EXTRUSION LINE WITH A LOCKING SYSTEM WITH SELF-DRIVED LOCKS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of extrusion installations, and in particular to coextrusion installations making it possible to produce so-called "complex" profiles by simultaneously extruding several extruded materials, such as elastomeric mixtures, through the same die.

[0002] Such profiles may in particular be intended to be used in the construction of pneumatic tires, and may, for example, constitute treads.

[0003] As described in DE 10 2011 084110 A1 and EP 0 407 756 A1, known coextrusion installations usually comprise at least one head, on which are mounted several extruders each delivering an extruded material. The head comprises tracks which convey said extruded materials from said extruders to a tool block, which is fixed to said head and which is provided with a die which gives the section of the profile its final shape.

[0004] Fixing the tool block to the head generally requires a relatively heavy and bulky locking system, since the said locking system must guarantee in particular the sealing and rigidity of the installation against working pressures which can be particularly high.

[0005] However, the weight and size of the locking system obviously have an influence on the footprint of the installation, but also on the duration, complexity and cost of maintenance operations, when it is necessary to periodically clean the tool block, or even to replace said tool block to change the nature of the profile produced.

[0006] The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to propose an extrusion installation which has a locking system which is relatively simple, compact and light, but nevertheless robust and reliable, and which in particular allows rapid changes to be made to the tool block, by limiting the amplitude of the movements of the locking members as well as the corresponding energy expenditure.

[0007] The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of an extrusion installation comprising at least a first head which is arranged to receive a first extruder intended to deliver a first extruded material, said first head comprising at least a first path which makes it possible to convey said first extruded material to a tooling block which comprises a die arranged to conform said at least first extruded material into a profile, said installation being able to alternately adopt a closing configuration, in which the first head is kept fixed against said tooling block by a first lock which exerts for this purpose a clamping force which presses said first head against the tooling block in a first direction called the "coupling direction", so that the tooling block can receive the first extruded material coming from the first extruder, and an opening configuration,in which said first head is separated from said tool block, the installation being characterized in that the first lock comprises a first jaw which is mounted to move in a second direction, called the "locking direction", transverse to the coupling direction, as well as at least one locking motor which is embedded on said first jaw and coupled to a tie rod which is arranged so as to ensure a grip against an anchoring point provided for this purpose in the first head, so that the locking motor can act in traction on the tie rod, against the anchoring point, in order to approach, with said jaw, said anchoring point, in the locking direction, so that said jaw generates the clamping force which presses the first head against the tool block.,

[0008] Advantageously, the implementation of a self-propelled lock in accordance with the invention makes it possible to produce a short locking chain, involving few mechanical components of modest dimensions.

[0009] In particular, the tie rod will preferably allow the locking motor to act in direct engagement with the anchoring point, and thus ensure a direct connection, preferably rectilinear, between the anchoring point and the jaw, without a movement return mechanism, and in particular without a pivoting joint of the connecting rod type.

[0010] This allows the actuator, i.e. here the locking motor, to be placed as close as possible to the effector, here the jaw, and to the area to be clamped, here the joint plane along which the first head rests against the tool block, in a particularly simple, light and compact arrangement.

[0011] Such a compact arrangement advantageously requires little amplitude of movement of the first lock to alternately lock the tool block against the head or on the contrary release said tool block in order to allow the separation of said tool block from the head, and therefore makes it possible to gain in precision and speed of execution when changing from the opening configuration to the closing configuration and vice versa.

[0012] Furthermore, such an architecture allows, as will be seen later, to multiply the locking motors embedded on the jaw, and therefore to multiply the corresponding tie rods, and therefore the anchor points. It is thus possible to obtain a good, relatively homogeneous distribution of the clamping force along the joint plane. In addition, this multiplication of locking motors allows to obtain a high clamping force, even if we use locking motors of modest power and therefore light and small dimensions.

[0013] The tool block will thus be locked against the head in a solid and perfectly watertight manner, even if the first lock remains particularly compact.

[0014] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, as well as with the aid of the appended drawings, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which: There figure 1 illustrates, in an overall perspective view, an installation according to the invention, here in the opening configuration, said installation comprising a first head, as well as a second head, which are arranged to close and lock onto the same tool block, on either side of the latter, the installation using for this purpose a first self-propelled lock as well as a second self-propelled lock which is arranged substantially symmetrically to the first self-propelled lock relative to the tool block. figures 2, 3 And 4 illustrate, in perspective, side and sectional views from above, part of the installation of the figure 1 in opening configuration. The figures 5, 6 And 7 illustrate, in perspective, side and sectional views from above, part of the installation of the figure 1 in an intermediate configuration between the opening configuration and the closing configuration, which corresponds to a step during which the first head, as well as the second head, are brought closer to the tool block in the coupling direction so as to allow the tie rods, here carried by the first and second locks, to engage the corresponding anchoring points provided in said first and second heads. figures 8, 9 And 10 illustrate, in perspective, side and sectional views from above, part of the installation of the figure 1 in closing configuration. The figures 11 And 12 are detailed perspective views, respectively from the front and back, of the first lock of the installation of the figure 1 . THE figures 13 And 14 are detailed perspective views, respectively from the front and back, of the first head of the installation of the figure 1 . THE figures 15 et 16 represent, in exploded and assembled perspective views respectively, an example of a lock guide device used to guide the first lock within the installation of the figure 1 . There figure 17 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the figure 10 , showing the interaction of the first lock with the first head and the second head in the closing configuration.

[0015] The present invention relates to an extrusion installation 1.

[0016] Said extrusion installation 1 comprises, as can be seen in the figure 1 , at least a first head 2 which is arranged to receive a first extruder 3 intended to deliver a first extruded material.

[0017] The first head 2 comprises at least one first path 4 which makes it possible to convey said first extruded material thus delivered by the extruder 3 to a tool block 5.

[0018] Said tool block 5 comprises a die 6 which is arranged to conform said at least first extruded material into a profile.

[0019] Preferably, as clearly visible on the figures 1 , 13 And 14 , the first head 2 will comprise a plurality of tracks 4, 4_2, 4_3, 4_4, for example three or four tracks, each designed to accommodate a separate extruder, each delivering an extruded material, typically to be able to co-extrude a plurality of separate materials into the same profile. Said tracks 4, 4_2, 4_3, 4_4 may preferably be separated so as to convey the different extruded materials separately to the tooling block 5. For simple convenience of description, however, the different tracks may be generically assimilated to one another, and then designated by the same generic numerical reference 4, as is for example the case in certain top sectional views of the figures 4 , 7 And 10 .

[0020] Preferably, the first extruded material, and preferably several or even all of the extruded materials, will be elastomeric mixtures, based on rubber, and more particularly based on raw rubber, that is to say unvulcanized.

[0021] In a manner known per se, one and / or the other of the extruders 3 may be formed by a screw extruder, comprising a sleeve which is clamped in a sealed manner on the head 4, in order to open into the corresponding path 4, 4_2, 4_3, 4_4, and within which an endless screw, arranged in the longitudinal direction of said sleeve, is driven by a rotational movement around its longitudinal axis.

[0022] The tool block 5 will allow said extruded materials to be configured and assembled together in order to join them into a single complex profile. The die 6 gives the cross-section of the profile, that is to say the section of the profile which is normal to the longitudinal flow direction in which said profile is generated, the final external contour of said section.

[0023] The die 6 may be a flat die, formed by a fixed blade, or an assembly of fixed blades which delimit the section of the profile, or even by a roller die, within which the downstream end of the tool block 5, in the direction of flow of the extruded material(s), forms a pre-die which is placed opposite a rotating roller, so as to define, between the surface of said roller and the exit surface of said pre-die, of a shape conjugate to the roller, an air gap which defines the thickness of the profile.

[0024] The profile obtained may preferably form a constituent element of a bandage, and more particularly of a pneumatic bandage.

[0025] According to a preferred application, the installation 1 according to the invention will be used to produce a profile intended to form a tread.

[0026] Installation 1 can alternatively adopt on the one hand a closing configuration, illustrated in particular on the figures 8, 9 , 10 And 17, in which the first head 2 is held fixed against said tool block 5 by a first lock 10 which exerts for this purpose a clamping force F10 which presses said first head 2 against the tool block 5 in a first direction X called “coupling direction” X, so that the tool block 5 can receive, via the first head 2, the first extruded material coming from the first extruder 3, and more generally so that the tool block 5 can receive the different extruded materials coming from the different extruders connected to the first head 2, and on the other hand an opening configuration, illustrated in particular in figs 1, 2, 3 and 4, in which said first head 2 is separated from said tool block 5.

[0027] The closing configuration corresponds to a working configuration, in which the extruders 3 can deliver through the first head 2, and through the tool block 5 to which said first head 2 is connected in a sealed manner, under the clamping force F10 exerted by the first lock 10, to produce the profile.

