BR102012028903A2 - CONNECTING PIPE FORMING EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

CONNECTING TUBE CONFORMATION EQUIPMENT. The present invention relates to a connecting tube forming equipment (1) (6) belonging to the field of industrial equipment that was developed, more specifically, to make the production of these elements more efficient, practical and optimized. Said equipment (1) comprises: at least one surface (7) on which at least four stages (10, 20, 30 or 40 and 50) of production are positioned; said at least four production stages comprising a feed stage (10), a deburring or countersinking stage (20), a reduction forming stage (30), a flange forming stage (40), and a flange forming stage (50) dimensional control; the various stages (20, 30, 40 and 50) of production being interconnected by at least one longitudinal track (8) through which at least four claws (9) slide; at the end of the process, if the dimensions of the connector tube (6) do not meet the pre-determined specifications, an electronic signal is sent to a controller element (3) of the equipment (100) and the tube (6) is discarded.

Description

Report of the Invention Patent for "CONNECTING PIPE CONFORMATION EQUIPMENT"

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to connector tube forming equipment commonly known also as dowels for use in compressors to connect said equipment to the suction and discharge lines which are coupled thereto. Therefore, the present invention belongs to the field of industrial equipment and was developed more specifically to make the production of these elements more efficient, practical and optimized.

Background of the Invention

As is well known, compressors are equipment used in refrigeration systems to circulate the refrigerant through the system pipes, which are coupled to them by means of suction and discharge connector tubes (or dowels). Such connecting pipes are usually made of copper or steel and, to ensure proper sealing of the system, are usually provided with flanges at one end thereof.

However, the process of forming these connecting pipes is currently done in a complex way, involving several equipment and production steps that require a long time of manufacture and, consequently, a significant increase in the costs involved, since the From the cylindrical pipe that will serve as the raw material for making the dowels, the following processes are required: elimination of burrs from the pipe cut, shaping of variable diameters along its length, shaping of the flange - these last two stages being commonly , performed on different equipment.

As an example of the current state of the art one can cite the equipment

JP2003 / 205340, which describes the forming of pipes with variable diameter along their length. In this case, the diametrical pipe forming process is performed by a combination of compression forces with thermal molding, however, the 30 flange forming process is not performed on this equipment and therefore the resulting product must be routed to specific equipment.

In addition, the equipment described in US5651173 performs pipe forming, more specifically flange forming, but in several process steps - 9 steps precisely - based on the use of mechanical impact.

Other documents also describe equipment intended exclusively for the manufacture of pipes per se, for example EP 0004989 (production of cylindrical pipes) and US3257836 (production of pipes with different cross section).

It should be noted that the current state of the art demands the use of various equipment for forming the connecting tubes, each of which is intended for a specific production stage and involving unique techniques.

- or thermal molding or mechanical shaping (by impact).

Therefore, current technology lacks a technological solution capable of optimizing, streamlining and even standardizing the manufacturing processes of refrigerant connector pipes to:

- allow the shaping of reductions and flanges in the same equipment;

- allow the production of two or more different products on a single piece of equipment by simply replacing punches, dies and parameters without the use of several individual pieces of equipment, and

- enable large-scale production to meet the demands of precision and standardized hermetic compressor manufacturers.

Objectives of the invention

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to disclose a connector tube forming equipment capable of simultaneously performing flange forming and other regions of hermetic compressor duct tubes and other similar applications.

It is also an object of the present invention to describe a configuration of connector tube forming equipment that can produce at least one connector tube with specific characteristics. It is also possible to multiply the stages in order to be able to simultaneously produce two or more dowels with the same or different characteristics, thus introducing great versatility to the manufacturing process.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose equipment capable of forming connecting pipes through machining and mechanical forming, the working temperature being cold, warm or hot, which is determined by the homologous temperature of the material being conformed.

