WO2012039399A1

WO2012039399A1 - Press-forming method and press-forming device

Info

Publication number: WO2012039399A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/071384
Authority: WO
Inventors: 利昌小清水; 雅烈西田; 橋本　健
Original assignee: 本田技研工業株式会社
Priority date: 2010-09-21
Filing date: 2011-09-20
Publication date: 2012-03-29
Also published as: JPWO2012039399A1; JP5557922B2

Abstract

Provided is a press-forming method comprising: a step in which a workpiece (W) is pressed by a punch (20) having a forming recess (66) in a side wall, and is inserted together with the punch (20) into a cavity (14) in a die (16) while a first pressure force is applied to a pressure fluid (L) introduced in advance into the cavity (14); a step in which the distal area of the workpiece (W) is formed into a shape that follows the shape of the distal part of the punch (20) and the bottom part of the die (16) by causing the punch (20) to reach the lowermost point thereof; and a step in which a lateral area of the workpiece (W) is formed into a shape that follows the shape of the forming recess (66) by applying a second pressure force greater than the first pressure force to the pressure fluid (L) after the punch (20) has reached the lowermost point, and pressing on the lateral area of the workpiece (W) in the direction from the die (16) toward the forming recess (66) of the punch (20).

Description

Press molding method and press molding apparatus

The present invention relates to a press molding method and a press molding apparatus in which one part of a workpiece is formed by a die and a punch and another part is formed by a pressure fluid.

The fuel tank of a motorcycle is configured by combining a plurality of curved surfaces with different curvature radii, has an undercut portion, and has a complicated shape. Such a complex-shaped fuel tank can be obtained, for example, by joining a semi-finished product constituting the left portion and a semi-finished product constituting the right portion.

Each semi-finished product is produced, for example, by performing press molding. Since the shape of each semi-finished product is simple compared to the shape of the entire fuel tank, the press-forming of each semi-finished product can be performed relatively easily.

However, in the manufacturing method in which the semi-finished products are joined, a press molding apparatus for obtaining each semi-finished product is individually required. For this reason, capital investment soars. Moreover, the joining process which joins semi-finished products becomes indispensable. For this reason, it takes a long time until the fuel tank is obtained. In addition, since it can be visually recognized that the joint portion exists, the aesthetic appearance is impaired.

Therefore, it is recalled that the entire fuel tank is made from one workpiece. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for forming an undercut portion of a fuel tank.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 01-317627 (see particularly FIGS. 2 to 5)

Specifically, the molding method described in Patent Document 1 includes the following steps. That is, first, a workpiece is pressed with a punch having a molding recess formed on the side, and the workpiece is stretched to form a stretched portion. Thereafter, by further advancing the punch, the stretched portion is inserted into the cavity 2 formed in the die 1 together with the punch, as schematically shown in FIG. In addition, illustration of a punch is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

Here, a pressurized liquid (not shown) as a pressure fluid is introduced into the cavity 2 in advance. Accordingly, the stretched part receives a pressing force (so-called counter liquid pressure) from the pressurized liquid sequentially from the part that has entered the cavity 2, and is deformed so as to be wound around the punch to surround the punch. Under the present circumstances, the force which presses to the said recessed part for shaping | molding of a punch acts with respect to an extending | stretching site | part. For this reason, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 14, a depressed portion 3 that follows the shape of the molding recess is formed.

Next, a pressurized fluid, for example, compressed air, is supplied from the molding recess side of the punch toward the die 1 side, whereby the depressed portion 3 is raised to a shape that follows the cavity 2 and is formed into the raised portion 4. To do.

That is, in the molding method described in Patent Document 1, molding in which the dimension in the width direction of the workpiece is once narrowed (hereinafter referred to as “narrow width molding”) is performed, and then the dimension is expanded to be larger than the width dimension before narrow molding. By performing such molding (hereinafter referred to as “widening molding”), the raised portion 4 is formed. In addition, the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 14 shows the position where material wire length becomes the shortest in the process in which the protruding part 4 is formed from the depression part 3.

