Pre-tensioned tube expander

Abstract

The application discloses a pre-tightening pipe expanding machine, and relates to the field of metal pipe processing equipment, which comprises a workbench, a stamping mechanism, a material preparation bin and a feeding assembly. The core of the application is that a plurality of stamping groups with gradually changed stamping sizes are arranged on the die holder of the stamping mechanism, and the arrangement of the stamping groups is consistent with the matrix type die cavities on the die holder. The automatic switching of different stamping groups is realized through the movement of the die holder among standby positions, conversion positions and working positions, and the sliding of the die holder among the adjusting positions. The application takes "switching instead of disassembly" and "gradual change instead of one-time change" as the core, completely solves the problems of complicated replacement of molds and low efficiency of the traditional pipe expanding machine, effectively prevents the stamping damage of the pipe through step-by-step multiple molding, and significantly improves the production efficiency and the product yield. Meanwhile, the orthogonal arrangement of the stamping groups and the die cavities makes the equipment compact in structure and high in integration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of metal pipe processing equipment, and in particular relates to a pre-tightening pipe expander. Background Technology

[0002] Pretensioning tubes are usually an important component of automotive seat belt pretensioning devices, mainly used to house drive mechanisms and pretensioning components. During factory processing, pretensioning tubes are typically produced using a flaring process based on their structural characteristics.

[0003] Because pre-tightened pipe fittings require a certain structural rigidity during production, they are often flared using longitudinal stamping. Commonly used flaring equipment includes horizontal and vertical pipe expanders. However, in actual production, the working mechanisms of vertical pipe expanders are relatively dispersed, occupying a large amount of workspace and making it difficult to guarantee product processing efficiency and pass rate. Therefore, horizontal pipe expanders with more concentrated working mechanisms are the preferred equipment for producing such products. Traditional horizontal pipe expanders have fewer stamping stations, including single-station single-pass stamping or multiple-pass stamping, resulting in low actual production efficiency. In addition, due to single-station flaring, the existing working method is mostly one-time shaping, which can easily damage the pipe structure. Even if multiple flaring is performed, frequent changes of punches and dies will increase the number of processes, affecting work efficiency and making it difficult to achieve automated work.

[0004] Therefore, we designed a pre-tightening tube expander to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pre-tightening tube expander, which solves the problems of low stamping efficiency and complex working steps caused by single-station stamping or stamping with changing punches in existing tube expanders.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: The pre-tightening pipe expander includes a worktable, a stamping mechanism, a material preparation bin, and a feeding assembly. The worktable is provided with a standby position, a conversion position, and a working position in sequence along the stamping direction. The stamping mechanism, which includes all mechanisms involved in the stamping operation in this technical solution, is located on the surface of the worktable. The material preparation bin is used for preparing pipe fitting materials. The feeding assembly is used to push the pipe fitting materials in the material preparation bin into the stamping mechanism to participate in the stamping operation.

[0007] The stamping mechanism includes a fixed die frame and a die assembly. The fixed die frame is fixedly mounted on the worktable surface. One surface of the fixed die frame has several cavities for placing tubular materials, and these cavities are arranged in a matrix on the fixed die frame. The die assembly includes a die frame for performing the stamping action, a die base slidably mounted relative to the die frame, and an adjustment unit for controlling the sliding of the die base. The die frame is slidably mounted relative to the fixed die frame on the worktable surface, and slides between a standby position, a transition position, and a working position. In this technical solution, the die assembly and the fixed die frame constitute the core working mechanism of the stamping mechanism. During the stamping process, the die frame slides sequentially along the standby position, the transition position, and the working position towards the fixed die frame, and stamps the tubular materials inside the cavities at the working position. The standby position is the initial position of the die frame, and the transition position mainly provides working space for the following mechanisms: The die holder is located on the die frame near the fixed die frame. The die frame has multiple adjustment stations arranged perpendicular to the stamping direction on the side near the die holder, and the die holder slides between these adjustment stations. The die holder has punches for stamping tubular materials on the side near the fixed die frame. Each punch includes multiple stamping groups, and the stamping size of the punches in each stamping group gradually changes along the sliding direction of the die holder. The arrangement of the punches in each stamping group is consistent with the arrangement of the die cavities. Based on the aforementioned structure, since the arrangement of the stamping groups is related to the sliding direction of the die holder, and the arrangement of the punches in a single stamping group is related to the die cavity, under the premise of a matrix arrangement of the die cavities, when the die cavities are arrayed along the y-axis, each stamping group is arrayed along the x-axis to provide a larger sliding space for the die holder. Simultaneously, the arrangement of the punches in each stamping group is consistent with the arrangement of the die cavities to ensure the accuracy of the stamping operation. In accordance with the specific working method, during the process of the die holder driving the die base and punch to press the pipe material in the die cavity, in order to avoid damage to the pipe in one stamping and the additional process caused by frequent punch replacement, after the first stamping action is completed, the die holder exits the working position and enters and stops at the conversion position. Then the die base moves from the current adjustment position to the next adjustment position to realize the conversion and adjustment of the stamping group.

