CN1004339B - Motion filament clamper and cutting association system - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for winding a traveling filament or the like from a conveyor. The device comprises a combined clamping and cutting unit rotating with the reel, which comprises a pivotable arm with a free cutting knife facing the direction of travel of the filament, which, when actuated, moves from a Moving away from the open position of the reel to the closed position, where the cantilever engages the filament and reel to clamp the traveling silk on the reel, with the clamps engaged, the rotating brushroll as the reel continues to rotate Pull the filament leader to force the filament against the cutting edge so that the filament leader can be cut.

Description

Combined moving filament clamping and cutting system

The present invention relates generally to winding continuously cast filaments on a rotating take-up device using a continuous forming process. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for clamping a filament to a rotating winding wheel on a flywheel, cutting a filament outlet, and winding the filament onto the wheel.

Glassy or amorphous alloys are of great technical interest due to their unique physical properties compared to the properties of polycrystalline formation of these alloys. In particular, a cast product of vitreous structure formed by filaments or relatively thin elongated strips has been guaranteed to be effectively wound into an efficient core of an electrical transformer or for other uses. Some recent developments in casting amorphous or glassy metal strips are reviewed in U.S. patent 4332848.

As is well known in the art, a glassy alloy rapidly quenches or cools from a liquid state to a solid amorphous solid state, typically having a crystallinity of less than about 50%. Quenching occurs at extremely high cooling rates, on the order of 10 ⁶ ℃ per second. The ribbon is typically formed by extruding molten alloy from a pressurized vessel through a confining nozzle of a lance onto a high velocity cooling surface. The cast filaments must be thin because of the extremely fast heat transfer required to prevent substantial crystallization.

The cast filaments are wound neatly onto a storage or reel coordinated with the casting equipment so that the latter is necessary to be processed into transformer cores or the like. However, since the casting speed is generally as high as about 1000 to 2000 meters per second, the initiation of a clean winding process is difficult. Thus, the leading portion of the high speed filament must be captured in flight as it leaves the rapidly rotating cooling surface, then transported and nipped onto a take-up pulley, and finally wound onto the wheel. A prior typical device of this type is described in us patent 4116394 by SMITH et al and in us patent 4239187 by Borgers (BOGGS) et al. It will be appreciated that the casting process is continuous at a very rapid rate throughout the operation. The amount of filament winding must be clamped or accumulated rapidly and accurately.

Heretofore, the clamping mechanism for clamping the filaments to the storage wheel has generally taken the form of a pivoting filament clamping member mounted for rotation with the storage wheel (see smith 394). The clamping member comprises a movable clamping tool with a clamping surface and a cutting edge, the movable cutting edge cooperating with a stationary cutting edge on the wheel. When actuated, the gripping tool is configured to pivot and clamp the filament against the wheel. The two cutting edges are matched with the device and cut the filament at the same time, and the filament is strongly led out of the end of the filament on one side of the casting.

