EP0347369A2 - Method and apparatus for hydraulically enlarging hollow profiles - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for hydraulically enlarging hollow profiles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0347369A2
EP0347369A2 EP89730141A EP89730141A EP0347369A2 EP 0347369 A2 EP0347369 A2 EP 0347369A2 EP 89730141 A EP89730141 A EP 89730141A EP 89730141 A EP89730141 A EP 89730141A EP 0347369 A2 EP0347369 A2 EP 0347369A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hollow profile
sealing
sealing ring
hollow
pressure
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89730141A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0347369A3 (en
Inventor
Gerd Dr.-Ing. Vogt
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Vodafone GmbH
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Mannesmann AG
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Publication of EP0347369A2 publication Critical patent/EP0347369A2/en
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D26/00Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
    • B21D26/02Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
    • B21D26/033Deforming tubular bodies
    • B21D26/045Closing or sealing means
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21CMANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C37/00Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D26/00Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
    • B21D26/02Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
    • B21D26/033Deforming tubular bodies
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30PRESSES
    • B30BPRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B5/00Presses characterised by the use of pressing means other than those mentioned in the preceding groups
    • B30B5/02Presses characterised by the use of pressing means other than those mentioned in the preceding groups wherein the pressing means is in the form of a flexible element, e.g. diaphragm, urged by fluid pressure
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30PRESSES
    • B30BPRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B7/00Presses characterised by a particular arrangement of the pressing members
    • B30B7/04Presses characterised by a particular arrangement of the pressing members wherein pressing is effected in different directions simultaneously or in turn