[0028] In the closing configuration, the downstream surface 2D of the first head 2 is pressed against an upstream joining surface 5U of the tool block 5 along a first joint plane P2. Said first joint plane P2 preferably extends along a flat surface. Said first joint plane P2 is preferably normal to the coupling direction X, and here preferably vertical.

[0029] The opening configuration allows access to the interior of the installation 1, and can be used for maintenance operations such as replacing the tool block 5 or cleaning the first head 2.

[0030] According to the invention, the first lock 10 comprises, as is particularly clearly visible on the figures 2 , 4 , 10 , 11 , 12 And 17 , a first jaw 11 which is mounted to move in a second direction Y, called the “locking direction” Y, which is transverse to the coupling direction X, as well as at least one locking motor 12 which is mounted on said first jaw 11 and coupled to a tie rod 13 which is arranged so as to ensure a grip against an anchoring point 14 provided for this purpose in the first head 2, so that the locking motor 12 can act in traction on the tie rod 13, against the anchoring point 14, in order to approach, with said first jaw 11, said anchoring point 14, in the locking direction Y, so that said first jaw 11 generates the clamping force F10 which presses the first head 2 against the tool block 5.

[0031] Thus, the first jaw 11, and more generally the first lock 10 comprising said first jaw 11 and the locking motor 12, is self-propelled, in that it uses the first head 2 as a support to pull itself towards said head 2 by means of the tie rod 13, and more generally to drive integrally towards the head 2, and more precisely towards the anchoring point 14, the mobile subassembly formed by said first jaw 11 and the locking motor 12.

[0032] The first jaw 11, and more generally the first lock 10, is, more particularly, movable in the locking direction Y between: on the one hand an engagement position, in which the first jaw 11 engages the first head 2, and the locking motor 12 exerts sufficient traction on the tie rod 13, so that said first jaw 11 clamps the first head 2 against the tool block 5, by exerting the clamping force F10 which forces the mutual approach of the first head 2 and the tool block 5, and which presses said first head 2 in a sealed manner against said tool block 5 according to the first joint plane P2, here by ensuring direct contact by abutment of the downstream surface 2D of the first head 2 against the corresponding upstream junction surface 5U of the tool block 5, and therefore which makes it possible to maintain the installation 1 in the closed configuration, and on the other hand a release position, also called "withdrawal position", in which the first jaw 11 is placed back from the first head 12,at a distance further from the anchoring point 14 than when said first jaw 11 is in the engagement position, so as to release the clamping force F10 and to release the first head 2 so that said first head 2 can separate from the tool block 5, here by moving away from the joint plane P2 and therefore from the tool block 5 in the coupling direction X, and more generally to allow the installation 1 to move into the opening configuration.

[0033] It will be noted that, preferably, the first head 2 is arranged in such a way that, when the first jaw 11 is in the disengaged position, the first head 2, and more particularly the anchoring point 14, can be released from the tie rod 13, as is notably visible in the figures 2 And 4 .

[0034] For this purpose, the anchoring point 14 may be formed by a housing 15 which opens onto the downstream surface 2D of the first head 2, and which is therefore released behind the tie rod 13 when the first head 2 separates from the tool block 5 along the first joint plane P2 and moves away from said tool block 5 by moving back in the coupling direction X.

[0035] As seen on the figure 1 , the installation comprises a frame 20, relative to which the first head 2 can move in a direction parallel to, and preferably coincident with, the coupling direction X, so as to be able to selectively approach and come into contact with the tool block 5, according to a forward movement FM2, or on the contrary separate and move away from said tool block 5, according to a backward movement BM2.

[0036] Said movements of the first head 2 in the coupling direction X will preferably be carried out in rectilinear translation, for example by following a guide rail 21 which guides a carriage 22 carrying said first head 2.

[0037] Preferably, the coupling direction X is horizontal.

[0038] Such an arrangement makes it possible to provide a compact and stable arrangement to the installation 1, and in particular makes it possible to couple two heads 2, 102 to the tooling block 5, on either side of said tooling block 5, by two opposite joining faces 5U, 105U of said tooling block 5.

[0039] Likewise, the locking direction Y, in which the movements of the first lock 10 take place relative to the frame 20, will preferably be horizontal.

[0040] Said locking direction Y will, particularly preferably, be perpendicular to the coupling direction X.

[0041] Again, this will promote a compact arrangement of the installation, and a robust and stable closing action of the first lock 10 on the head, or heads 2, 102.

[0042] The first lock 10 will preferably move in rectilinear translation in the locking direction Y, for example by means of a plate 56, as will be detailed below.

[0043] We will note Z the direction, called "staging direction", here preferably vertical, which forms with the coupling direction and the locking direction Y a trihedron, more preferably a right trihedron whose three axes X, Y, Z are two by two perpendicular.

[0044] Advantageously, the self-propelled locking system 10 proposed by the invention makes it possible to produce a locking kinematic chain which is particularly short, robust and efficient, since the tie rod 13 establishes and materializes a direct link, and preferably geometrically rectilinear and therefore corresponding to the shortest possible distance, between on the one hand the first jaw 11, via the locking motor 12 which is fixed on said first jaw 11, and on the other hand the first head 2, via the anchoring point 14 in which the tie rod 13 engages.

[0045] More particularly, the first jaw 11 will preferably be the only member for attaching the locking motor 12 to the frame 20, ensuring the support of the locking motor 12, that is to say that the only kinematic chain connecting the locking motor 12 to the frame 20, without passing through the tie rod 13, necessarily passes through the first jaw 11.

[0046] It will also be noted that the tie rod 13 is preferably itself carried by the locking motor 12, and therefore by the first jaw 11, but that said tie rod 13 does not, on the other hand, contribute to carrying the locking motor 12 on the frame 20, so that the only kinematic chain which both i) connects the locking motor 12 to the frame 20 and ii) is capable of carrying, alone, the locking motor 12 necessarily passes through the first jaw 11.

[0047] Advantageously, such an absence of a third-party member which would be interposed between the frame 20 and the locking motor 12, in parallel with the first jaw 11, to support the locking motor 12, makes it possible to give the first lock 10, and more generally the installation 1, great simplicity, good compactness, and relative lightness.

[0048] Preferably, the jaw has a C-shape, and for this purpose comprises a first branch 23 and a second branch 24 which are connected to each other by a crosspiece 25 and which project in the locking direction Y, so as to define between them, in the coupling direction X, a clamping gap 26, as is clearly visible on the figures 7 And 11 .

[0049] Preferably, the first branch 23 and the second branch 24 will be positioned on either side of the first joint plane P2, each on a different side of said first joint plane P2, so that said first joint plane P2 extends, and preferably is entirely included, in the clamping gap 26.

[0050] Preferably, the first branch 23 has a first ramp 27 which is oriented obliquely relative to a plane normal to the coupling direction X, so as to be able to cooperate with the first head 2 to generate the clamping force F10 by wedge effect, when the locking motor 12 brings the first jaw 11 closer to the anchoring point 14.

[0051] Preferably, the first head 2 comprises for this purpose a first counter-ramp 28 of a shape matching that of the first ramp 27 of the first branch 23, so that, when the locking motor 12 pulls on the tie rod 13 and brings the first jaw 11 closer to the anchoring point 14, the ramp 27 slides along the counter-ramp 28 and thus generates a clamping force F10 transverse to said ramp 27.

[0052] The first counter-ramp 28 can for example be shaped in a first groove 29, here a vertical groove, hollowed out in the first head 2.

[0053] Advantageously, such an arrangement of the first lock 10 with branches 23, 24 making it possible to hook the parts to be brought together is particularly robust and reliable, especially since the stresses linked to the generation of the clamping force F10 can be distributed over the surface of the ramp 27 and counter-ramp 28, and over the length (here vertical) of the first groove 29.

[0054] Advantageously, the use of a first ramp 27 makes it possible to convert and amplify the tensile force, which is exerted by the locking motor 12 on the tie rod 13 in the locking direction Y, into a compressive clamping force F10, which is exerted between the first and second branches 23, 24, and which is oriented in the coupling direction X, perpendicular to the locking direction Y.

[0055] It is thus possible to effectively clamp the parts trapped in the air gap 26 against each other, here the first head 2 (and the second head 102) and the tool block 5.

[0056] The angle of inclination formed by the ramp 27, and, likewise, by the counter-ramp 28, relative to the locking direction Y, considered in projection in a base plane (XY), here horizontal, defined by the locking direction Y and by the coupling direction X, will preferably be between 1 degree and 45 degrees, preferably between 5 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0057] Advantageously, such an angle of inclination will preferably be sufficiently small to allow not only to obtain an amplification of the clamping force, F10, the intensity of which will thus be greater than the intensity of the tensile force developed by the locking motor(s) 12 on the corresponding tie rod(s) 13, but also to provide a locking which will not be spontaneously reversible with regard to the coefficients of friction which are exerted between the first ramp 27 and the first counter-ramp 28, so that the first head 2 will be kept clamped against the tool block 5 even if the locking motor 12 is no longer supplied with energy, and as long as said locking motor 12 has not actively forced a recoil of the first jaw 11 in the locking direction Y and extracted the first branch 23 from the groove 29 to release the ramp 27 from the counter-ramp 28.

