Micro-channel structure forming method and device

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of metal pressing forming, and provides a micro-channel structure forming method and device.The method comprises the steps that a flat plate micro-channel structure model, a curved surface micro-channel structure model and a mold model are established and assembled, and the length of the outer side wall of the curved surface micro-channel structure model is equal to that of the flat plate micro-channel structure model; respectively calculating the position offsets of the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure model and the two ends of the curved micro-channel structure model; and in the compression molding process, the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure are gradually limited according to the position offset until compression molding is completed. According to the micro-channel structure forming method and device, extrusion limiting is conducted from the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure in the pressing forming process of the flat plate micro-channel structure, extension of the outer side wall of the micro-channel structure is limited, the initial length of the micro-channel structure is kept, and it is avoided that the outer side wall is elongated and thinned or fractured; and the structural strength of the curved-surface micro-channel structure after compression molding is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of metal pressing and forming, and in particular relates to a microchannel structure forming method. Background Art

[0002] Microchannel structure is a precision structure with tiny channels. It is widely used in heat exchangers, microreactors, etc. due to its high surface area to volume ratio, efficient heat and mass transfer capabilities and precise fluid control performance.

[0003] In the process of using a flat microchannel structure to press-form a curved microchannel structure with a large curvature through a mold and a pressing head, the outer wall of the microchannel structure will elongate toward both ends of the curved surface as the curvature increases. Since the side wall thickness of the microchannel structure is relatively small, as the curvature increases, the elongation of the outer wall will cause the thickness of the outer wall to decrease rapidly, or even break, resulting in damage to the microchannel structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a microchannel structure forming method, aiming to solve the above technical problems.

[0005] The present invention is implemented as follows: a microchannel structure forming method includes: establishing a flat microchannel structure model, a curved microchannel structure model and a mold model and assembling them, the outer wall length of the curved microchannel structure model is equal to the length of the flat microchannel structure model, the mold model includes an upper mold and a lower mold, and the lower mold has a mold cavity. During assembly, the bottom corners of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model abut the surface of the mold cavity, and the outer wall of the curved microchannel structure model is completely fitted with the surface of the mold cavity; the position offset between the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model and the two ends of the curved microchannel structure model is respectively calculated; during the press molding process, the two ends of the flat microchannel structure are gradually limited according to the position offset until the press molding is completed.

[0006] Furthermore, during the press molding process, the method further includes: supporting the middle portion of the bottom surface of the flat microchannel structure.

[0007] Furthermore, the position offset includes horizontal displacement and vertical displacement. After calculating the position offset of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model and the two ends of the curved microchannel structure model, it also includes: generating a displacement route according to the horizontal displacement, the vertical displacement and the mold cavity shape of the mold model.

[0008] Furthermore, during the pressing process, both ends of the flat microchannel structure are gradually limited along the displacement route until the pressing is completed.

[0009] The present invention also provides a device for applying the above-mentioned microchannel structure forming method, including a mold and two groups of limiting assemblies, the mold including an upper mold and a lower mold that cooperate with each other; the limiting assembly includes a horizontal slide rail, a vertical slide rail and a roller support rod, the horizontal slide rail is installed on the top surface of the lower mold, the vertical slide rail is vertically slidably connected to the horizontal slide rail, one end of the roller support rod is vertically slidably connected along the vertical slide rail, the roller support rods of the two groups of the limiting assemblies are arranged relative to each other, and the other end of the roller support rod is rotatably connected to a lower roller; the lower roller rolls in contact with the mold cavity surface of the lower mold, and the lower roller is configured to gradually limit the two ends of the flat microchannel structure according to the position offset during the pressing and forming process until the pressing and forming is completed.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a support assembly, which includes a support plate and a nitrogen spring. The movable end of the nitrogen spring is connected to the support plate. An installation cavity is opened at the bottom of the mold cavity of the lower mold, and the nitrogen spring is vertically installed in the installation cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the roller support rod is a T-shaped structure, and both ends of the crossbar of the T-shaped structure are rotatably connected to the upper roller and the lower roller respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, roller grooves are respectively provided on both sides of the punch of the upper mold, and the upper roller rolls in contact with the roller grooves. The bottom shape of the roller grooves is configured so that when the upper roller rolls in contact with the roller grooves, the lower roller gradually limits the two ends of the flat microchannel structure along the displacement path until the pressing and molding is completed.