In counter hydraulic forming, since the forming pressure always acts uniformly on the workpiece being formed, it is possible to suppress the amount of surface distortion. Further, since the workpiece is strongly pressed against the mold by the hydraulic pressure, a mutual frictional force is generated between the workpiece and the mold. Since the mutual frictional force suppresses the workpiece from sliding on the mold, it is possible to prevent the workpiece from being locally stretched (so-called local elongation). Because of this advantage, high deep drawability can be obtained and a small rounded portion can be easily formed.

On the other hand, there is a problem that the hydraulic pressure setting is not easy in the counter hydraulic molding. Specifically, when the hydraulic pressure is excessively small, it is not easy to uniformly deform the workpiece and obtain the above-described mutual friction force. On the other hand, when the hydraulic pressure is excessively large, the sliding of the workpiece with respect to the mold is greatly limited. In either case, high deep drawability cannot be obtained, and it is difficult to form a small rounded portion.

Therefore, when performing counter hydraulic forming, it is necessary to optimize the hydraulic pressure according to the shape of the product and the material of the workpiece, which is complicated.

Furthermore, when the depressed portion 3 is formed using the hydraulic pressure as described above, if the hydraulic pressure is excessively small, it becomes difficult for the stretched portion of the work to be wound around the punch. That is, it becomes difficult to form the workpiece into a shape that follows the shape of the punch.

Therefore, when forming the depression using hydraulic pressure, it is necessary to set the pressure to an appropriate pressure both as the counter hydraulic pressure and the molding pressure of the depression. Is not easy.

Further, in the molding method described in Patent Document 1, widening molding is performed after narrow-width molding is performed (see FIG. 14). In this molding process, when forming the depressed portion 3, the length of the broken line indicating the depressed portion 3 in FIG. 14, the length of the alternate long and short dash line, and the length of the raised portion 4 are compared. The increased material wire length once decreases and increases again when the ridge 4 is formed. In this case, there is an inconvenience that wrinkles generated in the process of decreasing the material wire length of the workpiece are likely to remain in the process of increasing the material wire length. That is, it is easy to form a final molded product in which wrinkles remain and the appearance is impaired.

Furthermore, there is a concern that a linear step is generated due to bending back at a portion where the change rate of the radius of curvature is large, for example, a portion denoted by

reference numerals

5a and 5b in FIG. This type of linear step also detracts from the aesthetics of the final molded product.

In order to avoid the above inconvenience, it is recalled that the raised portion is directly formed without forming the depressed portion. However, in this case, since the length of the material wire is rapidly increased when the raised portion is formed, there is a problem that a crack is easily generated.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a press molding method and a press apparatus that can easily obtain a molded product having an undercut portion and excellent in aesthetic appearance.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the press molding method includes forming a recess 66 on the side wall while applying a first pressure to the pressure fluid L previously introduced into the cavity 14 formed in the die 16. The step of pressing the workpiece W with the formed punch 20 and inserting the workpiece W into the cavity 14 together with the punch 20, and the punch 20 reaching the lowest point, the tip portion of the workpiece W is changed to the tip portion of the punch 20. And after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, a second applied pressure greater than the first applied pressure is applied to the pressure fluid L to form the workpiece W. Pressing the side portion of the workpiece W from the die 16 side to the molding recess 66 side of the punch 20 to form the side portion of the workpiece W into a shape that follows the shape of the molding recess 66. Good.

Further, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the press molding apparatus includes a die in which the cavity 14 and the pressure fluid flow passage 40 for supplying or discharging the pressure fluid L to or from the cavity 14 are formed. 16, a punch 20 having a molding recess 66 formed on the side wall, and a pressure control device 32 configured to control the pressure of the pressure fluid L. When the punch 20 enters the cavity 14 of the die 16 while pressing and stretching the workpiece W, the pressure control device 32 applies the first pressure to the pressure fluid L before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point. The second pressurizing force higher than the first pressurizing force may be applied to the pressure fluid L after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point.

