A microchannel structure forming method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of metal press forming, and provides a micro-channel structure forming method and device, the method comprising establishing a flat micro-channel structure model, a curved micro-channel structure model and a mold model and assembling, the length of the outer side wall of the curved micro-channel structure model being equal to the length of the flat micro-channel structure model; the position offset of the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure model and the two ends of the curved micro-channel structure model is calculated respectively; in the process of press forming, the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure are gradually limited according to the position offset until the press forming is completed. The micro-channel structure forming method and device provided by the present application extrude and limit the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure in the process of press forming of the flat micro-channel structure, limit the elongation of the outer side wall of the micro-channel structure, make it keep the initial length, avoid the elongation and thinning or breaking of the outer side wall, and ensure the structural strength of the curved micro-channel structure after press forming.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of metal pressing forming, and particularly relates to a micro-channel structure forming method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The micro-channel structure is a precision structure with a micro-sized channel, and is widely applied to heat exchangers, micro-reactors and the like due to high surface area volume ratio, high efficient heat and mass transfer capacity and precise fluid control performance.

[0003] In the process of pressing and forming the curved surface micro-channel structure by the mold and the pressing head using the flat plate micro-channel structure, the outer side wall of the micro-channel structure will be elongated to the two ends of the curved surface with the increase of the curvature. Since the thickness of the side wall of the micro-channel structure is small, the elongation of the outer side wall will cause the thickness of the outer side wall to decrease rapidly with the increase of the curvature, and even break, resulting in damage of the micro-channel structure. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a micro-channel structure forming method, which aims to solve the above technical problems.

[0005] The present application is implemented as follows: a micro-channel structure forming method, comprising: establishing a flat plate micro-channel structure model, a curved surface micro-channel structure model and a mold model and assembling, the length of the outer side wall of the curved surface micro-channel structure model is equal to the length of the flat plate micro-channel structure model, the mold model comprises an upper mold and a lower mold, the lower mold has a mold cavity, when assembled, the bottom corners of the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure model abut against the surface of the mold cavity, and the outer side wall of the curved surface micro-channel structure model is completely attached to the surface of the mold cavity; the position offset amount of the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure model and the two ends of the curved surface micro-channel structure model is calculated respectively; in the process of pressing and forming, the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure are gradually limited according to the position offset amount until the pressing and forming is completed.

[0006] Further, in the process of pressing and forming, it further comprises: supporting the middle part of the bottom surface of the flat plate micro-channel structure.

[0007] Further, the position offset amount comprises horizontal displacement and vertical displacement, and after calculating the position offset amount of the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure model and the two ends of the curved surface micro-channel structure model, it further comprises: generating a displacement route according to the horizontal displacement, the vertical displacement and the shape of the mold cavity of the mold model.

[0008] Further, in the process of pressing and forming, the two ends of the flat plate micro-channel structure are gradually limited along the displacement route until the pressing and forming is completed.

[0009] The application further provides a device for forming the micro-channel structure by using the micro-channel structure forming method, which comprises a mold and two sets of limiting assemblies.

[0010] Further, the device further comprises a supporting assembly, which comprises a supporting plate and a nitrogen spring, the movable end of the nitrogen spring being connected to the supporting plate, and the bottom of the mold cavity of the lower mold being provided with a mounting cavity, and the nitrogen spring being vertically mounted in the mounting cavity.

[0011] Further, the roller supporting rod is in a "┤" shape, and the vertical rod of the "┤" shape is rotatably connected to an upper roller and the lower roller at both ends thereof.

[0012] Further, the convex mold of the upper mold is provided with a roller groove at both sides thereof, the upper roller is in rolling contact with the roller groove, and the bottom of the roller groove is configured to be in rolling contact with the upper roller, so that the lower roller gradually limits the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure along the displacement route until the compression molding is completed.

[0013] The micro-channel structure forming method and device provided by the application can extrude and limit the flat micro-channel structure from both ends of the flat micro-channel structure during the compression molding of the flat micro-channel structure, limit the elongation of the outer sidewall of the micro-channel structure, keep the initial length, avoid the elongation and thinning or breaking of the outer sidewall, and ensure the structural strength of the curved micro-channel structure after the compression molding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a micro-channel structure forming device provided by an embodiment of the application.

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a state diagram of the micro-channel structure forming device provided by the embodiment of the application at the initial compression molding.

[0016] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a displacement route.

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. 5 is a state diagram of the micro-channel structure forming device provided by the embodiment of the application at a moment during the compression molding.

[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 determines the displacement of the two ends of the microchannel structure in the vertical and horizontal directions after the flat microchannel structure is pressed into a curved microchannel structure.

[0029] In addition, embodiments of the present invention also include: generating a displacement path 11 based on the horizontal displacement, vertical displacement and the shape of the mold cavity of the mold model.

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

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

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

[0033] In addition, to prevent irregular deformation of the two ends of the flat microchannel structure when it is squeezed, the embodiments of the present invention further include: supporting the middle part of the bottom surface of the flat microchannel structure during the pressing process, thereby cooperating with the upper mold and the extrusion limit at both ends to limit the flat microchannel structure in four directions, ensuring that the pressing process is carried out in accordance with the set method.

[0034] See Figures 1-5 Based on the above-described microchannel structure forming method, this embodiment of the invention also provides an apparatus for applying the above-described microchannel structure forming method. The apparatus includes a mold and two sets of limiting components. The mold includes an upper mold 1 and a lower mold 2. 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. The other end of the roller support rod 5 is rotatably connected to a lower roller 7.

