Mobile folding tool and folding process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile folding tool (10) for folding (204) at least one workpiece (110) for a motor vehicle (100), the mobile folding tool (10) comprising a handle device (20) for handling the mobile folding tool (10), a folding hammer (40), and a counterholder (30), wherein the counterholder (30) comprises a contact surface (32) for contacting the at least one workpiece (110), and wherein the folding hammer (40) is movably mounted on the mobile folding tool (10) for carrying out a folding movement for folding (204) the at least one workpiece (110) between the folding hammer (40) and the counterholder (30). Furthermore, the invention relates to a folding method (200) for folding (204) at least one workpiece (110) for a motor vehicle (100) by means of a mobile folding tool (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile folding tool for folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a folding method for folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle using a mobile folding tool.

[0002] The currently publicly known seam joints in the state of the art in automotive manufacturing are mostly manufactured by production robots. In body construction, some joining flanges are generally joined by hemming the sheet metal to be joined. In this process, a seam flange previously placed during the component manufacturing process is joined to the underlying component in an automated, multi-stage process using a seaming roller. This highly automated process is usually not feasible in body repair due to the high time, machine, and / or cost requirements. In body repair, the flange is usually folded manually using a hammer and sledgehammer. However, this process requires considerable experience and craftsmanship to avoid waviness or excessive gaps.

[0003] The document DE 20 2006 018 552 U1 discloses a mobile folding tool for folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle, wherein the mobile folding tool comprises a handle device for handling the mobile folding tool, a folding hammer and a counterholder.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to remedy, or at least partially remedy, the above-described disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a mobile folding tool with which folding of at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle is made particularly easy. In particular, it is also an object of the invention to provide a folding method for folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle using a mobile folding tool.

[0005] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. In particular, the object is achieved by a mobile folding tool having the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a folding method having the features of independent claim 9. Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features described in connection with the mobile folding tool according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the folding method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a mobile folding tool for folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle. The mobile folding tool comprises a handle device for handling the mobile folding tool, a folding hammer, and a counterholder. The counterholder comprises a contact surface for contacting the at least one workpiece, and the folding hammer is movably mounted on the mobile folding tool for executing a folding movement for folding the at least one workpiece between the folding hammer and the counterholder.

[0007] Within the scope of the invention, the mobile folding tool is preferably understood as a hand-held folding tool and / or is designed for manual handling and / or operation by a user. The mobile folding tool is designed to be wired, cable-connected, cordless, and / or wireless. The mobile folding tool is preferably designed for folding at least one workpiece, preferably at least two or more workpieces, for a motor vehicle. The at least one workpiece is preferably understood as a sheet metal part, in particular as a body sheet for a motor vehicle. Within the scope of the invention, folding is preferably understood as folding body seams.

[0008] The mobile folding tool preferably comprises a base body, wherein the counterholder, the folding hammer, and / or the handle device are attached to the base body and / or are formed at least partially by the base body, in particular in a material-to-material and / or monolithic manner. The mobile folding tool preferably comprises a drive device for moving the folding hammer, for example, a mechanical device and / or an electric motor.

[0009] The counterholder and its contact surface are preferably understood as the effective countersurface for the force exerted by the folding hammer. The folding hammer is movably mounted on the mobile folding tool. The folding hammer is designed such that, by executing the folding movement, it folds at least one workpiece between the folding hammer and the counterholder.

[0010] A mobile folding tool designed in this way is particularly advantageous since folding of the at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle is made particularly easy by the design according to the invention.

[0011] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, the folding hammer can comprise a rotational axis, wherein the folding hammer is mounted so as to be rotatable about the rotational axis, in particular wherein the folding hammer is mounted so as to be rotatable about the rotational axis for carrying out a folding movement for folding the at least one workpiece. The folding hammer preferably folds the at least one workpiece by means of a rotational movement and not by means of a conventional hammering and / or tapping movement. The folding hammer is preferably directly operatively connected to the rotational axis and / or rotates directly with the rotational axis. The folding hammer is preferably connected directly to the rotational axis in a force-fitting, form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner to the rotational axis. The tapping movement of a manual hammer is preferably substituted by the rotating movement of the folding hammer in the folding tool.A folding movement around the rotational axis enables a uniform application of force to the at least one workpiece and minimizes wear on the folding tool. A folding movement around the rotational axis enables a particularly uniform fold and / or low material stress. A mobile folding tool designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the rotational axis makes folding the at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle particularly easy.

[0012] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, the folding hammer can be designed to perform an oscillating folding movement, in particular about the axis of rotation, for folding the at least one workpiece. The oscillating movement of the folding hammer is to be understood within the scope of the invention as a movement of the folding hammer with regular, short and / or rapid changes of direction of the folding hammer. Described clearly and by way of example, the folding hammer rotates about the axis of rotation at short intervals with alternating directions. The mobile folding tool thus preferably enables a feed along the at least one workpiece during an opening movement of the folding hammer. During the subsequent closing movement of the folding hammer, the folding tool folds the at least one workpiece section by section between the folding hammer and the counterholder.The oscillating folding movement thus preferably enables a crawling movement of the mobile folding tool along the at least one workpiece, enabling folding of the at least one workpiece during this movement. A mobile folding tool configured in this way is particularly advantageous because the oscillating folding movement makes it particularly easy to fold the at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle.

