Source segment

Tool, System and Method for Screwing Helical Compression

Springs to a Helical Plate Spring
Description
<8>[0001]</8> The present invention relates to a tool, a system
and a method for screwing helical compression springs to a
helical plate spring.
<12>[0002]</12><13/>DE 476 852 A<14/> discloses a nose-
loaded clamp for retaining a spring end on a mandrel of coil
spring winding machines.
The nose is fixed to a rotatable ring, which is arranged
eccentrically to the mandrel.

By means of this arrangement, the nose is moved closer to the

mandrel at the beginning of the rotational movement of the
mandrel and a constantly increasing pressure on the clamped
spring end are exerted by the nose, so that only a short piece of
spring, which is not protruding over the nose, needs to be
clamped.
<18>[0003]</18> In <19/>DE 898 143<20/> an apparatus for
winding springs on a rotating mandrel is indicated.
According to this device, it is provided that a disc is adjustably
mounted on a front part of a handgrip of a tool and is designed
such that it has at its periphery a changing thickness from a
minimum to a maximum.
In this way, the device can be applied to the rotating mandrel
such that the thickness of the disc at the point of contact with the
mandrel corresponds to the desired spacing of the turns of the
spring to be produced.
The disc is then applied to the last turn of the wire on the
mandrel, so that the wire runs exactly at the desired distance
from this to the mandrel.
<24>[0004]</24> In <25/>DE 29 16 446 C2<26/> a coil spring set
is disclosed.
This coil spring set comprises two coil springs, which are wound
from a spring band edgewise to the spring axis, with a longer
cross-sectional side of the spring band having an angle smaller
than 90° to the spring axis.
These two coil springs are screwed together with oppositely
directed inclination of the cross sections.
<30>[0005]</30> A helical spring is indicated in <31/>DE 41 00
842 C1<32/>.
This coil spring comprises at least one support element attached
to one end of the spring body.
The support element and the spring body are integrally formed,
wherein the spring body is made by dissolving material between
the turns.
<36>[0006]</36> From <37/>US 26 49 130 A<38/>, a device for
winding coil springs is indicated.

This device has a drive spindle, in which a mandrel is arranged.

Through a guide assembly, a wire is applied to the mandrel, said
wire is wound by the rotational movement of the drive spindle to
form a coil spring on the mandrel.
<42>[0007]</42> In <43/>EP 2 223 752 A1<44/> a tool kit for
forming bending tools that can be used on a bending machine for
bending or winding strand-shaped workpieces is described.
A single bending tool of the tool kit comprises a cylindrical tool
holder. On its front side of a mandrel element is arranged.
At the front side of the mandrel element, a bending mandrel is
formed.
Furthermore, a bending element with a forming jaw is provided on
the bending tool, which has a shaping groove for pressing a
strand-shaped workpiece when bending against the bending
mandrel.
The forming grooves of different mold jaws are designed for
different workpiece cross sections.
<48>[0008]</48> From <49/>US 4 253 350 A<50/>, a device for
biasing garage door springs is indicated.
According to this device, it is provided to arrange a spring on a
cylindrical, mandrel-like body and fix one end of the spring locally
with a corresponding reception, which is associated with the
mandrel.
The other free end of the spring is connected to a ratchet
mechanism of the device.
By operating the ratchet mechanism, the spring can be biased
accordingly and used in a corresponding mechanism of a garage
door.
<54>[0009]</54> The industrial production and the use of
Belleville springs has numerous disadvantages.
In the production, the high material and labor costs are
mentioned.
Disc springs in the application have the disadvantage that
assembly and maintenance are time-consuming due to the
numerous individual plates.
In addition, the unfavorable fiber shape of the material promotes
the occurrence of fractures.
<58>[0010]</58> In order to avoid these disadvantages, wound
helical plate springs have been developed.
In many cases, these can replace oppositely stacked disc spring
columns.