[0036] The horizontal slide rail 3 and the vertical slide rail 4 are matched to slide so as to drive the roller support rod 5 to move in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and then drive the lower roller 7 to always abut against the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure 01 to extrude and limit.

[0037] The lower roller 7 rolls in contact with the surface of the mold cavity 9 of the lower mold 2, and the lower roller 7 is configured to gradually limit the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure 01 according to the position offset during the compression molding process until the compression molding is completed.

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

[0039] Alternatively, the lower roller 7 is passively moved along the displacement route 11 with the pressing of the upper mold 1. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the roller support rod 5 is in a "┤" shape structure, and the vertical rod of the "┤" shape structure is rotatably connected with the upper roller 6 and the lower roller 7 at both ends, respectively. The upper mold 1 is provided with roller grooves 10 on both sides of the convex mold 8, the upper roller 6 rolls in contact with the roller grooves 10, and the groove bottom of the roller grooves 10 is configured to gradually limit the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure 01 along the displacement route 11 when the upper roller 6 rolls in contact with the roller grooves 10 until the compression molding is completed.

[0040] The upper roller 6 of the roller support rod 5 rolls in contact with the groove bottom of the roller grooves 10, and at the same time, the lower roller 7 of the roller support rod 5 rolls in contact with the surface of the mold cavity 9 of the lower mold 2. In this way, when the upper mold 1 is pressed down, the roller grooves 10 on both sides guide the upper rollers 6 on both sides to move towards the center of the upper mold 1, and the upper rollers 6 drive the roller support rod 5 and the lower roller 7 to move towards the center of the lower mold 2, so as to gradually extrude and limit the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure 01 by the lower rollers 7 on both sides.

[0041] In addition, corresponding to the bottom middle part of the flat micro-channel structure 01 supported in the method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further comprises a support assembly, which comprises a support plate 13 and a nitrogen gas spring 12, the movable end of the nitrogen gas spring 12 is connected with the support plate 13, and the bottom of the mold cavity 9 of the lower mold 2 is provided with a mounting cavity, and the nitrogen gas spring 12 is vertically mounted in the mounting cavity.

[0042] The nitrogen gas spring 12 is mounted in the mounting cavity of the lower mold 2, and the nitrogen gas spring 12 pushes the support plate 13 to always abut against the micro-channel structure from below to support and limit the micro-channel structure.

[0043] In addition, in order to ensure that the extrusion force of the lower roller 7 is uniformly transmitted to the flat micro-channel structure 01, before compression molding, as shown in Figure 3 , the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure 01 are machined into arc grooves matched with the shape of the lower roller 7, and the arc grooves are used to contact the lower roller 7.

[0044] In application, the flat micro-channel structure model, the curved micro-channel structure model and the mold model are established and assembled, the length of the outer side wall of the curved micro-channel structure model is equal to the length of the flat micro-channel structure model, and the upper mold 1, the convex mold 8, the lower mold 2 and the mold cavity 9 of the mold are manufactured according to the shape and size of the curved micro-channel structure model.

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

[0046] The horizontal slide rail 3, the vertical slide rail 4, the roller support rod 5, the upper roller 6, the lower roller 7 and the roller groove 10 are manufactured on both sides of the convex mold 8 of the upper mold 1, the simulation pressing process is carried out by using the assembled model, the groove bottom shape of the roller groove 10 is configured to be contacted by the upper roller 6 when the upper roller 6 rolls in the roller groove 10, and the lower roller 7 gradually limits the two ends of the flat micro-channel structure 01 along the displacement route 11 until the pressing process is completed.

[0047] In the pressing process, the middle part of the bottom surface of the flat micro-channel structure 01 is supported by the support plate 13 and the nitrogen gas spring 12 in the support assembly until the pressing process is completed, and the curved micro-channel structure 02 is obtained.

[0048] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and does not limit the present application, any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for forming a microchannel structure, characterized in that, include: A flat microchannel structure model, a curved microchannel structure model, and a mold model are established and assembled. The length of the outer side wall 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. The lower mold has a cavity. During assembly, the bottom corners at both ends of the flat microchannel structure model abut against the surface of the cavity, and the outer side wall of the curved microchannel structure model is completely fitted to the surface of the cavity. Calculate the positional offsets between the two ends of the flat microchannel structure model and the two ends of the curved microchannel structure model, respectively. The positional offsets include horizontal displacement and vertical displacement. A displacement path is generated based on the horizontal displacement, the vertical displacement, and the shape of the mold cavity of the mold model; During the pressing process, the two ends of the flat microchannel structure are gradually limited along the displacement path until the pressing is completed.

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

3. An apparatus for applying the microchannel structure forming method according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: A mold, the mold comprising an upper mold and a lower mold that cooperate with each other; Two sets of limiting components, each including 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, and the vertical slide rail is slidably connected to the horizontal slide rail. One end of the roller support rod is slidably connected to the vertical slide rail. The roller support rods of the two sets of limiting components are arranged opposite to each other. The roller support rod has a "┤" shaped structure, and an upper roller and a lower roller are rotatably connected to both ends of the vertical rod of the "┤" shaped structure, respectively. The lower roller rolls in contact with the mold cavity surface of the lower mold. The lower roller is configured to gradually limit both ends of the flat microchannel structure along the displacement path during the pressing process until the pressing is completed.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, 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. The bottom of the mold cavity of the lower mold has an installation cavity, and the nitrogen spring is vertically installed in the installation cavity.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper die has roller grooves on both sides of the punch. The upper roller rolls in contact with the roller groove. The bottom shape of the roller groove is configured such that when the upper roller rolls in contact with the roller groove, the lower roller gradually limits the two ends of the flat microchannel structure along the displacement path until the pressing is completed.

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