JPH10180368A - Manufacture of bellows and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bellows manufacturing device capable of manufacturing metallic bellows efficiently. SOLUTION: The bellows manufacturing device 10 is equipped with a dies assembly 12 accommodated in the interior of a housing 11. The dies assembly 12 is equipped with an outer cylinder 60 located at an outermost position, a front side unit 65 accomodating in the front side of the outer cylinder 60 a plurality of die members 61a-61e laid over the other like insert, and a rear side unit 66 accomodating in the rear side of the outer cylinder 60 a plurality of die members 62a-62e laid over the other like insert. The length of each of the die members, the position of each stopper and the like are set so as to arrange the forming part of each of the die members 61a-61e, 62a-62e at a prescribed pitch when the die members 61a-61e of the front side unit 65 are all assembled in the regulating part 70 at the front end of the outer cylinder 60 and the die members 62a-62e of the rear side unit 66 are all assembled in the regulating part 71 at the rear end of the outer cylinder 60.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for efficiently manufacturing a metal bellows.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional metal bellows manufacturing techniques include:
For example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-42969, a bulge forming method using hydraulic pressure is known. A conventional bellows manufacturing apparatus for performing the bulge forming method was configured as illustrated in FIG.

In other words, outside the straight tubular metal bellows material (base tube 1a) shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, the number of molds 2 corresponding to the number of peaks of the bellows to be formed is set on the axis of the base tube 1a. Are arranged at equal pitch P1 in the direction. Then, the inside of the raw tube 1a is filled with the liquid 3, and the liquid 3 is pressurized, whereby
The tube 1a is expanded between the molds 2 as shown by a solid line at 0. Then, while maintaining the hydraulic pressure, as shown in FIG. 11, all the dies of the bellows 1 are integrally formed by pushing down to the pitch P2 so that all the dies 2 overlap. As shown in FIG. 12, these molds 2 are configured to be radially dividable so that the bellows 1 can be taken out.

In the above manufacturing apparatus, it is important to arrange all the molds 2 at a predetermined pitch P1 before inflating the raw tube 1a. For this reason, conventionally, a spacer unit 5 having a plurality of spacers 4 as shown in FIG.
Are used to arrange the molds 2 at a predetermined pitch P1. These spacers 4 are movable in the direction along the guide shaft 6, and the pitch between the spacers 4 is roughly regulated by the compression spring 7. The mold 2 is movable in a direction along the guide shaft 8, and the pitch is roughly regulated by a compression spring 9. The mold 2 and the spacer 4 are provided as a pair on both sides in the radial direction of the raw tube 1a.

In order to pitch the molds 2 using the spacer units 5, the spacers 5 are moved in the direction of the mold 2 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 13) while the spacers 4 are moved to the respective molds. Work such as insertion between the molds 2 is performed. Then, after the spacers 4 are inserted between the molds 2, the end molds 2a are pressed in the direction of arrow B so that the molds 2 are formed at the above-mentioned predetermined pitch P1 according to the thickness of the spacers 4. Become lined up.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, when pitching the molds 2, the operation of setting the spacer 4 at a rough position in the axial direction of the guide shaft 6 and the space between the respective molds 2 are performed. To insert each spacer 4 into the end mold 2a
And the like, which is required to be pressed in the direction of the mold 2 along the guide shaft 8, which is not only inefficient but also hinders the complete automation of the bellows manufacturing process. Also, since each mold 2 slides along the guide shaft 8,
It is necessary to make the thickness of the part where the guide shaft 8 of the mold 2 passes relatively large. In addition, since the spacer unit 5 is required, there is a problem that the entire apparatus becomes large and the structure becomes complicated.

