Slide valve assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a slide valve tool (100) having a slide valve holder (2) and a slide valve (3) which is movably mounted thereon by means of slide plates (G1, G2) on a dovetail-shaped guide device, an asymmetric scheme of dovetail joint being provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved sliding valve assembly, in particular a top sleeve sliding valve and a wedge key sliding valve. The present invention particularly relates to a top sleeve sliding valve for fastening in a multi-piece tool, in particular a top sleeve sliding valve in a sliding valve unit with an upper part and a clamping device, the top sleeve sliding valve comprising at least one top sleeve. Background Art

[0002] Sheet metal parts for the automotive industry are becoming increasingly complex, and the design of the tools is often limited by their feasibility. The produced parts should be finished as far as possible at the end of the forming and punching process. Therefore, multiple functions of the active components must be coordinated with each other in different angular positions in the tool. Modern slide valves with pushers arranged at the top or bottom take on more and more of these functions.

[0003] The present invention can also be used in a wedge key together with a slide valve element accommodating part, a movable slide valve element and a push element, wherein a sliding surface is provided between the slide valve element and the push element, and a guide device is provided between the slide valve element and the slide valve element accommodating part, which has a sliding surface on the slide valve element and a sliding surface is provided on the slide valve element accommodating part.

[0004] The wedge key, also called a slide valve, is used in principle to redirect the pressing force into a punching or forming tool so that it can process, in particular, inclined or rear-side partial areas of the body part. The slide valve element holder is typically connected to the part of the die in which the wedge key is to perform the punching or forming operation. When the slide valve element holder of the wedge key is fastened in the upper part of the die connected to the moving press rod, the wedge key is called the slide valve upper part. When its slide valve element holder is connected to the lower die fastened to the rigid punching table, it is referred to as the slide valve lower part. Regardless of the component to which the slide valve element holder of the wedge key is connected, the slide valve element holder usually has a linear guide in which the movable slide valve element can move back and forth, but as such an element is also fixedly connected to the slide valve element holder. The push element is usually fixedly connected as a rigid element to the part of the die to which the slide valve element holder is not fixed. The push element usually has a wedge surface and together with the wedge surface serves as a drive element for the movable slide valve element. However, the application of the wedge key is also limited, especially when the push piece cannot be inserted in the tool due to space reasons.

[0005] Here, a tip sleeve slide valve has been used to assist in this. Tip sleeve slide valves are known in various applications and designs. The tip sleeve is used to accommodate and move a processing tool, such as a punching tool, wherein a movement takes place in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the axial direction. This movement is achieved by a tip sleeve pusher. In order to avoid undesired deflection of the tip sleeve, the tip sleeve is usually moved in a tip sleeve receptacle. The tip sleeve pusher and the tip sleeve receptacle are usually fixedly built into the tool or are components of the tool.

[0006] A top sleeve slide is known, for example, from document WO 2007 / 006161 A1. It discloses a device in which a movable mold half contains a slide and an ejector as well as a top sleeve slide arranged at an angle to one another and a support plate for supporting the top sleeve slide, which is supported on a support surface which is vertically received by the support plate and is arranged facing the top sleeve slide. The slide and the top sleeve slide are operated by a two-way hydraulic cylinder.

[0007] DE 101 53 721 C5 discloses a tool for a crank cylinder housing, which is constructed from at least two tool parts. In order to demould from cavities and bores, the tool has a plurality of slide valves. In order to generate a cylinder bore, the tool comprises a cylindrical top sleeve. The top sleeve can be a component of the slide valve, i.e. in the form of a top sleeve slide valve. The top sleeve extends through the tool from the side wall of the cylinder head to the side wall of the crankshaft.

[0008] Another tip sleeve slide is known from DE 10 2006 016 078 A1. An additional device for a universal tool milling machine is known from DE 231 408 A1, which is used for planing tools, punches and electrodes for erosion. The additional device comprises a cast housing in which a working slide with a pivoting device for a tool holder in a prismatic guide moves up and down. As an alternative, it has an elongated cylindrical hole in which a tip sleeve in the form of a piston rod reciprocates, and a rotatable tool holder is provided at the end of the lower tip sleeve. In order to prevent the tip sleeve from rotating axially, a groove is machined over the entire length (coaxially), and the tip sleeve is guided by a wedge fixed in the housing. In this device, an operating cylinder is provided on the upper cover, which fastens the piston rod in the tip sleeve. The shaft diameter for accommodating the shaft protrudes from the bottom.

