and the discharge of the spring 41 can be timely overlapped with the forming of the spring 42. The wall portion 37 is positioned to allow exit of the spring 41 from the second portion 33 of the transfer device 31 to the spring conveyor. The slider 16 is moved by the drive 40 so as to output the spring 41 from the second portion 33 of the transfer device 31 to the spring conveyor. The position of the second portion 33 when the transfer device 31 in the first position 31 a defines defines a second output position 44, in which the recorded in the second position 31 b spring 41 is discharged from the transfer device 31.

Fig. 2B shows an operating state after the output of the spring 41 and the shaping of the spring 42. The transfer device 31 is moved in a first direction 46 from the first position 31 a in the second position 31 b. The first direction 46 may be antiparallel to a direction of movement of the spring conveyor. When moving the transfer device from the first position 31 a in the second position 31 b, the recorded in the first portion 32 of the transfer device 31 spring 42 is carried by the transfer device 31 in the first section 32. The wall portion 37 is positioned to positively support the spring 42 in the first portion, while the transfer means 31 is moved from the first position 31a to the second position 31b.

Fig. 2C shows an operating state in which the transfer device has reached the second position 31 b. The wall section 37 is made of the in FIGS. 2A and 2B shown position in which it at least partially closes the first section 32 of the transfer device 31 down so that it is possible to output the spring 42 from the transfer device 31. For this purpose, the wall section 37 can be moved so that the bottom of the chamber defined by the first section 32 is opened by the movement of the wall section 37 and the bottom of the chamber defined by the second section 33 is closed. The wall section 37 can be moved in a second direction 47, which is opposite to the first direction 46, in which the transfer device 31 has previously been moved from the first position 31 a to the second position 31 b.

After the wall portion 37 has been moved so that the bottom of the chamber defined by the first portion 32 is opened and the bottom of the chamber defined by the second portion 33 is at least partially closed, a working cycle of the apparatus is completed. The spring 42 may be dispensed from the transfer device 31 while at the same time receiving another spring 43 in the second section 33 of the transfer device as described with reference to FIG Fig. 2D-2F will be described.

Fig. 2D shows an operating state of the device 30, in which the transfer device 30 is in the first position 31 b. The wall portion 37 is positioned to open the bottom of the chamber defined by the first portion 32 and the bottom of the chamber defined by the second portion 33 is at least partially closed. The spring 42, which is received in the first portion 32 of the transfer device 31, is output from the transfer device 31, wherein the output of the spring 42 can be made overlapping in time with the shaping of the other spring 43. The wall portion 37 is positioned to allow exit of the spring 42 from the first portion 32 of the transfer device 31 to the spring conveyor. The slider 15 is moved by the drive 40 so that it outputs the spring 42 from the first portion 32 of the transfer device 31 to the spring conveyor. The position of the first section 32 when the transfer device 31 is in the second position 31 b defines the first discharge position 45 in which the spring 42 received in the first position 31 a is output from the transfer device 31. In the second section 33 of the transfer device 31, the further spring 43 formed by the wind head 2 is received. The wall portion 37 is positioned so that it at least partially closes the chamber formed by the second portion 33 downwards, ie in the direction of the spring conveyor. The wall section 37 can already support the further spring 43 formed in the second section 33 during the molding process in order to reduce vibrations of the further spring 43.

Fig. 2E shows an operating state after the output of the spring 42 and the shaping of the further spring 43. The transfer device 31 is moved in the second direction 48 from the second position 31b to the first position 31a. The second direction 48 may be parallel to a direction of movement of the spring conveyor. When moving the transfer device 31 from the second position 31 b to the first position 31 a, the further spring 43 received in the second section 33 of the transfer device 31 is carried by the transfer device 31 in the second section 33. The wall portion 37 is positioned so that it positively supports the further spring 43 in the second portion 33, while the transfer device is moved from the second position 31 b in the first position 31 a.

Fig. 2F shows an operating state in which the transfer device has reached the first position 31 a. The wall section 37 is made of the in FIGS. 2D and 2E shown position in which it at least partially closes the second section 33 of the transfer device 31 down so that it is possible to output the further spring 43 from the transfer device 31. For this purpose, the wall portion 37 can be moved so that opened by the movement of the wall portion 37 of the bottom of the chamber defined by the second portion 33 and the bottom of the closed by the first section 32 defined chamber. The wall section 37 can be moved in a first direction 49, which is opposite to the second direction 48, in which the transfer device 31 has previously been moved from the second position 31 b to the first position 31 a.

