Device for bending metal profiles with horizontal tool mounting and a corresponding method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/DE2026/100373
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-27
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images
Figure DE2026100373_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Device for bending metal profiles with horizontal tool mounting and a corresponding method
[0002] The invention relates to a device for bending metal profiles, in particular flat rails, wherein the device comprises an adjustable bending plunger, which is adjustable relative to a counter-holder, as well as a bending prism and a bending mandrel or bending punch opposite the bending prism. The bending prism and the bending mandrel or bending punch are adjustable relative to each other with the bending plunger in order to bend a metal profile. The bending prism is detachably mounted to the counter-holder or to the bending plunger by means of a tool holder, wherein the tool holder and the bending prism have complementary positive locking elements for creating a positive locking connection between the tool holder and the bending prism. Such a device is known from DE 8234901 U1. Further prior art is known from CN 204074 848 U and CN 212551 165 U.
[0003] For the manufacture of electrical switchgear, it is often necessary to bend busbars, which are designed as copper busbars and typically have a rectangular cross-section, especially flat busbars, to accommodate a change in the direction of a power supply line within the electrical switchgear. For this purpose, bending devices for bending metal profiles are used, which incorporate bending prisms, as described in DE 8234901 U1. On a horizontal worktable, a bending prism and a bending mandrel or die are positioned opposite each other and can be brought close together by means of, for example, a hydraulically driven bending plunger, in order to bend a metal profile between them.
[0004] Depending on whether the bending prism is fixed to the counter-holder and thus static, or whether it is arranged on the bending ram and therefore opposite the counter-holder, adjustable and approachable (e.g., hydraulically), the other tool is designed as a bending mandrel or bending punch. The bending mandrel and the bending punch have a bending radius which, in conjunction with the bending prism, causes the forming of the metal profile. The bending radius extends with its axial direction perpendicular to the worktable and thus with its radial direction parallel to the worktable, forming a vertical edge around which a metal profile can be bent.
[0005] Often, depending on the installation side of the bending prism, the corresponding bending radius is implemented as either a bending punch or a bending mandrel. If the bending tool is used on the operator side, a bending punch is used. If the tool is mounted on the opposite side of the movable bending ram, a bending mandrel is used on the operator side.
[0006] In known devices, the bending prism is lifted over a T-slot nut and carefully lowered into place without tilting. The operator's distance from the bending prism, as well as its weight, places a significant strain on the operator's back. Therefore, insertion is often assisted by a crane. There is a risk of crushing injuries when inserting the tool.
[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to make the mounting of the bending prism on the bending plunger or the counter-holder safe and ergonomic for the operator.
[0008] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Dependent claim 12 relates to a corresponding method. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0009] Accordingly, in a device for bending metal profiles, the complementary positive locking elements are designed to have a constant cross-section in a horizontal direction. This allows the bending prism to be slid onto the tool holder in the horizontal direction. Lifting and lowering, and optionally threading a T-nut, are no longer necessary for mounting the bending prism to the tool holder.
[0010] The complementary positive locking elements do not necessarily have to be continuous and / or have a constant cross-section along their entire length. It may be sufficient that the positive locking ensures, on the one hand, a reliable sliding of the bending prism onto the tool holder and, on the other hand, a reliable and reproducible mounting position of the bending prism relative to the tool holder. The complementary positive locking elements can, for example, have at least one projection and at least one recess, wherein the projection, with its outer circumference, rests against the inner circumference of the recess in a positive locking manner, at least partially.
[0011] To facilitate threading the projection into the recess, the projection can be rounded or pointed at its free end and thus have a non-constant cross-section.
[0012] The recess can be a groove or a slot. The groove or slot can be formed on a side of the bending prism facing the tool holder. The tool holder can have a projection complementary to the groove or slot. The tool holder can engage the groove or slot with a web or a tongue in a form-fitting manner. The web or tongue can extend horizontally away from the tool holder towards the opposite component of the counter-holder and bending ram. The web or tongue can be formed in one or more parts. The web or tongue can have several round or polygonal bars, each of which bears a form-fitting contact with at least a portion of its outer circumference against the inner circumference of the groove or slot. Other geometries of the complementary form-fitting elements are conceivable, which fulfill the requirement of having a cross-section constant in the horizontal direction.