<62>[0011]</62> The helical plate spring is a one-piece spring

element which consists of two identical helical compression
springs which are screwed into each other, each of which is
wound from strip steel having a plate spring-like cross-section
upright and are wrapped diagonally to the central axis.
<66>[0012]</66> Since screw-spring springs do not disintegrate
into single plates, they have the advantage that they can be
delivered with a recorded fixed spring diagram.
The edges of the outer and inner diameter of the helical spring
can be rounded when rolling or pulling the desired rectangular or
trapezoidal cross section of the spring steel strip.
The fiber course of the band is advantageous, which ensures a
high resistance to breakage under the same load.
The force is applied via the flat-ground spring, similar to helical
compression springs.
<70>[0013]</70> The objective of the present invention is to
provide a tool which simplifies the screwing together of helical
plate springs.
<74>[0014]</74> The invention has the features set forth in the
independent claims to solve this problem.
Advantageous embodiments thereof are specified in the
respective subclaims.
<78>[0015]</78> According to the invention, a tool for screwing
screw disc springs according to claim 1 is provided.

A helical plate spring is a one-piece spring element, which

consists of two identical, screwed together helical compression
springs, each of which is wound from strip steel with plate spring-
like cross-section upright and wrapped diagionally to the central
axis.
<82>[0016]</82> One end of a helical compression spring can be
clamped in the tool according to the invention.
Here, one end of a helical compression spring is fixed in the claw
for fixing the helical compression spring.
<86>[0017]</86> By providing a tool assembly comprising two
tools according to the invention, it is possible to screw two helical
compression springs to form a helical spring.
In this case, a helical compression spring or the corresponding
tool is set in rotation in rotation, wherein the second tool or the
helical compression spring arranged therein undergoes no
rotation.
In this way, the two helical compression springs are screwed
together.
<90>[0018]</90> Furthermore, with respect to the passage, the
claw may be disposed approximately diametrically opposite a
stop for limiting the rotational movement of a second helical
compression spring.
<94>[0019]</94> When screwing two helical compression
springs after reaching the stop both helical compression springs
are completely screwed together.

<98>[0020]</98> According to a second embodiment of the tool

according to the invention, a diameter of the passage can be
adjusted by means of a fixative, which is preferably designed as a
clamping device, that mandrels with different diameters can be
accommodated.
<102>[0021]</102> In this way, it is possible to screw together
helical compression springs of different diameters with a single
tool.

<106>[0022]</106> The mandrel has a circumferential surface

which has a cylindrical portion on which a corresponding helical
compression spring with little clearance can be attached.
The mandrel may be provided with a conical tip.

<110>[0023]</110> Furthermore, according to the second

exemplary embodiment, the distance between the claw and the
stop to the axis of rotation can be adjusted by means of an
adjusting device such that helical compression springs of various
diameters can be received.
As a result, helical compression springs with different diameters
can be fixed.
<114>[0024]</114> The claw and the stop may be detachably
connected to the front face of the tool so that an arrangement of
the protrusion of the claw with respect to the rotational direction is
changeable.
<118>[0025]</118> In this way, left- and right-handed helical
compression springs can be screwed to a helical plate spring.
Furthermore, a system for screwing a screw plate spring set is
provided.

This comprises a turning machine and two tools according to one

of claims 1 to 8, wherein a helical compression spring can be
arranged on each tool and a tool in the turning machine is
rotatably fixed about the axis of rotation and by means of the
turning machine in a rotary motion can be set.
A mandrel is fixed in a passage of one of the two tools.
The other tool has a passage into which the mandrel with little
play can be inserted, so that the two tools are axially aligned.

