Press forming machine

Abstract

To provide a press-forming device capable of achieving at least one of miniaturization, simplification and cost reduction of a structure of a discharging mechanism for a press-formed product.SOLUTION: A press-forming device includes: a pair of press-forming dies that move between an approach position for forming a press-formed product and a separation position for exposing the press-formed product; and a press-formed product discharge mechanism that discharges the press-formed product by using energy of the pair of press-forming dies moving from the approach position to the separation position. The press-formed product discharge mechanism converts first energy (for example, energy in a vertical direction) of the pair of press-forming dies moving from the approach position to the separation position into second energy (for example, energy in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction) for entering between the pair of press-forming dies from a direction different from the first energy and discharging the press-formed product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a press molding apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for press molding a disk-shaped member that is at least one of a base plate and a ratchet plate of a reclining mechanism including a base plate fixed to one of a seat cushion and a seat back, and a ratchet plate fixed to the other and rotatable relative to the base plate while facing the base plate. In this method, all through holes and all concavo-convex portions provided in the disk-shaped member are arranged inside a forming die for outer shape cutting having a circular cross section for press molding a disk having the same outer shape as the disk-shaped member from a base material made of a metal plate, and a plurality of forming dies for inner circumference for press molding the base material or the disk with respect to all through holes and all concavo-convex portions provided in the disk-shaped member are arranged, and the timings of press molding the base material and the disk by the forming die for outer shape cutting and the plurality of forming dies for inner circumference are all shifted from each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a press molding apparatus that realizes a conventional press molding method including Patent Document 1, there is a problem that enlargement, complication, and high cost of the structure of the discharge mechanism of the press molded product are inevitable. For example, in a conventional press molding apparatus, a discharge mechanism for a press molded product using electricity or air as energy is essential separately from the press molding apparatus.

[0005] This invention was made based on the above concerns, and aims to provide a press molding apparatus that can achieve at least one of the following: miniaturization, simplification, and cost reduction of the structure of the discharge mechanism for press-formed products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The press forming apparatus of this embodiment comprises a pair of press forming dies that move between an approach position for forming a press-formed product and a distanced position for exposing the press-formed product, and a press-formed product discharge mechanism that discharges the press-formed product using the energy of the pair of press forming dies moving from the approach position to the distanced position. Furthermore, the press-formed product ejection mechanism converts the first energy generated by the pair of press molds moving from the approaching position to the separating position into a second energy generated by entering between the pair of press molds from a direction different from the first energy and ejecting the press-formed product. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] The first energy may be energy in the vertical direction, and the second energy may be energy in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0009] The pair of press molds may consist of an upper mold and a lower mold, and the press molded product discharge mechanism may include an upper arm connected to the upper mold, whose position in the front-rear direction changes depending on whether the upper mold and the lower mold are in an approaching or separated position in the vertical direction, and a lower arm connected to the lower mold, which is positioned laterally when the upper mold and the lower mold are in an approaching position in the vertical direction, and moves to a protruding position that protrudes in the left-right direction in conjunction with the upper arm when the upper mold and the lower mold are separated in the vertical direction, thereby entering between the pair of press molds from the side of the pair of press molds to discharge the press molded product.

[0010] The pair of press molds comprises an upper mold and a lower mold, and the press molded product ejection mechanism may include a pair of swinging upper arms connected to the upper mold, the distance between them in the front-rear direction becoming relatively wider when the upper mold and the lower mold are close together in the vertical direction, and the distance between them in the front-rear direction becoming relatively narrow when the upper mold and the lower mold are separated in the vertical direction, and a retractable lower arm connected to the lower mold, the lower arm being positioned laterally when the distance between the pair of upper arms in the front-rear direction is relatively wide when the upper mold and the lower mold are close together in the vertical direction, and moving to a protruding position that protrudes in the left-right direction when the distance between the pair of upper arms in the front-rear direction is relatively narrow when the upper mold and the lower mold are separated in the vertical direction.

[0011] The aforementioned retractable lower arm may be a pantograph-type retractable arm.