It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view of the press molding apparatus which concerns on typical embodiment. It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which lowered the slider and punch from FIG. 1, and clamped the edge part of the workpiece | work with the pressing member and die | dye. FIG. 3 is a main part front longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a slider and a punch are lowered from FIG. 2 and a work is started to be extended so as to be inserted into a cavity. FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. 3. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the state which further lowered | hung the punch from FIG. It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the punch reached | attained the lowest point. FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. 6. It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which has shape | molded the undercut part with the pressurized liquid (pressure fluid). It is a principal part expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which has further shape | molded the undercut part with the core. 10 is a graph showing a change with time of the pressurizing force of the pressurized liquid from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. 9. It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state by which the punch was shrunk | reduced. It is a principal part front longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which took out the workpiece | work from the cavity after the slider and the punch rose. It is the principal part longitudinal cross-sectional schematic diagram which showed typically the change of the material wire length in the process after forming a depression part with respect to a workpiece | work until it obtains a protruding part from this depression part.

Hereinafter, a press molding method and a press apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking a typical embodiment as an example. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiment is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the invention, and does not limit the invention. All features and combinations described in the exemplary embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention. It is not necessarily a thing. In addition, in typical embodiment, the case where the pressurized liquid L is used as a pressure fluid and the fuel tank of a motorcycle is obtained as a final molded product is illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a front longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a press molding apparatus 10 according to a typical embodiment. The press molding apparatus 10 includes a die 16 installed on a bolster 12 and having a cavity 14 formed therein, and a punch 20 provided on a slide 18. In addition, the reference symbol W in FIG. 1 indicates a work for obtaining a fuel tank.

On the bolster 12, in addition to the die 16, a cylinder support base 22 externally fitted to the die 16 is installed. A plurality of core advance / retreat cylinders 24 are supported on the cylinder support 22. Each core advancing / retracting cylinder 24 moves back and forth with respect to the side portion of the cavity 14 and includes a core advancing / retreating rod 28 that supports the core 26 at its tip. The tip surface of the core 26 is exposed on the side of the cavity 14.

In the cylinder support base 22, a first flow passage 30 is formed as a pressure fluid flow passage through which the pressurized liquid L (for example, water or machine oil) flows. The distal end of the first supply / discharge tube 34 connected to the pressure control device 32 is connected to the first flow passage 30 via a joint (not shown).

A second supply / discharge tube 38 is also connected to the pressure control device 32. The second supply / discharge tube 38 pumps the pressurized liquid L from a storage tank (not shown) when supplying the pressurized liquid L to the cavity 14, and on the other hand, discharges the pressurized liquid L from the cavity 14. This is for returning the pressurized liquid L to the tank.

On the other hand, the above-described cavity 14 is formed in a bottomed hole shape in the die 16. The workpiece W is placed on the flat upper end surface of the die 16 so as to close the upper opening of the cavity 14.

The die 16 is further formed with a second flow passage 40 as a pressure fluid flow passage that is continuous with the first flow passage 30, and an accommodation recess 42 that extends along the forward / backward movement direction of the core advance / retreat rod 28. Is done. The second flow passage 40 communicates with the cavity 14 through a plurality of branch paths 44 branched from the second flow passage 40.

In the accommodating recess 42, a coil spring 46 having a core advancing / retracting rod 28 inserted therein is accommodated. Further, the opening facing the cylinder support base 22 side of the housing recess 42 is closed by the bulleted plate 48. One end of the coil spring 46 is seated on the bullet receiving plate 48. The other end of the coil spring 46 is seated on the inner wall of the receiving recess 42 facing the cavity 14 side. As will be described later, the coil spring 46 supports the backward movement of the core advance / retreat rod 28 that has moved forward.

The slide 18 provided with the punch 20 can be moved toward or away from the bolster 12 under the action of a lifting mechanism (not shown). A plurality of retaining cylinders 50 are provided on the end face of the slide 18 facing the bolster 12.

