Hydraulic Punching Apparatus Non-Circular Hole Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydraulic punching devices are limited to producing circular holes, making it laborious to create holes with non-circular cross-sections, such as hexagonal openings, which often result in inadequately shaped holes.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic punching device with a punch carrier that can accommodate punches of varying cross-sections, including non-circular shapes, equipped with a punch guide unit to prevent rotation and ensure accurate alignment, allowing for reliable production of differently shaped holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If punches with non-circular cross-sections are used, then the ability to produce differently shaped holes is improved, but the alignment precision and orientation control deteriorate due to potential rotation during punching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to produce differently shaped holesVSAvoidalignment precision and orientation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the punch and the punch carrier. This guide element engages with the non-circular punch to prevent rotation while allowing the punch to perform its cutting function, thus maintaining both versatility in hole shape and precision in alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the conventional circular punch design with non-circular punches that have specific cross-sectional shapes matching the desired hole geometry. This substitution enables direct formation of complex shapes while the guide element ensures proper orientation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If punches with non-circular cross-sections are used, then the productivity for producing complex shaped holes is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for punch guide units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiency of complex shaped holesVSAvoidstructure complexity with guide elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation allows the complex function of guiding non-circular punches to be added only when needed, rather than being integrated into the basic punch structure, thus managing device complexity while enabling productivity improvements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the punch guide unit is positioned between the punch carrier and die, then the alignment and anti-rotation function is improved, but the stroke movement of the punch is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment and orientation stabilityVSAvoidpunch stroke movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed to move in the axial direction (along the punch stroke) while simultaneously providing guidance in the radial direction. This dimensional approach allows the guide to maintain alignment precision throughout the entire stroke without permanently reducing the available movement distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3470147B1Hydraulic punching apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 TKR SPEZIALWERKZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3470147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3470147B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3470147B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic punching device with a hydraulically driven punch carrier for the detachable mounting of a punch and a die with a die opening adapted to the punching cross-section of the punch. To provide a punching device that reliably enables the production of differently shaped holes, the punch is designed to have a cross-section other than a circular one.