EP3194089B1 - Folding device for simultaneous formation of a plurality of corrugations in a metal sheet and method for use of said device - Google Patents

Folding device for simultaneous formation of a plurality of corrugations in a metal sheet and method for use of said device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3194089B1
EP3194089B1 EP15732770.1A EP15732770A EP3194089B1 EP 3194089 B1 EP3194089 B1 EP 3194089B1 EP 15732770 A EP15732770 A EP 15732770A EP 3194089 B1 EP3194089 B1 EP 3194089B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
die
punch
upper frame
metal sheet
spaced
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP15732770.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3194089A1 (en
Inventor
Olivier Perrot
Charles GIMBERT
Thomas CONEJERO
Mohamed Sassi
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.)
Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
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Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
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Priority claimed from FR1458189A external-priority patent/FR3025123B1/en
Application filed by Gaztransport et Technigaz SA filed Critical Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Publication of EP3194089A1 publication Critical patent/EP3194089A1/en
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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
    • B21D13/00—Corrugating sheet metal, rods or profiles; Bending sheet metal, rods or profiles into wave form
    • B21D13/02—Corrugating sheet metal, rods or profiles; Bending sheet metal, rods or profiles into wave form by pressing
    • 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
    • B21D13/00—Corrugating sheet metal, rods or profiles; Bending sheet metal, rods or profiles into wave form
    • B21D13/10—Corrugating sheet metal, rods or profiles; Bending sheet metal, rods or profiles into wave form into a peculiar profiling shape
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/025—Bulk storage in barges or on ships
    • F17C3/027—Wallpanels for so-called membrane tanks
    • 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
    • B21D5/00—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves
    • B21D5/04—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves on brakes making use of clamping means on one side of the work
    • 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
    • B21D51/00—Making hollow objects
    • B21D51/16—Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects
    • B21D51/24—Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects high-pressure containers, e.g. boilers, bottles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a folding device for simultaneously forming at least two parallel corrugations in a metal sheet and a method of using the device.
  • the invention relates more particularly to the field of tanks, waterproof and thermally insulating membranes, for the storage and / or transport of fluid, such as a cryogenic fluid; a corrugated metal sheet obtained by means of the folding device according to the invention being in particular intended for the construction of a sealed membrane of such a tank.
  • corrugated waterproofing membranes intended to form an internal coating for liquefied natural gas storage tanks.
  • the sealing membrane consists of a plurality of metal plates having a series of perpendicular corrugations allowing it to deform under the effect of thermal and mechanical stresses generated by the fluid stored in the tank.
  • corrugated waterproofing membrane is for example described in the document KR100766309 .
  • the corrugated membrane comprises a first series of parallel corrugations, said high, extending in a first direction and a second series of parallel corrugations, said low, extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first.
  • the formation of the high undulations is first carried out, then, in a second step, the formation of the low undulations and the zones of the node between the low and high undulations.
  • the document KR100766309 mentioned above provides for high corrugations by means of a folding device comprising a lower frame and an upper frame mounted vertically movable relative to the lower frame between a position rest and a folding position.
  • the lower frame supports a matrix consisting of two matrix elements each having a half-cavity, movable between a spaced-apart position and a position close to one another in which the half-impressions of the two matrix elements together define an imprint corresponding to the shape of the undulation to be formed.
  • the upper frame carries a punch intended to engage inside the impression so as to form the undulation, when the upper frame is in its folding position, and two clamps extending from on both sides of the punch and cooperating respectively with the one and the other of the matrix elements, when the upper frame moves towards its folding position, in order to maintain the metal sheet against the matrix elements so that the metal sheet remains in position during its folding.
  • An idea underlying the invention is to provide a folding device that is simple and allows to simultaneously perform several corrugations in a metal sheet without changing the thickness of the sheet.
  • Such a folding device allows the simultaneous formation of several parallel corrugations without changing the thickness of the metal sheet.
  • the folding device is relatively simple.
  • Such a method of using the folding device may in particular aim to simultaneously form at least two parallel corrugations in a metal sheet.
  • the figure 1 illustrates a corrugated metal sheet 1 for forming a sealed membrane of a storage tank for a cryogenic fluid, such as liquefied natural gas.
  • the metal sheet 1 comprises a first series of parallel corrugations 2, said low, extending in a direction y and a second series of parallel corrugations 3, said high, extending in a direction x.
  • the x and y directions of the series of undulations are perpendicular.
  • the corrugations 2, 3 are projecting on the side of the internal face of the metal sheet 1, intended to be placed in contact with the fluid contained in the tank.
  • the edges of the metal sheet 1 are here parallel to the corrugations 2, 3.
  • the terms "high” and "low” have a relative meaning and mean that the undulations 2, said low, have a height lower than the undulations 3, say high.
  • the metal sheet 1 comprises between the corrugations 2, 3, a plurality of flat surfaces 4. At each crossing between a low corrugation 2 and a high corrugation 3, the metal sheet 1 comprises a node zone 5.
  • the node zone 5 comprises a central portion 6 having an apex projecting towards the inside of the tank. Moreover, the central portion 6 is bordered, on the one hand, by a pair of concave corrugations 7 formed in the crest of the high corrugation 3 and, on the other hand, by a pair of recesses 8 into which the low ripple 2.
  • the corrugations 2, 3 of the metal sheet 1 allow the waterproofing membrane to be flexible in order to be deformed under the effect of thermal and mechanical stresses generated by the liquefied natural gas stored in the tank.
  • the metal sheet 1 can in particular be made of stainless steel, aluminum, Invar ®: that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose expansion coefficient is typically between 1.2.10 -6 and 2.10 - 6 K -1 , or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose expansion coefficient is typically of the order of 7.10 -6 K -1 .
  • Invar ® that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose expansion coefficient is typically between 1.2.10 -6 and 2.10 - 6 K -1 , or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose expansion coefficient is typically of the order of 7.10 -6 K -1 .
  • the use of other metals or alloys is also possible.
  • the metal sheet 1 has a thickness of about 1.2 mm. Other thicknesses are also conceivable, knowing that a thickening of the metal sheet 1 causes an increase in its cost and generally increases the rigidity of the corrugations 2, 3.
  • the Figures 2 to 9 represent a folding device 9 for simultaneously forming a plurality of high corrugations 3 in such a metal sheet 1, prior to the formation of the low corrugations 2.
  • the "longitudinal" orientation of the folding device 9 is directed parallel to the longitudinal directions undulations 3 to form and the "transverse” orientation is directed transversely to the longitudinal directions of the corrugations 3 to form.
  • the folding device 9 comprises a lower frame 10 and an upper frame 11 mounted vertically movable relative to the lower frame 10.
  • the upper frame 11 is movable, relative to the lower frame 10, between a high rest position and a folding position. of the metal sheet 1 in which it is deformed to form the undulations 3.
  • the upper frame 11 is thus able to exert on the metal sheet 1 a pressure allowing its folding and the formation of the corrugations 3.
  • the upper frame 11 is illustrated, in its rest position, on the figure 3 and in its folding position, at the end of the race, on the figure 9 .
  • the upper frame 11 is also shown on the figure 8 in an intermediate position just before the formation of the corrugations 3 begins.
  • the folding device 9 comprises three punches 12, 13, 14, extending parallel to each other. other, carried by the upper frame 11. Each punch 12, 13, 14 is disposed above a respective die 15, 16, 17, carried by the lower frame 10. Each punch 12, 13, 14 is intended for s engaging inside the imprint of its respective die 15, 16, 17, when the upper frame 11 moves from its rest position to its folding position, in order to press the metal sheet 1 between the punch 12, 13, 14 and its matrix 15, 16, 17 respectively and thus form the corrugations 3 in the metal sheet 1.
  • Each punch 12, 13, 14 has, at its lower end, a head 18 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the corrugation to be shaped.
  • the head 18 has a portion whose section has a V shape.
  • the head 18 also has two lateral flanges 19, 20 bordering the V-shaped section and straightening towards the horizontal.
  • the head 18 extends over a length substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the metal sheet 1 to be folded.
  • the central punch 13 is fixed relative to the upper frame 11.
  • the lateral punches 12, 14, arranged on either side of said central punch 13, are, for their part, slidably mounted on the upper frame 11 in a horizontal direction cross.
  • the lateral punches 12, 14 are movably mounted on the upper frame 11 between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central punch 13.
  • the lateral punches 12, 14 are each equipped with one or more trolleys 21 which are each mounted on an associated guide rail 22, carried by the upper frame 11.
  • the carriages 21 are advantageously bearing carriages which comprise a plurality of rolling bodies adapted to cooperate with raceways carried by the associated guide rail 22.
  • Returning members provide a return of the lateral punches 12, 14 to their position away from the central punch 13.
  • the upper frame 11 is equipped with stop members 23 to limit the stroke of the lateral punches 12 , 14 relative to the central punch 13 and thus to define the spaced apart positions of the lateral punches 12, 14 relative to the upper frame 11.
  • stop members 23 will be described in more detail later.
  • the three matrices 15, 16, 17 carried by the lower frame are each able to define a cavity having a shape complementary to their respective punch 12, 13, 14.
  • One of the matrices: the central matrix 16, is fixed by relative to the lower frame 10.
  • the lateral dies 15, 17 which are arranged on either side of the central die 16 are, for their part, slidably mounted on the lower frame 10 in a transverse horizontal direction.
  • the lateral dies 15, 17 are thus slidably mounted on the lower frame 10 between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central die 16.
  • the lateral dies 15, 17 are equipped with one or more trolleys 24 which are each mounted on an associated guide rail 25 carried by the lower frame 10.
  • the carriages 24 are preferably bearing carriages, as mentioned above.
  • the lateral dies 15, 17 each cooperate with return members 26 which will be described in detail later, to recall the side matrices 15, 17 to their spaced apart position.
  • the lower frame is equipped with stop elements 27 making it possible to limit the stroke of the lateral matrices 15, 17 with respect to the central matrix 16 and thus making it possible to define their spaced position relative to the lower frame 10.
  • Each of the matrices 15, 16, 17 comprises two lateral elements 28, 29 and a central element 30 slidably mounted between the lateral elements 28, 29, between an upper position, illustrated in FIG. figure 3 , and a lower position, illustrated on the figure 9 .
  • the lateral elements 28, 29 each define a lateral portion of the cavity.
  • the lateral elements 28, 29 further comprise a horizontal upper support surface 31, 32, bordering the cavity, arranged opposite the lateral flanges 19, 20 of the head 18 of the punch 12, 13, 14 facing each other. to face.
  • the central element 30 carries a central portion of the impression.
  • the central element 30 is returned to its upper position by a return member.
  • the return member is, for example, a cylinder or gas spring 33 or a helical spring housed between the lateral elements 28, 29.
  • the central element 30 When the central element 30 is in its upper position, represented on the figures 3 and 8 its upper end is flush with the horizontal upper bearing surfaces 31, 32 of the lateral elements 28, 29.
  • the central element 30 When the central element 30 is in its lower position, shown in FIG. figure 9 , the lateral elements 28, 29 and the central element 30 together define a cavity having a shape complementary to the head 18 of the punch 12, 13, 14 corresponding. Also, during folding, the head 18 of each punch 12, 13, 14 engages between the lateral elements 28, 29 of the die 15, 16, 17 facing each other and comes to press the metal sheet 1 against the central element 30 of said matrix 15, 16, 17 so as to move the central member 30 to its lower position, during the movement of the upper frame 11 to its folding position.
  • the folding device 9 is equipped with clamps 34, 35, 36, 37 to maintain the metal sheet 1 to ensure that it remains in position, during its folding.
  • the folding device 9 comprises two lower flanks 36, 37 mounted on the lower frame 10 and two upper flanks 34, 35 mounted on the upper frame 11.
  • the two lower flanks 36, 37 are arranged on each side. other of the central matrix 16, and are each placed between said central matrix 16 and one of the two lateral matrices 15, 17.
  • the two upper flanks 34, 35 are respectively disposed above one and the other of said lower flanks 36, 37.
  • the two upper flanks thus extend, on both sides of the central punch 13 and are each placed between the central punch 13 and one of the side punches 12, 14.
  • the lower flanks 36, 37 comprise a flat bearing surface for receiving the metal sheet 1.
  • the flanks the upper plates 34, 35 each have a flat clamping surface arranged such that when the upper frame 11 is moved to its folding position, the metal sheet 1 is sandwiched between the flat bearing surfaces of the lower flanks. 36, 37 and the clamping surfaces of the upper flanks 34, 35 to hold the metal sheet 1.
  • the upper flanks 34, 35 are slidably mounted on the upper frame 11 in the transverse horizontal direction between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central punch 13.
  • the lower flanks 36, 37 are slidably mounted on the lower frame 10, in a transverse horizontal direction, between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central die 16.
  • the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37 are slidably mounted via a or several carriages 38, 39 which are slidably mounted on an associated guide rail 22, 25.
  • the guide rails 22 of the upper sidewall clamps 34, 35 are fixed on the upper frame 11 while the guide rails 25 of the clamps lower flanges 36, 37 are fixed on the lower frame 10.
  • common guide rails 22, 25 ensure both guiding a lateral piercer 12, 14 or a side die 15, 17 and a blank holder upper 34, lower 35 or 36, 37.
  • the folding device 9 is equipped with return members 45 for recalling the lower flanks 36, 37 to their spaced position and return members, not shown, for recalling the upper flanks 34, 35 to their position aside.
  • the upper flanks 34, 35 are each slidably mounted on the upper frame 11 via a support 40 equipped with one or more carriages 38 slidably mounted on one or more guide rails 22 carried by the upper frame 11 .
  • each upper sidewall clamp 34, 35 is mounted vertically sliding on a support 40 via a guide device comprising a plurality of guide tubes 41 secured to said upper sidewall clamp 35 and slidably mounted in bores 42 formed in the support 40.
  • guide tubes 41 comprise a first end which is fixed to the upper sidewall clamp 35 and a second end fixed to a retaining plate 43 having a larger dimension than the diameter of the bore 42 formed in the support 40, so as to retain the greenhouse upper flank 35 with respect to its support 40.
  • one or more return members exert an elastic force between each upper flank 34, 35 and the associated support 40, tending to push the upper flank 34, 35 towards the lower frame 10.
  • the return members are gas cylinders 44, also called gas springs, which are, on the one hand, fixed to the support 40 and, on the other hand, fixed to the upper sidewall clamp 34, 35.
  • the gas cylinders 44 may be replaced by coil springs.
  • the vertical mobility of the upper flanks 34, 35 on their respective support 40 coupled with the presence of the abovementioned return members 44 allows said upper flanks 34, 35 to come to press the metal sheet 1 against the lower flanks 36, 37, in an intermediate position of the upper frame 11, shown on the figure 8 , and then compensating the downward movement of the upper frame 11 between its intermediate position and its folding position, represented on the figure 9 .
  • the clamping force between the upper flanks 34, 35 and lower 36, 37 is controlled, during the travel of the upper frame 11, between its intermediate position of contact and its bending position, by means of the bodies recall 44.
  • the figure 6 illustrates a return member 26 for recalling a lateral matrix 15 towards its position spaced from the central matrix 16.
  • the return member 26 is here a helical spring which has a first end bearing against a support element 46, attached to the lower frame 10, and a second end bearing against the lateral die 15.
  • the bearing member 46 and the lateral die 15 each comprise a blind hole 47, 48 for housing the ends of the spring.
  • each lateral matrix 15 is biased towards its position separated by a plurality of return members, thus arranged.
  • each lateral matrix 15 cooperates with one or more stop elements 27, arranged along the lateral edges of the lower frame 10, in order to limit the stroke of the lateral matrix 15 with respect to the lower frame 10.
  • the figure 7 illustrates a return member 45 for recalling a lower flank 36 to its position spaced from the central matrix 16.
  • the return member 45 is a helical spring which has a first end in abutment, against a fixed element relative to the lower frame 10, here a lower portion of the central die 16, and a second end bearing against the lower side clamp 36.
  • the coil spring is partly housed in a blind hole 49 formed in the lower flank 36.
  • each lower flange 36 is biased towards its position spaced by a plurality of return members, thus arranged.
  • the lower sidewall clamp 36 has a plurality of lateral lugs 50 projecting laterally outwardly of the lower frame 10 and passing between the lower frame 10 and the adjacent lateral matrix 15 so as to allow said lateral lugs 50 to abut. against the stop elements 51, arranged along the lateral edges of the lower frame 10, when the lower flank 36 is in its spaced apart position.
  • each stop element 27, 51 comprises a wing 52 fixed to the lower frame 10, provided with a threaded bore, and a threaded screw 52, cooperating with the threaded bore, and whose end 53 constitutes the abutment surface. .
  • the return members 26, 45 of the side matrices 15, 17, side members 34, 35, 36, 37 and / or lateral punches 12, 14 are gas cylinders.
  • the metal sheet 1 is put in place while the upper frame 11 is in its rest position.
  • the metal sheet 1 rests against the bearing surfaces of the lower flanks 36, 37, against the upper horizontal bearing surfaces 31, 32 of the lateral elements 28, 29 of the matrices 15, 16, 17 and against the upper end. of the central element 30 of the matrices 15, 16, 17.
  • the side punches 12, 14, the side matrices 15, 17 and the upper sidewall clamps 34, 35 and lower 36, 37 are positioned in their spaced apart position.
  • the upper frame 11 is then moved towards its folding position, to an intermediate position, illustrated on the figure 8 in which the upper flanks 34, 35 press the metal sheet 1 against the bearing surfaces of the lower flanks 36, 37.
  • the punches 12, 13, 14 also come into contact with the metal sheet 1.
  • the metal sheet 1 is clamped between each punch 12, 13, 14 and the central element 30 of the die 15, 16, 17 vis-à- screw. Therefore, when the punches 12, 13, 14 exert a forming force on the metal sheet 1, the central elements 30 of the matrices 15, 16, 17 slide down between the two lateral elements 28, 29 of their respective matrix, towards their lower position.
  • the metal sheet 1, deformed under the effect of the punches 12, 13, 14 exerts a tensile force on the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37, on the side punches 12, 14 and on the dies laterals 15, 17 so that they move to their close position.
  • the upper frame 11 is raised towards its rest position to release the corrugated metal sheet 1. Therefore, the lateral dies 15, 17, the side punches 12, 14 and the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37 return directly to their spaced position under the effect of the return members 26, 45 and the central elements 30 matrices 15, 16, 17 return to their upper position under the effect of the return member 33.
  • Such a folding device 9 can simultaneously form several corrugations in a metal sheet, in a single press stroke, and this without changing the thickness of the metal sheet 1.
  • a punch 54 is observed according to a variant embodiment.
  • a folding device 9 for simultaneously forming a plurality of corrugations as described above is capable of being equipped with such punches 54.
  • such a punch 54 is also capable of equipping other folding devices, and in particular folding only to achieve one ripple at a time.
  • the punch 54 has a head 57 which comprises an alternation of first portions 55 and second portions 56.
  • the first portions 55 and the second portions 56 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the corrugation to be formed and are arranged alternately in said longitudinal direction .
  • the two longitudinal ends of the head 57 are formed by first portions 55.
  • the cross section of a first portion 55 and the cross-section of a second portion 56 are respectively observed.
  • the section cross-section has a shape of V which is defined by two lateral faces 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b joining at a ridge zone 55c, 56c.
  • the head also has two lateral flanges 19, 20 bordering the V-shaped section and straightening towards the horizontal.
  • the first portions 55 have substantially a semi-elliptical section.
  • the two lateral portions 55a, 55b are thus arched.
  • This shape of the first portions corresponds to the definitive shape that it is desired to give to the high undulations 3 in the zones A separating two zones of successive nodes (see figure 13 ). Such a shape makes it possible to confer on the membrane 1 excellent characteristics of mechanical strength.
  • the second portions 56 have substantially a triangular shape. In other words, their cross section is defined by two substantially planar lateral faces 56a, 56b joining at a ridge zone 56c. Peak zone 56c presents a leave. The transverse dimension of the cross section of the second portions 56 is substantially equal to that of the first portions 55. As shown in FIG. figure 10 the peak areas 56c of the second portions 56 extend downwardly beyond the ridge zone 55c of the first portions 55.
  • the geometry of the first portions makes it possible to form the high corrugation 3 in the zones B intended to form the node zones 5 at each crossing between a low corrugation 2 and a high corrugation 3 when the low corrugations 2 are subsequently formed.
  • the geometry of the second portions 56 is particularly adapted to give the high corrugation 3 a geometry that allows it to be subsequently folded in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and thus to allow the formation of low undulations and nodes 5 having concave corrugations 7 and recesses 8.
  • the matrix, not shown, for receiving such a punch 54 during movement of the upper frame 11 to its folding position has a geometry adapted accordingly.
  • such a matrix also comprises an alternation of first portions having a shape complementary to that of the first portions 55 of the head punch and second portions having a shape complementary to that of the second portions 57 of the punch head.
  • This arrangement therefore makes it possible to limit the number of folding steps necessary for the formation of a metal sheet having two perpendicular series of corrugations.
  • each second portion 56 of the head is separated from the first portions 55 adjacent by a longitudinal transition portion.
  • the length of the longitudinal transition portion is typically between a few millimeters and 2 centimeters.
  • the longitudinal transition portions are free spaces, that is to say gaps between the first and second portions 55, 56 in which the head has no surfaces likely to come into contact with each other. with the metal sheet during the folding operation.
  • the die intended to receive such a punch comprises corresponding longitudinal portions formed of empty space between each of its second portions and the first adjacent portions.
  • the longitudinal transition portions has a V-shaped section and have two lateral faces joining at a ridge zone.
  • the head does not have a uniform section.
  • the lines of each of the side walls and the ridge zone which have a longitudinal component are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the transition between the first and the second portions takes place with a slight slope.
  • the die intended to receive such a punch comprises longitudinal portions having a shape corresponding to that of the longitudinal transition portions of the head between each of its second portions and the first adjacent portions.
  • the folding device is provided with means for assisting the displacement of the lateral punches 12, 14 and the lateral matrices 15, 17 towards their close position.
  • the folding device may further comprise means for assisting the movement of the upper flanks 34, 35 and the lower flanks 36, 37 towards their close position.
  • Such assistance means are particularly advantageous in that they make it possible, in particular, to ensure that the lateral punches 12, 14 and the lateral matrices 15, 17, and optionally the upper sidewall clamps 34, 35 and lower 36, 37 move. over their entire stroke, that is to say until their close final position, when moving the upper frame 11 to its folding position.
  • the assistance means comprise one or more cylinders 58, such as pneumatic cylinders for example, able to assist the displacement of the lateral matrices 15, 17 from their spaced apart position to their close position.
  • each cylinder 58 comprises a body 69 which is fixed on the lateral matrix 17 and a rod 59 which passes through the three matrices 15, 16, 17 and the lower sidewall clamps 36, 37.
  • one of the ends 64 of the rod 59 cooperates with a nut 64 which is mounted on said end 64 and is able to cooperate with the other lateral matrix 15 in order to move it towards its close position when the rod 59 moves relative to the body 69 of the cylinder.
  • Each cylinder 58 is thus able to exert on the two lateral matrices 15, 17 a force tending to bring them towards one another.
  • each jack 58 is therefore able to assist the displacement of the lateral matrices 15, 17 from their spaced apart position to their close position.
  • each cylinder 58 passes through the body 69 of the cylinder so that the two ends 66, 67 of the rod extend respectively on either side of the body 69.
  • the folding device comprises a plurality of cylinders, as on the figure 14 , the second ends 67 of the cylinders 58 are secured to each other via an intermediate plate 65 so as to allow synchronization of the movement of the jacks 58.
  • first series of jacks which are each, on the one hand fixed on the lower frame 10 and on the other hand fixed on one or the other of the lateral matrices 15, 17 and which thus make it possible to exert an assisting force tending to move the lateral matrices 15, 17 towards their close position by resting on the lower frame 10.
  • the assistance means comprise alternatively or complementary to the aforesaid cylinders, one or more pneumatic cylinders, not shown, which cooperate with one and the other of the two side punches. 12, 14 to assist their movement from their spread position to their close position.
  • the folding device further comprises one or more additional cylinders (not shown) which cooperate respectively with one and the other of the two lower flanks 36, 37 or with either of the upper flanks 34, 35.
  • the assistance means comprise two cams 60, 61 each cooperating with a cam follower 62, 63.
  • Each lateral die 15, 17 is equipped with a cam follower 62, 63 adapted to cooperate with a cam surface 60, 61 respective carried by the upper frame 11 when it moves downward, its rest position to its folded position.
  • the cam followers 62, 63 are advantageously rollers mounted idly about a horizontal axis, parallel to the direction of the undulations to be formed.
  • the cam surfaces 60, 61 are oriented such that when the upper frame 11 moves from its rest position to its folding position, the cam surface 60, 61 bears against the cam follower 62, 63 moving the lateral dies 15, 17 to their close position.
  • the cams 60, 61 and follower cams 62, 63 are arranged in such a way that they do not intervene as soon as the punches 12, 13, 14 come into contact with the portion of the metal sheet. to bend but later upon movement of the punches 12, 13, 14 to their final fold position.
  • the cams 60, 61 can also be arranged in such a way that the cam followers only come into contact with the cams 60, 61 so as to assist the movement of the lateral matrices 15, 17 only in the event that the kinematics of said lateral matrices 15, 17 have a slight delay with respect to the desired kinematics.
  • each lateral punch 12, 14 is equipped with a follower. cam or cam, adapted to cooperate with a cam or cam follower carried by the lower frame when the upper frame moves downwards towards its folding position.
  • the folding device further comprises, in addition to said cams and cam followers, cam and cam follower means which make it possible to assist the movement of the cams.
  • cam and cam follower means which make it possible to assist the movement of the cams.
  • each of the upper flanks 34, 35 or each of the lower flanks 36, 37 comprises a cam or cam follower which cooperates with a cam follower or a cam carried by the upper frame 11 or lower 10 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention se rapporte à un dispositif de pliage pour former simultanément au moins deux ondulations parallèles dans une tôle métallique et à un procédé d'utilisation du dispositif.The invention relates to a folding device for simultaneously forming at least two parallel corrugations in a metal sheet and a method of using the device.

