JP6998216B2 - Containers, selectively formed shells, touring to provide these, and related methods - Google Patents

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications]
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 722,187 filed May 27, 2015, which U.S. Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference. The US patent application is a partial continuation of US Patent Application No. 13 / 894,017 filed on May 14, 2013, and this US patent application is "CONTAINER, AND SELECTIVELY FORMED SHELL, AND TOOLING." Claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 648,698, filed May 18, 2012, with the name "AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR PROVIDING SAME".

The disclosed inventions generally relate to containers, and more particularly to metal containers such as beer or beverage cans and can ends or shells of food cans. The disclosed invention also relates to a method and touring for selectively forming a can end or shell with a reduced amount of material used therein.

Metal containers (eg cans) that contain products such as food and beverages are typically provided with an easy open can end, which has a tear strip or a separable panel with pull tabs. Attached to a panel) (eg, riveted, but not limited to). The separable panel is defined by a scoreline on the outer surface of the can end (eg, the public side). The pull tab is configured to cut the scoreline and bend and / or remove the separable panel when lifted and / or pulled, thereby creating an opening to eject the contents of the can.

When the can end is manufactured, the can end begins as a can end shell, which is cut (eg, punched out) from a sheet metal product (eg, but not limited to sheet aluminum, sheet steel). E) Formed from blanks. The shell is then taken to a conversion press. The conversion press has several consecutive tool stations. As the shell progresses from one tool station to the next, the conversion process, eg, but not limited to, rivet formation, paneling, scoring, embossing, tabbing (tab). Securing, tab staking, etc. are performed and the shell is completely converted to the desired can end and removed from the press.

In the can manufacturing industry, large amounts of metal are needed to produce a significant number of cans. For this reason, the constant goal of the industry is to reduce the amount of metal consumed. Therefore, constant efforts are being made to reduce the thickness or gauge of the stock material from which the can end and can body are manufactured (sometimes referred to as "down gaugeging"). However, in order to use less material (for example, thinner gauge), there is a problem that it is necessary to develop a unique solution. Therefore, there is a constant desire within the industry to reduce the amount of material used to form the container by reducing the gauge. However, among the disadvantages associated with the formation of can ends from relatively thin gauge materials, the can ends tend to wrinkle, for example during the formation of shells.

Conventional proposals for reducing the amount of metal used are to reduce the blank size of the can end, but at the expense of the area of the end panel. This undesirably limits the space available, for example for scorelines, separable panels and / or pull tabs.

Thus, there is room for improvement in containers such as beer / beverage cans and food cans, selectively formed can ends or shells, and touring and methods that provide such can ends or shells.

These and other needs are met by the disclosed inventions. The present invention relates to selectively formed shells, containers using selectively formed shells, and touring and related methods for making shells. Among the advantages, among other things, the shell is selectively stretched and thinned to reduce the amount of metal required while maintaining the desired strength.

In one aspect of the disclosed invention, the shell is configured to be attached to a container. The shell has a center panel, a circular chuck wall, a countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outward from the circumferential chuck wall. And prepare. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell to provide a corresponding thin portion.

The shell may be formed from a blank of material, the blank of material having a base gauge before being molded, and after being molded, the material of the shell has a thickness around the thin or thin part. Have. The thickness of the material around the thin portion or the thin portion is less than the base gauge. The thin wall portion may include a chuck wall.

In another aspect of the disclosed invention, a method of forming a shell is provided. The method involves introducing material between touring, the center panel, the circumferential chuck wall, the annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and the curl extending radially outward from the chuck wall. Includes the steps of forming the material to provide and selectively stretching at least one predetermined portion of the shell relative to at least one other portion of the shell to provide a corresponding thin portion. There is.

The method of the present invention may include the step of converting the shell into a final can end. The method may further include the step of seaming the final can end to the container body.

In a further aspect of the disclosed invention, touring to form a shell is provided. The touring comprises an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperates with the upper tool assembly, which allows the material placed between them to be center panel, circumferential chuck wall, center panel and circumferential. Form to include an annular countersink between the chuck walls and a curl extending radially outward from the chuck wall. The upper tool assembly and the lower tool assembly cooperate to provide a corresponding thin portion by selectively stretching the material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell relative to at least one other portion of the shell. Work.

Selectively thinning a given portion of the shell relative to at least one other portion of the shell to provide the corresponding thin portion of the shell is several such as touring and / or press overload conditions. It has been found to cause complex problems. Moreover, selective thinning can result in excessively non-uniform thinning. That is, although some variation in thinning is allowed, non-uniform and excessive thinning is not preferable. Selective thinning should be achieved using existing presses. Therefore, there is room for improvement in touring.

These and other requirements are satisfied by the disclosed invention. The present invention relates to touring comprising a force and / or pressure concentrated molded surface and / or a hybrid bias generation assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly is either an active hybrid bias generation assembly or a selectable hybrid bias generation assembly as defined below. It is understood that with existing technology, in order to increase the pressure acting on the shell, the manufacturer simply increased the pressure acting on the touring. This increase in pressure created a counter load applied to the press. By concentrating the force / pressure on the molded surface, as disclosed herein, it is possible to reduce the counterload applied to the press. Increasing the pressure surface area of the upper surface of the upper tool assembly and decreasing the forming surface area that clamps the blank solves the above problems. In an exemplary embodiment, the centrally formed surface has a bias pressure to clamp pressure ratio of about 1:10 to 1:50, or about 1:20 to 1:40, or about 1:30. That is, the total bias pressure is applied to the pressurized surface and the resulting pressure on the clamp surface is about 10 to 50 times, about 20 to 40 times, or about 30 times higher. Such a ratio of total bias pressure to clamp pressure makes it possible to reduce touring and / or press load conditions and thus solves the above problems. In addition, the use of hybrid bias generation assemblies solves the above problems by preventing non-uniform excessive thinning.

In an exemplary embodiment, the piston of the upper tool assembly comprises a piston coupled to the upper pressure sleeve. The upper side of the piston is exposed to pressure. The upper pressure sleeve includes a lower molded surface. The area ratio of the lower molded surface of the piston upper to upper pressure sleeve in the upper tool assembly is about 10: 1 to 50: 1, about 20: 1 to 40: 1, or about 30: 1. A tool assembly with this area ratio solves the above problems. That is, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, in the prior art, the area ratio of the lower molded surface of the piston upper to upper pressure sleeve of the upper tool assembly is about 4: 1. Compared to the disclosed invention, this ratio includes the piston upper side of the smaller upper tool assembly and the lower molded surface of the larger upper pressure sleeve. Note that in this configuration, as mentioned above, the metal is not thinned. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, in an exemplary embodiment, the ratio of the area of the lower molded surface of the piston upper to upper pressure sleeve of the upper tool assembly is about 30: 1. The upper tool assembly having the structure of the disclosed invention is a force-concentrated and / or pressure-concentrated molded surface that solves the above-mentioned problems.

