Moving bolster having multi-directional mobility for press machines

Abstract

The invention relates to a moving bolster (10) developed to accelerate die changing and preparation processes in press machines (1); having movement capability in three axes, being a lateral axis (X), a longitudinal axis (Y), and a vertical axis (Z). The invention possesses a rigid mechanical transmission system transmitting the drive received from the motors (20) on the body to the relevant wheels (31, 41) by means of the main shaft (21) and gear sets (32, 44) without using chains. In the invention, bevel gear sets (42) directing the movement by 90 degrees, motion transmission shafts (43), and carrier arms (51) carrying the second wheels (41) are used to provide the transition from longitudinal (Y) movement to lateral (X) movement. The system ensures the second wheels (41) sit on the second rail (40) with the pushing movement of the pistons (50) connected to the carrier arms (51) and the moving bolster (10) changes mode by rising in the vertical axis (Z).

Description

[0001] MOVING BOLSTER HAVING MULTI-DIRECTIONAL MOBILITY FOR PRESS MACHINES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a moving bolster used in press machines, particularly in die changing or workpiece positioning operations; upon which heavy loads are placed, and which has movement capability in three axes, being a lateral axis, a longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a moving bolster having multi-directional mobility developed for press machines, wherein both longitudinal and lateral movement is provided by using a single power source (motor) and shaft / gear transmission members connected thereto; and wherein the transition between movement axes (selection of wheels to change rails) is realized by the principle of raising and lowering the table in the vertical axis by means of carrier arms and pistons.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Today, press machines are widely used, particularly in sectors requiring mass production such as automotive and white goods. In these sectors, production speed, product quality, and minimizing lost times (downtime) are of great importance in terms of competition. One of the most critical stages in the production process is the die-changing and set-up operations performed when one batch of production ends and the transition to another batch of production is made.

[0007] In common applications in the prior art, press machines generally possess a fixed lower table. When a die changing operation is required, the machine is completely stopped, the existing die is dismantled by manual methods, and the new die is clamped. Forklifts or overhead cranes are generally used for transporting and placing the dies during this process. However, this traditional method brings about various technical problems that negatively affect production costs and lead times.

[0008] Firstly, since die dismantling and mounting operations are performed only when the machine is stopped, "machine downtimes" are quite long. The operators' clamping, centering, and adjusting the die causes a serious loss of time, which reduces the number of products produced per unit of time.

[0009] Secondly, during the transport and positioning of large and heavy tonnage dies in fixed-table presses with the aid of forklifts or cranes; both damage caused by impact occurs on the dies, and occupationalsafety risks (accidents, injuries, etc.) arise for the operators. Furthermore, this working method creates a non-ergonomic environment.

[0010] In the prior art, moving bolster applications have been developed in order to shorten these times. However, in the vast majority of existing moving bolster systems, chain-sprocket mechanisms are used for power transmission. These known chain systems remain insufficient in terms of precise positioning and transmission. Due to its structure, the chain stretches over time or experiences breakage problems under heavy load. Frequently occurring chain breakages cause unplanned production stoppages, increased maintenance costs, and the need to constantly stock spare parts (chains, locks, etc.). Furthermore, chain-driven systems require larger and more powerful motors due to friction and mechanical losses, which increases energy consumption and initial investment costs.

[0011] Consequently; the need for a moving bolster system that minimizes die changing times, eliminates damage and safety risks associated with forklift or crane usage, possesses a bevel gear transmission that is more durable and precise instead of chains, ensures high torque and precision with smaller motors, and allows for die preparation outside while the machine is running (hiding the preparation time), has necessitated the development of the present invention.

[0012] Object and Brief Description of the Invention

[0013] An object of the invention is to present a moving bolster having multi-directional mobility developed for press machines, which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages caused by applications in the prior art (fixed tables or chain-driven systems).