In addition, since the dies 2 come into close contact with each other in the final stage of the bellows molding, a compression allowance corresponding to the contact length of the compression spring 9 must be ensured. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is difficult to manufacture a bellows having a small pitch.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bellows manufacturing method capable of efficiently manufacturing bellows, simplifying the structure, and manufacturing a small-pitch bellows having a pitch of several mm. It is to provide a manufacturing apparatus.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a bellows having an arc-shaped formed portion along an outer periphery of a bellows material pipe and having an outer shape. A plurality of mold members formed by laminating cylindrical portions having smaller diameters and lengths in the axial direction in a nested manner in order from the one described above such that the molded portions have a first pitch in the axial direction of the raw tube. A pitching step of arranging, a bulge forming step of filling the inside of the base tube with a liquid and inflating the base tube between the forming parts of the mold member by pressurizing the liquid, and a forming part of each of the mold members. A compression step of forming each peak of the bellows at a second pitch by moving the bellows to a second pitch while applying pressure in a direction to approach each other, wherein the pitching step is provided on each of the mold members. ing The position of the molding portion of each mold member is regulated to the first pitch by a control means, and in the compression step, the vertical wall of the molding portion of each mold member is overlapped in the axial direction of the mold member to form the molding portion. Is regulated to the second pitch.

The bellows manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention has a cylindrical shape having an arc-shaped formed portion along the outer circumference of a bellows material base tube and having a diameter and a length decreasing in order from the outer one. A unit in which a plurality of mold members each having a portion are laminated in a nested manner, and the mold members are slidable in the axial direction with respect to each other; and when the mold members are provided and each mold member is moved to one end side, respectively. Pitch regulating means for regulating the position of each mold member such that the molded portions of the mold member are arranged at a first pitch in the axial direction of the raw tube by abutting on each other; Bulge liquid pressure supply means capable of supplying a liquid and pressurizing the liquid to inflate the base tube between the molding parts, and when the molding parts are brought closer to each other by moving each of the mold members to the other end side. Each molded part is the second And comprising a second pitch regulating means for regulating the position of the mold member so that the pitch.

Further, the bellows manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention has a housing having a hollow hole extending along an axial direction, and a mold assembly housed inside the housing, wherein the mold is provided. The mold assembly is housed in the hollow hole, is movable in the axial direction of the hollow hole, and is provided with a regulating portion on each of a front end side and a rear end side, and is nested on the front side inside the outer cylinder. It is composed of a plurality of slidable mold members each having a cylindrical portion having a circular arc shape along the outer periphery of the bellows material base tube and having a diameter and a length decreasing in order from the outer side. A front unit having a stopper that regulates the position of the mold member such that the molding portions of the mold members are arranged at a first pitch when the mold member is moved toward the regulation portion on the front end side of the outer cylinder;
The outer cylinder has a cylindrical portion that is laminated in a nested manner on the rear side of the outer cylinder and has an arc-shaped molded portion along the outer periphery of the bellows material pipe, and has a diameter and a length decreasing in order from the outer one. It is composed of a plurality of slidable mold members, and the positions of the mold members are adjusted so that the molding portions of the mold members are arranged at the first pitch when the mold members are moved toward the regulating portion on the rear end side of the outer cylinder. When the rear unit having the stopper for regulating, and the molded part of each mold member of the front unit and the molded part of each mold member of the rear unit are moved in a direction approaching each other, each molded part has a second pitch. Means for regulating the position of each mold member so as to be lined up, and further capable of supplying a liquid to the inside of the base tube and inflating the base tube between the molding parts by pressurizing the liquid. Bulge hydraulic pressure supply means A fixed end support member having a support portion engaged with the innermost mold member of the front unit, and a movable end support member having a support portion engaged with the innermost mold member of the rear unit. And driving means for moving the moving-side end support member in the axial direction.

With such a configuration, the molding portions of the mold members are automatically arranged at the first pitch simply by moving all the mold members to one end of the outer cylinder. Further, the molded portions are automatically arranged at the second pitch simply by moving all the mold members to the other end of the outer cylinder.

In the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus, the thickness of the vertical wall of the molding portion of the mold member may be set such that the vertical wall of each molding portion is overlapped with each other in the axial direction of the mold member. Are preferably set so as to be arranged at the second pitch. In addition, as set forth in claim 5, the mold assembly has a rod that extends between the fixed-side end support member and the movable-side end support member in the axial direction of the outer cylinder. The rod is preferably passed through a hole provided in each mold member to prevent the rotation of each mold member.