Thereafter, the device 30 may again refer to FIG Fig. 2A-2F gone through two cycles.

Since the device 30 according to the embodiment of the transfer device sequentially recorded springs 42, 43 at different issue positions 45, 44 output from the transfer device 31, the final state of a working cycle for transferring a spring in which the spring is output, simultaneously as the initial state of further duty cycle, in which a further spring is received serve. A backward movement of the transfer device without held spring as a separate step is not necessarily required in continuous operation. The further spring can be output in overlapping time with the output of the previously transported to a dispensing position spring to further increase the rate at which springs are transferred from the device 30 can.

In the device 30, the movable wall portion 37 acts as a trap door mechanism that allows outputting a spring from one of the sections 32, 33 of the transfer device 31 and a further spring received in another section of the sections 32, 33 of the transfer device 31 in forming the spring and can support during transport of the spring.

In the apparatus 30, the actuators 39a, 39b, 40 for the transfer means 31, the movable wall section 37 and the output means 15, 16 can be suitably controlled, with reference to FIGS Fig. 2 to go through sequentially described operating states. The control can be, for example, by the control unit 20 of the machine 1 of Fig. 1 for making a pocket spring snake, in which the device 30 can be used. The control of the transfer device 31, the movable wall section 37 and the dispenser 15, 16 may be dependent on and in response to movement of the spring conveyor to achieve a desired arrangement of springs on the spring conveyor. If the spring conveyor is moved continuously, the control of the transfer device 31, the movable wall portion 37 and the Output device 15, 16 depending on and matched to the speed of the spring conveyor. In this way, with the device springs can be transferred to the spring conveyor so that they are arranged on the spring conveyor at equal intervals.

With reference to Fig. 3 the transfer of several springs to a spring conveyor is described in more detail. Fig. 3A-3D show schematic representation of a device 50 for transferring springs to a spring conveyor 4 according to an embodiment.

The device 50 comprises a transfer device 51, wherein for clarity in FIG FIGS. 3A and 3C the transfer device in a first position with 51 a and in Fig. 3B and 3D the transfer device is designated 51 b in a second position. The transfer device 51 has two sections 52, 53 which are each designed to receive a spring. The sections 52, 53 may be formed, for example, chamber-shaped. The transfer device 51 is movably mounted relative to an axis 56, which may be determined for example by the position of the wind head of a spring winding device and between the two positions 51 a, 51 b movable, in which the transfer device 51 each receives a spring. The device 50 comprises an output device for outputting a spring received by the transfer device from the transfer device. The dispenser may include a pair of movably mounted sliders 15, 16, the ends of which are adapted to retract into the sections 52, 53 of the transfer device 51 and to dispense a spring received therein from the transfer device. The device 50 may further comprise a relative to the transfer device 51 movably mounted wall portion or other holding means which hold a spring when moving the transfer device 51 on the transfer device frictionally or positively. The further embodiment of the device 50 may, for example, that for the device 30 with reference to Fig. 2 described embodiment or the device 80 with reference to Fig. 4 below described embodiment correspond.

In the in Fig. 3A shown operating state, the transfer device 51 is in the first position 51 a. A spring 61 received in the first section 52 is output from the slider 15 to the spring conveyor 4, while another spring 62 is received in the second section 53 of the transfer device 51. The slider 15 releases the spring 61 at a second dispensing position 54 to the spring conveyor 4, so that the spring 61 is transferred to a first position 71 of the spring conveyor 4. The first position 71, at which the spring conveyor 4 receives the spring 41 from the device 50, may for example be defined by a receptacle of a plurality of receptacles 5, which comprises the spring conveyor 4 for receiving springs.

After discharging the spring 61 to the spring conveyor 4 and receiving the further spring 62 in the second section 53, the transfer device 50 is made of the in Fig. 3A shown first position 51 a in the in Fig. 3B shown second position 51 b moves. In the second position 51b of the transfer device, both the first section 52 and the second section 53 of the transfer device, on each of which a spring can be accommodated, assume a different position in space than in the first position 51a of the transfer device 51 in the second position 51 b of the transfer device, the second portion 53 of the transfer device 51 is moved away from the position at the axis 56, where a spring is received, while the first portion 52 is positioned so that it can receive a spring.

While the transfer device 51 is moved between the first position 51a and the second position 51b, the spring conveyor 4 moves on.