[0008] Furthermore, the stamping mechanism also includes a guide, a driving power component, a driving actuator, and a driving control component; the guide is mounted on the worktable, and the die holder is slidably connected to the guide; wherein the guide is used to provide a stable trajectory limit for the sliding of the die holder; the driving actuator is driven by the driving power component to generate linear motion; the output end of the driving actuator is driven by the die holder to move it; the driving control component is used to control the driving power component to drive the die holder to move between the standby position, the conversion position, and the working position; in the above structure, under the premise that the driving power component provides power, the driving actuator uses its output end to drive the die holder to slide between the standby position, the conversion position, and the working position along the trajectory limited by the guide.

[0009] Specifically, to ensure the stable operation of each component during the motion and workstation adjustment process, the drive actuator is set as a hydraulic cylinder, or other equipment capable of providing linear motion output, and the drive power component is a hydraulic power unit, which typically includes a motor, a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic oil tank; the hydraulic power unit is connected to the hydraulic cylinder through a hydraulic pipeline to provide power to the hydraulic cylinder; the drive control component is a first stroke control device used to set and control the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder piston rod.

[0010] Furthermore, the adjustment unit includes an adjustment power component, an adjustment actuator, and an adjustment control component. The adjustment actuator is connected to the die holder. The adjustment power component drives the adjustment actuator to move and position the die holder between adjustment stations. The adjustment control component controls the power output direction and output stroke of the adjustment power component. The working station and the conversion station are adjacent. The drive control component and the adjustment control component are communicatively connected or program-interlocked, so that when it is necessary to change the stamping group, the drive control component first controls the die holder to move from the working station to the conversion station, and then the adjustment control component controls the die holder to move to the next adjustment station. In the above structural scheme, it should be clarified that the connection between the stamping step and the stamping group adjustment step is mainly achieved through the cooperation of the drive control component and the adjustment control component. The die holder can only move after the die holder moves from the working station and stops at the conversion station, so as to adjust the next stamping group to face the die cavity.

[0011] Specifically, in order to ensure the smooth transition between the die holder exiting the working position and the conversion position and the stamping group conversion step, and to ensure the rapid and accurate conversion of the stamping group, the adjusting power component is provided, which includes an adjusting electric cylinder. The adjusting actuator is a push plate fixedly installed on the die holder away from the surface of the punch. The output end of the adjusting electric cylinder is connected to the push plate. The adjusting control component is a second stroke control device used to set and control the stroke of the electric cylinder piston rod.