The disclosed invention can be fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a shell of a beverage can end, in which a part of the beverage can is shown by a virtual line in a simplified form. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the shell of FIG. 1 showing various thinning points based on a non-limiting aspect of the disclosed invention. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the touring based on the disclosed embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a part of the touring of FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a part of the touring of FIG. 4, which has been modified to show a different arrangement of touring based on the method of forming a non-limiting example of the disclosed invention. 6A-6E are side views showing a continuous formation stage forming a shell, based on embodiments of non-limiting examples of the disclosed inventions. FIG. 7 is a side view of the touring based on an alternative embodiment of the disclosed invention. FIG. 8 is a detailed side sectional view of a pressure concentrating forming surface showing a conventional technique for forming a surface with a broken line. FIG. 9 is a detailed side sectional view of a pressure concentrated molded surface having three landings. FIG. 10 is a detailed side sectional view of a pressure concentrated molded surface having five landing portions. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the disclosed method. FIG. 12A is a schematic representation of the forces, pressures, and selected component regions associated with the prior art, with a 1: 4 pressure ratio on the upper piston to reduce the clamp surface pressure on the material. There is. FIG. 12B is a partial side sectional view of a prior art touring that allows for a pressure ratio of 1: 4. FIG. 13A is a schematic representation of the forces, pressures, and selected component regions associated with the present invention, with a pressure ratio of 1:30 on the upper piston to reduce the clamp surface pressure on the material. There is. FIG. 13B is a partial side sectional view of the touring that allows a pressure ratio of 1:30.

For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the disclosed invention are described as those applied to a shell for a can end known in the industry as a "B64" end. However, they are, of course, any known or suitable alternative type other than B64 ends (eg, but not limited to beverage / beer can ends, food can ends) and / or predetermined portions in the configuration. Alternatively, it may be used to appropriately selectively stretch and thin the area.

The specific elements shown in the figures of the present application and described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention and are provided as non-limiting examples solely for illustration purposes. Of course, it is something that can be done. Accordingly, specific dimensions, orientations, combinations, number of components used, outer shape of embodiments, and other physical properties with respect to the embodiments disclosed herein are limited to the scope of the disclosed invention. Should not be considered.

Directional phrases used herein, such as clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, up, down, up, down, and derivatives thereof, etc., relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings. Unless explicitly stated, it is not a limitation on the scope of claims.

As used herein, singular forms such as "one" and "that" include references to multiples, unless the context clearly defines otherwise.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are "combined" means that those parts are directly or indirectly, i.e., as long as the concatenation is made. It shall mean that it is joined or works together through one or more intermediate parts or components. As used herein, "directly coupled" means that the two elements are in direct contact with each other. The moving parts may be, for example, but not limited to, circuit breakers, which may be "directly coupled" if they are in one position, eg, a closed second position, but in another position, eg. Note that it may not be "directly coupled" if it is in the open first position. As used herein, "fixed" or "fixed" means that the two components are united while maintaining a constant orientation with respect to each other. It means that they are connected to move. Therefore, when two elements are combined, all parts of those elements are combined. However, for example, the statement that a particular portion of the first element is coupled to the second element, eg, the statement that the first end of the axle is coupled to the first wheel, is the first element. A particular part of is meant to be placed closer to the second element than the other parts.

As used herein, the phrase "removably coupled" means that one component is combined with another in an essentially temporary manner. That is, the two components are easily combined or separated so as not to damage the components. For example, two components that are fixed to each other using a finite number of easily accessible fasteners are "detachably coupled" but are difficult to weld or access each other. The two connected components are not "detachably connected". An "inaccessible fastener" is one that requires the removal of one or more other components before accessing the fastener, and a "other component" is, but is not limited to, like a door. It is not a convenient means of access.

As used herein, "operably combined" means that the plurality of elements or assemblies are each between a first position and a second position or a first configuration and a second. It is movable to and from the configuration, meaning that when the first element moves from one position / configuration to the other position / configuration, the second element also moves between positions / configurations. Note that the first element may be "operably combined" with another element, but the reverse is not true.

As used herein, a "coupling assembly" includes two or more couplings or coupling components. The components of a coupling or coupling assembly are generally not part of the same or other component. Therefore, the components of the "coupling assembly" may not be described at the same time in the following description.

As used herein, a "coupling" or "coupling component" is an element of a coupling assembly. That is, the coupling assembly comprises at least two components or coupling components that are configured to be coupled together. It is understood that the elements of the coupling assembly fit together. For example, in a coupling assembly, if one coupling element is a snap socket, the other coupling element is a snap plug, and if one coupling element is a bolt, the other coupling element is a nut.

As used herein, "corresponding" indicates that the two structural elements have similar sizes and shapes and can be coupled with minimal friction. Therefore, the opening "corresponding" to the member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member can pass through the opening with minimal friction. This definition is amended if the two components fit together "just". In this situation, the difference in component size becomes smaller and the amount of friction increases. If the element defining the opening and / or the component inserted into the opening is made of a deformable or compressible material, the opening can be slightly smaller than the component inserted into the opening. With respect to surfaces, contours, and lines, two or more "corresponding" surfaces, contours, or lines have approximately the same size, shape, and contour.

As used herein, in the phrase "[x] moves between the first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of [y]". [X] and [y] are elements or assemblies, and the term "corresponding" means that when element [x] is in the first position, element [y] is in the first position and element [x]. ] Is in the second position, which means that the element [y] is in the second position. Note that "corresponding" refers to the final position and does not mean that the elements must move at the same speed or at the same time. That is, for example, the hubcap and the wheel to which it is attached rotate in a corresponding manner. On the contrary, the spring-loaded latch member and the latch release move at different speeds. That is, the "corresponding" position means that they are at the same time at the specified first position and at the same time at the specified second position.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are "engaged" with each other means that the parts are either direct or one or more intermediate parts or components. It means that they are empowering each other through. Further, as used herein with respect to moving parts, moving parts "engage" with another element while moving from one position to another and / or at the positions described. It may then "engage" with other elements. Therefore, the description "when the element A moves to the first position of the element A, the element A engages with the element B" and "when the element A is in the first position of the element A, the element A is an element. The statement "engages with B" is the same as the statement that the element A engages with the element B while moving to the first position of the element A and / or the element A is of the element A. While in the first position, it means that it is engaged with the element B.

As used herein, "operably engaged" means "engaged and moved." That is, "operably engaged" means that when used with respect to a first component configured to move a movable or rotatable second component, the first component is the first. It means giving enough force to move the components of 2. For example, the screwdriver can be placed in contact with the screw. When no force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is simply "bonded" to the screw. When an axial force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is pressed against the screw and "engages" with the screw. However, when a rotational force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver "operably engages" with the screw to rotate the screw.

As used herein, the word "unitary" means that the components are made as a single piece or a single unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are made separately and then joined together as a unit is not an "integral" component or body.

"Structured to (verb)" means that a particular element or assembly is shaped, sized, so arranged, combined, and / or to carry out a particular verb. It means having a structure as set. For example, a member that is "configured to move" is movably coupled to another element and includes an element that allows the member to move. Otherwise, the member is configured to move in response to other elements or assemblies. As used herein, thus, as used herein, "configured to (verb)" describes a structure, not a function. Further, as used herein, "configured to [verb]" is intended for the specified element or assembly to perform the specified verb, and , Means that it is designed that way. Thus, elements that are not so intended and designed to merely execute the specified verb are not "configured to [verb]". As used herein, "related" means that the elements are part of the same assembly and / or work together, or interact with each other or together in some way. means. For example, a car has four tires and four hubcaps. It will be understood that each hubcap is "related" to a particular tire, although all the elements are combined as part of the car.

