US2018209A - Spring coiling machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1935.

J. GOGAN SPRING COILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 rrakwsYs Oct. 22, 1935, J GOGAN SPRING COILING Mmmm Filed Feb'. 25, 19 5 sheds-sheet 2 Oct. 22, 1935. J. GoGAN I2,018,209

I SPRING COILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, -1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 rraeNe-Ys Oct. 22, 1935. Y J. GOGAN 2,018,209

SPRING COILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 4i-TORNEI YS @at 22, E935, J. GOGAN M8209 SPRING COILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1934 5 SlleeS--Sheel'l 5 y?? .ih/VEN roe: Josep/J 6o @A N Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED As'rxnss PATENT OFFICE SPRING COILING MACHINE Joseph Gogan, Lakewood, Ohio Application February 23, 1934, Serial No. 712,599 10 Claims. (Cl. 153-67) The present invention relates to machines for making springs, and mo-re particularly production machines for making relatively heavy coil springs of the helical type, such as those now being employed in automobile suspensions.

An object of the invention is the provision of a novel ceiling machine which will be rugged and simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, andsemi-automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is the pro- Vision of a novel machine for making coil springs, particularly adapted to high production purposes, wherein a predetermined length of rod stock is coiled about a mandrel with the free ends thereof lying close to the adjacent convolutions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel machine for making coil springs from hot rod stock, by coiling the stock about a mandrel while the free end thereof is advanced longitudinally of the mandrel, and subsequently stripping the finished spring from the mandrel.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof, described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front perspective of a coil spring machine embodying the present inventionf Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the center of the machine on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, with portions shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figs. 2 and 4, with portions shown in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the feed screw on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section of the chuck shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the finished spring;

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuits of the machine;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section through the limit switch shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. l2 is a section on the line |2--l2 of Fig. 11.

Similar reference characters designate corre- .sponding parts through the several views of the drawings.

The preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein is a machine for making relatively heavy coil springs, such as those used in the front suspensionof automobiles, from a predetermined length of hot rod stock. It

is to be understood that such variations in the construction of the machine hereinafter de- 5 scribed, as come within the knowledge of those skilled in the art, are within the. scope of this invention, and that the machine shown is merely illustrative thereof.

Referring to Fig. 1, the frame of the machine 10- illustrated is designated in general by the reference character A, and comprises a bed I 0, supported on legs Il, l2 and i3, and an overhead member lll supported on the bed lil by brackets l5 and I6. The work Win the form of a predcl5 termined length of hot rod stock, both ends of which are. tapered as illustrated, is placed in the machine by an operative from the front, underneath a lead screw 20, with the front end of the rod resting upon a mandrel 2| underneath a 20 clamping bar 22 of a chuck designated in general by the reference character C. The clamp bar 22 is then actuated to clamp the'end of the work W to the mandrel. The chuck C is carried by and forms part of a spindle designated in gen- 25 eral by the reference character B, and after the end of the work is clamped to the mandrel, the spindle B, including the mandrel 2|, is rotated by mechanism hereinafter referred to, to coil the work or rod stock about the mandrel. During the 3o coiling operation the free end of the work or rod is prevented from rotating with the spindle and fed longitudinally of the mandrel by the lead screw 20, rotated at a speed proportional to the speed of the spindle. After the free end of the 35 work or rod stock leaves the lead screw 20 it is rolled down against the mandrel 2l by a roller 24, after which the mandrel 2l is withdrawn and the spring allowed to drop through the bottom of the machine.

The spindle B comprises a spindle shaft 26, driven from an electric motor 21, vthrough a gear reduction designated in general at 28, and the spur gears 29 and 30. The spur gear 30 is operatively connected to the spindle shaft 26 by a fric- 45 tion or slip clutch E, tol prevent injury to the motor in the event that the machine becomes jammed, etc. The friction clutch E is of conventional construction and comprises an annular flange 3| on the gear 30 engaged between the 50 plates 32 and 33 connected to the spindle shaft 26. Plate 32 is held in engagement with the other plate 33 by compression springs 34, the pressure of which may be adjusted to change the load at which the clutch will slip. The spindle shaft 26 55l phere VVwhen the pedal is depressed. The fluidY pressure'supply line is designated by the referis rotatably supported in brackets 38 and 39, bolted or otherwise secured to the bed |0. A hand wheel 4| xed to the spindle shaft 26 is provided for the purpose of manually turning over the spindle.