Summary of the Invention

The above objectives are achieved by connecting pipe forming equipment which operates interconnected with an electrical system comprised of at least one motor and controlling elements, and a module in which at least one reservoir for storage of the pipes to be arranged is arranged. conformed to reduction regions and flanges.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said connector tube forming equipment comprises: at least one surface on which at least four production stages are positioned;

said at least four production stages comprising a feed stage, a deburring or countersinking stage, a forming stage (reduction forming and / or flange forming) and a dimensional control stage;

the various stages of production being interconnected by at least one longitudinal rail through which at least four claws slide;

At the end of the process, if the dimensions of the connector tube do not meet the predetermined specifications, an electronic signal is sent to a controller element of the equipment and the tube is discarded.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the feeding stage comprises at least one vibrating pan cooperating with a conveyor which may be, for example, a conveyor belt.

In the deburring stage support elements and drills are arranged

driven by drills that slide through the axes towards the ends of the connector tube, so that the rotating drills remove material and form chamfers or spokes at said ends.

Preferably the forming stage comprises at least one system for securing the tube and at least one tool within the die tool and punching element, said at least one tool having a profile corresponding to the profile of the connector tube for forming one of the two. sides of said connector tube. One of said dies has a diameter corresponding to the diameter required in the reducing region of the connector tube and the other die acts on the conformation of the flange.

Also preferably the at least two matrices are movable and

replaceable with others of distinct dimensional characteristics.

According to the conceptual configuration, the dimensional control stage comprises at least one bipart cavity with inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the connector tube flange, said at least one bipart cavity cooperating with a sensor system and a measuring column programmed with the possible variation limits for the connector tube.

Preferably the equipment is formed of at least four double stages, so as to comprise 8 stages for the simultaneous manufacture of connector tubes with distinct characteristics. It is noteworthy that this preferred configuration 35 is not limiting and allows additional stages of similar or distinct characteristics to be employed in the equipment, or one can work with single stages, that is, not double. Due to the multiplication of the stages, it is possible to obtain the simultaneous manufacture of connecting tubes with different or similar characteristics, giving versatility to the described equipment.

The objectives pursued are thus achieved by means of a pipe forming equipment characterized by the fact that it comprises means for forming pipe reductions and flanges in a single and simultaneous production step.

It also comprises the invention of a connector pipe forming process an apparatus according to the above description for performing the following steps:

- individualized, sequential tube positioning through feeding

sequential continuous, aligned along the length of the tube through a vibrating pan and conveyor belt, making the tube available for further manipulation;

conveying, by means of at least one claw sliding on at least one longitudinal rail, from the feed stage connector tube to the deburring stage;

- displacement of drills driven by drills by sliding over

axes, towards the ends of the connector tube, so that the rotating burs remove burrs and form chamfers or radii at said tube ends;

- transport by means of at least one claw sliding in at least one

longitudinal rail, from the connector tube of the deburring stage to the

conformation;

applying force to pass the connector tube through a die of diameter corresponding to the diameter required in the forming region, so that by forward movement, the connector tube abuts the bottom of the die and the material is forced to

back off by filling another matrix with a shape corresponding to that of the flange.

- additionally, depending on the profile defined in the product, the connector tube goes through a second tool (punch or die) with the function of changing the profile of the opposite end of the connector tube;

- transport by means of at least one claw that slides at least one

longitudinal rail, from the conformation stage connector tube to the

flange forming;

- performing optional operation - chamfering at the end of the connector tube by means of a punching element driven towards the end corresponding to the reducing end;

- performing optional expansion operation for opposite end of pipe

connector, comprising advancing a second punch member in diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the expanded pipe, also by a die corresponding to the outer diameter of the expanded pipe;

conveying, by means of at least one claw sliding on at least one longitudinal rail, from the flange forming stage connector tube to the dimensional control stage of said equipment;

- positioning of the connector tube in a bipart cavity with internal diameter

corresponding to the outside diameter of the pipe flange;

- actuating the actuator so that the split cavity closes, and after such closure a sensor system sends the collected information to a programmed measuring column with the possible variation limits for the connector tube;

