Pliers for forming sheet metal parts, especially body parts

Abstract

Pliers (10) for forming sheet metal parts, in particular body parts, comprising • a tool unit (12) comprising a first tool part (14) and a second tool part (20) that is translationally movable relative to the first tool part (14) along an axis of movement (16), • an actuating unit (22) with a first actuating arm (24) and a second actuating arm (26) that is rotatably and / or translationally movable relative to the first actuating arm (24), and • a coupling unit (28) with a tool-side coupling element (30) arranged on the first tool part (14) and an actuating-side coupling element (32) arranged on the first actuating arm (24), wherein the tool-side coupling element (30) and the actuating-side coupling element (32) can be coupled to each other in a non-destructive manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pair of pliers for forming sheet metal parts, in particular body parts.

[0002] Pliers are frequently used to machine the edges of sheet metal parts. Depending on the application, pliers with different tool units for interacting with the respective workpiece are used. Examples of such pliers are shown in DE 10 2015 113 608 A1 and US 10,780,480 B1.

[0003] Further examples of prior art are cited in the publications US 7 596 982 B1, JP H05 272 663 A and US 4 116 035 A.

[0004] Edge processing of sheet metal parts is of particular importance for automotive body components. Such parts typically have a front side that is visible when installed and a back side that is usually not visible when installed. The back side often features a load-bearing and / or stiffening structure, which may contain openings.

[0005] When the front of a body panel is deformed, for example due to an accident, it can be observed that the edges of openings on the rear of the body panel also deform. This interaction between the front and rear of the body panel often allows a deformation on the front, for example caused by an accident or hail damage, to be completely or at least partially repaired by deforming the edges of the rear openings.

[0006] To compensate for deformations occurring at such opening edges, sheet metal working pliers are typically used. These pliers grip the opening in such a way that the edge is fixed between the two tool parts and thus reshaped. Due to the multitude of different openings, their positions on the car body, and varying deformation patterns, a large number of pliers with different tool units are required in practice. For body shops, this leads to high costs for tool procurement and maintenance, as well as a significant space requirement for tool storage and provision.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a pair of pliers for processing sheet metal parts that has a small footprint, is adaptable to different processing tasks, and incurs low costs.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a pair of pliers having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] A pair of pliers according to the invention for forming sheet metal parts, in particular body parts, comprises a tool unit with a first tool part and a second tool part movable translationally along an axis of movement relative to the first tool part, an actuating unit with a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm movable rotationally and / or translationally relative to the first actuating arm, and a coupling unit with a tool-side coupling element arranged on the first tool part and an actuating-side coupling element arranged on the first actuating arm. The tool unit is preferably designed for direct interaction with a workpiece. The actuating unit is preferably designed for, and particularly preferably direct, interaction with a user.The first actuating arm and / or the second actuating arm can be designed for direct actuation by a human hand. The tool unit preferably includes a forming tool.

[0011] According to the invention, the tool-side coupling element and the actuating-side coupling element can be coupled to each other in a non-destructive manner. The connection between the tool-side coupling element and the actuating-side coupling element is thus preferably designed to be detachable without damage. This allows the actuating unit to be coupled and used with different tool units, particularly depending on the specific machining task. Preferably, the tool-side coupling element and the actuating-side coupling element can be coupled directly to each other. Due to the non-destructive coupling, all components of the pliers can preferably be reused in their intended function after the tool unit has been decoupled from the actuating unit. Furthermore, the tool unit and the actuating unit can preferably be coupled and detached without tools.

[0012] The tool-side coupling element can be fixedly attached to the first tool part and / or the actuator-side coupling element can be fixedly attached to the first actuating arm. A fixed arrangement, as used here and in the following, refers to an arrangement that restricts all degrees of freedom of movement of the elements arranged relative to one another, so that no relative movement between the elements is possible. The tool-side coupling element is preferably positively and / or frictionally attached to the first tool part. The actuator-side coupling element is preferably materially bonded to the first actuating arm.