[0012] Preferably, to ensure that the tubular material entering the stamping mechanism accurately corresponds to the die cavity, thus ensuring the continuous operation of the stamping-feeding step, the material preparation bin is located on the side of the fixed die frame away from the stamping die frame. The material preparation bin has several material preparation positions, which are coaxially corresponding to the die cavity. An inlet is located above the material preparation bin and communicates with the material preparation positions. A material distribution mechanism is provided between the material preparation bin and the inlet to sequentially distribute the tubular material to each material preparation position. In conjunction with the above technical solution, when multiple tubular materials enter the material preparation bin from the inlet, they are shaped by the material distribution mechanism and fall into each material preparation position, so that they can be fed into the die cavity along the axis between the material preparation position and the die cavity to participate in the stamping process. To ensure that the tubular material in the preparation position is fed into the die cavity, the feeding assembly is used to push the tubular material to be stamped from the preparation position into the die cavity. The feeding assembly includes a feeding actuator, a feeding power component, and a feeding control component. The output end of the feeding power component is connected to the feeding actuator. The feeding control component controls the feeding power component to drive the feeding actuator to reciprocate between the preparation position and the die cavity. Based on the specific working process, the movement state of the feeding actuator includes: first, pushing the tubular material in the preparation position into the die cavity; second, pressing against the tubular material at the moment of stamping to provide support; and then exiting sequentially from the die cavity and the preparation position to allow new tubular material to fall into the preparation position, preparing for the next stamping feeding operation.

[0013] Specifically, to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the feeding action, the feeding actuator is set as a push rod assembly, which includes multiple rods, and the arrangement of the rods is consistent with the matrix arrangement of the mold cavity; the feeding power component is a feeding electric cylinder, the output end of which is driven and connected to the push rod assembly; the feeding control component is a third stroke control device used to control the output direction and stroke of the feeding electric cylinder.

[0014] Furthermore, the mold cavity and the material preparation position are arranged close to each other, so that during feeding, the end of the feeding actuator near the mold cavity abuts against the pipe material, and the pipe material to be stamped abuts against the stamped pipe product in the mold cavity. The side of the mold cavity away from the material preparation position forms the ejection position. During ejection, the pipe material pushes the pipe product from the mold cavity to the ejection position, and the drive actuator drives the stamping die frame to move from the working position to the standby position. Combined with the above structure, during the feeding process, while the feeding actuator pushes the pipe material from the material preparation position into the mold cavity, the stamped pipe product can be ejected from the mold cavity to the ejection position using new pipe material, thereby realizing the ejection step. On the one hand, it ensures the continuous operation of "feeding-stamping-ejection", and on the other hand, it shortens the stroke of the feeding actuator, thereby avoiding ejection failure caused by the structural limitations of the feeding electric cylinder, and saving the motion coordination space between mechanisms.

[0015] To achieve precise allocation and positioning of multiple sets of pipe fitting materials based on each preparation position, the material distribution mechanism includes a material distribution plate, a servo motor, and a control unit. The material distribution plate is hinged between the feed inlet and the preparation position. The output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the material distribution plate to drive the plate to swing, thereby sequentially distributing the pipe fitting materials from the feed inlet to each preparation position. The control unit includes material sensors located at each preparation position to detect the material status and control the servo motor's operation based on the detection signals. It should be noted that the material sensors can be infrared sensors.

[0016] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention, through its two core designs—"replacing disassembly with switching" and "replacing one-time operation with gradual change"—precisely solves the fundamental problems of low mold-changing efficiency and difficulty in controlling molding quality in traditional tube expanders, achieving a dual breakthrough in both improving production efficiency and ensuring product quality. Specifically, it includes: 1. Say Goodbye to Cumbersome Mold Disassembly and Installation: This invention integrates multiple preset stamping groups on the die base. When changing specifications, the control system simply drives the die base to slide, automatically switching the stamping groups within seconds. This completely eliminates the downtime caused by traditional mold disassembly and assembly, enabling rapid and continuous production of multiple specifications, and significantly improving the overall production efficiency of the equipment. Furthermore, by integrating automatic material distribution, feeding, stamping, unloading, and mold changing functions, a complete automated production line is formed. This greatly reduces manual intervention, lowers labor intensity, ensures the consistency and stability of the production cycle, and results in high production efficiency.

[0017] 2. Effectively eliminates stamping damage to pipe fittings and significantly improves yield: The punch size in each stamping group of this invention changes gradually, scientifically decomposing a single, drastic deformation into multiple, smaller deformations. The pipe fitting material smoothly and gradually reaches its final size during multiple stamping strokes, resulting in more complete material flow and a more uniform internal stress distribution. This not only fundamentally avoids stamping damage but also makes the product dimensions more accurate, the mechanical properties better, and the product yield significantly improved. Furthermore, by arranging multiple stamping groups perpendicular to the stamping direction, the maximum number of workstations are integrated within a limited planar space, resulting in a very compact equipment structure and solving the space problem of arranging multiple sets of dies.