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the hydraulic expansion of hollow profiles according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for performing this method.
  • Hollow profiles in this sense are tubular bodies made of metallic materials, in particular steel, which can have any cross-sectional shape.
  • Components are often required for mechanical engineering purposes, which are designed as elongated, possibly also curved bodies, the cross-sectional shape of which changes significantly along their length. In many cases, for reasons of weight, one is interested in designing these components as hollow bodies. In order to keep the manufacturing outlay low, it has already been proposed to choose a tubular semi-finished product as the starting material and to achieve the desired final shape by expanding the starting material.
  • the known method requires a high level of equipment and is not suitable for the production of components which are curved or angled along their longitudinal extent. It is of particular importance, however, that the position of the sealing of the hollow profile for the hydraulic expansion requires precise preprocessing of the sealing surfaces on the semi-finished product and an exact matching of the piston geometry to the semi-finished product dimensions. The respective tolerances in the manufacture of semi-finished products can lead to processing problems.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to propose a method for the hydraulic expansion of hollow metal profiles, which can be carried out as simply as possible and in which, in particular, the sealing of the hollow profile is carried out without great expenditure on devices.
  • the sealing ring is also chambered in the sealing head in such a way that, due to the internal pressure, it can only expand in the direction of the outer or inner surface of the hollow profile to be sealed and there comes to a tight contact.
  • the chambering of the sealing ring therefore means that the elastic material cannot escape laterally. Since the hydraulic expansion pressure is also present in the sealing gap, it is provided according to the invention that the internal pressure in the sealing ring is always kept above this expansion pressure to such an extent that the contact pressure of the sealing ring on the surface of the hollow profile is always above the expansion pressure and a secure seal is thus ensured. Due to the elasticity, the sealing ring is able to easily accommodate manufacturing tolerances with regard to dimensions and surface properties.
  • the side walls of the sealing ring chamber act as mechanical stops with regard to the expansion of the hollow body.
  • a stop must be provided on the outside as a separate support, especially since the sealing pressure is higher than the actual expansion pressure anyway.
  • the sealing pressure can be set in such a way that the sealing pressure is continuously increased in accordance with the increase in the expansion pressure. It is expedient in each case 10-20% above the current expansion pressure.
  • the sealing function is guaranteed, since the elastic parts of the sealing ring also come into close contact with one another as soon as they are subjected to sufficient internal pressure.
  • the sealing heads are not pushed away in the axial direction from the hollow profile to be expanded by the expansion pressure, they must be held by appropriate counterforces. According to the invention, this is done by tension elements which connect the opposing sealing heads to one another. These tension elements can be attached outside the hollow profile, but can also lie in this. Flexible, i.e. Bendable internal tension elements (e.g. rope or chain) are used advantageously if the hollow profile to be expanded originally has a straight shape (e.g. circular cylindrical tube) and is to be converted into a curved final shape. In this case, the end regions of the tube, which are closed with the sealing heads, must be able to move locally, which is made possible by the flexibility of the tension elements. In other cases, it will be useful to integrate the holder for the sealing heads in the outer tool.
  • Flexible, i.e. Bendable internal tension elements e.g. rope or chain
  • FIG. 1 shows an axial longitudinal section through a hollow profile with two external sealing heads and an external tool
  • FIG. 2 shows an example for an internal sealing head with external support of the hollow profile. Parts with the same reference symbols have the same function in both figures.
  • the hollow profile 1, e.g. a cylindrical steel tube is closed on its end faces by two outer sealing heads 2a, 2b.
  • the outer sealing heads 2a, 2b are rigid (with a view to deformation due to the expansion pressure p2) and have an opening designed as a blind hole, the jacket contour of which corresponds approximately to that of the hollow profile 1 to be expanded.
  • An annular chamber 11 is embedded in the lateral surface of this opening, which is open towards the outer surface of the hollow profile 1 and receives a sealing ring 3 made of elastic materials.
  • the sealing ring 3 is hollow on the inside and connected to a hydraulic pressure source (pressure accumulator 7). As soon as the sealing ring 3 is subjected to the internal pressure p 1, its outer shape is changed.
  • the annular chamber 11 closely surrounds the sealing ring 3 on three sides, it can only expand in the direction of the outer surface of the hollow profile 1 and fit tightly against it. In this way, the annular gap 6 between the outer surface of the hollow profile 1 and the outer surface of the opening in the sealing head 2a, 2b is sealed.
  • the two sealing heads 2a, 2b are connected to each other by the tension element 5 (eg rod, rope, chain) in such a way that they are expanded by the expansion pressure p2, which can be introduced into the hollow profile 1 through the outer sealing head 2a through a supply line from the pressure accumulator 8 , cannot be pushed outwards, i.e. cannot move on the hollow section 1.
  • the actual deformation area of the hollow profile 1 is enclosed by an external tool 4, which defines the external shape of the expanded hollow profile.
  • the operation of the device is that, at the beginning of the process, the sealing rings 11 are initially subjected to internal pressure p 1 and are brought to bear tightly against the outer surface of the hollow profile 1. Only then is hydraulic pressure generated in the interior of the hollow profile 1. While the pressure p2 is increased, it is ensured that the pressure p1 is always greater than p2, so that the sealing effect is retained.
  • inner sealing heads 9 can also be used, which ensure that the sealing head 9 is sealed off from the inner surface of the hollow profile 1.
  • the function of the sealing ring 3 is completely in accordance with that in Figure 1, i.e. the outwardly open annular chamber 11 only allows the sealing ring 3 to expand outwards onto the inner surface of the hollow profile 1. Since the hollow profile 1 would expand p 1 under the effect of the sealing pressure, it is necessary in this case to provide an external support 10 for the hollow profile 1 separately.
  • the process according to the invention has the advantage that it can be carried out with little expenditure on equipment. It also enables the production of expanded hollow profiles, the longitudinal axis of which is curved, even if a straight semifinished product is used as the starting material.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for enlarging metal, especially steel, hollow profiles essentially open at the end faces to a shape which is predetermined by a divided outer die surrounding the hollow profile, the end faces being sealed by means of sealing heads and a hydraulic internal pressure being applied inside the hollow profile for the purpose of deformation. In order to specify a method for hydraulically enlarging metal hollow profiles which can be carried out as simply as possible and in which, in particular, the hollow profile is sealed off without great outlay in terms of equipment, it is proposed that the rigid part of the sealing heads should in each case be sealed off from the hollow profile via a flexible hollow sealing ring by subjecting the interior of the sealing ring to a pressure P1 which is at all times greater than the particular pressure P2 used for deforming the hollow profile, and bringing it to rest against the inner or outer surface of the hollow profile, the enlargement of the hollow profile in the region of the sealing ring being limited from the outside to within the capability of the sealing ring to adapt to the surface of the hollow profile. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum hydraulischen Aufweiten von Hohlprofilen gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1 sowie eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung dieses Verfahrens. Als Hohlprofile in diesem Sinne werden rohrförmige Körper aus metallischen Werkstoffen, insbesondere Stahl, angesehen, die eine beliebige Querschnittsform aufweisen können.The invention relates to a method for the hydraulic expansion of hollow profiles according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for performing this method. Hollow profiles in this sense are tubular bodies made of metallic materials, in particular steel, which can have any cross-sectional shape.