[0058] The locking provided by the first lock 10 will therefore be particularly powerful and stable.

[0059] Preferably, the first ramp 27 and / or the first counter-ramp 28 will be provided with lubricating linings 30, such as copper-based alloy plates, possibly porous and soaked in a lubricant, such as oil, which can be conveyed by a suitable circuit.

[0060] Similarly, the second branch 24 of the first jaw 11 will preferably comprise a second ramp 31 intended to cooperate with a second counter-ramp 32 preferably formed in a second groove 33. Said second ramp and counter-ramp 31, 32 may also be provided with lubricating linings 30.

[0061] In absolute terms, it could be envisaged that the second branch 24 engages against the tooling block 5, for example against a face 105U of said tooling block 5 which would be closed (i.e. which would be solid, and which would therefore not have channel openings intended to receive materials to be extruded) and which would be located opposite, in the coupling direction X, the junction face 5U against which the first head 2 is pressed. According to such a variant, only the first head 2 and the tooling block 5 would be present and pinched against each other within the clamping gap 26.

[0062] However, in a particularly preferential manner, the first lock 10, and more particularly the first jaw 11, is intended to connect together a first head 2 and a second head 102, so as to clamp the tool block 5 between the first head 2 and the second head 102, as can be seen in the figures 8 à 10 , the crosspiece 25 then forming a bridge which connects the two heads 2, 102 by spanning the tool block 5.

[0063] Indeed, preferentially, as is visible on the figures 1 , 2 , 5 And 8 , the installation 1 comprises a second head 102 which is arranged to receive at least one second extruder 103 intended to deliver a second extruded material and which comprises at least one second path 104 making it possible to convey said second extruded material to the tool block 5.

[0064] The tool block 5 then preferably extends, along the coupling direction X, from a first junction face 5U, preferably normal to said coupling direction X, to a second opposite junction face 105U, preferably parallel to the first junction face 5U, so that, in the closed configuration, the first head 2 is kept fixed in abutment against the first junction face 5U of the tool block 5 while the second head 102 is kept fixed in abutment against the second junction face 105U of said tool block 5.

[0065] Preferably, the first jaw 11 of the first lock 10 is then arranged so as to engage on the one hand against the first head 2 and on the other hand against the second head 102 so as to be able to force a mutual approach, in the coupling direction X, of the first head 2 and the second head 102 which are located on either side of the tool block 5, and thus generate a clamping force F10 which, as illustrated in the figures 8, 9 , 10 And 17 , causes a pinching of the tool block 5 between the first head 2 and the second head 102.

[0066] Advantageously, by multiplying the heads 2, 102 and therefore the tracks 4, 104, it will be possible to produce in a single coextrusion operation a particularly complex profile, combining multiple materials.

[0067] Furthermore, such an arrangement, according to which the tool block 5 is clamped between the two heads 2, 102, in the closing configuration, is advantageously simple, compact and stable.

[0068] Particularly advantageously, such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to use the same first central lock 10, and the same closing movement FM11 of the first jaw 11, and more generally the same closing movement of said first lock 10, to simultaneously clamp the first head 2 against the tool block 5 and the second head 102 against the tool block 5, the first head 2 and the second head 102 acting in opposition to each other in the same coupling direction X.

[0069] Preferably, the first head 2 and the second head 102 will have an arrangement that is substantially or even exactly symmetrical with respect to a sagittal plane PS of symmetry which is normal to the coupling direction X, and which preferably contains the locking direction Y. The characteristics of the second head 102 can therefore preferably be deduced mutatis mutandis characteristics of the first head 2.

[0070] Said sagittal plane PS of symmetry is preferably located midway between the two heads 2, 102, and more particularly midway between the downstream surfaces 2D, 102D, here flat and vertical, of said heads 2, 102.

[0071] Preferably, said sagittal plane PS of symmetry intersects the tool block 5, as well as the crosspiece 25 of the first jaw 11, in their middle.

[0072] The said sagittal plane PS of symmetry corresponds to the vertical plane (YZ) on the figure 1 .

[0073] It will be noted that, for convenience of description, numerical references incremented by the value 100 will generally be used to designate elements which appear in duplicate within the installation 1 and which are identical or corresponding in their form and / or in their function, as is notably the case for the first head 2 and the second head 102.

[0074] Thus, in particular, just like the first head 2, the second head 102 is preferably, as can be seen in the figure 1 , carried by a second carriage 122 mounted movably in rectilinear translation on the frame 20 by means of a second rail 121, to alternately carry out a forward movement FM102 towards the tool block 5 to reach the closing configuration and an opposite backward movement BM102, away from the tool block 5, to reach the opening configuration. Said second rail 121 is preferably rectilinear and aligned in the extension of the first rail 21, according to a single and same common coupling direction X.

[0075] In the closing configuration, the second head 102 preferably applies its downstream face 102D directly in sealed support against a second joining face 105U upstream of the tool block 5, according to a second joint plane P102 which is preferably normal to the coupling direction X, preferably flat, and preferably parallel to the first joint plane P2.

[0076] Advantageously, the first lock 10 engages, respectively by its first branch 23 and by its second branch 24, against the first head 2 on the one hand and against the second head 102 on the other hand, but without exerting any direct action on the tool block 5.

[0077] Thus, the integrity of the tool block 5 can be preserved and the latter easily changed when the type of profile produced is desired.

[0078] Preferably, the first jaw 11 is arranged so that its crosspiece 25 spans the first joint plane P2 and the second joint plane P102, and therefore crosses the sagittal plane PS, so that the first branch 23 engages against the first head 2 on a first side of the tool block 5, while the second branch 24 engages against the second head 102 on a second side of the tool block, opposite the first side.

[0079] Preferably, the second branch 24 engages in a second groove 33, here vertical, formed in the second head 102.

[0080] Said second groove 33 comprises a second counter-ramp 32 intended to cooperate with a second ramp 31 of the second branch 24.

[0081] In projection in the base plane (XY), the first ramp 27 and the second ramp 31 of the first jaw 11 will be oriented in intersecting directions (i.e. not parallel), and will diverge from each other, from the crosspiece 25, in the locking direction Y, as is clearly visible on the figures 4 , 7 , 10 And 17 , so that the closer the first jaw 11 approaches the anchoring point 14, the more the heads 2, 102 are tightened towards each other, and therefore a high clamping force F10 is obtained, against the tool block 5, in the coupling direction X.

[0082] Preferably, the first ramp 27 and the second ramp 31 will form the lateral limits of the clamping gap 26, which will thus have, in projection in the base plane (XY), a flared opening in the direction of the heads 2, 102 and the tool block 5.

[0083] Furthermore, the installation 1 preferably comprises, opposite the first lock 10 with respect to the tool block 5 in the locking direction Y, a second lock 110.

[0084] Said second lock 110 comprises a second jaw 111 mounted movably in said locking direction Y, here in opposition to the first jaw 11, as well as at least one second locking motor 112 which is embedded on said second jaw 111 and coupled to a second tie rod 113 which is arranged so as to ensure a grip against a second anchoring point 114 provided for this purpose in the first head 2, so that the first head 2 can be locked against the tool block 5 by bringing the respective jaws 11, 111 of the first lock 10 and of the second lock 110 closer to each other, in the same common locking direction Y but in opposite directions of movement FM11, FM111.

[0085] Advantageously, the second lock 110 is distinct and independent from the first lock 10.

[0086] Preferably, said second lock 110 is symmetrical to the first lock 10.

[0087] More preferably, the second lock 110 will be symmetrical to the first lock 10 with respect to a frontal plane PF of symmetry, which corresponds to the plane normal to the locking direction Y and which contains the coupling direction X, i.e. which here corresponds to the vertical plane (XZ).

[0088] The second lock 110 has all or part of the characteristics of the first lock 10, which can be deduced mutatis mutandis.

[0089] In particular, as is notably visible on the figure 4 , the second lock 110 may preferably have a third branch 123 and a fourth branch 124, linked by a crosspiece 125 and provided respectively with a third ramp 127 and a fourth ramp 131, intended to cooperate respectively with a third counter-ramp 128 formed in a third groove 129 hollowed out in the first head 2 and with a fourth counter-ramp 132 formed in a fourth groove 133 hollowed out in the second head 102.

[0090] The second lock 110 cooperates with the second lock 10 to generate the total clamping force F10 which presses the first head 2, and preferably which presses both the first head 2 and the second head 102, against the tool block 5.