[0018] 3. Creating a flexible production line with "one-click mold change": This invention transforms the traditionally manual and experience-based mold changing process into a precise and reliable automated action controlled by a program. The equipment can automatically embed a "stamping group change" process into the "feed-stamping-return" cycle according to production instructions, achieving truly fully automated, multi-specification mixed production.

[0019] 4. Highly efficient "top-feed" ejection mechanism: Ejection is completed simultaneously with the feeding action. As new tubular material is pushed into the die cavity, the already stamped finished product is ejected from the other side. This design eliminates the need for a separate ejection mechanism and an additional power source, simplifying the structure, shortening the stroke of the feeding actuator, and improving overall operational efficiency.

[0020] Of course, any product implementing this invention does not necessarily need to achieve all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is an assembly structure diagram of the pre-tightening tube expander of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the mid-section AA; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed mold frame structure; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the film stamping assembly. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a pre-tightening tube expander. Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the feeding assembly. Figure 8 for Figure 7 Top view; Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the mid-section BB.

[0023] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows: 1. Workbench; 11. Standby position; 12. Switching position; 13. Working position; 2. Fixed mold frame; 21. Mold cavity; 3. Punch assembly; 31. Punch frame; 311. Adjustment station; 32. Punch base; 321. Punch; 4. Guide component; 5. Drive power component; 6. Drive actuator; 7. Material storage bin; 71. Material storage position; 72. Feed port; 8. Feed assembly; 81. Feed actuator; 82. Feed power component. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "middle," "outer," "inner," etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0026] Please see Figures 1-3 As shown, the pre-tightening pipe expander includes a worktable 1, a stamping mechanism, a material preparation bin 7, and a feeding assembly 8. The worktable 1 is provided with a standby position 11, a conversion position 12, and a working position 13 in sequence along the stamping direction. The stamping mechanism is all the mechanisms involved in the stamping work in this technical solution and is located on the surface of the worktable 1. The material preparation bin 7 is used for preparing pipe fitting materials. The feeding assembly 8 is used to push the pipe fitting materials in the material preparation bin 7 into the stamping mechanism to participate in the stamping work.

[0027] Specifically, please refer to Figures 3-5As shown, the stamping mechanism includes a fixed die frame 2 and a die assembly 3. The fixed die frame 2 is fixedly installed on the surface of the worktable 1. A plurality of cavities 21 for placing tubular materials are provided on one surface of the fixed die frame 2, and the cavities 21 are arranged in a matrix on the fixed die frame 2. The die assembly 3 includes a die frame 31 for performing the stamping action, a die base 32 slidably installed relative to the die frame 31, and an adjustment unit for controlling the sliding of the die base 32. The die frame 31 is slidably installed relative to the fixed die frame 2 on the surface of the worktable 1, wherein the die frame 31 slides between the standby position 11, the conversion position 12, and the working position 13. In this technical solution, the die assembly 3 and the fixed die frame 2 constitute the core working mechanism in the stamping mechanism. During the stamping process, the die frame 31 slides sequentially along the standby position 11, the conversion position 12, and the working position 13 towards the fixed die frame 2, and at the working position 1... The tubular material inside the die cavity 21 is stamped at three locations. The standby position 11 is the initial position of the die holder 31. The setting of the conversion position 12 mainly provides working space for the following mechanisms: the die holder 32 is set on the side of the die holder 31 near the fixed die holder 2. The die holder 31 is provided with multiple adjustment stations 311 arranged perpendicular to the stamping direction on the side near the die holder 32, and the die holder 32 slides between the multiple adjustment stations 311. The die holder 32 is provided with a punch 321 for stamping the tubular material on the side near the fixed die holder 2. The punch 321 includes multiple stamping groups. The stamping size of the punch 321 in each stamping group changes gradually along the sliding direction of the die holder 32. The arrangement of the punch 321 in the stamping group is consistent with the arrangement of the die cavity 21. As a preferred embodiment, the size change of the punch 321 in the stamping group is set to be linear and gradual. For example, to gradually increase the inner diameter of the pre-tightened tube from Φ12mm to Φ20mm, four stamping groups can be sequentially arranged along the sliding direction, with corresponding punch diameters of Φ14mm, Φ16mm, Φ18mm, and Φ20mm, respectively. This achieves step-by-step, stable progressive forming, effectively avoiding material damage due to excessive single deformation. Based on the aforementioned structure, since the arrangement of the stamping groups is related to the sliding direction of the die holder 32, and the arrangement of the punches 321 within a single stamping group is related to the cavity 21, under the premise that the cavities 21 are arranged in a matrix, when the cavities 21 are arrayed along the y-axis, to allow the die holder 32 to have a larger sliding space, each stamping group is arrayed along the x-axis; simultaneously, the arrangement of the punches 321 within each stamping group is consistent with the arrangement of the cavities 21 to ensure the accuracy of the stamping operation. In accordance with the specific working method, during the process of stamping the pipe material in the die cavity 21 by driving the die holder 31 to the die base 32 and the punch 321, in order to avoid damage to the pipe by one-time stamping and the additional process caused by frequent replacement of the punch 321, after the first stamping action is completed, the die holder 31 exits the working position 13 and enters and stops at the conversion position 12. Then the die base 32 moves from the current adjustment position 311 to the next adjustment position 311 to realize the conversion and adjustment of the stamping group.

