ES2390012T3 - Procedure of putting into form several variants of a piece of sheet metal, tool of putting in form, as well as device for the implementation of this procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of putting in the form of a variant of a piece of sheet metal (1, 1 '), the mentioned piece presenting several variants with extremities, front (1b) and rear (1a), joined by a longitudinal part of different length, said procedure comprising the following stages: - conception of the variants so that they all have a similar front (1b) or rear (1a) terminal part with the same profile, this limb being named, similar limb (1a) and the other opposite limb being termed , a different end (1b), the aforementioned terminalsimilar part (1a) extending along the length of the least long of the variants, - realization of a blank (E) corresponding to the variant to be shaped, - drawing ( P2) in the length of said blank (E), this drawing being made (P2) with a specific tool adapted to the length of said blank (E), - positioning of the blank (E) in working position for its similar terminal part (1a), - drawing (P4) of said similar terminal part (1a) of the blank (E), this distribution (P4) being carried out by a common tool for the different variants , the embedding pressure (P4) not being applied in the area of the blank (E) corresponding to said different end (1b) of at least the variant that has the smallest length.

Description

Procedure of putting into form several variants of a piece of sheet metal, tool of putting in form, as well as device for the implementation of this procedure

The present invention concerns a method of putting in the form of several variants of a piece of sheet metal, a tool for putting into shape as well as a device for the implementation of this procedure, this piece being especially a piece for a motor vehicle

More particularly, the present invention preferably concerns a method of putting into shape a canopy of a roof of a vehicle. A pavilion of this type is generally made of sheet metal. This is manufactured during a procedure of putting into form with successive operations proper of drawing, tuning, punching and straightening. The manufacture of a canopy of a vehicle roof will now serve as an illustration of an application of the method of putting in the form of a sheet metal part object of the invention, without this being limiting.

For the manufacture of such a flag, it is necessary to use no less than five drawing tools or additional operations.

During a drawing process, a sheet is deformed with the help of a mobile punch with respect to a fixed die, the sheet being sandwiched between the punch and the die.

In certain cases, the drawing stage is followed by tuning and punching steps performed with the aid of a cutting punch displaced transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the die. For this, it is necessary to exercise a counter-support against the force of the cutting punch, which is done by keeping the piece inlaid with the help of a new die that comes into contact with the face of the piece corresponding to the die matrix. drawing

With the appearance of panoramic roof pavilions, certain pavilion models have an added glass and the dimensions of these pavilion models vary accordingly, especially in length. The panoramic roof canopy is manufactured by subjecting its sheet metal part to a drawing procedure similar to a drawing procedure of a classic canopy but with specific adaptations of the tools used in relation to the dimensions of this panoramic roof canopy different from the of a classic pavilion.

This translates into the obligation to use specific drawing tools for the panoramic roof canopy variant.

Currently, for the same type of vehicle, the classic pavilion variant is not manufactured using common drawing tools with the panoramic roof pavilion variant and each pavilion variant has its specific drawing tools, that is, five tools for a classic pavilion and five drawing tools for a panoramic roof canopy.

It has long been tried to reduce the number of these tools and use tools for putting in the form of a classic pavilion also for putting in the form of a panoramic pavilion.

This encounters the problem generated by the different dimensions of the two types of pavilion.

As the length of a panoramic roof canopy is shorter than the length of a classic canopy, when, for a drawing operation, the front or rear of this panoramic roof canopy is properly positioned for treatment, there is a risk of crushing. of the opposite rear or front part of this panoramic roof canopy that is not placed in the same place of the put-in tool used as the corresponding part of a longer classic canopy.

Also, in general, a panoramic roof canopy does not have the same front and rear parts as a classic canopy and these two canopies do not have the same profile.

In WO0194141 it has been proposed, thus, a modular roof comprising at least two roof elements and by combining the roof elements it is then possible to propose vehicle roofs of different configuration.

The present invention aims to standardize the procedures for putting into shape and the tools used in putting in the form of a set of variants of a given type of sheet metal parts, these variants differing especially by their length.