[0009] The focus in the prior art is to further improve the slide valve element and to provide a guide device for the movable slide valve element which allows for better operating accuracy, which optimally converts the acting pressure into a punching or forming movement, compensates for lateral thrusts and is intended to achieve a uniform force distribution.

[0010] Therefore, the following technical solutions are known in the prior art, in which the movable slide valve element has a dovetail joint, wherein the slide valve element receptacle is designed as a corresponding mating part, so that the slide valve element can be engaged with its dovetail-shaped side surface into the corresponding slide valve element receptacle and can be held therein in a self-centering manner. Particular importance is attached to the symmetrical arrangement. The surfaces on the slide valve element and the slide valve element receptacle, which are arranged in a dovetail shape, are supported symmetrically to each other, wherein the surfaces that are angled with respect to each other due to the dovetail shape can absorb forces directed in different directions.

[0011] In particular, the prior art specifically teaches a certain symmetrical arrangement, because this accordingly leads to quiet operation, symmetrical force distribution and other properties and advantages. For this purpose, slide plates are proposed on both sides of the slide valve element or the slide valve element receptacle, which are arranged symmetrically to achieve the above-mentioned purpose. This is achieved, for example, in EP 2 197 660 B1, which has proven to be disadvantageous, especially in terms of installation safety.

[0012] This symmetrical dovetail solution is provided with sliding surfaces which are used to support the slide plate and are designed to engage in a corresponding dovetail-shaped receiving portion on the slide valve holder, so that the slide plate is arranged symmetrically and in an L-shape. Thus, in the symmetrical dovetail on the slide valve and in the corresponding symmetrically formed receiving portion on the slide valve holder and the slide valve body, the slide plate positioned therebetween has a symmetrical arrangement structure therewith.

[0013] "Symmetrical" within the meaning of the invention is defined accordingly in a similar manner. The interaction of the relevant geometries and surfaces of the slide valve contour that participate in the corresponding receptacle on the slide valve support is considered.

[0014] However, due to asymmetrical mounting situations and the high precision requirements in complex tools and the unavoidable tolerances in processing technology, high demands are placed on correct and precisely fitting mounting. Tools are often used in asymmetrical mounting situations as required, so that left-right or wrong mounting can have serious consequences. However, solutions known from the prior art allow for mounting that is rotated by 180° relative to the nominal situation, as a result of which severe damage to the tool and the component to be machined can occur during operation (sometimes immediately).

[0015] This problem occurs in particular in symmetrical dovetail guides, since the installation of the guide and the sliding bearing, which are arranged symmetrically in principle, by twisting them by 180° can lead to the problem. For example, if the punch mounted on the slide valve is eccentric, then during a 180° twist, a knock in the tool may occur. Summary of the invention

[0016] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a slide valve which, on the one hand, allows good operating properties and a desired force distribution and, on the other hand, improves installation safety and avoids incorrect installation.

[0017] This object is achieved by the feature combination of claim 1 .

[0018] The basic idea of ​​the invention is that, in contrast to the prior art, in particular with regard to the operative connection between the slide valve and the slide valve holder, the dovetail joint is not arranged symmetrically but rather asymmetrically. In particular, in the definition of the tool center (in a wedge-key tool) or the slide valve center (in a tip sleeve slide valve), an asymmetrical arrangement of the dovetail joint is to be achieved, resulting in an overall asymmetrical arrangement of the dovetail joint and, if applicable, the sliding bearing plate arranged thereon.

[0019] To this end, the following measures are proposed in the dovetail joint between the slide valve and the corresponding slide valve bracket:

[0020] The symmetry plane through the dovetail retaining section is offset relative to the symmetry axis formed through the tool center, or the slide valve or the dovetail shape on its outer contour is itself designed asymmetrically (for example one side is wider than the opposite side and compared to a symmetrical dovetail or has a different shape).