- if product dimensions do not meet predetermined specifications,

an electronic signal is sent to the equipment controller and the connector tube is discarded, thrown by the automated clamp or other suitable means into a disposal tray or related compartment;

- If the product dimensions meet the required and accepted specifications, the finished connector tube is taken to a storage location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will hereinafter be described in more detail based on the drawings. The figures show:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the connector tube forming equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 - shows an enlarged detail view of the power stage of the equipment illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail view of the deburring stage of the equipment illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 - shows an enlarged detail view of the conformation stage of the

equipment illustrated in Figure 1

Figures 5.1 and 5.2 show representative schematic jaws of the forming stages of the equipment illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 6 - shows an enlarged detail view of the dimensional control stage of the equipment illustrated in Figure 1, and

Figures 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 - show examples of connecting pipes formed in the equipment illustrated in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described in detail on the basis of the accompanying drawings, to which numerical references will be assigned to facilitate its understanding.

The connector tube forming apparatus 100 object of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 in one of its preferred embodiments, in which it can be seen that it is formed by several stages, each of which shapes the matrix ( or blank) that will form the end product or connector tube 6 shown in Figures 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3. Thus, by driving drills, punches and dies controlled according to the design specifications of the pieces 5 to be formed, the connecting pipes 6 are provided with diameter 61 and flanges 62.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 1, the equipment 100 comprises five stages 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 which are detailed and individually depicted in Figures 2 to 6. It is to be noted that optionally the equipment 100 may be formed by double stages, ie having 10 stages, for example, so that there would be 5 pairs of stages, and this flexibility allows a significant increase in the production rate and / or, in addition, create arrangements that allow to manufacture two or more different products simultaneously and in one piece of equipment. This is made possible by the fact that, since it is a 10 15-stage 100 equipment, five of them can be parameterized for a product with certain characteristics while the other five stages are parameterized for distinct final characteristics, thus providing great versatility for each product. production. It should be noted that, as mentioned above, the equipment can be made with only four stages, that is, with only one forming stage (30 or 40).

In general, connector pipe forming equipment 100 connects

a hydraulic system which includes a motor 2 and elements 3 which are responsible for the operation of the various stages of production, and the equipment 100 also has a module 4 in which two vibratory pans 5 are arranged for the storage of copper pipes. or steel to be formed, such vibratory pans 5 cooperating with a conveyor belt 11.

It should also be clarified that on the surface or table 7 on which the various stages of production are positioned is located at least one longitudinal rail 8 through which claws 9, which can be automated, carry the pipes between the various production stages, in human interference in the production process is not required at any time - thereby increasing process agility and safety.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first production stage - the feeding stage 10 which is more fully depicted in Figure 2 - comprises an individualized feedstock system, in this case, the pipe 6 already cut to the required dimension. This individualization is preferably, but not limited to, vibrating pans 5 which may be operating in sync with a conveyor 11, providing the tubes 6 in a specific position for subsequent transport.

As can be seen in more detail through Figure 3, the deburring process is performed at the deburring stage 20, which aims to remove the burrs from the pipe 6 (or blank) cut previously performed by 5 other equipment (not shown). To this end, it is positioned between the support members 21 and drills 22 driven by drills 23 by sliding along 24 towards the ends 63 of the tube 6, so that the drills 22, in rotating motion , remove material and form chamfers at said ends 63.

Already in the conformation stage 30, as illustrated in Figure 5.1 are formed

61 and flange 62. To this end, the pipe 6 which had been processed at the deburring stage 20 is carried, with the aid of the claw 9, to the forming stage 30 where it is forced to pass through a die 31 in diameter corresponding to diameter required in the reduction region 61. Thus, through the forward motion, the tube 6 abuts the bottom 15 of the die 31 and the material is forced back, filling another die 32 shaped to the flange 62.

It is noted, therefore, that the forming stage 30 of the equipment 100 conforms, in a single step, the reduction 61 and the flange 62 of the connector tube 6, significantly faster, more efficiently and practically than that observed in the current state of the system. technique.

