US2845986A - Machine for automatically coiling stiff wire into a helix - Google Patents

Description

5, 1958 L. o. LARSEN ET AL 2,845,986

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COILING STIFF WIRE INTO A HELIX Filed May 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG INVENTORS L0. LARSE N W0. SIMPSON A TTQQNE) Aug. 5, 1958 L. o. LARSEN-ETAL MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COILING STIFF WIRE INTO A HELIX Filed May 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 (28 FIG 3 //WE/\/ 704% L. 0. LARSE N W 0. S/MPSON ATTORNEY United States Patent MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY COILING STIFF WIRE INTO A HELIX Leonard G. Larsen and Warren 0. Simpson, Indianapolis, Ind, assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorpo rated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Yorlr Application May 17, 1954, Serial No. 430,092

4 Claims. (Cl. 153--64) This invention relates to apparatus for forming wires and more particularly to apparatus for spiraling predetermined lengths of stiff wires.

Certain electrical apparatus units are manufactured Wtih stiff wire leads of definite lengths attached thereto and for convenience in shipping such units, the lengths of wire required for the leads are formed into helixes or spiral turns with a straight section at the end which is to be attached to the unit;

An object of the invention is an apparatus which is simple in structure but highly efiicient in forming such wires.

With this and other objects in view, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to advance a wire longitudinally continuously and to form like successive spiral turns therein. A unit of the aparatus is adapted to restraighten portions of predetermined spiral turns of the wire after which means is actuated to cut the wire successively adjacent each of the straightened portions.

More specifically, the apparatus includes a. power means for driving a drum and a timing unit. The drum is associated with a stationary cylindrical element, with a spiral groove on its inner surface to guide the formation of successive spiral turns in the wire, while pressure rollers, driven by the powermeans at like speeds faster than the peripheral speed of the drum, cause tightening of the spiral turns on the drum to assure formation of like spiral turns in the wire. At the exit end of the drum, a means is provided to guide the continuous spiral turns from the drum through a cutting unit under the control of the timing unit to cut the wire after a straightening element has been actuated to straighten a predetermined portion of one of the spiral turns.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of the apparatus, portions thereof being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentay sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus, looking from the left (Fig. 1);

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of an article produced from stiff wire by the apparatus.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the ap paratus includes a base 10 with a vertical frame 11, the base supporting a power means or electric motor 12, an air cylinder 14 and a cutting unit indicated generally at 15. The motor 12- is operatively connected to a shaft 16 by sprocket and chain connection 17, the shaft being journalled in suitable bearings 18 mounted in the of the shaft 16 together with a gear 21. Pinch rollers 23, mounted on spindles 24, are spaced equally about the drum 20 and have their peripheries like distances from the drum, depending upon the diameter of a stiff wire 25 to be fed longitudinally continuously to the drum from a supply (not shown). The spindles 24 are journalled in suitable bearings (not shown) in the adjacent portion of the frame 11 and in a fixed cover plate 26. Pinions 28 are fixedly mounted on the spindles 24 and interengage the gear 21 to cause their respective pinch rollers 23 to travel at a faster surface speed than the con tacting surface speed of the spiral turns of the wire to cause them to move faster than the surface speed of the drum until the spiral turns are tightened on the drum.

A cylindrical unit, indicated generally at 30 and formed of arcuate segments 31 disposed concentric with the axis of the drum 20 and the shaft 16 between the pinch rollers 23, is fixed to the cover plate 26 and has a spiral groove 32 therein starting with the entrance position 33 for the wire 25 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) and continuing to the exit end of the drum. Actually the spiral groove 32 has open areas adjacent the pinch rollers 23 but the pinch rollers assure continuous guidance through the open areas. A guide tube 35, having a funnel shaped end 36, extends through the base 10 and has its upper end of the'contour (shown in Fig. 2) supported at 37 to guide the wire 25 through the entrance 33 of the cylinder 31 into the space between the drum 2t and the cylinder adjacent one of the pinch rollers 23.

While viewing Fig. 2, attention is directed to the spindle 24 for the lowermost pinch. roller, this spindle being hollow and mounted concentric with a shaft 40. The shaft 40 extends through the vertical portions of the frame 11 and has a pawl-like element 41 fixed to one end thereof. The element 41 has a projection 42 positioned to be engaged by an inner high portion 43 of a cam 44 of a timing unit 45' (shown in Figs. 1 and 4). The timing unit 45 includes a gear 46- mounted on the shaft 16 and interengaging gear 47 mounted for rotation on a spindle 48'. The cam- 44 is mounted on the spindle 48 and may be adjustably secured to the gear 47 by any suitable means (not'shown).