At each of the two tools, a helical compression spring in the

respective claw is fixable, so that the two helical compression
springs are screwed into one another to a helical spring, wherein
the mandrel extends during screwing through a passage of the
other tool.
The shank of a tool may be fixed in the system in a chuck of a
turning machine.
<122>[0026]</122> A turning machine, in the context of the
present invention, describes all rotating working machines, such
as e.g.
turning machines, milling machines, drills, motors or
drives or similar.
<126>[0027]</126> The invention will now be described in more
detail with reference to the drawings.
Those show in
Fig. 1
is a perspective view of a tool according to the invention
according to a first embodiment with mandrel,
Fig. 2
is a perspective view of the tool according to the invention
according to the first embodiment with handles,
Fig. 3
is a perspective view of the tool according to the invention
according to a second embodiment with mandrel and clamping
device,
Fig. 4
is a perspective view of the tool according to the invention
according to the second embodiment with handles, and
Fig. 5
is a schematic representation of a system according to the
invention for screwing helical compression springs to a screw
plate spring set.
<140>[0028]</140> According to a first embodiment of the tool 1
according to the invention, the latter has an approximately
cylindrical tool body 2 (Fig. 1, Fig 2).
<144>[0029]</144> The lateral surface of the tool body 2 is
arranged concentrically to a rotation axis 7.
The tool 1 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 7 in use.
In the tool body 2, a passage 3 extending in the axial direction is
formed.
The passage 3 is arranged concentrically with the axis of rotation
7 in the tool body 2.
<148>[0030]</148> Furthermore, four threaded bores 4 are
provided on the tool body 2 approximately longitudinally,
extending radially.
<152>[0031]</152> In the passage 3, an approximately
cylindrical mandrel 5 is arranged.
The mandrel 5 is fixed by means of four screws which are
arranged in the threaded holes 4, 6.
<156>[0032]</156> The mandrel 5 has a constant cross-section
which is dimensioned such that a helical compression spring to
be screwed can be arranged on a lateral surface of the mandrel
(5) with little clearance.

<160>[0033]</160> The tool body 2 has a front face 9, which is

arranged approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation 7.
On the front face 9, a claw/stop body 11 is formed.
The claw/stop body 11 forms a wide bridge which extends
transversely across the front face 9 and is arranged centrally on
the tool body 2.
The passage 3 extends through the bridge.
The bridge has two parallel narrow side surfaces 10.
On a narrow side surface 10, a recess or a groove is introduced,
so that the groove defining portion of the bridge forms a claw 12
for fixing a helical compression spring.
The claw 12 extends approximately in the radial direction and
forms a projection in the direction of rotation 8.
The region of the narrow side surface 10 of the bridge, which is
arranged approximately diametrically opposite the claw 12 with
respect to the passage 3, forms a stop 25 against which the
helical compression spring abuts.
The claw 12 and the stop 25 are thus arranged approximately
rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation 7 and to the
mandrel 5.
<164>[0034]</164> At the end of the tool 1 at the opposite of the
front face 9 of the tool body 2, a shank 13 is formed.
The shaft 13 is designed such that it can be clamped in a chuck
of a turning machine.
The shaft 13 can in principle have any shape which is suitable for
connecting the tool 1 to a turning machine or for clamping the tool
1 in its chuck.
In a plan view in the axial direction of the shaft 13 can thus be
circular, elliptical or polygonal with three, four, five or more,
optionally rounded, corners formed.
The shaft 13 and the mandrel 5 are preferably formed from a
single pin which is fixed in the passage 3 of the tool body 2.
<168>[0035]</168> Another embodiment of the tool 1 (Fig. 2) has
substantially the same tool body 2, wherein in the second
embodiment, neither a mandrel nor a shank are provided.
The passage 3 of this embodiment of the tool body 2 is slightly
larger than that of the first embodiment, so that the tool body 2
can be inserted with a little play on the mandrel 5 and the
mandrel 5 is freely rotatable within the tool body 2.
At two opposite threaded holes 4, a handgrip 26 is attached in
each case.
<172>[0036]</172> A tool 1 according to the invention is
designed according to a second exemplary embodiment such
that the tool 1 can produce helical disk springs of different
diameters.