Für maschinenbauliche Zwecke werden häufig Bauteile benötigt, die als gestreckte, ggf. auch gekrümmte Körper ausgeführt sind, deren Querschnittsform sich entlang ihrer Längenausdehnung erheblich ändert. Aus Gewichtsgründen ist man in vielen Fällen daran interessiert, diese Bauteile als Hohlkörper zu gestalten. Um den Herstellungsaufwand gering zu halten, wurde schon vorgeschlagen, als Ausgangsmaterial ein rohrförmiges Halbzeug zu wählen und die gewünschte Endform durch Aufweiten des Ausgangsmaterials zu erzielen.Components are often required for mechanical engineering purposes, which are designed as elongated, possibly also curved bodies, the cross-sectional shape of which changes significantly along their length. In many cases, for reasons of weight, one is interested in designing these components as hollow bodies. In order to keep the manufacturing outlay low, it has already been proposed to choose a tubular semi-finished product as the starting material and to achieve the desired final shape by expanding the starting material.

Aus der DE-PS 29 35 086 ist ein gattungsgemäßes Verfahren bekannt, bei dem die Aufweitung eines Hohlprofils durch hydraulischen Innendruck vorgenommen und die äußere Formgebung durch ein entsprechendes starres, geteiltes Außenwerkzeug erreicht wird. Die Verformung wird durch zusätzlichen Axialdruck auf das Hohlprofil unterstützt. Zu Beginn der Umformung ist das Hohlprofil von außen bis auf einen mittigen Bereich vollständig durch sogenannte Führungsstutzen umhüllt, welche erst im Verlaufe der Umformung nach und nach in Richtung der Längsachse zurückgezogen werden und so den eigentlichen Formraum des Außenwerkzeugs sukzessive freigeben. Die an sich offenen Stirnflächen des Hohlprofils sind durch die Dichtflächen von Kolbenstangen, die in das Hohlprofil eingeführt sind und den zusätzlichen Axialdruck aufbringen, abgedichtet.From DE-PS 29 35 086 a generic method is known in which the expansion of a hollow profile is carried out by hydraulic internal pressure and the outer shape is achieved by a corresponding rigid, divided outer tool. The deformation is supported by additional axial pressure on the hollow profile. At the start of the forming process, the hollow profile is completely encased from the outside except for a central area by so-called guide stubs, which are only gradually retracted in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the course of the forming process and thus gradually release the actual mold space of the external tool. The end faces of the hollow profile, which are open per se, are sealed by the sealing surfaces of piston rods which are inserted into the hollow profile and apply the additional axial pressure.

Eine zusätzliche Abdichtung ergibt sich dadurch, daß die Kolbenstangen jeweils von den Führungsstutzen dicht umschlossen sind, mit denen der Formraum des Außenwerkzeugs freigegeben wird.An additional seal results from the fact that the piston rods are each tightly enclosed by the guide stubs with which the mold space of the outer tool is released.

Das bekannte Verfahren erfordert einen hohen apparativen Aufwand und ist nicht geeignet für die Herstellung von Bauteilen, die entlang ihrer Längsausdehnung gekrümmt oder abgewinkelt sind. Von besonderer Bedeutung ist jedoch, daß die Lage der Abdichtung des Hohlprofils für die hydraulische Aufweitung eine genaue Vorbearbeitung der Dichtflächen am Halbzeug und eine exakte Abstimmung der Kolbengeometrie auf die Halbzeugabmessungen erfordern. Die jeweiligen Toleranzen bei der Halbzeugherstellung können zu Verarbeitungsproblemen führen.The known method requires a high level of equipment and is not suitable for the production of components which are curved or angled along their longitudinal extent. It is of particular importance, however, that the position of the sealing of the hollow profile for the hydraulic expansion requires precise preprocessing of the sealing surfaces on the semi-finished product and an exact matching of the piston geometry to the semi-finished product dimensions. The respective tolerances in the manufacture of semi-finished products can lead to processing problems.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, ein Verfahren zur hydraulischen Aufweitung von metallischen Hohlprofilen vorzuschlagen, das möglichst einfach durchführbar ist und bei dem insbesondere die Abdichtung des Hohlprofils ohne großen Vorrichtungsaufwand erfolgt.The object of the invention is therefore to propose a method for the hydraulic expansion of hollow metal profiles, which can be carried out as simply as possible and in which, in particular, the sealing of the hollow profile is carried out without great expenditure on devices.

Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1; eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung des Verfahrens ist im Unteranspruch 2 gekennzeichnet. Die Merkmale einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Durchführung dieses Verfahrens ist im Anspruch 3 angegeben und in den Unteransprüchen 4 - 8 in vorteilhafter Weise ausgestaltet.This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of patent claim 1; An advantageous development of the method is characterized in sub-claim 2. The features of a device according to the invention for carrying out this method are specified in claim 3 and advantageously configured in subclaims 4-8.

Wesentlicher Gedanke der Erfindung ist es, die an sich offenen Stirnseiten des aufzuweitenden Hohlprofils mit starren Dichtköpfen zu verschließen, die die innere oder äußere Oberfläche des Hohlprofils zwar eng, aber mit Abstand umschließen. Der dazwischenliegende Dichtspalt wird mit einem elastischen Dichtring abgedichtet, der als Hohlkörper ausgeführt und mit Innendruck beaufschlagbar ist.It is an essential concept of the invention to close the open end faces of the hollow profile to be expanded with rigid sealing heads which, although closely, enclose the inner or outer surface of the hollow profile, but at a distance. The intermediate sealing gap is sealed with an elastic sealing ring, which is designed as a hollow body and can be subjected to internal pressure.

Der Dichtring ist darüberhinaus in der Weise in dem Dichtkopf gekammert, daß er sich infolge des Innendrucks nur in Richtung auf die Außen- bzw. Innenoberfläche des abzudichtenden Hohlprofils ausdehnen kann und auf dieser zur dichten Anlage kommt. Die Kammerung des Dichtringes bewirkt also, daß das elastische Material nicht seitlich ausweichen kann. Da im Dichtspalt auch der hydraulische Aufweitedruck ansteht, wird erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, daß der Innendruck im Dichtring stets soweit über diesem Aufweitedruck gehalten wird, daß der Anpreßdruck des Dichtringes auf der Oberfläche des Hohlprofils immer über dem Aufweitedruck liegt und so eine sichere Abdichtung gewährleistet ist. Aufgrund der Elastizität ist der Dichtring in der Lage, Fertigungstoleranzen hinsichtlich Abmessungen und Oberflächenbeschaffenheit problemlos aufzufangen. Bei einer Abdichtung auf der Außenoberfläche des Hohlkörpers, wenn also der Dichtkopf die Stirnseiten des Hohlprofils außen umfaßt, wirken die Seitenwände der Dichtringkammer hinsichtlich der Aufweitung des Hohlkörpers als mechanische Anschläge. Im Falle der Abdichtung mit einem innenliegenden Dichtkopf muß außen ein solcher Anschlag als gesonderte Abstützung vorgesehen werden, zumal der Dichtdruck ohnehin höher liegt als der eigentliche Aufweitedruck. Die Einstellung des Dichtdrucks kann in der Weise erfolgen, daß der Dichtdruck kontinuierlich entsprechend der Zunahme des Aufweitedruckes gesteigert wird. Zweckmäßigerweise liegt er jeweils 10 - 20 % über dem aktuellen Aufweitedruck.The sealing ring is also chambered in the sealing head in such a way that, due to the internal pressure, it can only expand in the direction of the outer or inner surface of the hollow profile to be sealed and there comes to a tight contact. The chambering of the sealing ring therefore means that the elastic material cannot escape laterally. Since the hydraulic expansion pressure is also present in the sealing gap, it is provided according to the invention that the internal pressure in the sealing ring is always kept above this expansion pressure to such an extent that the contact pressure of the sealing ring on the surface of the hollow profile is always above the expansion pressure and a secure seal is thus ensured. Due to the elasticity, the sealing ring is able to easily accommodate manufacturing tolerances with regard to dimensions and surface properties. In the case of a seal on the outer surface of the hollow body, that is to say when the sealing head encompasses the end faces of the hollow profile on the outside, the side walls of the sealing ring chamber act as mechanical stops with regard to the expansion of the hollow body. In the case of sealing with an internal sealing head, such a stop must be provided on the outside as a separate support, especially since the sealing pressure is higher than the actual expansion pressure anyway. The sealing pressure can be set in such a way that the sealing pressure is continuously increased in accordance with the increase in the expansion pressure. It is expedient in each case 10-20% above the current expansion pressure.

