EP2027949A1 - Improved method and tool for producing convoluted tubes applicable to steering columns and universal joints - Google Patents

Improved method and tool for producing convoluted tubes applicable to steering columns and universal joints Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2027949A1
EP2027949A1 EP06841673A EP06841673A EP2027949A1 EP 2027949 A1 EP2027949 A1 EP 2027949A1 EP 06841673 A EP06841673 A EP 06841673A EP 06841673 A EP06841673 A EP 06841673A EP 2027949 A1 EP2027949 A1 EP 2027949A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
tool
convoluted
support
holder
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06841673A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Melchor Daumal Castellon
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2027949A1 publication Critical patent/EP2027949A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B21D15/00—Corrugating tubes
    • B21D15/04—Corrugating tubes transversely, e.g. helically
    • B21D15/06—Corrugating tubes transversely, e.g. helically annularly
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C37/00—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape
    • B21C37/06—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape of tubes or metal hoses; Combined procedures for making tubes, e.g. for making multi-wall tubes
    • B21C37/15—Making tubes of special shape; Making tube fittings
    • B21C37/20—Making helical or similar guides in or on tubes without removing material, e.g. by drawing same over mandrels, by pushing same through dies ; Making tubes with angled walls, ribbed tubes and tubes with decorated walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C37/00—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape
    • B21C37/06—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape of tubes or metal hoses; Combined procedures for making tubes, e.g. for making multi-wall tubes
    • B21C37/15—Making tubes of special shape; Making tube fittings
    • B21C37/16—Making tubes with varying diameter in longitudinal direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C37/00—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape
    • B21C37/06—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape of tubes or metal hoses; Combined procedures for making tubes, e.g. for making multi-wall tubes
    • B21C37/15—Making tubes of special shape; Making tube fittings
    • B21C37/20—Making helical or similar guides in or on tubes without removing material, e.g. by drawing same over mandrels, by pushing same through dies ; Making tubes with angled walls, ribbed tubes and tubes with decorated walls
    • B21C37/205—Making helical or similar guides in or on tubes without removing material, e.g. by drawing same over mandrels, by pushing same through dies ; Making tubes with angled walls, ribbed tubes and tubes with decorated walls with annular guides
    • 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
    • B21D37/00—Tools as parts of machines covered by this subclass
    • 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
    • B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
    • B21D53/88—Making other particular articles other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards

Definitions

  • the invention refers to the design and characteristics of a machined tool formed by equally spaced rings on a holder and to the manufacturing process used for this tool to obtain a convoluted tube from a conventional tube.
  • the invention has the aim of obtaining convoluted tubes from a conventional tube used in the manufacture of steering columns and universal joints by the automobile sector on cars and similar vehicles with a double cardan shaft.
  • the process places a previously machined tube to produce recesses on its side surface inside a tool to change the aforementioned normal tube into a convoluted tube.
  • a known technique for manufacturing convoluted tubes is the hydrolining process. This process is expensive and technologically complex in which the tube has to be successively extracted until the required wall thickness is achieved.
  • the invention comprises the tool, formed by a support containing rings located at equal distances on a holder, which is used in the manufacture of the convoluted tube and its characteristic features, and the tube's manufacturing process using the aforementioned tool after the tube has been previously rebated into slots located at predetermined gaps.
  • the tool used is the combination of a support fitted with the relevant head which fits inside the tube to be transformed and a set of discs surrounding the tube to be transformed supported by a holder a predetermined spaces. The ends of these discs are applied to the tube to be transformed to allow the corresponding slots to be folded when a compression force is applied to the aforementioned rebated tube to obtain the convoluted tube.
  • the starting tube before machining (28) is shown, see Figure 4 , and after machining showing recesses in the form of rebated slots (18), the tube (14), after making the slots (18) in it. This is subjected to an axial compression force forming the convoluted tube (26), see Figure 2 .
  • the tool (25) is formed by a support (21) with a holder (10) on its periphery.
  • the support (21) is surrounded by a succession of rings (22) aligned and spaced at equal distances, held to the lateral surface of the aforementioned holder (10), and fitted onto the aforementioned support (21).
  • the head (27) is located on one of its sides using external lugs (23) on the holder (10).
  • the support (21), shown in Figure 3 is formed by a cylindrical body ending in a head (27) at one of its ends.
  • Machining the tube (28) starts with rebating the lateral surface on a lathe or similar machine to obtain recessed slots (18) on its lateral surface, then being fitted inside the tool (25) and its support (21), see Figure 3 .
  • the width of the volutes (11) shall be (17), see Figure 2 and their size will depend on the compression force applied on the end of the support (21), in addition to the type of material used for the aforementioned tube(28) and its thickness (20), in the recessed area (18).
  • the manufacturing process involves the following operations in order to obtain the convoluted tube (26):

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
  • Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
  • Forging (AREA)

Abstract

The invention refers to the manufacturing procedure for a convoluted tube (26) using a tube (28) which has previously been fitted with recesses (18) obtained by turning (14) and applying a tool (25) formed by a holder (10) equipped with discs (22) at regular distances, an inner surface (22a), operating in combination with a support (21) which is fitted inside the tube (14) to be then subjected to a compression force on the end from the head (27) of the support (21).

