阅读说明：本技术 安装缠绕式弹簧的方法 (Method for mounting a wrap spring ) 是由 沃尔夫冈·沃尔克 于 2020-02-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于安装缠绕式弹簧(14)的方法,在所述方法中：提供第一套筒(12)；被设计成摩擦邻接所述第一套筒(12)的侧表面(20)的缠绕式弹簧(14)在松弛状态下以与所述第一套筒(12)的沿轴向方向延伸的第一纵向轴线(18)成一定角度而施加到所述第一套筒(12)的所述侧表面(20)上；然后当所述缠绕式弹簧(14)接触所述第一套筒(12)的所述侧表面(20)时,所述缠绕式弹簧(14)被弹性地扭转；所述第一纵向轴线(18)和所述缠绕式弹簧(14)的中心轴线(16)之间的所得角度(α)减小；所述缠绕式弹簧(14)被螺纹连接到所述第一套筒(12)上；并且随后所述缠绕式弹簧(14)经松弛以建立与所述第一套筒(12)的所述侧表面(20)的摩擦接触。这使得能够简单地、特别是自动化地安装缠绕式弹簧(14)。(The invention relates to a method for mounting a wrap spring (14), in which method: providing a first sleeve (12); a wrap spring (14) designed to frictionally abut a side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12) is applied in a relaxed state to the side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12) at an angle to a first longitudinal axis (18) of the first sleeve (12) extending in an axial direction; then the wrap spring (14) is elastically twisted when the wrap spring (14) contacts the side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12); a resulting angle (a) between the first longitudinal axis (18) and a central axis (16) of the wrap spring (14) decreases; the wrap spring (14) is threaded onto the first sleeve (12); and subsequently the wrap spring (14) is relaxed to establish frictional contact with the side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12). This makes it possible to install the wrap spring (14) in a simple manner, in particular in an automated manner.)

1. A method of installing a wrap spring (14), wherein

Providing a first sleeve (12),

a wrap spring (14) designed to frictionally abut a side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12) is applied in a relaxed state to the side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12) at an angle to a first longitudinal axis (18) of the first sleeve (12) extending in an axial direction,

the wrap spring (14) is then elastically twisted to change its nominal diameter while the wrap spring (14) contacts the side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12),

a resulting angle (a) between the first longitudinal axis (18) of the first sleeve (12) and a central axis (16) of the wrap spring (14) decreases,

the wrap spring (14) is screwed onto the first sleeve (12), in particular inserted into the first sleeve (12) or slid onto the first sleeve (12), and

the wrap spring (14) is then relaxed to establish frictional contact with the side surface (20) of the first sleeve (12).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the twisting of the wrap spring (14) and the threaded connection occur at least temporarily simultaneously.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reduction of the angle (a) and the screwing occur at least temporarily simultaneously.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wrap spring (14) partially protrudes from the first sleeve (12) in the axial direction after being threaded.

5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first sleeve (12) has a first axial stop (22), wherein the wrap spring (14) is screwed onto the first sleeve (12) until the wrap spring (14) axially strikes the first axial stop (22).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein only some of the coils of the wrap spring (14), in particular only 6 to 8 coils, slide at an angle on the side surface (20) when being screwed on.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

Providing a second sleeve (24) that frictionally contacts the wrap spring (14) in the relaxed state of the wrap spring (14),

applying the second sleeve (24) to the wrap spring (14) which is screwed under tension onto the first sleeve (12), and

subsequently screwing the second sleeve (24) onto the wrap spring (14), in particular pushing onto the second sleeve (24) or inserting into the second sleeve (24),

wherein at least one point in time between applying the second sleeve (24) to the tensioned wrap spring (14) and fully threading the second sleeve (24), a second longitudinal axis (26) of the second sleeve (24) is angularly aligned with the central axis (16) of the wrap spring (14).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second longitudinal axis (26) of the second sleeve (24) undergoes oscillation during threading.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the wrap spring (14) is relaxed only after the threaded connection of the second sleeve (24).

