Bending Arm Clamping Jaw Layout for Collision-Free Direction Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending machines face collisions between clamping jaws and rulers when changing bending directions, limiting the angular range and rigidity, especially when bending larger tubes, and require special tools or reduced rigidity to avoid collisions.
Innovation Solution
A bending machine design featuring a clamping jaw holder with two clamping jaws arranged back-to-back, supported by a dismountable shelf on the bending arm, allowing independent movement and repositioning of the clamping jaw holder relative to the bending axis, along with a ruler holder that can move transversely to accommodate different bending directions without requiring arm movement, enhancing the machine's mobility and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clamping jaws and rulers are superimposed to enable bidirectional bending, then bending direction versatility is improved, but collisions between clamping jaws and rulers occur at 0° position
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw holder is made movable relative to the bending arm through a translation mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During direction changes, the holder can translate to clear the path of the opposing ruler, preventing collisions while maintaining bidirectional bending capability
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping jaw holder is separated from the bending arm as an independent movable component. This segmentation allows the holder to translate independently relative to the arm, enabling collision avoidance during direction changes while preserving the integrated functionality of clamping and support
2Reliability
If clamping jaw and rulers are moved or retracted to avoid collisions, then collision avoidance is improved, but machine rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw holder translates along the bending arm during direction changes rather than being permanently retracted. This dynamic adjustment maintains full rigidity during bending operations while providing just enough movement to prevent collisions during transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The holder performs only the minimal necessary translation to avoid collisions, rather than full retraction. This partial action is sufficient to clear the path during direction changes while maintaining maximum rigidity and structural integrity during the actual bending process
3Reliability
If special shaped clamping jaws and rulers are designed to fit/overlap, then collision avoidance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing complex special-shaped static components, the solution uses simple-shaped components combined with dynamic movement. The clamping jaw holder translates along the arm to avoid collisions, allowing use of standard simple geometries rather than requiring specially contoured parts
4Strength
If rigid clamping jaw and ruler structure are used, then stress support is improved, but angular range is limited to 0-180 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The movable clamping jaw holder can translate to reposition itself for bending angles beyond 180 degrees. This dynamic adjustment allows the rigid structure to maintain stress support capability while extending the operational angular range through controlled repositioning during the bending cycle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a bending machine (M) for bending a workpiece (300), remarkable in that a clamping jaw (511) is supported by a clamping jaw holder (510) receiving at least two clamping jaws (511, 512) arranged back to back,the clamping jaw holder (510) being fastened to a shelf (513) guided and driven in translation on the bending arm (500),the support shelves (600) punctually receiving the clamping jaw holder (510) separated from the shelf (513) and to move it on either side of the bending axis transversely to the advance axis of the workpiece (300) to be bent, independently of the bending arm (500) so that the clamping jaw holder (510) can be fastened again to the shelf (513) once the bending arm (500) has been rotated 180 degrees.The invention also relates to a bending process.