Es ist ohne weiteres möglich und für manche Fälle vorteilhaft, den Dichtring in zwei oder mehr an sich unabhängige Abschnitte aufzuteilen, die jeweils einzeln an die Druckversorgung anzuschließen sind. Auf diese Weise lassen sich ggf. Anpassungen an unregelmäßige Querschnittgeometrien der aufzuweitenden Hohlprofile unter Verwendung des gleichen Dichtkopfes leichter realisieren.It is easily possible and advantageous in some cases to divide the sealing ring into two or more sections that are independent per se, each of which must be connected individually to the pressure supply. In this way, adjustments to irregular cross-sectional geometries of the hollow profiles to be expanded can be implemented more easily using the same sealing head.

In jedem Fall bleibt die Dichtfunktion gewährleistet, da sich die elastischen Teilstücke des Dichtringes auch aneinander dicht anlegen, sobald sie mit einem ausreichenden Innendruck beaufschlage werden.In any case, the sealing function is guaranteed, since the elastic parts of the sealing ring also come into close contact with one another as soon as they are subjected to sufficient internal pressure.

Damit die Dichtköpfe durch den Aufweitedruck nicht in axialer Richtung vom aufzuweitenden Hohlprofil weggedrückt werden, müssen sie von entsprechenden Gegenkräften gehalten werden. Dies geschieht erfindungsgemäß durch Zugelemente, die die gegenüberliegenden Dichtköpfe miteinander verbinden. Diese Zugelemente können außerhalb des Hohlprofils angebracht sein, können aber auch in diesem liegen. Flexible, d.h. biegbare innenliegende Zugelemente (z.B. Seil oder Kette) werden vorteilhaft eingesetzt, wenn das aufzuweitende Hohlprofil ursprünglich eine gerade Form (z.B. kreiszylindrisches Rohr) aufweist und in eine gebogene Endform überführt werden soll. In diesem Fall müssen die Endbereiche des Rohres, die mit den Dichtköpfen verschlossen sind, eine örtliche Verlagerung ausführen können, was aufgrund der Biegbarkeit der Zugelemente ermöglicht wird. In anderen Fällen wird es zweckmäßig sein, die Halterung für die Dichtköpfe in das Außenwerkzeug zu integrieren.So that the sealing heads are not pushed away in the axial direction from the hollow profile to be expanded by the expansion pressure, they must be held by appropriate counterforces. According to the invention, this is done by tension elements which connect the opposing sealing heads to one another. These tension elements can be attached outside the hollow profile, but can also lie in this. Flexible, i.e. Bendable internal tension elements (e.g. rope or chain) are used advantageously if the hollow profile to be expanded originally has a straight shape (e.g. circular cylindrical tube) and is to be converted into a curved final shape. In this case, the end regions of the tube, which are closed with the sealing heads, must be able to move locally, which is made possible by the flexibility of the tension elements. In other cases, it will be useful to integrate the holder for the sealing heads in the outer tool.

Anhand der in den Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele wird die Erfindung nachfolgend näher erläutert. Während Figur 1 einen axialen Längsschnitt durch ein Hohlprofil mit zwei Außendichtköpfen und einem Außenwerkzeug zeigt, ist in Figur 2 ein Beispeil für einen Innendichtkopf mit Außenabstützung des Hohlprofils wiedergegeben. Teile mit gleichen Bezugszeichen haben in beiden Figuren gleiche Funktion.The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. While FIG. 1 shows an axial longitudinal section through a hollow profile with two external sealing heads and an external tool, FIG. 2 shows an example for an internal sealing head with external support of the hollow profile. Parts with the same reference symbols have the same function in both figures.

