FR2750063A1 - CLAMPS FOR ASSEMBLING FLAT METALLURGIC PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The grippers, whose structure or frame (11) is rigidly fixed on a fixed reference support (12), machine, or robot, include: - a jaw (13) equipped with a hollow tool of the die type, die or welding electrode, - a jaw (14) equipped with a compression tool such as a punch, compression pile or welding electrode. These jaws comprise means which are implemented by the movement of the movable jaw which carries the compression tool or the like in order, on the one hand, to put the jaw equipped with the recessed tool in a stationary position at the level of the assembly plane of the sheet products during the production phase of said assembly and, on the other hand, move said jaw apart and keep it apart from said assembly plane and, in particular, allow stripping of the protuberance produced.

Description

CLAMPS FOR ASSEMBLING FLAT METALLURGIC PRODUCTS

  The present invention relates to clamps for assembling flat metallurgical products according to known methods such as for example cold creep assembly, commonly known as clinching, riveting by means of self-punching rivets, solid rivets or hollow, welding assembly, or

  combination of these different means.

  These assembling processes cause, with the exception of the assembly by welding, the formation of a protuberance on at least one of the faces of the products

  assembled, after deformation of the products and / or rivets.

  The presence of this protrusion leads to the clamps or support devices of said clamps, particular arrangements that may have certain drawbacks and also bring a certain complexity when handling the clamps, or even

Metallurgical products assembled.

  The present invention provides clamps for implementing an assembly method, which have the advantage of avoiding the major disadvantages of

previous devices.

  These assembly clamps have a structure or frame which is rigidly fixed on a fixed support serving as a reference and which consists of a machine or a robot for example, which clamps comprise a jaw equipped with a hollow tool consisting of for example a die or a rivet, or equipped with a welding electrode, and also comprises, vis-à-vis, a jaw equipped with a compression tool consisting for example of a punch or a a compression pile, or equipped with a welding electrode as well, which clamps further comprise means which are implemented by the movement of the movable jaw equipped with the compression tool, for example for on the one hand, put the other tool, recessed for example, in a stationary position in the assembly plane during the compression and / or deformation phase of said products, and, on the other hand, move it apart and keep it apart compared to the assembly plan, in outside of said assembly phase, in particular to disengage the protuberance thus formed, which makes it possible to avoid having to move either the assembled products, or the structure and actuating jack of the movable jaw or the support of reference of said clamps that is to say the whole machine or the corresponding robot. These means provide the clamps a high accuracy and reliability of positioning relative to the assembly plane due to the rigidity of their frame which is

  integral with a reference medium.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, the jaw equipped with the recessed tool is in the form of a rocker arm whose central portion is mounted oscillating on an axis integral with the frame, which axis is parallel to the assembly plane , one end of said rocker arm is arranged to carry the tool recessed or other, the other end is arranged to be in contact with a cam which is associated with the movable jaw which carries the compression tool or other; which cam comprises a profile which provides either a tilting of the rocker arm so as to move said hollow tool relative to said assembly plane, or a stationary holding said rocker arm at least during the compression and / or deformation phase, in placing said tool in the assembly plane, which other end is kept in contact with the cam by means of an elastic member whose force is chosen so as to realize if necessary, the stripping of the protrusion which is formed in the recessed tool, under

the effect of the compression tool.

  According to a first embodiment, the clamps are of the C-type, the movable jaw whose movement is pivotable between the inactive position and the active position, comprises, at its hinge axis on the frame, a fit-in-shape cam, which cam comprises a circular portion centered on said pivot axis which keeps the rocker jaw stationary with the recessed tool disposed in the assembly plane, and a sloping portion that allows to tilt quickly said rocker jaw for moving the recessed tool from a position in which it is spaced apart from said assembly plane to a position corresponding to said stationary position

and vice versa.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention, the clamps are of the J type and the movable jaw, whose movement is rectilinear, perpendicular to the assembly plane, between the inactive position and the active position, comprises, on its periphery. a longitudinal cam which comprises a rectilinear portion parallel to the movement of said movable jaw, for holding the rocker jaw stationary with the tool recessed in the assembly plane and a portion sloping with respect to the preceding portion, for rapidly tilting said rocker jaw and moving the hollow tool from a position in which it is spaced from said assembly plane to a position corresponding to said

