Can Body Diameter Reduction Near Bottom Using Movable Clamping Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can-manufacturing processes struggle to form variant cans with narrow parts near the bottom due to issues with diameter reduction, as current methods either result in the can-bottom sinking or swelling, or restrict design by forming a flange that prevents diameter expansion.
Innovation Solution
A diameter-reduction apparatus with a first clamping-ring that retreats to allow the die to approach the can-body's bottom, combined with a second clamping-ring to prevent swelling, enables precise diameter reduction near the bottom while maintaining even thickness, and a manufacturing apparatus that includes both diameter-reduction and expansion dies for shaping the can.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the guide ring is provided between the base pad and the drawing die to prevent can-trunk swelling, then the can-trunk swelling is prevented, but the reduced-diameter part is away from the bottom part at a length of the guide ring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the guide ring movable relative to the base pad through a moving device, allowing the guide ring to dynamically adjust its position. During diameter reduction, the guide ring moves to clamp the can-trunk at the optimal position near the bottom, enabling precise control of the reduced-diameter part location while maintaining the anti-swelling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable guide ring acts as an intermediary between the base pad and the drawing die, providing both support and clamping functions. By making it movable, it mediates between the need for structural support (base pad function) and the need for precise positioning (drawing die function), resolving the contradiction between position precision and structural complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the length of the guide ring is shortened to bring the reduced-diameter part closer to the bottom part, then the reduced-diameter part is closer to the bottom, but it becomes difficult to prevent the can-trunk from swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The guide ring's length is optimized by making it movable rather than fixed. During the diameter reduction process, the guide ring moves to the appropriate position to provide clamping support, preventing can-trunk swelling even when the reduced-diameter part is near the bottom. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between positioning precision and swelling prevention.
3Productivity
If the guide ring and the drawing die are separated to allow die advancement, then the diameter reduction can proceed, but the can-trunk is not clamped at a part between the guide ring and the drawing die, so that the can-body may swell
Solution Approach 1:
The guide ring is made movable to dynamically clamp the can-trunk during the diameter reduction process. As the drawing die advances, the guide ring moves accordingly to maintain clamping contact with the can-trunk, preventing swelling in the region between the guide ring and the drawing die while allowing the diameter reduction process to proceed efficiently.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a flange is formed on the opening part previous to the forming process to hold the can, then the can is held stably, but the diameter cannot be expanded after forming the flange, so that the design is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The air chocking unit provides preliminary holding of the can-body through air pressure before the diameter reduction or expansion processes. This preliminary action secures the can-stability during forming operations without creating permanent geometric constraints like a flange, thereby maintaining design flexibility for subsequent shape modifications including diameter expansion.
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 production of cans with narrow parts near the bottom by allowing the die to approach the can-body's bottom for effective diameter reduction, preventing swelling and ensuring even thickness, thus overcoming previous limitations in can design and manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a returning device which returns the first clamping-ring to an initial position by utilizing elastic energy of an elastic member
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a variant-can by performing a diameter-reduction process up to the vicinity of a bottom part on a trunk part of a can-body made of metal. A diameter-reduction apparatus for can-trunk for performing a diameter-reduction process on a trunk part of a can-body having a closed-end cylindrical shape with an open end, including: a can-body holder holding a bottom part of the can-body, which is provided with: a base pad abutting on the bottom part of the can-boy; and a first clamping-ring having substantially a cylindrical shape which clamps an outer circumference surface of a trunk part of the can-body at the bottom side and which moves back and forth relative to the base pad along a can-axis direction; a die unit for diameter-reduction provided with a die for a diameter-reduction process of the trunk part by moving back and forth with respect to the can-body holder along the can-axis direction; and a first clamping-ring moving device moving the first clamping-ring backward along the can-axis direction along with an advance of the die.