[0013] The horizontal direction, along which the complementary positive-locking elements have a constant cross-section, determines the direction of a sliding movement by which the bending prism can be slid onto the tool holder, creating a positive lock between the complementary positive-locking elements. At the end of the sliding movement, the bending prism can assume a mounting position relative to the tool holder. The sliding movement can be limited by a stop. This stop can be formed by the bending prism bearing against the tool holder, particularly a vertical side of the tool holder, with its side facing the tool holder, which can be a vertical side of the bending prism.
[0014] In the assembly position, the positive locking elements can be force-fitted together. An additional locking device may be provided for this purpose.
[0015] For example, through the complementary positive locking elements, the passages extending can align in the assembly position. At least one of the aligned passages can be open to an outer side of the bending prism. A locking element, such as a locking bolt, can be inserted into the aligned channels through this opening of the bending prism, thus locking them relative to each other and securing the bending prism to the tool holder.
[0016] The complementary positive locking elements can be a projection on the one hand and a recess on the other, which are designed to create the positive locking in a mounting position of the bending prism in relation to the tool holder.
[0017] The projection and / or recess can extend in an adjustment direction of the bending ram. In particular, the adjustment direction of the bending ram can thus extend in the horizontal direction along which the positive locking elements have a constant cross-section. Furthermore, this can be the direction along which the bending prism can be slid onto the tool holder.
[0018] The projection can be formed on the tool holder and the recess on the bending prism. Alternatively, the projection can be formed on the bending prism and the recess on the tool holder. Another alternative is that at least one recess and at least one projection can be formed on each of the bending prism and tool holder, with these forming complementary positive locking elements in pairs.
[0019] The complementary positive-locking elements can form a releasable force-lock connection in a mounting position of the bending prism relative to the tool holder. This force-lock connection can be achieved using a bolt connecting the tool holder to the bending prism; the bolt can be threaded or unthreaded. At least one of the bending prism and the tool holder can have an internal thread into which the bolt is screwed. The bolt can also be designed as a cotter pin.
[0020] The friction-fit connection can include a locking bolt that extends through aligned openings in the complementary positive-locking elements in the assembly position and secures the complementary positive-locking elements to each other. The locking bolt can extend through the aligned openings in a further horizontal direction transverse to the horizontal direction in which the positive-locking elements have a constant cross-section. This further horizontal direction can extend perpendicular to the horizontal direction in which the positive-locking elements have a constant cross-section.
[0021] The locking pin holds the bending prism against the tool holder during retraction after the bending process. The locking pin is not subjected to any further stresses; in particular, it does not absorb any force during bending. During bending, the bending prism can rest against the tool holder with its rear side.
[0022] One of the positive locking elements can be an elongated hole and the other a spring, which interlock positively in the assembly position of the bending prism to form the positive lock. The aligned passages and the locking pin can extend through the elongated hole and the spring.
[0023] The complementary positive locking elements can be arranged such that they are at the same height for positive engagement when the bending prism is placed on a table of the device on which the counter-holder and / or the bending ram with the tool holder is located. In this way, the force exerted by gravity on the bending prism can be counteracted during assembly of the bending prism to the tool holder, so that connecting the bending prism to the tool holder simply requires sliding the bending prism across the table to establish the positive locking between the complementary positive locking elements of the bending prism and the tool holder.
[0024] The bending prism can have a base surface that allows it to be placed on a tabletop of the device. The base surface preferably has at least one sliding element that allows the bending prism to rest on the tabletop of the device. The sliding element can be arranged on the underside of the bending prism in the form of at least one sliding foot. The sliding foot can be attached to the underside in a replaceable manner, for example, by screws. The sliding element can be made of metal or plastic. The tabletop can have a reduced coefficient of sliding in the area where the bending prism is to be placed on the tabletop and moved to create the positive fit with respect to the tool holder, for example, by having a polished surface and / or a coating. The T-slot nut of the tool holders of the devices according to the prior art can be omitted.Bending prisms with an existing T-slot can be post-processed to represent an embodiment of the invention. For example, the back side of known bending prisms can have a milled recess in the area of its T-slot to form a first of the complementary positive locking elements. The T-slot can be retained, so that the bending prisms remain compatible with devices according to the prior art.