  stationary position and vice versa.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the assembly clamps are of the C type with a recessed tool associated with a fixed jaw integral with the frame, which recessed tool is provided on a support which is guided in said jaw to move from a position spaced from the assembly plane to an active position in said plane, under the effect of a cam operated by means of a jack, which cam, guided in said fixed jaw and whose movement is rectilinear and perpendicular to that of said tool, comprises two flats separated by a ramp for moving said tool from one position to another quickly, which support is subjected to a return member, by elastic means

  powerful kind of Belleville washer.

  Still according to the invention, and in general, the movable jaw of the clamps, whatever the type of clamp, is actuated by means of a hydraulic jack, pneumatic or electric, which cylinder is

  integral with the structure or the frame of said clamps.

  Still according to the invention, in the case of the clamps comprising an actuator jack to move the recessed tool, the actuator cylinder is supplied by a suitable distributor for feeding the main cylinder

who maneuver the movable jaw.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the clamps may comprise, instead of assembly tools associated with the jaws, clamping jaws that allow to perform clamping and clamping operations. The invention will be further detailed using the

  following description and accompanying drawings, given in

  As an indication, and in which: - Figures 1 to 5 illustrate different modes of assembly of flat metallurgical products; - Figure 6 shows schematically, an assembly operation of the clinching type, by means of the clamps according to the invention; FIG. 7 shows C-type clamps in active assembly configuration; - Figure 8 shows the jaws of the clamps of Figure 8 in the inactive position; - Figure 9 shows j-type clamps in the active position of assembly; - Figure 10 shows the jaws of the clamps of Figure 9, in the inactive position;

  - Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the C-type clamps in the active position.

  FIGS. 1 and 2 represent two types of assembly of metal sheets 1 of the same thickness, for example, by the technique known as clinching. This technique consists of a compression and / or deformation of the materials between a punch and a matrix under a major effort. . The assembly point is in the form

  a protrusion 2 which extends under the assembly plane.

  The appearance of this protuberance depends on the shape of the

matrix and that of the punch.

  FIG. 3 shows another method of assembling metal sheets 1 using rivet R of the self-punching rivet type, with deformation of the products

to assemble.

  FIG. 4 represents an assembly of sheets 1 by means of a rivet R 'which is shaped by means of tools

classic, rivoir and heap.

  FIG. 5 represents another type of rivet R "which is shaped by means of appropriate tools, riveter

and snap.

  Other forms of assembly are achievable by means of the clips described hereinafter, for example

  spot welding.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows a clinching operation using the forceps described above.

  far in relation to Figures 7 to 11.

  These clinching operations, a. In General,

  are described in particular in EP-A-0 215 449.

  This clinching operation makes it possible to assemble two sheets 1 or metal strips, by performing a local deformation with creation of a protuberance 2, by means of a die 3 and a punch 4. The two sheets 1 are positioned in a assembly plane which corresponds for example to the lower surface of the lower sheet 1, which assembly plane

  corresponds to the upper part 6 of the matrix 3.

  At the start of the assembly operation, as represented on the left part of FIG. 6, phase A, the matrix 3 is spaced apart with respect to the assembly plane 5 by a height which corresponds at least to that of the protuberance 2 which will appear after said

surgery.

  In a normal clinching operation, this is

  the punch 4 which moves to the products to be assembled.

  The clamps according to the invention comprise means which make it possible to move the die 3 away from the joining plane 5, and to bring it to the level of said plane as soon as the clinching operation begins, that is to say as soon as the punch 4 is maneuvered to approach the products to be assembled. This phase corresponds to the phase marked B in Figure 6. The matrix 3 is positioned in the assembly plane 5 under the sheets to be assembled, forming a kind of anvil. The punch 4 approaches said sheets at a suitable speed until the moment when, in the phase F, it locally drives the material of the sheets 1 into the cavity 7 of the die 3. At the end of the stroke, phase G, the punch 4 has formed the protrusion 2 in the cavity 7 of the die 3 and initiates its stripping movement to its rest position A o the die 3 has also been removed from the assembly plane 5 for

undress the protuberance 2.

