A metal plate bending device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a metal plate bending device, which comprises an upper die, an upper driving mechanism, a lower die, a lower driving mechanism and a negative pressure mechanism; the lower die comprises a base assembly and two shaping plates, the two shaping plates are coplanar arranged above the base assembly, a gap is formed between the two shaping plates, corresponding to the crease of the metal plate, a plurality of adsorption holes connected with the negative pressure mechanism are arranged on the upper side of the shaping plate, and the two shaping plates are hinged on the base assembly on the opposite side, and can be opened and closed synchronously under the action of the lower driving mechanism. The metal plate bending device has the advantages of improving the positioning stability of the metal plate, preventing slippage, ensuring the accurate position of the bending line, reducing the surface damage of the plate, and prolonging the service life of the lower die. The application also provides a bending method, in the mold opening process, the extrusion time of the shaping plate and the upper die on the metal plate is increased, which is beneficial to reduce the springback of the metal plate after the mold is opened, and improve the bending quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of metal sheet forming technology, and in particular to a metal sheet bending device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Metal sheet bending is a key process in industrial manufacturing, used to process flat metal into L-shapes to meet the assembly and functional requirements of structural components.

[0003] Traditional bending devices consist of an upper die, a drive mechanism, and a lower die. The lower die has a rigid V-groove on its upper surface, while the bottom of the upper die is designed with a V-shaped structure. During operation, the metal sheet is placed horizontally on the lower die, and the drive mechanism pushes the upper die vertically downward, forcing the bending area of ​​the sheet into the V-groove, thereby completing the bending process.

[0004] However, during the actual bending process, the metal sheet must remain stable. The operator must manually support the edge of the sheet and remove their hand the instant the upper die contacts the sheet to allow for subsequent free deformation. This operation relies on manual experience. If the hand moves unexpectedly while supporting the sheet, it can easily cause lateral slippage, resulting in a deviation in the bending line position. At the same time, the sharp edge of the V-groove fixing lower die applies concentrated stress to the metal sheet during bending, causing irreversible scratches and micro-cracks on the sheet surface. This not only affects the appearance quality but also significantly accelerates the wear of the lower die groove, shortening the lower die's lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a metal sheet bending device and method, which has the advantages of improving the positioning stability of the metal sheet, preventing slippage, ensuring the accurate position of the bending line, reducing surface damage to the sheet, and extending the life of the lower die.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A metal sheet bending device includes an upper die, an upper drive mechanism, a lower die, a lower drive mechanism, and a negative pressure mechanism; The lower mold includes a base assembly and two shaping plates. The two shaping plates are coplanarly arranged above the base assembly, and a slit is formed between the two shaping plates to correspond to the crease of the metal sheet. Multiple adsorption holes connected to the negative pressure mechanism are provided on the upper side of the shaping plates to facilitate the adsorption of the metal sheet. The two shaping plates are hinged to the base assembly on opposite sides and can be opened and closed synchronously under the action of the lower drive mechanism. The lower end of the upper mold is V-shaped and is located above the slit between the two plastic plates. It is driven up and down by the upper drive mechanism, and the upper mold and the plastic plates work together to achieve bending.

[0007] Furthermore, the bending device also includes a telescopic mounting base and a buffer spring. The buffer spring is installed inside the telescopic mounting base to achieve elastic expansion and contraction. The upper mold is detachably mounted on the lower side of the telescopic mounting base, and the upper drive mechanism is connected to the upper side of the telescopic mounting base.

[0008] Furthermore, the telescopic mounting base includes an upper beam, a first guide post, and a lower beam. The upper beam is connected to the upper drive mechanism. The first guide post is vertically fixedly connected to the lower side of the upper beam. A first guide groove is provided on the upper side of the lower beam. A first slider is fixedly connected to the lower end of the first guide post and slides in the first guide groove. A first retaining ring is installed at the opening of the first guide groove to prevent the first slider from falling out. A buffer spring is compressed and installed between the first slider and the bottom of the first guide groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the base assembly includes a base, a lifting seat, and a support spring. The lifting seat is detachably mounted on top of the base via the support spring. The plastic plate is hinged to the upper side of the lifting seat. The lower drive mechanism is a passive drive mechanism, which includes a wheel frame, a support wheel, and a locking mechanism. The support wheel is rotatably connected to the upper side of the lifting seat via the wheel frame and supports the lower side of the plastic plate. The locking mechanism is located between the lower beam and the lifting seat and is used to lock the relative position between the lower beam and the lifting seat. The bending device also includes a controller, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensor detects the spring force of the buffer spring, the second sensor detects the lifting value of the lifting seat, and the controller controls the operation of the locking mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, the base assembly also includes a second guide post and a second retaining ring. A second guide groove is provided on the lower side of the lifting seat. The second guide post is vertically fixedly connected to the upper side of the base. A second slider is fixedly connected to the upper end of the second guide post and slides in cooperation with the second guide groove. The second retaining ring is installed at the opening of the second guide groove to prevent the second slider from falling out. A support spring is compressed and installed between the bottom of the second guide groove and the second slider.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking mechanism includes a connecting plate, a clamping plate, and an electric push rod. The connecting plate has two parts that slide against each other on opposite sides of the lifting seat. The upper end of the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the lower beam. The inner side of the connecting plate is provided with an installation groove. The electric push rod is installed in the installation groove, and its output end is installed with the aforementioned clamping plate for clamping the lifting seat.