In order to automate the bellows manufacturing process, in the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, a clamp actuator for opening and closing a mold member capable of being opened and closed in a radially divisible manner is provided. A mold driving mechanism for pushing the mold member up to the second pitch where all the members are in close contact with each other, and mold returning means for returning the mold member so that the mold members are arranged at the first pitch; It is preferable to include a clamp actuator, a mold driving mechanism, and a controller that automatically performs a bellows manufacturing process by transmitting a signal for controlling operation of the bulge hydraulic pressure supply unit. The controller uses a microcomputer or the like, and sends out an electrical control signal to the drive mechanism, the actuator, the bulge hydraulic pressure supply unit, and the like.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The bellows manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a housing 11 and a mold assembly 12 housed in the housing 11. A cylindrical hollow hole 13 is formed inside the housing 11 along the axial direction of the housing 11. The housing 11 includes a pair of left and right divided pieces 11a and 11b configured to be able to be divided into two in the radial direction of the hollow hole 13. These divided pieces 11a and 11b can be moved by a housing driving actuator (clamping actuator) 16 along a guide rail 15 extending in the dividing direction.

Each divided piece 11a, 11b of the housing 11
Are symmetrical to each other, and a key groove 20 is formed on the inner surface of the hollow hole 13 along the axial direction. Keyway 20
A restricting member (for example, a convex portion) 21 for preventing rotation of the outer cylinder 60 to be described later is provided on the extension line of.

A fixed end support member 25 is provided at one end of the mold assembly 12. Mold assembly 12
On the other end side, a movable end support member 26 is provided. Each of the end support members 25 and 26 has a configuration that can be divided into two in the radial direction similarly to the housing 11. That is, the fixed-side end support member 25 is constituted by a pair of left-right symmetrical split pieces 25a, 25b (shown in FIG. 3), and the movable-side end support member 26 is also formed by a pair of left-right symmetrical split pieces 26a, 26b. It is constituted by. FIG. 1 shows one of the divided pieces 25a and 26a.

The fixed-side end support member 25 includes a flange portion 30 fixed to the end surface of the housing 11, a center shaft portion 31 protruding from the center of the flange portion 30 toward the inside of the housing 11, and a center shaft portion. And a support portion 32 formed at the tip of the portion 31 and having a larger diameter than the center shaft portion 31. The support portion 32 is inserted between the vertical wall 81e and the stopper 80e of the innermost mold member 61e of the front unit 65 described below.

At the center of the fixed end support member 25,
A core metal insertion hole 35 penetrating in the axial direction of the center shaft portion 31 is formed. The inner diameter of the cored bar insertion hole 35 is set to a size that allows insertion of a seal cored bar 40 described later.
The inner diameter of the distal end portion 35a of the cored bar insertion hole 35 is a dimension into which the end of the bellows material (metal tube 1a) can be inserted. A rod 36 is provided on the support portion 32 of the end support member 25. The rod 36 extends in the axial direction of the end support member 25.

In FIG. 2, a fixed side seal core 40 is provided on a support member 39 located on the left side in FIG. The fixed-side seal core metal 40 is inserted into the core metal insertion hole 35 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The seal core 40 is connected to a core drive mechanism (not shown).
It is designed to be able to reciprocate with a slight stroke in the 0 axis direction. The outer diameter of the distal end portion 40a of the seal core 40 is such that it can be inserted into the open end of the raw tube 1a, and a seal member 41 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 40a. A bulge liquid supply hole 42 penetrating in the axial direction is formed in the seal core 40. The bulge liquid supply device 43 is connected to the bulge liquid supply hole 42. These function as bulge hydraulic pressure supply means.