As used herein, "[x] moves between its first and second positions" or "[y] moves [x] to its first position." In the phrase "configured to move between and a second position", [x] is the name of the element or assembly. Further, when [x] is an element or assembly that moves between multiple positions, the pronoun "that" means [x], that is, a named element or assembly that precedes "that".

As used herein, the terms "can" and "container" are used substantially interchangeably to refer to any known or suitable container. Containers are configured to contain substances (eg, but not limited to liquids, foods, any other suitable substance), including beverage cans (such as beer cans and soda cans) and food cans. Explicitly, but not limited to these.

As used herein, the term "can end" refers to a lid or closure configured to be combined with a can to seal the can.

The term "can end shell" as used herein is used substantially interchangeably with the term "can end". A "can end shell" or simply a "shell" is a member that is acted upon and converted by the touring of the present disclosure to provide the desired can end.

As used herein, the terms "touring", "touring assembly" and "tool assembly" are any known or suitable tools or components that form a shell according to the disclosed invention (eg, for example. Used substantially interchangeably to refer to the tools or components used to (stretch), but not limited to.

As used herein, the term "fastener" refers to any suitable connecting or fixing mechanism, with a combination of screws, bolts, bolts and nuts (eg, but not limited to locknuts), bolts, washers. And nut combinations are specified, but not limited to these.

As used herein, the term "several" shall mean one or an integer greater than one (ie, plural).

1 and 2 show a can end shell 4 selectively formed according to one embodiment, which is a non-limiting example in the disclosed invention. Specifically, as described in detail below, the material in a predetermined region of shell 4 is thinned by stretching, while the other regions of shell 4 are preferably base metal thickness. Is maintained. The examples shown and described herein are shells (eg, but not limited to) for a beverage can body 100 (partially shown briefly in virtual lines in FIG. 1). 1 to 3; see Shell 4 of FIGS. 5 and 6E), but of course the disclosed invention is used to any known or suitable alternative container of any type (eg, eg). For, but not limited to, food cans (not shown), any known or suitable can end shell type and / or configuration can be stretched and thinned, and subsequently for such containers. The final can end may be formed (eg, converted).

The non-limiting example shell 4 shown and described herein includes a circular center panel 6. The center panel 6 is connected to the annular counter sink 10 by a substantially cylindrical panel wall 8. The exemplary annular countersink 10 has a substantially U-shaped cross section. A tapered chuck wall 12 connects the countersink 10 to the crown 14, and the peripheral curl or outer lip 16 is from the top 14, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6E. It extends radially outward.

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, the base metal thickness of shell 4 is about 0.0082 inches. This base metal thickness is preferably substantially maintained in areas such as the center panel 6 and the outer lip or curl 16. Keeping the center panel 6 at the base metal thickness helps the rivets, scores and tabs to function at the converted end (not explicitly stated). For example, undesired problems such as, but not limited to, wrinkle formation and undesired defects in scorelines and / or rivets or tabs (which may result from the reduced strength associated with thinning the metal). , Almost eliminated by maintaining the base thickness in the panel 6. Similarly, keeping the outer lip 16 mostly on the base gauge is a splicing of the lid or can end 4 to the can body 100 (partially shown briefly in the virtual line in FIG. 1). Helps the ability. In this region, it is preferable that minimal thinning occurs or no thinning occurs. The region is generally indicated by reference numeral 18 in FIG.

Therefore, most of the thinning (eg, but not limited to, 5-20% or about 10% thinning) preferably occurs at the chuck wall 12. More specifically, thinning preferably occurs in the region between the top 14 and the countersink 10. The region is generally shown as region 20 in FIG. Thus, by way of example, in the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, the material thickness at the chuck wall 12 may be reduced to about 0.0074 inches. It will be appreciated that this is a significant reduction, with significant weight savings and cost savings over traditional can ends.

In addition, the specific shell types and / or configurations and / or dimensions shown in FIG. 2 (and all figures attached herein) are given solely for illustration purposes and are the scope of the disclosed invention. Of course, it is not a limitation to. That is, any known or appropriate alternative thinning of the base gauge for any type and / or configuration of known or appropriate shells or edges, without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention, is the shell. It may be carried out in additional and / or alternative regions of (eg, but not limited to, reference numeral 4).

Further, the disclosed invention achieves material thinning and associated reductions in overall quantity and weight of the material, but with material handling associated with the stock material supplied to form the edge product. Does not increase costs. For example, but not limited to, increasing the processing of stock material (eg, rolling) to reduce the base gauge (ie, thickness) of the material undesirably increases the initial cost of the material relatively significantly. .. The disclosed inventions use stock materials with a more general, and therefore less expensive, base gauge, in addition to achieving the desired thinning and reduction.

3-5 show various touring assemblies 200 (or "touring 200") that stretch and thin the shell material based on one embodiment, which is a non-limiting example of the disclosed invention. Specifically, selective molding (eg, stretching and thinning) is achieved by the exact geometry, placement and interaction of the touring. According to one non-limiting embodiment, the process introduces a blank of material having a base metal thickness or gauge (eg, but not limited to, blank 2 of FIG. 6A) between the components of the touring assembly 200. It starts with doing.

FIG. 3, also known as the "pocket" 300, shows a single station 300 in a multi-station touring assembly 200 coupled with a press 400. For example, but not limited to, the multi-station touring assembly 200 of the disclosed invention is coupled to a conventional high speed single action or double action machine press 400, at each station 300 during each stroke of the press 400. Usually one shell 4 is manufactured. The touring assembly 200 includes opposed upper tool assemblies 202 and lower tool assemblies 204 that work together to form metal (eg, but not limited to, see metal blank 2 in FIG. 6A) (eg, see Metal Blank 2 in FIG. 6A). , But not limited, stretched, thinned, bent) to obtain the desired shell based on the disclosed invention (eg, but not limited to, see shell 4 of FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6E). Be done.

More specifically, the upper tool assembly 202 and the lower tool assembly 204 are coupled to the upper die shoe 206 and the lower die shoe 208, respectively, which, inside the press 400, are the press bed and / or the bolster plate ( It is supported by the bolster plate) and the ram in a commonly known way. The annular and draw die 210 includes an upper flange portion 212, which is coupled by a retainer or riser body 214 and some fasteners 216. The drawing die 210 surrounds the upper pressure sleeve 218. That is, the drawing die 210 is located close to the upper pressure sleeve 218 and radially outward from the upper pressure sleeve 218. The inner die member or die center 220 is supported by the die center riser 222 within the upper pressure sleeve 218. The drawing die 210 includes an inwardly curved forming surface 224 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The lower end 227 of the upper pressure sleeve 218 includes a contoured annular molding surface 226 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, the annular die retainer 230 is coupled to the lower die shoe 208 in the counterbore 232. The annular cut edge die 234 is coupled to the die retainer 230 by a suitable fastener 236. The annular lower pressure sleeve 240 includes a lower piston portion 242 for movement in the die retainer 230. The lower pressure sleeve 240 further includes an upper end portion 244 having a substantially flat surface, which faces the lower end portion of the draft die 210 described above. The cut edge die 234 is located near the lower pressure sleeve 240 and radially outward from the upper end 244 of the lower pressure sleeve 240, as shown. The die coring 250 is located within the lower pressure sleeve 240 and faces the lower end or molding surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve 218, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Includes the upper end 252. The upper end 252 includes a tapered surface 254, a rounded or curved inner surface 256, and a rounded outer surface 258 (all shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The circular panel punch 260 is arranged in the die coring 250 so as to face the die center 220 described above. The panel punch 260 includes a circular, generally flat upper surface 262 and has a rounded surface 264 at the periphery. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the peripheral recess 266 extends downward from the rounded surface 264.