[0012] The upper arm does not enter between the pair of press molds regardless of whether the upper and lower molds are in an approaching or separated position in the vertical direction, and the lower arm does not enter between the pair of press molds when the upper and lower molds are in an approaching position in the vertical direction, but may enter between the pair of press molds and discharge the press-formed product only when the upper and lower molds are separated in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a press molding apparatus that can achieve at least one of the following: miniaturization, simplification, and cost reduction of the structure of the discharge mechanism for press-formed products. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram of the press forming apparatus according to this embodiment, viewed from the front and rear directions. Figure 1A shows the spaced position of the upper and lower dies, and Figure 1B shows the close position of the upper and lower dies. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a conceptual diagram of the press forming apparatus according to this embodiment, viewed from the left and right directions. Figure 2A shows the spaced position of the upper and lower dies, and Figure 2B shows the close position of the upper and lower dies. [Figure 3] This is a conceptual diagram, viewed from above, showing an example of the coordinated state of the upper and lower arms of the press-formed product ejection mechanism, corresponding to the separated positions of the upper and lower molds. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual diagram, viewed from above, showing an example of the coordinated state of the upper and lower arms of the press-formed product ejection mechanism, corresponding to the proximity position of the upper and lower dies. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the extension mechanism of the lower arm, which consists of a pantograph-type retractable arm. [Figure 6] This perspective view shows an example of the coordinated state of the upper and lower arms of the press-formed product ejection mechanism, corresponding to the separated positions of the upper and lower dies. [Figure 7] This perspective view shows an example of the coordinated state of the upper and lower arms of the press-formed product ejection mechanism, corresponding to the proximity position of the upper and lower dies. [Figure 8] This figure shows a modified example of the lower arm. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The press forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the press forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the case in which the press-formed product P is a ratchet plate, which is a part of a seat reclining device having a base plate and a ratchet plate fixed to one of the seat cushion and the seat back and the other. However, there is a degree of freedom in what kind of component the press-formed product P is, and various design changes are possible. For example, the press-formed product P may be the base plate of the seat reclining device, another part of the seat reclining device, a part of another vehicle-mounted device, or a part of any device other than those mounted on a vehicle.

[0016] In this specification, the up-down, front-back, left-right directions are based on the directions of the arrow lines shown in the figures. However, the front-back direction and the left-right direction in this specification may be read interchangeably. For example, the front-back direction and the left-right direction in this specification may be read as the first and second directions orthogonal to each other in a plane (horizontal plane) orthogonal to the up-down direction (vertical direction).

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the press molding apparatus 1 has an upper mold 10 and a lower mold 20. An upper molding surface 11 is formed on the lower surface of the upper mold 10, and a lower molding surface 21 is formed on the upper surface of the lower mold 20. A molding surface facing region S is defined between the upper molding surface 11 and the lower molding surface 21. That is, at the position where the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 are closest (for example, FIG. 1B), the vertical clearance of the molding surface facing region S becomes the minimum, and the press material is pressed between the upper molding surface 11 and the lower molding surface 21 to manufacture the press molded product P. In FIG. 1B, the vertical clearance of the molding surface facing region S is drawn as if it were zero (as if the upper molding surface 11 and the lower molding surface 21 were in contact), but this is for the convenience of drawing, and actually, a vertical clearance for enabling press molding is provided in the molding surface facing region S. On the other hand, at the position where the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 are most separated (for example, FIG. 1A), the vertical clearance of the molding surface facing region S becomes the maximum, and the press molded product P is exposed between the upper molding surface 11 and the lower molding surface 21. Specifically, the press molded product P is placed (left remaining) on the lower molding surface 21 of the lower mold 20. Thus, the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 constitute "a pair of press molding dies" that move between an approaching position for molding the press molded product P and a separated position for exposing the press molded product P.

[0018] In this embodiment, the vertical position of the lower die 20, on which the press material is placed on the lower forming surface 21, is fixed (in the example of Figures 1A and 1B, it is placed on the mounting surface), and the upper die 10 is made movable (up and down) in the vertical direction relative to the lower die 20, thereby allowing the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press molds) to move between a close position and a far position. However, this is only one example, and the vertical position of the upper die 10 may be fixed, and the lower die 20, on which the press material is placed on the lower forming surface 21, may be made movable (up and down) in the vertical direction relative to the upper die 10, thereby allowing the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press molds) to move between a close position and a far position. Alternatively, both the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 may be made movable (up and down) in the vertical direction, thereby allowing the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press molds) to move between a close position and a far position. In other words, by moving (relatively moving) at least one of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molding dies), the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molding dies) may be moved between a close position for forming the press-molded product P and a separated position for exposing the press-molded product P.