For this purpose, the object of the invention is a method of putting in the form of a variant of a sheet metal part, said piece presenting several variants with front and rear ends joined by a longitudinal part of different length, said process comprising the steps following:

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conception of the variants so that they all have a similar front or rear terminal part with the same profile, this limb being named, similar limb and the other opposite limb being named, different limb, said similar terminal part extending in length of the least long of the variants,

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realization of a blank corresponding to the variant to be shaped,

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drawing in the length of said blank, this drawing being carried out with a specific tool adapted to the length of said blank,

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positioning of the blank in working position by its similar terminal part,

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drawing of said similar terminal part of the blank, this drawing being carried out by a common tool for the different variants, the drawing pressure not being applied in the area of the blank corresponding to said different tip of at least the variant that has the smallest length.

Advantageously, the process comprises, after the first drawing stage, a specific tuning stage for each blank, this tuning being carried out with a specific tool, adapted to the length of the embedded blank, and after the second drawing stage, a tuning stage of the said similar terminal part of the blank and the sides of its longitudinal part, this tuning being performed by a common tool for the different variants, without application of the tool in the area of the blank corresponding to the aforementioned limb different from at least the variant that has the smallest length.

Advantageously, at least one part variant, different from the variant that has the smallest length, is subsequently subjected to a form-setting stage for the resumption of the form-fitting work in said zone.

The invention also concerns a tool for the implementation of such a procedure, this tool being used in the second drawing stage and in the tuning stage that follows said second stage, characterized in that it carries at least one transverse shape that performs a spacing between its work surface and the embedded blank, this transverse shape being placed in front of the area of the blank corresponding to said different end of the variant that has the smallest length.

Advantageously, said form is a transverse groove.

The invention also concerns a device for the implementation of such a method, this device comprising drawing tools and tools for additional operations such as tuning, punching, straightening, characterized in that it comprises at least one common tool. for all the variants for putting it in shape, the said tool presenting a transverse shape that makes a spacing between its work surface and the embedded blank, this transverse shape being placed in front of the area of the blank corresponding to the aforementioned different tip of the variant that has the smallest length.

In accordance with additional features of the present invention:

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The device has two specific tools for each blank, and two of the aforementioned tools for all variants have a transverse shape.

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when there are more than two variants, the common tool has as many transverse forms of spacing as the number of variants decreased by one, with each transverse shape facing the area of the blank corresponding to the different end of each variant that does not have the maximum length.

The technical effect obtained is a decrease in the number of tools needed during the drawing of the similar part in all variants.

The invention will now be described in more detail, but not limited to, in relation to the attached figures, in which:

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Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a top view of a blank piece of vehicle roof canopy, showing the locations in this blank of the different drawing or associated drawing operations performed therein,

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Figure 2 is a schematic representation in a three-quarter side view of the rear part of a panoramic roof canopy and of a classic roof canopy presenting the common features of the canopy according to the invention,

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Figure 3 is a schematic representation in top view of a half of a normal roof canopy placed next to a half of a panoramic roof canopy, showing the common parts of these two canopies,

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Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a section of a roof pavilion that has not been subjected to an operation in its rear part made with a common tool for a normal roof pavilion and a panoramic roof pavilion.

In the following, the sheet metal part shown in the illustration is a roof canopy of a motor vehicle. It is understood that the sheet metal part according to the present invention may be another sheet metal part, for example, but not only, of a motor vehicle, especially a body part, such as a hood, a rear flap, a wall of trunk.

Figure 1 shows the various drawing operations and associated operations to which a preliminary piece of roof is subjected to be transformed into a panoramic roof canopy.

This preliminary sheet metal part will be designated as a blank part but is also called a starting piece and designates the raw material that has not yet been embedded.

A drawing process is practiced with the help of high-power stuffing presses provided with special tools comprising, in general, a hollow die, which adapts to the shape of a face of the blank, a punch, in relief, which adapts to the shape of the opposite side of the blank, this punch being advantageously surrounded by a treadmill.

The drawing principle is based on the plastic deformation of the blank consisting of an elongation

or a local restriction of the sheet to obtain the desired shape in the final piece. The areas of the blank undergoing elongation have a thinned thickness and the areas of the blank undergoing a restriction experience thickening or the formation of folds on its surface. These areas must be avoided and the tools are configured to limit the formation of such areas and / or move them to parts of the blank that will be removed at a later stage in the form-setting procedure.

Thus, after a drawing operation, it is frequent to refine the piece, that is to say, to eliminate the contour parts that are useless, these parts generally presenting malformations as folds or material thicknesses.

The matrix must have a surface state that does not present any risk of breakage of the blank and allows to limit the appearance of areas with folds or insulate them in certain parts of the blank.