Thus, the tools of the upper tool assembly 202 and the lower tool assembly 204 described above work together to form a predetermined, selected area in shell 4, especially stretched and thinned. This is described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 6A-6E. These figures show a method for forming a stretched and thinned shell 4 and a related formation stage, based on a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 6A shows a first forming step in which the blank 2 is given using the touring assembly 200 (FIGS. 3-5) described above. More specifically, the individual cut edges of the punching die 210 and the annular cut edge die 234 work together to cut (eg, punch) the blank 2 from, for example, a web or sheet of material. In the second step shown in FIG. 6B, the touring 200 collaborates to perform the first bend, i.e., bends the peripheral edge of the blank 2 downward, as shown. Next, in the forming step shown in FIG. 6C, the outer portion of the blank 2 is further molded as shown. This is because the curved inner surface 224 of the drawing die 210 cooperates with the upper end portion 252 of the die coring 250, and further, the forming surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve 218 is on the upper side of the die coring 250. Achieved by cooperating with the end 252.

Stretching and thinning, based on the aforementioned non-limiting embodiments in the disclosed invention, will be further described and understood in the fourth forming step shown in FIGS. 4 and 6D. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows the touring assembly 200 after a downstroke, with all of the illustrated tools moving down in the direction of arrow 410 to the indicated position. That is, the drawing die 210 and the lower pressure sleeve 240 move downward in the direction of the arrow 410, and the outer lip or the curl 16 is further formed. Further, the upper pressure sleeve 218 moves downward in the direction of the arrow 410, and as shown in the figure, the molding surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve 218 cooperates with the upper end portion 252 of the die coring 250. The top 14 is further formed. The die center 220 also moves downward in the direction of arrow 410 to stretch the metal of the blank 2 in the region of the chuck wall 12. This is because the substantially flat surface at the lower end of the die center 220 clamps the material between the die center 220 and the substantially flat upper surface 262 of the panel punch 260. Both the die center 220 and the panel punch 260 move downward in the direction of arrow 410 to stretch and thin the metal in the area of the chuck wall 12. This is because it cooperates with the tapered surface 254 of the die coring 250. Therefore, in the fourth forming step, the material of the blank 2 is stretched and thinned in the region that becomes the chuck wall 12, but the outer lip or curl region 16 and the region that is later formed into the panel 6 (FIGS. 5 and 6E). ), Or the lower region (FIGS. 5 and 6E) that is later formed into the annular countersink 10 is rarely stretched and thinned. These regions remain approximately the base gauge metal thickness, as explained above.

In the fifth and final shell forming steps, the formation of the shell 4 is completed. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5 (showing the same touring assembly 200 illustrated and described above with respect to the downstroke of FIG. 4), a portion of the touring assembly 200 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Moving upward in the direction of 420, the panel 6 of the shell 4 is formed. Specifically, the drawing die 210, the die center 220, the lower pressure sleeve 240, and the panel punch 260 all move upward in the direction of arrow 420, while the upper pressure sleeve 218 is at this point. It has stopped moving downward in the direction of arrow 410, and the pressure on the shell 4 is held. This not only allows the outer lip or curl 16 to be further formed on the rounded outer surface 258 of the die coring 250, but also the top 14 of the molded surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve 218 and the die coring 250. Further formed between the upper end portion 252 and the upper end portion 252. The desired final shape of the chuck wall 12 is provided by the interaction of the upper pressure sleeve 218 with the surfaces 254 and 256 of the die coring 250. The panel 6 is formed by the interaction of the substantially flat upper surface 262 of the panel punch 260 with the die center 220. This is because both of these components move upward in the direction of arrow 420 with the metal of the blank 2 to be the panel 6 placed (eg, clamped) between them. .. This movement also facilitates the formation of the cylindrical panel wall 8 and the countersink 10. Specifically, when the panel punch 260 moves upward and the upper pressure sleeve 218 moves downward, the annular countersink 10 is formed in the recess 266 at the periphery of the panel punch 260. Therefore, the cylindrical panel wall 8 is formed by the cooperation between the rounded surface 264 of the edge of the panel punch 260 and the metal.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that the disclosed inventions are significantly different from conventional shell forming methods and touring in which the material of the blank 2 or shell 4 is neither specifically stretched nor thinned. That is, the panel 6, the countersink 10 and the outer lip or curl 16 (FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6E) of the illustrated shell 4 are not or only slightly stretched, while the countersink. The region 20 (FIG. 2) between 10 and the apex 14 is stretched and thinned during the forming process, especially in the fourth forming step illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6D.

Five formation stages are illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6E, but known or appropriate alternative formation stages are performed in any number and / or order and the material is appropriately selected according to the disclosed invention. Of course, it can be stretched to make it thinner. In addition, any known or appropriate option that anchors some areas of the material sufficiently to counteract the movement (eg, sliding), flow or thinning of the material, but stretches and thins other predetermined areas of the material. Although the mechanism of the above may be used, it goes without saying that it does not deviate from the scope of the disclosed invention. Then, alternative or additional regions of the shell other than the region of shell 4 (eg, but not limited to, reference numeral 4) shown and described herein may be appropriately stretched and thinned. The disclosed invention may be applied to stretch a shell (not shown) of a completely different type and / or configuration.

Thus, the disclosed invention selectively stretches a predetermined region (eg, but not limited to, region 20 of FIG. 2) of the shell 4 (FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6E). It will be appreciated that by providing touring assemblies 200 (FIGS. 3-5) and methods for thinning, relatively significant savings in materials and costs can be achieved.

Another embodiment of the disclosed invention is shown in FIG. Except for the elements described below, the touring 200A is substantially the same as the touring assembly 200 described above, with similar elements using the same reference numbers. As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, the upper end 252 of the die coring faces the lower end of the upper pressure sleeve 218 or the molding surface 226. Further, as described above, the outer portion of the blank 2 is formed by the molding surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve 218 that cooperates with the upper end 252 of the die coring 250. That is, both the upper end portion 252 of the die coring and the molding surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve engage with the blank 2. As used herein, simultaneous engagement by elements placed opposite each other is specified as a "clamp".

As mentioned above, the upper end 252 of the die coring includes a tapered surface 254, a rounded inner surface 256, and a rounded outer surface 258. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper end 252 of the die coring further comprises a substantially horizontal surface 257. As used herein, the "substantially horizontal surface" 257 is the upper end portion of the die coring extending in a plane approximately perpendicular to the axis of motion of the upper tool assembly 202 and the lower tool assembly 204. .. As used herein, "substantially vertical" means vertical in the range of about +/- about 10 degrees.