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wrap spring (14) is applied to the first sleeve (12), twisted and screwed onto the first sleeve (12) by means of a first robot arm, wherein the second sleeve (24) is applied to the wrap spring (14) and screwed onto the wrap spring (14).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method by means of which a wrap spring provided for frictional abutment on a sleeve can be installed.

Background

It is known, for example, from DE 102009052611 a1 to provide a wrap spring between an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, wherein a frictional engagement with the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve can be established or cancelled by twisting the wrap spring in or against the winding direction, for example by generating or interrupting a torque flow between an engine shaft of a motor vehicle engine of the motor vehicle and a pulley for driving an auxiliary unit. In order to bring the wrap spring into frictional engagement in the relaxed state, it is necessary to elastically twist the wrap spring in or against the winding direction during installation to such an extent that the tensioned wrap spring can be screwed onto the insertion ramp. However, it has been found that tensioned wrap springs can jam in threaded connections and in the event of a failure of a threaded connection.

There is therefore a need to simplify the installation of wrap springs.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to show a measure enabling a simple installation of a wrap spring.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and in the description below, each of which can represent an aspect of the invention either individually or in combination.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for installing a wrap spring, wherein: providing a first sleeve; a wrap spring arranged for frictional abutment with a side surface of the first sleeve in a relaxed state is applied to the side surface of the first sleeve at an angle to a first longitudinal axis of the first sleeve extending in the axial direction; the wrap spring is then resiliently twisted to change its nominal diameter; as the wrap spring contacts the side surface of the first sleeve, the resulting angle between the first longitudinal axis of the first sleeve and the central axis of the wrap spring decreases; the wrap spring on the first sleeve is screwed onto the first sleeve, in particular inserted into or attached to the first sleeve; the wrap spring is then relaxed to create frictional contact with the side surface of the first sleeve.

Instead of applying the wrap spring coaxially and threading it onto the funnel-shaped insertion ramp, the wrap spring is purposely applied at an angle. Thus, the friction-related contact of the wrap spring with the first sleeve does not take place over the entire circumference of the wrap spring, but only in a more tangential partial region of the wrap spring. When the wrap spring is tensioned, the elastic deformation of the wrap spring can be more easily distributed over the entire axial extent of the wrap spring if the wrap spring is twisted in or against the winding direction, without active friction forces frictionally impeding the relative movement of the wrap spring during tensioning. The angled alignment of the wrap spring may reduce the friction surface acting thereon and minimize the frictional torque resisting tension of the wrap spring. The risk of the wrap spring getting jammed during screwing is thus avoided or at least significantly reduced. The wrap spring can therefore also be easily mounted in an automated manner, for example with the aid of a robot arm. Sudden drag forces that exceed the force applied by the motor to the robotic arm and cause unplanned shutdowns of the robotic arm can be avoided. By applying and screwing the wrap spring at an angle, unnecessary friction related resistance of the first sleeve can be avoided, allowing a simple, particularly automated mounting of the wrap spring.

The wrap spring may be part of a wrap spring clutch, wherein the first sleeve may be frictionally coupled to the second sleeve or to another sleeve or shaft. For this purpose, the wrap spring wound in a cylindrical shape in the manner of a coil spring can be elastically deformed in or against its winding direction, so that the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the wrap spring changes. If the diameter of the wrap spring is reduced in this case, the wrap spring can rest on the radially inner surface of the inner sleeve and create a frictional engagement according to the principle of rope friction. When the wrap spring is of a larger diameter, the wrap spring may rest on the radially outer surface of the outer sleeve and create a frictional engagement in accordance with the principles of rope friction. The wrap spring can be fixed to the other sleeve, in particular in a form-fitting manner (for example via a projecting leg).

In particular, the twisting of the wrap spring and the screwing take place at least temporarily simultaneously. The wrap spring, which is twisted in or against the winding direction, can thus slide along the sleeve while being deflected. This results not only in a relative movement of the partial regions of the wrap spring resting on the sleeve in the screwing direction, but also in a relative movement transverse to the screwing direction as a result of the twisting. Due to the different motion components and the increased relative speed, the possibility of friction-related jamming of the wrap spring is avoided or at least reduced.