The conception and tuning of the drawing tools and additional operations to this drawing are therefore very expensive and very specialized. Thus, it is appropriate to limit, as much as possible, the number of tools that are used for a method of putting in the form of such a piece.

In Figure 1, the blank E is subjected to a drawing operation P2, relative to its entire surface, followed by an associated tuning operation P3.

As these procedural steps concern the entire blank E, it is not possible to devise tools that can be used for the work of blank pieces of different dimensions, especially of different lengths and these tools P2 and P3 are specific for each blank and they cannot be shared for all variants.

Next, the blank E is subjected to a drawing operation P4 of its rear part, for example to form a drainage channel as in Figure 1, and then to a tuning, straightening and punching operation P5.

Since these stages of the method of putting the blank in the form are limited to a part of the blank, the tools for the implementation of this process can be exchanged for different variants of the blank, however, with some conditions.

The first condition is that the rear part of each variant of the final piece and therefore of its blank that will be subjected to stages P4 and P5, here a panoramic roof canopy and a classic roof canopy, must be rigorously The same for all variants.

The second condition is that the profile of each final part variant and therefore of its blank must be strictly the same for all variants. The profile of the piece means the shape of the upper face of the piece.

Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a three-quarter side view of the rear part of a panoramic roof canopy and a normal roof canopy, and a top view of a half of normal roof canopy placed next to a half. of panoramic roof canopy, which shows the common parts of these two canopies, the canopies shown in these figures being formed according to the invention.

It should be stressed that although the variants of the roof pavilion have been regrouped in Figure 2 for comparison purposes, their putting into form is not, of course, done simultaneously.

A panoramic roof pavilion 1 and a normal roof pavilion 1 'have the same rear part 3 as well as the same side parts common to the two pavilions. The upper surface of the two pavilions 1 and 1 'is identical to the common rear part 3 of these pavilions up to the front end 1b of the panoramic roof pavilion 1. The classic roof pavilion 1, larger in length than the roof pavilion Panoramic 1 'extends, in a whole non-common part with the panoramic roof pavilion 1, up to its front end, not presenting the upper face of this part of the classic discontinuous pavilion with the upper face common to the two pavilions 1 and 1' and being in prolongation with this one.

A panoramic roof canopy 1 has an extension piece 2 on its front end with the lower part of its front end 1b, which serves as a support for receiving the glass that extends this canopy 1 on the roof of the vehicle.

In figure 2, this extension piece 2 is on the lower surface of this pavilion 1 and is in the form of a square with its lower part substantially parallel to the pavilion. This extension piece 2 protrudes from the front part 1b of the panoramic roof pavilion 1 as well as its lower part. There is therefore a risk that the front part 1b of this pavilion 1, especially this prolonging part 2, will be damaged during the procedure of putting the pavilion into shape.

To remedy this problem, the present invention provides that the setting tools used in common for a normal pavilion 1 'and a panoramic roof pavilion 1 comprise, in zone 4 corresponding to the presence of this piece 2 in prolongation, a so as to maintain a spacing between them and this piece 2 in prolongation, so that it is not subjected to any pressure or is damaged during the operations of putting into shape.

This form is necessary so as not to crush the front end of the panoramic roof canopy that is the shortest, as well as the extension piece associated with this front end. This form can be in the form of a transverse groove, not shown in the figures, or any other means that allows maintaining said spacing.

As regards the device for putting in the form of the procedure, which includes drawing tools and tools for additional operations such as tuning, punching, straightening, this comprises at least one common tool for putting all Part variants for each stage P4 or P5 described in Figure 1, therefore two tools in total for these two stages.

In accordance with the present invention, the device for the implementation of the process comprises at least one common tool that has a transverse shape that makes a spacing between its work surface and the blank to be shaped, placing this transversal shape in front of the area of the blank corresponding to the front end of the variant that has the smallest length.

Thus, the device according to the invention has two specific tools for each blank, and two of said tools having a transverse shape, said tools being common to the blank.

When there are more than two variants, the tool has as many transverse forms of spacing as the number of variants decreased by one, this transverse shape being placed in front of the area of the blank corresponding to the non-similar end of each variant that does not have the maximum length.