The production deburring stage 30 therefore comprises at least one system for securing the tube and at least one die tool (31, 32) and / or punch (41), such tool having a profile corresponding to the profile of the pipe. connector tube 6 to which it will conform one side. Depending on the characteristics of the product, a second tool may be added which acts on forming the opposite side of the connector tube 6. The tools are movable and replaceable with others of distinct dimensional characteristics. Depending on the characteristics of the product or the raw material, it may be necessary to implement at least one additional stage with characteristics similar to the forming stage 30 aiming at the final profile of the product in question.

Thereafter, the forming pipe 6 is led to the flange forming stage 40 shown in Figure 5.2 in which, through a process involving punching element 41 of pipe 6 and its drive towards end 63A corresponding to the reduction end, a chamfer is formed.

At the opposite end 63 of tube 6, the expansion operation may also,

optionally to be realized, being formed by advancing a second punching element 42 in diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the expanded tube, also by a die 43 corresponding to the outer diameter of the expanded tube 6, but increased by a clearance.

Thus, the passage of the connector tube 6 through the flange forming stage 40 marks the end of the forming process, the next step being comprised of a new stage - the dimensional control stage 50 detailed in the drawing of Figure 6 where the measuring the preformed tube 6 to control the diameter of the flange 62. It should be noted that, to this end, the claw 9 collects the tube 6 from the flange forming stage 40 matrix and forwards it for positioning in a bipart cavity 51 with diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of flange 62 of tube 6. As tube 6 is positioned, actuator 52 is actuated and causes split cavity 51 to close, and after such closure a strategically positioned sensor system sends the information collected for a programmed measuring column with the possible variation limits for the connector tube 6. If the product dimensions do not meet the speci If a predetermined specification is made, an electronic signal is sent to the equipment controller and the part is discarded and thrown by the jaw 9 or other suitable means into a disposal tray or similar compartment.

Similarly, if the product dimensions meet the required and accepted specifications, the product is taken to a storage location.

It is noteworthy that this stage 50, which alone comprises the dimensional control system for connecting pipes, is also having its protection required in another patent application by the same holder of the present application.

It is further to be clarified that the main advantages of the invention are based on the ability to form reduction 61 and flange 62 at the same production stage and practically simultaneously, which significantly optimizes the manufacturing process by providing a much larger produced volume. that obtained over the same period of time by known related equipment.

Another advantage relates to the flexibility of producing two or more differently fitting connector tubes 6 in a single equipment 100 by simply replacing the punch elements 41-42, dies 31, 32 and 43, and design-specific parameters. of each product to be conformed.

Finally, it is possible to state that the greatest technological gain of the equipment 100 presented here is the possibility of producing the final product on a high productive scale, which is capable of meeting the demand of hermetic compressor manufacturers.

It is noteworthy that although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown, it is understood that any omissions, substitutions, reversal of electrical poles and constructive changes may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the required protection. It is also expressly provided that all combinations of elements that perform the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements of one embodiment described by others are also fully intended and contemplated.

Claims (11)

