MXPA98001042A - Apparatus and procedure to produce a body of pa - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the production of a honeycomb body, in particular a catalytic converter carrying body, from at least one cell comprising a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets, which form a plurality of passages that are transmissible to a fluid, wherein the apparatus has a bifurcated support device, which couples each stack, and forming segments, which can be closed to form a former, wherein each forming segment has a surface portion respective, which together when the former is closed, provides the external shape of the honeycomb body to be produced, characterized in that at least two forming segments are provided, which are so displaceably arranged that at least a part of each surface portion , leaning against the pile, describes a trajectory of movement in the direction of the extremity or free respective of the stack, the movement path corresponds to the external form

Description

APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE TO PRODUCE A PANAL BODY DESCRIPTION OF THE NONDION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing a honeycomb body, in particular a catalytic converter carrying body, from at least one cell comprising a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets. Catalytic converters are used to reduce the amount of pollutants in exhaust gases, in particular in the exhaust gases of motor vehicles. The carrier bodies in such catalysts can be in the form of metal honeycomb bodies. Such honeycomb bodies include a stack comprising a plurality of metal sheets at least partially structured. US-A-4 923 109 describes a honeycomb body, which has a stack that is twisted in opposite directions around itself and around a central region. In addition, WO 90/03220 discloses a metallic catalytic converter carrier body, which is constructed from at least partially structured metal sheets. This catalytic converter carrier body includes at least three stacks of metal sheets, wherein at least three of the stacks are bent around a respective associated bending line in the central region of the honeycomb body and are twisted in the bent condition in opposite directions around each other and around a central region with flex lines. Devices for the production of such honeycomb bodies are known, the apparatuses comprising a forwarder or bifurcated envelope device, which can rotate about an axis and which couples each stack, and forming segments that are close to forming a former. The internal contour of the closed former corresponds to the external contour of the honeycomb body in the wound condition. In order to ensure the reeling of the stack or stacks around itself or of themselves or around a central region, the forming segments move towards the stack in such a manner that, during the rotational movement of the bifurcated twisting device, the battery or stacks rest against the edge of the forming segments and that edge forms support means. At the end of the production process, the former is completely closed and in this way imparts the final shape to the honeycomb body. Known apparatuses have two segments, which move towards and away from each other in a straight line. During the closing procedure, there is a risk that at least one forming segment may move in a relationship opposite to the direction of movement of the portion of the stack, which remains skewed. If the forming segment moves against the pile portion, this can result in undesirable deformation of the stack or stacks. Such deformation can result in the individual metal sheets of the stack becoming partially entangled. The deformation of the metal sheets influences the structure of the honeycomb body. On the one hand, the resistance of the honeycomb body suffers from such deformation phenomenon, and on the other hand there is a local variation in the cross sections of the passage. Such variations in the cross section of the passage give rise to irregular distribution of the exhaust gases through the honeycomb body, and may affect the catalytic effect of the honeycomb body. The known honeycomb bodies are predominantly of a circular transverse configuration. The production of other cross sections requires different production methods. Such a production method is known, for example, from U.S. Patent Specification No. 4 519 120. That production method provides a first honeycomb body that is wound and then deformed through tools. Based on this, the present invention is based on the problem of thus developing the known apparatus and the known method for the production of a honeycomb body whose deformation of individual stacks or metal sheets is avoided during the production process. The invention also seeks to provide the possibility of producing honeycomb bodies, which are of a non-circular cross section. According to the invention, that problem is solved through an apparatus having the aspects of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the apparatus are the subject matter of the appended claims 2 to 5. The methods according to the invention for the production of a honeycomb body are presented in claims 6 and 7. The apparatus, according to the invention, for the production of a honeycomb body, in particular a catalytic converter carrying body, from at least one stack comprising a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets, which form a plurality of passages that are transmissible to a fluid, wherein the apparatus has a bifurcated holding device, which couples each stack, and forming segments that can be closed to form a former, wherein each forming segment has a respective curved surface portion, which together when the former it closes, they provide the external shape of the honeycomb body that will be produced, they are distinguished because at least two are provided forming segments, which are so displaceably arranged that at least a part of each surface portion, leaning against the stack, describes a path of movement in the direction of the respective free end of the stack, such movement path corresponds to the shape external By virtue of the fact that at least a part of each surface portion describes a trajectory of movement, corresponding to the external shape, in the direction of the respective free end of the stack, the respective portion of the stack, which is in contact with the part of the surface portion of the forming segment, is deformed in such a way that in the final condition of the operation of forming the stacks, the desired external shape of the honeycomb body is obtained which will be produced. The fact that the direction of the movement path is towards the respective free end of the stack, prevents the deformation of the individual sheet metal layers or stacks, in contrast to the previously known method, since the forming segments flex the portions of the stack towards the final form. Depending on the desired external shape of the honeycomb body that will be produced, it is possible to select an appropriate number of forming segments, which provide for the winding or wrapping of the individual sheet metal layers or layers. Preferably, the arrangement has two forming segments, which are displaceable in the same direction. It should be emphasized that the portion of the surface portion of the forming segment can be of different lengths, during the sequence of movements. This depends, on the one hand, on the sequence of movements of the forming segment, and on the other hand, on the external shape of the honeycomb body that will be produced. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is one in which the forming segments are placed in opposite relation in their respective starting positions. Preferably, the forming segments are placed in an opposite relationship in pairs. The movement of the forming segments is produced in particular synchronously. That is, not absolutely necessary. If it is sufficient for the speed of the individual movements of the forming segments to be different, that the forming segments do not hit each other during the production of the honeycomb body.

