Multi-Cam Press Ram Support to Prevent Shaft Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional press machines face challenges in maintaining processing accuracy due to variations in processing reaction forces, which can cause the ram to tilt and affect the precision of the press working.

Innovation Solution

The press machine incorporates three or more ram driving cams with different thicknesses and configurations, where the first and second cams are thinner than the third, and the intermediate portion of the shaft is supported by a downward-opening support groove, allowing for stable up and down movements of the ram.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional press machines use a single shaft supporting the ram, then the structure is simple, but the shaft bends under processing reaction forces causing ram inclination and reduced processing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidshaft support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft support structure is segmented into multiple support points: a first support portion at one end, a second support portion at the other end, and a third support portion at an intermediate position. This segmentation distributes the processing reaction forces across multiple locations, preventing shaft bending and ram inclination, thereby improving processing accuracy while maintaining reasonable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A reaction force receiving member is introduced as an intermediary element between the shaft and the press machine frame. This member receives processing reaction forces from the shaft at the intermediate support position and transmits them to the frame, effectively preventing shaft bending and improving processing accuracy without significantly increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the shaft is supported at both ends and intermediate position, then shaft bending is prevented improving processing accuracy, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidshaft support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure applies local quality by providing different types of support at different locations: the first and second support portions at the ends provide rotational support, while the third support portion at the intermediate position provides support through the reaction force receiving member. This localized differentiation optimizes the support characteristics at each position to prevent shaft bending and improve processing accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4252932B1Press machine
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 ASAHI SEIKI INDUSTRIES
  • EP4252932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4252932B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP4252932B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A press machine (10) includes, a ram, a shaft and three or more ram driving cams (42) for one ram (20) configured to press down the ram (20) toward a bottom dead center so as to be integrally rotatably with the common shaft (41). In the shaft (41), both end portions between which all of the plurality of ram driving cams (42) are disposed are rotatably supported by a pair of rotation support portions (31A) fitted to the both end portions, and an intermediate portion disposed between the ram driving cams (42) is rotatably supported by a support groove (35M) opened downward. The plurality of ram driving cams (42) includes at least two lifting and lowering cams that apply both a pushing down force and a pushing up force to the ram, and at least one lowering cam that applies only the pushing down force.