US 6,708,591 B1 · Clutchless wire cutting apparatus

Abstract

A clutchless wire cutting apparatus for successively cutting off leading end portions of a predetermined length of wire from a wire stock. The wire is advanced through a cutting station which includes the cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus includes an electrical motor whose output is coupled to the cutter mechanism which performs the successive wire cuts. A proximity switch or sensor located downstream of the cutting station signals a controller each time the wire reaches the desired length to periodically generate an electrical current to the electrical motor for selectively intermittently driving the motor at a relatively high frequency corresponding to the frequency at which wire cuts are made. The motor may also be continuously driven for cutting shorter wire lengths. The motor has an output on an motor shaft which is coupled to a cutter shaft via a belt drive. The cutter shaft includes an eccentric cam which acts directly on the wire cutter. A proximity sensor or switch is also provided at the cutting station to determine the location of the wire cutter to provide a home position for the system.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cutting off successive leading end portions of wire adapted to be advanced along a predetermined wire path running through a cutting station, the apparatus comprising:

a support;
a cutter holder carried by the support having a wire cutter, the cutter holder being mobile relative to the support to work the wire cutter into the predetermined wire path;
an electrical motor carried by the support having an output directly driving the cutter holder;
a first proximity sensor arranged in sensory communication with the wire cutter adapted to produce a signal indicating location of the wire cutter relative to the wire path;
a second proximity sensor arranged downstream of the cutting station, adapted to produce a signal indicating presence of wire in proximity to the end of the predetermined wire path;
and
a controller responsive to the proximity sensors to control electrical output to the electrical motor, selectively generating a first electrical output to drive the motor and work the wire cutter into the predetermined wire path and a second electrical output to decelerate the motor and maintain the wire cutter adjacent to the predetermined wire path.

4 more elements

An apparatus for cutting off successive leading end portions of wire adapted to be advanced along a predetermined wire path running through a cutting station, the apparatus comprising:

a wire cutting device for cutting wire;
an electrical motor having an output directly driving the wire cutting device;
a first proximity sensor arranged in sensory communication with the wire cutter device adapted to produce a signal indicating the position of the wire cutting device;
a second proximity sensor arranged downstream of the cutting station, adapted to produce a signal indicating presence of wire in proximity to the end of the predetermined wire path;
and
a controller responsive to the proximity sensors to control electrical output to the electrical motor, selectively generating a first electrical output to drive the motor and in turn operate the wire cutting device to cut wire, and a second electrical output to decelerate the motor and prevent the wire cutting device from cutting wire.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Clutchless wire cutting apparatus

Life of this patent

Clutchless wire cutting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17