[0012] Furthermore, the wheel frame includes side plates and a top plate. There are two side plates, which are attached to the other two sides of the lifting seat. The lower side of the side plates is fixed to the base. The top plate is fixedly connected between the upper sides of the two side plates. The upper side of the top plate is provided with ear plates, and the support wheel is rotatably connected to the upper side of the top plate through the ear plates.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower end of the upper mold is provided with a V-shaped shaping surface, the lower end of which corresponds to the slit between the two shaping plates. The horizontal projection of the support wheel on the support point of the shaping plate is located at the horizontal projection of the V-shaped shaping surface, so that the support wheel can stably squeeze the shaping plate to achieve bending.

[0014] Furthermore, the first sensor is a pressure sensor, installed on the first guide column, and the second sensor is a photoelectric sensor, installed between the base and the lifting seat.

[0015] A bending method, using the above-mentioned bending device to bend metal sheets, includes the following steps: Step a: The two shaping plates are horizontal and coplanar. The metal sheet is placed on the upper side of the shaping plates and is attracted to them, thus positioning the metal sheet. Step b: The upper drive mechanism drives the upper mold to move downward. After the lower end of the lower mold comes into contact with the metal plate, the buffer spring is compressed to ensure stable contact between the upper mold and the metal plate. In this step, the lifting seat remains stationary under the action of the support spring, and the suction hole returns to normal pressure to release the metal plate. Step c: After the first sensor detects that the spring force of the buffer spring has reached the threshold, the locking mechanism locks, and the upper drive mechanism drives the lower beam, lower mold and lifting seat to move downward synchronously. The shaping plate rotates upward under the support of the support wheel, and the shaping plate is bent under the cooperation of the upper mold and the shaping plate. Step d: After the second sensor detects that the downward movement of the lifting seat has reached the preset value; Step e: Separate the upper and lower molds to facilitate material discharge.

[0016] Furthermore, in step e, the upper drive mechanism drives the upper mold to move upward. When the lifting seat returns to the initial position, the locking mechanism is released, and the upper mold continues to move upward until the upper mold leaves the metal sheet, thus separating the upper mold from the lower mold.

[0017] With the above-mentioned configuration, the bending device and bending method proposed in this application mainly have the following beneficial effects: 1. By setting adsorption holes connected to the negative pressure mechanism on the shaping plate, the adsorption and fixation of the metal sheet is realized, which effectively solves the problem that manual support in traditional bending devices can easily lead to plate displacement, and significantly improves the accuracy and consistency of bending. 2. The device adopts an openable shaping plate design. With the cooperation of the lower drive mechanism, the stress distribution on the metal plate during bending is more uniform, thereby effectively reducing the wear between the metal plate and the lower mold and extending the service life of the lower mold. 3. The lower drive mechanism adopts a passive design, drawing on the power source of the upper drive mechanism to coordinate with the support wheel to drive the shaping plate to rotate, which helps to simplify control; 4. The bending method proposed in this application increases the extrusion time of the metal sheet by the shaping plate and the upper mold during the mold opening process, which helps to reduce the springback of the metal sheet after mold opening and improve the bending quality. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the bending device in an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the bending device in an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA sectional view.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the upper mold abutting against the metal sheet in an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how the spring force of a buffer spring is compressed to a threshold value, as shown in the example.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a metal sheet being bent, as shown in the example. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Traditional metal sheet bending devices typically require manual support of the metal sheet during bending, which not only increases operational complexity but also makes the sheet prone to displacement due to human error, affecting bending accuracy and consistency. Furthermore, the lower die in existing devices is usually fixed, and its V-groove applies significant stress to the metal sheet during bending. This can damage the sheet surface and accelerate die wear, reducing its lifespan.

[0026] In this regard, such as Figures 1 to 6 This application proposes a metal sheet bending device, which includes an upper die 3, an upper drive mechanism 4, a lower die, a lower drive mechanism 5, and a negative pressure mechanism. The lower mold includes a base assembly 6 and two shaping plates 7. The two shaping plates 7 are coplanarly arranged above the base assembly 6, and a slit is formed between the two shaping plates 7 to correspond to the crease of the metal sheet. The upper side of the shaping plate 7 is provided with multiple adsorption holes 8 connected to the negative pressure mechanism to facilitate the adsorption of the metal sheet. The two shaping plates 7 are hinged to the base assembly 6 on opposite sides and can be opened and closed synchronously under the action of the lower drive mechanism 5. The upper mold 3 has a V-shaped lower end and is positioned above the slit between the two shaping plates 7. Driven up and down by the upper drive mechanism 4, the upper mold 3 works in conjunction with the shaping plates 7 to achieve bending. By introducing a negative pressure mechanism to adsorb and position the metal sheet, displacement problems caused by manual support are effectively avoided, improving bending accuracy. Simultaneously, the openable and closable shaping plate 7 design allows for a more reasonable stress distribution during bending, reducing wear on the metal sheet and the lower mold.

[0027] Specifically, this embodiment provides a metal sheet bending device, the structural design of which aims to improve the stability of the metal sheet during bending and reduce wear.

[0028] The bending device mainly consists of an upper die 3, an upper drive mechanism 4, a lower die, a lower drive mechanism 5, and a negative pressure mechanism. The upper die 3 and lower die are key components for directly shaping the metal sheet. The upper drive mechanism 4 and lower drive mechanism 5 are responsible for driving the movement of the upper die 3 and lower die, respectively, while the negative pressure mechanism is used to fix the metal sheet before bending. For example, the upper drive mechanism 4 can be a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, driving the upper die 3 up and down by controlling fluid pressure; the lower drive mechanism 5 can be a motor-driven linkage mechanism to realize the opening and closing of the lower die components, and is not limited to any particular type. The negative pressure mechanism can be an independent vacuum pump system connected to the lower die via pipeline.

