Slide arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a slide tool (100) comprising a slide bed (2) and a slide (3) which is movably mounted thereon on a dovetail guide by means of sliding plates (G1, G2), wherein the dovetail connection has a non-symmetric design.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an improved slide arrangement, in particular a quill slide and a wedge drive slide. The invention relates in particular to a quill slide for mounting in a multi-part tool, especially in a slide unit with a top part and a hold-down, wherein the quill slide comprises at least one quill.

[0002] Sheet metal parts for the automotive industry are becoming increasingly complex, and tool design is often pushing the limits of what is technically feasible. The manufactured parts should ideally be fully machined at the end of the forming and stamping process. Therefore, multiple functions of the active components within the tool must be coordinated and aligned across various angular positions. Modern slides with drivers mounted on the top or bottom are taking over an ever-increasing proportion of these functions.

[0003] The invention can also be applied to a wedge drive with a sliding element receptacle, a movable sliding element and a driver element, wherein sliding surfaces are provided between the sliding element and the driver element and a guide device with sliding surfaces on the sliding element and sliding surfaces on the sliding element receptacle is provided between the sliding element and the sliding element receptacle.

[0004] A wedge drive, also known as a slide, is fundamentally used to redirect pressing forces into stamping or forming tools, enabling the processing of angled or rearward-moving sections of body parts. Typically, the slide element receptacle is connected to a part of the press tool where the wedge drive is to perform the stamping or forming operations. A wedge drive is referred to as an upper slide when its slide element receptacle is attached to the upper part of the press tool connected to the moving press ram. A lower slide is defined as one whose slide element receptacle is connected to the lower part of the press tool, which is mounted on the stationary press table.Regardless of which part the wedge drive's slide element receptacle is connected to, it typically features a linear guide in which the movable slide element can reciprocate, but is itself rigidly connected to the receptacle. The driver element is usually rigidly connected to the part of the press tool to which the slide element receptacle is not attached. The driver element typically has wedge-shaped chamfers and, with these, serves as the drive element in relation to the movable slide element. However, there are limitations to the use of wedge slides, especially when space constraints prevent the installation of a driver within the tool.

[0005] Previously, quill slides were sometimes used to address this issue. Quill slides are known in a wide variety of applications and designs. A quill serves to hold and move a machining tool, such as a punching tool, with movement occurring longitudinally, i.e., axially. This movement is effected by a quill driver. To prevent unintentional deflection of the quill, it typically runs in a quill holder. The quill driver and quill holder are usually permanently integrated into the tool or are components of it.

[0006] Quill slides are known, for example, from publication WO 2007 / 006161 A1. This publication discloses a device in which the movable mold half contains slides and ejectors, as well as quill slides arranged at angles to each other and a support plate for supporting the quill slides, which are supported on a support surface that is received perpendicularly by a support plate and arranged relative to the quill slides. The slides and quill slides are actuated by two-way hydraulic cylinders.

[0007] DE 101 53 721 C5 discloses a tool for cylinder crankcases, which is composed of at least two tool parts. For demolding cavities and bores, the tool has several slides. For creating the cylinder bores, the tool includes cylindrical quills. The quills can be part of a slide, i.e., in the form of quill slides. The quills extend through the tool from a cylinder head-side wall to a crankshaft-side wall.

[0008] Another quill slide is known from DE 10 2006 016 078 A1. DE 23 14 908 A1 discloses an auxiliary device for universal tool milling machines for planing shapes, dies, and electrodes for electrical discharge machining (EDM). The auxiliary device consists of a cast housing in which the work slide with a swiveling tool holder moves up and down in a prismatic guide. Alternatively, it has a long cylindrical bore in which a quill in the form of a piston rod performs the stroke movements, and the rotatable tool holder is provided at the lower end of the quill. To prevent the quill from rotating axially, a groove is machined along its entire length (coaxially), and it is guided by a wedge fixed in the housing. In this device, an actuating cylinder is provided on the upper cover, which secures the piston rod in the quill. A bearing point for shaft mounting projects from the bottom.

[0009] The state of the art focuses on further developing a slide element to create a guide for the movable slide element, enabling even better running accuracy, optimally converting the applied press force into the stamping or forming motion, compensating for lateral thrusts and ensuring a uniform force distribution.

[0010] Solutions are known in the prior art in which the movable sliding element has a dovetail joint, with the sliding element receptacle designed as a corresponding counterpart, so that the sliding element, with its dovetail-shaped side, engages in the corresponding receptacle and can be guided and held therein in a self-centering manner. Great emphasis is placed on the symmetrical arrangement. The surfaces on the sliding element and the receptacle, each formed by the dovetail shape, support each other symmetrically, and due to the angle between the surfaces, the dovetail shape allows for the absorption of forces directed in different directions.