The chuck C comprises a body portion 42, secured to the spindle shaft 26 Yby means of bolts 43, and is preferably keyed to the shaft to prevent any rotation between the parts. The clamp bar 22 pivotally supported in the body portion 42 by a pin y44 carries a lever 45 pivotally connected to the rear end thereof and provided with a roller 46 at the lower or free end adapted to roll onra surface 41 formed on the body portion 42. The lower end of the lever is cylindrical and flts in a rectangular opening 49 in the enlarged end 50 of a rod 5| slidably supported in a longitudinal Yaperture in the spindle shaft 26. Longitudinal reciprocation ofthe rod 5| moves the roller 46 over the surface 41 and causes the clamping bar 22 to engage or disengage the Work, depending upon the direction of reciprocation.

i The rod 5| is reciprocated longitudinally to cause the clamp bar 22 to engage and disengage the Work by a bar 55, projecting through an aperture in the rod 5| and an elongated slot 56 in the spindle shaft 26. The bar is connected to lugs 51 formed integral with an annular member 58, by pins 59. The annular member 58 is rotatably supported on the spindle shaft 26, and is reciprocated longitudinally thereof by a second annular member 60 supported coaxial therewith. The annular member 58 is adapted to be rotated within the second annular member 60, and the two members are held in assembled relationship by a disk 62 bolted to the annular member 58. Anti- `friction. thrust bearings V63 are interposed between the members 58 and 60.

The member 60 is provided on opposite sides thereof with projections 65 provided with rollers 66 `which engage in slots 61 formed in the upper ends of levers 68. The levers 68 are fixed to a horizontal shaft 10 rotatably supported in bosses 1| secured to the bed I0; A lever 12 xed to the shaft 10 midway between the lever 68 is operatively connected to the piston rod 14 of a uid pressure operated motor designated, in general, by the reference character H, by a link 15. The fluid pressure actuatedmotor H comprises' a cylinder 16 secured to a bracket 11 carried by the bed |0, and acylinder head' 18. A piston Y slidably supported in the cylinder 16 and connected to the piston rod 14 by a nut 8| is adapted to be reciprocated towards the right, as viewed in Fig."1, by fluid pressure, preferably air, admitted to the cylinder at the left of the piston Vthrough a port 83.' The piston 80 is continuously urged toward the left, as viewed in the above mentioned figure, by a compression spring 84 surrounding the piston rod 14 and compressed between the Vpiston 80 and the lower end of an Vaperture 85 formed in the bracket 11.. The supply of uid pressure to the vcylinder' 16 is controlledV by a foot operated Vvalve 86, which connects a pipe 81 communicating with the port 83 `and the valve 86 with fluid pressure when the pedal 88 is released, and with exhaust or atmosence character 89. The valve 86 is of conventional construction and a detailed description thereof 'is Vwconsidered unnecessary to theY full Y Vunderstanding 'of the present invention.

VThe'mandrel 2| is secured to a member 90 ro-L tatably supported inV a bracket'9l slidably sup- Vthe member 90 and the bracket 9|. The mandrel 2| is provided with a squared end 94 adapted to 5 project through a rectangular aperture in a face plate of the chuck C. The plate 95 is secured to the body portion 42 of the chuck by bolts 96 and the mandrel 2| is driven from the spindle shaft 20 through the chuck. The mandrel 2| is 10 also provided with a longitudinal passage 91 through which air is blown for the purpose of cooling the mandrel. The air connection is made by means of a pipe 98.

