Decoupled Punch-Die Guide for High-Force Riveting Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Punching or riveting tools experience misalignment and wear due to the elastic expansion of the bracket under high pressing forces when punching high-strength materials, leading to reduced precision and potential tool damage.

Innovation Solution

A guide decoupled from the bracket is used to axially align the punch and die, allowing the bracket to expand without affecting the alignment of the punch and die, using a floating bearing and guide bracket with adjustable halves to maintain precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the bracket is used to hold the punch and die under high pressing forces, then the tool can generate high pressing forces (over 10t), but the bracket expands due to elastic properties, causing misalignment of the punch and die

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing forceVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is divided into two independent functional segments: the bracket (force-generating component) and the guide (alignment-maintaining component). The guide is inserted into the bracket but remains independently supported, allowing the bracket to expand under load without transmitting this expansion to the punch-die alignment system. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the force generation function from the precision alignment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide acts as an intermediary element between the bracket and the punch-die assembly. It is supported by floating bearings that allow it to remain stable while the bracket expands around it. The guide mediates the interaction between the expanding bracket and the precision alignment requirements, protecting the punch and die from misalignment caused by bracket expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the bracket expands under high pressing forces, then the tool can handle high-strength materials, but the punch and die edges experience increased wear or even tool destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidtool durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide serves as a protective intermediary that shields the punch and die from the harmful effects of bracket expansion. By providing a stable, expansion-free pathway for the punch and die, the guide prevents the elastic deformation of the bracket from translating into damaging misalignment forces at the punch-die interface, thereby reducing wear and preventing tool destruction while maintaining the ability to process high-strength materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The floating bearing support system provides beforehand cushioning by allowing controlled movement and absorption of expansion forces before they can reach the punch and die. The floating bearings act as a cushioning mechanism that accommodates the bracket's elastic expansion in advance, preventing this expansion from causing harmful effects to the precision components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If the bracket expands during punching, then the tool can process high-strength materials, but the precision of the punching process suffers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidpunching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tool system is segmented into the force-generating bracket and the precision-maintaining guide. This segmentation allows the bracket to freely expand under high loading conditions while the guide, supported independently by floating bearings, maintains the precise positioning of the punch and die. The punching precision is thus preserved despite the bracket's expansion when processing high-strength materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide acts as an intermediary that decouples the precision requirements from the force-generating bracket. It provides a stable reference framework that remains unaffected by the bracket's elastic expansion, ensuring that the punching process maintains high precision even when processing high-strength materials that require significant pressing forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution ensures the punch and die remain coaxially aligned during the punching process, reducing wear and improving precision, even when punching high-strength materials.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the elastic properties of the yoke material (Hooke's Law), the yoke expands during punching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Due to the elastic properties of the yoke material (Hooke's Law), the yoke expands during punching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHooke's Law: Hooke's Law

Implementation Method 3

To reset the punch after completion of the punching or riveting process, the punch guide can include a spring, in particular a compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4484030A1Stamping or riveting tool
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 WS WIELANDER SCHILL PROFESSIONELLE KAROSSERIE SPEZIALWERKZEUGE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4484030A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4484030A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4484030A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a punching or riveting tool comprising a frame with a movable punch and a die, wherein the punch and die are guided in a guide decoupled from the frame.