[0021] - one of the two bearing surfaces of the slide plate on the dovetail of the slide valve is located lower or higher in the height direction than the other diametrically opposite bearing surface). As a result, the slide plate is also arranged offset in another relative position in the height direction.

[0022] The support surfaces for supporting the slide plate on the two aforementioned dovetails can also be designed with different angles of attack.

[0023] It should be noted here that the aforementioned features leading to an asymmetrical arrangement or shape are only those features which contribute to the connection of the dovetail and, in particular, to the outer contour for supporting the slide and the magnitude of the parameters that are important for symmetry.

[0024] Particularly preferred is a solution in which the deviations of the two planes (tool plane and symmetry plane of the dovetail joint) are close to each other but offset side by side in order to achieve the advantages of good guiding properties and optimal force distribution on the one hand and a clear assembly position of the slide valve on the slide valve support on the other hand.

[0025] To this end, the present invention proposes a sliding valve tool, which has a sliding valve holder and a sliding valve movably supported on the sliding valve holder on a dovetail-shaped guide device by means of a slide, the sliding valve having a sliding valve body and a sliding valve support constructed thereon, wherein a first symmetry plane S1 of the sliding valve body and / or the sliding valve holder is provided, the first symmetry plane extending through the center of the sliding valve and / or the sliding valve tool, wherein the sliding valve has a dovetail-shaped retaining section constructed toward a second symmetry plane S2, and the first symmetry plane S1 does not coincide with the second symmetry plane S2, so that the slide arranged on the sliding surface of the dovetail-shaped retaining section is asymmetrically arranged with respect to the first symmetry plane S1.

[0026] According to the concept of the invention, the slide plate and thus the dovetail-shaped retaining section are not arranged in the tool center and thus not in the plane of symmetry of the slide valve tool or the slide valve holder, but are offset laterally or transversely relative thereto. As a result, the slide plates can be retained as identical parts, while the dovetail-shaped retaining section is formed in an eccentric position of the slide valve. This avoids undesirable assembly that is twisted by 180°.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the slide valve is supported on a push piece on the side of the slide valve opposite to the dovetail guide. The present invention can be realized in a conventional wedge key by a slide valve holder, a slide valve and a push piece.

[0028] It is also advantageous if the slide valve, in particular in the form of a tip sleeve slide valve, is supported in at least one guide sleeve so as to be axially movable along a central slide valve axis. Advantageously, two guide sleeves arranged axially one behind the other are provided.

[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the slide plate is L-shaped and extends into a recess on the slide valve support with its L-shaped sides. It is particularly advantageous if the slide plate is arranged on the slide valve at an angle relative to the two symmetry planes. In this way, the sliding surface also extends obliquely relative to the symmetry planes.

[0030] It is also advantageous if a recess for a retaining element is provided on the slide valve support, the retaining element protruding from the retaining section designed in the manner of a dovetail and engaging in the recess or guide groove. According to the concept of the invention, the guide groove is positioned centrally with respect to the tool side edge and symmetrically with respect to the tool center, while the retaining element on the dovetail is offset with respect to the symmetry plane of the dovetail-shaped projection, in particular offset transversely with respect to the symmetry plane.

[0031] For this reason, the slide valve can only be assembled on the slide valve support in the position provided in accordance with the regulations. If the slide valve is rotated 180°, collisions will occur during assembly due to the geometric conditions between the positions of the retaining element and the guide groove. This also avoids incorrect assembly.

[0032] It is also preferred that the center and in particular the central slide axis X extends in the second symmetry plane S2 .

[0033] A plane of symmetry is understood within the meaning of the invention to be a plane with respect to which the relevant components of the slide valve tool are symmetrical in their position. If, for example, a guide groove of a slide valve holder is observed, the guide groove is symmetrical in shape and position, for example, with respect to a first plane of symmetry of the slide valve holder, even if the slide valve holder does not have complete symmetry in all details. Instead of a plane of symmetry, component centers can also be used in the concept according to the invention as an alternative.

[0034] In this case, according to the invention, the center of the dovetail-shaped holding section and the tool center or the slide valve center do not coincide with one another.