'Ihe bracket 9| is reciprocated on the ways 92 to 15 engage and disengage the squared end 94 of thel mandrel 2| with the chuck C, by a double acting Vfluid pressure actuated motor designated in general by the reference character J. The motor comprises a double acting piston |00 attached 20 to a piston rod |0| and slidably supported within a cylinder |02 xed to the overhead member I4 by brackets |03 and |04. The piston rod |0| is secured to aplate |05 attached to the bracket 9| by screws |06. The left hand end of the cylin- 25 der |02 is provided with cushion means for limiting the movement of the piston, etc., towards the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, and taking the impact thereof. The cushion means referred to comprises a member ||0, positioned in the cylin- 3.0 der |02 adjacent the cylinder head and pro'- vided with a counterbore ||2 within which a compression spring i3 is positioned. The spring H3 engages a disk-shaped `member ||4 slidably supported in the cylinder |02 which, in turn, en- 35 gages a cup-shaped member ||5 adapted kto engage the piston |00 when the same is at or near the left hand end of lts stroke. The movement of the disk-shaped member ||4 and the cupshaped member ||5 towards the right is limited ci by a rod 6, secured to the cylinder head provided with an enlarged head ||1 positioned within the cup-shaped Lmember 5. The rod ||6 extends through the center of the members ||4 and ||5 which are free to slide thereon.

The supply of fluid pressure, preferably air, to the motor J is controlled by a foot actuated valve |20. A pipe |2| communicatesV with the valve |20 and the left hand end of the cylinder |02, and a pipe |23 communica-tes with the valve |20 50- and a port |24 in the right hand end of the cylinder |02. When the foot pedal |25 of the valve |20 is depressed, the pipe |2| is connected to the bracket 9| etc., is moved to the right. When the foot pedal |25 is released the direction of the iiow of fluid in the pipes |2| and |23 is reversed,

moving the bracket 9| etc. to the left.

As was previously stated, aV feed screw 20 pretil)r Y,vente the free end of the work W from rotating with the spindle B and feeds the same longitudi nally of the mandrel 2|. The feed screw 20`is provided with a Yhelical groove |25 in the nature of a thread within which the work W is held, 6'5 and is driven at a predetermined speed in a direc- Y. tion opposite to that of the spindle B Vthrough gears |26 and |21, the former of which is fixed to the body portion 42 of the chuck C and the latter to a stud `shaft |28 rotatably supported in 750 a bracket |29. VThe left hand end of the feed screw, see Fig. 5, is secured to a disk |30 by means of a bolt |3|, and the disk |30 is detachby'screws |36. The disks |30 and `|35 have a 751 tongue and groove connection which prevents any relative rotation between the same.

The right hand end of the feed screw 20 is slidably keyed to an annular member |40 detachably connected to an annular member |4|, by means of screws |42, xed to theend of a stud shaft |43 rotatably supported on a bracket |44. Sufficient clearance is provided between the right hand end of the feed screw 20 and the annular member |4| to permit removal of the feed screw and the members |38 and |40 as a unit when the screws |36 and |42 have been removed without disturbing the bearings or brackets |29 and |44. The foregoing construction permits quick replacement of the feed screw when desired. The brackets |29 and |44 are secured by means of bolts |45 to the brackets 39 and I6, respectively, and the construction is such that the feed screw 20 can be adjusted circumferentially about the axis of the spindle B, a plurality of bolt holes |46 being provided for this purpose, see Fig, 3.

The roller 24 which rolls the end of the work W against the mandrel after it leaves the feed screw 20 is rotatably supported on a pin |50 fixed in a forked lever |5|, and is provided with an annular flange |52 which rolls or presses the tapered end of the work W into engagement with or towards the adjacent convolution. The lever |5| is pivotally supported on a pin |55 fixed in a. bracket |56 clamped to a rectangular bar |51 by bolts |58. The bar |51 is supported by brackesl |60 xed to the brackets 39 and I6 b-y bolts The rear end |65 of the lever |5| is circular in shape and engages a recess ina bearing member |66 supported in a counterbore formed in a member |61. The member |61 is .in the nature of a piston and is slidably keyed within a cylindrical or cup-shaped member |68 clamped to the bar |51 by the bolts |58. The end |65 of the lever |5| is continuously held in contact with the bearing member |66 by a spring member |10 supported by studs |1| fixed to the member |61 and extending over a pin |12 secured in the end |65 of the lever |5|.