The structure of the tool 1 according to the invention according to

the second embodiment substantially corresponds to the
structure of the tool according to the first embodiment.
Unless otherwise described, the tool according to the second
embodiment has the same features as the tool according to the
first embodiment.
Identical components are provided with the same reference
numerals.
<176>[0037]</176> The tool 1 according to the second
embodiment comprises a tool body 2 which is formed in two parts
(Figs. 3 to 5).
<180>[0038]</180> The tool body 2 according to one of the first
embodiment (Fig. 3) is formed of two semicircular segments 14,
15 which are connected to each other by means of screws (not
shown).
<184>[0039]</184> In the assembled state, a rectangular recess
16 is provided centrally in the two semicircular segments 14, 15
or in the region of the axis of rotation 7.

In the recess 16 two leading mounted jaws 17, 18 are arranged.

The two clamping jaws 17, 18 are spaced apart from one another
in the radial direction on a guide device, for example on a rail (not
shown).
The jaws 17, 18 form in conjunction with an adjusting a clamping
device.
With the adjustment, the two jaws 17, 18 at the same time to
each other or away from each other movable.
In the embodiment of fig. 3, this adjustment is not shown.
<188>[0040]</188> Between the jaws 17, 18, the mandrel 5 can
be clamped.
<192>[0041]</192> Each of the jaws 17, 18 has two bores 21,
22.

<196>[0042]</196> According to the second embodiment, the

claw 12 is formed as an L-shaped body, wherein one leg forms a
projection projecting in the direction of rotation 8 and the other
leg extends in the axial direction and is provided with a cylindrical
pin.
The claw 12 is inserted by means of the cylindrical pin in one of
the holes 21 of the jaw 17.
<200>[0043]</200> The stop 25 is an approximately
parallelepiped-shaped body which is likewise provided with a
cylindrical pin extending in the axial direction 10.
The stop 25 is inserted by means of the cylindrical pin in a
corresponding bore 22 of the jaw 18, which is arranged
approximately in relation to the passage 3 diametrically opposite
to the claw 12.
<204>[0044]</204> In the following, a system 24 for screwing a
helical plate spring set is described (Fig. 5).
<208>[0045]</208> Since the jaws 17, 18 each have two holes,
the claw 12 and the stopper 25 can be fixed in two different
positions on the tool 1.

The positions are set so that the claw is aligned in the two
positions in each case in the opposite direction, wherein a tongue
of the claw is arranged approximately tangential to a concentric to
the axis of rotation 7, so that one end of a helical compression
spring, which is placed on the mandrel 5, in the recess of the
claw comes to rest.
These different positions of the holes 21, 22 thus allow the
arrangement of the claws for a different rotational or
winding direction of the springs.
This tool can thus be used for left- or right-wound springs.
<212>[0046]</212> Since the distance between the jaws 17, 18
is adjustable, the tool can also be used for mandrels 5 with
different thickness.
The present tool is thus very flexible for different sized helical
plate springs used.
<216>[0047]</216> Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment with two
handgrips 26.
The tool body is divided in this embodiment into two different
sized circle segments 27, 28.

Otherwise, this tool corresponds to the first embodiment of Fig 3.

<220>[0048]</220> The system 24 comprises a claw-and-stop
tool which is fixed in a chuck of a turning machine.
<224>[0049]</224> In this tool, a helical compression spring can
be arranged.
The tool is rotatably fixed about the axis of rotation in the chuck
of the turning machine and can be set in a rotary motion by
means of the turning machine.

<228>[0050]</228> Another tool with claw and stop as well as

handgrips is axially fixed in alignment with the first tool rotatably.
<232>[0051]</232> The mandrel 5 is fixed in the passage of the
first tool 1/1.
<236>[0052]</236> A first helical compression spring 29 is
arranged on the mandrel 5, wherein it comprises 1/1 with one end
of the claw 12 of the first tool and is fixed in a rotationally fixed
manner.
A second helical compression spring 30 is also located on the
mandrel, wherein the two springs 29, 30 are arranged interlocked
with a first turn section.
The free end of the second helical compression spring 30 is
received in the recess of the claw 12 of the second tool 1/2 and
thereby fixed against rotation.
<240>[0053]</240> When the turning machine 20 is operated,
the first tool 1/1 and thus the first coil spring 29 are rotated.
The second tool 1/2 is rotatably held for a user on the handgrips
26, whereby the second helical compression spring 30 is fixed
against rotation.
The two springs 29, 30 are screwed together.
It is expedient to pull the second tool 1/2 with a counterforce
away from the first tool 1/1, whereby the unit of the two helical
compression springs 29, 30 is held slightly under tension.
As a result, the frictional forces arising when screwing the two
springs 29, 30 are minimized.