[0013] The microchannel structure forming method and device provided by the present invention perform extrusion limiting at both ends of the flat microchannel structure during the press-forming process of the flat microchannel structure, thereby limiting the elongation of the outer wall of the microchannel structure to maintain its initial length, preventing the outer wall from becoming thinner or breaking due to elongation, and ensuring the structural strength of the curved microchannel structure after press-forming. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a microchannel structure forming device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a state diagram of the microchannel structure forming device provided by an embodiment of the present invention at the initial stage of press forming.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the displacement route.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a state diagram of the microchannel structure forming device provided by an embodiment of the present invention at the middle moment of pressing and forming.

[0018] Figure 5 is a state diagram of the microchannel structure forming device provided by the embodiment of the present application when the press forming is completed.

[0019] The labels in the figure respectively represent: 01-flat microchannel structure, 02-curved microchannel structure, 1-upper die, 2-lower die, 3-horizontal slide rail, 4-vertical slide rail, 5-roller support rod, 6-upper roller, 7-lower roller, 8-punch, 9-die cavity, 10-roller groove, 11-displacement route, 12-nitrogen spring, 13-supporting plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application more clear, the present application is further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are only used to explain the present application and do not limit the present application.

[0021] The embodiment of the present application provides a microchannel structure forming method for limiting the elongation of the outer side wall of the microchannel structure in the press forming process, which comprises the following steps:

[0022] S1: establishing a flat microchannel structure model, a curved microchannel structure model and a die model and assembling, the length of the outer side wall of the curved microchannel structure model is equal to the length of the flat microchannel structure model.

[0023] The flat microchannel structure model and the curved microchannel structure model are respectively established according to the design size and shape, and the total length of the curved surface of the outer side wall of the curved microchannel structure model is equal to the length of the flat microchannel structure model. Then, the die model is established according to the size and shape of the curved microchannel structure model, the die model comprises an upper die and a lower die, and the lower die has a die cavity and the upper die has a punch.

[0024] The flat microchannel structure model and the curved microchannel structure model are assembled together in the die cavity of the lower die, and when assembled, the bottom corners of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model abut against the surface of the die cavity, and the outer side wall of the curved microchannel structure model completely fits the surface of the die cavity.

[0025] In this way, the position state of the flat microchannel structure after being press formed into the curved microchannel structure with the length unchanged is simulated.

[0026] S2: calculating the position offset of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model and the two ends of the curved microchannel structure model respectively.

[0027] The position offset of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model after being press formed into the curved microchannel structure model is calculated, and the position offset includes horizontal displacement and vertical displacement.

[0028] This is used to determine the vertical and horizontal displacements of both ends of the microchannel structure after the flat microchannel structure is pressed into a curved microchannel structure.

[0029] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention further includes: generating a displacement route 11 according to the horizontal displacement, the vertical displacement and the shape of the mold cavity of the mold model.

[0030] By combining the initial positions of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure with its horizontal and vertical displacements and the mold cavity shape, a displacement path 11 of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure during the pressing process was simulated. Displacement path 11 is parallel to or equidistant from the mold cavity surface of the lower mold. The starting point of displacement path 11 is the end position of the flat microchannel structure, and the end point of displacement path 11 is the end position of the curved microchannel structure after pressing is completed.

[0031] S3: During the pressing process, the two ends of the flat microchannel structure are gradually limited according to the position offset until the pressing is completed.

[0032] After determining the position offset, the flat microchannel structure is gradually and continuously extruded and limited from both ends during the pressing process according to the position offset, or the flat microchannel structure is continuously extruded and limited along the displacement path 11 to limit the elongation of its outer wall so that it maintains its initial length, thereby avoiding the outer wall of the curved microchannel structure after pressing and forming from becoming thinner or even cracking due to elongation.