Disadvantageously, however, the smith device often fails in reliably providing the necessary clamping and cutting action to the filaments. When the proper cutting action is not supplied, the filament leading-out wire is pulled back onto the winding wheel to break the filament winding. In other cases, the cutting action occurs just prior to the clamping action rather than concurrently with the clamping action. When this occurs, the filaments slide off between the clamping tool and the wheel, quickly becoming a large mass of windings. Failure of either of the above causes the casting process and the purging process to be stopped, resulting in significant losses. In the past, productivity was lowered due to forced standstill of the casting process, and commercialization of amorphous metal casting processes has been a significant impediment. Furthermore, the unreliable cutting device of smith is not easily corrected. Many tests, such as enhancing the force of springs on the clamp, providing a better match between the two edges, and sharpening the edges, all fail to increase reliability. The metal strip, because of its very tough nature, only helps pull the two edges apart, thus sandwiching the strip between the two edges without cutting. In other cases, the cutting action may precede the constant clamping action by a fraction of a second, causing the ribbon to be pulled loose with a fairly tight tension, causing the winding process to fail. The increased complexity of the multi-component mechanism also increases the cost of production and general maintenance requirements. Also, when the winding wheel rotates at different speeds, the clamping force of the clamping tool provided by the spring cannot compensate for the different rotational forces acting on the clamping tool fixed in the open position. Thus, in previous devices, the time of relaxation must be precisely scheduled so that the relaxation occurs at exactly the same speed each time. Otherwise, the gripping tool reaches and grips the filament either too early or too late. This places the contact point away from the optimal position where the filaments are placed in contact with the winding wheel by the transfer means, in which case the clamping and cutting action may be wrong, resulting in a certain malfunction of the casting process. It is therefore necessary to establish a device and method that provides a clamping and cutting with greater reliability when starting to wind the filaments onto a rotating reel or storage wheel and cut the outgoing lines.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for improving the reliability of starting winding of cast wire onto a rotating storage wheel and cutting of filament outgoing wires.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a clamping and cutting device that has fewer parts and does not mate the cutting edges, is less complex, improves reliability and maintains smooth operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a self-compensating clamping and cutting device for variations in the rotational speed of the reel to provide a clamping force proportional to the rotational speed of the reel for proper clamping and cutting action of the filament.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple mechanism. To clamp the cast filaments onto a flying rotating storage wheel and then cut the outgoing lines of the filaments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus wherein the cutting action occurs on the filament by means of a single free blade along with a device having a constant and positive clamping action on the filament as the storage wheel rotates.

Additional objects, advantages, and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve the above and other objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as hereinafter described, an improved apparatus is provided for clamping advancing cast wire to a rotating reel and then cutting the filament's lead-out wire. The clamping and cutting device comprises a clamping and cutting combined member mounted for rotation with the reel. The member comprises a movable clamping arm with free cutting means, such as a blade, which is placed on the reel shaft and is mounted to the side of the clamping arm facing the direction of travel of the filament. The clamping arm initially firmly clamps the filament and after the firm clamping the blade moves to a position where it acts as a cut.

The drive means is arranged to move the clamping arm from an open position away from the reel to a closed position in which the clamping arm is in clamping engagement with the filament on the shaft. In the closed position, the clamping arm is used to clamp the advancing filament onto the rotating spool, thereby winding the filament onto the spool and into the spool for storage.

In addition, means such as a device in which two brush rolls rotating in opposite directions are fitted to each other are used to pull the filament leading-out wire against the cutting edge of the clamp arm when the reel rotates, the function of which is to ensure that cutting occurs only after the filament is firmly and forcibly clamped on the reel. Thanks to this effect, a reliable clamping and cutting action is obtained to successfully start the winding process, as well as to successfully reduce the downtime of the casting, which is common when using prior art devices.

Preferably, the drive means comprises a displacement means adapted to move the clamping arm from the open position to the closed position, a centrifugal weight, and a clamping means or member releasably securing the clamping arm in the open position against the displacement weight. Furthermore, the drive means further comprise an actuation means, such as a lever, for releasing the clamping member, so that the weight, which permits displacement, moves the clamping arm from the open position to the closed position, thereby clamping the filament and clamping it to the reel.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method of clamping a traveling filament or the like to a rotating reel and then cutting the filament outlet is disclosed, in accordance with its purpose and meaning. The first step is to pull and draw the filaments from the fast moving casting surface over the axle and through the reel. Two counter-rotating brush rolls forming a nip to receive the filaments can be used for this purpose. After the filaments are drawn through the reel under tension, the filaments are clamped by driving the filaments into engagement with the reel with a combined clamping and cutting means. The next step is the action of pulling the filament against the free edge. This pulling action may be provided by, for example, the same conveyor as is used to pull the filaments through the reel. When the wheel rotates and drives the cutting edge of the clamping and cutting member into engagement with the filament outlet, the drag causes a cutting action. Moreover, it is advantageous that the cutting action is provided after the filaments are firmly and forcefully clamped onto the wheel, so as to ensure that the winding process starts steadily.

Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. The following presents and describes a preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of one manner of best suited to carry out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects. And the description is made for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a general side view of an apparatus for winding a vitreous alloy filament onto a storage wheel in coordination with casting.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1 showing the filaments pulled through the reel under tension.

FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of the winding mechanism of the present invention including a clamping and cutting device showing the tensioned filaments pulled through the reel just after clamping.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the clamping and cutting device of the present invention. The clamp arms are shown in an open position (dashed outline) and a closed position (solid line).

Fig. 5A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the reel and spool. The clamp arm is shown in the initial clamp position.

Fig. 5B is the same view as fig. 5A, showing the lead wire of the filament pulled to the cutting edge of the embedded clamp arm when the wheel rotates from the initial clamp position.

Fig. 5C is the same view as fig. 5A and 5B, showing the operation of the clamping and cutting action that follows with the apparatus of the present invention. Wherein the filament outgoing line is obviously cut off and the filament is smoothly wound on the wheel.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clamping arm and drive mechanism of the device of the present invention, showing the clamping arm in an open position (outline of broken lines) and a closed position (solid lines).

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an amorphous metal continuous casting system [10] from which filaments can be cast (1), (2) captured while in flight, (3) tensioned and transferred to a reel, and (4) wound into a spool. As shown, molten alloy is extruded from a spinneret [12] onto a rapidly moving cooling surface or drum [14] to form filaments [16], the filaments [16] being captured and tensioned by a conveying device generally indicated by the numeral [18] as the casting proceeds. In the three positions of fig. 1 and 2, the filaments are transported and wound onto a rotating reel wheel [20 ].

The turntable (21) is also provided with another reel (20 a) (see fig. 2), and when the winding process using the reel (20) is completed, the turntable (21) changes the angle to position the reel (20 a) to wind the filament.

As shown, the delivery device [18] includes two opposing and relatively rotating brush rolls [22] that form a nip to receive the filaments [16]. The brushroll [22] is mounted to a frame [24] and is connected to a drive motor (not shown) for the associated brushroll. The brushroll [22] rotates at a faster rate than the individual filaments move so that the filaments continually pass over and slip, thereby maintaining the desired tension as the filaments [16] travel. Tensioning eliminates unwanted loosening and wobble of filaments between the brush roll (22) and the casting surface (14). As a result, the filaments can be placed in a clamped manner onto the shaft of the reel wheel [20] for clamping and winding into a spool.

The elements of the transfer device [18] described above may be collectively referred to as a spool [28]. The coil end [28] is vertically supported by two tubular support rods [30], the support rods [30] being capable of sliding vertically through the tubing in the transfer unit [32 ]. The upper end of the support rod [30] is secured to a cam follower member [34], the cam follower member [34] having a roller bearing for tracking along a cam profile [36] of a cam plate [38] supported by a U-shaped frame [40 ].

The transfer member [32] may be driven horizontally across the frame by a conventional air cylinder (not shown) or any other driving means known in the art. As the transfer member [22] is driven across the frame, the cam follower member [34] tracks on the cam profile [36] toward position B as shown in perspective (FIG. 1), which causes the tubular support rod [30] to slide vertically and smoothly through the transfer member [32] to move the spool [28] toward and over the spool [20] (FIG. 2). Then, after the filament [16] is pulled through the reel [20], the spool [28] is driven downward as the cam follower [34] tracks the cam profile [36] downward. This results in the filaments [16] being firmly and forcibly placed on the hub [42] of the reel [20 ]. In this position, the brushroll [22] rotates continuously in overrun motion to properly tension the filaments [16], and pull the filament take-up wire for proper cutting, as will be discussed in more detail below.

After the filament [16] is pulled through the reel [20] and down to make firm contact with the hub [42], the clamping and cutting device [50] of the present invention is activated by means of the wire head [28] (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The clamping and cutting device [50] provides a clamping action to clamp the filament [16] to the reel [20] and then provides a cutting action to the filament outlet from the reel to cut, thereby avoiding the damage to the outlet from a smooth winding action.

As shown, the clamping and cutting device [50] comprises a clamping and cutting combined part [52] mounted in a housing [53] above the reel [20], the clamping and cutting part [52] comprising a movable clamping arm [56] coupled to a rotary shaft [57 ]. The indexing arm (56) includes a free edge (58) adjacent and above the spool or winding surface (42) on the side of the clamping arm facing the direction of travel of the filament (16) (see figures 4, 5 and 6). The clamping arms (56) are also provided with an arcuate lower surface for firmly engaging and clamping the filaments (16) into the corresponding recesses of the hubs (42).