[0029] The lower mold is designed to include a base assembly 6 and two shaping plates 7. The base assembly 6 serves as the support structure for the lower mold, supporting other components. The two shaping plates 7 are the components that directly contact the metal sheet, and their material can be high-strength steel or an alloy material with wear-resistant properties.

[0030] Two shaped plates 7 are coplanarly positioned above the base assembly 6. This coplanar arrangement ensures that the metal sheet has a stable supporting surface when placed.

[0031] A slit is formed between the two molding plates 7, and the position of this slit is designed to correspond to the preset crease position of the metal sheet. This slit is the area where the metal sheet bends when the upper mold 3 presses down. The width of the slit can be set according to different sheet thicknesses and bending angle requirements.

[0032] To achieve precise adsorption and positioning of the metal sheet, the upper side of the shaping plate 7 is provided with multiple adsorption holes 8 connected to the negative pressure mechanism. These adsorption holes 8 can be evenly distributed on the surface of the shaping plate 7. When the negative pressure mechanism is activated, the negative pressure generated through these adsorption holes 8 can firmly adsorb the metal sheet onto the shaping plate 7, preventing it from shifting during bending. For example, the adsorption holes 8 can be processed into small-diameter circular holes and connected to the negative pressure mechanism through pipes.

[0033] Two shaped plates 7 are hinged to the base assembly 6 on opposite sides and can open and close synchronously under the action of the lower drive mechanism 5. This hinge structure allows the shaped plates 7 to rotate around the hinge axis, thereby realizing the opening and closing action. When the shaped plates 7 open and close, their support angle on the metal sheet can be changed, thereby assisting in completing the bending.

[0034] The lower end of the upper mold 3 is designed in a V-shape and positioned above the slit between the two shaping plates 7. The upper drive mechanism 4 drives the upper mold 3 to move up and down. The upper mold 3 and the shaping plates 7 work together to bend the metal sheet. During bending, the upper mold 3 moves downward to compress the metal sheet, while the shaping plates 7 rotate upward under the action of the lower drive mechanism 5, guiding the metal sheet to undergo plastic deformation along the preset crease line to achieve bending. This synergistic effect ensures the accuracy of bending and the integrity of the sheet, resulting in less stress and wear compared to traditional bending methods.

[0035] The metal sheet bending device of this application achieves adsorption and fixation of the metal sheet by setting adsorption holes 8 on the shaping plate 7 connected to the negative pressure mechanism. This effectively solves the problem of plate displacement caused by manual support in traditional bending devices, and significantly improves the bending accuracy and consistency. In addition, the device adopts an openable shaping plate 7 design. Under the synergistic action of the lower drive mechanism 5, the stress distribution on the metal sheet during bending is more uniform, thereby effectively reducing wear between the metal sheet and the lower die and extending the service life of the lower die.

[0036] In one embodiment, this application further proposes a metal sheet bending device, which includes a telescopic mounting base 9 and a buffer spring 10. The buffer spring 10 is installed inside the telescopic mounting base 9 to achieve elastic vertical extension and contraction. The upper mold 3 is detachably mounted on the lower side of the telescopic mounting base 9, and the upper drive mechanism 4 is connected to the upper side of the telescopic mounting base 9.

[0037] In this embodiment, a buffer spring 10 is installed inside the telescopic mounting base 9 to generate elastic deformation under pressure, thereby providing flexible support for the vertical movement of the upper mold 3. The buffer spring 10 can be of various forms, such as a coil spring. The elastic vertical movement refers to the telescopic mounting base 9 being able to reversibly compress and extend in the vertical direction under the action of the buffer spring 10. When the upper mold 3 moves downward and contacts the metal plate, the telescopic mounting base 9 is compressed, and the buffer spring 10 absorbs part of the impact force and provides continuous flexible pressure. When the upper mold 3 moves upward, and the pressure decreases or is removed, the restoring force of the buffer spring 10 causes the telescopic mounting base 9 to extend, returning to its initial state.

[0038] The upper mold 3 is detachably installed on the underside of the telescopic mounting base 9. This installation method is designed to facilitate the replacement, maintenance, or adjustment of the upper mold 3 according to different bending requirements. The detachable installation can be achieved through various methods such as bolt connection and snap-fit ​​mechanism, ensuring that the connection between the upper mold 3 and the telescopic mounting base 9 is both secure and easy to operate.

[0039] The upper drive mechanism 4 is connected to the upper side of the telescopic mounting base 9, meaning that the output end of the upper drive mechanism 4 (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or servo motor-driven lead screw mechanism) is connected to the top of the telescopic mounting base 9. The upper drive mechanism 4 is responsible for providing the main driving force to move the entire upper mold 3 assembly downwards, while the telescopic mounting base 9 acts as an intermediate link between the upper drive mechanism 4 and the upper mold 3, transmitting the driving force to the upper mold 3 and introducing elastic buffering in the process.