  Figures 7 to 11 show several embodiments of clamps for conducting an operation

  of clinching according to the cycle shown in FIG.

  The clamps shown in FIG. 7, of the C type, comprise a structure, or frame 11 carried by a machine or a manipulator robot 12. These clamps comprise a jaw 13 equipped with the die 3 and a jaw 14

equipped with the punch 4.

  The jaw 14 has at one of its ends, the punch 4 which is positioned perpendicularly to the assembly plane 5, and it comprises at its other end, a hinge pin 15 disposed for example in said plane 5, which axis articulation 15 is carried by the frame 11. The jaw 14 is maneuvered by means of

  a jack 16 mounted on the frame 11, and whose axis 17 is parallel to the assembly plane 5. A rod 18 provides the connection between the axis 19 disposed at the end 35 of the rod 20 of the jack 16 and an axis 21 disposed on the back of the jaw 14.

  The jaw 13 is in the form of a rocker arm; it is articulated and oscillates on an axis 23 which is integral with the frame 11. This axis 23 is parallel to the axis 15 and it is located between the punch 4 and said

axis 15.

  This jaw 13 has at one of its ends the die 3 and at its other end, under the axis 15, for example, a roller 24 which is mounted on an axis 25 integral with said jaws. This roller 24 is in external contact with the contour of the jaw 14, which contour, which surrounds the axis 15 of pivoting, is arranged in the shape of a cam with a profile which allows to remove the

  matrix 3 of the plane 5 or maintain it in said plane.

  The movement of the jaw 13 is combined or synchronized with the movement of the jaw 14. In fact, it is the movement of the jaw 14 that controls the movement of the jaw 14.

  movement and position of the jaw 13.

  The cam arranged on the jaw 14, about the axis 15, Figure 8, comprises a sector 26 which is for example consisting of a flat surface or recessed. This sector forms a sort of slope which makes it possible to cause movement of the roller 24 and consequently of the jaw 13 and its die 3 with respect to the assembly plane 5, when the jaw 14 and its punch 4 are brought back. in the inactive position as shown in phantom fine lines in Figure 7. The shape of this sector 26 may be concave or otherwise; this sector makes it possible to trigger a rapid movement of the rocker jaw 13 at the end of the return stroke of the movable jaw 14, by tilting it around its

axis 23.

  This cam arranged directly on the movable jaw 14, comprises a second portion 27 in the form of a cylindrical arc, centered on the axis 15, which keeps the jaw 13 and its matrix 3 in a fixed stationary position, during the race of the jaw 14 and the punch 4 and in particular, during the operation properly

  so-called compression and deformation of metals.

  The jaw 13 is kept in contact with the cam of the jaw 14 and tilts by means of an elastic member consisting of a helical spring 29 which bears on a cross member 30 integral with the frame, arranged

  under said jaw, between the axis 23 and the roller 24.

  This spring 29 also makes it possible to move the jaw 13 and its die 3 away from the assembly plane 5 in order to disguise the protuberance formed by the punch 4 in the die 3. Its stiffness is chosen according to the effort

necessary for stripping.

  The jaw system 13, 14 is similar to an expansion system for the jaw 14 and trigger for the jaw 13. The jaw 13 departs sharply from the assembly plane 5 at the end of the return stroke of the jaw 14 and it resumes just as quickly its stationary position in the assembly plan 5 from

  the beginning of the movement to go of the machorie 14.

  The jaw 13 is held stationary by the profile 27 of the cam fitted on the jaw 14, during practically the entire forward and return stroke of the jaw 14. This same movement is found in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 where the marks have

  have been preserved for most of the elements.

  While in the case of Figure 7, the assembly plane 5 is parallel to the axis 17 of displacement of the cylinder 16, in the case of Figure 9, said assembly plane is perpendicular to this axis 17. This assembly plane passes for example through the axis 15 of the jaw 14, Figure 7, while it passes through the axis 23 of the jaw

33, Figure 9.

