Press Die Holder Structure to Prevent Flipping During Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal bending press dies are difficult to load and store due to their size and weight, and are prone to damage from improper handling and storage, which increases the risk of injury and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A press die holder that positions upper and lower dies with their receiving structures above and below the die body respectively, allowing for easy loading and unloading without flipping, using sliding or rolling fingers to engage the dies' grooves and a supporting frame for adjustment and alignment with the press beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If dies are stored lying sideways on a table or in a drawer, then storage space is utilized, but the risk of damage increases and operator convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal storage (lying sideways) to vertical storage (upright position) by designing holders that accommodate dies in their natural orientation. This dimensional change allows dies to be stored vertically in cabinet slots while maintaining their operational orientation, eliminating the need to flip them during loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate storage holders as a mediator between the die storage location and the press. These holders maintain dies in an upright position and include features like T-slots that align with press beams, serving as a transition mechanism that eliminates the need for flipping while ensuring proper die orientation during loading.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If upper dies are stored upside down in cabinet slots, then dies are kept safe and out of the way, but the dies must be flipped over when loaded and unloaded, increasing the risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional storage approach by storing upper dies upright (with receiving structures facing upward) rather than upside down. This inversion allows dies to be removed from storage in the same orientation they need for loading, eliminating the flipping step that causes damage and reduces productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning dies in storage holders with their receiving structures oriented upward, ready for immediate loading. This preliminary orientation preparation eliminates the need for flipping during the loading process, reducing both damage risk and operational time.
3Ease of operation
If heavy dies are handled manually, then operator flexibility is maintained, but the risk of dropping or damaging dies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by designing storage holders and cabinet configurations that align die receiving structures with the press beam level. This creates an equipotential workflow where dies can be moved horizontally or with minimal vertical displacement, reducing the effort and risk associated with manual handling of heavy dies.
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 solution enables safe, convenient storage and handling of dies, minimizing the risk of damage and operator effort by maintaining the correct orientation during loading and unloading, thus reducing the likelihood of accidents and equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
The portions of the fingers that engage the dies may be made from a material that slides along the die with little friction.
Implementation Method 2
The rolling fingers may be in the form of ball bearings that directly engage the grooves.
Implementation Method 3
The rolling fingers may be in the form of wheels rotatably supported on headed pins by bearings.
Data Source
AI summary
A press die holder holds an upper die with its receiving structure above the die body. This configuration allows the die to be removed from the holder in the configuration in which it will be loaded into the press. The operator does not have to flip the die over before loading the die into the press. The holder may be configured to hold a lower die with its receiving structure disposed below the die body. This also prevents the lower die from being flipped over when it is removed from the holder and loaded into the press. One configuration of the invention provides a holder having a pair of fingers that engage the pair of continuous grooves defined by the receiving structure of the die so that the die hangs from the fingers.