In relation to Figures 1 to 3, the process according to the present invention performs a method of putting in the form of a variant of a piece of sheet metal 1, 1 ', said piece presenting several variants with front ends 1b and rear 1a joined by a longitudinal part of different length, said process comprising the following steps:

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conception of the variants so that they all have a similar front 1b or rear 1a terminal part with the same profile, this limb being named, similar limb 1a and being called the other opposite limb, different limb 1b, said terminal part extending similar 1a in the length of the least long of the variants.

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realization of a blank E corresponding to the variant to be shaped,

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drawing P2 in the length of said blank E, this drawing P2 being made with a specific tool adapted to the length of said blank E,

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positioning of the blank E in working position by its similar terminal part 1a,

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drawing P4 of said similar terminal part 1a of the blank E, this drawing P4 being performed by a common tool for the different variants, the drawing pressure P4 not being applied in the area of the blank E corresponding to the cited different tip 1b of at least the variant that has the smallest length.

According to the invention, the piece of sheet metal to be shaped is therefore not limited to a piece of substantially rectangular shape such as pavilion 1 or 1 'shown in the figures.

In addition, for a given piece, there may be more than two variants, contrary to the roof pavilion with its classic pavilion variant and panoramic roof pavilion. A separation may be provided for said different end of each blank which has a variant of reduced length with respect to the longer variant.

Thus, a device for putting into shape with at least one tool common to more than two variants is obtained, this tool presenting separation parts associated with the different end of each variant and corresponding to a specific length of each part variant, this except for the longer part variant.

Advantageously, the process comprises, after the first drawing stage, a specific tuning stage for each variant, this tuning being carried out with a specific tool, adapted to the length of the embedded blank, and after the second stage of drawing, a stage of tuning of the said terminal part of the blank and the sides of its longitudinal part, this tuning being carried out by a common tool for the different blank, without application of the tool in the area of the blank corresponding to said limb different from at least the variant that has the smallest length.

Preferably, as the parts of the variants, other than the variant that has the smallest length, these parts being in each part in the area at the same distance from said similar reference limb as said different limb of the shorter variant , have not been subjected to the work of putting in form, these variants can be subjected to a resumption of a work of putting in form adapted at least in the zone corresponding to the mentioned different end of the variant of smaller length.

Thus, according to a preferred feature of the process according to the invention, at least the part variant, other than the one with the smallest length, is subsequently subjected to a step of putting in shape for the resumption of the laying job in shape in the aforementioned area.

When there are more than two variants, this can be done for the different tip of each variant, except for the tip of the longer variant.

The process according to the invention therefore concerns at least one part variant that can be described as standard and one part variant of reduced length.

However, it is clear that the present invention may also concern a standard part variant and a reduced width part variant. The text of the procedure remains substantially unchanged, with the only modification being the replacement of a similar rear or front limb for the two pieces by a similar longitudinal edge for these two pieces.

The present invention allows two specific drawing tools of each canopy variant to be used, during stages P2 and P3, shown in Figure 1, as well as two common drawing tools during steps P4 and P5.

The sequence of the forming procedures can be as follows. A series of a part variant is manufactured, followed by a series of another variant of this part. During this series change, you only have to change the two tools corresponding to steps P2 and P3 described in Figure 1.

There can be several types of parts for the same piece, for example several types of normal roof canopy. In addition, these types of pieces have at least two variants, for example a specific classic roof canopy and a panoramic roof canopy. It is also necessary to change the tools of putting in form for each type of pieces, for example each type of classic roof pavilion. Thus, for a classic roof canopy, there can be five types of this canopy, each type still having a panoramic roof canopy variant. In all types of canopy, there are five categories of tools that are functions of the size of the classic roof canopy type. It will be readily observed that the exchange of one or more tools during a method of putting in the form of a variant of parts provides an enormous economic advantage, since there are several types of parts independently of the variants of a piece.

With regard to putting in the form of the variants of a piece according to the method of the present invention, for example for a type of classic pavilion and its panoramic pavilion variant, there are six tools, that is to say two specific tools, for a normal roof, two specific tools for a panoramic roof, as well as two tools common to the two pavilions, which are necessary for the manufacture of the two types of pavilion.

In comparison, the state of the art uses five tools for each piece variant, that is, in total ten tools, since there is no common tool for the two pavilions.

An example of a drawing device is shown in Figure 4. This example is by no means limiting and is given for illustrative purposes only.