L'invention se rapporte plus particulièrement au domaine des cuves, étanches et thermiquement isolantes, à membranes, pour le stockage et/ou le transport de fluide, tel qu'un fluide cryogénique ; une tôle métallique ondulée, obtenue au moyen du dispositif de pliage selon l'invention, étant notamment destinée à la construction d'une membrane étanche d'une telle cuve.The invention relates more particularly to the field of tanks, waterproof and thermally insulating membranes, for the storage and / or transport of fluid, such as a cryogenic fluid; a corrugated metal sheet obtained by means of the folding device according to the invention being in particular intended for the construction of a sealed membrane of such a tank.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnological background

Dans l'état de la technique, il est connu des membranes d'étanchéité ondulées destinées à former un revêtement interne pour des cuves de stockage de gaz naturel liquéfié. La membrane d'étanchéité est constituée d'une pluralité de plaques métalliques présentant des séries d'ondulations perpendiculaires lui permettant de se déformer sous l'effet des sollicitations thermiques et mécaniques générées par le fluide emmagasiné dans la cuve.In the state of the art, it is known corrugated waterproofing membranes intended to form an internal coating for liquefied natural gas storage tanks. The sealing membrane consists of a plurality of metal plates having a series of perpendicular corrugations allowing it to deform under the effect of thermal and mechanical stresses generated by the fluid stored in the tank.

Une telle membrane d'étanchéité ondulée est par exemple décrite dans le document KR100766309 . La membrane ondulée comporte une première série d'ondulations parallèles, dites hautes, s'étendant selon une première direction et une seconde série d'ondulations parallèles, dîtes basses, s'étendant selon une seconde direction perpendiculaires à la première.Such a corrugated waterproofing membrane is for example described in the document KR100766309 . The corrugated membrane comprises a first series of parallel corrugations, said high, extending in a first direction and a second series of parallel corrugations, said low, extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first.

Pour réaliser une telle membrane d'étanchéité, l'on procède, dans un premier temps, à la formation des ondulations hautes puis, dans un second temps, à la formation des ondulations basses et des zones de noeud entre les ondulations basses et hautes.To produce such a waterproofing membrane, the formation of the high undulations is first carried out, then, in a second step, the formation of the low undulations and the zones of the node between the low and high undulations.

Le document KR100766309 précité prévoit de réaliser les ondulations hautes au moyen d'un dispositif de pliage comportant un bâti inférieur et un bâti supérieur monté mobile verticalement par rapport au bâti inférieur entre une position de repos et une position de pliage. Le bâti inférieur supporte une matrice constituée de deux éléments de matrice présentant chacun une demi-empreinte, mobiles entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée l'un contre l'autre dans laquelle les demi-empreintes des deux éléments de matrice définissent ensemble une empreinte correspondant à la forme de l'ondulation à former. Par ailleurs, le bâti supérieur porte un poinçon destiné à s'engager à l'intérieur de l'empreinte de sorte à former l'ondulation, lorsque le bâti supérieur est dans sa position de pliage, et deux serre-flancs s'étendant de part et d'autre du poinçon et coopérant respectivement avec l'un et l'autre des éléments de matrice, lorsque la bâti supérieur se déplace vers sa position de pliage, afin de maintenir la tôle métallique contre les éléments de matrice de telle sorte que la tôle métallique reste en position lors de son pliage.The document KR100766309 mentioned above provides for high corrugations by means of a folding device comprising a lower frame and an upper frame mounted vertically movable relative to the lower frame between a position rest and a folding position. The lower frame supports a matrix consisting of two matrix elements each having a half-cavity, movable between a spaced-apart position and a position close to one another in which the half-impressions of the two matrix elements together define an imprint corresponding to the shape of the undulation to be formed. Furthermore, the upper frame carries a punch intended to engage inside the impression so as to form the undulation, when the upper frame is in its folding position, and two clamps extending from on both sides of the punch and cooperating respectively with the one and the other of the matrix elements, when the upper frame moves towards its folding position, in order to maintain the metal sheet against the matrix elements so that the metal sheet remains in position during its folding.