The moving-side end support member 26 accommodated in the other end of the housing 11 includes a piston-shaped body 45 movable in the axial direction of the housing 11,
A center shaft portion 46 protruding from the center of the end face of the end surface toward the inside of the housing 11, and a support portion 47 formed at the tip of the center shaft portion 46 and having a larger diameter than the center shaft portion 46. The support part 47 is inserted between the stopper 90e of the innermost mold member 62e of the rear unit 66 described below and the vertical wall 91e.

At the center of the end support member 26, there is formed a core metal insertion hole 48 that penetrates the end support member 26 in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the cored bar insertion hole 48 is set to a size into which a seal cored bar 50 described later can be inserted. The inner diameter of the distal end portion 48a of the cored bar insertion hole 48 is a dimension that allows the end of the base tube 1a to be inserted. As shown in FIG. 3, the rod 3 is inserted into a through hole 49 formed in the support portion 47 of the end support member 26.
6 are movably inserted.

The moving side seal core 50 is inserted into the core insertion hole 48 of the end support member 26 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The seal core 50 includes a seal core 50.
An output end 55a of a mold driving mechanism 55 (shown in FIG. 2) for driving the shaft in the axial direction is connected. One example of the mold driving mechanism 55 is a direct-acting actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder. The outer diameter of the distal end portion 50a of the seal core 50 is a dimension that can be inserted into the open end of the raw tube 1a. Tip 5
A sealing member 51 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer member 0a.

The end support member 26 has an output end 5 of the driving mechanism 55 functioning as a driving means for pushing the mold.
5a, mold return air cylinder (mold return means) 53
The end support member 26 can be reciprocated in the axial direction of the housing 11. The key 56 provided on the end support member 26 is fitted into the key groove 20 of the housing 11 so that the end support member 26
The end support member 26 is guided to move in the axial direction so as not to rotate around the axis.

The actuator 16 for driving the housing, the actuator for the mold driving mechanism 55, etc.
7 driven. The hydraulic unit 57 and the bulge liquid supply device 43 are controlled by a controller 58.

The mold assembly 1 is provided inside the housing 11.
2 are accommodated. The configuration of the mold assembly 12 will be described below. Like the housing 11 and the end supporting members 25 and 26, the mold assembly 12 in the illustrated example has a symmetrical half-split structure that can be divided into two in the radial direction, one of which is shown in FIG. I have.

The mold assembly 12 includes a cylindrical outer cylinder 60 located on the outermost side, a front unit 65 located on the left side inside the outer cylinder 60 in FIG. 3, and a rear unit 66 located on the right side. Have.

The front unit 65 includes a first mold member 61a, a second mold member 61b, a third mold member 61c, a fourth mold member 61d, and a fifth mold member 61e having nested cylindrical portions. It has. As will be described later, the first to fifth mold members 61a to 61e have smaller diameters and shorter lengths as they are located inside.

The rear unit 66 also includes a first mold member 62a, a second mold member 62b, a third mold member 62c, a fourth mold member 62d, and a fifth mold member 62e having nested cylindrical portions. And As will be described later, each of the first to fifth mold members 62a to 62e has a smaller diameter and a shorter length toward the inner side. The total length of the outer cylinder 60 is longer than the total length of the pair of front and rear first mold members 61a and 62a,
The difference corresponds to the first pitch P1.

The mold members 61a to 61e, 6
Since the number of 2a to 62e is set according to the number of peaks of the bellows to be formed, it goes without saying that the number may exceed the illustrated example.

At the front and rear ends of the outer cylinder 60, inward flange-shaped regulating portions 70 and 71 are provided. In addition, a slit 72 is formed in the middle part of the outer cylinder 60 in the longitudinal direction along the axial direction. A restricting member 21 for preventing rotation provided in the housing 11 is inserted into the slit 72 to allow the outer cylinder 60 to move in the axial direction while the rotation of the outer cylinder 60 is restricted. Outer cylinder 60 and all mold members 61a to 61
Each of 1e and 62a to 62e has a half-split structure that can be split into two in the radial direction.