The outer surface of the cam 44 hasa high portion 50 adapted to actuatea roller arm 51 of a microswitch 52 which causes operation of the cutter unit. 15. A schematic illustration is shown in Fig. 1 associated with the air cylinder 14 in the form of a solenoid valve 53 disposed in a fluid line 54, extending from a supply (not shown) to an air cylinder at 55. In the present embodiment of the invention, due to the fact that the cutting unit is instantaneous in its action, let it be assumed that the air cylinder, with its piston rod 56, is of the automatic return type. The electrical circuit (shown in Fig. 1) includes a source of electrical energy in the form of a grounded battery 57, connected to the switch 52 by line 58 and from the switch to the grounded solenoid valve 53, by line 59.

The cutting unit (shown inFigs. l and 3) includes a stationary bracket 60 mounted on the base 10 and supporting a stationary cutting element 61 having an aperture 62 with a cutting edge 63 disposed adjacent the exit end 64 of a stationary spiral tube 65. The tube 65 is formed with an entrance end 66 fixed to' the cover plate 26 and extending therethrough to receive the spiral turns of the wire 2521s they leave the exit end of the drum 20. A movable cutter 67 has V-shaped cutting edges at the upper end thereof (as shown in Fig. 1)' to cooperate with the cutting edge 63 of the stationary cutter 61 to sever the wire 25 after a portion of one" of the spiral turns has been straightened. If desired, the fixed cutting edge 63 may be V-shaped to cooperate with the V-shaped cutting edge of the movable cutter 67. The movable cutter 67 extends through an aperture 68 in the bracket 60 and is normally urged downwardly so that its lower end will rest on one of the adjacent ratchet teeth 69 of an actuating element 70 by the force of a spring 71. The element 70 is mounted fixedly on a spindle 72 and is actuated by the piston rod 56 through the aid of a spring actuated pawl 73 and the pivotal connection of the piston rod with a lever 74, which is bifurcated to straddle the element 70 and the pawl 73 and to pivotally support the pawl at 75.

The means to straighten a portion of one of the spiral turns of the wire includes an arm 78 fixedly mounted on the adjacent end of the shaft 40, which is normally urged counterclockwise (Fig. 3) into its dotted line position against a stop 79 by a helical spring 80 (Fig. 1). It will be noted that one end of the spring 81 is fixed to the adjacent portion of the frame 11 while the other end is connected to a pin 82 fixed to the shaft 40. The arm 78 carries a grooved roller 83 positioned above the spiral turns of wire leaving the guiding means or tube 65 and always in contact with the wire so that whenever the high portion 43 of the cam 44 engages the projection 42 of the element 41, the arm will be moved to the position (shown in Fig. 3) causing straightening of a given length of the wire or a given portion of one of the spiral turns thereof.

Considering now the operation of the apparatus, let it be assumed that the motor 12 is energized, driving its shaft 16 to drive the drum 20 and the gear 46 of the timing unit 45. It will be apparent that the wire 25, initially, may be fed manually through the guide tube 35 until its leading end passes through the entrance 33 and is gripped between the drum 20 and the adjacent pinch roller 23.

From this point on, the apparatus is completely automatie in its actuation causing continuous feeding of the wire longitudinally. The leading end of the wire may be followed as it is guided by the spiral groove 32 and the cylindrical unit 30 between the pinch rollers 23. Each time the wire passes by one of the pinch rollers, it is given an added urge or linear push about the drum to form continuous like tight spiral turns through the guidance of the spiral groove 32 until eventually the leading end enters the stationary guide tube 65 to lead the spiral turns from the drum where they will be self-supporting. The ratios of the gears 46 and 47 determine the length of the wire in each article indicated at 85 (in Fig. 6). The length of the wire in each article determines the number of spiral turns allowed to pass from the drum and beyond the straightening roller 83 before the cam 44 is brought into action to first, through the rocking motion of the element 41 and the shaft 40, cause the arm 78 with its roller 38 to move into the position (shown in Fig. 3) to physically restraighten the wire at one of the spiral turns and to hold the wire so that when passing beneath the roller 83 and over a collar 86, the successive portions of the wire will be restraightened. This continues until the high portion 43 of the cam leaves the element 41 and allows the spring 80 to return the shaft 40 together with the arm 78 to its normal position determined by the stop 79. Immediately after the restraightening operation has been completed, the switch 52 is actuated into closed position, energizing the solenoid valve 53 to cause actuation of the air cylinder 14, or movement of the piston rod 56 to the left, to rock the lever 74 with its pawl 73, to move the ratchet-like element 70 one position and, in doing so, cause rapid action of the movable cutter 67 relative to the stationary cutter 61. This action, resulting in cutting the wire, is so rapid that the continuous operation of the apparatus is not disturbed. Although there may be a momentary pause in the continuous advancement of the wire at the point of exit 64 of the tube 65, the action of the cutter is so rapid that it is difficult to observe visually. The new leading end of the wire is already fed through the aperture 62 of the stationary cutter 61 and will travel beneath the roller 83 of the straightening arm 78. In this manner, the spiral turns for the next article may continue in their movement beyond the drum, the stationary arm and the cutting unit until the desired length of wire for this next article has moved beyond or substantially beyond the drum. At this time, the timing unit 45 again will come into action to rock the shaft 40 with the straightening arm 78 and its roller 83, after which the switch 52 will be closed to cause actuation of the cutting unit to produce successive articles 85 (as shown in Fig. 6).

