EP1175566B1 - Pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die - Google Patents

Pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1175566B1
EP1175566B1 EP00986942A EP00986942A EP1175566B1 EP 1175566 B1 EP1175566 B1 EP 1175566B1 EP 00986942 A EP00986942 A EP 00986942A EP 00986942 A EP00986942 A EP 00986942A EP 1175566 B1 EP1175566 B1 EP 1175566B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
unit
cylinder unit
die
cylinder
Prior art date
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00986942A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1175566A1 (en
Inventor
David R. Macmillan
Gary Morphy
Roland Krause
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vari Form Inc Canada
Original Assignee
Vari Form Inc Canada
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vari Form Inc Canada filed Critical Vari Form Inc Canada
Priority claimed from PCT/CA2000/001566 external-priority patent/WO2001046596A1/en
Publication of EP1175566A1 publication Critical patent/EP1175566A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1175566B1 publication Critical patent/EP1175566B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D28/00—Shaping by press-cutting; Perforating
    • B21D28/24—Perforating, i.e. punching holes
    • B21D28/28—Perforating, i.e. punching holes in tubes or other hollow bodies
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
    • F15B15/08—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit
    • F15B15/14—Characterised by the construction of the motor unit of the straight-cylinder type
    • F15B15/1423—Component parts; Constructional details
    • F15B15/1428—Cylinders