[0011] In particular, the prior art specifically teaches a certain symmetrical arrangement, as this offers advantages regarding smooth running, symmetrical force distribution, and other properties. For this purpose, sliding plates are proposed on two sides of the slide element or the slide element receptacle, arranged symmetrically to achieve the aforementioned objectives. This is how it is solved, for example, in EP 2 197 660 B1, which has proven to be disadvantageous, particularly with regard to installation safety. EP 2 197 660 B1 discloses a slide tool according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2.

[0012] This symmetrical dovetail joint is provided with sliding surfaces for supporting sliding plates and is designed to engage in a correspondingly dovetail-shaped recess on the slide bed, so that the sliding plates are arranged symmetrically in an L-shape. With a symmetrical dovetail on the slide and a correspondingly symmetrically shaped recess on the slide bed and slide body, the sliding plates positioned between them are also arranged symmetrically.

[0013] "Symmetrical" in the sense of the present invention is defined analogously. The relevant geometries and surfaces involved in the interaction of the slide with its contour on the corresponding receptacle on the slide bed are considered.

[0014] Due to asymmetrical installation situations, the high accuracy requirements of complex tools, and the unavoidable manufacturing tolerances, there is a high demand for correct and precise installation. Often, the tools are used as intended in an asymmetrical installation situation, so that an incorrect or reversed installation can have disastrous consequences. With solutions known in the prior art, however, an installation rotated by 180° relative to the intended position is possible, which can consequently lead to significant damage to the tool and the parts being machined (sometimes immediately) during operation.

[0015] This problem can occur particularly with a symmetrical dovetail guide, as installing a guide and sliding bearing that are otherwise symmetrically arranged rotated by 180° can lead to the aforementioned problems. For example, if a punch attached to the slide is off-center, rotating it by 180° may cause it to crash into the tool.

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a slide which, on the one hand, enables good running properties and a desired force distribution, but on the other hand, improves installation safety and avoids incorrect installation.

[0017] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1 or 2.

[0018] A fundamental concept of the invention is to provide an asymmetrical arrangement of the dovetail joint, unlike in the prior art, particularly with regard to the functional connection between the slide and the slide bed. Specifically, in this definition, with respect to the tool center (in the case of the wedge drive tool) or the slide center (in the case of the quill slide), an asymmetrical arrangement of the dovetail joint is to be realized, resulting in an overall asymmetrical arrangement of the dovetail joint and any sliding bearing plates optionally arranged thereon.

[0019] The following measures are proposed with regard to the dovetail joint between the slide and the corresponding slide bed: A plane of symmetry formed by the dovetail-shaped retaining section is offset from the axis of symmetry created by the tool center, or the shape of the dovetail on the slide or its outer contour is inherently asymmetrical (e.g., one side is wider or shaped differently compared to the opposite side and compared to a symmetrical dovetail shape). One of the two bearing surfaces for the sliding plates on the dovetail of the slide is, in relation to a certain position in the vertical direction, lower or higher than the diametrically opposite bearing surface. As a result, the sliding plates are also offset in other relative positions in the vertical direction. The two aforementioned bearing surfaces on the dovetail for supporting the sliding plates can also be formed at different angles of attack.

[0020] In this context, it should be noted that the aforementioned features that lead to an asymmetrical arrangement or shape relate exclusively to those features that contribute to the connection of the dovetail and, in particular, the outer contour, which is relevant for the bearing of the sliding plates, and the dimensions, which represent the quantities relevant for symmetry.

[0021] A particularly preferred solution is one in which the deviation of the two planes (tool plane and symmetry plane of the dovetail joint) are close to each other but offset from one another, in order to realize the advantages of good guiding properties and optimal force distribution on the one hand and a clear mounting position of the slide on the slide bed on the other.

[0022] According to the invention, a slide tool is proposed for this purpose, comprising a slide bed and a slide movably mounted thereon on a dovetail guide by means of sliding plates, comprising a slide body and a slide holder formed thereon, wherein a first plane of symmetry S1 of the slide body and / or slide bed is present, which runs through the center of the slide and / or slide tool, wherein the slide has a dovetail-shaped retaining section formed to a second plane of symmetry S2, and the first plane of symmetry S1 does not coincide with the second plane of symmetry S2, so that sliding plates provided on sliding surfaces of the dovetail-shaped retaining section are arranged asymmetrically to the first plane of symmetry.

[0023] Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the arrangement of the sliding plates, and therefore the position of the dovetail-shaped retaining section, is not located in the center of the tool and therefore not in the plane of symmetry of the slide tool or the slide bed, but rather offset laterally or transversely to it. This allows the sliding plates to remain identical components, but the dovetail-shaped retaining section is formed off-center on the slide. This prevents an unintentional 180° rotation during assembly.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the slide is mounted on a driver on one side of the slide opposite the dovetail guide. The invention can thus be implemented with a classic wedge drive consisting of a slide bed, slide, and driver.