The holding rods 52 of each holding cylinder 50 are each provided with a holding member 54 having a semi-annular shape. These holding

members

54, 54 hold the end portion of the work W together with the die 16 so that the end portion of the work W is positioned and fixed.

In the slide 18, a portion surrounded by the plurality of holding cylinders 50 is provided with a support plate 58 for supporting the plurality of first punch opening / closing cylinders 56, and a first plate positioned substantially at the center of the support plate 58. A two-punch opening / closing cylinder 60 is provided. Among these, the first punch opening /

closing cylinders

56, 56 are supported by the support plate 58 so that the first punch opening /

closing rods

62, 62 face each other.

The punch 20 is divided into a plurality of punch pieces 64, and each of the punch pieces 64 is supported on the tip of one first punch opening / closing rod 62. Accordingly, the

punch pieces

64, 64 approach or separate from each other when the first punch opening /

closing rods

62, 62 advance and retract synchronously.

In all or part of the plurality of punch pieces 64, a molding recess 66 is formed in a recessed manner on an end surface (outer wall) facing the holding cylinder 50. As will be described later, an undercut portion 70 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is formed on the workpiece W by the forming recess 66.

Further, in each punch piece 64, the end surface (inner wall) on the side facing another punch piece 64 has a portion extending from a position slightly below the upper half of the substantially abdomen in FIG. A first stepped portion 72 and a second stepped portion 74 that are depressed in a direction away from the first stepped portion 74 are formed. For this reason, a first accommodation hole 76 and a second accommodation hole 78 are formed inside the punch 20 by the

first step portions

72, 72 and the

second step portions

74, 74, respectively.

The second punch opening / closing rod 80 of the second punch opening / closing cylinder 60 passes through the first accommodation hole 76. The lower end portion of the second punch opening / closing rod 80 is interposed between the lower end portions of the punch piece 64 and prevents the lower end portions from coming into contact with each other. The lower end of the second punch opening / closing rod 80 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the product. That is, the second punch opening / closing rod 80 functions as a part of the punch 20.

A diameter-expanding member 82 is fitted on the second punch opening / closing rod 80 in the middle from the lower end to the upper end. The portion from the lower end portion of the diameter-expanding member 82 to the substantially middle abdomen is accommodated in the first accommodation hole 76 and abuts on each wall of the first stepped portion 72. On the other hand, the portion of the diameter-expanding member 82 extending from the substantially middle portion to the upper end portion is accommodated in the second accommodation hole 78 in a state where play is formed on each wall of the second stepped portion 74.

That is, when the lower end portion of the second punch opening / closing rod 80 is interposed between the lower end portions of the punch piece 64 and abuts against each of the lower end portions, the diameter of the diameter-expanding member 82 and the first receiving hole 76 The diameter is approximately the same.

In the above configuration, the pressure control device 32, the core advance / retreat cylinder 24, the elevating mechanism, the retaining cylinder 50, the first punch opening / closing cylinder 56, and the second punch opening / closing cylinder 60 are connected via the signal line 84. The control circuit 86 is electrically connected.

Typical Embodiment The press molding apparatus 10 is basically configured as described above. Next, its operational effects will be described in relation to the press molding method.

The press molding method of a typical embodiment is performed as follows using the press molding apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece W is placed on the upper end surface of the die 16 so as to close the upper opening of the cavity 14.

Next, the pressurized liquid L is supplied to the cavity 14 from the storage tank. The pressurized liquid L is fed from the storage tank to the pressure control device 32 via the second supply / discharge tube 38, and further, the first supply / discharge tube 34, the first flow passage 30, and the second flow. It passes through the path 40 and the branch path 44 and is introduced into the cavity 14. The supply of the pressurized liquid L is based on the fact that the liquid surface of the pressurized liquid L introduced into the cavity 14 has reached a predetermined height, or that the pressurized liquid L has reached a predetermined volume. And the control circuit 86 is stopped by controlling the pressure control device 32.