[0028] Please see Figure 6 As shown, the stamping mechanism also includes a guide 4, a driving power component 5, a driving actuator 6, and a driving control component. The guide 4 is mounted on the worktable 1, and the die holder 31 is slidably connected to the guide 4. The guide 4 is used to provide a stable trajectory limit for the sliding of the die holder 31. The driving actuator 6 is connected to the driving power component 5 and is driven by it to generate linear motion. The output end of the driving actuator 6 is driven to the die holder 31 to move it. The driving control component is used to control the driving power component 5 to drive the die holder 31 to move between the standby position 11, the conversion position 12, and the working position 13. In the above structure, under the power provided by the driving power component 5, the driving actuator 6 uses its output end to drive the die holder 31 to slide between the standby position 11, the conversion position 12, and the working position 13 along the trajectory limited by the guide 4.

[0029] like Figure 6 As shown, specifically, to ensure the stable operation of each component during the motion and workstation adjustment process, the drive actuator 6 is set as a hydraulic cylinder, or other equipment capable of providing linear motion output, and the drive power unit 5 is a hydraulic power unit, which typically includes a motor, a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic oil tank, etc. The hydraulic power unit is connected to the hydraulic cylinder through a hydraulic pipeline to provide power to the hydraulic cylinder; the drive control unit is a first stroke control device used to set and control the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder piston rod.

[0030] Preferably, the adjustment unit includes an adjustment power component, an adjustment actuator, and an adjustment control component. The adjustment actuator is connected to the die holder 32. The adjustment power component drives the adjustment actuator to move and position the die holder 32 between each adjustment station 311. The adjustment control component controls the power output direction and output stroke of the adjustment power component. The working station 13 and the conversion station 12 are adjacent. The drive control component and the adjustment control component are communicatively connected or program-interlocked, so that when the stamping assembly needs to be changed, the drive control component first controls the die holder 31 to move from the working station 13 to the conversion station 12, and then the adjustment control component controls the die holder 32 to move to the next adjustment station 311. The drive control component, adjustment control component, and the feeding control component described later are preferably program-interlocked and coordinated controlled by a PLC. The complete working steps are as follows: First, the feeding actuator 81 pushes the pipe fitting material into the die cavity 21 and ejects the pipe fitting product. Second, the drive controller controls the die holder 31 to move to the working position 13 to perform stamping. After stamping, the die holder 31 returns to the conversion position 12. Subsequently, the adjustment controller controls the die base 32 to slide to the next adjustment position 311 to switch the stamping group. Position sensors are provided between each action step for status feedback and confirmation to ensure the accuracy and safety of the process. In the above structural scheme, it should be noted that the connection between the stamping step and the stamping group adjustment step is mainly achieved through the cooperation of the drive controller and the adjustment controller. The die base 32 can only move after the die holder 31 has moved from the working position 13 and stopped at the conversion position 12, so as to adjust the next stamping group to face the die cavity 21.

