FR3050948A1 - FLAN BOTTLING TOOL DRYER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stamping tool (2) for body panels of a motor vehicle. The stamping tool (2) is equipped with drills (8) for guiding and centering a blank (6) in the stamping tool (2). Each bezel comprises a vertical body (18) with a blank guiding surface, a retractable blank holder (22), and resilient means (30). Each retractable blank holder is movable between a retracted position relative to the associated guide surface (20), and an extended position where it protrudes from the guide surface (20) to carry the blank at the area. The elastic means hold the retractable blank holder (22) in the extended position by resisting the weight of the blank. When the stamping tool closes, the holder (22) pivots and let down the blank (6). The invention also proposes a stamping process.

Description

The invention relates to the stamping of blanks, in particular for producing a body sheet of a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a bezel for guiding and centering a blank in a stamping tool. The invention also provides a stamping tool. The invention further relates to a stamping process.

The body of a motor vehicle gathers several stamped sheets. They are produced using essentially thin sheet blanks and then welded to the frame of the vehicle. These sheets are generally large to limit the number of games between the sheets that reduce the perceived quality of the vehicle. They also remain thin to lighten the corresponding vehicle.

The document FR 2949692 B1 discloses a stamping machine a blank equipped with bezels. A bezel comprises a blank guide head at its upper end. A retractable cleat is pivotally mounted on the head to hold down an edge of the blank. When a blank is introduced to the machine to a lower stamping surface, the tab tilts to allow the positioning of the blank, and then back in the other direction by means of springback. This same cleat shows a stop pressing against an edge of the blank down to prevent it from rising.

Gold as evoked above, the blanks used for the production of bodywork elements of a motor vehicle are extended and thin, which gives them a certain flexibility inducing positioning errors despite the presence of bezels. These positioning errors are accentuated when the gable is hollow. Consequently, the conditions for stamping the blank are no longer optimal, so that the geometry of the formed sheet is no longer satisfactory. Or, blank presence detectors signal an absence of blank, when in fact a blank is present in the tool. Such an incident causes a stop of the automatic stamping chain, which reduces the production rate and impacts the cost of production. The object of the invention is to solve at least one of the problems posed by the prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to improve the positioning accuracy of a blank in a stamping tool equipped with bezels. The invention also aims to reduce the cost of stamping. The invention relates to a blank guiding beverage for stamping tool, the bezel comprising a vertical body with a guide surface of the blank; notable in that it further comprises a retractable blank holder which is movable between a retracted position with respect to the guide surface, and an extended position where it protrudes from the guide surface to carry the blank; and resilient means configured to hold the retractable blank holder in the extended position by resisting the weight of the blank.

The weight resistance of the blank provided by the elastic means is not an indispensable aspect of the invention. This feature may be replaced by any of the following features. According to particular embodiments, the bezel may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any possible technical combination: The holder comprises an end intended to carry the blank, the bezel being configured so that the door -flan remains in the deployed position as a downward force F exerted on said end remains below a threshold S, said threshold being greater than or equal to 1 N. - When the downward force F exerted on the end of the blank holder exceeds the threshold S; the holder moves downwards towards or to its retracted position. - The blank holder comprises a receiving surface for carrying the blank, said receiving surface being generally horizontal in the deployed position. - The body comprises a tapered upper portion, the holder being pivotally mounted relative to the body of the bezel by means of a pivoting mechanical connection disposed in said tapered upper portion. - The blank holder comprises a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion for carrying the blank in the deployed position. - The body of the bezel comprises a slot in which is mainly housed the holder blank in the deployed position and / or retracted position. - The stamping tool comprises a stop against which the blank holder is supported in the deployed position. In the deployed position, the blank holder is adapted to carry the blank at the guiding surface. - The threshold S is greater than or equal to 5 N; or 10 N; or 30N; or at 50 N; or at 500 N. - The elastic means are configured so that the holder remains in the extended position as the force F exerted by the sheet on the blank holder is lower than the threshold S. - When a greater or equal effort at 10 N, or 20 N, or 40 N, or 100 N is exerted on the elastic means, they allow a displacement of the blank holder from the deployed position to the retracted position. - In the deployed position, the receiving surface is inclined relative to the horizontal direction by an angle less than or equal to 20 °, or 10 °, or 5 °. - The holder is more lodged in the body; especially in the slot; in the retracted position in the deployed position. - The blank holder comprises a curved bottom surface cooperating with the elastic means. - The resilient means comprises a finger lifting the holder blank to the deployed position. - The body comprises an upper half in which is placed the blank holder to be able to carry the blank at said upper half. - The elastic means are housed inside the body and / or push the blank holder upwards. - The receiving surface is generally perpendicular to the guide surface in the deployed position. - The bevel overlaps the slot. The invention also relates to a stamping tool, in particular for a motor vehicle body panel, the tool comprising at least one or more bezels, remarkable in that the, or at least one, or each bezel conforms to the invention, the tool optionally comprising a curved drawing surface. The invention also relates to a process for stamping sheet blank in a stamping tool comprising a bezel, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing or producing a blank; (b) placing the blank in the stamping tool and in contact with the bezel; remarkable in that the bezel is according to the invention, and in that in step (b) implementation, the blank holder remains in the deployed position carrying the blank.