it is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming wire comprising a continuously rotatable drum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mounted adjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuously thereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to form successive spiral turns about the drum and thereby move axially of the drum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partially conforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit, means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent the exit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, a fixed position roller mounted for rotation about its axis adjacent the drum to engage the outer periphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of the tubular guide, an arm having one end mounted for rocking movement about the axis of the roller between a normal and an operated position, a movable roller mounted adjacent the other end of the arm and positioned normally to engage the inner periphery of the spiral turns, means urging the arm into its normal position, and means operable to rock the arm to cause the rollers to straighten successive portions of predetermined spiral turns.

2. An apparatus for forming wire comprising a continuously rotatable drum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mounted adjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuously thereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to form successive spiral turns about thedrum and thereby move axially of the drum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partially conforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit, means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent the exit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, a fixed position roller mounted for rotation about its axis adjacent the drum to engage the outer periphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of the tubular guide, an arm having one end mounted for rocking movement about the axis of the roller between a normal and an operated position, a movable roller mounted adjacent the other end of the arm and positioned normally to engage the inner periphery of the spiral turns, means urging the arm into its normal position, means operable to rock the arm to cause the rollers to straighten successive portions of the predetermined spiral turns, cutting members disposed adjacent the exit of the tubular guide and operable in timed relation with the arm to cut the turn of the wire leaving the exit of the tubular guide at the juncture of the straightened portion.

3. An apparatus for forming wire comprising a continuously rotatable drum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mounted adjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuously thereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to form successive spiral turns about the drum and thereby move axially of the drum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partially conforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit, means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent the exit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, power means to drive the drum at a given speed to form the successive turns during predetermined time intervals, a rocking shaft, 21 fixed position roller supported for rotation on the rocking shaft to engage the outer periphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of the tubular guide, an arm having one end fixed to the rocking shaft for rocking movement about the axis of the roller, a movable roller mounted for rotation adjacent the other end of the arm and positioned normally to engage the inner peripheries of the spiral turns without disturbing their spiral formations, and means operated at predetermined intervals during rotation of the drum to rock the shaft and the arm to cause the movable roller to cooperate with the fixed position roller to straighten successive portions of predetermined turns.

4. An apparatus for forming Wire comprising a continuously rotatable drum having an entrance end and an exit end, a stationary guide mounted adjacent the entrance end of the drum to feed a wire continuously thereto, means cooperating with the drum to cause the wire to form successive spiral turns about the drum and thereby move axially of the drum to and beyond the exit end thereof, a tubular guide partially conforming to the successive turns and having an entrance and an exit, means to support the tubular guide to position its entrance adjacent the exit end of the drum to receive the successive turns therefrom, power means to drive the drum at a given speed to form the successive turns during predetermined time intervals, a rocking shaft, a fixed position roller supported for rotation on the rocking shaft to engage the outer periphery of each spiral turn beyond the exit of the tubular guide, an arm having one end fixed to the rocking shaft for rocking movement about the axis of the roller, a movable roller mounted for rotation adjacent the other end of the arm and positioned normally to engage the inner peripheries of the spiral turns without disturbing their spiral formations, means operated at predetermined intervals during rotation of the drum to rock the shaft and the arm to cause the movable roller to cooperate with the fixed position roller to straighten successive portions of predetermined turns, and cutting members disposed adjacent the exit of the tubular guide and operable in timed relation with the arm to cut the turn of the wire leaving the exit of the tubular guide at the juncture of the straightened portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 265,026 Coultaus Sept. 26, 1882 483,321 Fulghum et al. Sept. 27, 1892 534,410 Stubbe Feb. 19, 1895 788,970 Waterman et al. May 2, 1905 1,181,107 Cadman May 2, 1916 1,367,814 Hathaway et a1. Feb. 8, 1921 1,466,999 James Sept. 4, 1923 1,756,427 Gunter Apr. 29, 1930 1,842,223 Walton Jan. 19, 1932 2,248,149 Wilson July 8, 1941 2,291,922 Russel Aug. 4, 1942 2,450,324 Wilson Sept. 28, 1948 2,668,510 Mally Feb. 9, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 466,812 France Mar. 13, 1914

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