[0014] Another object of the invention is to minimize die changing (set-up) times in press machines, thereby minimizing machine downtimes (lost times) during the transition from one batch of production to another, and thus increasing production efficiency.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide an integrated system having movement capability in both the longitudinal and lateral axes, which allows the die to be automatically removed from the working area at the end of production and the new die prepared in advance on the other line to be rapidly taken into the press.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to eliminate problems such as breaking, stretching, requiring frequent maintenance, and inability to perform precise positioning created by chain-sprocket drive systems used in the prior art. For this purpose, the invention aims to use a rigid and durable mechanical transmission system consisting of shaft, bevel gear, and spur gear groups instead of chains.Another object of the invention is to ensure that heavy tonnage dies are transported using smaller and compact motors and to reduce energy costs, thanks to the high torque and low friction advantage provided by the gear transmission system.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to present a simplified "lift-and-drive" mechanism that provides the transition between movement axes (transition from longitudinal movement to lateral movement) by the principle of the table rising and lowering in the vertical axis and thus does not require complex rotation systems.

[0018] A moving bolster configured to be used in press machines; having movement capability in three axes, being a lateral axis, a longitudinal axis, and a vertical axis, and comprising:

[0019] ■ at least one main shaft connected to at least one motor serving as a power source and performing a rotational movement,

[0020] ■ at least one first wheel positioned to provide the movement of the moving bolster in the longitudinal axis on at least one first rail,

[0021] ■ at least one first gear set transmitting the rotational movement of the main shaft to the first wheel, thereby ensuring the driving of the first wheel,

[0022] ■ at least one second wheel positioned to provide the movement of the moving bolster in the lateral axis,

[0023] ■ at least one bevel gear set connected to the main shaft to direct the movement in the main shaft to the lateral axis and at least one motion transmission shaft connected thereto,

[0024] ■ at least one second gear set transmitting the rotational movement of the motion transmission shaft to the second wheel,

[0025] ■ at least one carrier arm upon which the second wheel is mounted and which is capable of moving around a rotation axis, and

[0026] ■ at least one piston rotating the carrier arm around the rotation axis; thereby ensuring the second wheel sits on at least one second rail and thus lifting the moving bolster a certain distance in the vertical axis, ensuring the first wheel becomes disengaged.Brief Description of the Figures

[0027] Figure 1 General perspective view of the press machine is provided.

[0028] Figure 2 Bottom perspective view of the moving bolster is provided.

[0029] Figures 3a and 3b Top and bottom views of the moving bolster are provided.

[0030] Figure 4a Side view of the moving bolster where the first wheels are engaged is provided.

[0031] Figure 4b Side view of the moving bolster where the second wheels are engaged upon the opening of the piston is provided.

[0032] Figures 5a and 5b Bottom perspective and detailed view of the moving bolster are provided.

[0033] Figure 6 Detailed view of the bevel gear set, first and second gear sets of the moving bolster is provided.

[0034] Figures 7a and 7b General view of the press machine and detailed view regarding the sensing device of the moving bolster are provided.

[0035] Reference Numerals

[0036] 1 Press machine

[0037] 10 Moving bolster

[0038] 20 Motor

[0039] 21 Main shaft

[0040] 30 First rail

[0041] 31 First wheel

[0042] 32 First gear set

[0043] 40 Second rail

[0044] 41 Second wheel

[0045] 42 Bevel gear set

[0046] 43 Motion transmission shaft

[0047] 44 Second gear set

[0048] 50 Piston

[0049] 51 Carrier arm

[0050] 52 Rotation axis

[0051] 60 Sensing shaft

[0052] 61 Compression spring

[0053] 62 Switch

[0054] 63 Wedge

[0055] d Distance

[0056] X Lateral axis

[0057] Y Longitudinal axis

[0058] Z Vertical axisDetailed Description of the Invention

[0059] The invention relates to a moving bolster (10) configured to be used in press machines (1); having movement capability in three axes, being a lateral axis (X), a longitudinal axis (Y), and a vertical axis (Z).

[0060] The moving bolster (10) subject to the invention essentially comprises an integrated movement device configured to be used in pressing or transport operations; capable of performing precise positioning under heavy loads, performing its movement in both the longitudinal axis (Y) and the lateral axis (X) using a single drive source, and providing the transition between these movements via a rising-lowering mechanism in the vertical axis (Z).

[0061] The moving bolster (10) subject to the invention possesses at least one motor (20) serving as a power source on the chassis structure forming the main body, and at least one main shaft (21) performing rotational movement with the drive it receives from this motor (20). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main shaft (21) is positioned on the moving bolster (10) so as to extend along the lateral axis (X).