In this exemplary embodiment, the upper tool assembly 202 and the lower tool assembly 204 have a separate first arrangement in which the upper tool assembly 202 is separated from the lower tool assembly 204, and at least one of the shells 4. The upper tool assembly 202 moves between the molding arrangements directly adjacent to the lower tool assembly 204 in order to selectively stretch the material of a given portion relative to at least one other portion of the shell. When the upper tool assembly 202 and the lower tool assembly 204 are in a molded arrangement, the upper pressure sleeve 218 and the die coring 250 clamp the shell 4 as described above. The force acting on the blank 2 is a "clamping force" as used herein.

In this exemplary embodiment, the upper tool assembly 202 also includes a hybrid bias generating assembly 500, the forming surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve being a force concentrating forming surface 600. .. As used herein, a "hybrid bias generation assembly" is an assembly that produces bias in at least two different ways, the bias being applied to the same component. That is, the "hybrid bias generation assembly" used herein includes at least two bias generation assemblies that apply bias to several hybrid components in addition to the same component. Therefore, the first requirement that an assembly such as the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 described herein that produces a bias via a compressive fluid (pressure bias) and a spring (mechanical bias) is an active hybrid generation assembly. Meet. Conversely, devices with high pressure compressors and low pressure compressors (both of which generate pressure bias) are not "hybrid bias generation assemblies" because they generate the bias in the same way. Further, in an "hybrid bias generation assembly", an assembly in which one type of bias is applied to one component and another type of bias is applied to different components does not apply the bias to the same component. do not have.

Further, as used herein, an "active hybrid bias generation assembly" is an assembly that includes at least two bias generation assemblies that simultaneously apply bias to the same component. Further, as used herein, a "selectable hybrid bias generation assembly" is an assembly that includes at least two bias generation assemblies, where the bias is selectively applied to the same component. That is, the "selectable hybrid bias generation assembly" can be biased in at least two different ways, and the user can determine which bias generation assembly biases the components, or both. Determines whether to apply a bias to the components. Therefore, if the user chooses between the two methods of applying the bias, the "selectable hybrid bias generation assembly" operates as the "active hybrid bias generation assembly". In other words, an "active hybrid bias generation assembly" is a type of "selectable hybrid bias generation assembly", but the opposite is not always true. That is, not all "selectable hybrid bias generation assemblies" are "active hybrid bias generation assemblies". A "selectable hybrid bias generation assembly" that applies bias in only one of several available methods is a "selectable hybrid bias generation assembly", but not an "active hybrid bias generation assembly". In an exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is one of the active hybrid bias generation assembly 502 or the selectable hybrid bias generation assembly 504.

The hybrid bias generation assembly 500 includes a pressure generation assembly 510, a mechanical bias assembly 550, and several hybrid components 570. As used herein, the "hybrid component" 570 is configured to be utilized by both a bias generation assembly, in an exemplary embodiment, a pressure generation assembly 510 and a mechanical bias assembly 550. It is a component. The pressure generation assembly 510 includes a pressure generator 512 (schematically shown), a pressure transfer assembly 514 (schematically shown), a pressure chamber 516, and a piston assembly 518. The pressure generator 512 is a known device, such as, but not limited to, a fluid pump or compressor configured to compress the fluid with increased pressure or to store the compressed fluid. The pressure transfer assembly 514 includes any number of hoses, conduits, passages, or other structures capable of transmitting the pressurized fluid. It is understood that the pressure transfer assembly 514 may also include seals, valves, or other components required to control the communication of the pressurized fluid.

In an exemplary embodiment, the riser body 214 is hermetically coupled, directly coupled, or secured to the upper die shoe 206. In this configuration, the riser body 214 defines the pressure chamber 516. Although not specified, the pressure chamber 516 is understood to include a number of seals required to prevent fluid from escaping. The piston assembly 518 includes a torus-shaped body 520 and, in an exemplary embodiment, a spring seat 554, as described below. In another embodiment, although not shown, the piston body and spring seat are single objects. It is understood that the description of the piston body 520 applicable to the spring seat 554 is an embodiment comprising the spring seat 554. For example, the piston body 520 corresponds to the pressure chamber 516 and the die center riser 222, and in the embodiment having the spring seat 554, the spring seat 554 corresponds to the pressure chamber 516 and the die center riser 222. Understood. Thus, the outer radial surface of the piston body 520 or spring seat 554 is hermetically coupled to the inner surface of the pressure chamber 516, and the piston assembly 518 is not specified, but to prevent fluid from escaping the pressure chamber 516. It is understood to include some seals required for. The piston assembly 518 is movably arranged in the pressure chamber 516.

The pressure generator 512 is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber 516 via a pressure transfer assembly 514. The fluid, and thus its pressure, is transmitted to the upper side of the piston body 520, which is hereafter referred to as the "pressure surface" 521. It is understood that in embodiments with the spring seat 554, the pressure surface 521 may be the upper surface of the spring seat 554. In an exemplary embodiment, the total bias force is applied to the pressure plane 521 having an area of about 3.46 in ² to 17.3 in ² , or about 10.38 in ² . Therefore, the pressure generator 512 is configured to control the position of the piston assembly 518 within the pressure chamber 516 and is configured to move the piston assembly 518 within the pressure chamber 516. The piston assembly 518 is coupled to the upper pressure sleeve 218. That is, the upper pressure sleeve 218 includes an upper end portion 225 on the opposite side of the molding surface 226. The piston assembly 518 is coupled to the upper end 225 of the upper pressure sleeve. Therefore, as the piston assembly 518 moves within the pressure chamber 516, the upper pressure sleeve 218 has a first extension position where the lower end 227 of the upper pressure sleeve is more distant from the upper die shoe 206. The lower end 227 of the upper pressure sleeve and the upper die shoe 206 move between a smaller distance between the lower end and the second retracted position.

In this configuration, the piston assembly 518 and piston body 520 are "hybrid components" 570 as defined herein. That is, the piston assembly 518 and the piston body 520 are configured to be utilized by both the pressure generating assembly 510 and the mechanical bias assembly 550. Note that a piston associated only with the pressure generating assembly 510 or a piston associated only with the mechanical bias assembly 550 is not a "hybrid component" as defined herein. That is, by definition, the piston assembly 518, which relates only to the pressure generation assembly 510, cannot be "configured" to be utilized by both bias generation assemblies. Similarly, by definition, the piston assembly 518, which relates only to the mechanical bias assembly 550, cannot be "configured" to be utilized by both bias generation assemblies. Thus, a piston associated only with the pressure generating assembly 510 or a piston associated only with the mechanical bias assembly 550 is not a "hybrid component" as used herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical bias assembly 550 includes several spring assemblies 552 and some spring seats 554. The spring assembly 552 includes several springs 560 associated with each spring seat 554. In one embodiment, each spring assembly 552 comprises a single linear spring rate compression spring 560. In this embodiment, the mechanical bias assembly 550 is configured to apply a bias with a nearly linear spring constant during compression of the spring assembly 552 and apply that bias.