[0013] The first tool part can comprise a punch with a punch shank, wherein the tool-side coupling element can be arranged rotatably and / or translationally displaceable on the punch shank. By translationally displacing the tool-side coupling element on the punch shank, a maximum stroke of the second tool part relative to the first tool part can be set. By rotating the tool-side coupling element on the punch shank, the punch can be aligned with the actuating unit. This can be particularly advantageous if the punch head intended for interaction with a workpiece is not designed as a rotating body. The punch shank is preferably arranged parallel to the axis of movement.The term "parallel" is preferably understood here and in the following to include the possibility that the elements arranged parallel to each other lie on top of each other.

[0014] The tool-side coupling element can be attached to the punch shank by means of a screw connection. Preferably, the punch shank has an external thread and the tool-side coupling element has an internal thread. Such an arrangement allows the tool-side coupling element to be rotated and moved translationally along the punch shank.

[0015] A lock nut can be arranged on the punch shank, by means of which the tool-side coupling element can be secured to the punch shank. This allows the rotational and / or translational position of the tool-side coupling element relative to the punch shank to be fixed.

[0016] According to the invention, the tool-side coupling element and the actuator-side coupling element can be coupled to each other by means of a snap-fit ​​connector. Due to the snap-fit ​​design of the connector, a certain force limit must be exceeded to disconnect the tool-side and actuator-side coupling elements from each other. Preferably, the connector is designed such that the tool-side and actuator-side coupling elements are plugged directly into each other.

[0017] Preferably, the tool-side coupling element has an internal polygon, more preferably an internal square, and the actuator-side coupling element has an external polygon, more preferably an external square, that engages with the internal polygon, or vice versa. Alternatively, the tool-side coupling element can have an external polygon, more preferably an external square, and the actuator-side coupling element can have an internal polygon, more preferably an internal square, that engages with the external polygon. Standardized connectors known from socket wrench sets can be used to implement the internal square and / or the external square, so that the coupling elements can be readily and cost-effectively manufactured.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pliers have an actuating interface comprising a tool-side interface element and an actuating-side interface element, wherein the tool-side interface element is arranged on the second tool part and the actuating-side interface element is arranged on the second actuating arm. This allows a relative movement between the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm to be transmitted to the tool unit in such a way that a relative movement occurs between the first tool part and the second tool part. The actuating interface is preferably separate from the coupling unit and / or spatially separated.

[0019] The second tool part can have a sleeve on which the tool-side interface element is arranged. Preferably, the second tool part is formed by the sleeve.

[0020] The sleeve is particularly preferably arranged to be slidable around the punch shaft along the axis of movement.

[0021] Preferably, the tool-side interface element is designed as a groove and the actuator-side interface element as a fork element, or vice versa. Alternatively, the tool-side interface element can be designed as a fork element and the actuator-side interface element as a groove. Preferably, the actuator interface is designed such that the fork element engages in the groove. The fork element can be arranged with some play in the groove. This enables the conversion of a rotary movement of the actuator arms into a translational movement of the tool part. If the groove is arranged on the sleeve, it is preferably formed completely around the circumference.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling unit and the actuating interface are arranged such that the axis of movement of the tool unit and the first actuating arm are parallel to each other or enclose an axis angle of less than 180° and greater than or equal to 90°. The axis angle is preferably selected such that the orientation of the tool unit and the actuating unit relative to each other is particularly advantageously adapted to the intended application and the prevailing geometric boundary conditions.

[0023] The pliers can be operated manually, preferably exclusively. This makes the pliers particularly versatile.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the following figures. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of pliers in a first position, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 1. In a second position, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the tool unit of the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the actuating unit of the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of pliers in a first position, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the in Fig. 5 shown embodiment in a second position, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the actuating unit of the in Fig. 5 shown embodiment and two alternative tool units.

[0025] The Fig. Figures 1 to 7 show different embodiments. The same reference numerals are used for identical and functionally equivalent parts. For clarity, not all reference numerals are used in every figure.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a representation of a pair of pliers 10 for forming sheet metal parts, in particular body parts, with a tool unit 12. The tool unit 12 comprises a first tool part 14 and a second tool part 20, designed as a sleeve 18, which is movable translationally relative to the first tool part 14 along an axis of movement 16. The pliers 10 further comprise an actuating unit 22 with a first actuating arm 24 and a second actuating arm 26 which is rotatably movable relative to the first actuating arm. The first actuating arm 24 and / or the second actuating arm 26 are designed for direct actuation by a human hand. The pliers further comprise a coupling unit 28 with a tool-side coupling element 30 arranged on the first tool part 14 and an actuating-side coupling element 32 arranged on the first actuating arm 24.