1. Connector tube forming equipment, the equipment (100) being interconnected with an electrical system comprising at least one motor (2) and control elements (3), and a module (4) in which at least one is arranged. reservoir (5) for storing pipes (6) to be formed with reduction regions (61) and flanges (62), characterized by the fact that the equipment (1) comprises: at least one surface (7) on which positioned at least four stages (10, 20, 30 or 40, and 50) of production; said at least four production stages comprising a feed (10) stage, a deburring or countersinking stage (20), at least one forming stage - reduction forming (30) or flange forming (40) - and a dimensional control stage (50); the various stages (10, 20, 30 or 40 and 50) of production being interconnected by at least one longitudinal rail (8) through which at least four jaws (9) slide; At the end of the process, if the dimensions of the connector tube (6) do not meet the predetermined specifications, an electronic signal is sent to a controller element (3) of the equipment (100) and the tube (6) is discarded. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeding stage (10) comprises at least one vibrating pan (5) cooperating with a conveyor (11). Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the deburring stage (20) comprises supporting elements (21) and drills (22) driven by drills (23) which advance by sliding on axes ( 24) towards the ends (63) of the connector tube (6) so that the rotating burs (22) remove material and form chamfers or spokes at said ends (63). Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the forming stage (30) comprises at least one system for securing the tube and at least one tool within the die tool (31, 32) and punch element (41). ), wherein said at least one tool (31, 32, 41) has a profile corresponding to the profile of the connector tube (6) for forming one side of said connector tube (6). Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the die (31) has a diameter corresponding to the diameter required in the reduction region (61) of the connector tube (6) and the die (32) acts on the flange conformation. (62). Equipment according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the at least two dies (31, 32) are movable and replaceable with others of distinct dimensional characteristics. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the dimensional control stage (50) comprises at least one split cavity (51) with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the flange (62) of the connector tube (6) said at least one split cavity (51) cooperating with a sensor system and a measuring column programmed with the possible variation limits for the connector tube (6). Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the equipment (100) is formed of at least four double stages (10, 20, 30 or 40 and 50) so as to comprise 8 stages for the simultaneous manufacture of connector tubes (6) with different characteristics. 9. Connector tube forming equipment, characterized by the fact that it comprises means for forming reductions (61) and flanges (62) of connector tubes (6) in a single simultaneous production step. 10 Connector tube forming process, characterized in that it comprises equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for performing the following steps: - individualized and sequential positioning of the connector tube (6) through sequential continuous feeding aligned with the length of the connector tube (6) through vibrating pan (5) and conveyor belt (11), providing the connector tube (6) for further manipulation; conveying, by means of at least one claw (9) sliding on at least one longitudinal rail (8), from the connector tube (6) from the feed stage (10) to the deburring stage (20); - displacement of drills (22) driven by drills (23) by sliding on shafts (24), towards the ends (63, 63A) of the connector tube (6), so that the drills (22), in motion rotating, remove the burrs and form chamfers or spokes at said ends (63) of the pipe (6); conveying, by means of at least one claw (9) sliding on at least one longitudinal rail (8), from the connector tube (6) of the deburring stage (20) to the forming stage (30); applying force to cause the connector tube (6) to pass through a die (31) in diameter corresponding to the diameter required in the forming region (61), so that through the forward movement, the connector tube (6) abuts the bottom of the die (31) and the material is forced back, filling another die (32) with a shape corresponding to that of the flange (62); Additionally, depending on the profile defined in the product, the connector tube (6) passes through a second punch tool or die with the function of changing the profile of the opposite end of the connector tube (6); conveying, by means of at least one jaw (9) sliding on at least one longitudinal rail (8), from the connector tube (6) of the forming stage (30) to the flange forming stage (40); chamfering at the end (63A) of the connector tube (6) by means of a punching element (41) driven towards the end (63A) corresponding to the reducing end; performing an optional expansion operation for the opposite end (63) of the connector tube (6), comprising advancing a second punching element (42) in diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the expanded tube, also by a die (43) corresponding to the outer diameter of the expanded connector tube (6); conveying by means of at least one claw (9) sliding on at least one longitudinal rail (8) from the connector tube (6) of the flange forming stage (40) to the dimensional control stage (50); positioning the connector pipe (6) in a split cavity (51) with an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the flange (62) of the pipe (6); - actuation of the actuator (52) so that the split cavity (51) closes, and after such closing a sensor system sends the collected information to a programmed measuring column with the possible variation limits for the connector tube (6) ; - If the dimensions of the product do not meet the predetermined specifications, an electronic signal is sent to the equipment controller and the connector tube (6) is discarded and thrown by the automated clamp (9) or other suitable means for a tray. disposal or related compartment; - If the product dimensions meet the required and accepted specifications, the finished connector tube (6) is led to a storage location.