In another exemplary embodiment, each spring assembly 552 comprises several springs 560 with variable spring constants. (It is understood that reference numeral 560 represents a "spring" rather than a particular type of spring). The variable spring constant may be either a progressive spring rate, a progressive spring rate, or a dual rate (sometimes referred to as "progressive with knee") spring constant. be able to. As used herein, a "progressive spring constant" is a spring constant in which the pressurization increases non-linearly. As used herein, a "degressive spring constant" is a spring constant in which the pressurization decreases non-linearly. As used herein, a "dual rate" spring constant is a spring constant that increases with a linear or substantially linear first spring constant until the selected pressurization is achieved, after which. The spring constant increases with a different second linear or substantially linear second spring constant. That is, the first and second spring constants are substantially different. Variable constant springs include, but are not limited to, cylindrical springs, conical springs, and miniblock springs with variable pitch rates.

In one exemplary embodiment, all spring assemblies 552 include substantially the same type of spring 560. That is, for example, each spring assembly 552 includes several linear spring constant compression springs 560 that are substantially the same, or some dual rate compression springs 560 that are substantially the same. In another exemplary embodiment, the spring assembly 552 comprises a different type of spring. For example, within the mechanical bias assembly 550, one set of spring assemblies 552 contains several linear spring constant compression springs that are substantially the same, and the second set contains some that are substantially the same. Includes a dual rate compression spring 560. In another exemplary embodiment, the variable constant spring assembly 552 is a dual rate spring, multiple springs with different compression ratios, some progressive springs, some progressive springs, or any combination thereof. And may be included.

In an exemplary embodiment, the compression spring 560 is located within the pressure chamber 516. In this embodiment, at least the lower spring seat 554'is a torus-shaped object 562 corresponding to the pressure chamber 516 and the die center riser 222. The lower spring seat 554'is coupled, directly coupled, fixed, or integrally with the upper side of the piston body 520 so that it is compressed when placed in the pressure chamber 516. Has been done. The compression spring 560 is sized to compress when placed in the pressure chamber 516. In this configuration, the mechanical bias assembly 550 engages the piston assembly 518 and thus the upper pressurizing sleeve 218 operably, i.e., operably. That is, the upper pressure sleeve 218 is urged to its first position.

In one exemplary embodiment, where the pressure concentrated molding surface 600 described below has an area of about 0.346 in ² , the total bias pressure is about 3.46 in ² to 17.3 in ² , about 6.92 in ² to 13. A force of about 7,000 lbf to 9,000 lbf, or about 8,000 lbf, acting on the pressure plane 521 in the range of 84 in ² , or about 10.38 in ² . Alternatively, in an embodiment where the pressure surface 521 has an area of about 10.38 in ² , the pressure concentrated molding surface 600 described below is about 1.038 in ² to 0.208 in ² , about 0.519 in ² to 0.2595 in. It has a range of ² or about 0.346 in ² . That is, the force / pressure is concentrated at a ratio of about 1:10 to 1:50, or about 1:20 to 1:40, or about 1:30.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described above, the multi-station touring assembly 200 is coupled to the press 400, i.e. a 100 ton press. The multi-station touring assembly 200 includes 24 stations or pockets 300. In the embodiment in which about 8000 lbf acts on each pressure surface 521, that is, 24 pressure surfaces 521, the total load is about 8000 lbf * 24 (pocket) = 192,000 lbf. About 192,000 lbf is about 96 tons (192,000 lbf / 2000). Therefore, the upper tool assembly 202 with the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 in the configuration described herein solves the above problem of being usable in an existing press and is configured to work with an existing 100 ton press. Includes the force-concentrated molded surface 600.

The total bias / force generated by the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 may be expressed as "total bias pressure". As used herein, "total bias pressure" means the total bias / pressure generated by the hybrid bias generation assembly 500, and thus the upper tool assembly 202. In addition, the mechanical bias assembly 550, as used herein, produces forces that are believed to be evenly distributed over the pressure plane 521. That is, the mechanical force can be treated as the force acting on the component and the pressure for calculating the pressure. In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces about 70% to 80%, or about 75%, of the total bias pressure. Conversely, the pressure generation assembly 510 produces about 20% to 30% or about 25% of the total bias pressure. The force / pressure generated by the pressure generator 512 acts on the pressure surface 521. In an exemplary embodiment where the pressure surface 521 has an area of about 10.38 in ² , the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 produces a pressure of about 674.4 psi to about 867.1 psi, or about 770.7 psi. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, where the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces about 75% of the total bias pressure and the pressure generating assembly 510 produces about 25% of the total bias pressure, the mechanical bias assembly 550 is about 505. It produces a pressure of .8 to about 650.3 psi, or about 578.0 psi, and the pressure generation assembly 510 produces a pressure of about 168.6 psi to about 216.8 psi, or about 192.7 psi. Further, the pressure generation assembly 510 is configured to pressurize the pressure chamber 516 at a substantially constant pressure.

In another exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is configured to have substantially all or all of the total bias pressure generated by the mechanical bias assembly 550, and the pressure generation assembly 510 is configured. Produces near-constant but near-minimal pressure. That is, in this embodiment, the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces about 90% to 99% or about 95% of the total bias pressure. Conversely, the pressure generation assembly 510 produces about 1% to 10% or about 5% of the total bias pressure. Further, the pressure generation assembly 510 is configured to pressurize the pressure chamber 516 at a substantially constant pressure. In this embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is an active hybrid bias generation assembly 502.

Further, in this embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is configured to change the ratio of the forces generated by the mechanical bias assembly 550 and the pressure generation assembly 510. That is, for example, during the initial clamping operation, the total bias pressure is substantially generated by the mechanical bias assembly 550. That is, the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces about 90% to 100%, or about 99% of the total bias, and the pressure generating assembly 510 produces about 0% to 10% or about 5% of the total bias pressure. .. After the first clamping operation, i.e. during the second clamping operation, the total bias pressure generated by the mechanical bias assembly 550 is reduced to more than 75% of the total bias pressure and the pressure generating assembly 510 is the total bias pressure. Produces up to 25% of.

In an alternative embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is a selectable hybrid bias generation assembly 504, where the user uses either the mechanical bias assembly 550 or the pressure generation assembly 510 to generate the pressure. Select. In this embodiment, the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces about 99% to 100% of the total bias pressure, or substantially all. Conversely, the pressure generation assembly 510 produces about 0% to 1% of the total bias pressure or a negligible percentage. That is, for example, the pressure generating assembly 510 produces a negligible percentage of the total bias pressure during the ascending stroke, while producing sufficient pressure to bias the components of the upper tool assembly 202 downward. As mentioned above, the pressure generating assembly 510 is configured to pressurize the pressure chamber 516 at a substantially constant pressure in an exemplary embodiment.

In another embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is again the selectable hybrid bias generation assembly 504, where the user uses either the mechanical bias assembly 550 or the pressure generation assembly 510 to generate the pressure. Select. In this embodiment, however, the pressure generation assembly 510 produces approximately 99% to 100% or substantially all of the total bias pressure. Conversely, the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces about 0% to 1% of the total bias pressure or a negligible percentage. That is, for example, the mechanical bias assembly 550 produces a negligible percentage of the total bias pressure during the ascending stroke, while producing sufficient pressure to urge the components of the upper tool assembly 202 downwards. .. As mentioned above, the pressure generating assembly 510 is configured to pressurize the pressure chamber 516 at a substantially constant pressure in an exemplary embodiment.