Das Hohlprofil 1, z.B. ein zylindrisches Stahlrohr, wird an seinen Stirnseiten von zwei Außendichtköpfen 2a, 2b verschlossen. Die Außendichtköpfe 2a, 2b sind starr (im Hinblick auf eine Verformung durch den Aufweitedruck p₂) und weisen eine als Sackloch ausgeführte Öffnung auf, dessen Mantelkontur etwa derjenigen des aufzuweitenden Hohlprofils 1 entspricht. In der Mantelfläche dieser Öffnung ist eine Ringkammer 11 eingebettet, die zur Außenoberfläche des Hohlprofils 1 hin offen ist und einen Dichtring 3 aus elastischen Werkstoffen aufnimmt. Der Dichtring 3 ist innen hohl und an eine hydraulische Druckquelle (Druckspeicher 7) angeschlossen. Sobald der Dichtring 3 mit dem Innendruck p₁ beaufschlagt wird, wird seine äußere Form verändert. Da die Ringkammer 11 den Dichtring 3 eng auf drei Seiten umschließt, kann dieser sich nur in Richtung auf die Außenoberfläche des Hohlprofils 1 ausdehnen und sich an diese dicht anlegen. Auf diese Weise wird der Ringspalt 6 zwischen der Außenoberfläche des Hohlprofils 1 und der Mantelfläche der Öffnung im Dichtkopf 2a, 2b abgedichtet. Die beiden Dichtköpfe 2a, 2b sind durch das Zugelement 5 (z.B. Stange, Seil, Kette) in der Weise miteinander verbunden, daß sie von dem Aufweitedruck p₂, der durch eine Zuleitung vom Druckspeicher 8 durch den Außendichtkopf 2a in das Hohlprofil 1 eingeleitet werden kann, nicht nach außen weggedrückt werden können, also sich nicht auf dem Hohlprofil 1 verschieben können. Der eigentliche Verformungsbereich des Hohlprofils 1 ist von einem Außenwerkzeug 4 umschlossen, welches die äußere Form des aufgeweiteten Hohlprofils festlegt.The hollow profile 1, e.g. a cylindrical steel tube is closed on its end faces by two outer sealing heads 2a, 2b. The outer sealing heads 2a, 2b are rigid (with a view to deformation due to the expansion pressure p₂) and have an opening designed as a blind hole, the jacket contour of which corresponds approximately to that of the hollow profile 1 to be expanded. An annular chamber 11 is embedded in the lateral surface of this opening, which is open towards the outer surface of the hollow profile 1 and receives a sealing ring 3 made of elastic materials. The sealing ring 3 is hollow on the inside and connected to a hydraulic pressure source (pressure accumulator 7). As soon as the sealing ring 3 is subjected to the internal pressure p 1, its outer shape is changed. Since the annular chamber 11 closely surrounds the sealing ring 3 on three sides, it can only expand in the direction of the outer surface of the hollow profile 1 and fit tightly against it. In this way, the annular gap 6 between the outer surface of the hollow profile 1 and the outer surface of the opening in the sealing head 2a, 2b is sealed. The two sealing heads 2a, 2b are connected to each other by the tension element 5 (eg rod, rope, chain) in such a way that they are expanded by the expansion pressure p₂, which can be introduced into the hollow profile 1 through the outer sealing head 2a through a supply line from the pressure accumulator 8 , cannot be pushed outwards, i.e. cannot move on the hollow section 1. The actual deformation area of the hollow profile 1 is enclosed by an external tool 4, which defines the external shape of the expanded hollow profile.

Die Funktionsweise der Vorrichtung ist die, daß zu Beginn des Verfahrens zunächst die Dichtringe 11 mit Innendruck p₁ beaufschlagt werden und zur dichten Anlage an die Außenoberfläche des Hohlprofils 1 gebracht werden. Erst dann wird hydraulischer Druck im Inneren des Hohlprofils 1 erzeugt. Während der Druck p₂ gesteigert wird, ist gewährleistet, daß der Druck p₁ immer größer als p₂ ist, damit die Dichtwirkung erhalten bleibt.The operation of the device is that, at the beginning of the process, the sealing rings 11 are initially subjected to internal pressure p 1 and are brought to bear tightly against the outer surface of the hollow profile 1. Only then is hydraulic pressure generated in the interior of the hollow profile 1. While the pressure p₂ is increased, it is ensured that the pressure p₁ is always greater than p₂, so that the sealing effect is retained.

Sobald der Innendruck p₂ soweit gesteigert ist, daß die Zugspannungen in der Wandung des Hohlprofils 1 die Fließgrenze überschreiten, findet eine zunehmende Annäherung des Hohlprofils 1 an die Innenkontur des Außenwerkzeugs 4 statt. Die beiden Dichtköpfe 2a, 2b werden während des Verformungsprozesses durch die Zugstange 5 unverändert in ihrer Lage zueinander gehalten.As soon as the internal pressure p₂ is increased to such an extent that the tensile stresses in the wall of the hollow profile 1 exceed the yield point, there is an increasing convergence of the hollow profile 1 to the inner contour of the external tool 4. The two sealing heads 2a, 2b are held unchanged in their position relative to one another during the deformation process by the pull rod 5.