According to particular embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or according to all possible technical combinations: the stamping tool comprises an upper part; and the method further comprises a step (c) closing the stamping tool during which the upper portion pushes the blank downwardly by moving the blank holder to the retracted position. - The stamping tool comprises an upper portion adapted to move each holder blank in the retracted position, in particular by pressing the blank. - The stamping tool comprises several bezels, said bezels being adapted to keep the blank flat. - The stamping tool comprises a lower portion with a stamping surface having a top, each bezel being adapted to maintain the blank at said vertex, possibly flat. - The top and offset from the center of the blank.

In general, the particular modes of each object of the invention are also applicable to the other objects of the invention. As far as possible, each object of the invention is combinable with other objects. The invention equips the bezel of a blank holder which abuts the blank, which allows maintenance at a given height. When several bezels equip the same stamping tool, it becomes possible to maintain elevation edges of the blank in elevation. During the presentation of the blank in the tool, stray deformations due to gravity are eliminated, and the blank can be properly applied against the stamping surface. In this way, the blank reaches its dedicated place when it is stamped. The risks of non-detection by the sensors are eliminated, as are the induced machine shutdowns. The invention is economical and compact since it employs a holder integrated in the main body of the bezel. The holder is articulated by pivot, and is pushed by a spring hidden in the body. The invention then allows a solution operating automatically through the movement of the upper part of the tool, which saves actuators and corresponding control means. Reliability is improved. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given by way of example and with reference to the drawings among which:

Figure 1 shows a portion of a stamping tool with a bezel in the deployed position according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the bezel of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the stamping tool part of Figure 1 where the bezel is in the deployed position according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the stamping process of a sheet blank according to the invention.

By stamping means the forming of a sheet or a blank by plastic deformation of the material. The stamping can make it possible to drill, fold, sink an area tending to lengthen its material, or a retraction of the material.

Figure 1 shows a section of the stamping tool 2. The stamping tool comprises a lower portion 4 and an upper portion (not shown) adapted to stamp a blank 6 disposed between them when closed. The stamping tool 2 comprises at least one bezel 8, preferably several bezels 8 (only one shown), possibly identical or similar. The bevels 8 guide the blank 6 when it goes down into the stamping tool 2. They also allow a respect of a position and an orientation in the stamping tool 2. Each bezel 8 forms a 6. They form blank accompanying devices to the stamping surface 10 (partially shown).

The bevels 8 may be distributed around the stamping surface 10. This may be particularly curved, it may have a gap greater than 10 cm, or 30 cm, between its top and its bottom. The bezels 8 can be around blanks 12, around rods 14. They can be distributed around the periphery of the stamping surface 10. For example, they are fixed to the lower part 4, possibly via fastening plates 16.