[0019] The press forming apparatus 1 has a press-formed product discharge mechanism 30 that discharges the press-formed product P by utilizing the energy of the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press forming dies) moving from an approaching position (e.g., Figure 1B) to a separated position (e.g., Figure 1A). More specifically, as shown in Figure 1A, the press-formed product discharge mechanism 30 converts the first energy (vertical energy) F1 of the movement of the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press forming dies) from an approaching position to a separated position into a second energy (horizontal energy perpendicular to the vertical direction) F2 that enters between the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press forming dies) from a direction different from the first energy F1 and discharges the press-formed product P. Here, the case where the direction of the second energy F2 is the left-right direction is illustrated as an example, but if the left-right direction and the front-back direction are reinterpreted, the direction of the second energy F2 may also be the front-back direction. As schematically shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the press-formed product ejection mechanism 30 has an upper arm 40 connected to the upper die 10 and a lower arm 50 connected to the lower die 20.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the upper arm 40 has a pair of upper arms 43A and 43B that span between an upper mold side base 41 on the upper mold 10 side and a lower mold side base 42 on the lower mold 20 side. The ends of the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B on the upper mold 10 side are supported so as to be swingable (rotatable) about swing axes (rotation axes) 44A and 44B extending in the left-right direction with respect to a common (single) upper mold side base 41. The lower mold side base 42 is provided with a pair of lower mold side bases 42A and 42B corresponding to the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B, and the ends of the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B on the lower mold 20 side are supported so as to be swingable (rotatable) about swing axes (rotation axes) 45A and 45B extending in the left-right direction with respect to each of the pair of lower mold side bases 42A and 42B.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to the vertical relative position of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press forming molds), the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B swing (rotate) about the swing axes (rotation axes) 44A, 44B, 45A, and 45B, whereby the front-rear direction interval D between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B (the pair of lower mold side bases 42A and 42B) changes. The pair of upper arms 43A and 43B are a pair of swing-type upper arms in which the front-rear direction interval D becomes relatively wider at the vertical approaching position of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press forming molds) and becomes relatively narrower at the vertical separating position of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press forming molds). As shown in FIG. 2B, in the state where the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press forming molds) are closest in the vertical direction, the front-rear direction interval D between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B is at the maximum value Dmax. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the state where the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press forming molds) are most separated in the vertical direction, the front-rear direction interval D between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B is at the minimum value Dmin.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the lower arm 50 is a pantograph-type telescopic arm that can move between a lateral position of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) (lateral position of the molding surface facing region S) and a protruding position that is inserted between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) (protruding position that is inserted into the molding surface facing region S), depending on the vertical relative position of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds).

[0023] The lower arm 50 has a pantograph-type telescopic section 52 and a press-formed product extrusion and discharge section 53 provided at the tip of the pantograph-type telescopic section 52. The base end of the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 is rotatably supported by a pair of lower mold-side bases 42A and 42B connected to a pair of upper arms 43A and 43B, around a pivot shaft 51 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, when the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 (a pair of press molds) are close together in the vertical direction, the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 does not change its position in the horizontal direction when the distance between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B in the front-rear direction is relatively wide (for example, at the maximum value Dmax). In other words, the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 is in a free state and does not extend, and the lower arm 50 (pantograph-type telescopic section 52) remains in a lateral position (lateral position in the molding surface facing region S) relative to the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 (a pair of press molds).

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 protrudes in the left-right direction when the distance between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B in the front-rear direction is relatively narrow (for example, at the minimum value Dmin) at a vertical separation position between the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 (a pair of press molding dies). That is, the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 extends and moves to a protruding position that fits between the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 (a pair of press molding dies) (a protruding position that fits into the molding surface facing region S). As a result, the press-molded product extrusion discharge section 53 provided at the tip of the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 pushes the press-molded product P located between the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 (a pair of press molding dies) in the left-right direction (in this case, to the right), thereby discharging the press-molded product P (see Figures 1A and 3).