[0035] It is therefore particularly preferred that the second symmetry plane S2 is offset by a distance y relative to the first symmetry plane S1 transversely to the slide axis X or the slide center, wherein this is only a small deviation (eg 1-5% of the tool width).

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a detachable blocking element is provided at the tool-side end of the guide groove, which, as long as it is in its blocking position, prevents the slide valve from being completely removed along the dovetail guide.

[0037] Further preferred features are:

[0038] - the slide valve has a circular, rectangular or polygonal cross section;

[0039] The at least one guide sleeve has a circular, rectangular or polygonal cross section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Further advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below in conjunction with the description of preferred embodiments of the invention with the aid of the drawings.

[0041] In the attached figure:

[0042] Figure 1 An exemplary perspective view showing a sliding valve tool (top sleeve sliding valve);

[0043] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A side view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0044] Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of the present invention (a wedge key tool) is shown;

[0045] Figure 4 Show Figure 3A side view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0046] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 a first cross-sectional view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0047] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 a front view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0048] Figure 7 Show Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0049] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 Details shown;

[0050] Fig. 9 An alternative asymmetric dovetail joint embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] See below Figures 1 to 9 The present invention is further explained, wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same structural and / or functional features.

[0052] Figure 1 The figure shows an example in which the slide tool 100 is designed as a tip sleeve slide. The slide tool 100 has a slide receptacle 2 and a slide 3 which is movably supported on the slide receptacle in a dovetail guide by means of slide plates 50 , 51 .

[0053] The slide valve 3 has a slide valve body 30 , on the end face of which a machining tool can be mounted, and a slide valve support 31 formed thereon, which serves to support the slide valve 3 on the slide valve holder 2 .

[0054] The slide valve body 30 has a central axis X and a first symmetry plane S1 which coincides with the symmetry plane of the slide valve holder 2 and is therefore a common symmetry plane and thus represents the center of the slide valve tool.

[0055] The slide valve support 31 again forms a dovetail-shaped holding section 32, which is symmetrically constructed with respect to the second symmetry plane S2. However, the first symmetry plane S1 and the second symmetry plane S2 do not coincide, but are offset side by side at a distance y (e.g., Figures 6 to 8 As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 , slide plates 50, 51 are therefore provided on the sliding surface of the dovetail-shaped retaining section 32, which are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the first symmetry plane S1 as provided. During twisted assembly, the slide valve is no longer arranged together with the push piece (in the case of a wedge-shaped slide valve) or is no longer guided in the guide sleeve 40 (in the case of a tip sleeve slide valve 100), because they must be offset from each other by the distance y.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the slide valve 3 is supported on a pusher 60 on the side of the slide valve 2 that is opposite the dovetail guide.

[0057] In the tip sleeve slide valve 100 it can be seen that the slide valve 3 is supported axially movably along a central center slide valve axis X in two guide sleeves 40 and that the two guide sleeves surround the slide valve in an annular manner.

[0058] In both embodiments, the slide plates 50 , 51 are L-shaped and extend with their (short) sides 50 a , 51 a forming the L-shape into a recess (recess) on the slide valve holder 20 .

[0059] from Figure 5 and Figure 7 It can be clearly seen that a central guide groove 22 for a retaining element 33 is provided in the slide valve holder 2, said retaining element protruding from the retaining section 32 of dovetail construction and engaging in the guide groove 22. The retaining element 33 can be a threaded element with a thread start.

[0060] Depend on Figure 6 and Figure 7 It can also be clearly seen that the center and in particular the central slide axis X extends in a first symmetry plane S1 and that a second symmetry plane S2 is offset transversely to the slide axis X or the slide center by a distance y relative to the first symmetry plane S1 .

[0061] from Figure 5 It can also be seen that a releasable blocking member 24 is provided at the tool-side end of the guide groove 22. The blocking member 24 is Figure 5 In the blocking position (shown), the slide valve 3 is prevented from being completely disassembled along the dovetail-shaped guide device (from its assembly position to the removal position).

[0062] The slide valve 3 and the guide sleeve 40 of the tip sleeve slide valve have a circular cross section in this embodiment, so that the center of the circle also determines the center of the slide valve 3 and the position of the symmetry plane S2.