[0040] Through the above technical solution, during the bending process of the metal sheet, when the upper drive mechanism 4 drives the telescopic mounting base 9 to move downwards, the upper die 3 contacts the metal sheet through the buffer spring 10 inside the telescopic mounting base 9. The buffer spring 10 can absorb the impact force when the upper die 3 contacts the metal sheet, effectively avoiding damage to the surface of the metal sheet and reducing the impact load on the device itself. This elastic connection method not only extends the service life of the upper die 3 and related mechanical components, but also makes the bending process more stable and controllable.

[0041] In one embodiment, this application further proposes a telescopic mounting base 9 comprising an upper beam 91, a first guide post 92, and a lower beam 93. The upper beam 91 is connected to the upper drive mechanism 4, serving as the fixed end of the telescopic mounting base 9. Its main function is to firmly connect with the upper drive mechanism 4 and act as the reference end of the entire telescopic mechanism, bearing the force transmitted by the upper drive mechanism 4 and the weight of the entire telescopic mechanism. The first guide post 92 is vertically fixedly connected to the lower side of the upper beam 91, providing precise guidance for the vertical movement of the lower beam 93, ensuring that the lower beam 93 maintains a straight trajectory during up-and-down movement and preventing lateral swaying. A first guide groove 94 is provided on the upper side of the lower beam 93. The lower beam 93, as the movable part of the telescopic mounting base 9, carries the upper mold 3 and moves vertically under the guidance of the first guide post 92. A first slider 95 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the first guide post 92, slidingly engaging in the first guide groove 94. The first slider 95 is typically made of wear-resistant material to reduce frictional resistance and ensure the smoothness of the telescopic movement. A first retaining ring 96 is installed at the opening of the first guide groove 94 to prevent the first slider 95 from dislodging. The function of the first retaining ring 96 is to mechanically limit the movement and prevent the first slider 95 from dislodging from the first guide groove 94 in extreme cases, thereby ensuring the structural integrity and operational safety of the telescopic mounting base 9. A buffer spring 10 is compressed and installed between the first slider 95 and the bottom of the first guide groove 94, thereby providing buffering and elastic support for the upper mold 3.

[0042] Through the above technical solution, the telescopic mounting base 9 is designed as a compact and stable guiding and buffering mechanism.

[0043] In one embodiment, the base assembly 6 includes a base 61, a lifting seat 62, and a support spring 63. The base 61 serves as the base of the entire lower mold, providing a stable mounting platform for the device. The lifting seat 62 is detachably mounted above the base 61 via the support spring 63, allowing the lifting seat 62 to float vertically or rise and fall within a certain range above it. The support spring 63 is installed between the base 61 and the lifting seat 62, providing elastic support. The shaping plate 7 is hinged to the upper side of the lifting seat 62. The lower drive mechanism 5 is designed as a passive drive mechanism, including a wheel frame 51, a support wheel 52, and a locking mechanism 53. The passive drive mechanism is characterized in that the bending action of the lower mold is not directly driven by an independent motor to open and close the shaping plate 7, but is indirectly achieved through the downward pressing motion of the upper mold 3. The wheel frame 51 is used to mount the support wheel 52, which is rotatably connected to the upper side of the lifting seat 62 via the wheel frame 51 and supports the lower side of the shaping plate 7. The locking mechanism 53 is located between the lower beam 93 and the lifting seat 62. Its function is to lock the relative position between the lower beam 93 and the lifting seat 62 at a specific time, so that they can move synchronously as a whole. When the shaping plate 7 is squeezed by the upper mold 3, the support wheel 52 provides support force and guides the shaping plate 7 to rotate around its hinge point, thereby realizing the bending of the metal plate.

[0044] In addition, the bending device also includes a controller, a first sensor 11, and a second sensor 12. The controller, as the core of the entire device, is responsible for receiving signals from the sensors and controlling the operation of the locking mechanism 53 and other actuators according to preset logic. The first sensor 11 detects the elastic force of the buffer spring 10. By monitoring the elastic force value, the contact state between the upper die 3 and the metal sheet and whether the applied preload has reached a threshold can be determined. The second sensor 12 detects the lifting value of the lifting seat 62, thereby accurately monitoring the vertical position of the lower die and indirectly controlling the bending angle. The controller controls the operation of the locking mechanism 53, enabling it to lock or release at key points during the bending process, thus achieving precise control of the lower die's movement.

[0045] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves control and coordinated operation of the bending process of metal sheets. The lower drive mechanism 5 adopts a passive design, and the locking mechanism 53 can lock the relative position between the lower beam 93 and the lifting seat 62 at a specific moment according to the sensor signal received by the controller, thereby realizing the synchronous movement of the lower beam 93 of the upper mold 3 and the lifting seat 62 of the lower mold. The support wheel 52 provides support on the underside of the shaping plate 7, so that the bending action of the shaping plate 7 can be coordinated with the downward pressing action of the upper mold 3, ensuring the stability and linkage of the bending process.