The mold members 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e of the front unit 65 located on the left side in FIG.
Are inward flange-shaped stoppers 80a located on the front end side,
80b, 80c, 80d, and 80e, and inward flanged vertical walls 81a, 81b, 81c, 81d, located on the rear end side.
81e and the tips of the vertical walls 81a to 81e, ie, the base tube 1a.
Arc-shaped molded portions 82a formed on the inner peripheral portion facing
82b, 82c, 82d and 82e. The axial length of each of these mold members 61a to 61e is:
When all the mold members 61a to 61e are moved toward the regulating portion 70 on the front end side of the outer cylinder 60, the forming portions 82a to 8e are formed.
2e are all set to have dimensions that are separated by a distance corresponding to the first pitch P1.

The mold members 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e of the rear unit 66 located on the right side in FIG.
Are inward flange-shaped stoppers 90a located on the rear end side.
90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and inward flange-shaped vertical walls 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d, located on the front end side.
91e and the tips of the vertical walls 91a to 91e, that is, the raw pipe 1a.
Arc-shaped molded portions 92a formed on the inner peripheral portion facing
92b, 92c, 92d, and 92e. The axial length of each of these mold members 62a to 62e is:
When all the mold members 62a to 62e are moved toward the regulating portion 71 on the rear end side of the outer cylinder 60, the forming portions 92a to 92e are formed.
2e are all set to have dimensions that are separated by a distance corresponding to the first pitch P1.

The distance between the regulating portions 70 and 71 of the outer cylinder 60 is
When the pair of front and rear first mold members 61a and 62a are in contact with the regulating portions 70 and 71, respectively, the first mold member 6
1a and 62a are formed at the first pitch P
It is set to be separated by a distance equivalent to 1.

The mold members 61a to 61e and 62a to 6
By rotating the rod 36 through the hole Q formed in the vertical walls 81a to 81e and 91a to 91e of 2e, all the mold members 61a to 61e and 62a to 62e are prevented from rotating.

Next, the operation of the bellows manufacturing apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the end support member 26 on the moving side is fully moved rightward,
Since the support portion 32 of the fixed-side end support member 25 and the support portion 47 of the movable-side end support member 26 are separated from each other as much as possible, each mold member 6 of the front unit 65 located on the left side is separated.
1a to 61e are moved to the regulation portion 70 on one end by the fixed-side support portion 32, and the right mold members 62a to 62e are moved to the regulation portion 71 on the other side by the support portion 47 on the moving side. Therefore, all the mold members 61a to 61e, 62a
Molding parts 82a-82e, 92a-92e of
Equal pitch (first pitch P1). That is, the pitching step is completed.

The base tube 1a is set on the end supporting members 25 and 26, a fixed-side seal core 40 is inserted into one end of the base tube 1a, and a movable-side seal core is inserted into the other end of the base tube 1a. 5
By inserting 0, the internal space of the raw tube 1a is sealed. In this state, the bulge forming liquid (water or oil) is filled into the inside of the base tube 1a through the liquid supply hole 42 of the fixed-side seal mandrel 40 by the bulge liquid supply mechanism 43, and this liquid is added. By pressing, 2 in FIG.
As indicated by the dashed line, each of the molded portions 82a to 82e, 92a to
The tube 1a expands between 92e. The above is the bulge forming step.

Then, while maintaining the hydraulic pressure, the end support member 26 on the moving side is pushed in the left direction in the figure by the output end 55 of the pushing cylinder. Then, in the process of pushing, first, the distal end surface of the support portion 47 of the end support member 26 moves to a position where it abuts against the vertical wall 91e of the fifth mold member 62e of the rear unit 66. One part of the bellows is formed between the bellows and the forming part 92e. When the end support member 26 moves further to the left,
This time, the vertical wall 91e is the vertical wall 91d of the fourth mold member 62d.
, One more mountain of bellows is formed. When the end supporting member 26 further moves to the left, the vertical wall 91d abuts against the vertical wall 91c of the third mold member 62c, so that a further mountain of the bellows is formed. In this way, the bellows peaks are sequentially formed. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the vertical walls 91a to 91e of the rear unit 66 are all overlapped by the movement of the end support member 26 from the initial position S0 to the intermediate position S1.