Lors d'une opération de pliage, les deux éléments de matrice se rapprochent l'un de l'autre de manière simultanée au déplacement du poinçon vers sa position de pliage. Ainsi, un tel dispositif de pliage permet de garantir que l'opération de pliage ne modifie pas l'épaisseur de la tôle métallique, notamment au niveau de l'ondulation. Il est en effet indispensable que la tôle métallique présente, après pliage, une épaisseur constante afin de ne pas dégrader ses propriétés mécaniques.In a folding operation, the two die elements move towards each other simultaneously with the movement of the punch towards its folding position. Thus, such a folding device makes it possible to guarantee that the folding operation does not modify the thickness of the metal sheet, in particular at the level of the corrugation. It is indeed essential that the metal sheet has, after folding, a constant thickness so as not to degrade its mechanical properties.

Toutefois, un tel dispositif de pliage ne permet de réaliser qu'une seule ondulation à la fois. Ainsi, pour réaliser une pluralité d'ondulations dans la tôle métallique, un coup de presse doit être réalisé pour chaque ondulation et la tôle métallique doit être déplacée entre chaque coup de presse. Ainsi, les opérations de réalisation d'une pluralité d'ondulations dans une même tôle métallique sont longues et complexes à mettre en oeuvre.However, such a folding device makes it possible to produce only one corrugation at a time. Thus, to achieve a plurality of corrugations in the metal sheet, a press stroke must be made for each corrugation and the metal sheet must be moved between each stroke of the press. Thus, the operations of making a plurality of corrugations in the same metal sheet are long and complex to implement.

Résumésummary

Une idée à la base de l'invention est de proposer un dispositif de pliage qui soit simple et permette de réaliser simultanément plusieurs ondulations dans une tôle métallique sans modification de l'épaisseur de la tôle.An idea underlying the invention is to provide a folding device that is simple and allows to simultaneously perform several corrugations in a metal sheet without changing the thickness of the sheet.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit un dispositif de pliage pour former simultanément au moins deux ondulations parallèles dans une tôle métallique, le dispositif de pliage comportant :

  • un bâti inférieur ;
  • un bâti supérieur monté mobile verticalement par rapport au bâti inférieur entre une position de repos et une position de pliage ;
  • au moins une première et une deuxième matrices, portées par le bâti inférieur et comportant chacune une empreinte parallèle à l'empreinte de l'autre matrice et correspondant à la forme d'une des ondulations à former ; la première matrice étant fixe par rapport au bâti inférieur et la deuxième matrice étant montée coulissante sur le bâti inférieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée de la première matrice; ladite deuxième matrice étant rappelée vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel;
  • au moins un premier et un deuxième poinçons parallèles portés par le bâti supérieur respectivement au-dessus de la première et de la deuxième matrices, le premier poinçon étant fixe par rapport au bâti supérieur et destiné à s'engager à l'intérieur de l'empreinte de la première matrice lorsque le bâti supérieur se déplace de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage de manière à presser la tôle métallique et le deuxième poinçon étant monté coulissant sur le bâti supérieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée du premier poinçon et étant destiné à s'engager à l'intérieur de l'empreinte de la deuxième matrice lorsque le bâti supérieur se déplace vers sa position de pliage de manière à presser la tôle métallique, ledit deuxième poinçon étant rappelé vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel ;
  • le dispositif de pliage étant agencé de telle sorte que, en fonctionnement, le déplacement du bâti supérieur vers sa position de pliage soit apte à entraîner un pliage de la tôle métallique entre le premier poinçon et la première matrice, d'une part, et entre le deuxième poinçon et la deuxième matrice, d'autre part, de telle sorte que ladite tôle métallique transmet une force de traction au deuxième poinçon et à la deuxième matrice qui les déplace de leur position écartée vers leur position rapprochée.
According to one embodiment, the invention provides a folding device for simultaneously forming at least two parallel corrugations in a metal sheet, the folding device comprising:
  • a lower frame;
  • an upper frame mounted vertically movable relative to the lower frame between a rest position and a folding position;
  • at least a first and a second matrix, carried by the lower frame and each having an impression parallel to the impression of the other matrix and corresponding to the shape of one of the corrugations to be formed; the first die being fixed relative to the lower frame and the second die being slidably mounted on the lower frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the undulations to be formed between a spaced apart position and a close position of the first die; said second matrix being biased towards its position spaced by a return member;
  • at least first and second parallel punches carried by the upper frame respectively above the first and second dies, the first punch being fixed relative to the upper frame and intended to engage inside the impression of the first die when the upper frame moves from its rest position to its folding position so as to press the metal sheet and the second punch is slidably mounted on the upper frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations to be formed between a spaced position and a close position of the first punch and being intended to engage inside the impression of the second die when the upper frame moves towards its folding position so as to press the metal sheet, said second punch being biased towards its position spaced by a return member;
  • the folding device being arranged in such a way that, in operation, the displacement of the upper frame towards its folding position is able to cause a folding of the metal sheet between the first punch and the first die, on the one hand, and between the second punch and the second die, on the other hand, such that said metal sheet transmits a pulling force to the second punch and the second die which moves them from their spaced apart position to their close position.

Ainsi, un tel dispositif de pliage permet la formation simultanée de plusieurs ondulations parallèles sans modification de l'épaisseur de la tôle métallique.Thus, such a folding device allows the simultaneous formation of several parallel corrugations without changing the thickness of the metal sheet.

En outre, le dispositif de pliage est relativement simple.In addition, the folding device is relatively simple.

Selon des modes préférés de réalisation, un tel dispositif de pliage peut comporter une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • la première et la seconde matrices comportent chacune deux éléments latéraux et un élément central ; les éléments latéraux comportant chacun une portion latérale de l'empreinte de ladite première ou seconde matrice et l'élément central comportant une portion centrale de l'empreinte de ladite première ou seconde matrice, l'élément central étant monté mobile verticalement, entre les éléments latéraux, entre une position supérieure et une position inférieure et rappelé vers sa position supérieure par un organe de rappel de telle sorte que, en fonctionnement, le déplacement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage soit apte à pincer la tôle métallique entre chacun des premier et deuxième poinçons et l'élément central de la première ou seconde matrice correspondante et à déplacer l'élément central de sa position supérieure vers sa position inférieure.
  • l'organe de rappel de l'élément central est un ressort à gaz ou un ressort hélicoïdal.
  • les éléments latéraux de la première et de la seconde matrices comportent chacun une surface d'appui supérieure horizontale destinée à recevoir la tôle métallique et le premier et le second poinçons comportent chacun une tête comportant une portion en V présentant une forme complémentaire à celle de l'empreinte de la première ou de la deuxième matrice et deux portions, par exemple deux rebords, bordant la portion en V, se redressant vers l'horizontal, et venant chacune en vis-à-vis de la surface d'appui supérieure horizontale de l'un des éléments latéraux de la première ou de la seconde matrice:
  • le dispositif de pliage peut comporter en outre :
    • un premier serre-flanc inférieur, monté sur le bâti inférieur entre la première et la deuxième matrices , et présentant une surface d'appui destinée à recevoir la tôle métallique ; le premier serre-flanc inférieur étant monté coulissant sur le bâti inférieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée de la première matrice, le premier serre-flanc inférieur étant rappelé vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel ;
    • un premier serre-flanc supérieur, monté sur le bâti supérieur, entre le premier et le deuxième poinçons, au-dessus du premier serre-flanc inférieur de manière à permettre un serrage de la tôle métallique entre le premier serre-flanc supérieur et le premier serre-flanc inférieur lors du mouvement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage, le premier serre-flanc supérieur étant monté coulissant sur le bâti supérieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée du premier poinçon et rappelé vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel ;
    • le dispositif de pliage étant agencé de telle sorte que, en fonctionnement, le déplacement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage soit apte à entraîner un pliage de la tôle métallique entre le premier poinçon et la première matrice de telle sorte que ladite tôle métallique transmet une force de traction au premier serre-flanc supérieur et au premier serre-flanc inférieur qui les déplace de leur position écartée vers leur position rapprochée.
  • le premier serre-flanc supérieur est monté mobile verticalement sur un support monté coulissant sur le bâti supérieur selon la direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former et le premier serre-flanc supérieur est rappelé à distance dudit support par une série d'organes de rappel.
  • le premier serre-flanc supérieur est monté coulissant verticalement sur le support associé par l'intermédiaire de tubes guides portés par le premier serre-flanc supérieur et coulissant dans des alésages ménagés dans le support.
  • l'organe de rappel rappelant le premier serre-flanc supérieur à distance du support est un ressort à gaz ou un ressort hélicoïdal.
  • Le dispositif de pliage peut comporter en outre :
    • une troisième matrice, comportant une empreinte correspondant à la forme d'une des ondulations à former, parallèle aux empreintes des première et deuxième matrices ; la première matrice étant disposée entre la deuxième et la troisième matrices, la troisième matrice étant montée coulissante sur le bâti inférieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée de la première matrice, ladite troisième matrice étant rappelée vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel ; et
    • un troisième poinçon, parallèle au premier et au deuxième poinçons, porté par le bâti supérieur, au-dessus de la troisième matrice ; le troisième poinçon étant destiné à s'engager à l'intérieur de la troisième matrice lorsque le bâti supérieur se déplace de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage et étant monté coulissant sur le bâti supérieur transversalement à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée du premier poinçon, ledit troisième poinçon étant rappelé vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel.
  • le dispositif de pliage peut comporter en outre:
    • un second serre-flanc inférieur, monté sur le bâti inférieur entre la première et la troisième matrices, et présentant une surface d'appui destinée à recevoir la tôle métallique ; le second serre-flanc inférieur étant monté coulissant sur le bâti inférieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée de la première matrice, le second serre-flanc inférieur étant rappelé vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel ;
    • un second serre-flanc supérieur, monté sur le bâti supérieur entre le premier et le troisième poinçons, au-dessus du second serre-flanc inférieur de manière à serrer la tôle métallique entre le second serre-flanc supérieur et le second serre-flanc inférieur lors du mouvement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage, le second serre-flanc supérieur étant monté coulissant sur le bâti supérieur selon une direction transversale à la direction des ondulations à former entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée du premier poinçon et rappelé vers sa position écartée par un organe de rappel ;
    • le dispositif de pliage étant agencé de telle sorte que, en fonctionnement, le déplacement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage soit apte à entraîner un pliage de la tôle métallique entre le premier poinçon et la première matrice de telle sorte que ladite tôle métallique transmet une force de traction au second serre-flanc supérieur et au second serre-flanc inférieur qui les déplace de leur position écartée vers leur position rapprochée.
  • selon un mode préféré de réalisation, le dispositif de pliage comprend en outre des moyens d'assistance au déplacement de la deuxième matrice et du deuxième poinçon vers leur position rapprochée. Selon un autre mode de réalisation, le dispositif de pliage ne nécessite pas de moyens d'actionnement spécifiques pour assurer le mouvement du deuxième poinçon et de la deuxième matrice.
  • selon un mode préféré de réalisation, les moyens d'assistance comprennent un vérin coopérant avec la deuxième matrice ou avec le deuxième poinçon et étant agencé pour assister le déplacement de la deuxième matrice et du deuxième poinçon vers leur position rapprochée lors du déplacement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage.
  • selon un autre mode préféré de réalisation, les moyens d'assistance comprennent un suiveur de came et une came, l'un parmi le suiveur de came et la came étant porté par la deuxième matrice ou le deuxième poinçon et l'autre étant porté par le bâti supérieur ou le bâti inférieur de telle sorte que lors du déplacement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage, le suiveur de came coopère avec la came pour assister le déplacement de la deuxième matrice et du deuxième poinçon vers leur position rapprochée.
  • chacun des premier et second poinçons peut comporter une tête comprenant des premières et des secondes portions présentant une section transversale en forme de V, les premières et secondes portions étant disposées alternativement les unes à la suite des autres selon la direction longitudinale de l'ondulation à former, chacune des premières et secondes portions comportant deux parois latérales se rejoignant au niveau d'une zone de crête de sorte à définir la section transversale en forme de V ; les faces latérales des premières portions étant arquées avec une convexité tournée en direction de la première ou de la seconde matrice et les faces latérales des secondes portions étant planes. Les premières et secondes portions peuvent être disposées directement les unes à la suite des autres ou être séparées par une portion longitudinale de transition.
  • la zone de crête des secondes portions de la tête peut faire saillie vers le bas au-delà de la zone de crête des premières portions de la tête.
  • la tête peut comporter à chacune de ses deux extrémités longitudinales une première portion.
  • les premières portions de la tête peuvent présenter une forme sensiblement semi-elliptique.
  • les secondes portions de la tête peuvent présenter une forme triangulaire.
  • selon un mode préféré de réalisation, chaque seconde portion de la tête est séparée des premières portions voisines par une portion longitudinale de transition. Une telle portion longitudinale de transition permet d'éviter un brusque changement de la forme de l'ondulation susceptible de fragiliser la tôle métallique.
  • selon un mode préféré de réalisation, chaque portion longitudinale de transition est constituée d'un espace longitudinal libre, c'est-à-dire d'un espace vide dans lequel la tête ne comporte pas de surface susceptible de venir en contact avec la tôle métallique lors de l'opération de pliage.
  • selon un autre mode préféré de réalisation, chaque portion longitudinale de transition comprend une section transversale en forme de V et comporte deux faces latérales se rejoignant au niveau d'une zone de crête, les faces latérales et la zone de crête étant inclinées par rapport à la direction longitudinale et joignant les faces latérales et les zones de crête de la seconde portion et de la première portion voisines. Ainsi, les portions longitudinales de transition assurent une transition progressive entre les premières portions et les secondes portions.
  • la première matrice peut comprendre des premières et des secondes portions en V disposées alternativement les unes à la suite des autres et présentant respectivement une forme complémentaire à la forme des premières et des secondes portions du premier poinçon ; les premières portions du premier poinçon étant destinées à s'engager à l'intérieur des premières portions de la première matrice et les secondes portions du premier poinçon étant destinées à s'engager à l'intérieur des secondes portions de la première matrice. Les premières et secondes portions de la première matrice peuvent être disposées directement les unes à la suite des autres ou être séparées par une portion longitudinale de transition.
  • lorsque la première matrice est équipée d'une portion longitudinale de transition, sa longueur peut être sensiblement égale à celle de la portion longitudinale de la tête du premier poinçon.
According to preferred embodiments, such a folding device may comprise one or more of the following characteristics:
  • the first and second dies each comprise two lateral elements and a central element; the lateral elements each having a lateral portion of the cavity of said first or second matrix and the central element comprising a central portion of the cavity of said first or second matrix, the central element being mounted vertically movable, between the elements lateral, between an upper position and a lower position and returned to its upper position by a return member so that, in operation, the displacement of the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position is able to pinch the sheet between the first and second punches and the central element of the corresponding first or second matrix and moving the central element from its upper position to its lower position.
  • the return member of the central element is a gas spring or a helical spring.
  • the lateral elements of the first and second dies each comprise a horizontal upper support surface for receiving the metal sheet and the first and second punches each comprise a head having a V-shaped portion having a shape complementary to that of the the imprint of the first or second matrix and two portions, for example two flanges, bordering the V portion, straightening towards the horizontal, and each coming opposite the horizontal upper bearing surface of one of the lateral elements of the first or the second matrix:
  • the folding device may further comprise:
    • a first lower flank, mounted on the lower frame between the first and second dies, and having a bearing surface for receiving the metal sheet; the first lower flank being slidably mounted on the lower frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations to be formed between a spaced apart position and a close position of the first die, the first lower flank being returned to its position spaced by a return member;
    • a first upper flank, mounted on the upper frame, between the first and second punches, above the first lower flank so as to allow clamping of the metal sheet between the first upper flank and the first lower flank when the upper frame moves from its rest position to its folding position, the first upper flank being slidably mounted on the upper frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations to be formed between a spaced apart position and a close position of the first punch and returned to its position spaced by a return member;
    • the folding device being arranged such that, in operation, the displacement of the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position is able to cause a folding of the metal sheet between the first punch and the first die so that said metal sheet transmits a pulling force to the first upper flank and the first lower flank which moves them from their spaced apart position to their close position.
  • the first upper flank is mounted vertically movable on a support slidably mounted on the upper frame in the direction transverse to the direction of the undulations to be formed and the first upper flank is recalled at a distance from said support by a series of members of recall.
  • the first upper flank is slidably mounted vertically on the associated support via guide tubes carried by the first upper flank and sliding in bores in the support.
  • the return member reminding the first upper flank at a distance from the support is a gas spring or a helical spring.
  • The folding device may further comprise:
    • a third matrix, having an imprint corresponding to the shape of one of the corrugations to be formed, parallel to the imprints of the first and second matrices; the first die being disposed between the second and third dies, the third die being slidably mounted on the lower frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the undulations to be formed between a spaced apart position and a close position of the first die, said third die being returned to its position separated by a return member; and
    • a third punch, parallel to the first and second punches, carried by the upper frame, above the third die; the third punch being intended to engage inside the third die when the upper frame moves from its rest position to its folding position and being slidably mounted on the upper frame transversely to the direction of the corrugations to be formed between a spaced position and a close position of the first punch, said third punch being returned to its position spaced by a return member.
  • the folding device may further comprise:
    • a second lower flank, mounted on the lower frame between the first and third dies, and having a bearing surface for receiving the metal sheet; the second lower flank being slidably mounted on the lower frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations to be formed between a spaced apart position and a close position of the first die, the second lower flank being biased towards its separated position by a return member;
    • a second upper flank, mounted on the upper frame between the first and third punches, above the second lower flank so as to clamp the metal sheet between the second upper flank and the second lower flank during the movement of the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position, the second upper flank being slidably mounted on the upper frame in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations to be formed between a spaced position and a position close to the first punch and returned to its position spaced by a return member;
    • the folding device being arranged such that, in operation, the displacement of the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position is able to cause a folding of the metal sheet between the first punch and the first die so that said metal sheet transmits a traction force to the second upper flank and the second lower flank which moves them from their spaced apart position to their close position.
  • according to a preferred embodiment, the folding device further comprises means for assisting the displacement of the second die and the second punch towards their close position. According to another embodiment, the folding device does not require specific actuating means to ensure the movement of the second punch and the second die.
  • according to a preferred embodiment, the assistance means comprise a jack cooperating with the second die or the second punch and being arranged to assist the displacement of the second die and the second punch to their close position when moving the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position.
  • according to another preferred embodiment, the assistance means comprise a cam follower and a cam, one of the cam follower and the cam being carried by the second die or the second punch and the other being carried by the upper frame or the lower frame so that when moving the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position, the cam follower cooperates with the cam to assist the movement of the second die and the second punch towards their position. close position.
  • each of the first and second punches may comprise a head comprising first and second portions having a V-shaped cross-section, the first and second portions being alternately arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the corrugation at form, each of the first and second portions having two sidewalls joining at a ridge zone so as to define the V-shaped cross section; the lateral faces of the first portions being arcuate with a convexity turned towards the first or the second matrix and the lateral faces of the second portions being flat. The first and second portions may be arranged directly following one another or be separated by a longitudinal transition portion.
  • the crest zone of the second portions of the head may protrude downward beyond the crest zone of the first portions of the head.
  • the head may comprise at each of its two longitudinal ends a first portion.
  • the first portions of the head may have a substantially semi-elliptical shape.
  • the second portions of the head may have a triangular shape.
  • according to a preferred embodiment, each second portion of the head is separated from the first adjacent portions by a longitudinal transition portion. Such a longitudinal transition portion avoids a sudden change in the shape of the corrugation may weaken the metal sheet.
  • according to a preferred embodiment, each longitudinal transition portion consists of a free longitudinal space, that is to say a void space in which the head has no surface likely to come into contact with the sheet metal during the folding operation.
  • according to another preferred embodiment, each longitudinal transition portion comprises a V-shaped cross section and has two lateral faces joining at a ridge zone, the lateral faces and the ridge zone being inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction and joining the lateral faces and the crest zones of the second portion and the first adjacent portion. Thus, the longitudinal transition portions provide a gradual transition between the first portions and the second portions.
  • the first matrix may comprise first and second portions in V arranged alternately following each other and respectively having a shape complementary to the shape of the first and second portions of the first punch; the first portions of the first punch being intended to engage inside the first portions of the first die and the second portions of the first punch being intended to engage inside the second portions of the first die. The first and second portions of the first matrix may be arranged directly following one another or be separated by a longitudinal transition portion.
  • when the first die is equipped with a longitudinal transition portion, its length may be substantially equal to that of the longitudinal portion of the head of the first punch.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi un procédé d'utilisation d'un dispositif de pliage précité, l'utilisation comportant :