According to a more advantageous aspect, it is proposed that the former be one of a design configuration having at least one forming segment that moves radially outwardly and radially inwardly. Which forms a closing segment. The former closes with that closing segment in the final condition, in order to impart its final shape to the honeycomb body. According to a concept according to the invention, a method is proposed for the production of a honeycomb body having a plurality of passages, which are transmissible for a fluid, comprising a plurality of at least partially metal sheets structured. According to the method, first a stack is formed from a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets. The stack is introduced into an open former and maintained there through a support device in a central region. The ends of the stack extend from the central region radially outward. At least two forming segments are displaced each of their starting positions, so that at least a part of each portion of curved surface bears against the stack. Then, the forming segments move along a movement path corresponding to the external shape, such that at least a part of the surface portion is always in contact with the stack. The former is closed after a predetermined degree of winding or wrapping of the stacks has been achieved. In addition, to produce honeycomb bodies, a method is proposed wherein a plurality of piles is formed from a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets. Each pile is folded along a line of flexion. The piles are introduced into an open former and maintained there through a support device in a central region. Then, at least two forming segments each move out of their starting positions so that at least a portion of each curved surface portion of the forming segment bears against the respective stack. The forming segments move along a movement path corresponding to the external shape, so that part of each surface portion of a forming segment always rests against the stack. The former is closed after a predetermined degree of envelopment or winding of the piles has been achieved. The apparatus and method offer the possibility of producing honeycomb bodies, which are of a cross section that differs from a circular cross section. In this way it is possible, for example, to produce an oval honeycomb body or a honeycomb body in the shape of a track, without any need for deformation of the metal stacks or sheets. These procedures and appliances provide a honeycomb body, which has a regular structure. The advantages and additional aspects of the apparatus and method are described through a modality illustrated in the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an apparatus for the production of a honeycomb body with the open former, Figures 2 to 4 show different positions of the mobile forming segments, Figure 5 shows the former when partially closed, and Figure 6 is a plan view of the closed former. The apparatus has a bifurcated support device, which holds the stack 1 in the central region of the former. The stack 1 is twisted around the bars 13, 14 of the support device. The former has four forming segments 2, 3, 4 and 5. Together in the closed condition, they form a former 10. Each forming segment 2 to 5 has a curved surface portion 6, 7, 8 and 9, which together when the former 10 closed provides an external shape 15 of the honeycomb body that will be produced. The forming segments 3 and 5 are arranged to be radially displaceable inwardly and radially outwardly. In Figure 2, the forming segments 2 and 4 have been placed in support against the stack 1. The part 1 1 of the surface portion 6 of the forming segment 2 and the part 12 of the surface portion 8 of the forming segment 4 abuts against the stack 1. The portion of the stack projecting out of the former from the bars 14 and 13 respectively, flexes in a manner corresponding to the curvature of the parts 11 and 12, respectively. Figure 3 shows the position of the forming segments 2 and 4, which are assumed when a 30 ° rotary movement of the forming segments 2 and 4 is completed. An additional portion of the stack is deformed during the rotary movement in the direction indicated by the arrow R. In this regard, the rotational movement of the forming segments 2 and 4 takes place in such a way that the parts 11 and 12 respectively of the forming segments 2 and 4, always rest against the stack. By virtue of an additional rotary movement of the forming segments I I 2 and 4, these take a position as shown in Figure 4. In this respect, the forming segments 2 and 4 have been rotated 90 ° in relation to their original position. As can be seen in particular in Figure 4, the part 11 and 12 respectively of each of the surface portions 6 and 8 respectively is substantially larger than as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The stack is placed in its shape definitive by virtue of the additional displacement of the forming segments 3 and 4. In the illustrated embodiment, a rotary movement of the segments 2 and 4 through 180 ° is sufficient for the honeycomb body to be in a mirror image symmetry in its structure. The movement of the two forming segments 2 and 4 was carried out synchronously. After the forming segments 2 and 4 have reached their position shown in Figure 5, the two forming segments 3 and 5 move radially outward towards the honeycomb body 16. The former 10 is not yet definitively closed, as can be seen in FIG. see in Figure 5. The former 10 is closed, as illustrated in Figure 6, through the individual forming segments 2 through 4 that move further towards the honeycomb body.