The or each bezel 8 has a body 18, including a main body. This body 18 extends mainly vertically in the manner of a column. In the direction of the blank 6, the body 18 shows a guide surface 20 against which the blank 6 slides when it is put into place in the stamping tool 2, an operation that can be robotized. The body 18 houses a blank holder 22 to carry the blank 6 at a given height. The holder 22 is hinged so that it can be retracted. It can be pivotally mounted relative to the body 18. Here in the deployed position, the blank holder 22 protrudes from the guide surface 20 to receive the blank 6 protruding. It forms a latch capable of blocking the descent of the blank, which allows to freeze an edge according to the positioning needs.

In particular, the blank holder 22 includes a first vertical portion 24 joined to the pivot connection 26 connecting it to the body 18, and a second horizontal portion 28 cooperating with the blank 6 to block it. The first portion 24 and the second portion 28, or upper portion and lower portion respectively, are inclined relative to each other. They can usually describe a right angle.

In order to ensure the support function for the blank 6, despite the possibility of pivoting the blank holder 22 downwards, resilient means 30 push the latter upwards. A spring ensures this function. The elastic means 30 oppose the effect of the weight of the blank 6. Their stiffness and / or their prestressing exceed the effect of the blank 6 on the blank holder 22. They are housed in the body 18, under the holder. blank 22 they lift via a finger 32 sliding in the inner housing of the body 18 receiving the resilient means 30. A stop 34 stops the holder 22 in a given direction to freeze its position, so that the blank 6 remains at a precise height.

As long as the force F exerted by the blank 6 on the blank holder 22 is less than a threshold S, it remains in the deployed position. This position is maintained thanks to the effect of the elastic means 30, and the geometry of the blank holder 22. The threshold S may be greater than or equal to 1 Newton. This force F is a vertical force downwards, ie towards the stamping surface 10.

Figure 2 sketches a view in the space of the bezel 8 as shown in Figure 1. The blank and the lower part are not shown for the sake of clarity.

The body 18 may be generally cylindrical. The guide surface 20 may be substantially planar. It can be generally perpendicular to the blank. It can form a flat on the circular profile of the body 18. It can extend over all, or the majority of, the height of the body 18. At the upper end, the body 18 can show a bevel 36. The bevel 36 can forming a break with respect to the guide surface 20. Thus, the bevel 36 facilitates entry into the tool by enlarging the space between the bezels 8.

The bevel 36 houses the pivot connection 26 of the blank holder 22. The latter is hinged from above, so that when it fades, it is lowered and back. The holder 22 may be disposed in the upper half of the body 18. It has a receiving surface 38 for receiving the bottom surface of the blank when worn. This receiving surface 38 is generally horizontal. It remains substantially perpendicular to the guiding surface in the deployed position. Its inclination relative to the horizontal direction is less than 3 °.

The blank holder 22 may include an end 40 protruding from the guide surface 20 in the extended position. This end 40 may be outside and in the body, to receive or let the blank. It can be a front end, and a lower end. It can be formed at the end of the horizontal portion 28, and can form the receiving surface 38.

The body 18 can be split. He can show a slit 42. She can be on the end of the body 18. She can cross it. It forms a clearance in which is housed the blank holder 22, which also enters more during its retraction movement. The abutment 34 can be integrated therein. The slot 42 can cut the bevel 36.

Figure 3 shows the stamping tool 2 of Figure 1 during an intermediate step of its closing movement during which the upper portion 44 of the drawing tool 2 goes down. The upper part may have a drawing surface 46 complementary to the lower drawing surface 10.

When closing, the upper portion 44 approaches the lower portion 4. Since the upper portion 44 is driven by the actuator of the stamping press (not shown) receiving the stamping tool 2, the threshold S is far exceeded. Indeed, the downward effort of the press is well above this equilibrium limit. The force produced by the resilient means 30 is overcome. On going down, she pushes the sheet 6 downwards and therefore the blank holder 22 which is below. Thus, the holder 22 tilts, and can fully enter the slot 42. It is pushed down and back relative to the guide surface 20 of the bezel 8. The blank 6 continues to slide against the guide surface 20 of the body 18.