  • le positionnement d'une tôle métallique contre les première et deuxième matrices ; et
  • le déplacement du bâti supérieur de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage.
According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method of using a folding device mentioned above, the use comprising:
  • positioning a metal sheet against the first and second dies; and
  • moving the upper frame from its rest position to its folding position.

Un tel procédé d'utilisation du dispositif de pliage peut notamment viser à former simultanément au moins deux ondulations parallèles dans une tôle métallique.Such a method of using the folding device may in particular aim to simultaneously form at least two parallel corrugations in a metal sheet.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres buts, détails, caractéristiques préférées et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description suivante de plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, donnés uniquement à titre illustratif en référence aux dessins annexés.

  • La figure 1 est une vue d'une tôle métallique ondulée destinée à la construction d'une membrane étanche d'une cuve de stockage de gaz naturel liquéfié.
  • La figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de pliage pour former trois ondulations parallèles dans une tôle métallique.
  • La figure 3 est une vue avant du dispositif de pliage, dans une position haute de repos.
  • La figure 4 est une vue d'un serre-flanc supérieur et de son support, en coupe selon le plan IV-IV illustré sur la figure 3.
  • La figure 5 est une vue d'un serre-flanc supérieur et de son support, en coupe selon le plan V-V illustré sur la figure 3.
  • La figure 6 est une vue partielle, en coupe selon le plan VI-VI du dispositif de la figure 2, illustrant un organe de rappel d'un serre-flanc inférieur.
  • La figure 7 est une vue partielle en coupe selon le plan VII-VII du dispositif de la figure 2, illustrant un organe de rappel d'une matrice latérale.
  • La figure 8 est une vue avant du dispositif de pliage dans une position intermédiaire de contact avec la tôle métallique.
  • La figure 9 est une vue avant du dispositif de pliage dans une position de pliage de la tôle métallique, en fin de course.
  • La figure 10 est une vue en perspective d'un poinçon selon une variante de réalisation.
  • La figure 11 illustre schématiquement la section du poinçon dans la zone XI de la figure 10.
  • La figure 12 illustre schématiquement la section du poinçon dans la zone XII de la figure 10.
  • La figure 13 est une vue détaillée d'une tôle métallique ondulée au niveau d'un croisement entre une ondulation haute et une ondulation basse.
  • La figure 14 est une vue avant d'un dispositif de pliage selon un second mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 15 est une vue avant d'un dispositif de pliage selon un troisième mode de réalisation.
The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, preferred features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given for illustrative reference only. in the accompanying drawings.
  • The figure 1 is a view of a corrugated metal sheet for the construction of a sealed membrane of a liquefied natural gas storage tank.
  • The figure 2 is a perspective view of a folding device for forming three parallel corrugations in a metal sheet.
  • The figure 3 is a front view of the folding device, in a high rest position.
  • The figure 4 is a view of an upper flank and its support, in section along the plane IV-IV illustrated on the figure 3 .
  • The figure 5 is a view of an upper flank and its support, in section according to the VV plane illustrated on the figure 3 .
  • The figure 6 is a partial view, in section along the plane VI-VI of the device of the figure 2 , illustrating a return member of a lower flank.
  • The figure 7 is a partial sectional view along the plane VII-VII of the device of the figure 2 , illustrating a return member of a lateral matrix.
  • The figure 8 is a front view of the folding device in an intermediate position of contact with the metal sheet.
  • The figure 9 is a front view of the folding device in a bending position of the metal sheet, at the end of the race.
  • The figure 10 is a perspective view of a punch according to an alternative embodiment.
  • The figure 11 schematically illustrates the section of the punch in zone XI of the figure 10 .
  • The figure 12 schematically illustrates the section of the punch in zone XII of the figure 10 .
  • The figure 13 is a detailed view of a corrugated metal sheet at a cross between a high and a low.
  • The figure 14 is a front view of a folding device according to a second embodiment.
  • The figure 15 is a front view of a folding device according to a third embodiment.

Description détaillée de modes de réalisationDetailed description of embodiments

La figure 1 illustre une tôle métallique 1 ondulée, destinée à la formation d'une membrane étanche d'une cuve de stockage d'un fluide cryogénique, tel que du gaz naturel liquéfié.The figure 1 illustrates a corrugated metal sheet 1 for forming a sealed membrane of a storage tank for a cryogenic fluid, such as liquefied natural gas.

La tôle métallique 1 comporte une première série d'ondulations 2 parallèles, dites basses, s'étendant selon une direction y et une seconde série d'ondulations 3 parallèles, dites hautes, s'étendant selon une direction x. Les directions x et y des séries d'ondulations sont perpendiculaires. Les ondulations 2, 3 sont saillantes du côté de la face interne de la tôle métallique 1, destinée à être mise en contact avec le fluide contenu dans la cuve. Les bords de la tôle métallique 1 sont ici parallèles aux ondulations 2, 3. Notons que les termes «haute» et «basse» ont un sens relatif et signifient que les ondulations 2, dîtes basses, présentent une hauteur inférieure aux ondulations 3, dîtes hautes.The metal sheet 1 comprises a first series of parallel corrugations 2, said low, extending in a direction y and a second series of parallel corrugations 3, said high, extending in a direction x. The x and y directions of the series of undulations are perpendicular. The corrugations 2, 3 are projecting on the side of the internal face of the metal sheet 1, intended to be placed in contact with the fluid contained in the tank. The edges of the metal sheet 1 are here parallel to the corrugations 2, 3. Note that the terms "high" and "low" have a relative meaning and mean that the undulations 2, said low, have a height lower than the undulations 3, say high.

La tôle métallique 1 comporte entre les ondulations 2, 3, une pluralité de surfaces planes 4. Au niveau de chaque croisement entre une ondulation basse 2 et une ondulation haute 3, la tôle métallique 1 comporte une zone de noeud 5. La zone de noeud 5 comporte une portion centrale 6 présentant un sommet en saillie vers l'intérieur de la cuve. Par ailleurs, la portion centrale 6 est bordée, d'une part, par une paire d'ondulations concaves 7 formées dans la crête de l'ondulation haute 3 et, d'autre part, par une paire de renfoncements 8 dans lesquels pénètre l'ondulation basse 2.The metal sheet 1 comprises between the corrugations 2, 3, a plurality of flat surfaces 4. At each crossing between a low corrugation 2 and a high corrugation 3, the metal sheet 1 comprises a node zone 5. The node zone 5 comprises a central portion 6 having an apex projecting towards the inside of the tank. Moreover, the central portion 6 is bordered, on the one hand, by a pair of concave corrugations 7 formed in the crest of the high corrugation 3 and, on the other hand, by a pair of recesses 8 into which the low ripple 2.

Les ondulations 2, 3 de la tôle métallique 1 permettent à la membrane d'étanchéité d'être flexible afin de pouvoir se déformer sous l'effet des sollicitations thermiques et mécaniques générées par le gaz naturel liquéfié emmagasiné dans la cuve.The corrugations 2, 3 of the metal sheet 1 allow the waterproofing membrane to be flexible in order to be deformed under the effect of thermal and mechanical stresses generated by the liquefied natural gas stored in the tank.

La tôle métallique 1 peut notamment être réalisée en acier inoxydable, en aluminium, en Invar ® : c'est-à-dire un alliage de fer et de nickel dont le coefficient de dilatation est typiquement compris entre 1,2.10-6 et 2.10-6 K-1, ou dans un alliage de fer à forte teneur en manganèse dont le coefficient de dilatation est typiquement de l'ordre de 7.10-6 K-1. Toutefois, l'utilisation d'autres métaux ou alliages est également envisageable.The metal sheet 1 can in particular be made of stainless steel, aluminum, Invar ®: that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose expansion coefficient is typically between 1.2.10 -6 and 2.10 - 6 K -1 , or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose expansion coefficient is typically of the order of 7.10 -6 K -1 . However, the use of other metals or alloys is also possible.

A titre d'exemple, la tôle métallique 1 présente une épaisseur d'environ 1,2 mm. D'autres épaisseurs sont également envisageables, sachant qu'un épaississement de la tôle métallique 1 entraine une augmentation de son coût et accroît généralement la rigidité des ondulations 2, 3.For example, the metal sheet 1 has a thickness of about 1.2 mm. Other thicknesses are also conceivable, knowing that a thickening of the metal sheet 1 causes an increase in its cost and generally increases the rigidity of the corrugations 2, 3.

Les figures 2 à 9 représentent un dispositif de pliage 9 permettant de former simultanément plusieurs ondulations hautes 3 dans une telle tôle métallique 1, préalablement à la formation des ondulations basses 2. Par convention, l'orientation « longitudinale » du dispositif de pliage 9 est dirigée parallèlement aux directions longitudinales des ondulations 3 à former et l'orientation « transversale » est dirigée transversalement aux directions longitudinales des ondulations 3 à former.The Figures 2 to 9 represent a folding device 9 for simultaneously forming a plurality of high corrugations 3 in such a metal sheet 1, prior to the formation of the low corrugations 2. By convention, the "longitudinal" orientation of the folding device 9 is directed parallel to the longitudinal directions undulations 3 to form and the "transverse" orientation is directed transversely to the longitudinal directions of the corrugations 3 to form.