[0025] It is further advantageous if the slide (especially when implemented as a quill slide) is axially movable in at least one guide bushing along a central, mid-axis X of the slide. Advantageously, two guide bushings arranged axially in series are provided.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the sliding plates are L-shaped and their legs, forming the L-shape, project into recesses on the slide bed. It is particularly advantageous for the sliding plates to be arranged on the slide at an angle to the two planes of symmetry. In this way, the sliding surfaces also run obliquely to the planes of symmetry.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageously realized that a groove is provided on the slide bed for a holding element projecting from the dovetail-shaped retaining section and engaging in the groove or guide groove. According to one concept of the invention, the guide groove is positioned centrally and symmetrically to the tool center relative to the lateral tool edges, while the holding element on the dovetail is offset relative to the plane of symmetry of the dovetail projection, in particular offset transversely to the plane of symmetry.

[0028] For this reason, mounting the slide on the slide bed is only possible in its intended position. Rotating the slide by 180° would cause a collision during assembly due to the geometric constraints between the position of the retaining element and the guide groove. This also prevents incorrect assembly.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferred if the center and in particular the central slider axis X lies within the second plane of symmetry S2.

[0030] In the context of the present invention, a plane of symmetry is understood to be that plane in which the relevant parts of the slide tool are symmetrical in their position relative to that plane. For example, the guide groove of the slide bed is symmetrical in form and position relative to the first plane of symmetry of the slide bed, even if the slide bed does not exhibit perfect symmetry in every detail. Alternatively, in a concept according to the invention, the center of the parts can be positioned accordingly instead of the plane of symmetry.

[0031] In this case, according to the invention, the center of the Swabian-tail shaped holding section and the tool center or the slide center fall apart.

[0032] Therefore, it is particularly preferred if the second plane of symmetry S2 is offset from the first plane of symmetry S1 by a distance y perpendicular to the slide axis X or slide center, whereby this is only a comparatively small deviation (e.g. 1 - 5% of the tool width).

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a releasable locking means is provided at a tool-side end of the guide groove, which prevents the complete disassembly of the slide along the dovetail guide as long as the locking means is in its locking position.

[0034] Other preferred features include: the slide has a round, rectangular or polygonal cross-section; the at least one guide bushing has a round, rectangular or polygonal cross-section;

[0035] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures.

[0036] They show: Fig. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a slide tool (quill slide); Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment according to Figure 1 Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention (wedge drive tool); Fig. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment according to Figure 3 Fig. 5 shows a first sectional view through the embodiment according to Figure 1 Fig. 6 shows a front view of the embodiment according to Figure 1 and Fig. 7 a further sectional view through the embodiment according to Figure 1 , Fig. 8 a detail from Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 an alternative embodiment of an asymmetrical dovetail joint.

[0037] The invention is described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 9 explained in more detail, whereby identical reference symbols indicate identical structural and / or functional features.

[0038] In the Fig. 1 Figure 100 is an exemplary representation of a slide tool designed as a quill slide. The slide tool 100 has a slide bed 2 and a slide 3 movably mounted on it by means of sliding plates 50, 51 on a dovetail guide.

[0039] The slide 3 has a slide body 30 (at the end of which a machining tool can be attached) and a slide holder 31 formed thereon for bearing the slide 3 on the slide bed 2.

[0040] The slide body 30 has a central axis X and a first plane of symmetry S1, which coincides with the plane of symmetry of the slide bed 2 and thus characterizes a common plane of symmetry and therefore the center of the slide tool.

[0041] The slide holder 31 in turn forms a dovetail-shaped retaining section 32, which is symmetrical with respect to a second plane of symmetry S2. However, the first plane of symmetry S1 and the second plane of symmetry S2 do not coincide, but are offset by a distance y (as can be seen in the Figure 6 to 8 (recognizable) next to each other, so that the sliding plates 50, 51 are provided on the sliding surfaces of the dovetail-shaped retaining section 32, and are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the first plane of symmetry S1. If the assembly is rotated, the slide can no longer be brought together with the driver (in the case of a wedge slide) or guided in the guide bushings 40 (in the case of a quill slide 100), since these must be offset from each other by the aforementioned distance y.

[0042] In the embodiment according to the Figure 3 and the Figure 4, in which a wedge drive tool 100 is shown, the slide 3 is mounted on a driver 60 on one side of the slide 2 opposite the dovetail guide.

[0043] In the case of the pin slide 100, it can be seen that the slide 3 is axially movable in two guide bushings 40 along a central, middle slide axis X and the guide bushings enclose the slide in a ring-like manner.