Anstelle der Außendichtköpfe 2a, 2b können, wie aus Figur 2 hervorgeht, auch Innendichtköpfe 9 eingesetzt werden, die eine Abdichtung des Dichtkopfes 9 gegenüber der Innenoberfläche des Hohlprofils 1 gewährleisten. Die Funktion des Dichtringes 3 ist dabei vollständig entsprechend der in Figur 1, d.h. die nach außen offene Ringkammer 11 läßt nur eine Ausdehnung des Dichtrings 3 nach außen auf die Innenoberfläche des Hohlprofils 1 zu. Da sich das Hohlprofil 1 unter der Wirkung des Dichtdruckes p₁ aufweiten würde, ist es in diesem Fall notwending, eine Außenabstützung 10 für das Hohlprofil 1 gesondert vorzusehen. Unabhängig von der Art des Dichtkopfes (innen oder außen) ist es im Regelfall notwendig, die im Bereich der Dichtköpfe liegenden Enden der aufgeweiteten Hohlprofile 1 abzuschneiden, da diese nicht der gewünschten Endform des Hohlprofils 1 entsprechen. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren hat den Vorteil, daß es mit geringem apparativen Aufwand durchführbar ist. Außerdem ermöglicht es die Herstellung von aufgeweiteten Hohlprofilen, deren Längsachse gekrümmt ist, auch wenn von einem geraden Halbzeug als Einsatzmaterial ausgegangen wird.Instead of the outer sealing heads 2a, 2b, as can be seen from FIG. 2, inner sealing heads 9 can also be used, which ensure that the sealing head 9 is sealed off from the inner surface of the hollow profile 1. The function of the sealing ring 3 is completely in accordance with that in Figure 1, i.e. the outwardly open annular chamber 11 only allows the sealing ring 3 to expand outwards onto the inner surface of the hollow profile 1. Since the hollow profile 1 would expand p 1 under the effect of the sealing pressure, it is necessary in this case to provide an external support 10 for the hollow profile 1 separately. Regardless of the type of sealing head (inside or outside), it is generally necessary to cut off the ends of the expanded hollow profiles 1 in the area of the sealing heads, since these do not correspond to the desired final shape of the hollow profile 1. The process according to the invention has the advantage that it can be carried out with little expenditure on equipment. It also enables the production of expanded hollow profiles, the longitudinal axis of which is curved, even if a straight semifinished product is used as the starting material.

Claims (8)