In this embodiment, the pressure generation assembly 510 is configured to apply variable pressure. That is, the pressure generation assembly 510 includes a pressure control assembly 530 (schematically shown) configured to vary the pressure in the pressure chamber 516. The pressure control assembly 530 in the exemplary embodiment has several pressure sensors (not shown) within the pressure chamber 516 and a position sensor (not shown) configured to position the piston assembly 518. And include. The pressure control assembly 530 is configured to change the pressure in the pressure chamber 516 according to the pressure profile. That is, the pressure control assembly 530 is configured to increase or decrease the pressure in the pressure chamber 516 according to the position of the piston assembly 518. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure control assembly 530 includes a programmable logic circuit (PLC) (not shown) and a plurality of electronic pressure regulators. The sensor and electronic pressure regulator are coupled to the PLC and communicate electronically with the PLC. The PLC further contains instructions for manipulating data representing the pressure profile in addition to the electronic pressure regulator.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hybrid bias generation assembly 500 is configured to be switchable between the active hybrid bias generation assembly 502 or the selectable hybrid bias generation assembly 504 by means of a removable spring 552, or is an active hybrid. It is switchable between different configurations of either the bias generation assembly 502 or the selectable hybrid bias generation assembly 504. That is, the spring 552 is detachably coupled to the spring seat 554 in the pressure chamber 516.

In another embodiment, the upper tool assembly 202 does not include the hybrid bias generation assembly 500, but rather contains one of the mechanical bias assembly 550 or the pressure generation assembly 510, the selected assembly being , Provides 100% of total bias pressure. The mechanical bias assembly 550 or the pressure generating assembly 510 is coupled to the "pressure concentrated molding surface" 600 as described below. That is, the mechanical bias assembly 550 or the pressure generating assembly 510 is coupled to the other components described herein.

As described above, the molding surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve is the pressure concentration molding surface 600. As used herein, the "pressure-intensive molded surface" 600 is a molded surface that engages the reduced region of the blank 2 with respect to the conventional molded surface. That is, the molding surface of the prior art clamps a round inner surface 256 of the upper end 252 of the die coring, a substantially horizontal surface 257, and, in some configurations, a blank 2 disposed over the round outer surface 258. .. As used herein, the "pressure concentrated molding surface" 600 is a limited portion of the surface of the upper end 252 of the die coring, or the pressure concentrated molding surface 600 and the upper side of the die coring. A molded surface that engages with a limited portion of the top 14 disposed between the end 252. That is, the surface that does not "clamp" the blank is not part of the "pressure concentrated molding surface" 600. The limited area is, in an exemplary embodiment, a radially continuous annular reduced clamp area where the blank is substantially circular. As used herein, the "reduced clamp region" is a radially continuous annular region extending over a portion of the substantially horizontal surface 257 of the upper end 252 of the die core, but the die core. It does not extend to the rounded inner surface 256 of the upper end 252 of the ring. Further, as used herein, the " reduced clamp region" is a radially continuous annular region extending over about 25-75% of the substantially horizontal surface 257 of the upper end 252 of the die coring. However, it does not extend to the rounded inner surface 256 of the upper end 252 of the die coring. That is, in known art, the molded surface is substantially flat and the entire surface, i.e. 100%, engages the upper end 252 of the die coring and acts as a clamp region, but the forces disclosed herein. On the centralized molding surface 600, the clamp region is small.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressure concentrated molded surface 600 comprises a plurality of "landing" 610s. As used herein, the "landing portion" is a limited area of the molded surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure concentration plane forming the plurality of landing portions 610 includes two to five substantially concentric landing portions 610A, 610B, 610C, 610D, 610E. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the lower end of the upper pressure sleeve 218 includes an annular, or substantially circular, molded surface 226. The plurality of landing portions 610 are concentric portions of the annular molded surface 226 that clamps the blank 2. That is, only the landing portion 610 engages with the blank 2. The regions between the landing portions 610 are offset upward with respect to the landing portions 610 so that these regions do not engage the blank 2. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, there are concentric grooves 612 between the landing portions 610.

As shown in FIG. 7, the molded surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve has a cross-sectional area much smaller than the cross-sectional area of the piston assembly 518 and / or the lower spring seat 554'. In this configuration, the pressure / area applied to the blank 2 by the forming surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve is greater than the pressure / area acting on the piston assembly 518 and / or the lower spring seat 554'. That is, while the bias / force remains constant, the area where the bias / force acts is the piston assembly 518 and / or the lower spring seat 554'compared to the area of the molded surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve. Becomes bigger at. Therefore, the smaller the area of the upper pressure sleeve on the molded surface 226, the larger the pressure per unit area.

The pressure increase per unit area is larger on the pressure-concentrated molded surface 600. That is, as defined herein, the area of the pressure concentrated molding surface 600 is even smaller than the area of the molding surface 226 of the upper pressure sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, using a pressure concentrated molded surface 600, the ratio of total bias pressure to clamp pressure is about 1:10 to 1:50, about 1:20 to 1:40, or about 1:30. It has become.

With this configuration, the clamping pressure is, in the exemplary embodiment, near the elastic limit of the material to be deformed. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the material to be deformed has a "thinning limit". That is, as used herein, the "thinning limit" is the elastic limit of the material under pressure. That is, the pressurized material can be placed under tension exceeding the elastic limit of the material without tearing the material. Therefore, as used herein, the "thinning limit" is the pressure at which the material can be thinned by about 10% without tearing. The above exemplary measurements, eg, the area of the pressure surface 521, are for a touring assembly 200 that initially acts on aluminum, which is about 0.0082 inches thick. The pressure-intensive molded surface 600 is configured to generate a clamping pressure near the aluminum thinning limit to thin the aluminum, making the thickness of the material in the chuck wall 12 about 0.0074 inches thick. Can be reduced to.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the use of the touring assembly 200A described above includes a step 1000 of introducing material between the touring assembly 200A, a step 1002 of generating a total bias force within the touring assembly 200A, and an upper tool. Step 1004 of clamping material between assembly 202 and lower tool assembly 204, center panel, circumferential chuck wall, annular countersink between center panel and circumferential chuck wall, and radial from chuck wall. Step 1006 of forming the material to include outward curls and selectively stretching at least one predetermined portion of the shell relative to at least one other portion of the shell to provide a corresponding thin portion of the shell. Includes step 1008 to bring.

The shell thinning methods and assemblies disclosed herein can also be used to thin metal thicknesses in can bodies, can ends and / or domes, and cups, i.e., precursor structures for can bodies. Please note.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosed invention have been described in detail, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various improvements and variations to these details may be developed in light of the entire teachings of the present disclosure. Will be done. Accordingly, the particular arrangements of the present disclosure are for illustration purposes only and are the scope of the disclosed inventions that may be given in the full extent of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Not limited to.

