OHLY, Sascha (Max-Eyth-Strasse 1, Giessen, 35394, DE)
GUTIÉRREZ ROMERO, Rubén (Max-Eyth-Strasse 1, Giessen, 35394, DE)
OHLY, Sascha (Max-Eyth-Strasse 1, Giessen, 35394, DE)
| Patent claims 1. Joining arrangement (10) comprising a joining tool (12), by means of which elements (24) can be joined, and comprising a supply device (22), by means of which elements (24) can be supplied to the joining tool, the supply device (22) having a tube arrangement (32), through which the elements (24) are supplied to the joining tool (12) and which has a first tube end (33), which can be connected to an element source (26), and has a second tube end (35), which can be connected to the joining tool (12), and the elements (24) being conveyable through the tube arrangement (32) by means of a first drive device (30), the tube arrangement (32) having a first tube portion (34) and a second tube portion (36), and a second drive device (50) being adapted to support the supplying of an element (24), which has passed through the first tube portion (34), through the second tube portion (36). 2. Joining arrangement according to Claim 1, there being provided a sensor arrangement (52), which senses whether an element (24) has passed through at least the first tube portion (34). 3. Joining arrangement according to Claim 2, the sensor arrangement being realized as a through-passage sensor (52) arranged on the tube arrangement (32). 4. Joining arrangement according to Claim 3, the first tube portion (34) and the second tube portion (36) being connected to each other via a coupling device (38), and the through-passage sensor (52) being arranged on the second tube portion (36), after the coupling device (38) in the direction of supply. 5. Joining arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, the first tube portion (34) and the second tube portion (36) being connected to each other via a coupling device and the coupling device (38) being connected to the second drive device (50). 6. Joining arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the first and/or the second drive device (30, 50) being realized to supply elements (24) through a respective tube portion (34, 36) by means of blast air (37, 56). 7. Joining arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, the element source (26) having a blast device (30) that is connected to the tube arrangement (32) and to a support tube (54), by means of which support blast- air (56) can be supplied into a region between the first and the second tube portion (34, 36). 8. Joining arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the joining tool (12) being mounted on a robot (14). 9. Supply device (22) for supplying elements (24) from an element source (26) to an element destination (12), in particular for a joining arrangement (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, comprising a tube arrangement (32), through which the elements (24) are supplied to the element destination (12) and which has a first tube end (33), which can be connected to the element source (26), and has a second tube end (35), which can be connected to the element destination (12), and the elements (24) being conveyable through the tube arrangement (32) by means of a first drive device (30), the tube arrangement (32) having a first tube portion (34) and a second tube portion (36), and a second drive device (50) being realized to support the supplying of an element (24), which has passed through the first tube portion (34), through the second tube portion (36). 10. Method for supplying elements (24), through a tube arrangement (32), from an element source (26) to an element destination (12), in particular for supplying joining elements (24) from an element source (26) to a joining tool (12), comprising the steps: first acceleration of an element (24), starting from the element source (26), in the direction of the element destination (12), by means of blast air (37); and second acceleration of the element (24) from a region between the element source (26) and the element destination (12), as soon as the element (24) has passed the region. 11. Method according to Claim 10, a through-passage sensor (52), which senses when the element (24) has passed the region, being arranged in the region between the element source (26) and the element destination (12). |
ELEMENTS
The present invention relates to a joining arrangement comprising a joining tool, by means of which elements can be joined, and comprising a supply device, by means of which elements can be supplied to the joining tool, the supply device having a tube arrangement, through which the elements are supplied to the joining tool and which has a first tube end, which can be connected to an element source, and has a second tube end, which can be connected to the joining tool, and the elements being conveyable through the tube arrangement by means of a first drive device.
Further, the present invention relates to a supply device for supplying elements from an element source to an element destination, in particular for a joining arrangement of the aforementioned type. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for supplying elements, through a tube arrangement, from an element source to an element destination. A joining arrangement and a supply device of the aforementioned type are known, for example, in the domain of riveting tools and stud joining tools. Such tools are used, for example in the motor vehicle industry, for joining elements to one another, or for joining studs to components. Frequently, the joining processes performed in such cases are performed in an automated manner, a joining tool being fixed, for example, to a robot. To enable a number of joining processes to be performed in rapid succession, the joining tool is connected to an element magazine, via a tube arrangement. It has proved successful in this case to use a blast device as a drive device for conveying the elements through the tube arrangement. In this case, an element is introduced into the first end of the tube arrangement, and the element is then guided through the tube arrangement by means of blast air (i.e. pressurized air or another fluid), until the element arrives at the joining tool. There, the element is taken over and subsequently used in a joining process. For example, the element can be a rivet (solid rivet or semitubular self-piercing rivet), which is used for connecting components. The element can also be a stud, made of metal or plastic, which is subsequently joined to an element by means of a stud joining tool, for example through stud welding or through stud adhesive bonding.