The reduction of the angle and the screwing preferably take place at least temporarily simultaneously. As a result of the threaded connection, the wrap spring can continue to extend into the sleeve or be pushed onto the sleeve. By reducing the angle between the central axis of the wrap spring and the first longitudinal axis of the first sleeve, the wrap spring may be oriented relative to the first sleeve such that the contact pressure between adjacent portions of the wrap spring and the first sleeve remains low, preferably substantially constant. The possibility of friction related jamming of the wrap spring can be avoided or at least reduced.

Particularly preferably, the wrap spring partially protrudes from the first sleeve in the axial direction after being screwed in. The axial extension of the wrap spring may be greater than the axial extension of the first sleeve. This leaves enough wrap spring material to be able to hold the wrap spring in place during threading and twisting. In addition, in the elastically tensioned state, the individual coils of the wrap spring can more easily compensate one another, so that substantially the same elastic deformation takes place over the axial extent of the wrap spring. The possibility of friction related jamming of the wrap spring can be avoided or at least reduced.

In particular, the first sleeve has a first axial stop, wherein the wrap spring is screwed onto the first sleeve until the wrap spring axially strikes the first axial stop. The relative axial position of the wrap spring relative to the first sleeve in the threaded connection can thus be easily determined. In addition, when the wrap spring hits the first axial stop, a resistance against further screwing is automatically generated, so that the detection of this resistance can be used as a signal for the end of the screwing step. This facilitates automation of the installation process.

Preferably, during the screwing, only a part of the coils of the wrap spring, in particular only six to eight coils, are arranged at an angle on the side surface. The area of the wrap spring exposed to frictional loads during the screwing operation can thereby be kept small. At the same time, during the screwing, the wrap spring can be supported by the first sleeve over a sufficiently long axial region to ensure a precise screwing.

Particularly preferably, a second sleeve is provided, which in the relaxed state of the wrap spring is in frictional contact with the wrap spring, which second sleeve is applied to the wrap spring screwed onto the first sleeve in the tensioned state, which second sleeve is then screwed onto the wrap spring, in particular the second sleeve is attached or inserted into the second sleeve, wherein a second longitudinal axis of the second sleeve is oriented at an angle relative to a central axis of the wrap spring at least one point in time between the application of the second sleeve to the tensioned wrap spring and the full screwing of the second sleeve. In particular, the installation of the second sleeve may be performed substantially similar to the installation of the wrap spring and the first sleeve. By applying the second sleeve at an angle and screwing it onto the wrap spring, unnecessary friction-related resistance can be avoided, so that a simple, in particular automated, mounting, in particular of the wrap spring clutch, can be achieved. The first sleeve may be disposed outside of the wrap spring and the second sleeve may be disposed inside of the wrap spring, or vice versa. Alternatively, both the first and the second sleeve may be arranged outside or both inside the wrap spring and are preferably connected to each other such that the wrap spring may be received in a captive manner in axial direction between the first and the second sleeve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve may form a common side surface on which the wrap spring, in particular in a relaxed state, may be brought into frictional engagement based on the principle of rope friction.

In particular, the second longitudinal axis of the second sleeve undergoes oscillation during the screwing. During the threaded connection, the second longitudinal axis may rotate around the longitudinal axis of the wrap spring over at least a portion of the circumferential direction. The possibility of friction related jamming of the wrap spring on the second sleeve can be avoided or at least reduced. Additionally or alternatively, the wrap spring undergoes oscillation when threaded onto the first sleeve.

The wrap spring preferably only relaxes after the second sleeve has been threaded. The frictional coupling of the wrap spring in a relaxed state with the first sleeve or the second sleeve is only performed when the desired relative position of the first sleeve and the second sleeve has been reached. Unnecessary friction effects that may complicate the installation can thus be avoided.