The drive rotates the rotary shaft [57] and causes the clamping arms [56] to move from an open position (shown in phantom in FIG. 4) away from the hub [42] of the reel [20] to a closed position (shown in solid lines) where the clamping arms are in clamping engagement. In the closed position, the clamping arms [56] serve to firmly and forcibly clamp the filament [16] to the reel [20 ]. As shown, the drive means further includes a displacement means, such as a centrifugal weight (59), adapted to produce a self-compensating closing force on the clamping arm (56) to permit successful clamping and cutting operations without adjustment over a wide range of speeds of rotation of the reel (20). The weight (59) is slidably mounted in the circular hole (60), and the cylindrical hole (60) extends radially into the body (53) to the reel (20) such that when the reel (20) rotates, the weight in the circular hole (60) moves outwardly away from the reel (20) with centrifugal force. The clamping arm [56] is closed by the centrifugal force by connecting the weight [59] to the rotary shaft [57] by the wire rope [61 ].

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, one end of the wire rope [61] is wound around the rotation shaft [57] driving the clamp arm [56], and the other end of the wire rope [61] is connected with the weight [59 ]. When the centrifugal weight (59) moves outwardly away from the reel (20) in the cylindrical hole (60), it pulls the end of the wire rope (61) connected to the rotating shaft (57). Thus, the wire rope [61] is used to convert the centrifugal force generated on the weight [59] when the reel [20] rotates into a torque to the rotation shaft [57 ]. The rotation shaft (57) smoothly rotates in the bearing block (57 a). The rotation of the rotating shaft (57) thus produced serves to close the clamping arm (56) to clamp the filament (16) to the reel (20).

The drive means further comprises a clamping member [62], the member [62] comprising a recess [64] for receiving the clamping arm [56] for releasing the clamping arm in the open position.

Still further, the drive means also includes a conventional actuation mechanism indicated by the number of indicia [66 ]. The actuating mechanism (60) is adapted to release the clamping member (62) to permit the centrifugal weight (59) to move outwardly within the cylindrical bore (60). And rotates the rotary shaft (57) causing the clamp arm to move into the closed position (as shown in solid lines in the drawings), in particular, the actuator means comprises a coil (68), a coil rod (70) and a lever (72) mounted on a seat (76) by means of a pin (74). When it is desired to wind the filament onto the reel (20), the solenoid (68) is actuated, which causes the solenoid rod (70) to pivot the lever (72) from an open position (shown in phantom) to an actuated position (shown in solid). In the activated position, the lever (72) hits the gripping element (62) and rotates it about the pin (78) to release the gripping arm (56) from the recess, and the centrifugal weight (59) moves outwardly in the cylindrical bore, which pulls the cable (61) from the rotary shaft (57), thereby causing the rotary shaft (57) to rotate, which causes the gripping arm (56) to move from the open position (shown in phantom) in the direction of arrow A to the closed position (shown in solid) for insertion of the filament (16) and gripping of the filament (16) onto the reel (20).

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the actuating mechanism (66) is positioned above the timed position along the upper portion of the path of rotation of the reel (20) to bump onto and release the gripping member. This ensures that when the reel (20) is at its one point of rotation, the clamping arm (56) closes to clamp the filament, at which point the free edge (58) of the cutting arm is positioned over a winding surface or spool (42) and away from the filament (see fig. 5A). Thus, the clamping and cutting device [50] of the present invention initially provides only one clamping action, clamping the filament [16] to the reel [20 ].