[0046] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the base assembly 6 also includes a second guide post 64 and a second retaining ring 65. Specifically, a second guide groove 66 is provided on the lower side of the lifting seat 62. This guide groove is a structure that cooperates with the second guide post 64, and is usually a groove machined on the lower side of the lifting seat 62. This guide groove provides constraint on the vertical movement of the lifting seat 62, preventing it from lateral displacement or tilting. The second guide post 64 is vertically fixedly connected to the upper side of the base 61, and is usually a rod-shaped structure with a certain rigidity. It is firmly fixed to the upper side of the base 61 to ensure its positional stability and verticality, providing a reliable reference for guiding the lifting seat 62. A second slider 67 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the second guide post 64. The material and surface treatment of the second slider 67 can be selected from materials with a low coefficient of friction to reduce sliding resistance. The second slider 67 slides in cooperation with the second guide groove 66, ensuring the smooth lifting of the lifting seat 62 in the vertical direction, while effectively suppressing lateral freedom. In addition, a second retaining ring 65 is installed at the opening of the second guide groove 66. This second retaining ring 65 can be in the form of a snap ring, a bolt fixing plate, or an integrally formed flange, etc., and is installed at the opening of the second guide groove 66. Its main function is to physically prevent the second slider 67 from disengaging from the guide groove in extreme cases, thereby ensuring the operational safety and structural integrity of the device. The support spring 63 is compressed and installed between the bottom of the second guide groove 66 and the second slider 67, stably supporting the lifting seat 62. Before bending begins and before the elastic force of the buffer spring 10 reaches the threshold, that is, before the locking mechanism 53 locks, the upper side of the shaping plate 7 is horizontal under the support of the support wheel 52 and the support spring 63. When bending begins, the support spring 63 is compressed, and the lifting seat 62 moves downward. When the mold opens, the support spring 63 rebounds, so that the lifting seat 62 and the shaping plate 7 return to their initial state, which is convenient for the next bending.

[0047] Through the above technical solution, a combined structure of a second guide post 64, a second guide groove 66, a second slider 67, and a second retaining ring 65 is introduced into the base assembly 6, providing precise guidance and reliable limiting for the vertical movement of the lifting seat 62. Furthermore, the support spring 63 is compressed and installed between the bottom of the second guide groove 66 and the second slider 67, ensuring that the supporting force of the support spring 63 can act stably and evenly on the lifting seat 62, guaranteeing the reliability of the elastic support of the lifting seat 62. This ensures that before bending begins and before the elastic force of the buffer spring 10 reaches the threshold (i.e., before the locking mechanism 53 locks), the upper side of the shaping plate 7 remains horizontal under the support of the support wheel 52 and the support spring 63, thus stably supporting the metal sheet. After bending is completed and the mold is opened, the support spring 63 rebounds, returning the lifting seat 62 and the shaping plate 7 to their initial state, facilitating the next bending.

[0048] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the locking mechanism 53 includes a connecting plate 531, a clamping plate 532, and an electric push rod 533. Two connecting plates 531 are provided, slidably attached to opposite sides of the lifting seat 62, with their upper ends fixedly connected to the lower beam 93. An installation groove is provided on the inner side of the connecting plate 531, in which the electric push rod 533 is installed, and its output end is fitted with the aforementioned clamping plate 532 for clamping the lifting seat 62.

[0049] Specifically, the connecting plate 531 is a key structural component in the locking mechanism 53. Its main function is to serve as the mounting carrier for the electric push rod 533 and the clamping plate 532, and to achieve a fixed connection with the lower beam 93 and a sliding contact with the lifting seat 62, further improving the movement stability of the lifting seat 62. The connecting plate 531 is made of metal material with sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the forces generated during the locking process. The mounting groove inside the connecting plate 531 is used to accommodate the electric push rod 533 and guide the movement of the clamping plate 532. The clamping plate 532 is the component in the locking mechanism 53 that directly acts on the lifting seat 62. Its function is to clamp or release the lifting seat 62 by contacting and applying pressure with the side of the lifting seat 62 under the drive of the electric push rod 533. The clamping plate 532 is made of high-strength, wear-resistant material. The surface of the clamping plate 532 can be designed with a friction-enhancing structure, such as texture or coating, to improve the clamping force and prevent slippage. The electric actuator 533 is the actuating element of the locking mechanism 53, responsible for providing the driving force required to clamp and release the clamping plate 532. The electric actuator 533 has the advantages of compact structure, precise control, and easy automation. By energizing or de-energizing it through the controller, the actuator can be extended or retracted, thereby driving the clamping plate 532 to complete the action of clamping or releasing the lifting seat 62.

[0050] Through the above technical solution, during the bending process, when the first sensor 11 detects that the elastic force of the buffer spring 10 reaches the preset threshold, the controller can precisely control the electric push rod 533 to clamp the lifting seat 62, so that the relative position between the lower beam 93 and the lifting seat 62 is fixed, preventing the upper mold 3 from continuing to increase the pressure on the metal plate and damaging the metal plate, so that the lower beam 93, the lower mold and the lifting seat 62 can move downward synchronously, ensuring that the plastic plate 7 is precisely bent under the support of the support wheel 52 and the cooperative action of the upper mold 3.

[0051] In one embodiment, this application further proposes a specific structure of the wheel frame 51, which includes a side plate 511 and a top plate 512. Two side plates 511 are provided and are attached to the other two sides of the lifting seat 62. The lower side of the side plates 511 is fixed to the base 61. The top plate 512 is fixedly connected between the upper sides of the two side plates 511. An ear plate 513 is provided on the upper side of the top plate 512. The support wheel 52 is rotatably connected to the upper side of the top plate 512 through the ear plate 513.

[0052] Specifically, the wheel frame 51 is a key component in the lower drive mechanism 5. Its main function is to provide a stable mounting platform for the support wheel 52 and ensure that the support wheel 52 can effectively support the lower side of the plastic plate 7, thereby applying the necessary support force to the plastic plate 7 during bending.