Needless to say, the placement of the workpiece W on the die 16 and the supply of the pressurized liquid L to the cavity 14 may be performed in the reverse order.

Next, the control circuit 86 urges the lifting mechanism to lower the slide 18 so as to approach the bolster 12. In the middle of the lowering, as shown in FIG. 2, the end portion of the workpiece W is sandwiched between the holding member 54 provided at the tip of the holding rod 52 and the upper end surface of the die 16. With this clamping, the end of the workpiece W is positioned and fixed.

In FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings, the signal lines 84 and the control circuit 86 are not shown to simplify the drawings for easy understanding.

When the slide 18 is further lowered, the lower end surface of the punch 20 comes into contact with the upper end surface of the workpiece W and starts to press the workpiece W. As a result, the workpiece W starts to be stretched, and the punch 20 is inserted into the cavity 14 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 which is a partially enlarged view thereof (however, the illustration of the core 26 is omitted). Accordingly, the extending portion is inserted into the cavity 14.

4 and FIG. 5 (the core 26 is not shown), which is a partially enlarged view when the punch 20 is further lowered, the pressurizing control device 32 controls the pressurizing control device 32. Under the control action of the circuit 86, as the extending portion of the workpiece W and the punch 20 are inserted into the cavity 14, an amount of pressurized liquid L corresponding to the amount of insertion is discharged from the cavity 14, and thereby a predetermined pressure (first 1). The discharged pressurized liquid L passes through the branch path 44, the second flow path 40, the first flow path 30, the first supply / discharge tube 34, and the second supply / discharge tube 38, contrary to the above. And returned to the storage tank.

The pressing force of the pressurized liquid L at the time shown in FIG. 5, that is, before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, is set to an optimal pressing force for forming the upper surface of the workpiece W with the counter hydraulic pressure. The

As shown in FIG. 6 and a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7 (illustration of the core 26 is omitted), the slide 18 further descends as the punch 20 reaches the lowest point. The lower end is sandwiched between the lower end that is the tip of the punch 20 and the bottom of the die 16. As a result, the lower end of the stretched part is formed into a shape that follows the shape of the lower end of the punch 20 and the bottom of the die 16.

In the exemplary embodiment, a design forming recess 88 for forming a design recess into the workpiece W is provided on the lower surface of the punch 20. By sandwiching the workpiece W between the bottom portion of the die 16 and the lower end portion of the punch 20, a design recess is also formed.

As the punch 20 descends from the position shown in FIG. 5 toward the position shown in FIG. 7 (the lowest point), the pressure control device 32 applies the pressure of the pressurized liquid L under the control action of the control circuit 86. Increase gradually. At this time, if the hydraulic pressure is excessively large, the workpiece W is restrained at the starting

portions

90a and 90b of the design forming recess 88, and there is a concern that cracks or the like may occur when the recess is formed. In order to prevent cracking at this timing, the hydraulic pressure may be temporarily reduced before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point.

During this time, the pressure applied by the pressurized liquid L acts on the side of the stretched part. For this reason, the state where the side part of the stretched part is pressed to the molding recess 66 side by the pressurized liquid L is maintained. By this pressing, the side part is preformed. Since the pressing force at this time is larger than the pressing force of the pressurized liquid L until the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, the pressing force with respect to the boundary portion 92 that is the boundary between the molding recess 66 and the lower end portion of the punch 20. Then, the molding proceeds so that the workpiece W is wound relatively slowly. For this reason, it is possible to avoid local stress concentration at the boundary portion 92.

Then, after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, the pressing force is rapidly increased to apply a predetermined pressing force (second pressing force). In other words, the pressure of the pressurized liquid L gradually increases from the first pressure to the second pressure.