  In the variant embodiment of FIG. 9, the clamps are of the so-called J type. The jaw 33 comprises the matrix 3, which matrix is positioned and centered

on the axis 17 of the jack 16.

  The jaw 34 carrying the punch 4 is disposed in the extension of the rod 20 of the jack 16, centered on the axis 17 of the jack 16. The jaw 34 is guided longitudinally in a sleeve 35 which is part of the structure or frame 11 pliers. The jaw 34, in the form of a piston, is also arranged in the form of a cam or trigger to control the movement of the

  jaw 33 that behaves like a trigger.

  The jaw 33 is also in the form of a rocker arm articulated on the axis 23 which is carried by the frame 11. A spring 29 provides as before, the return of the rocker arm 33 and allows the stripping

  protrusion according to the type of assembly.

  Figures 9 and 10, the jaw 34 has a recess 36, recessed for example, in which is housed the roller 24 of the jaw 33 when said jaw 34 is in the retracted position, inactive. It also comprises a rectilinear portion 37 which makes it possible to keep the jaw 33 stationary, stationary, with the matrix 3 positioned in the assembly plane, when the punch 4 is pushed towards said plane

  assembly 5, against said die 3.

  The recess 36 and the rectilinear portion 37 are in fact arranged on the body 38 of the jaw 34, which body is guided in the sleeve 35 of the frame 11, by

  intermediate guide bushes 39.

  Figure 10 shows the jaws in the inactive position after the retraction of the rod 20 of the cylinder 16. The body 38 of the jaw is associated with the end of the cylinder rod by a T-type assembly 40 for example. This body 38 is of square or cylindrical section with a flat portion to form the rectilinear portion 37, and a concave recess 36 to allow the tilting

of the jaw 33.

  In this inactive position, the roller 24 of the rocker arm 33 is located in the recess 36, pressed into this recess by the spring 29 which is interposed between the crosspiece 30 of the frame 11 and the leg of the jaw 33 which carries said roller 24. This spring 29 also ensures the clearance of the matrix 3 relative to the protuberance, and its spacing from the assembly plane 5. FIG. 11 represents another variant embodiment for a C-clamp model. embodiment is similar to that of Figure 7. The variant is essentially that the jaw 43 is fixed, forming part of the structure or frame 11 of the clamps. It is the support 42 of the matrix 3 which is mobile, guided in the jaw 43 along an axis

  44 perpendicular to the assembly plane 5.

  The matrix 3 is mobile via its support 42 under the effect of a cam 45 of the type to

  rectilinear displacement, perpendicular to the axis 44.

  This cam is guided in the jaw 43, under the die 3 and has a first surface 46 which allows the support 42 of said die 3 to move away from the assembly plane 5 and a surface 47 which positions the same support 42 in the assembly plane 5. The two surfaces or flats 46, 47 are separated by a ramp

  48 whose slope is of the order of 30.

  The cam 45 corresponds in fact to the rod of a jack

  arranged for example directly in the jaw 43.

  The piston 51 of the jack 50 is integral with the cam 45.

  This piston 51 is on one side subjected to the action of the actuating fluid and, on the other side, subjected to the action of an elastic member of the coil spring type dal 52 which tends to bring it back to the inactive position, which inactive position corresponds to the withdrawal position of the matrix 3, that is to say at a position where this matrix 3 is

removed from the assembly plan 5.

  The spring 52 is interposed between the piston 51

  and a support arranged in the jawbone 43.

  The die 3 deviates automatically from the assembly plane under the effect of elastic members shaped Belleville washers 53 which are interposed between a support arranged in the jaw 43 and a head arranged at the end of the support 42 of said matrix 3. These elastic members 53 also make it possible to perform the

  stripping of the protuberance 2.

  The movable jaw 14 is actuated by means of the jack 16. The control device of this jack 16 comprises means which make it possible to actuate, in a first step, the jack 50 and its rod in the form of a cam 45, to place the die 3 in stationary position at least during the time of shaping and production of the assembly. The assembly tools can also be replaced as needed by jaws that allow

  to perform parts clamping operations.