Claims (14)

In the touring (200A) for forming the shell (4) for the can end
The touring (200A) is
An upper tool assembly (202) that includes an upper pressure sleeve (218), wherein the upper pressure sleeve (218) includes a lower end (227) that defines a pressure intensive molding surface (600). , Upper tool assembly (202), and
The lower tool assembly (204) that cooperates with the upper tool assembly (202), and the materials arranged between them are the center panel (6), the circumferential chuck wall (12), and the center. Formed to include an annular countersink (10) between the panel (6) and the circumferential chuck wall (12) and a curl (16) extending radially outward from the circumferential chuck wall (12). Lower tool assembly (204) and
Equipped with
The lower tool assembly (204) includes a die coring (250).
The die coring (250) includes an upper end (252), the upper end (252) of the die coring facing the lower end (227) of the upper pressure sleeve (218). And are arranged
The upper end (252) of the die coring has an inner tapered surface (254), a rounded inner surface (256), a substantially horizontal surface (257), and a rounded outer surface (258). ) And includes
The pressure-concentrated molded surface (600) includes a clamp region.
The clamp region is a radially continuous annular region extending over a portion of a substantially horizontal surface (257) of the upper end (252) of the dicoring (250), the dicoring (250). Does not extend to the rounded inner surface (256) of the upper end (252) of the
A separate first arrangement in which the upper tool assembly (202) is separated from the lower tool assembly (204) and the material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell (4) is applied to the shell (4). Between the upper tool assembly (202) and the molding arrangement directly adjacent to the lower tool assembly (204) in order to selectively stretch relative to at least one other portion of the to provide a corresponding thin portion. Then, the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) are moved.
The upper tool assembly (202) includes an upper die shoe (206), a riser body (214), and a hybrid bias generation assembly (500).
The riser body (214) is coupled to the upper die shoe (206) to define a pressure chamber (516).
The upper pressure sleeve (218) is movably arranged in the pressure chamber (516) of the riser body.
The extended first position where the lower end (227) of the upper pressure sleeve is more distant from the upper die shoe (206) and the lower end (227) of the upper pressure sleeve. The upper pressure sleeve (218) is movable to and from a retracted second position closer to the upper die shoe (206).
The hybrid bias generation assembly (500) is operably coupled to the upper pressure sleeve (218).
The hybrid bias generation assembly (500) generates biases in at least two different ways, with the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) between the first arrangement and the molding arrangement. When moving, the movement of the upper pressure sleeve (218) is controlled to control the movement.
The hybrid bias generation assembly (500) includes a pressure generation assembly (510) using a pressurized fluid, a mechanical bias assembly (550), and several hybrid components (570).
The pressure generating assembly (510) is configured to pressurize the pressure chamber (516).
The mechanical bias assembly (550) includes several springs (552).
Some of the springs (552) are located in the pressure chamber (516).
Touring. The clamp region is a radially continuous annular region extending over about 25 to 75% of a substantially horizontal surface (257) of the upper end (252) of the dicoring (250), the dicoring. The touring according to claim 1, which does not extend to the rounded inner surface (256) of the upper end (252) of (250). In the touring (200A) for forming the shell (4) for the can end
The touring (200A) is
An upper tool assembly (202) that includes an upper pressure sleeve (218), wherein the upper pressure sleeve (218) includes a lower end (227) that defines a pressure intensive molding surface (600). , Upper tool assembly (202), and
The lower tool assembly (204) that cooperates with the upper tool assembly (202), and the materials arranged between them are the center panel (6), the circumferential chuck wall (12), and the center. Formed to include an annular countersink (10) between the panel (6) and the circumferential chuck wall (12) and a curl (16) extending radially outward from the circumferential chuck wall (12). Lower tool assembly (204) and
Equipped with
The lower tool assembly (204) includes a die coring (250).
The die coring (250) includes an upper end (252), the upper end (252) of the die coring facing the lower end (227) of the upper pressure sleeve (218). And are arranged
The upper end (252) of the die coring has an inner tapered surface (254), a rounded inner surface (256), a substantially horizontal surface (257), and a rounded outer surface (258). ) And includes
The pressure-concentrated molded surface (600) includes a clamp region.
The pressure-concentrated molded surface (600) includes a plurality of concentrically arranged landing portions (610).
Substantially concentric grooves (612) are formed between the plurality of landing portions (610).
A separate first arrangement in which the upper tool assembly (202) is separated from the lower tool assembly (204) and the material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell (4) is applied to the shell (4). Between the upper tool assembly (202) and the molding arrangement directly adjacent to the lower tool assembly (204) in order to selectively stretch relative to at least one other portion of the to provide a corresponding thin portion. The upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) move in the touring. The touring according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of landing portions (610) of the pressure-concentrated molded surface include two to five substantially concentric landing portions (610A-610E). When the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) are in the molding arrangement, the pressure concentrated molding surface (600) faces only a substantially horizontal surface (257) of the dicoring. The touring according to claim 1. The pressure generating assembly (510) is the pressure chamber (as the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) move between the separated first arrangement and the molding arrangement. The touring according to claim 1, which is configured to pressurize 516) at a substantially constant pressure. The hybrid bias generation assembly (500) provides a total bias force as the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) move between the separated first arrangement and the molding arrangement. Generate and
The pressure generating assembly (510) produces about 20% to 30% of the total bias force.
The touring according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical bias assembly (550) produces about 70% to 80% of the total bias force. The touring according to claim 7, wherein the pressure generating assembly (510) produces about 25% of the total bias force and the mechanical bias assembly (550) produces about 75% of the total bias force. .. The hybrid bias generation assembly (500) is the total bias as the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) move between the separated first arrangement and the molding arrangement. Generate force,
The total bias force is transmitted to the pressure concentrated molding surface (600) via the upper pressure sleeve (218).
The pressure-concentrated molded surface (600) is configured to apply a clamping force to the workpiece.
The touring according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the total bias force to the clamping force is between about 20: 1 and 40: 1. The touring according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of the total bias force to the clamping force is about 30: 1. The upper tool assembly (202) generates a total bias force as the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204) move between the first arrangement and the molding arrangement.
The total bias force is transmitted to the pressure concentrated molding surface (600) via the upper pressure sleeve (218).
The pressure-concentrated molded surface (600) is configured to apply a clamping force to the workpiece.
The touring according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the total bias force to the clamping force is about 20: 1 to 40: 1. The touring according to claim 11, wherein the ratio of the total bias force to the clamping force is about 30: 1. A method of forming a shell (4) for a can end.
A step (1000) of introducing a material during the touring (200A) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
In the step (1002) of generating the total bias force in the touring (200A),
A step of clamping the material between the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204), wherein the ratio of the total bias force to the clamping force is about 20: 1 to 40: 1. 1004) and
From the center panel (6), the circumferential chuck wall (12), the counter sink (10) between the center panel (6) and the circumferential chuck wall (12), and the circumferential chuck wall (12). A step (1006) of molding the material so as to include a curl (16) extending outward in the radial direction.
Step (1008) of selectively stretching at least one predetermined portion of the shell (4) with respect to at least one other portion of the shell (4) to provide a corresponding thin portion of the shell (4). When,
How to include. 13. The step of clamping the material between the upper tool assembly (202) and the lower tool assembly (204), wherein the ratio of the total bias force to the clamping force is about 30: 1. the method of.

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