Frequently, the tube arrangement used in the supply device is several metres in length. Owing to local constraints, it may be necessary for the supplying tube to be made relatively long, for example longer than 10 m. It is to be assumed in this case that, the longer the supplying tube, the higher the blast-air pressure of the blast device must be set.
Against this background, it is an object of the invention to specify an improved joining arrangement, an improved supply device and an improved method for supplying elements from an element source to an element destination.
This object is achieved, in the case of the joining arrangement mentioned at the outset, and in the case of the supply device mentioned at the outset, in that the tube arrangement has a first tube portion, and has a second tube portion that adjoins the latter in the direction of supply, a second drive device being realized to support the supplying of an element, which has passed through the first tube portion, through the second tube portion.
Further, the above object is achieved by a method for supplying elements, through a tube arrangement, from an element source to an element destination, in particular for supplying joining elements from an element source to a joining tool, comprising the steps:
first acceleration of an element, starting from the element source, in the direction of the element destination, by means of blast air; and
second acceleration of the element from a region between the element source and the element destination, as soon as the element has passed the region.
According to the invention, optimized supplying through the tube arrangement is thus possible. Since, in the prior art, in the case of very long tube arrangements, the pressure used for supplying the element through the tube arrangement decreases greatly towards the element, it is necessary to increase the blast-air pressure on the element-source side. This, in turn, has the consequence, in the prior art, that there is increased wear on the tube arrangement and on adjoining elements (such as seals, sleeves, etc.). The defect rate and the costs of the wearing parts can thereby be increased.
Owing to the measure, according to the invention, of re-accelerating, by means of a second drive device, an element that has already passed through a first portion of the tube device, or of supporting its being supplied through the subsequent tube portion, the blast-air pressure in the region of the element source can be reduced. The wear on all elements involved is thereby reduced. Further, the time within which an element is conveyed from the element source to the element destination is thereby reduced. Consequently, the supply cycle time can be reduced. The cycle time of the entire joining arrangement can likewise be reduced or optimized. The joining tool can be, for example, a riveting tool or a stud joining tool. The elements in this case can be rivets or studs made of metal or plastic.
The tube arrangement is preferably a flexible tube arrangement, such that the second tube end of the tube arrangement can follow movements of the joining tool (for example, by means of a robot).
The term tube arrangement is not, however, limited to flexible tube arrangements. In the present document, the term tube arrangement is also intended to include stiff pipe arrangements and similar.
The elements are preferably joining elements having a longitudinal axis. The tube arrangement can be designed to supply the joining elements in this longitudinal direction or, also, in a transverse direction relative thereto. Consequently, the internal cross-section of the tube arrangement can be realized to be round (preferably for studs) or, also, angular (for rivets or the like).
The object is thus achieved in full.
According to a preferred embodiment of the joining arrangement, there is provided a sensor arrangement, which senses whether an element has passed through at least the first tube portion.
In the case of this embodiment, a sensing signal of the sensor arrangement can be used to activate the second drive device only when the element has passed through the first tube portion. It can thereby be ensured, for example in the case of use of blast air, that this blast air captures the element "from behind" within the second tube portion, and drives it in the direction of the joining tool. The sensor arrangement can be designed to perform this sensing indirectly, for example through sensing pressure parameters or through time sensing. In the latter case, the sensing can consist, for example, in that the time required by an element to pass through the first tube portion is measured in a given tube arrangement. The second drive device can then be activated whenever the measured time has expired, following activation of the first device (with the addition of a certain tolerance time, if appropriate).
It is particularly advantageous, however, if the sensor arrangement is realized as a through-passage sensor arranged on the tube arrangement.
In the case of this embodiment, it is possible to sense directly whether the element has passed through at least the first tube portion, such that the sensing is independent of operating or ambient conditions.
It is particularly advantageous in this case if the first tube portion and the second tube portion are connected to each other via a coupling device, and if the through- passage sensor is arranged on the second tube portion, after the coupling device in the direction of supply.
It is thereby possible to sense, by means of the through-passage sensor, whether an element has passed through the first tube portion and the coupling device, and this sensing signal can be used to activate the second drive device.
It is therefore preferable, overall, if the first tube portion and the second tube portion are connected to each other via a coupling device and if the coupling device is connected to the second drive device.