Le dispositif de pliage 9 comporte un bâti inférieur 10 et un bâti supérieur 11 monté mobile verticalement par rapport au bâti inférieur 10. Le bâti supérieur 11 est mobile, par rapport au bâti inférieur 10, entre une position haute de repos et une position de pliage de la tôle métallique 1 dans laquelle celle-ci est déformée afin de former les ondulations 3. Le bâti supérieur 11 est ainsi apte à exercer sur la tôle métallique 1 une pression permettant son pliage et la formation des ondulations 3. Le bâti supérieur 11 est illustré, dans sa position de repos, sur la figure 3 et dans sa position de pliage, en fin de course, sur la figure 9. Le bâti supérieur 11 est également représenté, sur la figure 8, dans une position intermédiaire, juste avant que ne débute la formation des ondulations 3.The folding device 9 comprises a lower frame 10 and an upper frame 11 mounted vertically movable relative to the lower frame 10. The upper frame 11 is movable, relative to the lower frame 10, between a high rest position and a folding position. of the metal sheet 1 in which it is deformed to form the undulations 3. The upper frame 11 is thus able to exert on the metal sheet 1 a pressure allowing its folding and the formation of the corrugations 3. The upper frame 11 is illustrated, in its rest position, on the figure 3 and in its folding position, at the end of the race, on the figure 9 . The upper frame 11 is also shown on the figure 8 in an intermediate position just before the formation of the corrugations 3 begins.

En relation avec les figures 3, 8 et 9, l'on observe que le dispositif de pliage 9 comporte trois poinçons 12, 13, 14, s'étendant parallèlement les uns aux autres, portés par le bâti supérieur 11. Chaque poinçon 12, 13, 14 est disposé au-dessus d'une matrice respective 15, 16, 17, portée par le bâti inférieur 10. Chaque poinçon 12, 13, 14 est destiné à s'engager à l'intérieur de l'empreinte de sa matrice respective 15, 16, 17, lorsque le bâti supérieur 11 se déplace de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage, afin de presser la tôle métallique 1 entre le poinçon 12, 13, 14 et sa matrice 15, 16, 17 respective et former ainsi les ondulations 3 dans la tôle métallique 1.In relation to figures 3 , 8 and 9 , it is observed that the folding device 9 comprises three punches 12, 13, 14, extending parallel to each other. other, carried by the upper frame 11. Each punch 12, 13, 14 is disposed above a respective die 15, 16, 17, carried by the lower frame 10. Each punch 12, 13, 14 is intended for s engaging inside the imprint of its respective die 15, 16, 17, when the upper frame 11 moves from its rest position to its folding position, in order to press the metal sheet 1 between the punch 12, 13, 14 and its matrix 15, 16, 17 respectively and thus form the corrugations 3 in the metal sheet 1.

Chaque poinçon 12, 13, 14 comporte, à son extrémité inférieure, une tête 18 présentant une forme correspondant à la forme de l'ondulation à façonner. La tête 18 comporte une portion dont la section présente une forme de V. Par ailleurs, la tête 18 comporte également deux rebords latéraux 19, 20 bordant la section en forme de V et se redressant vers l'horizontal. La tête 18 s'étend sur une longueur sensiblement égale à la dimension longitudinale de la tôle métallique 1 à plier.Each punch 12, 13, 14 has, at its lower end, a head 18 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the corrugation to be shaped. The head 18 has a portion whose section has a V shape. Moreover, the head 18 also has two lateral flanges 19, 20 bordering the V-shaped section and straightening towards the horizontal. The head 18 extends over a length substantially equal to the longitudinal dimension of the metal sheet 1 to be folded.

Le poinçon central 13 est fixe par rapport au bâti supérieur 11. Les poinçons latéraux 12, 14, disposés de part et d'autre dudit poinçon central 13, sont, quant-à-eux montés coulissants sur le bâti supérieur 11 selon une direction horizontale transversale. Les poinçons latéraux 12, 14 sont montés mobiles sur le bâti supérieur 11 entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée du poinçon central 13. Pour ce faire, les poinçons latéraux 12, 14 sont chacun équipés d'un ou de plusieurs chariots 21 qui sont chacun montés sur un rail de guidage 22 associé, porté par le bâti supérieur 11. Les chariots 21 sont avantageusement des chariots à roulements qui comportent une pluralité de corps roulants aptes à coopérer avec des chemins de roulement portés par le rail de guidage 22 associé.The central punch 13 is fixed relative to the upper frame 11. The lateral punches 12, 14, arranged on either side of said central punch 13, are, for their part, slidably mounted on the upper frame 11 in a horizontal direction cross. The lateral punches 12, 14 are movably mounted on the upper frame 11 between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central punch 13. To do this, the lateral punches 12, 14 are each equipped with one or more trolleys 21 which are each mounted on an associated guide rail 22, carried by the upper frame 11. The carriages 21 are advantageously bearing carriages which comprise a plurality of rolling bodies adapted to cooperate with raceways carried by the associated guide rail 22.

Des organes de rappel, non représentés, assurent un rappel des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 vers leur position écartée du poinçon central 13. Par ailleurs, le bâti supérieur 11 est équipé d'éléments de butée 23 permettant de limiter la course des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 par rapport au poinçon central 13 et permettant ainsi de définir les positions écartées des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 par rapport au bâti supérieur 11. Ces éléments de butée 23 seront décrits plus en détails par la suite.Returning members, not shown, provide a return of the lateral punches 12, 14 to their position away from the central punch 13. In addition, the upper frame 11 is equipped with stop members 23 to limit the stroke of the lateral punches 12 , 14 relative to the central punch 13 and thus to define the spaced apart positions of the lateral punches 12, 14 relative to the upper frame 11. These abutment members 23 will be described in more detail later.

Par ailleurs, les trois matrices 15, 16, 17 portées par le bâti inférieur sont chacune aptes à définir une empreinte présentant une forme complémentaire à leur poinçon 12, 13, 14 respectif. L'une des matrices : la matrice centrale 16, est fixe par rapport au bâti inférieur 10. Les matrices latérales 15, 17 qui sont disposés de part et d'autre de la matrice centrale 16 sont, quant à elles, montés coulissantes sur le bâti inférieur 10 selon une direction horizontale transversale. Les matrices latérales 15, 17 sont ainsi montées coulissantes sur le bâti inférieur 10 entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée de la matrice centrale 16. Pour ce faire, les matrices latérales 15, 17 sont équipées d'un ou plusieurs chariots 24 qui sont chacun montés sur un rail de guidage 25 associé porté par le bâti inférieur 10. Les chariots 24 sont avantageusement des chariots à roulements, tels que mentionnés précédemment. Les matrices latérales 15, 17 coopèrent chacune avec des organes de rappel 26 qui seront décrits de manière détaillée par la suite, permettant de rappeler les matrices latérales 15, 17 vers leur position écartée. En outre, le bâti inférieur est équipé d'éléments de butée 27 permettant de limiter la course des matrices latérales 15, 17 par rapport à la matrice centrale 16 et permettant ainsi de définir leur position écartée par rapport au bâti inférieur 10.Moreover, the three matrices 15, 16, 17 carried by the lower frame are each able to define a cavity having a shape complementary to their respective punch 12, 13, 14. One of the matrices: the central matrix 16, is fixed by relative to the lower frame 10. The lateral dies 15, 17 which are arranged on either side of the central die 16 are, for their part, slidably mounted on the lower frame 10 in a transverse horizontal direction. The lateral dies 15, 17 are thus slidably mounted on the lower frame 10 between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central die 16. To do this, the lateral dies 15, 17 are equipped with one or more trolleys 24 which are each mounted on an associated guide rail 25 carried by the lower frame 10. The carriages 24 are preferably bearing carriages, as mentioned above. The lateral dies 15, 17 each cooperate with return members 26 which will be described in detail later, to recall the side matrices 15, 17 to their spaced apart position. In addition, the lower frame is equipped with stop elements 27 making it possible to limit the stroke of the lateral matrices 15, 17 with respect to the central matrix 16 and thus making it possible to define their spaced position relative to the lower frame 10.

Chacune des matrices 15, 16, 17 comporte deux éléments latéraux 28, 29 et un élément central 30 monté coulissant entre les éléments latéraux 28, 29, entre une position supérieure, illustrée sur la figure 3, et une position inférieure, illustrée sur la figure 9. Les éléments latéraux 28, 29 définissent chacun une portion latérale de l'empreinte. Les éléments latéraux 28, 29 comportent, en outre, une surface d'appui supérieure horizontale 31, 32, bordant l'empreinte, agencée en face des rebords latéraux 19, 20 de la tête 18 du poinçon 12, 13, 14 en vis-à-vis. L'élément central 30 porte une portion centrale de l'empreinte. L'élément central 30 est rappelé vers sa position supérieure par un organe de rappel. L'organe de rappel est, par exemple, un vérin ou ressort à gaz 33 ou un ressort hélicoïdal logé entre les éléments latéraux 28, 29.Each of the matrices 15, 16, 17 comprises two lateral elements 28, 29 and a central element 30 slidably mounted between the lateral elements 28, 29, between an upper position, illustrated in FIG. figure 3 , and a lower position, illustrated on the figure 9 . The lateral elements 28, 29 each define a lateral portion of the cavity. The lateral elements 28, 29 further comprise a horizontal upper support surface 31, 32, bordering the cavity, arranged opposite the lateral flanges 19, 20 of the head 18 of the punch 12, 13, 14 facing each other. to face. The central element 30 carries a central portion of the impression. The central element 30 is returned to its upper position by a return member. The return member is, for example, a cylinder or gas spring 33 or a helical spring housed between the lateral elements 28, 29.

Lorsque l'élément central 30 est dans sa position supérieure, représentée sur les figures 3 et 8, son extrémité supérieure affleure les surfaces d'appui supérieures horizontales 31, 32 des éléments latéraux 28, 29. Lorsque l'élément central 30 est dans sa position inférieure, représentée sur la figure 9, les éléments latéraux 28, 29 et l'élément central 30 définissent ensemble une empreinte présentant une forme complémentaire à la tête 18 du poinçon 12, 13, 14 correspondant. Aussi, lors du pliage, la tête 18 de chaque poinçon 12, 13, 14 s'engage entre les éléments latéraux 28, 29 de la matrice 15, 16, 17 en vis-à-vis et vient plaquer la tôle métallique 1 contre l'élément central 30 de ladite matrice 15, 16, 17 de sorte à déplacer l'élément central 30 vers sa position inférieure, lors du mouvement du bâti supérieur 11 vers sa position de pliage.When the central element 30 is in its upper position, represented on the figures 3 and 8 its upper end is flush with the horizontal upper bearing surfaces 31, 32 of the lateral elements 28, 29. When the central element 30 is in its lower position, shown in FIG. figure 9 , the lateral elements 28, 29 and the central element 30 together define a cavity having a shape complementary to the head 18 of the punch 12, 13, 14 corresponding. Also, during folding, the head 18 of each punch 12, 13, 14 engages between the lateral elements 28, 29 of the die 15, 16, 17 facing each other and comes to press the metal sheet 1 against the central element 30 of said matrix 15, 16, 17 so as to move the central member 30 to its lower position, during the movement of the upper frame 11 to its folding position.

Par ailleurs, le dispositif de pliage 9 est équipé de serre-flancs 34, 35, 36, 37 permettant de maintenir la tôle métallique 1 afin de s'assurer qu'elle reste en position, lors de son pliage. Le dispositif de pliage 9 comporte deux serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 montés sur le bâti inférieur 10 et deux serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 montés sur le bâti supérieur 11. Les deux serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 sont disposés de part et d'autre de la matrice centrale 16, et sont chacun placés entre ladite matrice centrale 16 et l'une des deux matrices latérales 15, 17.Furthermore, the folding device 9 is equipped with clamps 34, 35, 36, 37 to maintain the metal sheet 1 to ensure that it remains in position, during its folding. The folding device 9 comprises two lower flanks 36, 37 mounted on the lower frame 10 and two upper flanks 34, 35 mounted on the upper frame 11. The two lower flanks 36, 37 are arranged on each side. other of the central matrix 16, and are each placed between said central matrix 16 and one of the two lateral matrices 15, 17.

Les deux serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 sont respectivement disposés au-dessus de l'un et l'autre desdits serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37. Les deux serre-flancs supérieurs s'étendent donc, de part et d'autre du poinçon central 13 et sont chacun placés entre le poinçon central 13 et l'un des poinçons latéraux 12, 14. Les serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 comportent une surface d'appui plane destinée à recevoir la tôle métallique 1. Les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 comportent chacun une surface de serrage plane agencée de telle sorte que, lorsque le bâti supérieur 11 est déplacé vers sa position de pliage, la tôle métallique 1 est prise en sandwich entre les surfaces d'appui planes des serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 et les surfaces de serrage des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 afin de maintenir la tôle métallique 1.The two upper flanks 34, 35 are respectively disposed above one and the other of said lower flanks 36, 37. The two upper flanks thus extend, on both sides of the central punch 13 and are each placed between the central punch 13 and one of the side punches 12, 14. The lower flanks 36, 37 comprise a flat bearing surface for receiving the metal sheet 1. The flanks the upper plates 34, 35 each have a flat clamping surface arranged such that when the upper frame 11 is moved to its folding position, the metal sheet 1 is sandwiched between the flat bearing surfaces of the lower flanks. 36, 37 and the clamping surfaces of the upper flanks 34, 35 to hold the metal sheet 1.

Les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 sont montés coulissants sur le bâti supérieur 11 selon la direction horizontale transversale entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée du poinçon central 13. De manière similaire, les serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 sont montés coulissants sur le bâti inférieur 10, selon une direction horizontale transversale, entre une position écartée et une position rapprochée de la matrice centrale 16. Pour ce faire, les serre-flancs 34, 35, 36, 37 sont montés coulissants par l'intermédiaire d'un ou de plusieurs chariots 38, 39 qui sont montés coulissants sur un rail de guidage associé 22, 25. Les rails de guidage 22 des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 sont fixés sur le bâti supérieur 11 tandis que les rails de guidage 25 des serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 sont fixés sur le bâti inférieur 10. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, afin de limiter le nombre de rails de guidage, des rails de guidage communs 22, 25 assurent à la fois le guidage d'un poinçon latéral 12, 14 ou d'une matrice latérale 15, 17 et d'un serre-flanc supérieur 34, 35 ou inférieur 36, 37.The upper flanks 34, 35 are slidably mounted on the upper frame 11 in the transverse horizontal direction between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central punch 13. Similarly, the lower flanks 36, 37 are slidably mounted on the lower frame 10, in a transverse horizontal direction, between a spaced apart position and a close position of the central die 16. To do this, the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37 are slidably mounted via a or several carriages 38, 39 which are slidably mounted on an associated guide rail 22, 25. The guide rails 22 of the upper sidewall clamps 34, 35 are fixed on the upper frame 11 while the guide rails 25 of the clamps lower flanges 36, 37 are fixed on the lower frame 10. In the embodiment shown, in order to limit the number of guide rails, common guide rails 22, 25 ensure both guiding a lateral piercer 12, 14 or a side die 15, 17 and a blank holder upper 34, lower 35 or 36, 37.