[0044] In both embodiments, the sliding plates 50, 51 are L-shaped and project with their one (short) leg 50a, 51a forming the L-shape into a recess (recess) on the slide bed 2.

[0045] In the Figure 5 and 7It is clearly visible that a central guide groove 22 is provided in the slide bed 2 for a retaining element 33 projecting from the dovetail-shaped retaining section 32 and engaging in the guide groove 22. The retaining element 33 can be a screw with a screw head.

[0046] In the Figure 6 and 7 It is again easy to see that the center and in particular the central slide axis X runs within the first plane of symmetry S1 and the second plane of symmetry S2 is offset from the first plane of symmetry S1 by a distance y perpendicular to the slide axis X or slide center.

[0047] In the Figure 5It is further apparent that a releasable locking device 24 is provided at a tool-side end of the guide groove 22, which prevents the complete disassembly of the slide 3 (from its assembly position to a removal position) along the dovetail guide as long as the locking device 24 is in its (in the Figure 5 (shown) blocking position.

[0048] In this embodiment, the slide 3 and the guide bushings 40 of the quill slide have a circular cross-section, so that the center of the circle also determines the center of the slide 3 and the position of the plane of symmetry S2.

[0049] The Figure 8 shows a detail from Figure 7 to illustrate how the plane of symmetry S2 of the dovetail guide and the position of the sliding plates 50, 51 is offset from the plane of symmetry S1 of the slide bed and the slide body by the distance y.

[0050] The Fig. 9Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of an asymmetrical dovetail joint in which the angles A and B are different, resulting in different angles of attack for the bearing surfaces 60, 61 for the sliding plates 50, 51.

[0051] In the Figure 8 Another possible embodiment is indicated with respect to the vertical direction H, in which the bearing surfaces 60, 61 for the sliding plates 50, 51 may have the same angle of attack, but are offset relative to each other in the vertical direction H. An asymmetrical solution can also be obtained from this.

[0052] An advantage of the solutions shown according to the invention is that, despite the asymmetrical geometry of the dovetail, the two sliding plates 50, 51 are nevertheless designed as identical parts and no different components are required.

[0053] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution presented even in fundamentally different designs.

Claims

1. A slider tool (100), having a slider bed (2) and a slider (3) movably mounted thereon by means of gliding plates (50, 51) on a dovetail guide, the slider having a slider body (30) and a slider holder (31) formed thereon, wherein a first symmetry plane (S1) of the slider body (3) and / or of the slider bed (2) is present which runs through the center of the slider (3) and / or the slider tool (3), wherein the slider holder (31) has a holding section (32) formed as a dovetail and symmetrically to a second symmetry plane (S2), characterized in that the first symmetry plane (S1) does not coincide with the second symmetry plane (S2) so that gliding plates (50, 51) are provided on gliding surfaces of the holding section (32) formed as a dovetail which gliding plates are arranged unsymmetrically to the first symmetry plane (S1).

2. A slider tool (100), having a slider bed (2) and a slider (3) movably mounted thereon by means of gliding plates (50, 51) on a dovetail guide, the slider having a slider body (30) and a slider holder (31) formed thereon characterized in that said slider holder (31) has an unsymmetrically shaped holding section (32) formed as a dovetail which holding section engages a correspondingly shaped receiving section on the slider bed.

3. The slider tool (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slider (3) is mounted on a driver (60) on a side of the slider (3) opposite the dovetail guide.

4. The slider tool (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slider (3) is mounted axially movable in at least one guide bush (40) along a central center slider axis (X).

5. The slider tool (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gliding plates (50, 51) are formed in an L-shape and that their legs (50a, 51a) forming the L-shape protrude in a respective recess (21) on the slider bed (2).

6. The slider tool (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide groove (22) for a holding means (33) protruding from the holding section (32) formed as a dovetail and engaging the guide groove (22) is provided on the slider bed (2).

7. The slider tool (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6, characterized in that the center and in particular the central slider axis (X) runs within the first symmetry plane (S1).

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

9. The slider tool (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized in that on a tool-side end of the guide groove (22), a detachable blocking means (24) is provided which prevents the complete disassembly of the slider (3) along the dovetail guide as long as the blocking means (24) is in its blocking position.

10. The slider tool (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the slider (3) has a round, rectangular or polygonal cross section.

11. The slider tool (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the at least one guide bush (40) has a round, rectangular or polygonal cross section.

12. The slider tool (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an assembly of the slider (3) twisted by 180° with regard to an assembly as intended is prevented due to the unsymmetrical design.

13. The slider tool (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gliding plates (50, 51) on the slider (3) are arranged under a respectively different angle with regard to the slider axis X.

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