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use with a die block.
  • Such units may be used with die punch units for punching a hole or impressing the side wall of a tube while the tube is undergoing hydroforming.
  • Such a unit is known from document CH-A-321215 .
  • die punches In these hydroforming systems, die punches must be housed within the forming die block. As the punch is advanced to engage the forward surface of the material, the rearward surface of the workpiece is supported by the pressurized fluid. An indentation is achieved or a slug is sheared under the mechanical force applied to the material by the front edge of the punch and the force applied to the rearward surface of the workpiece by the pressurized fluid.
  • U.S. patent number 2,173,358 to Ernst discloses a press with work ejector having a piston reciprocal therein.
  • Ernst teaches a rather complicated system of hydraulic tubing.
  • the piston extension port is located at the rear face of the unit, and the corresponding hydraulic piston retraction conduit extends around to the front face of the unit, then to the side of the unit.
  • the piston retraction port is located on the front of the die punch unit, and the corresponding piston extension conduit extends around to the side of the unit.
  • the unit is affixed by means of bolts at the front face of the unit.
  • U.S. patent number 3,027,877 to Lansky discloses a fluid pressure motor for use in a die.
  • Lansky's unit provides a cushioning means which will bring the piston to a smooth stop at the end of its stroke and which assists the piston in its return stroke.
  • Lansky teaches a piston extension port and a piston retraction port on the rear face of the unit, and a restricter valve extending perpendicular to the unit. The unit is affixed by means of bolts at the front and rear faces of the unit.
  • None of the prior art teaches a pressure actuated piston and cylinder unit structured to facilitate and assist the housing of the unit in a forming die block.
  • Known designs such as those described above, are structured such that they are difficult to construct, having a multitude of parts which are subject to failure, and are difficult to install, service, and replace.
  • Known designs also do not fit well into the often confined area of the forming die block and related machinery.
  • the present invention provides a pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die block.
  • the piston and cylinder unit has a body having a rear face and having a front face for communication with the die block, a piston reciprocal in a bore within the body, a piston extension chamber in flow communication with a piston extension port, a piston retraction chamber in flow communication with a piston retraction port, and a bolt means receptacle for receiving a bolt means for affixing the unit to the die block, the bolt means receptacle extending to the rear face of the unit.
  • the ports are located on the rear face of the unit.
  • the invention also provides for a cylinder unit with a one piece cylinder casing.
  • the invention also provides a piston and cylinder unit with a rod made from hardened steel.
  • the invention also provides a bleeder screw passageway in flow communication with the piston retraction chamber, the bleeder passageway extending to the rear face of the unit.
  • the bleeder passageway communicates directly with the piston retraction chamber.
  • the bleeder passageway communicates directly with the piston extension chamber.
  • the piston and cylinder unit has a plurality of the bolt means receptacles.
  • the bolt means receptacles are recessed into the rear face.
  • the die block is a hydroforming die block.
  • the piston and cylinder units of the invention may be used as die punch units for punching a hole or causing an indentation in the side wall of a workpiece, for example a tube, while it is being shaped within a die, for example, during hydroforming.
  • the piston and cylinder unit is incorporated in the wall of the die, and generally is operated while two such dies are closed together by a press to confine the workpiece.
  • the piston and cylinder units of the invention may be employed as ejectors or the like for breaking off and/ or ejecting a part from the die, in which case normally the unit is operated while the dies are in open condition.
  • the piston and cylinder units may be used for any other purpose for which die cylinders are required.
  • the present invention is particularly useful where one requires multiple cylinders in a confined space.
  • Figure 4 is a cross section view of a piston and cylinder unit 12 according to the present invention.
  • the piston and cylinder unit of the invention has a cylindrical body 26 with diametrically opposed flat side surfaces 26a.
  • Body 26 is preferably constructed from a single piece of steel.
  • Body 26 contains a rod comprised of three continuous portions, namely rod front 40, rod center 41 and rod base 34.
  • Rod center 41 and rod base 34 are cylindrical.
  • Rod front 40 is cylindrical with diametrically opposed flat surfaces 40a (shown in Figure 3 ).
  • Rod front 40 may carry a die, punch or other tool on its tool surface 52 for applying force to a workpiece.
  • the rod is preferably constructed from a single piece of hardened steel. As shown in the drawings, the tool surface 52 is preferably a large mounting end.
  • the piston and cylinder unit is secured to a die block 70.
  • the die block includes an upper die adapted to be advanced against a lower die to form a workpiece mounted within the die.
  • the workpiece is a tube molded in part by hydroforming.
  • the upper or lower die, or both, are counterbored to receive a piston and cylinder unit 12 of the present invention.
  • a circular section plug 38 is provided on front face 42 around the outside diameter of rod center 41, for sealing bore 48 against the die block.
  • Piston and cylinder unit 12 is built to receive a punch tool which is advanced along a center line "Z" by rod front 40 to be driven through or against the workpiece as the forming operation between an upper die and a lower die is completed.
  • the piston and cylinder unit 12 is recessed into a counterbore in the die which is aligned with the centerline Z, to pierce or indent the workpiece with the punching tool, or to eject a workpiece, or to perform any other task required.
  • Piston and cylinder unit 12 is hydraulically operated and a valve manifold may be mounted providing connections to piston extension port 23 and piston retraction port 22 of cylinder unit 12 by suitable lines.
  • a manifold quick connect/disconnect coupling may be provided to connect the piston extension port 23 and piston retraction port 22 to an external hydraulic pressure source.
  • Such quick connect coupling systems allow connections for hydraulic or air pressure lines, and are commercially available, and known in the art (for example, from Cejn Industrial Corporation of Niles, III. or Parker Hannifin of Cleveland, Ohio).
  • a housing cylinder 26 has a rear face 24 and a front face 42. Housing cylinder 26 substantially encloses the rod center 41, rod base 34 and hydraulic actuation components.
  • Rod base 34 is secured to a seal ring 50 which is located around the circumference of rod base 34. Seal ring 50 is, in turn, secured in locked relation to piston 58. Rod base 34 may be further locked in relation to piston 58 by means of rod and piston key 62. Thus, the rod is secured to piston 58. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments the rod base 34 and piston 58 may be secured to each other by welds, by a male-female threaded screw fit, or by any other suitable means known in the art. Also, as seen in figure 4 , piston 58 has an interference fit in relation to rod center 41. It will also be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, piston 58, rod center 41 and rod base 34 can be one continuous piece.
  • piston seal 56 is provided by O-rings which are slidable in relation to inner bore 48. While piston seals 56 are shown and described herein as being provided by an O-ring, it will be appreciated that any suitable sealing system known in the art can be used for piston seal 56.
  • Piston extension chamber 45 is the space between piston 58 and piston extension port 23.
  • Piston retraction chamber 44 is the space between front fitting 46 and piston 58 and is in flow communication with piston retraction conduit 25.
  • Piston seal 56 and seal ring 50 combine to render the piston extension chamber 45 and piston retraction chamber 44 fluid-tight against the pressure developed therein.
  • piston 58 may move with the rod along axis "Z", while maintaining a fluid-tight seal in relation to piston extension chamber 45 and piston retraction chamber 44.
  • a front fitting 46 is secured within bore 48 near the front face 42 of the housing cylinder 26.
  • Front fitting 46 is secured in relation to cylinder 26 by front fitting key 60, which may be welded to cylinder 26 and to front fitting 46.
  • front fitting 46 may be secured to cylinder 26 by any means known in the art, for example, by threading front fitting 46 into the inner bore 48 of cylinder 26.
  • Front fitting 46 has a front rod seal 66, which comprises an O-ring or other suitable seal known in the art.
  • Front rod seals 66 provide a seal while allowing sliding along axis Z, between the inner bore of front fitting 46 and the outer diameter of rod center 41, which has a circular cross-section.