Le dispositif de pliage 9 est équipé d'organes de rappel 45 permettant de rappeler les serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 vers leur position écartée et d'organes de rappel, non représentés, permettant de rappeler les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 vers leur position écartée.The folding device 9 is equipped with return members 45 for recalling the lower flanks 36, 37 to their spaced position and return members, not shown, for recalling the upper flanks 34, 35 to their position aside.

Les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 sont chacun montés coulissants sur le bâti supérieur 11 par l'intermédiaire d'un support 40 équipé d'un ou plusieurs chariots 38 montés coulissants sur un ou plusieurs rails de guidages 22 portés par le bâti supérieur 11.The upper flanks 34, 35 are each slidably mounted on the upper frame 11 via a support 40 equipped with one or more carriages 38 slidably mounted on one or more guide rails 22 carried by the upper frame 11 .

Comme représenté sur la figure 4, chaque serre-flanc supérieur 34, 35 est monté coulissant verticalement sur un support 40 via un dispositif de guidage comportant une pluralité de tubes guides 41 solidaires dudit serre-flanc supérieur 35 et montés coulissants dans des alésages 42 ménagés dans le support 40. Les tubes guides 41 comportent une première extrémité qui est fixée au serre-flanc supérieur 35 et une seconde extrémité fixée à une plaque de retenu 43 présentant une dimension supérieure au diamètre de l'alésage 42 ménagé dans le support 40, de sorte à retenir le serre-flanc supérieur 35 par rapport à son support 40.As shown on the figure 4 each upper sidewall clamp 34, 35 is mounted vertically sliding on a support 40 via a guide device comprising a plurality of guide tubes 41 secured to said upper sidewall clamp 35 and slidably mounted in bores 42 formed in the support 40. guide tubes 41 comprise a first end which is fixed to the upper sidewall clamp 35 and a second end fixed to a retaining plate 43 having a larger dimension than the diameter of the bore 42 formed in the support 40, so as to retain the greenhouse upper flank 35 with respect to its support 40.

Par ailleurs, un ou plusieurs organes de rappel exercent un effort élastique entre chaque serre-flanc supérieur 34, 35 et le support 40 associé, tendant à repousser le serre-flanc supérieur 34, 35 en direction du bâti inférieur 10. Sur les figures 4 et 5, les organes de rappel sont des vérins à gaz 44, également appelés ressorts à gaz, qui sont d'une part, fixés au support 40 et, d'autre part, fixé au serre-flanc supérieur 34, 35. Dans un mode de réalisation alternatif, les vérins à gaz 44 peuvent être remplacés par des ressorts hélicoïdaux.Furthermore, one or more return members exert an elastic force between each upper flank 34, 35 and the associated support 40, tending to push the upper flank 34, 35 towards the lower frame 10. On the Figures 4 and 5 , the return members are gas cylinders 44, also called gas springs, which are, on the one hand, fixed to the support 40 and, on the other hand, fixed to the upper sidewall clamp 34, 35. alternative embodiment, the gas cylinders 44 may be replaced by coil springs.

La mobilité verticale des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 sur leur support respectif 40 couplée à la présence des organes de rappel 44 susmentionnés permet auxdits serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 de venir plaquer la tôle métallique 1 contre les serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37, dans une position intermédiaire du bâti supérieur 11, représentée sur la figure 8, puis de compenser la descende du bâti supérieur 11 entre sa position intermédiaire et sa position de pliage, représentée sur la figure 9. En outre, l'effort de serrage entre les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 et inférieurs 36, 37 est maîtrisé, lors de la course du bâti supérieur 11, entre sa position intermédiaire de contact et sa position de pliage, au moyen des organes de rappel 44.The vertical mobility of the upper flanks 34, 35 on their respective support 40 coupled with the presence of the abovementioned return members 44 allows said upper flanks 34, 35 to come to press the metal sheet 1 against the lower flanks 36, 37, in an intermediate position of the upper frame 11, shown on the figure 8 , and then compensating the downward movement of the upper frame 11 between its intermediate position and its folding position, represented on the figure 9 . In addition, the clamping force between the upper flanks 34, 35 and lower 36, 37 is controlled, during the travel of the upper frame 11, between its intermediate position of contact and its bending position, by means of the bodies recall 44.

En relation avec les figures 6 et 7, l'on observe des organes de rappel 26, 45 permettant de rappeler l'une des matrices latérales 15 et l'un des serre-flancs inférieurs 36 vers leur position écartée.In relation to Figures 6 and 7 , there are observed return members 26, 45 for recalling one of the side matrices 15 and one of the bottom flanks 36 to their spaced apart position.

La figure 6 illustre un organe de rappel 26 permettant de rappeler une matrice latérale 15 vers sa position écartée de la matrice centrale 16. L'organe de rappel 26 est ici un ressort hélicoïdal qui comporte une première extrémité en appui, contre un élément d'appui 46, fixé au bâti inférieur 10, et une seconde extrémité en appui contre la matrice latérale 15. L'élément d'appui 46 et la matrice latérale 15 comportent chacun un trou borgne 47, 48 permettant le logement des extrémités du ressort. Selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, chaque matrice latérale 15 est rappelée vers sa position écartée par une pluralité d'organes de rappel, ainsi agencés. Par ailleurs, chaque matrice latérale 15 coopère avec un ou plusieurs éléments de butée 27, disposés le long des bords latéraux du bâti inférieur 10, afin de limiter la course de la matrice latérale 15 par rapport au bâti inférieur 10.The figure 6 illustrates a return member 26 for recalling a lateral matrix 15 towards its position spaced from the central matrix 16. The return member 26 is here a helical spring which has a first end bearing against a support element 46, attached to the lower frame 10, and a second end bearing against the lateral die 15. The bearing member 46 and the lateral die 15 each comprise a blind hole 47, 48 for housing the ends of the spring. According to one embodiment of the invention, each lateral matrix 15 is biased towards its position separated by a plurality of return members, thus arranged. Furthermore, each lateral matrix 15 cooperates with one or more stop elements 27, arranged along the lateral edges of the lower frame 10, in order to limit the stroke of the lateral matrix 15 with respect to the lower frame 10.

La figure 7 illustre un organe de rappel 45 permettant de rappeler un serre-flanc inférieur 36 vers sa position écartée de la matrice centrale 16. L'organe de rappel 45 est un ressort hélicoïdal qui comporte une première extrémité en appui, contre un élément fixe par rapport au bâti inférieur 10, ici une portion inférieure de la matrice centrale 16, et une seconde extrémité en appui contre le serre-flanc inférieur 36. Le ressort hélicoïdal est en partie logé dans un trou borgne 49 ménagé dans le serre-flanc inférieur 36. Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque serre-flanc inférieur 36 est rappelé vers sa position écartée par une pluralité d'organes de rappel, ainsi agencés.The figure 7 illustrates a return member 45 for recalling a lower flank 36 to its position spaced from the central matrix 16. The return member 45 is a helical spring which has a first end in abutment, against a fixed element relative to the lower frame 10, here a lower portion of the central die 16, and a second end bearing against the lower side clamp 36. The coil spring is partly housed in a blind hole 49 formed in the lower flank 36. According to an embodiment, each lower flange 36 is biased towards its position spaced by a plurality of return members, thus arranged.

Par ailleurs, le serre-flanc inférieur 36 comporte plusieurs pattes latérales 50 faisant saillie latéralement vers l'extérieur du bâti inférieur 10 et passant entre le bâti inférieur 10 et la matrice latérale 15 adjacente de sorte à permettre une mise en butée desdites pattes latérales 50 contre les éléments de butée 51, disposés le long des bords latéraux du bâti inférieur 10, lorsque le serre-flanc inférieur 36 est dans sa position écartée.Furthermore, the lower sidewall clamp 36 has a plurality of lateral lugs 50 projecting laterally outwardly of the lower frame 10 and passing between the lower frame 10 and the adjacent lateral matrix 15 so as to allow said lateral lugs 50 to abut. against the stop elements 51, arranged along the lateral edges of the lower frame 10, when the lower flank 36 is in its spaced apart position.

De manière avantageuse, la position des éléments de butée 23, 51 permettant de limiter la course des matrices latérales 15 et serre-flancs inférieurs 36 est réglable de sorte à permettre un ajustement de la distance transversale entre les ondulations à former. Aussi, dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur les figures 6 et 7, chaque élément de butée 27, 51 comporte une aile 52 fixée sur le bâti inférieur 10, munie d'un alésage fileté, et une vis filetée 52, coopérant avec l'alésage fileté, et dont l'extrémité 53 constitue la surface de butée.Advantageously, the position of the abutment members 23, 51 for limiting the stroke of the lateral matrices 15 and bottom flanks 36 is adjustable so as to allow adjustment of the transverse distance between the corrugations to be formed. Also, in the embodiment shown on the figures 6 and 7 each stop element 27, 51 comprises a wing 52 fixed to the lower frame 10, provided with a threaded bore, and a threaded screw 52, cooperating with the threaded bore, and whose end 53 constitutes the abutment surface. .

Notons que les organes de rappel, non représentés, des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 sont agencés d'une manière sensiblement identique aux organes de rappel 26, 45, illustrés sur les figures 6 et 7. De même, les éléments de butée 23 permettant de limiter la course des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 présentent une structure identique aux éléments de butée 27, 51.Note that the return members, not shown, side punches 12, 14 and upper side clamps 34, 35 are arranged substantially identically to the return members 26, 45, illustrated in FIGS. Figures 6 and 7 . Similarly, the abutment members 23 for limiting the stroke of the lateral punches 12, 14 and the upper flanks 34, 35 have a structure identical to the abutment elements 27, 51.

Nous notons également que, selon un mode de réalisation alternatif, non représenté, les organes de rappel 26, 45 des matrices latérales 15, 17, des serre-flancs 34, 35, 36, 37 et/ou des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 sont des vérins à gaz.We also note that, according to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the return members 26, 45 of the side matrices 15, 17, side members 34, 35, 36, 37 and / or lateral punches 12, 14 are gas cylinders.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif de pliage sera maintenant décrit.The operation of the folding device will now be described.

Dans un premier temps, comme représenté sur la figure 3, la tôle métallique 1 est mise en place alors que le bâti supérieur 11 est dans sa position de repos. La tôle métallique 1 repose contre les surfaces d'appui des serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37, contre les surfaces d'appui supérieure horizontale 31, 32 des éléments latéraux 28, 29 des matrices 15, 16, 17 et contre l'extrémité supérieure de l'élément central 30 des matrices 15, 16, 17. Les poinçons latéraux 12, 14, les matrices latérales 15, 17 ainsi que les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 et inférieurs 36, 37 sont positionnés dans leur position écartée.At first, as represented on the figure 3 the metal sheet 1 is put in place while the upper frame 11 is in its rest position. The metal sheet 1 rests against the bearing surfaces of the lower flanks 36, 37, against the upper horizontal bearing surfaces 31, 32 of the lateral elements 28, 29 of the matrices 15, 16, 17 and against the upper end. of the central element 30 of the matrices 15, 16, 17. The side punches 12, 14, the side matrices 15, 17 and the upper sidewall clamps 34, 35 and lower 36, 37 are positioned in their spaced apart position.

Le bâti supérieur 11 est alors déplacé en direction de sa position de pliage, jusqu'à une position intermédiaire, illustrée sur la figure 8, dans laquelle les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 plaquent la tôle métallique 1 contre les surfaces d'appui des serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37. Les poinçons 12, 13, 14 viennent également en contact avec la tôle métallique 1.The upper frame 11 is then moved towards its folding position, to an intermediate position, illustrated on the figure 8 in which the upper flanks 34, 35 press the metal sheet 1 against the bearing surfaces of the lower flanks 36, 37. The punches 12, 13, 14 also come into contact with the metal sheet 1.

Lors du mouvement du bâti supérieur 11 de sa position intermédiaire vers sa position de pliage, la tôle métallique 1 est pincée entre chaque poinçon 12, 13, 14 et l'élément central 30 de la matrice 15, 16, 17 en vis-à-vis. Dès lors, lorsque les poinçons 12, 13, 14 exercent un effort de formage sur la tôle métallique 1, les éléments centraux 30 des matrices 15, 16, 17 coulissent vers le bas entre les deux éléments latéraux 28, 29 de leur matrice respective, en direction de leur position inférieure.During the movement of the upper frame 11 from its intermediate position to its folding position, the metal sheet 1 is clamped between each punch 12, 13, 14 and the central element 30 of the die 15, 16, 17 vis-à- screw. Therefore, when the punches 12, 13, 14 exert a forming force on the metal sheet 1, the central elements 30 of the matrices 15, 16, 17 slide down between the two lateral elements 28, 29 of their respective matrix, towards their lower position.

Par ailleurs, la tôle métallique 1, en se déformant sous l'effet des poinçons 12, 13, 14 exerce une force de traction sur les serre flancs 34, 35, 36, 37, sur les poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et sur les matrices latérales 15, 17 de telle sorte que ceux-ci se déplacent vers leur position rapprochée.Furthermore, the metal sheet 1, deformed under the effect of the punches 12, 13, 14 exerts a tensile force on the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37, on the side punches 12, 14 and on the dies laterals 15, 17 so that they move to their close position.

Lorsque le bâti supérieur 11 est dans sa position de pliage, en fin de course, représentée sur la figure 9, les matrices latérales 15, 17, les poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et le serre-flancs 34, 35, 36, 37 se situent dans leur position rapprochée et les éléments centraux 30 des matrices 15, 16, 17 se situent dans sa position inférieure.When the upper frame 11 is in its folding position, at the end of the stroke, represented on the figure 9 , the side dies 15, 17, the lateral punches 12, 14 and the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37 are in their close position and the central elements 30 of the dies 15, 16, 17 are in their lower position. .

Par la suite, le bâti supérieur 11 est remonté en direction de sa position de repos afin de libérer la tôle métallique 1 ondulée. Dès lors, les matrices latérales 15, 17, les poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et le serre-flancs 34, 35, 36, 37 retournent directement vers leur position écartée sous l'effet des organes de rappel 26, 45 et les éléments centraux 30 des matrices 15, 16, 17 retournent vers leur position supérieure sous l'effet de l'organe de rappel 33.Subsequently, the upper frame 11 is raised towards its rest position to release the corrugated metal sheet 1. Therefore, the lateral dies 15, 17, the side punches 12, 14 and the flanks 34, 35, 36, 37 return directly to their spaced position under the effect of the return members 26, 45 and the central elements 30 matrices 15, 16, 17 return to their upper position under the effect of the return member 33.

Ainsi, un tel dispositif de pliage 9 permet de former simultanément plusieurs ondulations dans une tôle métallique, en un seul coup de presse, et cela sans modification de l'épaisseur de la tôle métallique 1.Thus, such a folding device 9 can simultaneously form several corrugations in a metal sheet, in a single press stroke, and this without changing the thickness of the metal sheet 1.