[0031] Specifically, to ensure a smooth transition between the die holder 31 exiting the working position 13 and the transition position 12, and to guarantee the rapid and precise transition of the stamping group, an adjustment power component is provided, including an adjustment electric cylinder. The adjustment actuator is a push plate fixedly installed on the surface of the die holder 32 away from the punch 321, and the output end of the adjustment electric cylinder is connected to the push plate. The adjustment control component is a second stroke control device used to set and control the stroke of the electric cylinder piston rod. Preferably, the adjustment electric cylinder is a servo electric cylinder, whose thrust configuration must be greater than 1.5 times the total weight of the die holder 32 and all punches 321, its stroke must cover all adjustment positions 311, and its repeatability accuracy must be controlled within ±0.02mm to ensure precise and reliable switching.

[0032] Please see Figures 7-9 As shown, preferably, in order to ensure that the pipe fitting material entering the stamping mechanism can accurately correspond to the die cavity 21, so as to ensure that the stamping-feeding step is carried out continuously, the material preparation bin 7 is set on the side of the fixed die frame 2 away from the stamping die frame 31. The material preparation bin 7 is provided with a number of material preparation positions 71, which are coaxially corresponding to the die cavity 21. The material preparation bin 7 is provided with a feed port 72 above it, which is connected to the material preparation positions 71. A material distribution mechanism is provided between the material preparation bin 7 and the feed port 72 to sequentially distribute the pipe fitting material to each material preparation position 71. In combination with the above technical solution, when multiple pipe fitting materials enter the material preparation bin 7 from the feed port 72, they are shaped under the action of the material distribution mechanism and fall into each material preparation position 71 so that they can be sent into the die cavity 21 along the axis of the material preparation position 71 and the die cavity 21 to participate in the stamping. To ensure that the pipe fitting material in the preparation position 71 is fed into the die cavity 21, a feeding assembly 8 is set up to push the pipe fitting material to be stamped from the preparation position 71 into the die cavity 21. The feeding assembly 8 includes a feeding actuator 81, a feeding power component 82, and a feeding control component. The output end of the feeding power component 82 is connected to the feeding actuator 81. The feeding control component is used to control the feeding power component 82 to drive the feeding actuator 81 to reciprocate between the preparation position 71 and the die cavity 21. Based on the specific working process, the movement state of the feeding actuator 81 includes: first, pushing the pipe fitting material on the preparation position 71 into the die cavity 21; second, pressing against the pipe fitting material at the moment of stamping to provide support; and then exiting sequentially from the die cavity 21 and the preparation position 71 so that new pipe fitting material falls into the preparation position 71, preparing for the next stamping feeding operation.

[0033] Specifically, to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the feeding action, the feeding actuator 81 is set as a push rod assembly, which includes multiple rods arranged in a matrix pattern consistent with the mold cavity 21; the feeding power component 82 is a feeding electric cylinder, the output end of which is driven and connected to the push rod assembly; the feeding control component is a third stroke control device used to control the output direction and stroke of the feeding electric cylinder. Furthermore, the coaxiality error between each rod of the push rod assembly and the corresponding mold cavity 21 should be controlled within 0.05mm, and the surface of the rods is preferably hard chrome plated to enhance wear resistance.

[0034] Furthermore, the mold cavity 21 and the material preparation position 71 are arranged close to each other, so that during feeding, the end of the feeding actuator 81 near the mold cavity 21 abuts against the pipe material, and the pipe material to be stamped abuts against the stamped pipe product in the mold cavity 21. The side of the mold cavity 21 away from the material preparation bin 7 forms the ejection position. During ejection, the pipe material pushes the pipe product from the mold cavity 21 to the ejection position, and the driving actuator 6 drives the punching die frame 31 from the working position 13 to the standby position 11. In combination with the above structure, during the feeding process, while the feeding actuator 81 pushes the pipe material from the material preparation position 71 into the mold cavity 21, the stamped pipe product can be ejected from the mold cavity 21 to the ejection position using new pipe material, thereby realizing the ejection step. On the one hand, it ensures the continuous operation of "feeding-stamping-ejection", and on the other hand, it shortens the stroke of the feeding actuator 81, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of ejection failure due to the structural limitations of the feeding electric cylinder, and saving the motion coordination space between mechanisms.