The turning machine 20 is actuated until the two helical

compression springs 29, 30 abut against the respective stops 25.
Preferably, a foot key is provided, with which the user can adjust
the rotational speed of the turning machine 20.

<244>[0054]</244> If the two helical compression springs 29, 30

are completely screwed to form a helical spring, the ends of the
helical compression springs are released from the claws 12, the
second tool 1/2 is lifted off the mandrel 5 and the screws are
removed from the helical compression spring which screwed on
the mandrel 5.
Preferably, the two helical compression springs 29, 30, are
already screwed together a tiny bit e.
g. half a turn, before they are plugged onto the mandrel 5.

<248>[0055]</248> In this exemplary embodiment, the mandrel 5

is fixed to the first tool 1/1 fixed to the turning machine 20.

In the context of the invention, it is of course also possible to fix

the mandrel 5 on the second tool 1/2, which is held manually, and
to provide a passage for the mandrel on the other tool 1/1.
List of References
[0056]
<254>1</254> <255>Tool</255>
<256>2</256> <257>Tool Body</257>
<258>3</258> <259>Passage</259>
<260>4</260> <261>Threaded Bore</261>
<262>5</262> <263>Mandrel</263>
<264>6</264> <265>Screw</265>
<266>7</266> <267>Rotary Axis</267>
<268>8</268> <269>Direction of Rotation</269>
<270>9</270> <271>Front Face</271>
<272>10</272> <273>Narrow Lateral Faces</273>
<274>11</274> <275>Claw/Stop Body</275>
<276>12</276> <277>Claw</277>
<278>13</278> <279>Shank</279>
<280>14</280> <281>Semicircular Segment</281>
<282>15</282> <283>Semicircular Segment</283>
<284>16</284> <285>Recess</285>
<286>17</286> <287>Jaws</287>
<288>18</288> <289>Jaws</289>
<290>19 20</290> <291>Turning Machine</291>
<292>21</292> <293>Through Bore</293>
<294>22</294> <295>Through Bore</295>
<296>23 24</296> <297>Screw Cap Spring System</297>
<298>25</298> <299>Stop</299>
<300>26</300> <301>Handgrip</301>
<302>27</302> <303>Pie Segment</303>
<304>28</304> <305>Pie Segment</305>
<306>29</306> <307>Helical Compression Spring</307>
<308>30</308> <309>Helical Compression Spring</309>
Claims
1.

Tool for screwing helical compression springs to a helical spring

with a tool body (2) having a passage (3) for receiving a mandrel
(5) on which a helical compression spring (29, 30) can be
arranged, wherein the passage is arranged concentrically to a
rotation axis (7) around which the tool (1), when screwing the
helical compression springs (29, 30), needs to be rotated in a
predetermined rotational direction (8), and the tool body (2) has
an end face (9) arranged approximately perpendicularly to the
rotation axis 7, wherein adjacent to the passage (3) on the end
face (9) a claw (12) for fixing one end of a helical compression
spring (29, 30) is formed and <317> characterized in </317>
having a projection in the direction of rotation (8).
2.

<319>Tool according to Claim 1,</319><320> </320><321>

characterized</321><322> <323>in that</323> the projection
with respect to the passage (3) is arranged approximately
diametrically opposite a stop (25) for limiting the rotational
movement of a second helical compression spring.</322>
3.