[0033] In addition, in order to prevent irregular deformation of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure when being squeezed, an embodiment of the present invention also includes: during the press-forming process, supporting the middle part of the bottom surface of the flat microchannel structure, thereby cooperating with the upper mold and the extrusion limiters at both ends to achieve limiting the flat microchannel structure in four directions, ensuring that the press-forming process is carried out in accordance with the set method.

[0034] See also Figures 1 to 5 Based on the above-mentioned microchannel structure forming method, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a device for applying the above-mentioned microchannel structure forming method, which includes a mold and two sets of limiting components. The mold includes an upper mold 1 and a lower mold 2, and the top surface of the lower mold 2 and both sides of the mold cavity have platforms.

[0035] The limiting assembly includes a horizontal slide rail 3, a vertical slide rail 4 and a roller support rod 5. The horizontal slide rail 3 is installed on the top surface of the lower mold 2. The vertical slide rail 4 is vertically slidably connected to the horizontal slide rail 3. One end of the roller support rod 5 is vertically slidably connected along the vertical slide rail 4. The roller support rods 5 of the two sets of limiting assemblies are arranged opposite to each other, and the other end of the roller support rod 5 is rotatably connected to the lower roller 7.

[0036] The horizontal slide rail 3 and the vertical slide rail 4 slide in coordination to drive the roller support rod 5 to move in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby driving the lower roller 7 to always stick to both ends of the flat microchannel structure 01 for extrusion and limiting.

[0037] The lower roller 7 rolls in contact with the surface of the cavity 9 of the lower die 2 . The lower roller 7 is configured to gradually limit the two ends of the flat microchannel structure 01 according to the position offset during the pressing process until the pressing is completed.

[0038] The movement of the horizontal slide rail 3 , the vertical slide rail 4 and the roller support rod 5 can be achieved by separate electronic control software and hardware according to the position offset or displacement path 11 .

[0039] Alternatively, the lower roller 7 is passively moved along the displacement path 11 as the upper die 1 is pressed downward. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the roller support rod 5 is a T-shaped structure, and the upper roller 6 and the lower roller 7 are rotatably connected to the ends of the crossbar of the T-shaped structure. Roller grooves 10 are respectively formed on both sides of the punch 8 of the upper die 1. The upper roller 6 rolls in contact with the roller grooves 10. The bottom shape of the roller groove 10 is configured such that when the upper roller 6 rolls in contact with the roller groove 10, the lower roller 7 gradually limits the ends of the flat microchannel structure 01 along the displacement path 11 until the pressing and forming is completed.

[0040] The upper roller 6 of the roller support rod 5 rolls against the bottom of the roller groove 10, while the lower roller 7 of the roller support rod 5 rolls against the surface of the cavity 9 of the lower die 2. With this arrangement, when the upper die 1 is pressed downward, the roller grooves 10 on both sides guide the upper rollers 6 on both sides to move toward the center of the upper die 1. The upper rollers 6 drive the roller support rod 5 and the lower roller 7 to move toward the center of the lower die 2, thereby driving the lower rollers 7 on both sides to gradually squeeze the two ends of the limiting plate microchannel structure 01.

[0041] In addition, corresponding to the middle part of the bottom surface of the supporting plate microchannel structure 01 in the above-mentioned method embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention also includes a support assembly, which includes a support plate 13 and a nitrogen spring 12. The movable end of the nitrogen spring 12 is connected to the support plate 13. An installation cavity is opened at the bottom of the mold cavity 9 of the lower mold 2, and the nitrogen spring 12 is vertically installed in the installation cavity.

[0042] The nitrogen spring 12 is installed in the installation cavity opened in the lower mold 2. The nitrogen spring 12 pushes the support plate 13 to always abut against the micro-channel structure, and supports and limits the micro-channel structure from below.

[0043] In addition, in order to ensure that the extrusion force of the lower roller 7 is evenly transmitted to the flat microchannel structure 01, before pressing and forming, Figure 3 As shown, arc-shaped grooves matching the shape of the lower roller 7 are processed at both ends of the flat microchannel structure 01, and the arc-shaped grooves are used to cooperate with the lower roller 7.