[0027] The first tool part 14 has a punch 33 with a punch shank 34. The sleeve 18 is slidably arranged around the punch shank 34 along the axis of movement 16. For actuating the tool unit 12, the pliers 10 have an actuating interface 36 with a tool-side interface element 38 and an actuating-side interface element 40. The tool-side interface element 38 is arranged on the sleeve 18 and is designed as a fully circumferential groove 42. The actuating-side interface element 40 is arranged on the second actuating arm 26 and is designed as a fork element 44. Fig. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fork element 44 engages in the groove 42 and is arranged with play in the groove 42. This allows a rotational relative movement between the first actuating arm 24 and the second actuating arm 26 to be transmitted to the tool unit 12 in such a way that a translational relative movement takes place between the sleeve 18 and the punch 33.

[0028] A distal sleeve rim 46 of the sleeve 18 and a punch head 48 of the punch 33, arranged distally on the punch shaft 34, are provided for direct interaction with a workpiece. While in the Fig. In the open position shown in Figure 1, the sleeve rim 46 and the punch head 48 are arranged at a distance from each other, as can be seen in the Fig. In the closed position shown in 2, a sheet metal part, in particular a body panel, is clamped between the punch head 48 and the sleeve rim 46 and thus formed. The Fig. The 3 arrows 50 also illustrate the corresponding displacement of the sleeve 18 on the stamp shaft 34 along the axis of movement 16.

[0029] Fig. Figures 3 and 4 further illustrate that the tool-side coupling element 30 and the actuating-side coupling element 32 can be detachably coupled to each other without damage. The tool-side coupling element 30 and the actuating-side coupling element 32 can be coupled to each other directly and without tools.

[0030] How Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the tool-side coupling element 30 is arranged on the punch shank 34 by means of a screw connection 52. For this purpose, the punch shank 34 has an external thread 54 and the tool-side coupling element 30 has an internal thread. Such an arrangement allows the tool-side coupling element 30 to be rotated and moved translationally on the punch shank 34. By moving the tool-side coupling element 30 translationally on the punch shank 34, a maximum stroke of the second tool part 20 relative to the first tool part 14 can be set. By moving the tool-side coupling element 30 rotationally on the punch shank 34, the punch 33 can be aligned with the actuating unit 22. This can be particularly advantageous if the punch head 48 of the punch 33, as in the two embodiments shown, is not designed as a rotating body.

[0031] A lock nut 56 is arranged on the punch shank 34, by means of which the tool-side coupling element 30 can be locked to the punch shank 34. This allows the rotational and translational position of the tool-side coupling element 30 relative to the punch shank 34 to be fixed.

[0032] The tool-side coupling element 30 can thus be arranged in a form-fit and friction-fit manner on the punch shank 34 and therefore on the first tool part 14. How Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the actuating-side coupling element 32 is preferably arranged in a material-fit manner on the first actuating arm 24.

[0033] Fig. Figures 3 and 4 further show that the actuating-side coupling element 32 has an external square 58 which can engage with an internal square 60 of the tool-side coupling element 30 to create a snap-fit ​​connection between the tool-side coupling element 30 and the actuating-side coupling element 32. The tool-side coupling element 30 and the actuating-side coupling element 32 are plugged directly into each other. Standardized connectors known from socket wrench sets can be used to implement the internal square 60 and / or the external square 58.

[0034] As the Fig. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in the embodiment shown therein, the coupling unit 28 and the actuating interface 36 are arranged such that the axis of movement 16 of the tool unit 12 and the first actuating arm 24 are parallel to each other. For this purpose, the actuating-side coupling element 32 is arranged at right angles to the first actuating arm 24, and the fork element 44 forms an actuating angle 61 with the second actuating arm 26, which is preferably in the range of 90° to 100° (see in particular Figure 1). Fig. 4).

[0035] The in the Fig. The second embodiment shown in Figures 5-7 corresponds in its basic principle and function to the first embodiment. Fig. 1-4. In the following, we will therefore focus primarily on the aspect in which the second embodiment differs from the first.