<327>Tool according to claim 1 or 2,</327><328>

</328><329>characterized</329><330> <331>in that</331> he
clear width of the passage (3) is adjustable so that mandrels (5)
of different thickness can be accommodated.</330>
4.

<333>Tool according to one of claims 1 to 3,</333><334>

</334><335>characterized</335><336> <337>in that</337> the
mandrel (5) at least partially has a lateral surface with a constant
cross section on which a helical compression spring with little
clearance is attachable.</336>
5.
<341>Tool according to one of claims 1 to 4,</341><342>
</342><343>characterized,</343><344> <345>in that</345> the
claw (12) and the stop (25) are releasably connectable to the
front face of the tool (1), so that an arrangement of the projection
of the claw (12) with respect to the direction of rotation (8) is
variable, so that left and right-wound helical compression springs
can be accommodated.</344>
6.

Tool according to one of claims 2 to 4,

<350>characterized,</350> <351>in that</351> the distance of
the claw (12) and the stop (25) to the axis of rotation (7) by
means of an adjusting device is adjustable in such a way that
helical compression springs of different inner diameter can be
fixed.
7.
<353>Tool according to one of claims 1 to 6,</353><354>
</354><355>characterized</355><356> <357>in that</357> on
the tool (1/2) at least one and preferably two handgrips (26) are
provided in order to hold the tool rotation</356>
8.

<361>Tool according to one of claims 1 to 6,</361><362>

</362><363>characterized,</363><364> <365>in that</365> the
tool (1/2) has a shank (13), which is connectable to a turning
machine (20) and is preferably fixable in a chuck of the turning
machine.</364>
9.

<367>Tool according to claim 8,</367><368>

</368><369>characterized</369><370> <371>in that</371> the
shank (13) and the mandrel (5) are integrally formed.</370>
10.
System for screwing helical compression springs to a helical plate
spring comprising
- a turning machine (20),

- two tools according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein on each tool

(1) a helical compression spring is fixed, and that one of the two
tools (1) in the turning machine (20) is rotatably fixed around the
axis of rotation (7) and by means of the turning machine (20) is
set in a rotational movement, and the other tool (1) is axially fixed
to the one tool against rotation, and a mandrel (5) is fixed in a
passage of one of the two tools (1), so that by means of the
system two helical compression springs (29, 30) are screwed into
each other, wherein the mandrel (5) during screwing through a
passage (3) of the other tool (1) extends.
11.
<378>System according to claim 10,</378><379>
</379><380>characterized</380><381> <382>in that</382> a
shank (13) of one of the tools (1) is fixed in the chuck of the
turning machine (20).</381>
12.
A method for screwing together helical compression springs to a
helical plate spring, wherein a first helical compression spring
(29) is fixed in a first tool formed according to the claims 1 to 8
(1/1) and arranged on a mandrel (5), wherein the first tool (1/1) in
the turning machine (20) is rotatably fixed around the axis of
rotation (7) and by means of the turning machine (20) is set in a
rotational movement, and a second tool (1/2), in which also a
helical compression spring (30) is fixed axially aligned with the
first tool (1/1) which is held against rotation, wherein the two
helical compression springs (29, 30) are screwed together by the
rotational movement of the turning machine (20), so that the two
helical compression springs (29, 30) are forming a screw disc
spring.
13.
<386>The method according to claim 12,</386><387>
</387><388>characterized</388><389> <390>in that</390> the
screwing together of the two helical compression springs is
limited by a stop (25).</389>
14.

<392>The method according to claim 12 or 13,</392><393>

</393><394>characterized</394><395> <396>in that</396> the
mandrel (5) is fixed on one of the both tools is fixed and, extends
when screwed freely rotatable through a passage (3) of the other
tool (1/1, 1/2).</395>
15.

<398>Method according to one of claims 12 to 14,</398><399>

</399><400>characterized</400><401> <402>in that</402>
when screwing one in the axial direction acting tensile force, is
exerted on the two helical compression springs preferably by
means of handgrips (26).</401>