Figure 4 shows a diagram of the process of stamping a blank. The method can be conducted using a stamping tool as described in connection with Figures 1 to 3.

The method may comprise the following steps, possibly carried out in the following order: (a) supply or production 100 of a blank; (b) placing 102 of the blank in the stamping tool and in contact with the bezel; (c) closure 104 of the stamping tool; and (d) stamping 106 of the blank. In step (a) providing or producing 100 a blank; the blank is essentially flat and developable. It can come from a sheet metal coil.

During step (b) in place 102, the blank enters the stamping tool. It is placed above the stamping surface, and possibly remote on the majority of this surface. He comes in conctat suckers, and touches the blanks. Thus, the blank is carried in a substantially flat configuration, which avoids its uncontrolled deformations because of its falling edges. Blank holders can be coplanar.

Then the method comprises a step (c) closing 104 of the stamping tool during which the upper part pushes the blank down by moving the holder blank in the retracted position. The forces exerted on the blank holders, via their ends and therefore via their reception surfaces each exceed the thresholds S. The elastic means are compressed and allow to pivot the blank holders which release the descent of the blank.

Then occurs the step (d) stamping 106 of the blank. The latter is pressed against the lower part and the upper part of the tool. These parts come together just being separated by the thickness of the blank which is deformed due to the shapes of the stamping surfaces. The body panel thus produced can then be removed from the stamping tool 2, just like the remaining sheet metal drop.

Claims (10)

1- Duster (8) for guiding blank (6) for stamping tool (2), the bezel (8) comprising a body (18) vertical with a guide surface (20) of the blank (6); characterized in that it further comprises a retractable blank holder (22) which is movable between a retracted position relative to the guiding surface (20), and an extended position where it protrudes from the guiding surface (20) to carry the blank (6); and resilient means (30) configured to hold the retractable blank holder (22) in the extended position by resisting the weight of the blank (6). 2- Drageroir (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (22) comprises an end (40) for carrying the blank (6), the bezel (8) being configured so that the blank holder (22) remains in the deployed position as a downward force F exerted on said end (40) remains below a threshold S, said threshold being greater than or equal to 1 N. 3. Dredger (8) according to claim 2, characterized in that when the downward force F exerted on the end (40) of the blank holder (22) exceeds the threshold S; the holder (22) moves downwards towards or to its retracted position. 4. Dredger (8) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holder (22) comprises a receiving surface (38) for carrying the blank (6), said receiving surface (38). ) being generally horizontal in the deployed position. 5. Dredger (8) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the body (18) comprises a tapered upper part, the holder (22) being pivotally mounted relative to the body (18) the bezel (8) by means of a pivoting mechanical connection (26) arranged in said beveled upper part. 6. Dredger (8) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holder (22) comprises a generally vertical portion (24) and a generally horizontal portion (28) for carrying the blank (6). ) in the deployed position. 7- Drageroir (8) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body (18) of the bezel (8) comprises a slot (42) in which is mainly housed the holder (22) in position deployed and / or in the retracted position. 8- Drageroir (8) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a stop (34) against which the blank holder (22) is supported in the extended position. 9-Process for stamping blank (6) sheet metal in a stamping tool (2) comprising a bezel (8), the method comprising the following steps: (a) supply or production (100) of a blank ( 6); (b) placing (102) the blank (6) in the stamping tool (2) and in contact with the bezel (8); characterized in that the bezel (8) is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 8, and that in step (b) in place (102), the holder (22) remains in position deployed carrying the blank (6). 10- Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the stamping tool (2) comprises an upper portion (44); and the method further comprises a step (c) closing (104) of the stamping tool (2) during which the upper portion (44) pushes the blank (6) downwardly by moving the blank holder (22). ) in the retracted position.