The side of the stretched part is further pressed from the die 16 side toward the molding recess 66 side of the punch 20 by the pressurized liquid L to which the second pressure is applied, and as a result, plastic deformation occurs. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the main part is formed on the side portion of the stretched portion, and as a result, an undercut portion 70 having a shape following the shape of the concave portion for molding 66 is formed in the side portion. A fuel tank T having a predetermined shape is obtained.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, the pressurizing force of the pressurized liquid L is increased to press the side of the stretched portion of the workpiece W toward the molding recess 66. Then, after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, the pressurizing force of the pressurized liquid L is further increased, whereby the side portion is further pressed toward the molding concave portion 66 to follow the shape of the molding concave portion 66. To be molded.

When press molding is performed through such a process, the pressurizing force of the pressurized liquid L is appropriate when the tank upper surface and the design concave portion are formed and when the undercut portion 70 is formed. Can be set individually. In other words, it is possible to optimize the pressurizing force of the pressurized liquid L in accordance with the part where the molding process is mainly performed. For this reason, in any shaping | molding, suitable shaping | molding with respect to the extending | stretching site | part of the workpiece | work W can be performed easily.

Moreover, the side portions of the stretched part are preformed as described above. In addition, since it is possible to form the boundary portion 92 with the first pressurization at a relatively low pressure prior to the molding with the second pressurizing force, the main part is formed with the pressurized liquid L that has increased to the second pressurizing force. Even if the processing rate is relatively large, plastic deformation easily occurs. In addition, it is avoided that the material wire length increases and then decreases (see FIG. 14).

For the reasons described above, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of defects that impair the aesthetics such as wrinkles, cracks, and linear steps. That is, according to the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to easily obtain the fuel tank T excellent in aesthetics.

After a predetermined time has elapsed after the second pressure is applied, the control circuit 86 urges the core advance / retreat cylinder 24, thereby forming the core advance / retreat rod 28 as shown in FIG. It is made to move forward toward the concave portion 66 side. Following this, the core 26 presses the side of the extending portion of the workpiece W toward the molding recess 66, and as a result, the side is further plastically deformed.

This plastic deformation is limited to a fine deformation such as forming a fine depression in the undercut portion 70. That is, the forming process by the core 26 is a finishing process, and is set to a processing rate smaller than the processing rate at the time of forming the undercut portion 70 by the pressurized liquid L described above.

This finishing process leads to a fuel tank T having an undercut portion 70 with good dimensional accuracy. Of course, during the finishing process, the pressurizing control device 32 discharges the pressurized liquid L from the cavity 14 in an amount corresponding to the forward movement amount of the core 26 under the control action of the control circuit 86.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the change over time of the pressure of the pressurized liquid L during the above process. In FIG. 11, the solid line shows the change in the pressure of the pressurized liquid L in the above process (Example). Further, the broken line indicates a first comparative example in which the pressing force of the pressurized liquid L is rapidly increased before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, and plastic deformation of the side portion of the stretched portion is started. Before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, no pre-formation is performed on the side of the stretched portion, and after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, the pressure of the pressurized liquid L is rapidly increased. The 2nd comparative example which was made to start and started plastic deformation of the side of an extension part is shown.

In the case of the embodiment indicated by the solid line, as described above, the fuel tank T without defects such as wrinkles, cracks, and linear steps was obtained, but the pressure applied at the initial stage of the undercut portion 70 was excessive. In the large first comparative example, a tendency to wrinkle was observed. Further, in the second comparative example in which the pressing force at the initial molding of the undercut portion 70 is excessively small, a linear step tends to occur at the base end portion of the undercut portion 70.

From this, it becomes easy to obtain the fuel tank T with excellent aesthetics by gradually increasing the pressure of the pressurized liquid L from the start to the end of the molding of the undercut portion 70. I understand.

After the fuel tank T is obtained as described above, the control circuit 86 re-energizes the core advancing / retreating cylinder 24, thereby forming the core advancing / retreating rod 28 as shown in FIG. A backward movement is performed so as to be separated from 66.