[0025] Preferably, the bending prism is pushed over the table of the bending device into a receptacle formed by a complementary forming element. Sliding elements can be arranged on the underside of the bending prism to facilitate sliding.
[0026] The tool holder can be configured to slightly raise the bending prism when the bending prism is slid onto the tool holder. For example, the positive locking element of the tool holder can have a slightly rising flank, which can be kept so small that the bending prism is just lifted from the table of the bending device. Despite the slightly rising flank in the sliding direction, the positive locking element has a cross-section that is constant in the horizontal direction, as required by the invention.
[0027] A method for mounting a bending prism on a tool holder involves horizontally approaching the bending prism to a counter holder or bending plunger, engaging the complementary positive locking elements and establishing the positive locking between the tool holder and the bending prism.
[0028] The horizontal approach can involve linear approach in the horizontal direction, where the complementary positive locking elements have a constant cross-section. During the approach, the complementary positive locking elements can engage and be pushed relative to each other. In particular, the bending prism with its positive locking element can be pushed onto the complementary positive locking element of the tool holder. The tool holder can be static. The horizontal approach can also involve the movement of the bending prism on a table of the device. During the approach, the bending prism, or in particular a housing of the bending prism that supports it on a table of the device, can slide on the table.The method can include creating a releasable force-fit connection between the positive locking elements when the bending prism, during its approach, has reached a mounting position relative to the tool holder. Creating a releasable force-fit connection can preferably involve inserting a locking pin into openings in the complementary positive locking elements that are aligned in the mounting position.
[0029] Further details are explained with reference to the figures below. The embodiments shown in the figures have features that, individually or in any combination, can be suitable for realizing embodiments of the invention. These show:
[0030] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a bending device according to the prior art;
[0031] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a bending device according to the prior art.
[0032] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a bending device according to the prior art;
[0033] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a tool holder in perspective view;
[0034] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a bending prism in perspective view of the back;
[0035] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a bending prism in a perspective view of the underside; and
[0036] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a bending device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0037] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bending device 100. The bending device 100 has a horizontal support surface for placing metal profiles to be bent, which are to be bent about a vertical axis at a specific position along their length. The metal profiles can be, for example, busbars from switchgear construction, in particular copper busbars. Such copper busbars can have a material thickness of more than 1 cm and a profile width of 10 cm or more. Accordingly, such a flat busbar is placed on the support surface with its narrow longitudinal side; it is thus upright, so that it can be bent about its wider longitudinal side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
[0038] As can be seen in the combined view of Figures 1 and 2, essentially two configurations of the bending device are common. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, a bending punch 2 is mounted on a bending ram 102 facing the user, while the bending prism 103 is supported on a counter support 101 opposite the bending ram and the bending punch 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the bending prism is mounted on the bending ram 102 and a bending mandrel 1 is supported on the counter support 101. For better illustration, the counter support 101 is shown in Figure 2 offset from the bending mandrel 1. In this offset position, the rear side of the bending mandrel 1, facing away from the bending radius, is freely accessible.
[0039] The bending mandrel 1 and the bending punch 2 are subject to wear and must therefore be replaced regularly. To replace the bending mandrel 1, a locking mechanism, such as a screw, located below the table must be loosened. The bending mandrel 1 can then be lifted upwards and replaced with a new one, which must then be screwed back in place in reverse order. Furthermore, the known bending mandrels and bending punches have the disadvantage that they may only be surface-hardened to prevent brittle fractures during operation and under high mechanical stress. Such fractures could lead to flying fragments and injuries to the operator.
[0040] Figure 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of a bending device 100 according to the prior art, in particular illustrating the assembly of the bending prism 103. As can be seen, the tool holder 104 has a T-slot nut on the bending ram 102, the longitudinal direction of which extends vertically.