[0044] In summary, the microchannel structure forming method and device provided by the above embodiments of the present invention are used. When applied, a flat microchannel structure model, a curved microchannel structure model, and a mold model are established and assembled. The length of the outer wall of the curved microchannel structure model is equal to the length of the flat microchannel structure model. The upper mold 1, the punch 8, the lower mold 2, and the mold cavity 9 of the mold are manufactured according to the shape and size of the curved microchannel structure model.

[0045] The horizontal displacement and vertical displacement of both ends of the flat microchannel structure model and the curved microchannel structure model are calculated respectively, and a displacement route 11 is generated according to the horizontal displacement, vertical displacement and the cavity shape of the mold model.

[0046] A horizontal slide rail 3, a vertical slide rail 4, a roller support rod 5, an upper roller 6, a lower roller 7, and roller grooves 10 are made on both sides of the punch 8 of the upper mold 1. The assembled model is used to simulate the pressing process. The bottom shape of the roller groove 10 is configured so that when the upper roller 6 rolls and contacts the roller groove 10, the lower roller 7 gradually limits the two ends of the flat microchannel structure 01 along the displacement route 11 until the pressing is completed.

[0047] During the pressing process, the support plate 13 and the nitrogen spring 12 in the support assembly are used to support the middle portion of the bottom surface of the flat microchannel structure 01 until the pressing is completed, thereby obtaining the curved microchannel structure 02.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microchannel structure forming method, characterized in that: include: Establishing a flat microchannel structure model, a curved microchannel structure model, and a mold model and assembling them, wherein the outer wall length of the curved microchannel structure model is equal to the length of the flat microchannel structure model, the mold model comprises an upper mold and a lower mold, and the lower mold has a mold cavity. During assembly, the bottom corners of both ends of the flat microchannel structure model abut the surface of the mold cavity, and the outer wall of the curved microchannel structure model completely fits the surface of the mold cavity; respectively calculating the positional offsets of two ends of the flat microchannel structure model and two ends of the curved microchannel structure model; During the pressing process, both ends of the flat microchannel structure are gradually limited according to the position offset until the pressing is completed.

2. The microchannel structure forming method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing process also includes: Supporting the middle portion of the bottom surface of the flat microchannel structure.

3. The microchannel structure forming method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position offset includes horizontal displacement and vertical displacement. After calculating the position offsets of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model and the two ends of the curved microchannel structure model, the method further includes: A displacement route is generated according to the horizontal displacement, the vertical displacement and the cavity shape of the mold model.

4. The microchannel structure forming method according to claim 3, characterized in that: During the pressing process, both ends of the flat microchannel structure are gradually limited along the displacement route until the pressing is completed.

5. A device using the microchannel structure forming method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: include: A mold, comprising an upper mold and a lower mold that cooperate with each other; Two sets of limit assemblies, each of which includes a horizontal slide rail, a vertical slide rail, and a roller support rod. The horizontal slide rail is installed on the top surface of the lower mold, the vertical slide rail is vertically slidably connected to the horizontal slide rail, and one end of the roller support rod is vertically slidably connected along the vertical slide rail. The roller support rods of the two sets of limit assemblies are arranged opposite to each other, and the other end of the roller support rod is rotatably connected to the lower roller. The lower roller rolls in contact with the cavity surface of the lower die, and the lower roller is configured to gradually limit the two ends of the flat microchannel structure according to the position offset during the press molding process until the press molding is completed.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that Also includes: The support assembly includes a support plate and a nitrogen spring. The movable end of the nitrogen spring is connected to the support plate. An installation cavity is provided at the bottom of the mold cavity of the lower mold. The nitrogen spring is vertically installed in the installation cavity.

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that The roller support rod is a T-shaped structure, and both ends of the crossbar of the T-shaped structure are rotatably connected to the upper roller and the lower roller.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that Roller grooves are respectively provided on both sides of the punch of the upper mold, and the upper roller rolls in contact with the roller grooves. The bottom shape of the roller groove is configured so that when the upper roller rolls in contact with the roller grooves, the lower roller gradually limits the two ends of the flat microchannel structure along the displacement route until the pressing and forming is completed.

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