Lifter Clearance Adjustment for Sheet Deformation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

As a wide sheet member is processed downstream, its rigidity decreases, making it prone to bending and potential deformation or damage within the processing device, which can lead to device breakage.

Innovation Solution

A processing device with multiple stages and lifters, where the clearance and number of lift-up parts increase downstream, ensuring the sheet member is lifted higher and separated from the die, reducing the risk of contact and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sheet member is conveyed through multiple processing stages, then the press work can be sequentially applied, but the rigidity of the sheet member is reduced and it becomes prone to bending and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequential press work capabilityVSAvoidsheet member rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The lifter in the downstream stage is configured to protrude in advance before the sheet member arrives, creating a clearance path ahead of time. This preliminary action prevents the sheet member from contacting the die surface during conveyance, thereby preventing deformation while maintaining sequential processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lifter protrusion height is made non-uniform across different stages, with downstream lifters having greater protrusion than upstream lifters. This local differentiation addresses the specific need for greater clearance in downstream stages where the sheet member has lower rigidity after sequential blanking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the sheet member is conveyed through multiple processing stages, then the press work can be sequentially applied, but the sheet member may be caught in the processing device causing breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequential press work capabilityVSAvoiddevice safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifter protrudes in advance to create a clearance path before the sheet member reaches the die, preventing the sheet member from being caught between the die and lower surface. This preliminary clearance action eliminates the risk of device breakage while maintaining continuous sequential processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding lifter acts as a cushioning element that prevents direct contact between the sheet member and the die surface. By providing this protective clearance in advance, the system prevents harmful interactions that could cause device breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10981211B2Processing device and processing method

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 MITSUI HIGH TEC INC

AI summary

A processing device is provided which feeds a long plate body from an upstream side to a downstream side and sequentially carries out a press work including a blanking work to the long plate body. The processing device includes a plurality of stages provided along a feed direction of the long plate body, which has a die that applies the press work to the long plate body and a plurality of lifters provided along the feed direction of the long plate body which have lift-up parts that lift up the long plate body from the die. In the plurality of lifters, clearances by the lift-up parts of the lifters arranged in the downstream side are set to be larger than the clearances by the lift-up parts of the lifters arranged in the upstream side.