[0035] To achieve precise allocation and positioning of multiple sets of pipe fitting materials based on each material preparation position 71, a material distribution mechanism is set up, including a material distribution plate, a servo motor, and a control unit. The material distribution plate is hinged between the feed inlet 72 and the material preparation position 71. The output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the material distribution plate to drive the material distribution plate to swing, so as to sequentially distribute the pipe fitting materials from the feed inlet 72 to each material preparation position 71. The control unit includes a material sensor set at each material preparation position 71 to detect the material status of the material preparation position 71 and control the action of the servo motor based on the detection signal. It should be noted that the material sensor can be set as an infrared sensor.

[0036] To ensure the safe and stable operation of the equipment, this invention also includes corresponding protection mechanisms. A pressure sensor is integrated into the stamping mechanism to monitor the stamping pressure in real time. If the pressure value exceeds a preset safety threshold, the control system will immediately stop the stamping operation and issue an alarm. Each linear motion component, such as the die holder 31 and die base 32, is equipped with limit switches at both ends of its stroke to prevent overtravel. The feeding assembly 8 and the material detection sensor in the material storage bin 7 are interlocked. If the material storage bin 71 is found to be low on material or the die cavity 21 is not emptied, the feeding process is paused. The system is also equipped with an emergency stop button, which can cut off the main power source with a single click in abnormal situations.

[0037] Regarding equipment commissioning and maintenance, after initial installation or replacement of the stamping assembly, the alignment and calibration of the punch 321 and die cavity 21 are required. Calibration can be performed by using a soft test punch material (such as aluminum tubing) for trial stamping, and fine-tuning the installation position of the die holder 32 according to the symmetry of the formed part. Routine maintenance requires periodically checking the lubrication of the guide component 4 and cleaning any material debris that may accumulate in the die cavity 21 and the material preparation area 71. The stroke and pressure parameters of the actuators such as the electric cylinder and the feeding electric cylinder can be preset and adjusted through the human-machine interface to adapt to the processing requirements of different specifications of pipe fittings.

[0038] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," and "specific example" indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0039] The preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely illustrative of the invention. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. The invention is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A pre-tightening tube expander, characterized in that, include: Workbench (1), on which standby position (11), conversion position (12) and working position (13) are arranged sequentially along the stamping direction. The stamping mechanism includes a fixed die frame (2) and a die assembly (3). The fixed die frame (2) is fixedly installed on the surface of the worktable (1). One surface of the fixed die frame (2) is provided with a plurality of cavities (21) for placing pipe fittings, and the plurality of cavities (21) are arranged in a matrix on the fixed die frame (2). The die assembly (3) includes a die frame (31) for performing stamping actions, a die base (32) slidably installed relative to the die frame (31), and an adjustment unit for controlling the sliding of the die base (32). The die frame (31) is slidably installed relative to the fixed die frame (2) on the surface of the worktable (1), wherein the die frame (31) is in the standby position (11), the conversion position (12), and the working position. (13) Sliding between the three; the die holder (32) is located on the side of the die frame (31) near the fixed die frame (2), and the die frame (31) is provided with a plurality of adjustment stations (311) arranged perpendicular to the stamping direction on the side of the die holder (32), and the die holder (32) slides between the plurality of adjustment stations (311); the die holder (32) is provided with a punch (321) for stamping pipe fittings on the side of the die holder (32) near the fixed die frame (2); the punch (321) includes a plurality of stamping groups, and the stamping size of the punch (321) in each stamping group changes gradually along the sliding direction of the die holder (32); the arrangement of the punch (321) in the stamping group is consistent with the arrangement of the cavity (21).

2. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment unit includes an adjustment power component, an adjustment actuator, and an adjustment control component. The adjustment actuator is connected to the die holder (32). The adjustment power component is used to drive the adjustment actuator to move and position the die holder (32) between each adjustment station (311). The adjustment control component is used to control the power output direction and output stroke of the adjustment power component.

3. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stamping mechanism further includes a guide (4), a driving power component (5), a driving actuator (6), and a driving control component; the guide (4) is mounted on the worktable (1), and the die holder (31) is slidably connected to the guide (4); the driving actuator (6) is driven by the driving power component (5) to generate linear motion; the output end of the driving actuator (6) is driven by the die holder (31) to move it; the driving control component is used to control the driving motion. Force component (5) drives the die holder (31) to move between the standby position (11), the conversion position (12) and the working position (13); the working position (13) is adjacent to the conversion position (12); the drive control component is communicatively connected to the adjustment control component or interlocked with the program, so that when the stamping group needs to be changed, the drive control component first controls the die holder (31) to move from the working position (13) to the conversion position (12), and then the adjustment control component controls the die holder (32) to move to the next adjustment position (311).

4. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a material preparation bin (7) and a feeding assembly (8) for preparing pipe fitting materials. The material preparation bin (7) is located on the side of the fixed mold frame (2) away from the punching mold frame (31). The material preparation bin (7) is provided with a number of material preparation positions (71), which are coaxially corresponding to the mold cavity (21). A feeding port (72) is provided above the material preparation bin (7), which is connected to the material preparation position (71). A material distribution mechanism is provided between the material preparation bin (7) and the feeding port (72) for distributing the pipe fitting materials to each material preparation position (71) in sequence. The feeding assembly (8) is used to push the pipe fitting materials to be stamped from the material preparation position (71) into the mold cavity (21).

5. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 4, characterized in that, The feeding assembly (8) includes a feeding actuator (81), a feeding power unit (82), and a feeding control unit. The output end of the feeding power unit (82) is connected to the feeding actuator (81). The feeding control unit is used to control the feeding power unit (82) to drive the feeding actuator (81) to reciprocate between the material preparation position (71) and the mold cavity (21).

6. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mold cavity (21) and the material preparation position (71) are set close to each other, so that when feeding, the feeding actuator (81) near the mold cavity (21) abuts against the pipe material, and the pipe material to be stamped abuts against the stamped pipe product in the mold cavity (21). The side of the mold cavity (21) away from the material preparation bin (7) forms the material return position. When returning, the pipe material pushes the pipe product from the mold cavity (21) to the material return position, and the driving actuator (6) drives the punching die frame (31) to move from the working position (13) to the standby position (11).

7. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive actuator (6) is a hydraulic cylinder, and the drive power unit (5) is a hydraulic power unit; the hydraulic power unit is connected to the hydraulic cylinder through a hydraulic pipeline; the drive control unit is a first stroke control device for setting and controlling the stroke of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder.

8. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 4, characterized in that, The material distribution mechanism includes a material distribution plate, a servo motor, and a control unit; the material distribution plate is hinged between the feed inlet (72) and the preparation position (71); the output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the material distribution plate and is used to drive the material distribution plate to swing so as to sequentially distribute the pipe material from the feed inlet (72) to each preparation position (71); the control unit includes a material sensor set in each preparation position (71) for detecting the material status of the preparation position (71) and controlling the action of the servo motor based on the detection signal.

9. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 2, characterized in that, The adjusting power component includes an adjusting electric cylinder, and the adjusting actuator is a push plate fixedly installed on the surface of the die holder (32) away from the punch (321). The output end of the adjusting electric cylinder is connected to the push plate. The adjusting control component is a second stroke control device for setting and controlling the stroke of the electric cylinder piston rod.

10. The pre-tightening tube expander according to claim 5, characterized in that, The feeding actuator (81) is a push rod assembly, which includes multiple rods, and the arrangement of each rod is consistent with the matrix arrangement of the mold cavity (21); the feeding power component (82) is a feeding electric cylinder, the output end of which is driven and connected to the push rod assembly; the feeding control component is a third stroke control device for controlling the output direction and stroke of the feeding electric cylinder.

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