[0053] The wheel frame 51 includes two side plates 511, which are configured to fit against the other two sides of the lifting seat 62, further improving the stability of the lifting seat 62. The lower side of the side plates 511 is fixed to the base 61. This fixing method makes the side plates 511 a stable support frame relative to the base 61, which does not move up and down with the lifting seat 62. This fixed connection of the side plates 511 provides a solid foundation for the entire wheel frame 51, ensuring the vertical stability of the support point of the support wheel 52. The top plate 512 is fixedly connected between the upper sides of the two side plates 511. By connecting the top plate 512 to the top of the two side plates 511, a closed and more rigid frame structure is formed. The top plate 512 also provides a flat and stable mounting surface for the subsequent installation of the ear plate 513 and the support wheel 52. The ear plate 513 is located on the upper side of the top plate 512. The ear plate 513 provides a precise rotating bearing seat, and the support wheel 52 is rotatably connected to the upper side of the top plate 512 via the ear plate 513. The support wheel 52 is a component that directly contacts the lower side of the shaped plate 7, and its rotatable connection allows the support wheel 52 to rotate freely when supporting the shaped plate 7, thereby reducing friction between it and the shaped plate 7. This installation method of the support wheel 52 ensures that it can stably support the shaped plate 7 and provide smooth support when the shaped plate 7 is subjected to bending force.

[0054] Through the above technical solution, the wheel frame 51 provides a fixed reference point for the support point of the support wheel 52 in the vertical direction, so that even if the lifting seat 62 moves up and down, the support wheel 52 can always maintain its preset support height and position. The top plate 512 enhances the overall rigidity of the wheel frame 51 and facilitates the installation of the support wheel 52.

[0055] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the lower end of the lower mold is provided with a V-shaped shaping surface 12, the lower end of the V-shaped shaping surface 12 corresponds to the slit of the two shaping plates 7, and the horizontal projection of the support wheel 52 on the support point of the shaping plate 7 is located at the horizontal projection of the V-shaped shaping surface 12, so that the support wheel 52 stably squeezes the shaping plate 7 to achieve bending.

[0056] Specifically, the V-shaped shaping surface 12 at the lower end of the upper mold is an important component of the upper mold. This V-shaped shaping surface 12 can be understood as the lower surface of the V-shaped lower end of the upper mold 3, guiding the metal sheet to be shaped according to a preset V-angle. The lower end of the V-shaped shaping surface 12 is precisely aligned with the slit formed between the two shaping plates 7. This correspondence allows the metal sheet to be precisely bent with the lower end of the V-shaped shaping surface 12 as a fulcrum when bent by the shaping plate 7. Furthermore, the horizontal projection of the support wheel 52 onto the support point of the shaping plate 7 lies within the horizontal projection of the V-shaped shaping surface 12. That is, when viewed vertically downwards from above the device, the projection of the point where the support wheel 52 contacts and provides support to the shaping plate 7 falls within the horizontal projection range of the V-shaped shaping surface 12. Figure 6 After the metal sheet is bent, there is no gap in the support direction of the support wheel 52, and the support force can be transmitted in a straight line to the V-shaped shaping surface 12. The shaping plate 7 is not easy to bend and deform, and the shaping plate 7 can stably squeeze the metal sheet and improve the bending quality.

[0057] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that the first sensor 11 is a pressure sensor, installed on the first guide post 92, and the second sensor 12 is a photoelectric sensor, installed between the base 61 and the lifting seat 62.

[0058] Specifically, the first sensor 11 is a pressure sensor. A pressure sensor is a device that converts a sensed pressure signal into a measurable electrical signal. This pressure sensor is mounted on the first guide post 92. The first guide post 92 is an important component of the telescopic mounting base 9, with its lower end fixedly connected to the first slider 95 and directly associated with the buffer spring 10. By mounting the pressure sensor on the first guide post 92, for example by integrating or attaching a pressure-sensitive element at a specific location on the first guide post 92, or by placing the pressure sensor between the first guide post 92 and the first slider 95, the reaction force generated by the buffer spring 10 on the first guide post 92 during compression, or the force transmitted through the first guide post 92, can be effectively sensed, thereby achieving accurate measurement of the spring force of the buffer spring 10.

[0059] Meanwhile, the second sensor 12 is a photoelectric sensor. A photoelectric sensor is a sensor that uses the photoelectric effect to convert light signals into electrical signals, and is commonly used for non-contact position detection and displacement measurement. This photoelectric sensor is installed between the base 61 and the lifting seat 62. The base 61 is the fixed reference of the entire device, while the lifting seat 62 is an important component of the lower mold, which undergoes lifting and lowering motion during bending. By installing the transmitting and receiving ends of the photoelectric sensor at the relative positions of the base 61 and the lifting seat 62, respectively, the lifting value of the lifting seat 62 can be accurately measured by detecting the vertical displacement of the lifting seat 62 relative to the base 61.

[0060] In one embodiment, this application further proposes a bending method, which uses the above-mentioned bending device to bend a metal sheet, the steps of which include: First, in step a, the two shaping plates 7 are horizontally coplanar. The metal sheet is placed on the upper side of the shaping plates 7 and is adsorbed, thus positioning the metal sheet. This step aims to ensure the precise position of the metal sheet before bending. The two shaping plates 7 are initially set to be horizontally coplanar, forming a flat support surface. The metal sheet is placed on this surface, and through multiple adsorption holes 8 connected to a negative pressure mechanism on the upper side of the shaping plates 7, a negative pressure adsorption force is generated, firmly fixing the metal sheet in the predetermined position and preventing displacement during subsequent bending, thereby ensuring bending accuracy. In this step, one or more positioning ribs can be provided on the upper side of the shaping plates 7 to facilitate placing the metal sheet in the designated position on the shaping plates 7, further improving bending accuracy.