[0062] In order to provide movement in the longitudinal axis (Y) (e.g., forward- backward), which is the default movement axis of the system; there is at least one first wheel (31) running on at least one first rail (30) located on the ground or the machine body. Transmission of the torque produced by the motor (20) to this first wheel (31) is realized by means of at least one first gear set (32) which transmits the rotational movement of the main shaft (21) directly or indirectly to the first wheel (31). In this mode, the entire weight of the moving bolster (10) is on the first wheels (31).

[0063] One of the most important features of the invention is the capability to turn the direction of movement to the lateral axis (X) (e.g., left-right) using the same power source. For this function, there is at least one second wheel (41) in the system configured to move on at least one second rail (40) extending in the lateral axis (X).

[0064] Power must be transmitted from the main shaft (21) extending in the lateral axis (X) to a line extending in the longitudinal axis (Y). For this purpose, at least one bevel gear set (42) directing the rotational movement by 90 degrees is positioned on or at the end of the main shaft (21), and at least one motion transmission shaft (43) extending along the longitudinal axis (Y) is positioned in connection with this bevel gear set (42). The rotational movement transmitted by means of the motion transmission shaft (43) is transmitted to the second wheel (41) via at least one second gear set (44) found at one end or at a suitable point of the motion transmission shaft (43).The transition of the moving bolster (10) from the movement in the longitudinal axis (Y) to the movement in the lateral axis (X) is provided by a “mode changing” mechanism occurring in the vertical axis (Z). This mechanism is based on the principle that the second wheel (41) is mounted not directly to the body, but to a movable carrier arm (51) capable of moving around a rotation axis (52) (pivot point). There is at least one piston (50) (e.g., hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder) integrated into the system to drive the carrier arm (51).

[0065] The operation and axis changing scenario of the system is as follows: in the normal movement mode (movement in the longitudinal axis (Y)), the piston (50) is in the closed position and the second wheel (41) stays suspended in the air, while the first wheel (31) presses on the first rail (30) (Figure 4a). When it is desired to change direction, the piston (50) becomes active and rotates the carrier arm (51) downwards around the rotation axis (52). With this movement, the second wheel (41) descends and contacts the second rail (40). When the pushing force of the piston (50) continues, the second wheel (41) lifts the entire moving bolster (10) upwards by a certain distance (d) in the vertical axis (Z) with the support it receives from the ground. As a result of this rising movement, the first wheel (31), which was previously pressing on the ground, breaks its contact with the ground and becomes disengaged. The load is now only on the second wheels (41) and the system moves in the lateral axis (X) with the rotation of the motor (20) (Figure 4b).

[0066] The holistic architecture of the invention possesses a four-cornered symmetry to carry heavy loads in a balanced manner. In this context, the moving bolster (10) possesses a total of two motors (20) placed at diagonally opposite corners with respect to the lateral axis (X) to balance the center of gravity and provide movement symmetry.

[0067] In this configuration, the motion transmission shaft (43) extends along one edge of the table (in the longitudinal axis (Y)) and connects two corner groups to each other. At the other end portion exactly opposite the (motorized) end where the bevel gear set (42) is located; there is an additional second gear set (44) driven by the movement received from the motion transmission shaft (43), an additional second wheel (41), an additional carrier arm (51) carrying this second wheel (41), and an additional piston (50) performing the lifting process synchronously. In this way, two corners on one edge of the moving bolster (10) are driven in the lateral axis (X) and lifted upwards in the vertical axis (Z) simultaneously with a single motor (20) and shaft line.

[0068] Furthermore, at this opposite corner where the motor (20) is not present but where the motion transmission shaft (43) extends, an idler first wheel (31) which rotates freely and does not receive any drive is positioned in order to support the longitudinal (Y) movement of the table. Thanks to this structure, while moving in the longitudinal axis (Y), the motorized (20) first wheels (31) at the diagonalcorners provide traction, while the idler first wheels (31) at the other corners accompany the movement by carrying the load.