Before, after, or simultaneously, the second punch opening / closing cylinder 60 is urged to cause the second punch opening / closing rod 80 to move backward (up), and the lower end of the second punch opening / closing rod 80 is moved to the lower end of the punch piece 64. The part is pulled out from between the parts and retracted to the first accommodation hole 76, and the entire diameter-expanding member 82 is positioned in the second accommodation hole 78.

The control circuit 86 further urges the first punch opening /

closing cylinders

56 and 56 to cause the first punch opening /

closing rods

62 and 62 to move forward so as to approach each other. As a result, the outer wall of the punch piece 64 is separated from the side inner wall of the extending portion of the workpiece W, and the lower ends of the punch piece 64 abut against each other. Further, the lower end portion of the second punch opening / closing rod 80 and the diameter-expanding member 82 are in contact with the respective inner walls of the first accommodation hole 76 and the second accommodation hole 78.

In this state, the lifting mechanism is energized under the action of the control circuit 86, so that the punch 20 ascends with the slide 18 and is separated from the bolster 12 and the die 16 as shown in FIG. The fuel tank T is removed from the cavity 14 by the transfer robot 100 and then transferred.

According to the above exemplary embodiment, in the press molding method, the molding recess 66 is formed on the side wall while applying the first pressure to the pressure fluid L introduced in advance into the cavity 14 formed in the die 16. The workpiece W is pressed with the punch 20 and the workpiece W is inserted into the cavity 14 together with the punch 20, and the punch 20 is made to reach the lowest point, whereby the tip portion of the workpiece W is moved to the tip of the punch 20 and the die The step of forming a shape that follows the shape of the bottom portion of 16, and after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point, a second applied pressure greater than the first applied pressure is applied to the pressure fluid L, and the workpiece W side Pressing the side part from the die 16 side to the forming recess 66 side of the punch 20 to form the side part of the workpiece W into a shape that follows the shape of the forming recess 66.

Furthermore, the press molding method may include a step of performing further molding by the core 26 on the side portion of the workpiece W molded in a shape following the shape of the molding recess 66.

Furthermore, the press molding method may include a step of gradually increasing the pressure of the pressure fluid L from the first pressure to the second pressure.

Further, according to the exemplary embodiment, the press molding apparatus includes the die 16 in which the cavity 14 and the pressure fluid flow passage 40 for supplying or discharging the pressure fluid L to or from the cavity 14 are formed. The punch 20 having the molding recess 66 formed on the side wall and the pressurizing control device 32 configured to control the pressurizing force of the pressure fluid L may be included. When the punch 20 enters the cavity 14 of the die 16 while pressing and stretching the workpiece W, the pressure control device 32 applies the first pressure to the pressure fluid L before the punch 20 reaches the lowest point. The second pressurizing force higher than the first pressurizing force may be applied to the pressure fluid L after the punch 20 reaches the lowest point.

The punch 20 includes a plurality of punch pieces 64 that are displaceable in directions toward or away from each other, and the side walls of the punch 20 are separated from the workpiece W as the punch pieces 64 approach each other. May be.

The press molding apparatus may further include a core 26 configured to perform further molding on a portion molded into a shape that follows the shape of the molding recess 66.

The pressure control device 32 may be configured to perform control to gradually increase the pressure applied to the pressure fluid L from the first pressure to the second pressure.

According to the above exemplary embodiment, the side portion of the workpiece is pressed against the molding recess side of the side wall of the punch with the pressure fluid to which the first pressurizing force is applied before the punch reaches the lowest point. Then, after the punch reaches the lowest point, it is formed into a shape that follows the shape of the forming concave portion under the action of the pressure fluid to which the second higher pressure is applied.

That is, when forming with a punch and die using the counter hydraulic pressure, and when forming with pressure fluid, set the pressure force of the pressure fluid individually, in other words, optimize the molding conditions It is possible. For this reason, a workpiece | work can be shape | molded easily.

For these reasons, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of defects in the molded product such as wrinkles, cracks, and linear steps, so that it is possible to easily obtain a molded product having an excellent aesthetic appearance. In addition, it is possible to obtain a molded product having a complicated shape.