[0013] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, the folding hammer can be designed such that the oscillating folding movement comprises only a few angular degrees, in particular less than 15°, less than 10° or less than 5°. The angular degree of the oscillating folding movement is preferably designed to be adjustable. Although a smaller opening of the folding tool enables a smaller feed along the at least one workpiece, the oscillating folding movement by only a few angular degrees enables an advantageous force to be exerted by the mobile folding tool on the at least one workpiece. Depending on the material thickness and / or material of the at least one workpiece, the folding tool can advantageously be adjusted and / or tuned. A smaller feed rate due to a smaller opening of the folding tool advantageously enables the most uniform fold possible.Additionally or alternatively, the advance of the mobile folding tool is enabled by adjusting the speed of the oscillating movement of the folding hammer. A mobile folding tool configured in this way is particularly advantageous because the oscillating folding movement makes folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle particularly easy.

[0014] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, the counterholder can be configured to be adjustable, in particular height-adjustable, angle-adjustable, pivotable, and / or tiltable, on the mobile folding tool. Depending on the material thickness and / or material of the at least one workpiece, the counterholder of the mobile folding tool can advantageously be adjusted and / or tuned. An exemplary height-adjustable counterholder can advantageously be adjusted to the respective sheet metal thickness combination for a motor vehicle. The counterholder is preferably tool-free and / or continuously adjustable. The counterholder preferably has various contact surfaces, contact surface geometries, and / or contact surface coatings, each of which can be moved into an operative position with the folding hammer by movement, rotation, and / or tilt, such that the contact surface is advantageously adjustable.A mobile folding tool designed in this way is particularly advantageous since the design of the counterholder makes folding of at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle particularly easy.

[0015] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, it can be provided that the folding hammer and / or the counterholder are detachably attached to the mobile folding tool and are designed to be replaceable. Preferably, the counterholder is designed with a flat contact surface and / or is interchangeable with other counterholders with alternative contact surfaces having different geometries, materials and / or surfaces. Preferably, the folding hammer and / or the counterholder can be removed and / or replaced without tools. Preferably, the folding hammer and / or the counterholder have a plug-in, clamping and / or screw connection to the mobile folding tool, in particular the base body of the mobile folding tool. A mobile folding tool designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the folding hammer and / or the counterholder enables folding of the at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle particularly easily.

[0016] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, the handle device can be provided with a movement device, wherein the handle device is designed to be movable, in particular rotatable and / or tiltable, in relation to the folding hammer and / or the counterholder by means of the movement device. The movement device is preferably adjustable without tools, continuously and / or at angular intervals. Illustratively and by way of example, the folding hammer is mounted on an opposite end of the base body of the mobile folding tool to the handle device. The handle device is preferably designed to be rotatable, at least in sections, in relation to the folding hammer in order to ensure accessibility even in hard-to-reach places. The movement device is preferably designed as a joint, a ball joint and / or a hinge.A mobile folding tool designed in this way is particularly advantageous since the mobility of the handle device and / or the folding hammer makes it particularly easy to fold at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle.

[0017] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a mobile folding tool can be provided with an interface device for connecting a power source to drive the folding movement of the folding hammer for folding the at least one workpiece. The mobile folding tool is driven, for example, by compressed air and / or electrically. The interface device is preferably designed as a quick-release coupling, as a socket for a plug and / or as a receptacle for a storage device for electrical energy, for example for a battery. The power source is preferably wireless, cable-free and / or stationary. A mobile folding tool designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the mobility of the handle device and / or the folding hammer makes folding the at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle particularly easy.

[0018] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a mobile folding tool, the folding hammer can have an at least partially oval cross-section and / or the folding hammer is mounted eccentrically on the mobile folding tool. An at least partially oval cross-section of the folding hammer enables an advantageous folding movement for folding the at least one workpiece between the folding hammer and the counterholder. An eccentric movement of the folding hammer, in particular about the previously described axis of rotation, enables an advantageous folding movement by, for example, only a few angular degrees, whereby an energy- and force-efficient feed and / or an easily guided folding movement is enabled by the mobile folding tool.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a folding method for folding at least one workpiece for a motor vehicle using a mobile folding tool according to the first aspect. The folding method comprises: - Applying the contact surface of the counterholder to at least one workpiece, - Folding the at least one workpiece between the folding hammer and the counterholder by a folding movement of the folding hammer.

[0020] The folding method described provides all the advantages that have already been described for the mobile folding tool according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0021] A mobile folding tool according to the invention and a folding method are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show schematically: Fig. 1 in a perspective view an embodiment of the mobile folding tool, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the mobile folding tool, and Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the folding method according to the invention.

[0022] Elements with the same function and mode of action are listed in the Fig. 1 to 3 are each provided with the same reference numerals.