The piston member |61 is continuously urged in an upward direction by a compression spring |13 compressed between the member |61 and a disk |14 supported on the upper end of a tubular member |15 threaded into the bottom of the member |68. The compression of the spring |13 can be adjusted by rotating the tubular member |15, and the member |15 locked in any adjusted position by a screw |16. The upward movement of the piston member |61, and, in turn, the downward movement of the roller 24, is limited by a bolt |19 extending through the center of the member |61, the head of which overlies a portion of the member |51 underneath the bearing member |66. The lower end of the bolt |19 projects through the tubular member |15 and carries a nut |8| threaded onto the lower end thereof by means of which the upper limit of the member 61 can be adjusted. The roller assembly just described and which is designated generally by vthe reference character D is adjustable along the bar |51 to accommodate different lengths of springs. The compression of the spring |13 is adjusted by means of the tubular member |15 to take care of stock of different thickness, and the distance of the roller 24 from the axis of the spindle B is adjusted by the nut 8| to accommodate both mandrels of different diameters and different size stock.

The motor 21 is a reversible three phase alternating current motor, provided with an electrically controlled brake applied to one end of the armature shaft. The control box |86, see Fig. 1, houses the solenoid operated control switch for the motor 21, designated in general bythe 5 reference character K, see Fig. l0. The operating solenoid is indicated at |81, and is in series with the foot operated push button |88, the operating pedal |89 of which extends underneath the foot pedal 88 and is operated simultaneously there- 10 with. The power lines are indicated by the reference characters 4|, 42 and 43 and the motor terminal connection by the reference characters T1, T2 and T3. Fuses are indicated at |90 and ISI. The solenoid |92, which controls the opera- 15' tion of the brake |85, is also in series with the push button |88. The construction is such that the brake is released when the pedal 88 is depressed.

A limit switch, designated in general by the 20 reference character M, is provided for always bringing the spindle B to rest at a predetermined point in the rotation thereof, The limit switch M comprises a frame supported by a member |96 attached to the bracket 38, see Fig. i, and a 25.

shaft l 91 rotatably supported in the frame |95 by anti-friction bearings |98. The shaft |91 is connected to the spindle shaft 26 by a coupling 200 and is rotated therewith. A plurality of insulator disks or commutators 20|, adjustably conso nected to the shaft |91, carry contact segments 282 on the circumference thereof embracing about 95% of the circumference. 'I'he segments 202 are connected in series by a lead 203 and contact is made with the segments by spring pressed 35 brushes 204 slidably supported in insulating brush holders 205. The brushes 204 etc. are connected in shunt circuit with the push button |88 by the leads 201 and 208 and maintain the circuit to the operating solenoids |81 and |92, after the pedal 40 88 is releasedk until a predetermined point in the rotation of the spindle B, thus always stopping the spindle in a predetermined position. The disks or commutators 20| are adjustable on the shaft |91 for the purpose of permitting the 45 spindle to be stopped at different positions as desired. A manually operated switch 2|0 in series with the commutator switch, permits the machine to be placed under the sole control of the push button |88.

It is believed that the operation of the machine will be apparent from the foregoing description thereof, suffice it to say that with the machine at rest and the parts in the position shown in Fig.

7, the work, in the form of a predetermined length 55 of rod stock tapered off at both ends, is inserted underneath the feed screw 20 until the end thereof rests underneath the clamp bar 22, with the flat face adjacent the face plate 95 of the clutch, after which the foot pedal 83 is depressed to 50 clamp the end oi the work between the clamp bar 22 and the mandrel 2|. When the foot pedal 88 is depressed the pedal 89 is depressed simultaneously therewith, closing the switch |68, energizing the solenoids |81 and |92, which start the motor 65 21 and release the brake |85.