The coupling device in this case can basically be a tube sleeve, known per se, for connecting two tube ends, such as that known from the domain of supply devices of joining arrangements. In the case of the preferred embodiment, this coupling device can be realized with such modification, however, that it is connected to the second drive device, in order thereby to support the supplying of an element, which has passed through the first tube portion, through the second tube portion.
The first drive device is preferably realized to supply elements through the tube arrangement by means of a fluid, in particular by means of blast air. The second drive device can be realized, for example, as an electromagnetic or inductive drive device (in the manner of a ferromagnetic or inductive Gauss gun). It is particularly advantageous, however, if the second drive device is also realized as a blast device. In this case, blast air is supplied to the tube arrangement in a middle region, for example in the region of a coupling device that connects the first and the second tube portion of the tube arrangement to each other. The second drive device, realized as a blast device, can be connected to a separate blast-air source.
It is particularly preferred, however, if the element source has a blast device that is connected to the tube arrangement and to a support tube, by means of which support blast-air can be supplied into a region between the first and the second tube portion.
In this case, a single blast device can be used as a first and second drive device, a support tube, via which the support blast-air can be supplied into the region (for example, into a coupling device) between the first and the second tube portion, being routed in parallel to the first tube portion.
The overall resource requirement for generating blast air can thereby be reduced.
Further, it is advantageous overall if the joining tool is mounted on a robot.
In the case of such joining arrangements, there is a major requirement for the use of flexible supplying devices in the form of tube arrangements, in order to supply joining elements to the joining tool during operation. Further, in the case of such arrangements, frequently very long lengths of the tube arrangement are to be assumed, for example more than 5 m, in particular more than 10 m, or even more than 15 m.
It is understood that the above-mentioned features and those to be explained in the following can be applied, not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or singly, without departure from the scope of the present invention.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are represented in the drawing and explained more fully in the following description, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a joining arrangement according to the invention, comprising a supply device according to the invention for executing the supply method according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a detail view II of an example of a coupling device of a supply device according to the invention; and
Fig. 3 shows a time sequence diagram for the purpose of illustrating the supply method according to the invention.
In Fig. 1, an embodiment of a joining arrangement according to the invention is denoted in general by the reference 10.
The joining arrangement 10 includes a joining tool 12 and a robot 14. The robot 14 has a robot base 16, fixed to which there is a first arm 18. A second arm 20 is connected to the free end of the first arm 18. The joining tool 12 is fixed to the free end of the second arm 20. The joining tool 12 is used to join elements, i.e. to perform joining processes in which joining elements are used.
In the case of the joining arrangement 10, these joining processes are performed in an automated manner, such that it is necessary for such elements to be supplied to the joining tool 12. A supply device 22 is used for this purpose. The supply device 22 is connected to a stationary element magazine 26, in which a multiplicity of elements 24 are accommodated, for example in the form of bulk material. The element magazine 26 further has a singling device 28, for singling the elements 24.
The supply device 22 includes a blast device 30, by means of which pressurized blast air can be produced. The supply device 22 further includes a tube arrangement 32. A first end 33 of the tube arrangement 32 is connected to the blast device 30. A second end 35 of the tube arrangement 32 is connected to the joining tool 12.
In the present case, the tube arrangement 32 is divided into a first tube portion 34 and a second tube portion 36, which adjoins the joining tool 12 in the direction of supply. The tube portions 34, 36 are connected to each other by means of a coupling device 38.
Fig. 1 shows, schematically, that supplying blast-air 37 is introduced into the tube arrangement 32, in order to convey an element 24' through the tube arrangement 32 to the joining tool 12. Generally, only a single element is conveyed through the tube arrangement 32 in each case. It is also possible, however, by means of the supply device 22, for a batch of, for example, two to five elements 24 (or more) to be conveyed through in one supply blast step in each case, if a magazine for receiving a batch of such elements is provided in the joining tool 12.
The joining arrangement 10 further includes a control device 40, which is connected to a supply control system 42 of the element magazine 26 and to a robot control system 44 of the robot 14. A tool control system 46 in the joining tool 12 can be connected either to the robot control system 44 or to the supply control system 42. It is also possible, however, for the tool control system 46 to be connected directly to the control device 40.
Provided in the joining tool 12 is an arrival sensor 48, which is designed to detect whether an element 24 that has been supplied through the supply device 22 has reached the joining tool 12.
The tube arrangement 32 can be realized to be relatively long. Since the blast-air pressure available for conveying an element 24 in the tube arrangement 32 decreases with increasing length, it can be necessary, up to the present, in the case of very long tube arrangements 32, to work with very high blast-air pressures in the region of the blast device 30.