[0091] Preferably, the second lock 110 has an arrangement and power substantially similar to those of the first lock 10, so that the second lock 110, as well as the first lock 10, contributes substantially to half the intensity of the total clamping force F10.

[0092] Preferably, the installation 1 combines a pair of heads 2, 102 as described above, movable in the coupling direction X, and preferably movable symmetrically with respect to the sagittal plane PS, or even symmetrical to each other with respect to the sagittal plane PS, and a pair of locks 10, 110, movable in the locking direction Y which crosses, here perpendicularly, said coupling direction X, said locks 10, 110 being preferably symmetrically movable, and more preferably symmetrical to each other, with respect to the frontal plane PF perpendicular to the sagittal plane PS.

[0093] In this way, to the extent that each of said first and second locks 10, 110, and more particularly each of the first jaws 11 and second jaws 111, connects the first head 2 to the second head 102, by an air gap system 26, 126 with ramps 27, 31, 127, 131, then the mutual approach FM11, FM111, and preferably simultaneous, of the first and second locks 10, 110 in the locking direction Y causes the antagonistic tightening of the first head 2 and the second head 102 against each other in the coupling direction X, and therefore the tightening by compression of the tool block 5 between said first and second heads 2, 102.

[0094] The crossed arrangement according to the invention, according to which the two heads 2, 102 are placed on either side of the tool block 5 in the coupling direction X, here opposite the two large lateral faces of said tool block 5, while the two locks 10, 110 are placed on either side of the same tool block 5 but in the locking direction Y, intersecting and preferably perpendicular to the coupling direction X, here therefore according to the two small front faces of the tool block 5, advantageously makes it possible to obtain a compact installation 1 which generates powerful and stable clamping of the tool block 5 between the heads 2, 102 in the closed configuration, and which makes it possible to easily release the tool block 5 and easily access the interior of the installation 1, in particular to the space between the respective downstream surfaces 2D, 102D of the two heads 2, 102, in opening configuration.

[0095] Of course, any consideration relating to a head 2, a lock 10, a jaw 11, a locking motor 12, a tie rod 13 or an anchor point 14 (etc.) may remain valid, in a similar manner, preferably identically, with regard to the other head 102, lock 110, jaw 111, locking motor 112, tie rod 113, anchor point 114, etc.

[0096] It is therefore for simple convenience of description that reference will preferably be made to the first head 2, to the first lock 10, to the first locking motor 12, to the first tie rod 113, etc., since the other homologous elements can have the same characteristics.

[0097] Thus, for example, whatever the tie rod 13, 113 considered, and as is notably visible on the figures 11 And 17, the tie rod 13 preferably comprises a rod 13A, preferably rectilinear, which is actuated by the locking motor 12. Said rod 13A extends in the locking direction Y, preferably parallel to said locking direction Y, and has a bulge 13B, such as a collar 13B, which is arranged to engage in a mating housing 15, such as a notch 15, which is provided in the first head 2 to form the anchoring point 14.

[0098] The tie rod 13 can thus be substantially in the form of a nail, the rod 13A of which forms a first end at the level of which the locking motor 12 is located, and the bulge 13B of which forms the opposite free end, which engages the head 2 and the anchoring point 14. The bulge 13B can in particular be formed by a ring added and screwed onto the end of the tie rod 13, as illustrated in the figure 17 .

[0099] Advantageously, the rod 13A makes it possible to create a direct link, as short as possible, and having a high stiffness, between the locking motor 12, and therefore the first jaw 11, on the one hand and the head 2 on the other hand.

[0100] It is thus possible to exert the tensile force necessary to close the first lock 10, and therefore to actuate the first jaw 11, quickly and firmly, without leaving any play or elastic behavior which would tend to allow the first lock 10 to release.

[0101] As is particularly visible on the figures 13 And 17 , the notch 15 may preferably have a first shoulder 15A, which forms a hook for the bulge 13B which allows the locking motor 12 to exert, via the rod 13A, a tensile force on the first head 2, and thus to bring the first jaw 11 closer to the anchoring point 14, to close the first lock 10.

[0102] Preferably, the notch 15 may also have a second shoulder 15B, such as a bottom 15B, which forms a stop against the bulge 13B in a direction opposite to the first shoulder 15A, and which thus allows the locking motor 12 to exert, via the rod 13A this time stressed in compression, a thrust force which makes it possible to actively move the first jaw 11 back, so as to move said first jaw 11 away from the first anchoring point 14 and to release said first jaw 11 from the first head 2, and where appropriate from the second head 102, to open the first lock 10.

[0103] Thus, the motorization system of the first lock 10 is preferably reversible and bidirectional, in that the locking motor 12 can, depending on the way in which it is activated and how it urges the tie rod 13, act actively either to close the first lock 10, by pushing the first and second branches 23, 24 into the first and second grooves 29, 33, or to open said first lock 10, by extracting said first and second branches 23, 24 from said first and second grooves 29, 33.

[0104] As indicated above, the housing 15 is preferably arranged so that the tie rod 13, and more particularly the bulge 13B, can be extracted from said housing 15, in order to release the tie rod 13, when the installation 1 passes into the opening configuration. For this purpose, the housing 15 will preferably be open on the downstream face 2D of the head 2, as is clearly visible on the figure 13 , so that a backward movement BM2 of the head 2 in the coupling direction X, while the tie rod 13 remains temporarily immobile while being held in its position relative to the first jaw 11 which itself remains temporarily immobile relative to the frame 20, makes it possible to release said head 2 from the tie rod 13.

[0105] Advantageously, such an arrangement also makes it possible to place the housings 15, and therefore the anchoring points 14 and a portion of the tie rods 13, in this case at least the bulge 13B, opposite the tool block 5, in a region of space which, in projection in a plane normal to the coupling direction X, for example in projection in the sagittal plane PS, overlaps with the area occupied by the tool block 5. Thus, the size of the lock 10 will be particularly limited, since, at least in the closed configuration, at least part of the volume occupied by said lock 10 merges with the volume occupied by the heads 2, 102.

[0106] To allow the insertion of the bulges 13B of the tie rods 13 into the notches 15, then the extraction of the bulges 13B from the notches 15, during the movements FM2, BM2 of the corresponding head 2, the length of the bulges 13B in the locking direction Y will be slightly less than the distance which separates the first shoulder 15A from the second shoulder 15B of the notch, in order to provide axial play, noted J15Y on the figure 17 This axial play J15Y will of course be taken up by the movements of the tie rods 13 during the activation of the closing, respectively the opening, of the locks 10, 110. In this case the bulge 13B will in fact come to press against the first shoulder 15A in the traction phase for the closing of the lock 10, and respectively the bulge 13B will come to bear against the second shoulder 15B in the compression phase, for the release of the lock 10.

[0107] Furthermore, the locking motor 12 is preferably formed by a jack 40, for example a screw jack or, preferably, a hydraulic jack, jack 40 which comprises a movable rod 41 which forms the tie rod 13, and more particularly which coincides with the rod 13A of said tie rod 13, as is notably visible on the figure 17 .

[0108] It will thus be possible to operate the tie rod 13 by means of a simple, light, and compact structure, which allows the first lock 10 to integrate not only the locking motor 12 but also the corresponding tie rod 13, both carried by the first jaw 11.

[0109] Preferably, as is notably visible on the figures 2 , 11 , 12 And 17, the sleeve 42 of the jack 41, which forms the casing of the locking motor 12, will be fixed to the back of the first jaw 11, preferably to the back of the crosspiece 25, that is to say on the external face of the crosspiece 25 which is opposite the internal face of said crosspiece 25 which is oriented towards the heads 2, 102 and towards the tool block 5.

[0110] The rod 41, 13A will then pass through the thickness of said first jaw 11, here the thickness of said crosspiece 25, through a passage 43 drilled in said first jaw 11, to be able to reach the anchoring point 14.

[0111] According to a preferred embodiment possibility, as is visible on the figures 11 , 12 And 13 , the first jaw 11 of the first lock 10 carries a plurality of distinct locking motors 12, 12_2, 12_3, ... 12_N, with N being an integer equal to or greater than two, for example N=12 on the figures 1 And 12 .

[0112] Said locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_N are each coupled to a tie rod 13, 13_2, 13_3, ... 13_N of their own, so as to be able to act in traction against a plurality of anchoring points 14, 14_2, 14_3, ... 14_6, distributed on the first head 2, respectively a plurality of anchoring points 14_7, 14_8, ... 14_12 distributed on the second head 102.

[0113] Advantageously, such a plurality of locking motors 12, 12_2, 12_3, ... 12_N makes it possible to effectively distribute the clamping force F10 on the first jaw 11 and on the first and second heads 2, 102, and therefore to obtain balanced and robust clamping as well as effective sealing.

[0114] Such an arrangement also makes it possible to generate a high intensity overall F10 clamping force, while using lightweight, small-sized locking motors, which individually implement relatively modest elementary tensile forces.