Figure 4 shows a section of a roof pavilion, which represents the superposition of a classic roof pavilion with a panoramic roof pavilion 1, both made in accordance with the present invention. The common part 5 of the two pavilions has the same profile, that is to say the same upper surface. The two overlapping pavilions 1 of Figure 4 also have the same rear face FP3 that must be shaped, as well as the same side edges to the end of the panoramic roof canopy that ends at its leading edge and the extension piece 2, that forms support for the panoramic glass, in its lower part.

During drawing and refining according to steps P2 and P3, the rear end has been worked but does not yet form the final rear drain channel 3. The shape of the drain channel blank after these stages is indicated by reference FP3.

This is done during stages P4 and P5. The punch 7 is pressed, especially being guided by elements such as a treadmill 8 that cooperates with another treadmill arranged in the common part 5, on the other side of said punch 7, essentially in the Y direction against the profile FP3 of the piece in Gross drain channel. The other side of the profile FP3 is supported by a die 6 pressed against it according to arrow X. Thus, the formation of the final profile FF of the drain channel 3 results.

Since the deformation of the blank is made in a plastic way exceeding the limit of elasticity and the drawing does not completely plasticize the blank so embedded, an elastic return study is necessary to ensure the final assembly.

The step of the form-setting procedure, relative to the similar rear part for the normal roof pavilion and for the panoramic roof pavilion 1, is done with the same tool, the common part 5 being also subjected to the action of a means of pressure

Under these conditions, without a specific adaptation of the tool under the canopy, the front end 1b of the panoramic roof canopy 1 as well as the extension piece 2 could be crushed, which is not the case according to the present invention, since the tool comprises a shape that allows its separation from a contact with the blank creating a spacing between this tool and the blank.

The procedural steps of the panoramic roof canopy 1 are identical to those of the normal roof canopy, with the difference in the length of the laying in form that depends directly on the length of the treated canopy.

Claims (8)

1. Procedure for putting in the form of a variant of a piece of sheet metal (1, 1 '), the said piece presenting several variants with limbs, front (1b) and rear (1a), joined by a longitudinal part of different length, said procedure comprising the following steps:

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conception of the variants so that they all have a similar front (1b) or rear (1a) terminal part with the same profile, this limb being named, similar limb (1a) and being called the other opposite limb, different limb ( 1b), the said similar terminal part (1a) extending along the length of the least long of the variants,

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realization of a blank (E) corresponding to the variant to be shaped,

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drawing (P2) in the length of said blank (E), this drawing being carried out (P2) with a specific tool adapted to the length of said blank (E),

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positioning of the blank (E) in working position by its similar terminal part (1a),

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drawing (P4) of said similar terminal part (1a) of the blank (E), this drawing being made (P4) by a common tool for the different variants, not drawing pressure (P4) being applied in the area of the blank (E) corresponding to said different end (1b) of at least the variant that has the smallest length.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:

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after the first drawing stage (P2), a specific tuning stage (P3) for the blank (E), this tuning (P3) being carried out with a specific tool, adapted to the length of the blank ( E) inlay, and

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after the second drawing stage (P4), a tuning stage (P5) of said similar terminal part (1a) of the blank (E), this tuning (P5) being performed by a common tool for the different variants, without application of the tool in the area of the blank (E) corresponding to said different end (1b) of at least the variant that has the smallest length.

3.

 Method according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one part variant, different from the variant having the smallest length, is subsequently subjected to a step of putting in form for the resumption of the work of putting in form in The aforementioned area.

Four.

 Tool for implementing the method according to claims 1 or 2, this tool being used in the second drawing stage and in the refining stage that follows said second stage, characterized in that it has at least one transverse shape that It makes a spacing (4) between its work surface and the embedded blank (E), placing this transverse shape in front of the area of the blank (E) corresponding to the said different end (1b) of the variant that It has the smallest length.

5.

 Tool according to claim 4, characterized in that said shape is a transverse groove.

6.

 Device for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, this device comprising drawing tools and tools for additional operations such as tuning, punching, straightening, characterized in that it comprises at least one tool according with claim 4 common to all variants for putting into shape.

7.

 Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it has two specific tools for each blank (E) and two of said tools common to all variants that have a transverse shape.

8.

 Device according to claims 6 or 7, characterized in that, when there are more than two variants, said tool or said tools have as many transverse forms of spacing (4) as the number of variants decreased by one, with each transverse shape facing each other. from the blank area

(E) corresponding to the different extremity (1b) of each variant that does not have the maximum length.