It is particularly preferred that the wrap spring is applied to the first sleeve by means of a first robot arm, twisted and screwed onto the first sleeve, wherein the second sleeve is applied to the wrap spring and screwed onto the wrap spring, particularly by means of a second robot arm. The mounting process can be automated by means of a robotic arm, since the wrap spring can be prevented from getting stuck during mounting. The robot arm can be designed as a pneumatic gripper and/or can be driven by means of a servomotor. The robot arm is in particular part of a six-axis robot.

Drawings

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings which use preferred exemplary embodiments, in which features shown below are capable of representing one aspect of the invention both in isolation and in combination. In the drawings:

FIG. 1: a schematic cross-sectional view of a wrap spring clutch at a first installation point in time is shown,

FIG. 2: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at a second installation point in time is shown,

FIG. 3: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at a third installation point in time is shown,

FIG. 4: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at a fourth installation point in time is shown,

FIG. 5: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at a fifth installation point in time is shown,

FIG. 6: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at a sixth installation point in time is shown,

FIG. 7: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at a seventh installation time point is shown, and

FIG. 8: a schematic cross-sectional view of the wrap spring clutch at an eighth installation time point is shown.

Detailed Description

To install the wrap spring clutch 10, which is partially shown in fig. 1, a first sleeve 12 is first provided into which the wrap spring 14 is to be inserted. To this end, a robotic arm gripping the wrap spring 14 may apply the wrap spring 14 to the first sleeve 12 at an angle by providing an angle α between the central axis 16 of the wrap spring 14 and the first longitudinal axis 18 of the first sleeve. The wrap spring 14 may be resiliently twisted in the winding direction before it is applied to the first sleeve 12, as it is applied to the first sleeve 12, or after it is applied to the first sleeve 12, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the wrap spring 14. In the elastically twisted state of the wrap spring 14, the outer diameter of the wrap spring 14 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner side surface 20 of the first sleeve 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wrap spring 14 may be threaded onto the first sleeve 12 by inserting the wrap spring 14 into the first sleeve 12. Here, several coils of the angled wrap spring 14 may slide off the edge of the side surface 20. Additionally, the angle α between the central axis 16 of the wrap spring 14 and the first longitudinal axis 18 may be reduced until the angle α is 0 ° and the wrap spring 14 is fully disposed coaxially with the first sleeve 12, as shown in fig. 3. If the wrap spring 14 has not reached its designated axial position relative to the first sleeve 12, the wrap spring 14 may be inserted further into the first sleeve 12 via an axial relative movement until the wrap spring 14 strikes a first axial stop 22 of the first sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the wrap spring 14 may slightly protrude from the first sleeve 12 in the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 5, the second sleeve 24 may be applied to the protruding portion of the wrap spring 14 at an angle. The second longitudinal axis 26 may be set at an angle β to the central axis 16 of the wrap spring 14 and at an angle to the first longitudinal axis 18. As shown in fig. 6, the second sleeve 24 may slide in an axial direction over the first sleeve 12 and/or the wrap spring 14. Here, as shown in fig. 7, the second sleeve 24 may be erected and arranged coaxially with the wrap spring 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, both the first sleeve 12 and the second sleeve 24 are disposed radially outward of the wrap spring 14. When the second sleeve 24 is fully threaded, as shown in fig. 8, the first sleeve 12 and the second sleeve 24 may be connected to one another and form a common radially inwardly facing side surface 20 on which the wrap spring 14 in its final relaxed state may be brought into frictional engagement. Another sleeve or shaft may be radially inserted into wrap spring 14 through which wrap spring 14 may be fixedly connected to one end of the windings, such as to form a complete wrap spring clutch 10 within a pulley for driving an auxiliary unit of a motor vehicle.

Description of the reference numerals

10-winding type spring clutch

12 first sleeve

14 wound spring

16 central axis

18 first longitudinal axis

20 side surface

22 first axial stop

24 second sleeve

26 second longitudinal axis

Angle alpha

Angle beta