[0115] This ensures the longevity of the mechanical parts, and in particular the locking motors 12, 12_2... and the tie rods 13, 13_2...

[0116] Preferably, there will be as many individual tie rods 13, 13_2... and separate anchor points 14, 14_2... as there are locking motors 12, 12_2...

[0117] In this way, the locking motors 12, 12_2... can act and be controlled independently of each other, in a particularly fine manner.

[0118] Furthermore, the duplication within the lock 10, 110 of locking motors 12, 12_2, ..., respectively of tie rods 13, 13_2, ... which are identical to each other, and therefore potentially interchangeable, allows standardization of the constituent components of said locks 10, 110, which simplifies the assembly of each lock 10, 110 and the maintenance thereof.

[0119] Preferably, during closing, the activation of the locking motors 12, 12_2...12_12 of the same jaw 11 will be carried out synchronously, so that said locking motors act simultaneously to bring the jaw 11 closer to the heads 2, 102.

[0120] Preferably, as is notably visible on the figures 1 , 2 , 3 And 12 , at least some, or even all, of the locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_6 of the plurality of locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_12 are stepped in a third direction, called the "staging direction" Z, which is normal to the base plane (XY) formed by the coupling direction X and the locking direction Y. Here, the staging direction Z will preferably coincide with the vertical.

[0121] More preferably, said motors of the plurality of locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_6 are aligned with respect to each other parallel to said staging direction Z, according to a first row L12.

[0122] Here again, such an arrangement, which here in particular allows vertical stacking of the locking motors 12, 12_2, 12_6 of the first row L12, promotes the simplicity and compactness of the lock 10 and of the installation 1.

[0123] Preferably, the notches 15 which form the anchoring points 14, 14_2, ... 14_6 and which are intended to engage the tie rods 13, 13_2, ... 13_6 of said locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_6 of the first row L12 are also aligned in series, parallel to the staging direction Z, as can be seen on the figures 3 And 13 .

[0124] Preferably, all of said notches 15 will be identical in their shape and dimensions, which will simplify the manufacture of the first head 2, for example by requiring only the simple repetition of a single machining program to form the notches 15 one after the other, and will contribute to guaranteeing the interchangeability of the tie rods 13, 13_2, ... and the locking motors 12, 12_2, ... within the same jaw 11.

[0125] Preferably, the staging direction Z coincides with the direction of extension of the groove 29 which is hollowed out in the first head 2 and intended to receive the first branch 23 of the jaw 11.

[0126] In this way, the notches 15, each intended to engage a corresponding tie rod 13, 13_2, 13_6, preferably follow the path of said groove 29, and more preferably thus follow a path substantially parallel to the first joint plane P2, and are advantageously distributed over the length of said groove 29, and therefore over the height of the first jaw 11.

[0127] This ensures a good, balanced distribution of the elementary tensile forces exerted by the tie rods 13, 13_2... on the first head 2, and therefore a relatively homogeneous distribution of the resulting clamping force F10, over said height of the first jaw 11, and over the corresponding height of the first head 2.

[0128] More preferably, when the installation 1 comprises a second head 102 as described above, the first jaw 11 of the first lock 10 carries on the one hand a first row L12 of locking motors 12, 12_2, 12_3, 12_4, 12_5, 12_6, aligned in a staging direction Z normal to a base plane (XY) formed by the coupling directions X and locking directions Y, and whose respective tie rods 13, 13_2, 13_3, 13_4, 13_5, 13_6 engage in a first plurality of anchor points 14, 14_2, 14_3, 14_4, 14_5, 14_6 arranged in the first head 2, and on the other hand, as can be seen on the figure 12 , a second row L12_2 of locking motors 12_7, 12_8, 12_9, 12_10, 12_11, 12_12, aligned along the staging direction Z, parallel to the first row L12, and whose respective tie rods 13_7, 13_8, 13_9, 13_10, 13_11, 13_12 engage in a second plurality of anchor points 14_7, 14_8, 14_9, 14_10, 14_11, 14_12 arranged in the second head 102, as can be seen in particular on the figure 3 .

[0129] Advantageously, this will result in uniform tightening of each head 2, 102, and excellent sealing at each of the two joint planes P2, P102.

[0130] It will be noted that, preferably, in view of the existence of two locks 10, 110 acting in a substantially symmetrical manner, each of the first and second heads 2, 102 preferably comprises two series of notches 15 forming two rows L12, L12_2 of anchoring points in the head 2, 102 concerned, here 14, 14_2, 14_3, 14_4, 14_5, 14_6 for the first row of the first head 2 and 114, 114_2, 114_3, 114_4, 114_5, 114_6 for the second row of the first head 2, respectively 14_7, 14_8, 14_9, 14_10, 14_1 1, 14_12 for the first row of the second head 102 and 114_7, 114_8, 114_9, 114_10, 114_11, 114_12 for the second row of the second head 102, each of said rows of the same head 2, 102 being intended to cooperate with the corresponding tie rods 13, 113 of a separate lock 10, 110.

[0131] Preferably, each jaw 11, 111 may comprise an even number N of locking motors 12, for information purposes between four and sixteen locking motors 12, for example twelve locking motors 12, as illustrated in the figures, said locking motors 12, and their respective tie rods 13, preferably being distributed in half on each row L12, L12_2, that is to say here preferably at a rate of six per row L12, L12_2.

[0132] In all cases, whatever the number and arrangement of the locking motor(s) 12 on the jaw 11 in question, and when the jaw 11 in question comprises a first branch 23 and a second branch 24 delimiting between them a clamping gap 26 as described above, the tie rod(s) 13 associated with said jaw 11 preferably extend into the clamping gap 26.

[0133] The tie rod(s) 13 will thus protrude into the clamping gap 26, at a distance from each of the first and second branches 23, 24 in the coupling direction X.

[0134] Such an arrangement will promote on the one hand the compactness of the lock 10, and on the other hand a distribution along the crosspiece 25, along the coupling direction X, of the tensile force which is exerted by said tie rod(s) 13 according to the locking direction.

[0135] This will promote regular engagement of the first and second branches 23, 24 of the jaw 11 in the first groove 29 and respectively in the second groove 33, along the first counter-ramp 28 and respectively along the second counter-ramp 32, without risk of blocking the jaw 11 by buttressing.

[0136] Particularly preferably, when the locking motors 12, 12_2... of the same jaw 11 are distributed in two parallel rows L12, L12_2 on said jaw 11, the two rows of corresponding tie rods 13, 13_2... will extend into the clamping gap 26.

[0137] Preferably, the two rows L12, L12_2 of locking motors, and therefore the two rows of corresponding tie rods 13, 13_2, ..., will extend on either side of the sagittal plane PS which passes through the middle of said air gap 26 along the coupling direction X, that is to say one row on one side of said sagittal plane PS and the other row on the other side of said sagittal plane PS, and more preferably will extend on either side of the tool block 5, one row L12 upstream of the first junction surface 5U (in consideration of the direction of supply of the extruded materials from the first head 2 to the tool block 5), on the side of the first head 2, and the other row L12_2 upstream of the second junction surface 105U (in consideration of the direction of supply of the extruded materials from the second head 102 to the tool block 5), on the side of the second head 102.

[0138] Preferably, the tool block 5 may comprise a cassette which contains a plurality of plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N which are superimposed in the coupling direction X in the direction of their thickness, as shown diagrammatically in dotted lines on the figures 5 And 17 , so as to define between contiguous plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N one or more channels which make it possible to convey the extruded material(s) coming from the extruder(s) 3, 103, and in particular here in particular which make it possible to convey at least the first and second extruded materials coming from the first extruder 3 and the second extruder 103, and more generally the extruded materials coming from the different extruders equipping the first and second heads 2, 102 of the installation 1, to the die 6.

[0139] Such an arrangement, known in itself, allows for a compact multi-channel tool, easy to disassemble and clean.

[0140] Preferably, the plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N are arranged normal to the coupling direction X, so that their main faces, i.e. those with the largest surface area, are parallel to each other and parallel to the joining surfaces 5U, 105U, and therefore parallel to the joint planes P2, P102. In this way, the clamping of the plates obtained by bringing the first and second heads 2, 102 together and clamping them against each other is particularly robust and stable.

[0141] More preferably, the tool block 5 defines between the plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N one or more channels which allow the extruded material(s) to be conveyed in a direction called the “flow direction” F5.

[0142] Said flow direction F5 is understood here to be the main flow direction followed by the extruded materials within the tool block 5 after said materials have joined the inter-plate channel allocated to them. To join said inter-plate channels, the extruded materials preferably pass beforehand, in a manner known per se, through inlet openings which communicate with the head 2, 102 concerned and which are themselves hollowed out in the plate(s) 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N concerned, parallel to the coupling direction X and therefore normal to said plates, in order to pass through the thickness of said plate(s) which separate the joining face 5U, 105U, and therefore the corresponding head 2, 102, from said channel.