When the end support member 26 on the moving side moves further to the left, the vertical wall 91a comes into contact with the vertical wall 81a of the first mold member 61a of the front unit 65, and the vertical wall 81a By abutting against the vertical wall 81b of the second mold member 61b of 65, one more mountain of the bellows is formed. When the end support member 26 further moves to the left, the vertical wall 81b abuts against the vertical wall 81c of the third mold member 61c, so that a further mountain of the bellows is formed. In this way, the bellows peaks are sequentially formed. FIG. 5B shows that all the vertical walls 81 are moved by the movement of the end support member 26 to the stroke end S2.
a to 81e and 91a to 91e are shown in an overlapping state. In this state, all the peaks of the bellows 1
At a pitch P2. The above is the compression step. The vertical walls 81a to 81e and 91a to 91e
2 functions as a second pitch restricting means for obtaining 2.

After the entire peak of the bellows 1 is formed as described above, the hydraulic pressure in the bellows 1 is released. Further, the housing 11, the mold assembly 12, and the end support members 25, 16 are divided into two parts by the actuator 16, and the seal cores 40, 50 are pulled out from the ends of the bellows 1. Take out from.

Thereafter, the housing 11, the mold assembly 12, and the end support members 25 and 26 are closed again, and the movable end support member 26 is returned to the initial position by the output end 55 of the pushing actuator. This end support member 26
When the end support member 26 starts moving rightward in the process of returning to the initial position, first, the rear end surface of the support portion 47 of the end support member 26 is moved to the fifth mold member 62e of the rear unit 66.
The stopper 90e of the support portion 47
A distance corresponding to the first pitch P1 is secured between the front end surface of the first mold member 62 and the molding portion 92e of the fifth mold member 62e.

When the end supporting member 26 further returns to the right, the stopper 90e abuts against the stopper 90d of the fourth mold member 62d, thereby causing the fifth mold member 6 to return.
2e forming part 92e and fourth mold member 62d forming part 92d
And the first pitch P1 is secured. When the end support member 26 further returns rightward, the stopper 90d of the fourth mold member 62d abuts against the stopper 90c of the third mold member 62c. While the end support member 26 moves rightward in this manner, the mold members 62 a to 62
e is sequentially moved to the rear regulating unit 71. FIG. 5 (C)
Shows a state in which the end support member 26 has returned from the stroke end S2 to the intermediate position S3.

When the moving-side end support member 26 further moves rightward, the stopper 90a of the first mold member 62a of the rear unit 66 is kept in contact with the regulating portion 71 of the outer cylinder 60.
The outer cylinder 60 starts moving to the right. For this reason, the outer cylinder 6
The first pitch P1 is ensured between the molded portions 82a and 92a by the abutment portion 70 on the front side of the abutment against the stopper 80a of the first mold member 61a of the front unit 65. When the end support member 26 further moves to the right, the stopper 80a of the first mold member 61a abuts against the stopper 80b of the second mold member 61b, so that the molded portion 82a of the first mold member 61a and the second mold Molded part 82 of member 61b
1b, the first pitch P1 is secured. In the process of moving the end support member 26 rightward, the pitching process of the first pitch P1 is completed, and the left mold member 61a
3 to 61e are all brought to the regulating section 70, and return to the initial state of FIG. Therefore, the regulating portions 70 and 71 and the stoppers 80a to 80e and 90a to 90e
It functions as the first pitch regulating means for obtaining 1.

The housing 11, the mold assembly 12, and the end support members 25 and 26 are divided into two parts, and a new pipe 1a is formed.
Is set on the end support members 25 and 26, thereby repeating the above-described series of bellows manufacturing steps.

According to the bellows manufacturing apparatus 10 having the above-described structure, after one bellows is formed, all the mold members 61a to 61b are returned with the step of returning the moving-side end support member 26 to the original position. Since the pitching steps 61e and 62a to 62e can be automatically performed in a short time,
The bellows can be manufactured efficiently, and the operation can be fully automated.