1. Verfahren zum Aufweiten von an den Stirnflächen an sich offenen Hohlprofilen aus einem metallischen Werkstoff, insbesondere aus Stahl, auf eine Form, die durch ein das Hohlprofil umgebendes geteiltes Außenwerkzeug vorgegeben ist, wobei die Stirnflächen mittels Dichtköpfen verschlossen werden und innerhalb des Hohlprofils ein hydraulischer Innendruck zur Verformung aufgebracht wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der starre Teil der Dichtköpfe jeweils über einen elastischen hohlen Dichtring gegenüber dem Hohlprofil abgedichtet wird, indem der Dichtring in seinem Inneren mit einem Druck p₁, der stets größer als der zur Verformung des Hohlprofils gerade angewendete Druck p₂ gehalten wird, beaufschlagt und zur Anlage an die innere oder äußere Oberfläche des Hohlprofils gebracht wird, wobei die Aufweitung des Hohlprofils im Bereich des Dichtringes von außen auf ein Maß begrenzt wird, das innerhalb der Anpassungsmöglichkeit des Dichtringes an die Oberfläche des Hohlprofils liegt.
1. A method for expanding hollow profiles, which are open at the end faces, from a metallic material, in particular steel, to a shape which is predetermined by a split external tool surrounding the hollow profile, the end faces being closed by means of sealing heads and a hydraulic one inside the hollow profile Internal pressure is applied for deformation,
characterized,
that the rigid part of the sealing heads is each sealed via an elastic hollow sealing ring with respect to the hollow profile by the sealing ring in its interior with a pressure p 1, which is always kept greater than the pressure p 2 just used to deform the hollow profile, applied and to the system the inner or outer surface of the hollow profile is brought, the expansion of the hollow profile in the region of the sealing ring being limited from the outside to a dimension which lies within the possibility of adapting the sealing ring to the surface of the hollow profile.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Druck p₁ im Dichtring mindestens um 10 - 20 % über dem jeweiligen hydraulischen Aufweitedruck p₂ gehalten wird.
2. The method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the pressure p₁ in the sealing ring is kept at least 10 - 20% above the respective hydraulic expansion pressure p₂.
3. Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens nach Anspruch 1 mit einem geteilten starren Außenwerkzeug für die Außenkontur des aufzuweitenden Hohlprofils, mit zwei Dichtköpfen, die durch Zugelemente miteinander verbindbar sind, und mit Mitteln zur Erzeugung unterschiedlicher hydraulischer Drücke,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß jeder Dichtkopf (2a, 2b, 9) mit einem hohlen mit hydraulischem Innendruck beaufschlagbaren Dichtring (3) aus elastischem Material ausgestattet ist, der in eine Ringkammer (11) des Dichtkopfes (2a, 2b, 9) eingelassen ist, welche auf der der Oberfläche des Hohlprofils (1) zugewandten Seite offen ist und deren Seitenwände bis dicht an die Oberfläche des Hohlprofils (1) heranreichen.
3. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1 with a divided rigid outer tool for the outer contour of the hollow profile to be expanded, with two sealing heads which can be connected to one another by tension elements, and with means for generating different hydraulic pressures,
characterized,
that each sealing head (2a, 2b, 9) is equipped with a hollow sealing ring (3) which can be acted upon by hydraulic internal pressure and is made of elastic material and which is let into an annular chamber (11) of the sealing head (2a, 2b, 9) which is on the Surface of the hollow profile (1) facing side is open and the side walls extend close to the surface of the hollow profile (1).
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß bei auf der Innenseite des Hohlprofils (1) angeordneten Dichtköpfen (9) im Wirkbereich des Dichtrings (3) jeweils außen eine Abstützung (10) des Hohlprofils (1) zur Begrenzung seiner Aufweitung in diesem Bereich vorgesehen ist.
4. The device according to claim 3,
characterized,
that on the inside of the hollow profile (1) arranged sealing heads (9) in the effective area of the sealing ring (3) a support (10) of the hollow profile (1) is provided on the outside to limit its expansion in this area.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Dichtringe (2a, 2b, 9) jeweils in Teilstücke aufgeteilt sind, die einzeln mit dem hydraulischen Innendruck beaufschlagbar sind.
5. The device according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized,
that the sealing rings (2a, 2b, 9) are each divided into sections which can be acted upon individually by the hydraulic internal pressure.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 3 - 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Zugelemente (5) zur Verbindung der Dichtköpfe (2a, 2b, 9) im Inneren des Hohlprofils (1) liegen.
6. Device according to one of claims 3-5,
characterized,
that the tension elements (5) for connecting the sealing heads (2a, 2b, 9) lie inside the hollow profile (1).
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Zugelemente (5) zumindest in Teilbereichen flexibel (z.B. als Seil oder Kette) ausgeführt sind.
7. The device according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the tension elements (5) are flexible at least in some areas (for example as a rope or chain).
8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 3 - 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Dichtköpfe (2a, 2b, 9) über das Außenwerkzeug in ihrer Lage zueinander fixiert sind.
8. Device according to one of claims 3-5,
characterized,
that the sealing heads (2a, 2b, 9) are fixed in their position relative to one another via the external tool.
EP19890730141 1988-06-16 1989-06-12 Method and apparatus for hydraulically enlarging hollow profiles Withdrawn EP0347369A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3820952 1988-06-16
DE3820952A DE3820952A1 (en) 1988-06-16 1988-06-16 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HYDRAULICALLY EXPANDING HOLLOW PROFILES

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EP0347369A2 true EP0347369A2 (en) 1989-12-20
EP0347369A3 EP0347369A3 (en) 1990-10-17

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EP (1) EP0347369A3 (en)
JP (1) JPH0284219A (en)
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WO1992013655A1 (en) * 1991-02-01 1992-08-20 Hde Metallwerk Gmbh Device for the hydrostatic shaping of hollow bodies of cold-workable metal
DE4103082A1 (en) * 1991-02-01 1992-08-27 Eichelberg & Co Gmbh H D METHOD FOR THE HYDROSTATIC FORMING OF HOLLOW BODIES FROM COLD FORMABLE METAL AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
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WO1999025505A2 (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-27 Mannesmann Ag Method and device for reducing the wall friction during an internal high pressure forming process

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3820952C2 (en) 1991-01-24
JPH0284219A (en) 1990-03-26
KR900000138A (en) 1990-01-30
DE3820952A1 (en) 1989-12-21
EP0347369A3 (en) 1990-10-17
US4951492A (en) 1990-08-28

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