[0143] Said flow direction F5 is here parallel to the plates, and more preferably normal to the base plane (XY) formed by the coupling direction X and the locking direction Y.

[0144] Advantageously, such an arrangement of the invention will be particularly compact, since it makes it possible to usefully occupy the different faces of the tool block 5, namely here the large lateral faces (main faces) to receive the heads 2, 102, the small front faces opposite the jaws 11, 111, and the upper face to form the profile outlet die 6.

[0145] Even more preferably, the flow direction F5 is parallel to the staging direction Z of the locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_6 (respectively 12_7, ... 12_12) within the jaw(s) 11, 111 considered, so that the locking motors 12, 12_2, ... 12_6 (respectively (12_7, ... 12_12) and the corresponding anchoring points 14, 14_2, ... 14_6 (respectively 14_7, ... 14_12) are distributed along said flow direction F5.

[0146] In this way, the anchoring points 14, 14_2, ... will be distributed along the length of the plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N, along the entire path that the extruded materials travel within the channels, according to the flow direction F5, so that a "multipoint" closing action of the lock 10 will be obtained over the entire length of the tooling block 5, here over the entire vertical height of said tooling block 5, which will ensure good sealing of the tooling block 5, in particular good sealing between each pair of contiguous plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N, over the entire length of the path traveled by each extruded material within said tooling block 5.

[0147] Likewise, it will be noted that the first, second, third and fourth grooves 29, 33, 129, 133 respectively receiving the first, second, third and fourth branches 23, 24, 123, 124 of the jaws 11, 111 also extend in length parallel to the flow direction F5 and therefore parallel to the length (here vertical) of the plates 5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N, which makes it possible to distribute the clamping force F10 over the entire length of the channels of the tool block 5, and therefore to ensure excellent sealing in the closed configuration.

[0148] According to a preferred characteristic which may constitute an invention in its own right, the first lock 10 is carried by a first lock guide device 50.

[0149] Similarly, the second lock 110 will preferably be carried by a second similar lock guide device 150, the characteristics of which can be deduced mutatis mutandis of those of the first lock guide device 50.

[0150] Preferably, the first latch guide device 50 comprises, as detailed in the figures 15 et 16 , a plate 51 called “lateral centering plate” 51 which allows a guided movement of the first jaw 11 of said first lock 10 in translation along the coupling direction X and which comprises at least one return spring 52 which tends to bring said first jaw 11, and more generally the first lock 10, towards a predetermined centering position along said coupling direction X.

[0151] The centering position is preferably chosen such that, when the first lock 10 is in said centering position, the first lock 10 is then centered on the sagittal plane PS, which thus divides said first lock 10 into two equal and symmetrical halves. In practice, the first lock 10, and more particularly the first jaw 11, is thus centered on the tool block 5.

[0152] The centering position corresponds to the theoretical position that the locking axis Y should ideally have, along the coupling axis X, to allow the first jaw 11, and more particularly the first branch 23 and the second branch 24, to properly engage the grooves 29, 33 of the heads 2, 102, that is to say to allow the first ramp 27 and the second ramp 31 to properly engage the first counter-ramp 28 and the second counter-ramp 32, without interference, shock or blocking.

[0153] In this respect, it will be noted that the return spring 52 provides an elastic suspension effect of the first lock 10 in the coupling direction X, which therefore ensures automatic centering of said lock 10.

[0154] Furthermore, the degree of freedom in translation offered by the lateral centering plate 51 in the coupling direction X advantageously allows the first jaw 11 to spontaneously adapt, here elastically with regard to the presence of the return spring 52, its position along the coupling direction X during the engagement of said first jaw 11 in the heads 2, 102, and more particularly during the positioning of the tie rods 13 in the anchoring points 14, then during the engagement and progression of the ramps 27, 31 of the jaw 11 along the counter-ramps 28, 32 of said heads 2, 102.

[0155] The first jaw 11, and more generally the first lock 10, is therefore capable of self-centering in order to compensate for any initial misalignment of said first jaw 11 relative to the heads 2, 102.

[0156] Preferably, the lateral centering plate 51 is mounted to move in translation and guided on a base 53, itself fixed to the frame 20.

[0157] Translational guidance can, for example, be obtained by means of rails 54 parallel to the coupling direction X and on which ball carriages 55 slide, on which the lateral centering plate 51 is fixed.

[0158] Furthermore, in isolation from, or preferably in combination with, a lateral centering plate 51 as described above, the first lock guide device 50 may preferably comprise a plate 56 called a “locking plate” 56 which guides the translational movement of the first jaw 11, and more generally of the first lock 10, in the locking direction Y, to allow said first jaw 10, and more generally of the first lock 10, to alternately adopt an engagement position, in which said first jaw 11 cooperates with the first head 2, and where appropriate also with the second head 102, to generate the clamping force F10, and a retracted position, in which the first jaw 11 releases the first head 2, and where appropriate the second head 102, to allow separation of the tool block 5.

[0159] Preferably, the locking plate 56 will be carried by the lateral centering plate 51, so that the first lock guide device 50 forms a guide table with two crossed translation stages, the first stage being formed by the lateral centering plate 51, and the second stage by the locking plate 56.

[0160] As with the lateral centering plate 51, the locking plate 56 can be guided in translation by means of rails 57 and ball carriages 58.

[0161] Preferably, the locking plate 56 comprises a recoil stop 59 which defines a predetermined retraction position in the locking direction Y.

[0162] In practice, said retraction stop 59 defines a deterministic retraction position in which it is certain that the jaw 11, and more particularly its branches 23, 24, are released back from the trajectory that the first and second heads 2, 102 must take in the coupling direction X to come into contact with the tool block 5, and this so that said branches 23, 24 do not interfere with said heads 2, 102 when the latter carry out their respective advance movements FM2, FM102.

[0163] Said retracted position also corresponds to a reference position of the jaw 11, and therefore of the locking motors 12 and the tie rods 13 carried by said jaw 11, in which, when the heads 2, 102 are in the opening configuration, at a distance from the tool block 5 and in such a way that the tie rods 13 are located, in the coupling direction X, outside the notches 15 forming the anchoring points 14 ( figure 4 ), then said tie rods 13 are placed so that their bulges 13B are in alignment with said notches 15 in this same coupling direction X, so that during the forward movement FM2, FM102 operated by said heads 2, 102 in said coupling direction X, said notches 15 can engage the tie rods 13, and more particularly allow the bulges 13B of said tie rods 13 to penetrate into the notches 15 and thus to be placed opposite the anchoring points 14 ( figure 7 ), without causing interference, and in particular without causing blockage, between the tie rods 13 and the heads 2, 102.

[0164] Preferably, the recoil stop 59 is configured such that, when the rods 41, 13A of the tie rods 13 are completely out of the sleeves 42 of the locking motors 12, that is to say when the bulges 13B of the tie rods are the furthest, in the locking direction Y, from the jaw 11, 111 which carries them and from the internal face of the corresponding crosspiece 25, 125, then the placement of the jaws 11, 111 in the retracted position determined by the recoil stop 59 has the consequence of placing the bulges 13B at a distance, along the locking axis Y, from both the first shoulder 15A forming the anchoring point 14 and the second shoulder 15B forming the bottom wall of each notch 15, that is to say of providing an insertion clearance on either side of each bulge 13B according to the locking axis Y. Typically, this insertion clearance will be worth, on each side of the bulge 13B, approximately half of the total axial clearance J15Y, or approximately J15Y / 2.

[0165] Preferably, the locking plate 56 comprises a recoil cylinder 60, arranged to maneuver said locking plate 56, and therefore the jaw 11, back in the locking direction Y, in a recoil movement BM11, BM111.

[0166] The recoil stop 59 is then preferably incorporated into said recoil cylinder 60, and may more particularly correspond to one of the end-of-travel stops of said recoil cylinder, for example to the end-of-travel stop on which the rod of the recoil cylinder 60 comes to bear when said rod of said recoil cylinder is fully retracted into the sleeve of said recoil cylinder 60.

[0167] A closure sequence of installation 1 will now be briefly described with reference to the figures.

[0168] Initially, installation 1 is in the open configuration, as is the case on the figures 1 à 4 .

[0169] The carriages 22, 122, and therefore the first head 2 and the second head 102 have been moved back along the coupling axis X, according to backward movements BM2, BM102, and are thus at a distance from the tool block 5 and the tie rods 13 of the locks 10, 110.

[0170] The first and second locks 10, 110, and more particularly their respective first and second jaws 11, 111, are in the disengagement configuration along the locking axis Y, placed and held by their respective locking plates 56, by the action of the recoil cylinders 60, in their respective retracted positions as defined by the recoil stops 59, and therefore away from the tool block 5, on either side of said tool block 5 and the front plane PF.