En relation avec la figure 10, on observe un poinçon 54 selon une variante de réalisation. Un dispositif de pliage 9 pour former simultanément plusieurs ondulations tel que décrit ci-dessus est susceptible d'être équipé de tels poinçons 54. Toutefois, un tel poinçon 54 est également susceptible d'équiper d'autres dispositifs de pliage et notamment des dispositifs de pliage ne permettant de réaliser qu'une ondulation à la fois.In relation to the figure 10 a punch 54 is observed according to a variant embodiment. A folding device 9 for simultaneously forming a plurality of corrugations as described above is capable of being equipped with such punches 54. However, such a punch 54 is also capable of equipping other folding devices, and in particular folding only to achieve one ripple at a time.

Le poinçon 54 présente une tête 57 qui comporte une alternance de premières portions 55 et de secondes portions 56. Les premières portions 55 et les secondes portions 56 sont alignées selon la direction longitudinale de l'ondulation à former et sont disposées alternativement selon ladite direction longitudinale. Les deux extrémités longitudinales de la tête 57 sont formées par des premières portions 55.The punch 54 has a head 57 which comprises an alternation of first portions 55 and second portions 56. The first portions 55 and the second portions 56 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the corrugation to be formed and are arranged alternately in said longitudinal direction . The two longitudinal ends of the head 57 are formed by first portions 55.

En relation avec les figures 11 et 12, on observe respectivement la section transversale d'une première portion 55 et la section transversale d'une seconde portion 56. Pour les premières comme pour les secondes portions, la section transversale présente une forme de V qui est définie par deux faces latérales 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b se rejoignant au niveau d'une zone de crête 55c, 56c. Comme dans le mode de réalisation précédent, la tête comporte également deux rebords latéraux 19, 20 bordant la section en forme de V et se redressant vers l'horizontal.In relation to Figures 11 and 12 the cross section of a first portion 55 and the cross-section of a second portion 56 are respectively observed. For the first portion as for the second portions, the section cross-section has a shape of V which is defined by two lateral faces 55a, 55b, 56a, 56b joining at a ridge zone 55c, 56c. As in the previous embodiment, the head also has two lateral flanges 19, 20 bordering the V-shaped section and straightening towards the horizontal.

Les premières portions 55 présentent sensiblement une section de forme semi-elliptique. Les deux portions latérales 55a, 55b sont donc arquées. Cette forme des premières portions correspond à la forme définitive que l'on souhaite donner aux ondulations hautes 3 dans les zones A séparant deux zones de noeuds successives (voir figure 13). Une telle forme permet de conférer à la membrane 1 d'excellentes caractéristiques de tenue mécanique.The first portions 55 have substantially a semi-elliptical section. The two lateral portions 55a, 55b are thus arched. This shape of the first portions corresponds to the definitive shape that it is desired to give to the high undulations 3 in the zones A separating two zones of successive nodes (see figure 13 ). Such a shape makes it possible to confer on the membrane 1 excellent characteristics of mechanical strength.

Les secondes portions 56 présentent sensiblement une forme triangulaire. En d'autres termes, leur section transversale est définie par deux faces latérales 56a, 56b sensiblement planes se rejoignant au niveau d'une zone de crête 56c. La zone de crête 56c présente un congé. La dimension transversale de la section transversale des secondes portions 56 est sensiblement égale à celle des premières portions 55. Comme représenté sur la figure 10, les zones de crête 56c des secondes portions 56 s'étendent vers le bas au-delà de la zone de crête 55c des premières portions 55.The second portions 56 have substantially a triangular shape. In other words, their cross section is defined by two substantially planar lateral faces 56a, 56b joining at a ridge zone 56c. Peak zone 56c presents a leave. The transverse dimension of the cross section of the second portions 56 is substantially equal to that of the first portions 55. As shown in FIG. figure 10 the peak areas 56c of the second portions 56 extend downwardly beyond the ridge zone 55c of the first portions 55.

La géométrie des premières portions permet de former l'ondulation haute 3 dans les zones B destinées à constituer les zones de noeud 5 au niveau de chaque croisement entre une ondulation basse 2 et une ondulation haute 3 lorsque les ondulations basses 2 seront ultérieurement formées. La géométrie des secondes portions 56 est particulièrement adaptée pour conférer à l'ondulation haute 3 une géométrie lui permettant d'être par la suite pliée selon une direction perpendiculaire à sa direction longitudinale et permettre ainsi la formation des ondulations basses et des zones de noeud 5 comportant des ondulations concaves 7 et des renfoncements 8.The geometry of the first portions makes it possible to form the high corrugation 3 in the zones B intended to form the node zones 5 at each crossing between a low corrugation 2 and a high corrugation 3 when the low corrugations 2 are subsequently formed. The geometry of the second portions 56 is particularly adapted to give the high corrugation 3 a geometry that allows it to be subsequently folded in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and thus to allow the formation of low undulations and nodes 5 having concave corrugations 7 and recesses 8.

Par ailleurs, de manière avantageuse, la matrice, non représentée, destinée à recevoir un tel poinçon 54 lors du déplacement du bâti supérieur 11 vers sa position de pliage présente une géométrie adaptée en conséquence. En d'autres termes, un telle matrice comporte également une alternance de premières portions présentant une forme complémentaire à celle des premières portions 55 de la tête du poinçon et de secondes portions présentant une forme complémentaire à celle des secondes portions 57 de la tête du poinçon.Furthermore, advantageously, the matrix, not shown, for receiving such a punch 54 during movement of the upper frame 11 to its folding position has a geometry adapted accordingly. In other words, such a matrix also comprises an alternation of first portions having a shape complementary to that of the first portions 55 of the head punch and second portions having a shape complementary to that of the second portions 57 of the punch head.

Un tel agencement de matrice et de poinçon présentant une alternance de portions de forme différentes permet lors d'une même étape de pliage :

  • de conformer les ondulations hautes 3, c'est-à-dire de leur donner leur forme définitive, dans les zones qui ne sont pas destinées à être retravailler par la suite pour former une zone de noeud, et
  • de leur donner une forme autorisant la formation ultérieure de la zone de noeud dans les zones qui seront de nouveau pliées lors d'une étape de pliage ultérieure.
Such an arrangement of matrix and punch having an alternation of different shaped portions allows during a same folding step:
  • to conform the high undulations 3, that is to say to give them their final shape, in the areas that are not intended to be reworked thereafter to form a knot area, and
  • to give them a shape allowing the subsequent formation of the knot area in areas that will be folded again in a subsequent folding step.

Cet agencement permet donc de limiter le nombre d'étapes de pliages nécessaires à la formation d'une tôle métallique présentant deux séries perpendiculaires d'ondulations.This arrangement therefore makes it possible to limit the number of folding steps necessary for the formation of a metal sheet having two perpendicular series of corrugations.

Dans des modes préférés de réalisation non illustrés, chaque seconde portion 56 de la tête est séparée des premières portions 55 voisines par une portion longitudinale de transition. La longueur de la portion longitudinale de transition est typiquement comprise entre quelques millimètres et 2 centimètres.In non-illustrated embodiments, each second portion 56 of the head is separated from the first portions 55 adjacent by a longitudinal transition portion. The length of the longitudinal transition portion is typically between a few millimeters and 2 centimeters.

Selon une première variante préférée de réalisation, les portions longitudinales de transition sont des espaces libres, c'est-à-dire des interstices entre les premières et secondes portions 55, 56 dans lequel la tête ne comporte pas de surfaces susceptibles de venir en contact avec la tôle métallique lors de l'opération de pliage. Dans cette variante de réalisation, la matrice destinée à recevoir un tel poinçon comporte des portions longitudinales correspondantes formées d'espace vide entre chacune de ses secondes portions et premières portions voisines.According to a first preferred embodiment, the longitudinal transition portions are free spaces, that is to say gaps between the first and second portions 55, 56 in which the head has no surfaces likely to come into contact with each other. with the metal sheet during the folding operation. In this variant embodiment, the die intended to receive such a punch comprises corresponding longitudinal portions formed of empty space between each of its second portions and the first adjacent portions.

Selon une seconde variante préférée de réalisation, les portions longitudinales de transition présente une section en forme de V et comportent deux faces latérales se rejoignant au niveau d'une zone de crête. Toutefois, dans ces portions longitudinales de transition, la tête ne présente pas une section uniforme. En effet, les lignes de chacune des parois latérales et de la zone de crête qui présentent une composante longitudinale sont inclinées par rapport à la direction longitudinale de sorte que la transition entre les premières et les secondes portions s'effectuent avec une légère pente. Dans cette variante de réalisation, la matrice destinée à recevoir un tel poinçon comporte des portions longitudinales présentant une forme correspondante à celle des portions longitudinales de transition de la tête entre chacune de ses secondes portions et les premières portions voisines.According to a second preferred embodiment, the longitudinal transition portions has a V-shaped section and have two lateral faces joining at a ridge zone. However, in these longitudinal transition portions, the head does not have a uniform section. Indeed, the lines of each of the side walls and the ridge zone which have a longitudinal component are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the transition between the first and the second portions takes place with a slight slope. In this variant embodiment, the die intended to receive such a punch comprises longitudinal portions having a shape corresponding to that of the longitudinal transition portions of the head between each of its second portions and the first adjacent portions.

Dans les modes préférés de réalisation représentés sur les figures 14 et 15, le dispositif de pliage est équipé de moyens d'assistance au déplacement des poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et des matrices latérales 15, 17 vers leur position rapprochée. Dans d'autres modes de réalisation, le dispositif de pliage peut en outre comporter des moyens d'assistance au mouvement des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 et des serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 vers leur position rapprochée. De tels moyens d'assistance sont particulièrement avantageux en ce qu'ils permettent notamment de garantir que les poinçons latéraux 12, 14 et les matrices latérales 15, 17, et optionnellement les serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 et inférieurs 36, 37 se déplacent sur l'intégralité de leur course, c'est-à-dire jusqu'à leur position finale rapprochée, lors du déplacement du bâti supérieur 11 vers sa position de pliage.In the preferred embodiments shown in the Figures 14 and 15 the folding device is provided with means for assisting the displacement of the lateral punches 12, 14 and the lateral matrices 15, 17 towards their close position. In other embodiments, the folding device may further comprise means for assisting the movement of the upper flanks 34, 35 and the lower flanks 36, 37 towards their close position. Such assistance means are particularly advantageous in that they make it possible, in particular, to ensure that the lateral punches 12, 14 and the lateral matrices 15, 17, and optionally the upper sidewall clamps 34, 35 and lower 36, 37 move. over their entire stroke, that is to say until their close final position, when moving the upper frame 11 to its folding position.

Dans le mode préféré de réalisation représenté sur la figure 14, les moyens d'assistance comportent un ou plusieurs vérins 58, tels que des vérins pneumatiques par exemple, aptes à assister le déplacement des matrices latérales 15, 17 de leur position écartée vers leur position rapprochée.In the preferred embodiment shown in the figure 14 , the assistance means comprise one or more cylinders 58, such as pneumatic cylinders for example, able to assist the displacement of the lateral matrices 15, 17 from their spaced apart position to their close position.

Dans le mode préféré de réalisation représenté, chaque vérin 58 comporte un corps 69 qui est fixé sur la matrice latérale 17 et une tige 59 qui passe au travers des trois matrices 15, 16, 17 et des serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37. L'une des extrémités 64 de la tige 59 coopère avec un écrou 64 qui est monté sur ladite extrémité 64 et est apte à coopérer avec l'autre matrice latérale 15 afin de la déplacer vers sa position rapprochée lorsque la tige 59 se déplace par rapport au corps 69 du vérin.In the preferred embodiment shown, each cylinder 58 comprises a body 69 which is fixed on the lateral matrix 17 and a rod 59 which passes through the three matrices 15, 16, 17 and the lower sidewall clamps 36, 37. one of the ends 64 of the rod 59 cooperates with a nut 64 which is mounted on said end 64 and is able to cooperate with the other lateral matrix 15 in order to move it towards its close position when the rod 59 moves relative to the body 69 of the cylinder.

Chaque vérin 58 est ainsi apte à exercer sur les deux matrices latérales 15, 17 un effort tendant à les rapprocher l'une vers l'autre. En d'autres termes, chaque vérin 58 est donc apte à assister le déplacement des matrices latérales 15, 17 de leur position écartée vers leur position rapprochée.Each cylinder 58 is thus able to exert on the two lateral matrices 15, 17 a force tending to bring them towards one another. In other words, each jack 58 is therefore able to assist the displacement of the lateral matrices 15, 17 from their spaced apart position to their close position.

La tige 59 de chaque vérin 58 traverse le corps 69 dudit vérin de telle sorte que les deux extrémités 66, 67 de la tige s'étendent respectivement de part et d'autre du corps 69. Ainsi, lorsque le dispositif de pliage comporte une pluralité de vérins, comme sur la figure 14, les secondes extrémités 67 des vérins 58 sont solidarisées les unes aux autres via une plaque intermédiaire 65 de manière à permettre une synchronisation du mouvement des vérins 58.The rod 59 of each cylinder 58 passes through the body 69 of the cylinder so that the two ends 66, 67 of the rod extend respectively on either side of the body 69. Thus, when the folding device comprises a plurality of cylinders, as on the figure 14 , the second ends 67 of the cylinders 58 are secured to each other via an intermediate plate 65 so as to allow synchronization of the movement of the jacks 58.

De manière alternative, selon un autre mode préféré de réalisation non représenté, il est également possible d'utiliser une première série de vérins qui sont chacun, d'une part fixés sur le bâti inférieur10 et d'autre part fixés sur l'une ou l'autre des matrices latérales 15, 17 et qui permettent ainsi d'exercer une effort d'assistance tendant à déplacer les matrices latérales 15, 17 vers leur position rapprochée en prenant appui sur la bâti inférieur 10.Alternatively, according to another preferred embodiment not shown, it is also possible to use a first series of jacks which are each, on the one hand fixed on the lower frame 10 and on the other hand fixed on one or the other of the lateral matrices 15, 17 and which thus make it possible to exert an assisting force tending to move the lateral matrices 15, 17 towards their close position by resting on the lower frame 10.

Par ailleurs, selon d'autres modes avantageux de réalisation, les moyens d'assistance comprennent de manière alternative ou complémentaire aux vérins précités, un ou plusieurs vérins pneumatiques, non illustrés, qui coopèrent avec l'un et l'autre des deux poinçons latéraux 12, 14 afin d'assister leur déplacement de leur position écartée vers leur position rapprochée.Furthermore, according to other advantageous embodiments, the assistance means comprise alternatively or complementary to the aforesaid cylinders, one or more pneumatic cylinders, not shown, which cooperate with one and the other of the two side punches. 12, 14 to assist their movement from their spread position to their close position.