Description

    FIELD OF THE TECHNIQUE.
  • More specifically the invention refers to the design and characteristics of a machined tool formed by equally spaced rings on a holder and to the manufacturing process used for this tool to obtain a convoluted tube from a conventional tube.
    • SCOPE OF THE INVENTION.
  • The invention has the aim of obtaining convoluted tubes from a conventional tube used in the manufacture of steering columns and universal joints by the automobile sector on cars and similar vehicles with a double cardan shaft. The process places a previously machined tube to produce recesses on its side surface inside a tool to change the aforementioned normal tube into a convoluted tube.
    • STATE OF THE ART.
  • A known technique for manufacturing convoluted tubes is the hydrolining process. This process is expensive and technologically complex in which the tube has to be successively extracted until the required wall thickness is achieved.
  • The use of convoluted tubes in the manufacture of steering columns and universal joints is based on achieving significant improvements in safety against front or side impacts on cars. Convoluted tubes are normally used in this areas as they have two positive affects on energy absorption via the a steering column in the event of an impact:
    • Bending due to the lateral bending forces produced in the event of an impact, preventing these forces being transmitted to the driver via the tube.
    • Compressing as a result of frontal compression forces produced in the event of an impact, preventing these forces being transmitted to the driver.
    DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION.
  • The invention comprises the tool, formed by a support containing rings located at equal distances on a holder, which is used in the manufacture of the convoluted tube and its characteristic features, and the tube's manufacturing process using the aforementioned tool after the tube has been previously rebated into slots located at predetermined gaps.
  • The tool used is the combination of a support fitted with the relevant head which fits inside the tube to be transformed and a set of discs surrounding the tube to be transformed supported by a holder a predetermined spaces. The ends of these discs are applied to the tube to be transformed to allow the corresponding slots to be folded when a compression force is applied to the aforementioned rebated tube to obtain the convoluted tube.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.
  • A numbered list of the main parts in the invention is given below. These are shown in diagrams attached to this report:
    • (10) Support.
    • (11) Volute.
    • (12) Inner diameter of tube (14).
    • (13) Outer diameter of recessed areas.
    • (14) Rebated tube.
    • (15) Height of recess.
    • (16) External radius of the volute (11).
    • (17) Width of volute.
    • (18) Recesses.
    • (19) Diameter of tube (14).
    • (20) Thickness of recesses (18).
    • (21) Support.
    • (22) Internal parts.
    • (22a) Inner surface of rings (22a).
    • (23) Lugs.
    • (24) Width of recesses (18).
    • (25) Tool.
    • (26) Convoluted tube.
    • (27) Head.
    • (28) Starting tube.
    • Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a longitudinal section in elevation of a starting tube (28) after the first machining on a lathe or similar machine transforming the tube (14), before it is attached to the support (21).
    • Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of a longitudinal section of a starting tube (28) after the volutes (11) have been made in its wall and after being subjected to an axial compression force forming a tube(14) with recesses (18).
    • Figure 3 is a front view in elevation of a longitudinal section of a starting tube (28) to which the tool (25) has been applied tom manufacture the aforementioned convoluted tubes (26).
    • Figure 4 is a front view in elevation of a longitudinal section of a starting tube (28) which is transformed after machining the tube (26), in accordance with Figure 2.
    DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.
  • In order to better understand the invention, the starting tube before machining (28) is shown, see Figure 4, and after machining showing recesses in the form of rebated slots (18), the tube (14), after making the slots (18) in it. This is subjected to an axial compression force forming the convoluted tube (26), see Figure 2.
  • In one of the preferred set ups for this invention and as shown in Figure 3, the tool (25) is formed by a support (21) with a holder (10) on its periphery. The support (21) is surrounded by a succession of rings (22) aligned and spaced at equal distances, held to the lateral surface of the aforementioned holder (10), and fitted onto the aforementioned support (21). The head (27) is located on one of its sides using external lugs (23) on the holder (10).
  • The support (21), shown in Figure 3, is formed by a cylindrical body ending in a head (27) at one of its ends.
  • Machining the tube (28) starts with rebating the lateral surface on a lathe or similar machine to obtain recessed slots (18) on its lateral surface, then being fitted inside the tool (25) and its support (21), see Figure 3.
  • Turning the tube (28) transforms the said smooth tube (28) into a recessed tube (18) with a height of (15) and width of (24), which is called the rebated tube (14), see Figure 1.
  • The axial movement of the rings (22) in its inner parts (22a) supporting the lateral surface of the tube (14) and their recesses (18) as shown in Figure 3, transforms the machined tube (14) see Figure 1, into a convoluted tube (26), see Figure 2.
  • The result of the axial movement of the rings (22) and its inside (22a) on the recesses (18) on the lateral surface of the tube (24) in the tool (25), from the compression force on the end of the support (21), forms the volutes (11) as shown in Figure 2. The width of the volutes (11) shall be (17), see Figure 2 and their size will depend on the compression force applied on the end of the support (21), in addition to the type of material used for the aforementioned tube(28) and its thickness (20), in the recessed area (18).
  • It is possible, using the aforementioned manufacturing process, for convoluted tubes (26) to have the number of volutes (11) required and to move them to vary the gaps between the recesses (18). The external diameter of the volute (11) and its width (17) may be modified to match the final design of the tool (25) in which the invention is applied.
  • To form the volutes (11) in the tube (28), in accordance with one of the aims of the invention, the manufacturing process involves the following operations in order to obtain the convoluted tube (26):
    • Turning the tube (28) rebating its lateral surface to a height "d" (13), and a width "a" (24) at regular intervals until the machined tube is obtained (14).
    • Attaching the machined tube (14) inside the support (21).
    • Attaching a tool (25) formed by a support (21) for the head (27) inside which is holder (10) is fitted comprising rings (22) at predetermined distances, the inner surfaces of which (22), (22a) wrap around the lateral surface of the tube (14), in its recesses (18).
    • Prior to attaching the tool (25) the distance between rings (22) is determined for the lateral surface of the holder (10).
    • Compression pressure applied to the end of the tube (14) by the support (21) and its head (27) forming the convoluted tube (26).
  • Having sufficiently described this invention using the Figures attached, it is easy to understand that any changes judged to be suitable may be made, whenever these changes do not alter of the essence of the invention summarised in the following claims.