[0171] Said first and second locks 10, 110 are also in their centering position along the coupling axis X, as defined by the return spring 52 of their respective lateral centering plates 51, that is to say here substantially centered on the sagittal plane PS of the tool block 5.

[0172] In this opening configuration, the bulges 13B of the tie rods 13 are located outside the corresponding notches 15, and aligned with said notches 15 in the coupling direction X, while providing an insertion clearance, here substantially J15Y / 2, between each bulge 13B and the shoulders 15A, 15B of the notch 15 which corresponds to it. For this purpose, the rods 41 of the jacks 40 which form the locking motors 12 are preferably fully extended, as can be seen in the figure 4 , so that the bulges 13B of the tie rods 13 occupy, along the locking axis Y, their position which is the furthest possible from the jaw 11, 111 which carries said tie rods 13 and, therefore the furthest from the sleeve 42 of their respective locking motor 12, in the direction of the tool block 5 and the jaw 111, 11 which is opposite the jaw 11, 111 which carries the tie rods 13 concerned, while each locking plate 56 carrying the jaw 11, 111 concerned is in the retracted position as defined by the retraction stop 59.

[0173] The carriages 22, 122 are then maneuvered to bring the heads 2, 102 closer to each other, along the coupling direction X, according to their feed movements FM2, FM102. These movements are preferably continued until the downstream face 2D, 102D of each head 2, 102 comes to bear, according to the joint plane P2, P102, against the corresponding joining face 5U, 105U of the tool block 5.

[0174] In doing so, by simple translation along the coupling direction X, the first head 2, and more particularly the notches 15 forming a first series of anchoring points 14, 14_2, ... 14_6 come to cover a first series of tie rods 13, 13_2, ... 13_6 carried by the first jaw 11, and located along the first branch 23, while, simultaneously, the notches 15 forming a third series of anchoring points 114, 114_2, ..., 114_6 belonging to this same first head 2 come to cover a third series of tie rods 113, 113_2, ... 113_6 belonging to the second jaw 111 and distributed along the third branch 123, as can be seen in the figures 5 And 7 .

[0175] In this way, the bulges 13B of the tie rods 13 penetrate into said notches 15 and hook the first shoulders 15A to anchor themselves in the corresponding anchoring points 14.

[0176] Advantageously, all the tie rods 13, 113 of the first and second locks 10, 110 which are located on the same side as the head 2 concerned with respect to the sagittal plane PS are engaged in the anchoring points 14, 114 simultaneously, by a single approach movement FM2 of said head 2 along the coupling direction X.

[0177] In a comparable manner, on the other side of the sagittal plane PS, preferably symmetrically with respect to said sagittal plane PS, and preferably simultaneously with the movement of the first head 2, the second head 102, and more particularly the notches 15 forming a second series of anchoring points 14_7, 14_8, ... 14_12, come to cover a second series of tie rods 13_7, 13_8, ... 13_12 carried by the first jaw 11, and located along the second branch 24, while, simultaneously, the notches 15 forming a fourth series of anchoring points 114_7, 114_8, ..., 114_12 belonging to this same second head 102 come to cover a fourth series of tie rods 113_7, 113_8, ... 113_12 belonging to the second jaw 111 and distributed along the fourth branch 124.

[0178] In doing so, and as is visible on the figure 7 , the first groove 29 belonging to the first head 2 is placed opposite the first branch 23 of the first jaw 11, in alignment with said first branch 23 in the locking direction Y, while, on the other side of the frontal plane PF, the third groove 129 belonging to this same first head 2 is placed opposite the third branch 123 belonging to the second jaw 11.

[0179] Similarly, on the other side of the sagittal plane PS, the second groove 33 belonging to the second head 102 is placed opposite the second branch 24 of the first jaw 11, in alignment with said second branch 24 in the locking direction Y, while, on the other side of the frontal plane PF, the fourth groove 133 belonging to this same second head 102 is placed opposite the fourth branch 124 belonging to the second jaw 111.

[0180] The locking motors 12 are then activated (in traction) to force the movement FM11, FM111 of the locks 10, 110, and more particularly of the jaws 11, 111 against the heads 2, 102, along the locking direction Y, as illustrated in the figure 8 , and thus cause, by the action and sliding of the ramps 27, 31, 127, 131 against their respective counter-ramps 28, 32, 128, 132, the clamping of said heads 2, 102 against the tool block 5, on either side of the sagittal plane PS, as is visible on the figures 10 And 17 .

[0181] Thus, more particularly, on one side of the frontal plane PF, the first row L12 of locking motors 12, ... 12_6 pull, preferably simultaneously, on their first row of tie rods 13, ... 13_6 to force the first jaw 11 to approach the first series of anchor points 14, ... 14_6, and more particularly to bring, introduce and push the first branch 23 of said first jaw 11 into the first groove 29 belonging to the first head 2, and thus force the sliding of the first ramp 27 along the first counter-ramp 28.

[0182] Simultaneously with this action of the first row of locking motors 12, ... 12_6, on the same side of the frontal plane PF, the second row L12_2 of locking motors 12_7, ... 12_12 pull, preferably simultaneously, on their second row of tie rods 13_7, ... 13_12 to force the first jaw 11 to approach the second series of anchor points 14_7, ... 14_12, and more particularly to bring, introduce and push the second branch 24 of said first jaw 11 into the second groove 33 belonging to the second head 102, and thus force the sliding of the second ramp 31 along the second counter-ramp 32.

[0183] This forward movement FM11 of the first jaw 11 is advantageously guided by the rails 57 of the locking plate 56, which freely accompanies said movement of the jaw, during which the locking plate 56 leaves its recoil stop 59, here allowing the rod of the recoil cylinder 60 to freely exit the sleeve of said recoil cylinder 60 to follow the movement of the locking plate 56 relative to the lateral central plate 51 and more generally relative to the frame 20.

[0184] Similarly, and preferably simultaneously with the activation of the first lock 10, on the other side of the frontal plane PF, the third row of locking motors 112, ... 112_6 pull, preferably simultaneously, on their third row of tie rods 113, ... 113_6 to force the second jaw 111 to approach the third series of anchor points 114, ... 114_6, and more particularly to bring, introduce and push the third branch 123 of said second jaw 111 into the third groove 129 belonging to the first head 2, and thus force the sliding of the third ramp 127 along the third counter-ramp 128, while the fourth row of locking motors 112_7, ... 112_12 pull, preferably simultaneously, on their fourth row of tie rods 113_7, ... 113_12 to force the second jaw 111, guided by the second guide device 150, to approach the fourth series of anchor points 114_7, ...114_12, and more particularly to bring, introduce and push the fourth branch 124 of said second jaw 111 into the fourth groove 133 belonging to the second head 102, and thus force the sliding of the fourth ramp 131 along the fourth counter-ramp 32.

[0185] As an indication, the elementary traction force developed by a single locking motor 12 on its tie rod 13 will preferably be of the order of 80 kN to 250 kN.

[0186] If each jaw 11, 111 has twelve locking motors 12, here identical, this means that the overall traction force, oriented in the locking direction Y, and which tends to force the approach of each jaw 11, 111 against the heads 2, 102, is preferably substantially between 1,000 kN and 3,000 kN.

[0187] Ultimately, the clamping force F10 which results from the simultaneous action of the two jaws 11, 111 on the first and second heads 2, 102 and which presses said heads 2, 102 against the tool block 5 can thus preferably be between 3,800 kN and 11,500 kN, and for example close to 8,000 kN (i.e. approximately 800 tonnes).

[0188] The closing configuration is maintained as long as necessary for the production of the desired profile.

[0189] Advantageously, depending on the angle of inclination of the ramps 27, 31, 127, 131 and the coefficient of friction between ramps and counter-ramp, it is possible to deactivate the locking motor 12 while passively maintaining the necessary clamping force F10.

[0190] When it is desired to open the installation 1, the above operations are carried out in reverse order, that is to say, the force exerted by the locking motors 12 is released by deactivating the latter, then the jaws 11, 11 are maneuvered backward in the locking direction Y, according to the recoil movements BM11, BM111 until reaching the recoil stop 59, in order to extract the branches 23, 24, 123, 124 of said jaws 11, 111 from the grooves 29, 33, 129, 133 of the heads 2, 102 and therefore to release the ramps 27, 31, 127, 31 from the counter-ramps 28, 32, 128, 132.

[0191] To do this, the tie rods 13 are first pressed into compression by means of the locking motors 12, which are consequently activated in the opposite direction to the activation used for closing, so that the bulges 13A come to bear against the bottom 15B of the notches 15 of the heads 2, 102, and, like ejectors, push the jaws 11, 111 backwards, thus initiating the recoil movement BM11, BM111 of said jaws and their locking plate 56, and thus extracting the ramps 27, 31, 127, 131 from the counter-ramps 28, 32, 128, 132.

