Fluid Forming Press Closure With Flexible Membrane Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently forming large sheet metal components with significant thickness under high pressure, as they require high closing forces for sealing, which can lead to deformation and leakage, and are often bulky and heavy, limiting their capacity and precision.
Innovation Solution
A fluid forming apparatus utilizing a closure pressing unit with a flexible membrane under high pressure, connected to a pressurized fluid cavity, which allows for a large pressurized surface area to apply a high closing force with reliable sealing, reducing the need for heavy components and compensating for deformations, while using a tensile frame to distribute pressure forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy and bulky components with increased material strength and thickness are used to address deformation under high pressure, then the apparatus can withstand high pressure forces, but the apparatus becomes heavy and bulky, limiting transport capacity and scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical support structures (heavy steel frames, rigid columns) with a pneumatic-hydraulic support system. Adjustable support rollers equipped with pneumatic cushions provide the necessary support force against the workpiece, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical structures while maintaining the required load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic cushions (air springs) as the primary support mechanism. These pneumatic elements generate the necessary support force through compressed air, replacing solid mechanical structures. The pneumatic system provides both the required force and the necessary compliance to accommodate workpiece deformations without requiring heavy-duty mechanical components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to prevent deformation under load, then the apparatus maintains structural stability, but frictional blockage occurs between moving components under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible pneumatic cushions (air springs) instead of rigid mechanical supports. These flexible pneumatic elements can deform and adapt to the workpiece shape and movements, maintaining continuous contact without creating frictional blockage. The flexible nature of the pneumatic cushions allows them to accommodate workpiece deformations while providing stable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces rigid mechanical support structures with a pneumatic system. The pneumatic cushions provide support through gas pressure rather than solid contact, eliminating the friction and blockage issues that arise between rigid mechanical components under high pressure loads.
3Force
If multiple pistons or large-dimension pistons are used to apply high closing force, then sufficient closing force is achieved for sealing, but the probability of fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple piston functions into a single large-diameter piston. Instead of using multiple smaller pistons that each require separate sealing, the invention employs one large piston with a correspondingly large sealing surface area, reducing the total number of sealing interfaces and thereby decreasing the probability of leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from multiple small pistons to a single large piston, changing the dimensional approach. The large piston diameter provides sufficient closing force through increased surface area rather than through multiple units, simplifying the sealing system and improving reliability by reducing the number of potential leakage paths.
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 apparatus achieves efficient forming of large sheet metal components with high precision and reduced bulkiness by applying a high closing force with reliable sealing, minimizing deformation and leakage, and allowing for easier handling and removal of molded parts.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible membrane (32), which is displaceable along a clamping axis (1) and which allows for a closing movement to close the tool mold (201, 202) against each other by a fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
at least two tensile frame struts (13, 14) extending along a clamping axis (1) and adapted to carry a tensile force along said clamping axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
Described is a fluid forming apparatus comprising a main frame, said main frame (11) comprising at least two tensile frame struts (13,14) extending along a clamping axis and adapted to carry a tensile force along said clamping axis, said main frame circumscribing an inner frame space which extends along said clamping axis and is delimited by an upper and a lower frame plate at two sides opposed to each other along said clamping axis, wherein said upper and said lower frame plate are connected with each other by said at least two tensile frame struts, an upper pressing plate (31) arranged inside said frame space, a lower pressing plate (51) arranged inside said frame space, a tool space disposed between the upper and the lower pressing plate, said tool space being adapted to take up a fluid forming tool mold (22,23), a first closure pressing unit arranged inside said frame space in a functional serial arrangement to said upper and lower pressing plate such that by a pressure force exerted by said closure pressing unit, a pressure closing force along said clamping axis is exerted onto said upper and lower pressing plates, wherein said upper pressing plate, said lower pressing plate, said tool space and said first closure pressing unit are arranged in a serial arrangement along said clamping axis.