Bending Tool Rollers for Heavy Tool Positioning Without Beam Deformation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools for bending thick metal plates are large, heavy, and complex, leading to handling difficulties and the risk of non-uniform shaping due to local deformation of clamping beams, which complicates the process of positioning and removing these tools within bending apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The use of displacing members, such as rollers or wheels, integrated into the tools' mounting parts to facilitate their longitudinal displacement within the apparatus, allowing for easier positioning and clamping without loading the vulnerable components, thus preventing deformation and ensuring uniform shaping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If heavy tools are used for bending thick metal plates, then the shaping capability is improved, but the handling difficulty increases and the risk of beam deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaping capabilityVSAvoidhandling difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is designed with movable mounting parts that can be displaced longitudinally within the receiving space using rollers or wheels. This dynamic capability allows heavy tools to be easily positioned and removed without requiring manual lifting, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining the shaping capability provided by the heavy tool mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If rollers are bearing-mounted in recesses of the beam, then the tool can be displaced, but the beam structure is weakened and local deformation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool displacementVSAvoidbeam structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part acts as an intermediary component between the tool and the beam. The rollers or wheels are integrated into the mounting part rather than being directly bearing-mounted in the beam recesses. This intermediary structure allows tool displacement while preventing direct loading of the beam, thereby avoiding local deformation and maintaining beam structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual handling is used for tool replacement, then the system is simple, but it becomes impractical for heavy tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidmanual handling feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part is designed with integrated displacing members (rollers or wheels) that enable the tool to be moved longitudinally within the receiving space. This dynamic displacement mechanism allows heavy tools to be easily positioned and removed without requiring manual lifting, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the efficient and safe handling and clamping of large and heavy bending tools, preventing deformation and ensuring consistent material shaping by allowing tools to be positioned and removed without manual effort, thereby improving the handling and operational efficiency of bending processes.

Implementation Method 1

The displacing members are designed as rollers or wheels which can be bearing-mounted in the receiving space of the beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2869946B1Tool which is movable in an apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 WILA
  • EP2869946B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2869946B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2869946B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool for shaping a material, in particular for bending plate material, comprising a mounting part configured to be in any case partially received in a receiving space of an apparatus, and a shaping part extending from the mounting part. The tool is provided with means for displacing the mounting part in longitudinal direction through the receiving space. The tool can thus be handled and positioned easily even when it is relatively heavy. The displacing means can comprise one or more displacing members protruding from the tool, for instance rollers or wheels. The invention also relates to a combination of an apparatus and such a tool, wherein the apparatus has a receiving space in which the mounting part of the tool is received. The receiving space here comprises a wall part on which the displacing means engage. Finally, the invention further relates to a method for positioning a tool as described above in an apparatus.