Since the mold assembly 12 has all the mold members 61a to 61e and 62a to 62e integrally accommodated inside the outer cylinder 60, the mold members 61a to 61e.
e, 62a to 62e are easy to handle. In addition, if the mold assembly 12 is prepared according to the bellows pitch, the number of peaks, and the like, when the type of the bellows is changed, it can be dealt with only by replacing the mold assembly 12, so that the work required for the mold replacement is required. Setup can be performed safely in a short time.

FIG. 7 shows the bellows manufacturing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment.
0 and the time required for pitching when a metal bellows is manufactured, and the conventional bellows manufacturing apparatus (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-4).
No. 2969) is compared with the time required for pitching. In the case of the conventional apparatus, the working time greatly increased as the number of pitches increased. However, in the case of the bellows manufacturing apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment, even if the number of pitches increased, the increase in the time required for pitching was slight. Met.

FIG. 8 shows the first half of the bellows manufacturing process in the embodiment, that is, a series of steps from the setting of the raw tube to the end of the bulge forming process, and FIG. 9 shows the latter half of the bellows manufacturing process, ie, the bellows after forming. Shows a series of steps until the mold is removed from the mold.

The front unit 65 and the rear unit 6
6 may be operated separately, or the front unit 65 and the rear unit 66 may be operated simultaneously. Further, by changing the dimensions of the front and rear mold members, it is possible to manufacture metal bellows having unequal pitch, two-step pitch, and different diameters in the axial direction. In addition, those having a relatively small number of pitches can be manufactured by using one of the mold members of the front unit 65 or the rear unit 66. That is, various types of metal bellows can be manufactured according to the specifications of the mold member and the like, and a metal bellows having a spiral mountain can also be manufactured.

[0050]

According to the present invention, the steps required for forming the bellows, in particular, the work of positioning the mold members at a predetermined pitch can be simplified, and a bellows with high efficiency and stable quality can be manufactured in a short time. At the same time, manual work relating to pitching can be eliminated, and work safety can be improved.

Further, a spacer for pitching, which has been conventionally required, can be eliminated, and the structure can be simplified and the device can be downsized. In addition, since a mold assembly is used in which all mold members are housed in an outer cylinder and unitized, it is necessary to prepare a replaceable mold assembly according to specifications such as the number of peaks and pitch of the bellows. Accordingly, it is possible to easily cope with the molding of various types of bellows. Especially,
Even a bellows having a small pitch of several mm can be easily manufactured with high precision.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the mold member of the front unit and the mold member of the rear unit are arranged in series at the front part and the rear part of the outer cylinder, respectively.
Since the pitching process of the front unit and the rear unit can be completed in a single operation, it is effective for bellows having a large number of peaks.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a part of a bellows manufacturing apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall plan view of the bellows manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a part of the bellows manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the bellows manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an operation mode of a mold assembly of the bellows manufacturing apparatus in the order of steps.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the mold assembly.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of bellows pitches and work time.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first half of a bellows manufacturing process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the bellows manufacturing process.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional bellows manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an operation mode of the bellows manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a mold of the bellows manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a pitching spacer of the bellows manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Bellows manufacturing apparatus 11 ... Housing 12 ... Die assembly 25 ... Fixed-side end support member 26 ... Moving-side end support member 32 ... Support part 40 ... Fixed-side seal core metal 47 ... Support part 50 ... Moving Side seal core bar 60 ... outer cylinder 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e ... mold member 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e ... mold member 65 ... front unit 66 ... rear unit 70, 71 ... regulating part 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e ... Stoppers 81a, 81b, 81c, 81d, 81e ... Vertical walls 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d, 82e ... Molded parts 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e ... Stoppers 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d, 91e: vertical wall 92a, 92b, 92c, 92d, 92e: molded part

