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US 6,684,492 B2Granted
Cotter-mounting apparatus
AssigneeHirata Corporation
InventorsKatsuyoshi Tachibana, Hiroshi Yoshida, Yoshio Kikukawa, Satoshi Ogata
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AssigneeHirata Corporation
InventorsKatsuyoshi Tachibana, Hiroshi Yoshida, Yoshio Kikukawa, Satoshi Ogata
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to a cotter-mounting apparatus that, by engaging a pair of cotters with engagement grooves provided on the outer circumferential surface of an axial member, mounts the pair of cotters that fix a retainer for holding a spring to exert a pressing force to the axial member in a compressed state, wherein the cotter-mounting apparatus includes a retainer holding mechanism that holds a retainer having a pair of cotters incorporated, and is driven to be relatively elevated and lowered on the upper side in the axial line direction of the axial member; a cotter separating mechanism for separating the pair of cotters from each other over the outer diameter of the axial member roughly in the horizontal direction while pushing up the pair of cotters from downward and for holding the pair of cotters; and a cotter pressing mechanism for pressing the pair of cotters separated by the cotter separating mechanism from the outside roughly in the horizontal direction and causing the cotters to be engaged with the engagement grooves positioned in advance. With such a structure, it is possible to mount cotters with a simple procedure, to increase productivity and to engage the pair of cotters with a plurality of engagement grooves without fail.
A cotter-mounting apparatus for mounting a pair of cotters to fix a retainer, which holds a spring to exert a pressing force to an axial member in a compressed state, by causing the pair of cotters to be engaged with engagement grooves formed on the outer circumferential side of the axial member, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Specially adapted for combustion engines: for assembling valve cotters and retainers of engine valves
Lift-valve, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the…:…
Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements: tools for producing, mounting or adjusting, e.g. some part of the distribution
Poppet or I.C. engine valve or valve seat making: with assembly or composite article making
Term ended 8 Oct 2022 (estimated)
1. Technical field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cotter-mounting apparatus for mounting a cotter to fix a retainer that regulates an incorporated position of a coil spring disposed around an axis, and in particular to a cotter-mounting apparatus for automatically mounting a cotter to fix a retainer, which compresses a valve spring of an engine and regulates the spring, at a valve stem.
2. Description of the Related Arts
FIG. 1 is a rough configurational view showing the entirety of a system equipped with a cotter-mounting apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing a housing forming a part of a cotter-mounting unit, and its peripheral components;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing a part of the cotter-mounting unit and a cylinder head, in which a valve and a valve spring are incorporated;
Hereinafter, a description is given of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A cotter-mounting apparatus according to the embodiment is provided, as shown in FIG. 1, with a frame 10 that supports a guide rail 11; a transfer conveyor 20 that holds a cylinder head H, in which an intake valve or an exhaust valve (valve stem) as an axial member and a valve spring are incorporated and transfers the same; an elevation unit 30 that raises the cylinder head H transferred by the transfer conveyor 20 and positions the same; a feeder unit 40 that feeds a retainer R having a pair of cotters C incorporated; a transfer conveyor 50 that transfers a retainer R having a pair of cotters C incorporated in the horizontal direction Y; a push-up unit 60 that holds a retainer R (and a pair of cotters C), which is transferred to a prescribed position by the transfer conveyor 50 and simultaneously pushes up a pair of cotters C; and a cotter-mounting unit 100 supported on the frame 10, which is caused to reciprocate in the horizontal direction Y, etc.
The cotter-mounting unit 100 includes, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, a supporting portion 110 supported on the frame 10 and moving in the horizontal direction Y; a movable arm 120 supported on the supporting portion 110 and elevating and lowering in the vertical direction Z; an elevation head 130 fixed at the lower end portion of the movable arm 120; a housing 140 fixed at the elevation head 130; a pair of (two) grasping arms 150, two pairs of (four) pressing arms 160; a cam slider 170 for driving both arms 150 and 160; a guide pin 180 accommodated in the cam slider 170 and elevating and lowering in the vertical direction; and a coil spring 181, etc.