  • Front fitting 46 is static in relation to inner bore 48 and the retraction chamber 44 is thus sealed with a combination interference fit between the cylinder inner bore 48 and front fitting 46, front fitting key 60, and O-rings 66 or other means known in the art.
  • front fitting 46 acts as an interface seal between rod center 41 and cylinder 26, and creates a seal for the front of piston retraction chamber 44.
  • An extension chamber bleed passage 27 is provided via a bore through the cylinder from bleeder screw 30 inserted into the rear face 24 to piston extension chamber 45 which is in the bore housing the rod and piston 58, and can be used to establish a slight purging flow through the system to eliminate the need for system bleeding to eliminate air bubbles or to release excess pressure therein.
  • a retraction bleed passage 28 is provided as a bore perpendicular through unit 12 which connects retraction conduit 25 to bleeder screw 30 for the purpose of establishing a purging flow through the retraction system. After retraction bleed passage 28 is bored, it is sealed at the end opposite bleeder screw 30 by means of bleeder seal 36.
  • bleeder screw 30 The pressure required to release fluid or gas through bleed passage 28, and consequently the actual fluid or gas release through the bleeder system can be controlled by adjustment of bleeder screw 30. While in the preferred embodiment described, the bleed pressure is controlled by means of a bleeder screw, it will be understood that other means of controlled pressure release which are known in the art, such as a pressure valve, could be used.
  • FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a body of a pressure activated piston and cylinder unit 12 of the present invention.
  • Piston retraction port 22, piston extension port 23, bleeder screw 30 and bolt receptacles 32 are all located on rear face 24 of cylinder 26. Thus, all elements that need to be accessed to service or replace the unit are located on rear face 24. Consequently, for service, assembly and disassembly, less clearance is required between the unit and the die.
  • Piston extension port 23, piston retraction port 22, bleeder screw 30 and bolt receptacles 32 are all located on the rear face 24 of the unit such that the conduits are parallel to the axis of retraction "Z".
  • piston retraction port 22 is made possible, in part, by the placement of retraction passageway 25 within the body of cylinder 26 and parallel to the axis of retraction "Z". Passageway 25 is bored through the cylinder 26 along axis Z.
  • bolt receptacles 32 are located on the unit such that the bolt heads are located at the rear face of the unit, for easier access.
  • the whole unit can be installed snugly in a narrow recess in the die. While in the preferred embodiment described, the unit is secured to the die by means of bolts, it will be understood that other means of fastening which are known in the art could be used.
  • the bolt receptacles 32 are recessed into bolt recesses 33, so that, when in place, the bolt heads (not shown) do not interfere with operations on rear face 24.
  • the piston 58 executes forward and return strokes as it reciprocates in the cylinder 26 toward and away from the work piece.
  • First and second opposed areas define within the cylinder bore a piston extension chamber 45 and a piston retraction chamber 44.
  • a pump system (not shown) supplies, in an alternating fashion, fluid or gas in the manner set out below.
  • the alternating supply may be electrohydraulically actuated in response to control signals, as from an external controller or from a sensor which is responsive to the position or displacement of the piston 58.
  • a first pressure is actuated when increased force is necessary, as, for example, when penetrating the work piece during a punching operation.
  • the first pressure is supplied through the piston extension port 23, and to the piston extension chamber 45. Due to the increased pressure on piston 58 and the locked fit between piston 58 and rod base 34, the rod is forced outwards from cylinder 26.
  • Electrohydraulic controls may also switch pressure to the piston retraction chamber, although the piston retraction chamber may be maintained continuously at supply pressure. In either case, subsequent to the punch stroke, controls reduce pressure to the piston extension chamber 45, and the difference in the pressure as between the piston extension chamber 45 and the piston retraction chamber 44 provides a net return force on the piston to effect the return stroke of the piston and rod.
  • the pump system is switched to return pressure after the work is penetrated, depressed or imprinted, as is required for the given task at hand.
  • the present unit may be fitted into a cylindrical pocket bored in a die, and is constructed from and is composed of a one piece body.
  • the whole unit can thus be installed snugly in a narrow recess in the die.
  • construction of the unit is simplified.
  • Another surprising benefit of having a one-piece body is that the entire unit may be made smaller and shorter than the corresponding units of the prior art, in part because the one-piece construction provides enhanced structural integrity of the cylinder 26, as compared to the prior art.
  • Another aspect of this invention is the location of the bleed passage and bleeder screw.
  • the bleed passage and bleeder screw generally are accessed from the side of the cylinder (see the U.S. patent to Lansky, discussed above). Sometimes this required that a bleed passage be extended through the die, and this, of course, requires precision drilling the actual die.
  • bleed passage 28 communicates directly with retraction passage 25.
  • Bleed passage 28 remains perpendicular to axis "Z"
  • bleeder screw 30 is located parallel to axis "Z” and the head of the bleeder screw 30 projects from the rear face 24 of cylinder 26.
  • bleeder screw 30 is easy to access, and can be accessed when the unit is placed in a tight confine within a die structure. This positioning also allows for assembly of bleeder screw 30 without precision boring the die to create bleeder passage and bleeder screw apertures, as is required in the prior art.
  • the present invention provides a piston and cylinder unit with bolts for attaching the cylinder located only on the rear face of the cylinder and a bleeder screw located on the rear face of the cylinder.
  • This design allows for the unit to be placed into a tight confine within a die structure, which would not be able to receive a piston and cylinder unit of the prior art. Having a cylinder that can be placed in a tight confine thus permits one to construct/ assemble the die and the unit to allow for closer punch unit spacing, thus increasing the flexibility one has over the number and relative location of holes to be punched into the work piece.
  • the invention allows the unit to be positioned on the die to allow holes to be punched closer to the split line of the work piece than is possible with the prior art. Enabling closer proximity of cylinder units also permits one to use the units of the present invention in a series of sequentially energized cylinders.
  • the compact size of the piston and cylinder units also decreases the die machining required to install the units, thus increasing the strength of the machined die, and reducing the total cost of the cylinder unit and the cylinder unit installation.
  • the invention provides apparatus for quick change of multiple die set tooling on double-acting presses, and provides for a more secure attachment of the unit to the die, as compared to the prior art. Also, in constructing the footprint or circular section plug 38 of Figure 3 as circular, the total area of footprint that must be sealed between the die and the unit is reduced as compared to other shapes, and thus an improved fit is easier to obtain.
  • punch backup 16 is inserted between the piston 18 and the punch piece 15.
  • Punch backup 16 is a hardened steel peice which assists the piston 18 in bracing against the impact transmitted through punch piece 15 in the course of punching holes.
  • Punch backup 16 is necessary to resist against the tendency of a punch to indent rather than punch a hole in a workpiece made of softer metal.
  • rod front 40 may be constructed of hardened, corrosion resistant steel, enabling it to directly support punches when they pierce the workpiece.
  • a second, special punch backup die part is no longer required; rendering the piston of hardened steel thus allows one to dispense of the use of a special die part between the rod and the punch.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Actuator (AREA)
  • Punching Or Piercing (AREA)
  • Pistons, Piston Rings, And Cylinders (AREA)
  • Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
EP00986942A 1999-12-21 2000-12-20 Pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die Expired - Lifetime EP1175566B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2292973 1999-12-21
CA002292973A CA2292973C (en) 1999-12-21 1999-12-21 Pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die
PCT/CA2000/001566 WO2001046596A1 (en) 1999-12-21 2000-12-20 Pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1175566A1 EP1175566A1 (en) 2002-01-30
EP1175566B1 true EP1175566B1 (en) 2008-02-13