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of cylindrical members each having an arc-shaped formed portion along the outer periphery of a bellows material base tube and nesting cylindrical portions having a smaller diameter and a smaller axial length in order from the outside. A pitching step of arranging the mold members so that the molding portions have a first pitch in the axial direction of the raw tube; and filling the liquid inside the raw tube and pressurizing the liquid to form the die member. A bulge forming step of inflating the base tube between the forming portions, and forming the respective peaks of the bellows at the second pitch by moving the forming portions of the respective mold members to a second pitch while pressing the forming portions toward each other. In the pitching step, the position of the molded portion of each mold member is regulated to the first pitch by regulating means provided on each mold member. Is Method for producing a bellows, characterized in that for regulating the position of the molding portion by overlapping longitudinal wall of the molding portion of the respective mold members in the axial direction of the mold member to the second pitch. 2. A plurality of mold members having an arc-shaped forming portion along the outer periphery of a bellows material base tube and having a cylindrical portion having a diameter and a length decreasing in order from an outer portion. A unit in which the mold members are slidable in the axial direction with respect to each other; and a molding portion of the mold member is provided by being provided on the mold member and abutting each other when each mold member is brought to one end side. First pitch regulating means for regulating the position of each mold member so as to be arranged at a first pitch in the axial direction of the tube; and the molding by supplying a liquid inside the raw tube and pressurizing the liquid. A bulge hydraulic pressure supply means for expanding the raw material tube between the parts, and a mold member such that each of the mold members is moved to the other end side so that each of the molded parts has a second pitch when the molded parts are brought closer to each other. The second pick that regulates the position of Bellows manufacturing apparatus characterized by comprising a regulating unit. 3. A housing having a hollow hole extending along the axial direction, and a mold assembly housed inside the housing, wherein the mold assembly is housed in the hollow hole and extends in the axial direction of the hollow hole. An outer cylinder, which is movable in the front end side and a rear end side, and is formed in a nested shape on the front side inside the outer cylinder, and is formed in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the bellows material pipe. A plurality of slidable mold members having a cylindrical portion having a diameter and a length decreasing in order from the outside and having each of the mold members, and each mold member is moved toward the regulating portion on the front end side of the outer cylinder. A front unit having a stopper that regulates the position of the mold member so that the molding portions of the mold members are arranged at a first pitch; Outside And a plurality of slidable mold members having a cylindrical portion having a diameter and a length decreasing in order from the outside, and each mold member is formed at the rear end side of the outer cylinder. A rear unit having a stopper that regulates the position of the mold member such that the molding portions of the mold members are arranged at a first pitch when approaching the regulating portion of the front unit; Means for restricting the position of each mold member so that the molded portions are arranged at a second pitch when the molded portions of the mold members of the side unit are moved in a direction of approaching each other. A bulge liquid pressure supply means capable of supplying a liquid to the inside of the base tube and expanding the base tube between the molding portions by pressurizing the liquid, and a support portion engaged with an innermost mold member of the front unit. Fixed side end support with A movable end support member having a support portion that engages with the innermost mold member of the rear unit; and driving means for moving the movable end support member in the axial direction. A bellows manufacturing apparatus characterized in that: 4. The thickness of the vertical wall of the molding portion of the mold member is set to a dimension such that the molding portions are arranged at the second pitch when the vertical walls are overlapped with each other in the axial direction of the molding member. The bellows manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bellows is manufactured. 5. The mold assembly has a rod extending in the axial direction of the outer cylinder between the fixed-side end support member and the movable-side end support member. The bellows manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the mold members is prevented from rotating by passing through a hole provided in each of the mold members. 6. An apparatus for manufacturing a bellows according to claim 2, wherein the clamp actuator for opening and closing a mold member that is openable and closable in a radially divisible manner, and wherein the mold members are all provided. A mold driving mechanism for pushing the mold member up to the second pitch, which is in close contact with the mold; mold returning means for returning the mold member so that the mold members are arranged at the first pitch; A bellows manufacturing apparatus, comprising: an actuator, a mold driving mechanism, and a controller that automatically performs a bellows manufacturing process by transmitting a signal for controlling operation of the bulge hydraulic pressure supply unit.