List of References 1 stack with 5 forming segments with 9 surface portions formator, 12 part, 14 bar 1 5 external shape 1 6 honeycomb body

Claims (7)

REIVI NDICATIONS

1 . An apparatus for the production of a honeycomb body, in particular a catalytic converter carrying body, from at least one stack comprising a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets, which form a plurality of passages that are transmissible for a fluid, wherein the apparatus has a bifurcated support device, which couples each stack, and forming segments, which can be closed to form a former, wherein each forming segment has a respective surface portion, which together when the former closes, provides the external shape of the honeycomb body that will be produced, characterized in that at least two forming segments are provided, which are so displaceably arranged that at least a part of each surface portion, leaning against the pile , describes a path of movement in the direction of the respective free end of the stack, a trajectory of movement corresponds to the external form.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that the forming segments are displaceable in the same direction (R).

3. The apparatus, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the forming segments are placed in an opposite relationship, preferably in pairs, in their respective starting positions.

4. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the forming segments are displaceable synchronously.

5. The apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the former has at least one forming segment that moves radially inwardly and radially outwardly, which forms a closing segment.

6. A process for the production of a honeycomb body having a plurality of passages, which are transmissible for a fluid, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of sheets of at least partially structured metal, wherein: - a pile is formed in layers from a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets, - the stack is introduced to an open former and maintained there through a support device in a central region, and - at least two forming segments are thus displaced out from their starting positions, that at least a part of each surface portion rests against the stack, then they move along a movement path corresponding to the external shape until a predetermined degree of reeling is reached and then the trainer closes.

7. A process for the production of a honeycomb body having a plurality of passages, which are transmissible to a fluid, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of metal sheets at least partially structured, wherein: - a plurality of piles is formed in layers from a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets, - each stack is folded around its respective bending line, - the pi is introduced into an open former and maintained there through a support device in a central region, and - at least two forming segments are thus displaced out of their starting positions that at least a part of each surface portion leans against the stack, then moves along a movement path that corresponds to the external form until a predetermined degree of reeling is reached and then the trainer closes. SUMMARY OF THE I NVENTION The invention relates to a device for producing a honeycomb body, especially a catalyst substrate, from a stack (1) of a plurality of at least partially structured metal sheets forming a plurality of fluid-permeable channels. The device has a fork-shaped safety device securing each stack (1) and mold segments (2)., 3. 4. 5). The mold segments can be closed to form a mold (10) where each segment (2, 3, 4, 5) has a cover section (6, 7, 8, 9) and, with the mold (10) closed, the cover sections provide the external shape of the honeycomb body that will be produced. At least two mold segments (2, 4) are so displaceably arranged that at least one part (11, 12) of each cover section (6, 8) that rests on the stack (1) describes a trajectory of movement towards the free end of the stack (1).