[0061] Secondly, in step b, as Figure 5 The upper drive mechanism 4 drives the upper mold 3 to move downwards. After the lower end of the lower mold abuts against the metal sheet, the buffer spring 10 is compressed to ensure stable contact between the upper mold 3 and the metal sheet. In this step, the lifting seat 62 remains stationary under the action of the support spring 63, and the suction hole 8 returns to normal pressure to release the metal sheet. This step describes the initial contact and pre-pressing process between the upper mold 3 and the metal sheet. The upper drive mechanism 4 controls the upper mold 3 to move downwards until the lower V-shaped end of the upper mold 3 contacts the metal sheet placed on the molding plate 7. Since the upper mold 3 is detachably mounted on the lower side of the telescopic mounting seat 9, and the telescopic mounting seat 9 is equipped with a buffer spring 10, the buffer spring 10 will be compressed when the upper mold 3 contacts the metal sheet and continues to press down. This compression provides a flexible contact force, ensuring a stable and uniform contact between the upper mold 3 and the metal sheet, avoiding impact or uneven force that may be caused by rigid contact. During this process, the lifting seat 62 maintains its initial stationary position under the action of the support spring 63, providing stable support for the pre-pressing of the upper mold 3. At the same time, the adsorption pore 8 returns to normal pressure, releasing the adsorption on the metal plate and allowing it to deform freely when bent.

[0062] Next, in step c, after the first sensor 11 detects that the elastic force of the buffer spring 10 has reached the threshold, the locking mechanism 53 locks, and the upper drive mechanism 4 drives the lower beam 93, the lower mold, and the lifting seat 62 to move downward synchronously. The shaping plate 7 rotates upward under the support of the support wheel 52, and the shaping plate 7 is bent under the cooperation of the upper mold 3 and the shaping plate 7. This step is the core of the bending process. The first sensor 11 continuously monitors the elastic force of the buffer spring 10. When the elastic force reaches the preset threshold, it indicates that the upper mold 3 has made sufficient and stable contact with the metal plate and applied sufficient preload. At this time, the controller receives the signal from the first sensor 11 and controls the locking mechanism 53 to lock the relative position between the lower beam 93 and the lifting seat 62, making the two form a whole. Subsequently, the upper drive mechanism 4 drives the upper beam 91 to continue to move downward. The upper beam 91 presses down on the lower beam 93 through the buffer spring 10, driving the upper mold 3 and the lifting seat 62 to move downward synchronously. As the lifting seat 62 descends, the two plastic plates 7 hinged to its upper side rotate upward around their hinge point under the support of the lower support wheel 52. The V-shaped lower end of the upper mold 3 works in conjunction with the upwardly rotating plastic plates 7 to apply bending force to the metal sheet sandwiched in the middle, causing it to undergo plastic deformation along the preset crease, thus completing the bending.

[0063] Subsequently, in step d, the second sensor 12 detects that the downward movement of the lifting seat 62 has reached a preset value. This step is used to precisely control the bending angle. The second sensor 12 monitors the downward movement distance of the lifting seat 62 relative to the base 61 in real time. When the downward movement of the lifting seat 62 reaches the preset value, it indicates that the metal sheet has reached the required bending angle. Based on the feedback from the second sensor 12, the controller can determine whether the bending process is complete and provide control basis for subsequent actions.

[0064] Finally, in step e, the upper die 3 separates from the lower die to facilitate material unloading. After the metal sheet has been bent and reached the target bending angle, the upper drive mechanism 4 drives the upper die 3 upward, separating it from the lower die. This separation provides sufficient space for operators or automated systems to remove the bent metal sheet, thus facilitating unloading and completing one bending cycle.

[0065] In one embodiment, this application further proposes that in step e, the upper drive mechanism 4 drives the upper mold 3 to move upward. When the lifting seat 62 returns to the initial position, the locking mechanism 53 is released, and the upper mold 3 continues to move upward until the upper mold 3 leaves the metal plate, thereby separating the upper mold 3 from the lower mold.

[0066] Specifically, when the upper drive mechanism 4 drives the upper mold 3 to move upward, the locking mechanism 53 remains locked, causing the lifting seat 62 to move upward accordingly. The upper mold 3 and the shaping plate 7 continue to compress the metal sheet. This process prolongs the compression time of the metal sheet, reduces the rebound after the metal sheet is released, and further improves the bending effect. When the lifting seat 62 moves upward, the shaping plate 7 rotates downward under its own weight. When the lifting seat 62 returns to its initial position, the spring rebounds, and the lifting seat 62 rises back to its original height before the bending operation began. This "initial position" is usually the highest point of the lifting seat 62, at which point the shaping plate 7 returns to a horizontal, coplanar state under its own weight. Whether the lifting seat 62 has returned to its initial position can be detected by the second sensor 12 (e.g., a photoelectric sensor) to ensure complete reset.

[0067] The release of locking mechanism 53 means that after the lifting seat 62 returns to its initial position, the controller issues a command to release locking mechanism 53 from locking the relative position between the lower beam 93 and the lifting seat 62. This release operation prepares for the final separation of the upper mold 3 and the lower mold.

