Metal Sheet Corrugation Device Using Traction Force Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending devices for forming corrugations in metal sheets for airtight fluid storage tanks face challenges in maintaining constant thickness during the corrugation process, leading to potential degradation of mechanical properties due to lack of synchronization in movement of die elements and side clamps.
Innovation Solution
A bending device with a lower frame, die elements, an upper punch, and side clamps that utilize traction forces from the metal sheet to synchronize the movement of die elements and side clamps, ensuring constant thickness and precise corrugation formation without modifying the sheet's thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the die elements and side clamps are moved by actuating means commanded by a control unit with precise synchronization, then the corrugation can be formed without modification of sheet thickness, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal sheet itself serves as the actuating medium. The traction force generated by the sheet during bending automatically moves the die elements and side clamps, eliminating the need for external actuating means and control systems. The sheet's own deformation process drives the tooling movement, achieving self-synchronized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal sheet acts as an intermediary between the punch and the die elements/side clamps. Instead of direct mechanical linkage or control systems, the sheet transmits traction force as the mediating mechanism to coordinate the movement of all tooling components during the bending process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the die elements and side clamps are moved simultaneously with the punch displacement, then the corrugation is formed precisely without wrinkles, but the regulation and control requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The bending process itself generates the motion of all tooling components. As the punch bends the sheet, the resulting traction force automatically coordinates the movement of die elements and side clamps, making the system self-regulating and eliminating complex control requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using actuating means to move the tooling components, the invention inverts the approach by allowing the workpiece (metal sheet) to move the tooling components through traction force during deformation.
3Reliability
If the metal sheet is clamped between side clamps and die elements during bending, then the sheet remains in position, but the synchronization of movements becomes critical to avoid thickness modification
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system is activated and moves in synchronization with the bending process through the sheet's own traction force. The sheet simultaneously provides both the clamping force for positioning and the driving force for synchronized movement, ensuring both stability and thickness consistency.
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
The solution ensures that the metal sheets maintain constant thickness during corrugation, preventing mechanical property degradation and achieving precise corrugation formation, which is essential for the integrity of airtight fluid storage tanks.
Implementation Method 1
the displacement of the upper punch from its position of rest toward its bending position causes a bending of the metal sheet, during which the metal sheet transmits a traction force in the direction x to the die elements and to the side clamps
Data Source
AI summary
A bending device for forming a corrugation in a metal sheet, the bending device having a frame, a die having two die elements, each having a concave half-impression, mounted able to slide on the frame; a punch having a head able to engage inside the impression of the die so as to press the metal sheet; and two side clamps mounted sliding and able to move vertically with respect to the lower frame so as to clamp the metal sheet against the bearing surfaces of the die elements. During the displacement of the punch into its bending position, the metal sheet transmits a traction force to the die elements and to the side clamps so as to displace them into their near position.