[0036] This shows Fig. 5 and 6, that the coupling unit 28 and the actuating interface 36 are arranged such that the axis of movement 16 of the tool unit 12 and the first actuating arm 24 enclose an axis angle 62 of 90°. For this purpose, in particular, the actuating-side coupling element 32 is aligned in the direction of the first actuating arm 24 and the fork element 44 encloses an actuating angle 61 with the second actuating arm 26, which is preferably in the range of 180° to 190° (see in particular Fig. 7) The two embodiments shown illustrate that the pliers 10 can be designed with any axis angle 62 in the range of 90° to 180°.

[0037] Furthermore, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the tool unit 12 has a punch head 64 that differs from the punch head 48 of the first embodiment, as well as a sleeve rim 66 that differs from the sleeve rim 46 of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 shows the actuating unit 22 of the second embodiment together with the tool units 12 of the first and second embodiments, thus illustrating that the same actuating unit 22 can be combined with different tool units 12. Reference symbol list 10 Pliers 12 tool units 14 first tool part 16 axis of movement 18 Sleeve 20 second tool part 22 Actuating unit 24 first actuating arm 26 second actuating arm 28 coupling unit 30 tool-side coupling element 32 Actuator-side coupling element 33 stamps 34 Stamp shaft 36 Actuating interface 38 tool-side interface element 40 Actuation-side interface element 42 Nut 44 Fork element 46 Case rim 48 Stamp head 50 Arrow 52 Screw connection 54 external threads 56 Locknut 58 mm external square 60 mm square drive 61 Actuation angle 62 Axial angles 64 Stamp head 66 Case rim

Claims

[1] Pliers (10) for forming sheet metal parts, in particular body parts, comprising • a tool unit (12) comprising a first tool part (14) and a second tool part (20) that is translationally movable relative to the first tool part (14) along an axis of movement (16), • an actuating unit (22) with a first actuating arm (24) and a second actuating arm (26) that is rotatably and / or translationally movable relative to the first actuating arm (24), and • a coupling unit (28) with a tool-side coupling element (30) arranged on the first tool part (14) and an actuating-side coupling element (32) arranged on the first actuating arm (24), characterized by , that the tool-side coupling element (30) and the actuation-side coupling element (32) can be coupled to each other in a non-destructive manner by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. [2] Pliers according to claim 1, characterized by, that the actuating-side coupling element (32) is fixedly arranged on the first actuating arm (24). [3] Pliers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first tool part (14) has a punch (33) with a punch shank (34), wherein the tool-side coupling element (30) can be arranged rotatorily and / or translationally displaceably on the punch shank (34). [4] Pliers according to claim 3, characterized by , that the tool-side coupling element (30) is arranged on the punch shaft (34) by means of a screw connection (52). [5] Pliers according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by , that a lock nut (56) is arranged on the punch shaft (34) by means of which the tool-side coupling element (30) can be secured to the punch shaft (34). [6] Pliers according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the tool-side coupling element (30) has an internal polygon, preferably an internal square (60), and the actuating-side coupling element (32) has an external polygon which can engage with the internal polygon, particularly preferably an external square (58), or vice versa. [7] Pliers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pliers (10) have an actuating interface (36) with a tool-side interface element (38) and an actuating-side interface element (40), wherein the tool-side interface element (38) is arranged on the second tool part (20) and the actuating-side interface element (40) is arranged on the second actuating arm (26). [8] Pliers according to claim 7, characterized by , that the second tool part (20) has a sleeve (18) on which the tool-side interface element (38) is arranged. [9] Pliers according to claim 3 and claim 8, characterized by, that the sleeve (18) is arranged to be axially displaceable around the punch shaft (34). [10] Pliers according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by , that the tool-side interface element (38) is designed as a groove (42) and the actuation-side interface element (40) as a fork element (44), or vice versa. [11] Pliers according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the coupling unit (28) and the actuating interface (36) are arranged such that the axis of movement (16) of the tool unit (12) and the first actuating arm (24) are arranged parallel to each other or enclose an axis angle (62) of less than 180° and greater than or equal to 90°. [12] Pliers according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pliers (10) are, preferably exclusively, manually operable.

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