[0041] Accordingly, the bending prism 103 must be lifted from the table 109, brought close to the tool holder 104, and then the T-slot nut of the tool holder 104 must be aligned with a corresponding T-shaped groove on the rear side facing the tool holder 104 so that the T-slot nut can be inserted into the groove as the bending prism 103 is lowered, thus securing the bending prism 103 to the tool holder 104. Since the bending prism 103 can be quite heavy, a crane is often used for this purpose. The bending prism, lifted by the crane, must be positioned above the tool holder as described above and then carefully lowered. This process poses a risk of crushing the operator.
[0042] These problems are solved by the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 shows an exemplary tool holder 104, which has a first positive locking element 105 designed in the form of a web-like projection. The projection has a uniform, and therefore constant, cross-section in its horizontal extension direction H1. As can be seen in Figure 5, the bending prism 103 can have a groove on its rear side facing the tool holder 104 that is complementary to the web of the first positive locking element 105 and forms the second positive locking element 106. It can be seen that the bending prism 103 with its second positive locking element 106 can be slid onto the first positive locking element 105.
[0043] The first positive locking element 105 has a passage 108 extending perpendicular to the horizontal direction H1 in a further horizontal direction H2, through which a locking pin 107 projects. When the bending prism 103 according to Figure 5 is slid onto the tool holder 104 according to Figure 4, so that the first positive locking element 105 enters the second positive locking element 106, the passage 108 of the first positive locking element 105 of the tool holder 104 aligns with further passages 108 of the second positive locking element 106. When the locking pin 107 shown in Figure 4 is inserted through the aligned passages 108 of the two positive locking elements 105 and 106, the positive locking elements, and thus the bending prism 103, are locked with respect to the tool holder 104.
[0044] The two positive locking elements 105 and 106 are precisely aligned with respect to their height perpendicular to the table 106 in such a way that the bending prism 103 does not need to be raised to engage the two positive locking elements 105 and 106. Instead, the bending prism 103 can be slid across the table 109 until the two positive locking elements are aligned. Further advancement of the bending prism 103 will then cause the first positive locking element 105 of the tool holder 104 to engage with the second positive locking element 106 of the bending prism 103.The first positive locking element 105 can have a flank on its upper edge that rises in the horizontal direction H1, resulting in a slight lifting of the bending prism 103 in the fully extended position, so that the bending prism 103 does not rest with its entire weight on the tabletop 109 in this end or assembly position and preferably has a small gap to the tabletop 109. The rising flank of the first positive locking element 105 can also be replaced by a complementary structure on an inner wall of the second positive locking element 106, achieving the same effect, namely the slight lifting of the bending prism 103 in the fully extended position.
[0045] Figure 6 shows that the bending prism 103 has four sliding elements 110 on its underside, where it rests on the tabletop 109. These sliding elements facilitate the insertion of the bending prism 103 onto the toolholder 104 or the sliding of the bending prism 103 across the tabletop 109. Alternatively or additionally, the tabletop can have a surface treatment, for example, a friction-reducing coating, or be polished.
[0046] Figure 7 illustrates the mounting of a bending prism 103 on the tool holder 104. The bending prism 103 and the tool holder 104 can be configured according to the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6. The bending prism 103 can slide across the table 109 by means of its sliding elements formed on its underside, which allow the bending prism 103 to rest on the table 109. As the bending prism 103 approaches the tool holder 104, the complementary positive locking elements 105 and 106 are aligned. Further approach of the bending prism 103 to the tool holder 104 causes the web-shaped positive locking element 105 of the tool holder 104 to engage with the groove-shaped positive locking element 106 of the bending prism 103. In order for the bending prism 103 to be fully pushed onto the tool holder 104, the locking bolt 107 shown in Figure 7 must first be removed from the opening 108.After the bending prism 103 has been slid onto the tool holder 104 and has reached a mounting position, the locking bolt 107 can be inserted through aligned passages 108 of the two positive locking elements 105,106, so that the two positive locking elements 105,106 and thus the bending prism 103 are fixed in relation to the tool holder 104. In conjunction with Figure 4, it can be seen that the sliding movement is limited by the stop 111 of the tool holder 104, thus defining the mounting position of the bending prism 103 on the tool holder 104, particularly insofar as the openings 108 of the complementary positive locking elements 105, 106 are aligned. The features disclosed in the preceding description, in the claims, and in the drawings can be relevant individually and in any combination for the realization of embodiments of the invention, the scope of protection being defined by the claims. Reference numeral list: Bending mandrel.