Selon d'autres modes préférés de réalisation, en complément des vérins précités, le dispositif de pliage comprend en outre un ou plusieurs vérins additionnels non représentés qui coopèrent respectivement avec l'un et l'autre des deux serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 ou avec l'un et l'autre des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35.According to other preferred embodiments, in addition to the aforementioned jacks, the folding device further comprises one or more additional cylinders (not shown) which cooperate respectively with one and the other of the two lower flanks 36, 37 or with either of the upper flanks 34, 35.

Dans le mode préféré de réalisation illustré sur la figure 15, les moyens d'assistances comportent deux cames 60, 61 coopérant chacune avec un suiveur de came 62, 63. Chaque matrice latérale 15, 17 est équipée d'un suiveur de came 62, 63 adapté pour coopérer avec une surface de came 60, 61 respective portée par le bâti supérieur 11 lorsque celui-ci se déplace vers le bas, de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage. Les suiveurs de came 62, 63 sont avantageusement des galets montés fou autour d'un axe horizontal, parallèle à la direction des ondulations à former. Les surfaces de came 60, 61 sont orientées de telle sorte que lorsque le bâti supérieur 11 se déplace de sa position de repos vers sa position de pliage, la surface de came 60, 61 exerce un appui sur le suiveur de came 62, 63 tendant à déplacer les matrices latérales 15, 17 vers leur position rapprochée.In the preferred embodiment illustrated on the figure 15 , the assistance means comprise two cams 60, 61 each cooperating with a cam follower 62, 63. Each lateral die 15, 17 is equipped with a cam follower 62, 63 adapted to cooperate with a cam surface 60, 61 respective carried by the upper frame 11 when it moves downward, its rest position to its folded position. The cam followers 62, 63 are advantageously rollers mounted idly about a horizontal axis, parallel to the direction of the undulations to be formed. The cam surfaces 60, 61 are oriented such that when the upper frame 11 moves from its rest position to its folding position, the cam surface 60, 61 bears against the cam follower 62, 63 moving the lateral dies 15, 17 to their close position.

Selon un mode préféré de réalisation, les cames 60, 61 et suiveurs de came 62, 63 sont agencés de telle sorte qu'ils n'interviennent pas dès que les poinçons 12, 13, 14 entrent en contact avec la portion de la tôle métallique à plier mais ultérieurement lors du mouvement des poinçons 12, 13, 14 vers leur position finale de pliage. Les cames 60, 61 peuvent aussi être agencés de telle sorte que les suiveurs de came ne viennent en contact avec les cames 60, 61 de sorte à assister le mouvement des matrices latérales 15, 17 que dans l'hypothèse où la cinématique desdites matrices latérales 15, 17 présente un léger retard par rapport à la cinématique souhaitée.According to a preferred embodiment, the cams 60, 61 and follower cams 62, 63 are arranged in such a way that they do not intervene as soon as the punches 12, 13, 14 come into contact with the portion of the metal sheet. to bend but later upon movement of the punches 12, 13, 14 to their final fold position. The cams 60, 61 can also be arranged in such a way that the cam followers only come into contact with the cams 60, 61 so as to assist the movement of the lateral matrices 15, 17 only in the event that the kinematics of said lateral matrices 15, 17 have a slight delay with respect to the desired kinematics.

Selon un mode de réalisation alternatif non illustré, les cames 60, 61 et suiveurs de came 62, 63 agissent entre le bâti inférieur 10 et les poinçons latéraux 12, 14. Ainsi, chaque poinçon latéral 12, 14 est équipé d'un suiveur de came ou d'une came, adapté(e) pour coopérer avec une came ou un suiveur de came porté(e) par le bâti inférieur 10 lorsque le bâti supérieur 11 se déplace vers le bas vers sa position de pliage.According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the cams 60, 61 and cam follower 62, 63 act between the lower frame 10 and the side punches 12, 14. Thus, each lateral punch 12, 14 is equipped with a follower. cam or cam, adapted to cooperate with a cam or cam follower carried by the lower frame when the upper frame moves downwards towards its folding position.

Par ailleurs, selon d'autres modes préférés de réalisation, le dispositif de pliage comporte en outre, en complément des cames et suiveurs de came précités, des moyens d'assistance à cames et à suiveurs de came qui permettent d'assister le déplacement des deux serre-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 et des deux serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 vers leur position rapprochée. Pour ce faire, chacun des serre-flancs supérieurs 34, 35 ou chacun des serres-flancs inférieurs 36, 37 comporte une came ou un suiveur de came qui coopère avec un suiveur de came ou une came portée par le bâti supérieur 11 ou inférieur 10.Furthermore, according to other preferred embodiments, the folding device further comprises, in addition to said cams and cam followers, cam and cam follower means which make it possible to assist the movement of the cams. two lower flanks 36, 37 and two upper flanks 34, 35 to their close position. To do this, each of the upper flanks 34, 35 or each of the lower flanks 36, 37 comprises a cam or cam follower which cooperates with a cam follower or a cam carried by the upper frame 11 or lower 10 .

L'usage du verbe « comporter », « comprendre » ou « inclure » et de ses formes conjuguées n'exclut pas la présence d'autres éléments ou d'autres étapes que ceux énoncés dans une revendication. L'usage de l'article indéfini « un » ou « une » pour un élément ou une étape n'exclut pas, sauf mention contraire, la présence d'une pluralité de tels éléments ou étapes.The use of the verb "to include", "to understand" or "to include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps other than those set out in a claim. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" for an element or a step does not exclude, unless otherwise stated, the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

Dans les revendications, tout signe de référence entre parenthèses ne saurait être interprété comme une limitation de la revendication.In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses can not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims (15)

  1. A bending device (9) for simultaneously forming at least two parallel corrugations (3) in a metal sheet (1), the bending device (9) comprising:
    - a lower frame (10);
    - an upper frame (11) mounted with the ability to move vertically with respect to the lower frame (10) between a rest position and a bending position;
    - at least a first and a second dies (15, 16, 17) borne by the lower frame (10) and each comprising a cavity parallel to the cavity of the other die and corresponding to the shape of one of the corrugations (3) that is to be formed; the first die (16) being fixed with respect to the lower frame (10) and the second die (15, 17) being mounted with the ability to slide on the lower frame (10) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed, between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first die (16); said second die (15, 17) being returned towards its spaced-apart position by a return member (26);
    - at least a first and a second punches (12, 13, 14) which are parallel and carried by the upper frame (11) respectively above the first and above the second dies (15, 16, 17), the first punch (13) being fixed with respect to the upper frame (11) and intended to engage inside the cavity of the first die (16) when the upper frame (11) moves from its rest position towards its bending position so as to press the metal sheet (1), and the second punch (12, 14) being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame (11) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed, between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first punch (13) and being intended to engage inside the cavity of the second die (15, 17) when the upper frame (11) moves towards its bending position so as to press the metal sheet (1), said second punch (12, 14) being returned towards its spaced-apart position by a return member;
    - the bending device (9) being designed in such a way that, in operation, the movement of the upper frame (11) towards its bending position is able to cause the metal sheet (1) to be bent between the first punch (13) and the first die (16), on the one hand, and between the second punch (12, 14) and the second die (15, 17) on the other hand, so that said metal sheet (1) transmits a pulling force to the second punch (12, 14) and to the second die (15, 17) which moves them from their spaced-apart position toward their close-together position.
  2. The bending device (9) as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second dies (15, 16, 17) each comprise two lateral elements (28, 29) and a central element (30); the lateral elements (28, 29) each comprising a lateral portion of the cavity of said first or second die (15, 16, 17) and the central element (30) comprising a central portion of the cavity of said first or second die (15, 16, 17), the central element (30) being mounted with the ability to move vertically, between the lateral elements (28, 29), between a raised position and a lowered position and being returned toward its raised position by a return member (33) such that, in operation, the movement of the upper frame (11) from its rest position toward its bending position is able to grip the metal sheet (1) between each of the first and second punches (12, 13, 14) and the central element (30) of the corresponding first or second die (15, 16, 17) and to move the central element (30) from its raised position to its lowered position.
  3. The bending device (9) as claimed in claim 2, in which the return member for the central element (30) is a gas spring (33) or a helical spring.
  4. The bending device (9) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the lateral elements (28, 29) of the first and second dies (15, 16, 17) each comprise a horizontal upper bearing surface (31, 32) which is intended to receive the metal sheet (1) and in which the first and second punches (12, 13, 14) each have a head (18) comprising a V-shaped portion of a shape that complements that of the cavity of the first or of the second die (15, 16, 17) and two shoulders (19, 20) bordering the V-shaped portion, extending out horizontally and each coming to face the horizontal upper bearing surface (31, 32) of one of the lateral elements (28, 29) of the first or of the second die (15, 16, 17).
  5. The bending device (9) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:
    - a first lower clamp (36, 37), mounted on the lower frame (10) between the first and the second dies (15, 16, 17) and having a bearing surface intended to receive the metal sheet (1); the first lower clamp (36, 37) being mounted with the ability to slide on the lower frame (10) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first die (16), the first lower clamp (36, 37) being returned towards its spaced-apart position by a return member (45);
    - a first upper clamp (34, 35), mounted on the upper frame (11) between the first and second punches (12, 13, 14) above the first lower clamp (36, 37) so as to allow the metal sheet (1) to be clamped between the first upper clamp (34, 35) and the first lower clamp (36, 37) as the upper frame (11) moves from its rest position towards its bending position, the first upper clamp (34, 35) being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame (11) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first punch (13), and returned towards its spaced-apart position by a return member;
    - the bending device being arranged in such a way that, in operation, the movement of the upper frame (11) from its rest position toward its bending position is able to cause the metal sheet (1) to be bent between the first punch (13) and the first die (16) in such a way that said metal sheet (1) transmits a pulling force to the first upper clamp (34, 35) and to the first lower clamp (36, 37), which moves them from their spaced-apart position toward their close-together position.
  6. The bending device (9) as claimed in claim 5, in which the first upper clamp (34, 35) is mounted with the ability to move vertically on a support (40) mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame (11) in the direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed and in which the first upper clamp (34, 35) is returned to a distance away from said support (40) by a series of return members (44).
  7. The bending device as claimed in claim 6, in which the first upper clamp (34, 35) is mounted with the ability to slide vertically on the associated support (40) via guide tubes (41) borne by the first upper clamp (34, 35) and sliding in bores (42) formed in the support (40).
  8. The bending device (9) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which the return member (44) returning the first upper clamp (34, 35) to some distance away from the support (40) is a gas spring or a helical spring.
  9. The bending device (9) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:
    - a third die (15, 17) comprising a cavity corresponding to the shape of one of the corrugations (3) that is to be formed, parallel to the cavities of the first and second dies (15, 16, 17); the first die (16) being arranged between the second and the third dies (15, 17), the third die (15, 17) being mounted with the ability to slide on the lower frame (10) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first die (16), said third die (15, 17) being returned to its close-together position by a return member (26); and
    - a third punch (12, 14), parallel to the first and second punches (12, 13, 14) borne by the upper frame (11) above the third die (15, 17); the third punch (12, 14) being intended to engage inside the third die (15, 17) when the upper frame (11) is moving from its rest position into its bending position and being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame (11) transversely to the direction of the corrugations (3) to be formed between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first punch (13), said third punch (12, 14) being returned to its spaced-apart position by a return member.
  10. The bending device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:
    - a second lower clamp (36, 37), mounted on the lower frame (10) between the first and third dies (15, 16, 17) and having a bearing surface intended to accept the metal sheet (1); the second lower clamp (36, 37) being mounted with the ability to slide on the lower frame (10) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first die (16), the second lower clamp (36, 37) being returned towards its spaced-apart position by a return member (45);
    - a second upper clamp (34, 35), mounted on the upper frame (11) between the first and the third punches (12, 13, 14) above the second lower clamp (36, 37), so as to clamp the metal sheet (1) between the second upper clamp (34, 35) and the second lower clamp (36, 37) during the movement of the upper frame (11) from its rest position towards its bending position, the second upper clamp (34, 35) being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame (11) in a direction transverse to the direction of the corrugations (3) that are to be formed between a spaced-apart position and a close-together position with respect to the first punch (13) and returned towards its spaced-apart position by a return member;
    - the bending device (9) being designed in such a way that, in operation, the movement of the upper frame (11) from its rest position toward its bending position is able to cause the metal sheet (1) to be bent between the first punch (13) and the first die (16) in such a way that said metal sheet (1) transmits a pulling force to the second upper clamp (34, 35) and to the second lower clamp (36, 37) which moves them from their spaced-apart position toward their close-together position.
  11. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising assistance means assisting with the movement of the second die (15, 17) and of the second punch (12, 14) towards their close-together position.
  12. The bending device as claimed in claim 11, in which the assistance means comprise an actuating cylinder (58) cooperating with the second die (15, 17) or with the second punch (12, 14) and being designed to assist with the moving of the second die (15, 17) and of the second punch (12, 14) toward their close-together position as the upper frame (11) moves from its rest position toward its bending position.
  13. The bending device as claimed in claim 12, in which the assistance means comprise a cam follower (62, 63) and a cam (60, 61), of the cam follower (62, 63) and the cam (60, 61) one being borne by the second die (15, 17) or the second punch (12, 14) and the other being borne by the upper frame (11) or the lower frame (10) such that when the upper frame (11) moves from its rest position to its bending position the cam follower (62, 63) collaborates with the cam (60, 61) to assist with the movement of the second die and of the second punch toward their close-together position.
  14. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, in which each of the first and second punches (54) comprises a head (57) comprising first and second portions (55, 56) of V-shaped cross section, the first and second portions (55, 56) being arranged alternately one after another in the longitudinal direction of the corrugation that is to be formed, each of the first and second portions (55, 56) comprising two side walls (55a, 55b, 56a, 56b) meeting at a crest zone (55c, 56c) so as to define the V-shaped cross section; the lateral faces (55a, 55b) of the first portions (55) being bowed with a convex face facing toward the first or the second die and the lateral faces (56a, 56b) of the second portions (56) being planar.
  15. A method of using a bending device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 143, the use involving:
    - positioning a metal sheet (1) against the first and second dies (15, 16, 17); and
    - moving the upper frame (11) from its rest position toward its bending position.
EP15732770.1A 2014-09-02 2015-05-15 Folding device for simultaneous formation of a plurality of corrugations in a metal sheet and method for use of said device Active EP3194089B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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FR1458189A FR3025123B1 (en) 2014-09-02 2014-09-02 FOLDING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FORMING A PLURALITY OF WAVES IN A METAL SHEET
FR2015050872 2015-04-03
PCT/FR2015/051277 WO2016034782A1 (en) 2014-09-02 2015-05-15 Folding device for simultaneous formation of a plurality of corrugations in a metal sheet and method for use of said device

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EP3194089B1 true EP3194089B1 (en) 2018-06-06

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US (1) US10688549B2 (en)
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EP3194089A1 (en) 2017-07-26
US10688549B2 (en) 2020-06-23
KR102313896B1 (en) 2021-10-18
US20170252790A1 (en) 2017-09-07
WO2016034782A1 (en) 2016-03-10
CN107073540B (en) 2019-04-05
KR20170047330A (en) 2017-05-04

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