[0069] A position sensing mechanism has been developed to verify that the moving bolster (10) subject to the invention has settled exactly into target positions inside or outside the press machine (1) (e.g., working or parking position) and to give safe operation approval. This mechanism comprises a sensing shaft (60) (switch shaft) having movement capability in the vertical axis, mounted on the moving bolster (10). The sensing shaft (60) is pushed in the downward direction by means of a compression spring (61) in the normal position. On the ground or machine body where the moving bolster (10) moves, there is at least one wedge (63) positioned to correspond to the alignment of the sensing shaft (60) and structured at a certain height from the ground level (in ramp or mound form). When the moving bolster (10) reaches the target position; the sensing shaft (60) climbs onto the wedge (63) and is pushed upwards due to the elevation difference. This physical contact and upward movement compresses the compression spring (61) and triggers a switch (62) (limit switch / micro switch) located at the rear part of the shaft, sending a signal to the control unit that the table is in the correct position (Figure 7b).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A moving bolster (10) configured to be used in press machines (1); having movement capability in three axes, being a lateral axis (X), a longitudinal axis (Y), and a vertical axis (Z), characterized in that it comprises:■ at least one main shaft (21) connected to at least one motor (20) as a power source and performing rotational movement,■ at least one first wheel (31) positioned to provide the movement of the moving bolster (10) in the longitudinal axis (Y) on at least one first rail (30),■ at least one first gear set (32) transmitting the rotational movement of the main shaft (21) to the first wheel (31), thereby ensuring the driving of the first wheel (31), ■ at least one second wheel (41 ) positioned to provide the movement of the moving bolster (10) in the lateral axis (X),■ at least one bevel gear set (42) connected to the main shaft (21) to direct the movement in the main shaft (21) to the lateral axis (X), and at least one motion transmission shaft (43) connected thereto,■ at least one second gear set (44) transmitting the rotational movement of the motion transmission shaft (43) to the second wheel (41),■ at least one carrier arm (51) upon which the second wheel (41) is mounted and which is capable of moving around a rotation axis (52), and■ at least one piston (50) rotating the carrier arm (51) around the rotation axis (52);ensuring the second wheel (41) sits on at least one second rail (40) and thereby lifting the moving bolster (10) a certain distance (d) in the vertical axis (Z), ensuring the first wheel (31) becomes disengaged.

2. The moving bolster (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the main shaft (21) extends along the lateral axis (X) on the moving bolster (10) and transmits the rotational movement thereon to the first wheel (31) providing movement in the longitudinal axis (Y).

3. The moving bolster (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the motion transmission shaft (43) extends along the longitudinal axis (Y) on the moving bolster (10) and transmits themovement it receives from the main shaft (21) by means of the bevel gear set (42) to the second wheel (41) providing movement in the lateral axis (X).

4. The moving bolster (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, to be positioned at the other end portion opposite to the end portion where the bevel gear set (42) is located of the motion transmission shaft (43), it comprises:• an additional second gear set (44) driven by the rotational movement received from the motion transmission shaft (43),• an additional second wheel (41) moved by the additional second gear set (44), and• an additional piston (50) ensuring the additional second wheel (41) sits on the second rail (40) by moving an additional carrier arm (51) to which this additional second wheel (41) is connected.

5. The moving bolster (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that it comprises an idler first wheel (31) which is not driven and accompanies the movement of the moving bolster (10) in the longitudinal axis (Y), positioned at the other end portion of the motion transmission shaft (43).

6. The moving bolster (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the moving bolster (10) has a four-cornered structure and comprises a total of two motors (20); and these motors (20) are positioned at diagonally opposite corners of the moving bolster (10) with respect to the lateral axis (X) to balance the center of gravity of the moving bolster (10) and provide movement symmetry.

7. The moving bolster (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, configured to verify the placement of the moving bolster (10) at the target position, it comprises:• at least one sensing shaft (60) journaled on the moving bolster (10) to be movable in the vertical axis (Z),• at least one compression spring (61) pressing the sensing shaft (60) in the downward direction, and at least one switch (62) triggered by the movement of the sensing shaft (60),• wherein, when the sensing shaft (60) contacts a wedge (63) having a height difference located on the ground or machine body, it compresses the compression spring (61) and moves in the upward direction, thereby activating the switch (62).

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