As the wire is coiled about the mandrel 2| the same is fed lengthwise thereof by the feed screw 20'. yAs the end Aof the coil is approached the work engages underneath the roller 24 which 70 rolls the free end of the work against the mandrel and presses the last convolution against the convolution adjacent thereto, thus gauging the length of the spring. When the coil has been completely formed on the mandrel the foot pedals '( 5k 88 and 85 are released and the spindle B comes to stop at a predetermined point in the present Y illustration with the clamp bar 22 on top. The

foot pedal |25 is then depressed, with the result that the slide 9| and the mandrel 2| are moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, stripping the spring from the mandrel and allowing it to drop through the bottom of the machine. When the foot pedal |25 is released the slide 9| and mandrel 2| are returned to their initial position and the machine is ready for the next operation.

The machine shown is set up for making right hand springs, but is capable of making left hand springs by merely reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 21, dropping the feed screw 20 until the top thereof Yis approximately even with the bottom of the mandrel 2|, and adjusting the limit switch M so that the Aspindle will stop with the clamp bar 22 underneath the mandrel. When operating the machine to make left hand springs, set up as outlined above, the work is inserted in the machine Vabove the feed screw 2|) and underneath the mandrel 2|.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that applicant has produced a new and improved machine for making springs, etc. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, I do not wish to be limited to the construction shown, which may be Varied within the scope of the invention, and I particularly point out and claim as my invention the following:

1. In a machine of theV character describedy the combination of a frame, a mandrel adapted to have rod stock coiled thereabout to form a helical coil rotatably supported by said frame,

Vmeans for clamping one end of the rod stock into engagement'with said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrel, means for engaging the rod stock projecting from said mandrel and limiting the rotation thereof, means for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of the mandrel, and fluid pressure actuated means for stripping the helical coil from said mandrel.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a frame, a spindle comprising a mandrel adapted to have rod stock coiled thereabout, a chuck carried by said spindle, said chuck comprising a clamp bar pivotally supported therein for clamping the rod stock in engagement with said mandrel, means for moving said clamp bar towards and from said mandrel, means for rotating said spindle, a feed screw rotatably supported by said frame for preventing the rod stock not in engagement with said spindle from rotating therewith and for feeding the rod stockV longitudinally of said mandrel, means forrotating said feed screw, a roller supported by said frame' and addjustable longitudinally of said mandrel for rolling the end of the rodV stock into contact with said mandrel after it has disengaged said feed screw.

3. In a Vmachine of the character described, the combination Vof a frame, a spindle rotatably supported by said frame, a mandrel rotatably supported by said frame coaxial with said spindle, means for rotating said spindle, meansfor operatively connecting said mandrel to said spinin engagement with said mandrel, means for engaging the rod stock not in contact with said mandrel and limiting the rotationV thereof with said mandrel, andmeans for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of said mandrel to form aV same therewith, means supported by said spin-V dle for clamping rod stock in engagement with said mandrel, means for engaging the rod stock not in contact with said mandrel and limiting the rotation thereof with said mandrel, means for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of said mandrel to form a helical coil, and means for rolling the end of the rod stock against said mandrel and stripping the coil therefromV upon reciprocatlon of said mandrel in a direction away from Said spindle. Y

5. In a machine of the character described, the combinationof a spindle comprising a mandrel adapted to have rod stock coiled thereabout, means carried by said spindle for holding one end of the rod stock, an electric motor for rotating said spindle, means for preventing rotation of the rod stock not engaged by the spindle about the axis thereof, means for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of the mandrel, and control means for said motor operatively connected to said spindle for opening the circuit to said motor whereby said spindle is stopped in a predetercombination of a frame, a spindle rotatably sup- Y ported by said frame, a mandrel rotatably supportedV by said frame coaxial with said spindle, means for rotating said spindle, means: for stopping said spindle in a predetermined position, means for operatively connecting said mandrel to said spindle, means for. reciprocating said mandrel to and from said spindle to engage and dlsengage the same therewith, means supported by said spindle for clamping rod stock in engagement with said mandrel, ymeans for engaging the rod stock not in contact with said mandrel and limiting the rotation thereof with said mandrel, means for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of said mandrel as it is coiled thereabout to form a helical coil, and common means for rolling the end of the rod stock against said mandrel and stripping the coil from said mandrel upon reciprocation th'ereof in a direction away from said spindle. f