Family

ID=4164933

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00986942A Expired - Lifetime EP1175566B1 (en) 1999-12-21 2000-12-20 Pressure activated piston and cylinder unit for use in a die

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1175566B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP4746241B2 (ja)
AR (1) AR027064A1 (ja)
AT (1) ATE386215T1 (ja)
BR (1) BR0008395A (ja)
CA (1) CA2292973C (ja)
DE (1) DE60038014T2 (ja)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3408607A1 (de) * 1984-03-09 1985-09-12 Festo KG, 7300 Esslingen Kolben-zylinder-aggregat
JPS6225305A (ja) * 1985-07-25 1987-02-03 Nec Corp 安定化電源装置
JPS6324407A (ja) * 1986-07-17 1988-02-01 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 基準電圧発生回路
JPS646404A (en) * 1987-06-25 1989-01-11 Nippon Kokan Kk Trough tube for levee
JPH0482454A (ja) * 1990-07-25 1992-03-16 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 電話の呼び出し信号発生回路
JPH09133109A (ja) * 1995-11-08 1997-05-20 Ckd Corp 流体圧シリンダ
JPH09303320A (ja) * 1996-05-07 1997-11-25 Ckd Corp 流体圧シリンダ
JP3394896B2 (ja) * 1997-10-24 2003-04-07 太陽鉄工株式会社 流体圧シリンダ
JP3888782B2 (ja) * 1998-09-02 2007-03-07 アイセル株式会社 直動駆動装置
JP2000257607A (ja) * 1999-03-05 2000-09-19 Smc Corp ブレーキ付シリンダの取付構造

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60038014D1 (de) 2008-03-27
AR027064A1 (es) 2003-03-12
CA2292973A1 (en) 2001-06-21
EP1175566A1 (en) 2002-01-30
JP2003518229A (ja) 2003-06-03
DE60038014T2 (de) 2009-07-02
CA2292973C (en) 2007-05-22
BR0008395A (pt) 2002-02-05
ATE386215T1 (de) 2008-03-15
JP4746241B2 (ja) 2011-08-10

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