[0063] Figure 8 Show Figure 7 Detailed description is provided to illustrate how the symmetry plane S2 of the dovetail guide and the positions of the slide plates 50, 51 are offset by a distance y relative to the symmetry plane S1 of the slide valve holder and the slide valve body.

[0064] Fig. 9 An alternative embodiment of an asymmetrical dovetail joint is shown, in which angle A differs from angle B, so that the bearing surfaces 60 , 61 for the slide plates 50 , 51 have different angles of attack.

[0065] Figure 8A further possible embodiment with a height direction H is shown, in which the contact surfaces 60 , 61 for the slide plates 50 , 51 can have the same angle of attack, but are offset relative to one another in the height direction H. This also results in an asymmetrical solution.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, it is advantageous according to the invention that, despite the asymmetrical geometry of the dovetail, the two slide plates 50 , 51 are designed as identical parts and do not require different components.

[0067] The invention is not limited to the above-described preferred exemplary embodiment in its embodiment. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which also apply to the shown solution in fundamentally different embodiments.

Claims

1. A slide valve tool (100) comprising a slide valve holder (2) and a slide valve (3) movably supported thereon by means of slide plates (50, 51) on a dovetail guide, the slide valve comprising a slide valve body (30) and a slide valve support (31) formed thereon, in, A first symmetry plane (S1) of the sliding valve body (3) and / or the sliding valve holder (20) is provided, and the first symmetry plane extends through the center of the sliding valve (3) and / or the sliding valve tool (3), wherein the sliding valve support portion (31) has a dovetail-shaped retaining section (32), which is constructed symmetrically with respect to a second symmetry plane (S2), and the first symmetry plane (S1) does not overlap with the second symmetry plane (S2), so that slide plates (50, 51) are provided on the sliding surface of the dovetail-shaped retaining section (32), and these slide plates are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the first symmetry plane (S1).

2. A sliding valve tool (100), comprising a sliding valve holder (2) and a sliding valve (3) movably supported on it on a dovetail-shaped guide device by means of slide plates (50, 51), the sliding valve having a sliding valve body (30) and a sliding valve support (31) constructed thereon, the sliding valve support having an asymmetrically shaped dovetail-shaped retaining section (32), which is integrated into a correspondingly shaped receiving section on the sliding valve holder.

3. The sliding valve tool (100) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The slide valve (3) is supported on a pusher (60) on the side of the slide valve (2) opposite the dovetail guide.

4. The sliding valve tool (100) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The slide valve (3) is supported in at least one guide sleeve (40) so as to be axially movable along a central slide valve axis (X).

5. The sliding valve tool (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The slide plates (50, 51) are L-shaped and extend with their L-shaped sides (50a, 51a) into a recess (21) on the slide valve support (2).

6. The sliding valve tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A guide groove (22) for a retaining element (33) is provided on the slide valve support (2), wherein the retaining element protrudes from a retaining section (32) of dovetail construction and engages in the guide groove (22).

7. The sliding valve tool (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6, It is characterized in that The center and in particular the central slide axis (X) extends in the first plane of symmetry (S1).

8. The sliding valve tool (100) according to claim 1 and any one of the preceding claims 3 to 7, It is characterized in that The second symmetry plane (S2) is offset by a distance y relative to the first symmetry plane (S1) transversely to the slide valve axis (X) or the slide valve center.

9. The sliding valve tool (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, It is characterized in that A releasable blocking element (24) is arranged at the tool-side end of the guide groove (22), which, as long as it is in its blocking position, prevents the slide valve (3) from being completely disassembled along the dovetail guide.

10. The sliding valve tool (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, It is characterized in that The slide valve (3) has a circular, rectangular or polygonal cross section.

11. The sliding valve tool (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, It is characterized in that The at least one guide sleeve (40) has a circular, rectangular or polygonal cross section.

12. The sliding valve tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that Due to the asymmetrical design, an installation of the slide valve (3) which is rotated by 180° relative to its intended installation is prevented.

13. The sliding valve tool (100) according to one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The slide plates (50, 51) are arranged on the slide valve (3) at respectively different angles relative to the slide valve axis X.

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