Claims (3)

  1. - "IMPROVED METHOD AND TOOL FOR PRODUCING CONVOLUTED TUBES APPLICABLE TO STEERING COLUMNS AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS, which obtains the above tube using a process of machining the tube on its surface to create rebated areas characteristic of the convoluted tube (26) manufacturing process. This includes improvements to the process using the following operations:
    - Turning a tube (28) until rebates or recessed slots (18) are obtained with a width of (24) and height of (15), resulting in a machined tube.
    - Attaching the tube (14) in a tool (25) with a support (21) onto which the holder (10) is fitted comprising rings (22) at predetermined distances, the ends of the rings (22), (22a), pressed onto the surface of the tube (14) and the rebates or recessed strips (18).
    - Prior to attaching the tube (14) in the tool (25) the distance between rings (22) is determined for the lateral surface of the holder (10).
    - Supplying a compression pressure onto the end of the tube (14), fitted into the tool (25) via the head (27) of the support (21), forming a convoluted tube (26), when the recesses (18) are bent on the lateral surface of the tube (14) and changing them into volutes (11), in the resulting convoluted tube (26).
  2. - "TOOL FOR PRODUCING CONVOLUTED TUBES APPLICABLE TO STEERING COLUMNS AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS, characterised in that the tool (25) used in the manufacturing procedure for the convoluted tube (26), comprises a support (21) for the head (27) onto which a holder (10) is fitted equipped with discs (22) at predetermined distances with inner surfaces (22a) with lugs (23) on the end of the aforementioned holder (10), which is held in the support (21).
  3. - "IMPROVED METHOD AND TOOL FOR PRODUCING CONVOLUTED TUBES APPLICABLE TO STEERING COLUMNS AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS, characterised in that the width of the volutes (11) in the convoluted tube (26), shall depend on the axial compression force applied during the convoluted tube's (26) manufacturing process at the end of the tube (14) by the head (27) of the support (21) on the tool (25).
EP06841673A 2006-06-12 2006-10-31 Improved method and tool for producing convoluted tubes applicable to steering columns and universal joints Withdrawn EP2027949A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES200601570A ES2302618B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2006-06-12 PERFECTED AND USEFUL PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CONVOLUTED TUBES APPLICABLE TO STEERING COLUMNS AND UNIVERSAL JOINTS.
PCT/ES2006/000601 WO2007147907A1 (en) 2006-06-12 2006-10-31 Improved method and tool for producing convoluted tubes applicable to steering columns and universal joints

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2027949A1 true EP2027949A1 (en) 2009-02-25

Family

ID=38833095

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06841673A Withdrawn EP2027949A1 (en) 2006-06-12 2006-10-31 Improved method and tool for producing convoluted tubes applicable to steering columns and universal joints

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2027949A1 (en)
KR (1) KR20090023337A (en)
ES (1) ES2302618B1 (en)
MX (1) MX2008013046A (en)
WO (1) WO2007147907A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2683928A (en) * 1950-09-12 1954-07-20 Gen Motors Corp Method of corrugating tubing
GB1185437A (en) * 1968-09-09 1970-03-25 Masanobu Nakamura Bulging Apparatus.
US4590655A (en) * 1984-01-26 1986-05-27 Grotnes Metalforming Systems, Inc. Method for expanding a tubular member
US6908109B2 (en) * 2002-03-14 2005-06-21 Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft Steering gear shaft for a steering column of a motor vehicle

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007147907A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007147907A1 (en) 2007-12-27
KR20090023337A (en) 2009-03-04
MX2008013046A (en) 2008-11-12
ES2302618A1 (en) 2008-07-16
ES2302618B1 (en) 2009-05-01

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