In the in Fig. 3B shown operating state, the transfer device 51 is in the second position 51 b. The further spring 62 accommodated in the second section 53 is output by the slider 16 to the spring conveyor 4, while a third spring 63 is received in the first section 52 of the transfer device 51. The slider 16 outputs the further spring 62 at a first delivery position 55 to the spring conveyor 4, so that the further spring 62 is transferred to a second position 72 of the spring conveyor 4. As in Fig. 3B shown, the further spring 62 wound after the spring 61 can be transferred to the spring conveyor, that it is positioned at the latter at a position 72 which is arranged in the transport direction in front of the first wound coil spring 61.

While the spring conveyor 4 continues to move, the transfer device 51 is moved back to the first position 51 a, as in Fig. 3C shown. The timing of the device 50 is chosen so that the spring conveyor moves by a distance or angular distance corresponding to the provided on the spring conveyor section for two springs 61, 62 until the transfer device 51 again is positioned in the first position 51 a to output the third spring 63. In the in Fig. 3C In the illustrated operating state, the third spring 63 accommodated in the first section 52 is output from the slider 15 to the spring conveyor 4, while a fourth spring 64 is received in the second section 53 of the transfer device 51. The slider 15 outputs the third spring 63 at the second delivery position 54 to the spring conveyor 4, so that the third spring 63 is transferred to a third position 73 of the spring conveyor 4. As in Fig. 3C 3, the third spring 63 received by the transfer device 51 immediately after the further spring 62 may be transferred to the spring conveyor so as to be positioned thereon at a position 74 which is in gap with the position 71 of the spring 61. In the intermediate space between the first and third spring 61, 63 on the spring conveyor 4, the fourth spring 64 is positioned in a subsequent working cycle.

While the spring conveyor 4 continues to move, the transfer device 51 is again moved to the second position 51 b, as in Fig. 3D shown. In the in Fig. 3D In the illustrated operating state, the fourth spring 64 accommodated in the second section 53 is output from the slider 16 to the spring conveyor 4, while a fifth spring 65 is received in the first section 52 of the transfer device 51. The slider 16 outputs the fourth spring 64 at the first delivery position 55 to the spring conveyor 4, so that the fourth spring 64 is transferred to a fourth position 74 of the spring conveyor 4 and positioned between the already arranged on the spring conveyor 4 springs 61 and 63.

The described operations can then be repeated to further transfer springs to the spring conveyor 4. For receiving the springs, the springs can each be formed in the corresponding section 52 or 53 of the transfer device 51.

The device 50 for transferring springs allows springs to be positioned at equal intervals on the continuously moving spring conveyor 4. Since the transfer device 51 of the device 50 in each of the plurality of positions 51 a, 51 b is adapted to receive a spring and output another spring at one of a plurality of dispensing positions, a high rate can be achieved, with the springs to the spring conveyor 4th be transferred.

Fig. 3E FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating for the device 50 that springs received by the transfer device 51 can be alternately transferred to the spring conveyor at one of a plurality of discharge positions 54, 55. The first discharge position 55 is the output position at which springs are output, which were received by the transfer device in the first position 51 a (as in FIGS. 3A and 3C shown) after the transfer device to the second position 51 b (as in Fig. 3B and 3D shown) has been moved. The second dispensing position 54 is the dispensing position at which springs are dispensed which have been picked up by the transfer device in the second position 51b. The dispensing positions 54, 55 are spaced apart from and spaced from the position at which the transfer device receives a spring and which may be determined by the position of the windhead 2, for example.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an apparatus 80 for transferring springs to a spring conveyor according to another embodiment. Elements or devices of the device 80 that correspond in their design or function to elements or devices described with reference to FIG Fig. 2 for the device 30 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The device 80 has a transfer device 81 with two chamber-shaped sections 32, 33 and an output device with sliders 15, 16.

The device 80 has retaining means which positively support a spring, while the transfer means 81 moves between two positions in which it is arranged in each case for receiving a spring and for discharging another spring. In the device 80, the retaining means comprise at least one flap 82, 83 pivotally mounted on the transfer device 81 and biased, for example with a resilient means 86, to support the spring in the first section 32 of the transfer device 81 and exit the spring prevented from the first portion 32 of the transfer device 81 until an additional force is applied by the slider 15 to open the at least one flap 82, 83. The holding means further comprise at least one flap 84, 85 pivotally mounted on the transfer device 81 and biased, for example with a resilient means, to support the spring in the second section 33 of the transfer device 81 and exit the spring from the second section 33 of the transfer device 81 prevents until the slide 16 an additional force is applied to open the at least one flap 82, 83.