7. In a machine of the character described the combination of a framea spindle rotatably sup-V ported by said frame, a member slidably sup'- ported by said frame,V a mandrel rotatably Ysupported by said member coaxial with said spindle, means for rotating said spindle, means for operatively connecting said mandrel to said spindle, means fluid pressure actuated for reciprocating said member for moving said mandrel to and from said spindle to engage and vdisengage the same therewith, means supported by said spindle for clamping rod stock in engagement with said mandrel, and means for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of said mandrel to form a Vhelical coil.

po-rted by said frame, an electric motor for rotating said spindle, means for operatively connect- 8. In a machineof the character described the y combination of a frame, a spindle rotatably supe,

ing said spindle and said motor, a limit switch operatively connected to said spindle for controlling the circuit to said motor whereby said spindle is stopped in a predetermined position, a bracket slidably supported by said frame, a mandrel rotatably supported in said bracket coaxial with said spindle about which rod stock is adapted to be coiled to form a spring, means for operatively connecting said spindle with said mandrel whereby said mandrel is rotated therewith, means for reciprocating said bracket towards and from said spindle to engage and dis- Y engage said mandrel with said spindle, means for clamping rod stock adjacent said mandrel, and means for limiting the rotation of the rod stock not in engagement with said mandrel from rotating therewith.

9. In a machine of the character described the combination of a frame, a spindle rotatably supported by said frame, an electric motor for rotating said spindle, a. gear reduction for operatively connecting said motor with said spindle, a manually controlled switch for closing the circuit to said motor, control means for said motor operatively connected to said spindle for interrupting the circuit to said motor after the opening of said manually controlled switch and stopping said spindle in a predetermined position, a member slidably supported by said frame, a mandrel rotatably supported by said member coaxial with said spindle, means for detachably connecting said mandrel with said spindle whereby said mandrel is rotated with said spindle, a iiuid pressure operated means for moving said member relative to said frame to engage and disengage said mandrel with said spindle, a chuck supported by said spindle adjacent said mandrel, a clamp bar supported by said chuck for clamping one end of rod stock in contact with said mandrel, fluid pressure actuated means for controlling the actuation of said clamp bar, means for connecting said clamp bar with said iiuid pressure actuated means, a feed screw rotatably supported by said frame ad- 5 jacent said mandrel for preventing the free end of the rod stock from rotating with said mandrel and for feeding the rod stock longitudinally thereof, means for adjusting said feed screw circumferentially of the axis of said spindle, means l0 forI rotating said feed screw for said spindle, a roller member rotatably supported adjacent said mandrel for rolling the free end of the rod stock into contact with said mandrel, yieldable means for continuously urging said roller member tol5 wards said mandrel, an adjustable stop for limiting the movement o-f said roller member towards said mandrel, and means for adjusting said roller longitudinally of the axis of said mandrel.

10. In a machine of the character described 20 the combination of a frame, a spindle rotatably supported by said frame, a mandrel rotatably supported by said frame, means for rotating said mandrel, means for operatively connecting said mandrel to said spindle, iiuid pressure actuated means for moving said mandrel towards and from said spindle to engage and disengage the same therewith, means supported by said spindle for clamping rod stock in engagement with said mandrel, means for engaging the rod stock not in contact with said mandrel and limiting the rotation thereof, means for feeding the rod stock longitudinally of said mandrel as it is coiled thereabout, means for rolling the end of the rod stock against said mandrel, and means for stripping the rod stock from said mandrel upon movement of the mandrel away from said spindle.

JOSEPH GOGAN.

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