GB2369313A

GB2369313A - Auto locking coil press head

Info

Publication number: GB2369313A
Application number: GB0028920A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Brian Swallow
Original assignee: ROTARY ELECTRICAL CO Ltd
Current assignee: ROTARY ELECTRICAL CO Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-28
Filing date: 2000-11-28
Publication date: 2002-05-29
Also published as: GB2369313A8; GB0028920D0

Abstract

A coil press head consists of a box frame comprising a main body 1 with fixed pivot pin 5 and a top section 2 mounted thereon via pivot pin 5 riding in angled pivot slot 6. The top section includes a hooked latching section 4 which clips to the main body. Horizontal 7 and vertical 8 press means are mounted on the box frame. Extension of actuator 3 causes rotation of 2 and simultaneous movement of pin 5 along slot 6. This results in a combined outward and upward pivoting of 2, which serves to simultaneously unlock and open the press head, allowing access to the contents. Such press heads are used in the manufacture of electrical motor/generator coils.

Description

Auto Locking Coil Press Head This invention relates to an automatic

locking coil press head.

Coil press heads are used in the manufacture of the parallel section of coils for the electrical motor / generator industry. In a typical pressing application a number of heads are located in line along the bed of the coil press. The number of press heads on a machine varies with the length of the press and the length of the coils to be pressed. For example, a press capable of pressing a 9 Metre long coil may use 24 heads.

The basic coil press head applies two forces at 90 to each other onto the coil section. These forces may be individually or simultaneously applied.

A coil press head must have two basic features.

1. Resist the pressing forces.

2. Allow access to the coil section for loading and unloading.

There are two basic press head types: A) Open Section In an open section coil press head, the structure of the head must be very strong (and therefore large) in relation to the available pressing space in order to resist the pressing forces. This is usually achieved with an expensive casting or fabrication. The advantage of this design is the relative ease of access to the coil section for loading and unloading.

The main disadvantages are the size and weight of the head relative to the pressing space available, and the inflexibility of the design making it very difficult to accommodate specific customer requirements on different coil sections.

B) Closed Section In a closed section coil press head, it is possible to construct a much smaller and lighter head to give the same available pressing space. This is due to the head behaving as a closed UboX', all the stresses being constrained within this Ubox".

The simplicity of this design also lends itself to much greater flexibility at the manufacturing stage, in that it is possible to modify the available pressing space to a customers requirements, as no expensive castings or fabrications are required.

The disadvantages of this design are the extra complication in opening the "box" to load and unload the coil section and the problems involved it closing the "box" in order the restrain the pressing forces.

The best design for a coil press head would therefore combine the ease of access to the coil of system 'A' with the simplicity and relatively lightweight dimensions of design 'B'.

Current designs partially meeting these criteria use two independent systems, one to unlock the top section of the head, the other to lift the head.

In its simplest form this can comprise of manually removing a locking pin at the front of the head and then manually lifting the top of the head about a rear pivot point. With this design, problems may be encountered when trying to remove the locking pins in order to lift open the heads. The pins have a tendency to stick in position due a combination of the high loads they are subjected to during the pressing cycle, and also heat expansion as a result of being close to the coil press heater bars.

If there are a large number of heads on a press this process can also be time consuming and hard work for the operator.

According to the present invention there is a press head comprising of a closed box design where the design of the head resists the pressing forces and one mechanism unlocks and lifts the top section allowing the coil to be removed.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the press head with the head opening mechanism and the horizontal and vertical pressing cylinders in place.

Figure 2 is a side view showing the press head with the head opening mechanism in place.

Figure 3 is a side view of the press head showing the initial stages of unlatching and opening. (Head opening mechanism not shown for clarity) Figure 4 shows the press head fully open.

Referring to the drawings, the press head is comprised of six main parts, the main body (1), the top section (2), the head opening mechanism (3), the latching section (4), the pivot pin (5), and the pivot slot (6).

At the end of the pressing cycle, pressure is released from the vertical and horizontal cylinders and the operation of the head lifting sequence commences.

It should be noted when reading the following description, the action of the head

opening mechanism is one continuous and smooth movement during opening or closing of the head.

With reference to figure 1 and 2, as the head opening mechanism (3) begins to retract, the top section (2) is drawn vertically down the slot (6).

The initial vertical movement moves the top section with respect to the pivot pin (5) down from the vertical pressing face of pivot slot (6) and into the angled section of this slot.

As the head opening mechanism continues to retract, the top section (2) is pulled down and forward simultaneously along the line of the slot until the pivot pin (5) is seated in the top of the pivot slot (6). See Figure 3.

During this phase of the operation the latching section (4) will have been driven forward thereby disengaging the top section (2) from the main body as shown in figure 3.

The head opening mechanism continues to retract and this motion is used to lift the top section (2) to a vertical position to enable the coil section to be removed as shown in figure 4.

Note; the pivot pin (5) is fixed rigidly in the main body and does not move at any time. The top arm featuring the pivot slot moves about this fixed pivot pin.

In this position the coil sections may be removed from the press heads.

To close the heads the head opening mechanism (3) begins to extend.

This initially has the effect of lowering the top section (2) in a controlled manner until the underside of the top section touches the top surface of the latching section (4).

At this point in the closing sequence the top of the pivot slot (6) unseats from the pivot pin (5), and the top section is pushed up and backward simultaneously along the line of the pivot slot (6).

During this phase of the operation the latching section (4) will have been pulled back into its locked position.

As the head opening mechanism continues to extend, the top arm will finally be guided vertically down the pivot slot, until the bottom of the pivot slot is seated against the pivot pin (as figure 2).

The vertical face of the pivot slot is now seated against the pivot pin, the press head is fully closed and locked, and the pressing cycle may be resumed.

Claims

1. A press head comprising of a closed box design where the design of the head resist the pressing forces and one mechanism unlocks and lifts the top section allowing the coil to be removed.

2. A press head as claimed in Claim 1, where the head opening mechanism controls the movement and the speed at which the head opens.

3. A press head as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, where the opening mechanism is powered electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or manually.

4. A press head as claimed in Claim 1, where the latching section is an integral part of the top section or the main body or both the top section and the main body.

5. A press head as claimed in Claim 10r 3, where no manual intervention is required to unlock the press head before the opening of the head begins.

6. A press head as claimed in Claim 1 where the head opening and unlatching commences simultaneously.

7. A press head as claimed in any preceding claim, where head opening at the end of the pressing cycle is automatically initiated.

8. A press head as claimed in any preceding claim, where the head opening and locking operation is achieved by the use of an angled slot.

9. A press head as claimed in any preceding claim, where the head opening and locking operation is achieved by the use of a cam or cam effect mechanism.

10.A press head substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.