The device for transferring springs according to the various described embodiments can be designed so that the transfer device for springs of different heights can be adapted. Alternatively or additionally, the device for transferring springs according to the various described embodiments may be designed so that additional operations are performed on the spring while it is received in the transfer device. For example, a device may be provided which compresses the spring received in the transfer device to a desired axial length prior to dispensing from the transfer device, as with reference to FIG Fig. 5 will be described.

Fig. 5 FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the transfer device 81 taken along in FIG Fig. 4 with VV direction. A corresponding embodiment can also with reference to Fig. 1-3 be described transfer means.

The sections 32, 33 of the transfer device 81, in which springs are receivable when the transfer device 81 is in the first and in the second position, are by parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spring extending side walls 34 and 36 and 35 and 36th limited. An end wall 92 delimiting the portion 32 in the longitudinal direction of the male spring and the side walls 34 and 36 are configured such that the end wall 92 can be attached to the side walls 34 and 36 at different positions to adapt the portion 32 to different spring lengths. An end wall 93 delimiting the portion 33 in the longitudinal direction of the male spring and the side walls 35 and 36 are configured such that the end wall 93 can be attached to the side walls 35 and 36 at different positions to adapt the portion 33 to different spring lengths.

A means for axially compressing a spring received by the transfer means is provided. The device has a first contact surface 96 and a second contact surface 97, which is in each case mounted movably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring, which is to be compressed axially. The first contact surface 96 is arranged to fit with an end turn or end ring a spring received in the first section 32 of the transfer device 81 can be brought into contact before it is output from the transfer device 81. The second contact surface 97 is arranged so that it can be brought into contact with an end turn or an end ring of a spring received in the second section 33 of the transfer device 81 before it is output from the transfer device 81. An actuator 98 is provided to move the contact surfaces 96 and 97 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring received so as to axially compress the spring prior to dispensing from the transfer device.

If the means for axially compressing the spring in the device 30 of Fig. 2 is used, the actuator 98 may be controlled so that the spring received in one of the portions 32, 33 is axially compressed while the wall portion 37 is moved so that the bottom of the corresponding portion 32, 33 of the transfer means for discharging the corresponding spring is opened.

Devices and methods for transferring springs to a spring conveyor according to various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures. Modifications of the embodiments described in detail may be realized in further embodiments.

While in the context of embodiments transfer devices have been described which are adapted to receive springs in two positions, in other embodiments the transfer device may also be adapted to receive one spring in at least three different positions while another spring is parallel thereto is output from the transfer device. Correspondingly, in further exemplary embodiments, the transfer device can have at least three sections on which a spring can be received.

While in the context of embodiments transfer devices have been described having a plurality of cavities delimited by a plurality of sidewalls, in other embodiments, the transfer device may include a plurality of cavities each bounded by at least two walls. The at least two walls, for example, one between comprising the cavities arranged wall and a movably mounted bottom portion.

While in the context of embodiments transfer devices have been described which have a plurality of cavities delimited by at least two walls, in further embodiments the transfer device can also be configured such that the various sections for receiving springs are not formed as cavities delimited by walls. In particular, the terms "picking up" and "dispensing" of a spring as used herein are not to be understood as requiring the presence of a cavity or chamber for receiving the spring. For example, in other embodiments, the transfer device may include a plurality of spaced-apart spikes, each of which may receive a spring in one of the positions of the transfer device. The mandrels may be movably supported to release the spring at one of the multiple dispensing positions.

While in the context of embodiments devices for transferring springs have been described in which the output device comprises one or more slides, other embodiments of the output device are possible. For example, the output device may also be formed by holding means which support the spring when moving the transfer device and release upon reaching the dispensing position. The spring can then move, for example, under the influence of gravity from the transfer device to the spring conveyor.

While in the context of embodiments, devices for transferring springs have been described in which the springs to be transferred are formed by a wind head in a portion of the transfer device, in other embodiments the transfer device may be arranged and arranged in a machine so that they are already finished shaped spring absorbs.

