Device for rounding filament ends for a toothbrush head

Abstract

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for rounding the filaments of a toothbrush head, comprising a rounding tool ( 2 ) and a means ( 3 ) for guiding the tool ( 2 ) on a path of movement that finishes the filaments. The invention provides that the guiding means is configured as a linear guide ( 3 ) by means of which the tool ( 2 ) can be linearly displaced relative to at least two axes ( 5, 6 ).

1 . A device ( 1 ) for rounding ends of filaments for a toothbrush head, having a rounding tool ( 2 ) and control equipment ( 3 ) for guiding the tool ( 2 ) on a movement path that processes the filaments, characterized in that the control equipment is fashioned as a linear guide ( 3 ) by means of which the tool ( 2 ) is capable of being maneuverable linearly relative to at least two axes ( 5 ,  6 ). 
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the control equipment ( 3 ) is formed by at least two guides ( 7 ,  8 ), and one of the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) is preferably allocated respectively to each of the at least two axes ( 5 ,  6 ). 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) are movable relative to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 2  or  3 , characterized in that at least one of the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) is situated so as to be stationary, and the other guide ( 8 ) is capable of being maneuverable relative thereto. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to any one of  claims 2  through  4 , characterized in that if a movable guide ( 8 ) is present, the tool ( 2 ) or a receptacle ( 14 ) for the tool ( 2 ) can be fixed to said guide. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to any one of  claims 2  through  5 , characterized in that the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) can be oriented to one another in such a way that the axes ( 5 ,  6 ) lie at a specified angle to one another. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to any one of  claims 2  through  6 , characterized in that the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) are situated relative to one another in such a way that the axes ( 5 ,  6 ) are at a right angle to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to any one of  claims 2  through  7 , characterized in that the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) are coupled to one another via a moving part ( 9 ) that is preferably mounted on one of the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) so as to be capable of being displaced, and on which the other guide ( 8 ) is mounted so as to be capable of being maneuvered. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the moving part is fashioned as a cross slide ( 9 ) or as a pivot slide. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to any one of  claims 2  through  9 , characterized in that the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) have lateral limit stops ( 10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ). 
   
   
       11 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two drives ( 15 ,  16 ) are provided for the linear operation of the tool ( 2 ). 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the drives are fashioned as rotary drives ( 15 ,  16 ) that are effectively connected to the tool ( 2 ) via a coupling gear mechanism ( 17 ). 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the rotational speed of the drives ( 15 ,  16 ) can be regulated, and/or the rotational direction of the drives can be reversed. 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 12  or  13 , characterized in that the drives ( 15 ,  16 ) are effectively connected to one another via the coupling gear mechanism ( 17 ) in such a way that when the drives ( 15 ,  16 ) have the same rotational direction, the tool ( 2 ) is displaced relative to one of the axes ( 5 ,  6 ), and when the directions of rotation are opposite, the tool is displaced relative to the other axis ( 6 ,  5 ). 
   
   
       15 . The device according to any one of  claims 12  through  14 , characterized in that the coupling gear mechanism is fashioned as a traction mechanism ( 17 ), preferably a belt mechanism. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15 , characterized in that deflecting mechanisms ( 18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 ) of the traction gear mechanism ( 17 ) are situated on the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) and on the moving part ( 9 ), via which deflecting mechanism the traction mechanism ( 23 ;  24 ) is deflected, preferably under pretensioning. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the deflecting mechanisms ( 18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 ) are situated with axes parallel to one another, and the traction mechanism ( 23 ;  24 ) is preferably guided in one plane by the deflecting mechanisms ( 18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ,  22 ). 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 16  or  17 , characterized in that the deflecting mechanisms ( 18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 ) attached to the guides ( 7 ,  8 ) are situated on the opposite ends of the guides ( 7 ,  8 ), preferably on the lateral limit stops ( 10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ) of the guides ( 7 ,  8 ). 
   
   
       19 . The device according to any one of  claims 16  through  18 , characterized in that the deflecting mechanisms ( 18 ,  19 ) attached to the stationary guide ( 7 ) are respectively capable of being driven by one of the drives ( 15 ,  16 ). 
   
   
       20 . The device according to any one of  claims 15  through  19 , characterized in that the traction mechanism ( 24 ) has two ends ( 25 ,  26 ), and a deflecting mechanism ( 21 ) attached to the movable guide ( 8 ) is fashioned for fixing the ends ( 25 ,  26 ). 
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 20 , characterized in that the ends ( 25 ,  26 ) of the traction mechanism ( 24 ) are capable of being fixed to one of the lateral limit stops ( 12 ,  13 ) of the movable guide ( 8 ), preferably to the limit stop ( 13 ) connected to the tool ( 2 ). 
   
   
       22 . The device according to any one of  claims 15  through  19 , characterized in that the traction mechanism ( 23 ) is variable. 
   
   
       23 . The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one device ( 27 ) is provided for controlling and/or regulating at least the rotational direction and, if warranted, the rotational speed of the drives ( 15 ,  16 ) as a function of specifiable parameters, in order to describe a specified movement path of the tool ( 2 ). 
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 23 , characterized in that the control/regulation device ( 27 ) controls or regulates the rotational direction and, if warranted, the rotational speed of the drives ( 8 ,  9 ) in such a way that the movement path of the tool ( 2 ) describes a circular, elliptical, figure-eight, or cardioid path, or a simple back-and-forth movement, or also a movement at an angle to each other [sic]. 
   
   
       25 . The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the processing of the filaments, the tool ( 2 ) is fashioned so as to execute a principal movement, such as a rotational movement. 
   
   
       26 . The device according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the rotational speed and rotational direction of the tool ( 2 ) can be controlled. 
   
   
       27 . The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an advance unit ( 28 ) is provided by means of which the tool ( 2 ) can be moved into the processing position and the process parameters are manipulable. 
   
   
       28 . A toothbrush manufacturing machine having a device according to any of the preceding claims.