Advantageously, unlike prior art spring driven devices, the force supplied by the centrifugal weight [59] to close the clamping arm is proportional to the rotational speed of the reel [20]. For example, when the reel wheel [20] is not rotating, the centrifugal closing force is zero. This, of course, permits the clamp arm [56] to be easily and safely reinstalled in its open position in which it is embedded by the clamp member [62 ]. It is to be understood that a lightweight spring [79] can be used to displace the centrifugal weight [59] within the cylindrical bore [60] to counter gravity when the clamping arm [56] is reinstalled for operation. Moreover, since the closing force provided is proportional to the rotational speed of the reel [20], the more rapidly the reel [20] rotates, the greater the force applied to the clamping arm [56] by the centrifugal weight [59] and the wire rope [61 ]. Thus, the centrifugal weight [59] compensates for and counteracts the rotational force that tends to urge the clamping arm [56] directly out of the reel [20] to the open position. These rotational forces against the closing of the clamping arms [56] are precisely increased with rotational speed. Moreover, the increased closing force provided by the centrifugal weight [59] acts to more rapidly close the clamp arm [56] as the reel rotation speed increases. Thus, even over a large range of speeds, the present invention ensures that a proper clamping action is provided to clamp the filament [16] onto the reel [20] before the free edge contacts the filament (note FIG. 5A).

However, after clamping, as the wheel [20] continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow of FIGS. 5A-5C, the filament outlet [80] is pulled by the rotating brush roll [22] of the spool [28] against the cutting edge [58] of the clamping arm [56] (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 in combination). This serves to sever the filament lead-out wire [80] from the reel [20], thus allowing the lead-out wire to be smoothly wound onto the reel without damaging the filament [16 ]. The cut filament head (80) is pulled through the rotating roller (22) and thrown aside.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described as a result of the use of the principles of the present invention. In particular, a single mechanism is provided to perform both the clamping and cutting functions during winding of the advancing filaments (16) onto the rotating storage wheel (20). Advantageously, the present invention includes a minimum number of parts, thus being more reliable and less costly, and providing separate mechanisms to each perform the clamping and cutting functions. In addition, the device [50] initially firmly and forcibly clamps the filament [16] to the reel [20] and then cuts the filament outlet [80] to ensure smooth, trouble-free filament winding. It should also be recognized that improper adjustment and consequent malfunction of the cutter is avoided because no cooperating cutting edges are required. The apparatus and method of the present invention ensures a cutting function because the rotating brush roller (22) forcibly pulls the filaments against the edge of the clamping arm (56) when the take-up pulley (20) is simply rotated to wind the filaments.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented in the form of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Various modifications and variations are possible in light of the above techniques. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments. And are transformed to suit the particular application desired. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Claims (6)

1. A clamping and cutting device for clamping a traveling filament on a hub of a rotating reel, comprising:

a combined clamping and cutting member mounted for rotation with the reel, said member including a movable clamping arm;

A drive device for moving the clamping arm from an open position away from the reel hub to a closed position, wherein the clamping arm is clamped with the filament on the reel hub to clamp the travelling filament on the reel, and

And means for pulling the filament out of the wire to bring the filament against the cutting means as the reel rotates with the clamping, thereby cleanly removing said filament upstream of said clamping arm.

Characterized by further comprising:

the clamping arm is provided with a free cutting device which is fixed on the clamping arm, is arranged on one side of the clamping arm facing the filament travelling direction and is arranged near the surface of the reel hub;

2. The clamping and cutting device of claim 1 wherein the free cutting means is spaced above the hub surface of the reel when the clamping arms are in the closed position.

3. The clamping and cutting device of claim 2, wherein the drive means comprises a centrifugal weight slidably mounted in a cylindrical bore extending radially from the reel hub in a housing connected to the reel, the centrifugal weight being connected to the clamping arm for displacing the clamping arm from the open position to the closed position, and a clamping means adapted to releasably secure the clamping arm in the open position against the pulling force of the centrifugal weight.

4. A clamping and cutting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said clamping arm is mounted on a rotating shaft within said housing and said centrifugal weight is connected to said rotating shaft by a wire rope means wound around said rotating shaft for converting centrifugal force generated by said weight into torque applied to the rotating shaft so as to displace said clamping arm from an open position to a closed position upon rotation of the reel.

5. A clamping and cutting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said drive means further comprises an actuating means for releasing said clamping means to cause said centrifugal weight to move said clamping arm to a closed position clamping and clamping the filament on the reel.

6. Clamping and cutting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the free cutting means is a blade.

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