While in the context of embodiments devices for transferring springs have been described, in which the transfer device is pivotally mounted, in further embodiments, the transfer device can also be translationally displaceable, in particular linearly mounted, to move between the different positions. A linear movement of the transfer device between the positions can be provided, for example, to springs to a Transport wheel with a large diameter, to convert to a conveyor belt or to a pair of conveyor belts.

While in the context of embodiments devices, methods and machines have been described in which the springs are transferred from the device for transferring the springs directly to the spring conveyor, additional devices or stations between the device for transferring the springs and the spring conveyor can be provided in further embodiments be.

The apparatus and methods according to various embodiments of the invention allow springs to be transferred at high rates to a spring conveyor as the winding of the spring and the transfer of the spring to the spring conveyor are decoupled. The devices and methods can be generally used for transferring springs, wherein the transfer of springs to a cooling wheel in a machine for the production of pocket spring snakes is an exemplary field of application.

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for transferring springs (21; 41-43; 61-65) to a spring conveyor (4), in particular for a machine (1) for producing a string of pocket springs (25), the apparatus comprising
   a transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) which is mounted so as to be moveable between a plurality of positions (31a, 31b; 51a, 51b) in which the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) is respectively configured to receive a spring (21; 41-43; 61-65), and which is configured to transport a received spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) upon movement of the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) between at least two positions of the plurality of positions (31a,31b;51a, 51b), and
   an output device (15, 16, 40) which is configured to selectively output the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) received by the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) from the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) at one of plural output positions (44, 45; 54, 55), the plural output positions (44, 45; 54, 55) being pairwise different,
   characterized in that
   the apparatus is configured such that the output device (15, 16, 40) outputs the spring (41; 61) received by the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) while the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) concurrently receives another spring (42; 62).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1,
   wherein the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) is configured to transport the received spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) selectively in a first direction (46) or in a second direction (48) different therefrom, in particular in a second direction (48) which is opposite to the first direction (46).
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the apparatus is configured such that each output position (44, 45; 54, 55) of the plural output positions (44, 45; 54, 55) is associated with respectively one position (31a, 31b; 51a, 51b) of the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) in which the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) that is output at the respective output position has been received by the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81).
4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising retaining means (37; 82-86) to support the spring received by the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) in a form fit.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4,
   wherein the retaining means (37) are controllable to release the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) received by the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) as a function of a position of the plurality of positions (31a, 31b; 51a, 51 b) in which the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) is positioned.
6. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
   wherein the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) has a cavity (32, 33; 52, 53) to receive the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65), and the retaining means (37; 82-86) comprise a wall section (37; 82-85) of the cavity which is displaceable relative to the cavity (32, 33; 52, 53).
7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a spring coiling device (2) configured to form a spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be received by the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) at a location at which the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) supports the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) while it is being formed.
8. A machine for producing a string of springs (25) for a spring core, in particular for producing at least one string of pocket springs (25), comprising a spring conveyor (4) to convey springs (21; 41-43; 61-65), and
   an apparatus (30; 50; 80) according to any one of the preceding claims to transfer the springs (21; 41-43; 61-65) to the spring conveyor (4).
9. A method of transferring springs (21; 41-43; 61-65) to a spring conveyor (4), in particular for a machine (1) for producing a string of pocket springs (25), wherein a spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred is received by a transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) which can be positioned in a plurality of positions (31 a, 31b; 51a, 51b), wherein the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) is moved to transport the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred, and wherein the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred is output from the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81),
   wherein the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred is selectively output from the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) at one of plural output positions (44, 45; 54, 55), the plural output positions (44, 45; 54, 55) being pairwise different, and
   wherein the spring (41; 61) to be transferred is output from the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) while the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) concurrently receives another spring (42; 62) to be transferred.
10. The method according to claim 9,
    wherein the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred is transported, as a function of a position (31a, 31b; 51a, 51b) of the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) in which the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) has received the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred, in a first direction (46) or in a second direction (48) different therefrom, in particular in a second direction (48) which is opposite to the first direction (46).
11. The method according to claim 9 or 10,
    wherein the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) is sequentially moved in opposite directions (46, 48) to transport the spring (41; 61) to be transferred and to transport the other spring (42; 62) to be transferred.
12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11,
    wherein the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred is supported on the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) in a form fit while the transfer device (11; 31; 51; 81) is moved.
13. The method according to claim 12,
    wherein retaining means (37; 82-86) for supporting the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred in a form fit support the spring (21; 41-43; 61-65) to be transferred while it is being formed.

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