[0026] Thus, the lower arm 50 is connected to the lower die 20 and is positioned laterally when the upper die 10 and lower die 20 are close together in the vertical direction. When the upper die 10 and lower die 20 are separated in the vertical direction, it moves to a protruding position that extends left and right in conjunction with the upper arms 43A and 43B, thereby entering between the upper die 10 and lower die 20 (a pair of press molding dies) from the side and ejecting the press-molded product P. Furthermore, the lower arm 50 is connected to the lower die 20 and is composed of a retractable lower arm that is positioned laterally when the upper die 10 and lower die 20 are close together in the vertical direction and the distance between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B in the front-to-back direction is relatively wide, and moves to a protruding position that extends left and right when the upper die 10 and lower die 20 are separated in the vertical direction and the distance between the pair of upper arms 43A and 43B in the front-to-back direction is relatively narrow.

[0027] In Figure 5, the length in the front-to-back direction when the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 is in its free state without extension is drawn as W1max, and the length in the front-to-back direction when the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 is in its maximum extension state is drawn as W1min. Also in Figure 5, the length in the left-to-right direction when the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 is in its free state without extension is drawn as W2min, and the length in the left-to-right direction when the pantograph-type telescopic section 52 is in its maximum extension state is drawn as W2max. As is clear from Figure 5, by providing the bellows-type pantograph-type telescopic section 52 on the lower arm 50, the short stroke of the upper arm 40 can be converted into the long stroke of the lower arm 50, making it possible to reliably discharge the press-formed product P with high energy efficiency.

[0028] The upper arm 40 does not enter the space between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) (the molding surface facing region S), regardless of whether the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) are in an approaching or separated position in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the lower arm 50 does not enter the space between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) (the molding surface facing region S) when the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) are in an approaching position in the vertical direction, and only when the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) are separated in the vertical direction does it enter the space between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 20 (a pair of press molds) (the molding surface facing region S) to discharge the press-formed product P. As a result, the press-formed product P can be discharged without any interference with the press-forming operation of the press-forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the structure of the discharge mechanism 30 for the press-formed product P can be made smaller, simpler, and less expensive (at least one or all of these).

[0029] Thus, the press forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes an upper die 10 and a lower die 20 (a pair of press forming dies) that move between an approach position for forming the press-formed product P and a distanced position for exposing the press-formed product P, and a press-formed product discharge mechanism 30 that discharges the press-formed product P using the energy of the upper die 10 and the lower die 20 (a pair of press forming dies) moving from the approach position to the distanced position. Therefore, compared to conventional technology in which a separate press-formed product discharge mechanism using electricity or air as energy is essential, it is possible to achieve miniaturization, simplification, and cost reduction (at least one or all of these) of the structure of the press-formed product discharge mechanism 30. Furthermore, for example, by making the lower arm 50 of the press-formed product discharge mechanism 30 a bellows structure, the short stroke of the upper arm 40 can be converted into a long stroke of the lower arm 50, making it possible to reliably discharge the press-formed product P with high energy efficiency.

[0030] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above or their modifications, and may be modified, substituted, or transformed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Moreover, if the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be realized in a different way by advances in the art or by other derived arts, it may be implemented by that method. Accordingly, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0031] For example, in the above embodiment, a pair of swing-type upper arms 43A and 43B were provided as the upper arm, and a telescopic lower arm 50 was provided as the lower arm. However, it is not essential that the upper arms are swing-type or that there is a pair, nor is it essential that the lower arm is telescopic. For example, the upper arm connected to the upper mold may change its position in the front-rear direction depending on whether the upper or lower mold is close or far apart in the vertical direction, and the lower arm connected to the lower mold may not change its position in the left-right direction without coordinating with the upper arm when the upper and lower molds are close together in the vertical direction, but may protrude in the left-right direction in coordination with the upper arm when the upper and lower molds are far apart in the vertical direction, thereby entering between the pair of press molds from the side and ejecting the press-formed product.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, the lower arm may be a retractable lower arm that does not contact the pair of upper arms and does not change its position in the left-right direction when the upper and lower molds are close together in the vertical direction, and protrudes in the left-right direction when the upper and lower molds are separated in the vertical direction by being sandwiched from the front-rear direction by the pair of upper arms. In this case, as shown in the modified example in Figure 8, the lower arm 50 may have a double-supported force-applying part (a pair of clamped parts) 54 that triggers the extension and retraction movement of the pantograph-type retractable part 52 when sandwiched from the front-rear direction by the pair of upper arms. Alternatively, a cantilevered force-applying part (a single clamped part) may be provided instead of the double-supported force-applying part (a pair of clamped parts) 54 (it is not a mandatory configuration requirement that the clamped parts be double-supported and a pair).