[0068] The upper mold 3 continues to move upward until it leaves the metal sheet, thus separating the upper mold 3 from the lower mold. This means that after the lifting seat 62 is reset and the locking mechanism 53 is released, the upper drive mechanism 4 continues to drive the upper beam 91 of the upper mold 3 to move upward, and the buffer spring 10 rebounds until the lower V-shaped end of the upper mold 3 is completely separated from the bent metal sheet so that the material can be discharged.

[0069] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A metal sheet bending device, characterized in that, It includes an upper mold, an upper drive mechanism, a lower mold, a lower drive mechanism, and a negative pressure mechanism; The lower mold includes a base assembly and two shaping plates. The two shaping plates are coplanarly arranged above the base assembly, and a slit is formed between the two shaping plates to correspond to the crease of the metal sheet. The upper side of the shaping plates is provided with multiple adsorption holes connected to the negative pressure mechanism to facilitate the adsorption of the metal sheet. The two shaping plates are hinged to the base assembly on opposite sides and can be opened and closed synchronously under the action of the lower drive mechanism. The upper mold has a V-shaped lower end and is positioned above the slit between the two shaping plates. It is driven to move up and down by an upper drive mechanism, and the upper mold and the shaping plates work together to achieve bending.

2. The metal sheet bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bending device also includes a telescopic mounting base and a buffer spring. The buffer spring is installed inside the telescopic mounting base to achieve elastic expansion and contraction. The upper mold is detachably mounted on the lower side of the telescopic mounting base, and the upper drive mechanism is connected to the upper side of the telescopic mounting base.

3. A metal sheet bending device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The telescopic mounting base includes an upper beam, a first guide post, and a lower beam. The upper beam is connected to an upper drive mechanism. The first guide post is vertically fixedly connected to the lower side of the upper beam. A first guide groove is provided on the upper side of the lower beam. A first slider is fixedly connected to the lower end of the first guide post and slides in the first guide groove. A first retaining ring is installed at the opening of the first guide groove to prevent the first slider from falling out. A buffer spring is compressed and installed between the first slider and the bottom of the first guide groove.

4. A metal sheet bending device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base assembly includes a base, a lifting seat, and a support spring. The lifting seat is detachably mounted on top of the base via the support spring. The plastic plate is hinged to the upper side of the lifting seat. The lower drive mechanism is a passive drive mechanism, which includes a wheel frame, a support wheel, and a locking mechanism. The support wheel is rotatably connected to the upper side of the lifting seat via the wheel frame and supports the lower side of the plastic plate. The locking mechanism is located between the lower beam and the lifting seat and is used to lock the relative position between the lower beam and the lifting seat. The bending device also includes a controller, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensor detects the spring force of the buffer spring, the second sensor detects the lifting value of the lifting seat, and the controller controls the operation of the locking mechanism.

5. A metal sheet bending device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The base assembly also includes a second guide post and a second retaining ring. A second guide groove is provided on the lower side of the lifting seat. The second guide post is vertically fixedly connected to the upper side of the base. A second slider is fixedly connected to the upper end of the second guide post and slides in cooperation with the second guide groove. The second retaining ring is installed at the opening of the second guide groove to prevent the second slider from coming out. The support spring is compressed and installed between the bottom of the second guide groove and the second slider.

6. A metal sheet bending device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a connecting plate, a clamping plate, and an electric push rod. The connecting plate has two parts that slide against each other on opposite sides of the lifting seat. The upper end of the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the lower beam. The inner side of the connecting plate is provided with an installation groove. The electric push rod is installed in the installation groove, and its output end is installed with the clamping plate to clamp the lifting seat.

7. A metal sheet bending device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The wheel frame includes a side plate and a top plate. Two side plates are provided and are attached to the other two sides of the lifting seat. The lower side of the side plate is fixed to the base. The top plate is fixedly connected between the upper sides of the two side plates. The upper side of the top plate is provided with an ear plate. The support wheel is rotatably connected to the upper side of the top plate through the ear plate.

8. A metal sheet bending device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lower end of the upper mold is provided with a V-shaped shaping surface, the lower end of which corresponds to the slit between the two shaping plates. The horizontal projection of the support wheel on the support point of the shaping plate is located at the horizontal projection of the V-shaped shaping surface, so that the support wheel can stably squeeze the shaping plate to achieve bending.

9. A bending method, comprising bending a metal sheet using the bending device described in claim 4, characterized in that, The steps are as follows: Step a: The two shaping plates are horizontal and coplanar. The metal sheet is placed on the upper side of the shaping plates and is attracted to them, thus positioning the metal sheet. Step b: The upper drive mechanism drives the upper mold to move downward. After the lower end of the lower mold comes into contact with the metal plate, the buffer spring is compressed to ensure stable contact between the upper mold and the metal plate. In this step, the lifting seat remains stationary under the action of the support spring, and the suction hole returns to normal pressure to release the metal plate. Step c: After the first sensor detects that the spring force of the buffer spring has reached the threshold, the locking mechanism locks, and the upper drive mechanism drives the lower beam, lower mold and lifting seat to move downward synchronously. The shaping plate rotates upward under the support of the support wheel, and the shaping plate is bent under the cooperation of the upper mold and the shaping plate. Step d: After the second sensor detects that the downward movement of the lifting seat has reached the preset value; Step e: Separate the upper and lower molds to facilitate material discharge.

10. The bending method according to claim 9, characterized in that, In step e, the upper drive mechanism drives the upper mold to move upward. When the lifting seat returns to the initial position, the locking mechanism is released, and the upper mold continues to move upward until the upper mold leaves the metal sheet, thus separating the upper mold from the lower mold.

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