  The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the

  claims are only intended to facilitate the

  understanding of these and in no way limit

the scope.

Claims (7)

- CLAIMS -   1.- Pliers of flat metallurgical products, whose structure or frame is fixed rigidly on a fixed reference support, machine or robot, comprising: - a jaw (13, 33, 43) equipped with a recessed tool , die (3), rivet, or welding electrode, - a jaw (14, 34) movable under the effect of a jack (16) integral with said structure or frame (11), equipped with a compression tool , punch (4), heap or welding electrode, characterized in that they comprise means implemented by the movement of said compression tool or the like, for firstly placing said tool hollow or otherwise in a stationary position in the fixed assembly plane (5) during the phase of compression and / or deformation of the metals as appropriate, and, on the other hand, to remove said hollow tool and the   keep away from the assembly plan   outside the assembly phase to, in particular, clear the protuberance (2) thus formed.   2.- collets assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the jaw (13, 33) equipped with the tool (3) recessed, is in the form of a rocker whose central portion is mounted oscillating on an axis (23) secured to the frame (11), which axis is parallel to the assembly plane (5), one end of said rocker arm carries said hollow tool, the other end is in contact with an associated cam at the movable jaw (14, 34) which carries the compression tool, which cam comprises a profile which provides either rocking of the rocker arm so as to move said hollow tool (3) with respect to the joining plane (5) holding at stationary position at least during the compression and deformation phase, by placing said tool (3) in said assembly plane (5), which other end of the rocker arm is kept in contact with said cam by means of an elastic member (29) whose force is chosen so as to realize if necessary, the stripping of the protrusion formed in the tool   recessed (3) by the compression tool (4).   3.- collets according to claim 2, characterized in that they are of the C type, the movable jaw (14) whose movement is pivoted between an inactive position and an active position, comprises, at its articulation pin (15) on the frame (11), a cam-shaped arrangement, which cam comprises a circular portion (27) centered on said axis of rotation (15) which keeps the rocker arm (13) in position. stationary position with the recessed tool (3), positioned in the assembly plane, and a sloping portion (26) which allows said rocker jaw to be quickly tilted to move said hollow tool from the active stationary position in said stationary position assembly plan at a remote position and conversely according to   the movement of said jaw (14).   4. The assembly clamps as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the clamps are of the J type and in that the movable jaw (34), whose movement is rectilinear, perpendicular to the assembly plane (5) comprises on its periphery, a longitudinal cam which comprises a rectilinear portion (37) parallel to its axis of displacement, for holding the rocker arm (13) in a stationary position in said assembly plane, and a recessed portion (36) for rapidly tilting said rocker arm and moving the recessed tool (3) from the stationary position in said assembly plane to the spread position and vice versa according to the movement said jaw (34).   5.- collets according to claim 1, characterized in that they are of the C type and in that the jaw (43) equipped with the recessed tool (3) is fixed, integrated into the frame (11). ), which tool is carried by a support (42) which is guided in said jaw to move said tool from a position spaced from the assembly plane (5) to an active position in said plane, under the effect a cam (45) actuated by a jack (50), which cam whose movement is rectilinear, perpendicular to that of the tool (3), comprises two flats (46, 47), separated by a ramp (48) , so as to move said support (42), which support is permanently recalled by elastic means like Belleville washers, to a position in which said tool (3) is spaced from said assembly plane (5).  6. Collets assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the piston (51) of the jack (50) for actuating the cam (45), comprises an elastic return means for passing said cam of the   active position in the inactive position as the tool (3).   7.- Assembly clamps according to any one   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the   movable jaw (14, 34) is actuated by means of a jack (16) integral with the structure (11) or frame of said clamps. 8.- collets assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the cylinder (50) is fed by the control device of the cylinder (16), which control device comprises means that allow to operate in a first step said ram (50) for placing the recessed tool (3) in a stationary position for at least the time required for forming and / or realization of the assembly.   9.- Clamps according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the   assembly tools associated with the jaws (13, 33, 43 and 14, 34) are replaced by jaws allowing   perform clamping and clamping operations.