[0033] Furthermore, for example, the upper and lower arms can be configured as pantograph-type telescopic sections, as well as as cylinder-type telescopic sections, or as one of the upper or lower arms being a pantograph-type telescopic section and the other a cylinder-type telescopic section. In any of these configurations, it is possible to achieve miniaturization, simplification, and cost reduction (at least one or all of these) of the structure of the discharge mechanism 30 for the press-formed product P. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1. Press forming machine 10 Upper mold (a pair of press molding dies) 11 Upper molding surface 20 Lower mold (a pair of press molding dies) 21 Lower molding surface 30 Press-formed product ejection mechanism 40 Upper arm 41 Upper mold base 42 Lower mold base 42A 42B A pair of lower mold bases 43A 43B Pair of upper arms 44A 44B Pivot axis (rotating axis) 45A 45B Oscillating shaft (rotating shaft) 50 Lower arm 51. Rotary shaft 52 Pantograph-type telescopic section 53 Press-molded product extrusion discharge section F1 First energy (energy in the vertical direction) F2 Second energy (horizontal energy perpendicular to the vertical direction) P Press-formed product (ratchet plate) S Molding surface opposing area

Claims

1. A pair of press molds that move between an approach position for forming a press-formed product and a distanced position for exposing the press-formed product, A press-formed product discharge mechanism that discharges the press-formed product by utilizing the energy of the pair of press molds moving from the approach position to the separation position, It has, The press-formed product ejection mechanism converts the first energy generated by the pair of press molds moving from the approaching position to the separating position into a second energy generated by entering between the pair of press molds from a direction different from the first energy and ejecting the press-formed product. A press molding apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The first energy is energy in the vertical direction, The second energy is the energy in the horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The press molding apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned pair of press molds consists of an upper mold and a lower mold, The aforementioned press-formed product ejection mechanism is An upper arm connected to the upper mold, whose position in the front-rear direction changes depending on the vertical proximity and separation positions of the upper and lower molds, A lower arm is connected to the lower die and, when the upper die and the lower die are close together in the vertical direction, is positioned laterally, and when the upper die and the lower die are separated in the vertical direction, it moves to a protruding position that protrudes left and right in conjunction with the upper arm, thereby entering between the pair of press molds from the side and discharging the press-formed product. Having, The press molding apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The aforementioned pair of press molds consists of an upper mold and a lower mold, The aforementioned press-formed product ejection mechanism is A pair of swing-type upper arms are connected to the upper mold, and the distance between the upper and lower molds becomes relatively wider when they are close together in the vertical direction, and relatively narrower when they are separated in the vertical direction. A retractable lower arm is connected to the lower mold and is positioned laterally when the pair of upper arms are relatively far apart in the front-rear direction at a vertically close position between the upper and lower molds, and moves to a protruding position that protrudes in the left-right direction when the pair of upper arms are relatively far apart in the front-rear direction at a vertically separated position between the upper and lower molds, Having, The press molding apparatus according to feature 2.

5. The aforementioned retractable lower arm consists of a pantograph-type retractable arm. The press molding apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The upper arm does not intersect the pair of press molds, regardless of whether the upper and lower molds are in an approaching or separated position in the vertical direction. The lower arm does not enter between the pair of press molds when the upper and lower molds are close together in the vertical direction, and only enters between the pair of press molds when the upper and lower molds are separated in the vertical direction to eject the press-formed product. The press molding apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

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