When obtaining a motorcycle fuel tank as a molded product, the entire fuel tank can be molded by the above press molding. That is, it is not necessary to join the semi-finished products. Therefore, the capital investment is reduced, and the production efficiency of the fuel tank is improved as the joining process for joining the semi-finished products becomes unnecessary. Moreover, since there are no joints in the fuel tank, it is excellent in aesthetics.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pressurized liquid L and the core 26 are used in combination. However, the undercut portion 70 may be formed using only the pressurized liquid L. Further, instead of the pressurized liquid L, a pressurized gas such as compressed air can be used.

In addition, when it is possible to apply an appropriate pressing force at the beginning and end of molding of the undercut portion 70, it is not particularly necessary to gradually change the pressing force.

Furthermore, the final molded product is not particularly limited to the fuel tank T of the motorcycle, and it is needless to say that other molded products may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Press molding apparatus 14 ... Cavity 16 ... Die 20 ... Punch 24 ... Core advance / retreat cylinder 26 ... Core 28 ... Core advance / retreat rod 30 ... 1st flow path 32 ... Pressure control apparatus 40 ... 2nd flow path 44 ... branch path 50 ... holding cylinder 52 ... stopping rod 54 ... stopping member 56 ... first punch opening / closing cylinder 60 ... second punch opening / closing cylinder 62 ... first punch opening / closing rod 64 ... punch piece 66 ... molding recess 70 ... undercut part 80 ... second punch opening / closing rod 82 ... diameter-expanding member 86 ... control circuit 100 ... transfer robot L ... pressurized liquid T ... fuel tank W ... work

Claims

The work is performed by the punch (20) in which the first pressurizing force is applied to the pressure fluid (L) previously introduced into the cavity (14) formed in the die (16), and the molding recess (66) is formed on the side wall. (W) is pressed, and the workpiece (W) is inserted into the cavity (14) together with the punch (20),
By causing the punch (20) to reach the lowest point, the tip portion of the workpiece (W) is formed into a shape that follows the shape of the tip portion of the punch (20) and the bottom portion of the die (16),
After the punch (20) reaches the lowest point, a second pressing force larger than the first pressing force is applied to the pressure fluid (L), and the side portion of the workpiece (W) is By pressing from the die (16) side to the molding recess (66) side of the punch (20), the side part of the workpiece (W) is molded into a shape following the shape of the molding recess (66). To
Press molding method.
Further forming by the core (26) is performed on the side portion of the workpiece (W) formed in a shape following the shape of the forming recess (66).
The press molding method according to claim 1.
Gradually increasing the pressure of the pressurized fluid (L) from the first pressure to the second pressure,
The press molding method according to claim 1 or 2.
A die (16) in which a cavity (14) and a pressure fluid flow passage (40) for supplying or discharging pressure fluid (L) to or from the cavity (14) are formed;
A punch (20) having a molding recess (66) formed on the side wall;
A pressure control device (32) configured to control the pressure of the pressure fluid (L);
With
When the punch (20) enters the cavity (14) of the die (16) while the workpiece (W) is pressed and stretched, the punch (20) is at its maximum. A first pressurizing force is applied to the pressure fluid (L) before reaching the lower point, and a higher pressure than the first pressurizing force is applied after the punch (20) reaches the lowest point. Configured to apply a pressure of 2 to the pressure fluid (L),
Press molding equipment.
The punch (20) includes a plurality of punch pieces (64) that are displaceable in directions toward or away from each other. A side wall is separated from the workpiece (W);
The press molding apparatus according to claim 4.
A core (26) configured to perform further molding on a portion molded into a shape following the shape of the molding recess (66);
The press molding apparatus according to claim 4 or 5.
The pressing force control device (32) is configured to perform control to gradually increase the pressing force to the pressurized fluid (L) from the first pressing force to the second pressing force. ing,
The press molding apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.