[0192] Once the rods 41, 13A of the tie rods 13 are completely out of the sleeves 42 of the locking motors 12, and therefore once the ramps are clear of the counter-ramps, the recoil cylinder 60 can be activated to complete the recoil movement BM11, BM111 until the recoil stop 59 is reached. In this way, the bulges 13B of the tie rods are detached from the bottom 15B of the notches, in order to place said bulges 13B in an intermediate position, preferably in a central position, between the bottom 15B of the notches 15 and the first shoulder 15A of said notches 15 along the locking axis Y, which makes it possible to provide, on either side of the bulges 13B along the locking axis Y, between said bulges 13B and the shoulders 15A, 15B of the notches 15. notches, a functional clearance (preferably worth approximately J15Y / 2 on each side) which will allow the heads 2, 102 to be released without rubbing on the bulges 13B, and therefore without risking warping the rods 41, 13A of the tie rods 13.

[0193] The heads 2, 102 of the tool block 5 are then moved apart, here by means of the carriages 22, 122, by recoil movements BM2, BM102 opposite one another, in order to separate the heads 2, 102 of the tool block 5 at the joint planes P2, P102, and to release the notches 15 of the tie rods 13.

[0194] Preferably, the activation and movements of the various members, in particular the forward movements FM2, FM102 and backward movements BM2, BM102 of the carriages 22, 122 carrying the heads 2, 102, the activation of the locking motors 12 actuating the tie rods 13, or even the backward movement BM11, BM111 of the locking plates 56 generated by the backward cylinder 60, will be controlled by an appropriate control unit, such as an electronic control unit.

Claims

1. Extrusion installation (1) comprising at least one first head (2) that is arranged to receive a first extruder (3) intended to deliver a first extruded material, said first head (2) comprising at least one first channel (4) that allows said first extruded material to be conveyed to a tooling block (5) that comprises a die (6) arranged to shape said at least first extruded material into a profile, said installation (1) being able to alternately assume a closed configuration, in which the first head (2) is fixedly held against said tooling block (5) by a first lock (10), which to this end exerts a clamping force (F10) that presses said first head (2) against the tooling block (5) in a first direction (X), called "coupling direction" (X), so that the tooling block (5) can receive the first extruded material originating from the first extruder (3), and an open configuration, in which said first head (2) is separated from said tooling block (5), the installation (1) being characterized in that the first lock (10) comprises a first jaw (11) that is mounted so as to move in a second direction (Y), called "locking direction" (Y), transverse to the coupling direction (X), as well as at least one locking motor (12) that is mounted on said first jaw (11) and coupled to a tie rod (13) that is arranged so as to engage against an anchor point (14) provided to this end in the first head (2), so that the locking motor (12) can act by pulling on the tie rod (13), against the anchor point (14), in order to approach, with said first jaw (11), said anchor point (14), in the locking direction (Y), so that said first jaw (11) generates the clamping force (F10) that presses the first head (2) against the tooling block (5).

2. Installation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tie rod (13) comprises a rod (13A), preferably a straight rod (13A), which is actuated by the locking motor (12) and which extends in the locking direction (Y), preferably parallel to said locking direction (Y), and which has a boss (13B), such as a flange, that is arranged to engage in a mating recess (15), such as a notch, which is provided in the first head (2) in order to form the anchor point (14).

3. Installation according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking motor (12) is formed by a cylinder (40), preferably a hydraulic cylinder or a screw cylinder, which comprises a movable rod (41) forming the tie rod (13).

4. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first jaw (11) is C-shaped, and to this end comprises a first leg (23) and a second leg (24), which are connected to each other by a crossmember (25) and which project in the locking direction (Y), so as to together define, in the coupling direction (X), a clamping gap (26), and in that at least the first leg (23) has a first ramp (27) that is oriented obliquely in relation to a plane normal to the coupling direction (X), so as to be able to cooperate with the first head (2) in order to generate the clamping force (F10) by means of a wedge effect, when the locking motor (12) brings the first jaw (11) closer to the anchor point (14).

5. Installation according to Claim 4, characterized in that the tie rod (13) extends in the clamping gap (26).

6. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first jaw (11) of the first lock (10) supports a plurality of separate locking motors (12, 12_2, 12_3, ... 12_N), each of which is coupled to its specific tie rod (13, 13_2, 13_3, ... 13_N), so as to be able to act by pulling against a plurality of anchor points (14, 14_2, 14_3, ... 14_N) distributed over the first head (2).

7. Installation according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least some of the locking motors (12, 12_2, ... 12_6) of the plurality of locking motors (12, 12_2, ... 12_12) are stacked in a third direction, called "stacking direction" (Z), that is normal to the base plane (XY) formed by the coupling direction (X) and the locking direction (Y), and more preferably are aligned in relation to each other parallel to said stacking direction (Z), in a first row (L12).

8. Installation according to Claim 7, characterized in that the tooling block (5) comprises a cassette that contains a plurality of plates (5_1, 5_2, ... 5_N) that are superimposed in the coupling direction (X) in the direction of their thickness, so as to define, between contiguous plates, one or more channels that allow the extruded material(s) originating from the extruder(s) (3, 103) to be conveyed to the die (6), in a flow direction (F5) that is parallel to the stacking direction (Z), so that the locking motors (12, 12_2, ... 12_6) and the corresponding anchor points (14, 14_2, ... 14_6) are distributed along said flow direction (F5).

9. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second head (102) that is arranged to receive at least one second extruder (103) intended to deliver a second extruded material and that comprises at least one second channel (104) allowing said second extruded material to be conveyed to the tooling block (5), in that said tooling block (5) extends, in the coupling direction (X), from a first junction face (5U), preferably normal to said coupling direction (X), to an opposite second junction face (105U), preferably parallel to the first junction face (5U), so that, in the closed configuration, the first head (2) is fixedly held in abutment against the first junction face (5U) of the tooling block (5), while the second head (102) is fixedly held in abutment against the second junction face (105U) of said tooling block (5), and in that the first jaw (11) of the first lock (10) is arranged so as to engage, on the one hand, against the first head (2) and, on the other hand, against the second head (102), so as to be able to force the mutual bringing together, in the coupling direction (X), of the first and second heads (2, 102) located on either side of the tooling block (5), and thus generate a clamping force (F10) that causes the tooling block (5) to be clamped between the first head (2) and the second head (102).

10. Installation according to Claim 9, characterized in that the first jaw (11) of the first lock (10) supports, on the one hand, a first row (L12) of locking motors (12, 12_2, 12_3, 12_4, 12_5, 12_6), aligned in a stacking direction (Z) normal to a base plane (XY) formed by the coupling (X) and locking (Y) directions, and the respective tie rods (13, 13_2, 13_3, 13_4, 13_5, 13_6) of which engage in a first plurality of anchor points (14, 14_2, 14_3, 14_4, 14_5, 14_6)provided in the first head (2), and, on the other hand, a second row (L12_2) of locking motors (12_7, 12_8, 12_9, 12_10, 12_11, 12_12), aligned in the stacking direction (Z), parallel to the first row (L12), and the respective tie rods (13_7, 13_8, 13_9, 13_10, 13_11, 13_12) of which engage in a second plurality of anchor points (14_7, 14_8, 14_9, 14_10, 14_11, 14_12) provided in the second head (102).

11. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lock (10) is supported by a first lock guidance device (50) comprising a plate (51), called "lateral centring plate" (51), which allows guided translation movement of the first jaw (11) in the coupling direction (X) and which comprises at least one return spring (52) that tends to return said first jaw (11) to a predetermined centring position in said coupling direction (X).

12. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lock (10) is supported by a first lock guidance device (50) that comprises a plate (56), called "locking plate" (56), which guides the translation movement of the first jaw (11) in the locking direction (Y), in order to allow said first jaw (11) to alternately assume an engagement position, in which said first jaw (11) cooperates with the first head (2) in order to generate the clamping force (F10), and a retracted position, in which the first jaw (11) releases the first head (2) in order to allow the tooling block (5) to be separated, and in that said locking plate (56) comprises a return stroke stop (59) that defines a predetermined retracted position in the locking direction (Y).

13. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, opposite the first lock (10) in relation to the tooling block (5) in the locking direction (Y), a second lock (110), preferably symmetrical to the first lock (10), which second lock (10) comprises a second jaw (111) that is mounted so as to move in said locking direction (Y), as well as at least one second locking motor (112), which is mounted on said second jaw (111) and is coupled to a second tie rod (113) that is arranged so as to engage against a second anchor point (114) provided to this end in the first head (2), so that the first head (2) can be locked against the tooling block (5) by bringing together the respective jaws (11, 111) of the first lock (10) and of the second lock (110) in the same common locking direction (Y) but in opposite directions of movement (FM11, FM111).