[0047] Bending die
[0048] 00 Device
[0049] 101 Counterholds
[0050] 102 bending rams
[0051] 103 Bending prism
[0052] 104 tool holders
[0053] 105 first positive locking element
[0054] 106 second positive locking element
[0055] 107 locking bolts
[0056] 108 Passage
[0057] 109 Tabletop
[0058] 110 sliding element
[0059] 110 attack
[0060] H1 Horizontal direction
[0061] H2 further horizontal direction
Claims
Claims:
1. Device (100) for bending metal profiles, in particular flat rails, wherein the device (100) comprises an adjustable bending plunger (102) which is adjustable with respect to a counter-holder (101), as well as a bending prism (103) and a bending mandrel (1) or a bending punch (2) opposite the bending prism (103), wherein the bending prism (103) and the bending mandrel (1) or bending punch (2) are adjustable relative to each other with the bending plunger (102) in order to bend a metal profile, wherein the bending prism (103) is detachably mounted on the counter-holder (101) or on the bending plunger (102) with a tool holder (104), wherein the tool holder (104) and the bending prism (103) are complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) for producing a positive locking connection between the tool holder (104) and the Bending prism (103) characterized in that the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) have a constant cross-section in a horizontal direction (H1).
2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) are a projection (105) on the one hand and a recess (106) on the other hand, which are configured to create the positive locking in a mounting position of the bending prism (103) in relation to the tool holder (104).
3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the projection (105) and / or the recess (106) extends in an adjustment direction of the bending plunger (102).
4. Device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the projection (105) and / or the recess (106) has a constant cross-section in an adjustment direction of the bending plunger (102).
5. Device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the projection (105) is formed on the tool holder (104) and the recess (106) is formed on the bending prism (103).
6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) in a mounting position of the bending prism (103) in relation to the tool holder (104) have a releasable force-locking connection.
7. Device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the force-locking connection has a locking bolt (107) which extends through openings (108) of the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) which are aligned in the assembly position and secures the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) to each other.
8. Device (100) according to claim 7, in which the locking bolt (107) extends in a further horizontal direction (H2) transverse to the horizontal direction (H1) in which the positive locking elements (105, 106) have the constant cross-section through the aligned passages (108).
9. Device (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein one of the positive locking elements (105, 106) is a vertical elongated hole and the other is a vertical spring which interlock positively in the mounting position of the bending prism (103), wherein the aligned passages (108) and the locking bolt (107) extend through the elongated hole and the spring.
10. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) are arranged such that they are at the same height for positive locking engagement when the bending prism (103) is on a table top (109) of the device on which the counter support (101) and / or the bending plunger (102) with the tool holder (104) is arranged.
11. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending prism (103) has a support surface with at least one sliding element (110) with which the bending prism (103) stands on a table top (109) of the device.
12. Method for mounting a bending prism (103) on a tool holder (104) of a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the horizontal approach of the bending prism (103) to a counter holder (101) or bending plunger (102), wherein the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) engage and establish the positive locking between the tool holder (104) and the bending prism (103).
13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the horizontal approach comprises the linear approach in the horizontal direction in which the complementary positive locking elements have the constant cross-section.
14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the horizontal approach comprises the displacement of the bending prism (103) on a table top () of the device (100).
15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, comprising the creation of a releasable force-locking connection between the positive locking elements (105, 106) when the bending prism (103) has reached an assembly position in relation to the tool holder (104) during the approach, wherein the creation of a releasable force-locking connection preferably comprises the insertion of a locking bolt into openings of the complementary positive locking elements (105, 106) that are aligned in the assembly position.