In the prior art, this results in a large amount of wear on the tube arrangement 32 and on elements 24 associated therewith. Further, it can be the case that the period of time required for supplying an element 24 from the blast device 30 to the joining tool 12 is relatively long.
The joining arrangement 10 represented in Fig. 1 has a supply device 22 comprising a supply support device 50. The supply support device 50 is designed to re-accelerate an element that has passed through the first tube portion 34 (for example, the element 24" in Fig. 1). It can thereby be ensured that the element 24" actually arrives at the joining tool 12, even if the pressure of the supplying blast-air 37 in the region of the blast device 30 is relatively low. Further, it can thereby be ensured that the supply time, for supplying an element 24 from the blast device 30 to the joining tool 12, can be shortened.
The supply support device 50 includes a through-passage sensor 52, which can be realized to be similar to the arrival sensor 48, and which is arranged on the second tube portion 36, close to the coupling device 38. The through-passage sensor 52 therefore detects whether an element 24 has passed through the first tube portion 34 and the coupling device 38. The supply support device 50 further includes a support tube 54, which is likewise connected to the blast device 30 and leads, in parallel to the first tube portion 34, to the coupling device 38. As an alternative thereto, the support tube 54 can also be connected to another blast device, which is arranged closer to the coupling device 38.
Support blast-air 56, which is produced in the blast device 30 (or in another blast device) is supplied through the support tube 54. The support blast-air 56 is introduced into the supply path of the elements 24 in the region of the coupling device 38, and enables an element, which has gone through the first tube portion 34 and the coupling device 38, to be re-accelerated.
As shown in Fig. 2, the coupling device 38 has a channel 58, which, in the region of a connection to the first tube portion 34, has a somewhat greater diameter than the internal diameter of the first tube portion 34. In the region of the coupling to the second tube portion 36, the channel 58 has a diameter that is somewhat smaller than the internal diameter of the second tube portion 36. It can thereby be ensured that elements 24 supplied through the tube portions 34, 36 and the coupling device 38 can be guided through the coupling device 38 without difficulty.
The coupling device 38 in this case has a connection for the support tube 54, which connection extends transversely relative to the direction of supply, such that the support blast-air 56 can be fed into the channel 58. Supplying of the support blast- air 56 is generally effected transversely relative to a longitudinal axis 60 of the channel 58, being so effected at an angle 62. Here, the angle 62 is shown in the drawing as a right angle. Preferably, however, the angle 62 is less than 90° and greater than 0°, such that the support blast-air 56 is blown obliquely into the channel 58 in the direction of supply.
In Fig. 1, a division of the tube arrangement 32 into a first tube portion 34 and a second tube portion 36 is represented by unbroken lines. It is understood, however, that, instead of one supply support device 50, it is also possible for a plurality of supply support devices 50 to be distributed over the length of the tube arrangement 32, as indicted by the broken lines at 50a and 50b. Alternatively, the supply support devices 50 can also be realized, respectively, as electromagnetic or inductive supply devices, in which an inductive or electromagnetic force, which accelerates the element 24 in the direction of the joining tool 12, is exerted upon an element 24 guided through them.
Fig. 3 shows a time sequence diagram for the purpose of illustrating a method that can be executed by means of the joining arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Thus, it is shown that, at an instant t 1; supplying blast-air 37 is switched on, by means of the blast device 30, in order to convey a joining element through the tube arrangement 32.
At the instant X 2 , a sensing signal of the through-passage sensor 52 occurs, which signal ends again at t 3 . At the instant t 3 , consequently, it is clear that the element 24 has passed through the first tube portion 34 and the coupling device 38. At the same time or shortly thereafter (at the instant t 4 ), therefore, the support blast-air 56 is switched on, this being at least until, at the instant t 5 , a signal of the arrival sensor 48 makes it possible to detect that the element 24 has arrived in the joining tool 12. At the instant X 6 , the signal of the arrival sensor 48 ends and, at the instant X 7 , both the supplying blast-air 37 and the support blast-air 56 are switched off.
It is shown at t 8 , between the instants t 4 and t 5 , that, alternatively, the supplying blast-air can also be already switched off beforehand (as shown at 37').
It is shown at 37" that, in the prior art, an increase in the pressure of the blast air is required in order for an element 24 to be reliably conveyed through a long tube arrangement 32. In the case of the supply device 22 according to the invention, however, this pressure can be kept lower, such that the wear on the supply device 22 is reduced. Nevertheless, by means of the method according to the invention, it can be ensured that the elements 24 reach the joining tool 12 more rapidly, i.e. that the time period t 5 -tχ is shorter than in the prior art.
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