[0023] In Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the mobile folding tool 10. The mobile folding tool 10 is designed for folding 204 (not shown) the workpiece 110, here two metal sheets for a motor vehicle 100. The mobile folding tool 10 comprises a handle device 20 for handling the mobile folding tool 10, a folding hammer 40, and a counterholder 30. The counterholder 30 comprises a contact surface 32 for contacting the workpiece 110. The folding hammer 40 is movably mounted on the mobile folding tool 10 for carrying out a folding movement for folding 204 (not shown) the at least one workpiece 110 between the folding hammer 40 and the counterholder 30. The folding hammer 40 further comprises a rotation axis 42, wherein the folding hammer 40 is mounted so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis 42. The folding hammer 40 is rotatably mounted to carry out a folding movement about the rotation axis 42 for folding 204 (not shown) of the at least one workpiece 110.The folding hammer 40 is designed to perform an oscillating folding movement around the rotation axis 42. The folding hammer 40 is designed such that the oscillating folding movement comprises less than 15°. The counterholder 30 is adjustable, here height-adjustable, on the mobile folding tool 10. The folding hammer 40 and the counterholder 30 are further detachably attached to the mobile folding tool 10 and designed to be interchangeable. The handle device 20 comprises a movement device 22, wherein the handle device 20 is movable, here rotatable and tiltable, in relation to the folding hammer 40 and the counterholder 30 by the movement device 22. The folding hammer 40 has a partially oval cross-section and is mounted eccentrically movable on the mobile folding tool 10, here around the rotation axis 42.

[0024] In Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the mobile folding tool 10. The mobile folding tool 10 comprises a handle device 20 for handling the mobile folding tool 10, a folding hammer 40, and a counterholder 30. The counterholder 30 comprises a contact surface 32 for contacting the workpiece 110. The folding hammer 40 is movably mounted on the mobile folding tool 10 for executing a folding movement for folding 204 (not shown) of the at least one workpiece 110 between the folding hammer 40 and the counterholder 30. The mobile folding tool 10 comprises an interface device 12 for connecting a power source to drive the folding movement of the folding hammer 40 for folding 204 (not shown) of the workpiece 110.

[0025] In Fig. 3 schematically shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the folding method 200 according to the invention. For improved clarity, Fig.3, only the reference numerals of the method steps are indicated. The folding method 200 comprises, in a first method step, the application 202 of the contact surface 32 of the counterholder 30 to the at least one workpiece 110. In a further method step, the folding method 200 comprises the folding 204 of the at least one workpiece 110 between the folding hammer 40 and the counterholder 30 by a folding movement of the folding hammer 40.

Claims

[1] Mobile folding tool (10) for folding (204) at least one workpiece (110) for a motor vehicle (100), the mobile folding tool (10) comprising a handle device (20) for handling the mobile folding tool (10), a folding hammer (40) and a counterholder (30), wherein the counterholder (30) comprises a contact surface (32) for contacting the at least one workpiece (110) and wherein the folding hammer (40) is movably mounted on the mobile folding tool (10) for carrying out a folding movement for folding (204) the at least one workpiece (110) between the folding hammer (40) and the counterholder (30), characterized by that the folding hammer (40) has an at least partially oval cross-section and / or wherein the folding hammer (40) is mounted eccentrically movable on the mobile folding tool (10). [2] Mobile folding tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the folding hammer (40) comprises a rotational axis (42), wherein the folding hammer (40) is mounted rotatably about the rotational axis (42), in particular wherein the folding hammer (40) is mounted rotatably about the rotational axis (42) for carrying out a folding movement for folding (204) the at least one workpiece (110). [3] Mobile folding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the folding hammer (40) is designed to carry out an oscillating folding movement, in particular about the axis of rotation (42), for folding (204) the at least one workpiece (110). [4] Mobile folding tool (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the folding hammer (40) is designed such that the oscillating folding movement comprises only a few angular degrees, in particular less than 15°, less than 10° or less than 5°. [5] Mobile folding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the counterholder (30) is adjustable, in particular height-adjustable, angle-adjustable, pivotable and / or tiltable, on the mobile folding tool (10). [6] Mobile folding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the folding hammer (40) and / or the counterholder (30) are detachably attached to the mobile folding tool (10) and are designed to be replaceable. [7] Mobile folding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the handle device (20) comprises a movement device (22), wherein the handle device (20) is designed to be movable, in particular rotatable and / or inclinable, in relation to the folding hammer (40) and / or the counterholder (30) by the movement device (22). [8] Mobile folding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the mobile folding tool (10) comprises an interface device (12) for connecting a power source for driving the folding movement of the folding hammer (40) for folding (204) the at least one workpiece (110). [9] Folding method (200) for folding (204) at least one workpiece (110) for a motor vehicle (100) by a mobile folding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the folding method (200) comprising: - applying (202) the contact surface (32) of the counterholder (30) to the at least one workpiece (110), - folding (204) of the at least one workpiece (110) between the folding hammer (40) and the counterholder (30) by a folding movement of the folding hammer (40).

Images