Rack-and-Pinion Pressing Tool Actuation for Multi-Bend Sheet Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial machines for bending flat metal elements often struggle to perform further bends on elements that have already been partially bent, due to the complexity and volume of contractible elements in the upper sheet-pressing tools, which limits their ability to reach the necessary horizontal position and requires complex handling operations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a rack and pinion gear unit actuating device that allows the upper and lower components of the contractible element to move relative to each other, enabling the device to contract and expand, thus accommodating multiple bends or sections, and includes a third rack for enhanced operation and accessibility, reducing the overall volume and complexity of the contractible elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known contractible elements are designed to contact bent sides of the sheet, then the machine can process partially bent elements, but the actuating devices become extremely complex and voluminous
Solution Approach 1:
The upper component is divided into multiple fractional elements (first, second, third elements) that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the contractible element to contact bent sides without requiring a single complex actuating device, as each segment can be actuated separately to achieve the desired configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic movement capabilities to the upper component through actuators that enable fractional elements to change their positions and orientations. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to partially bent elements without requiring permanently complex mechanical structures, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If contractible elements are made voluminous to accommodate complex actuating devices, then the handling operations become more feasible, but the volume of upper sheet-pressing tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes vertical movement of the fractional elements relative to each other, in addition to horizontal contraction. This multi-dimensional movement approach allows complex handling operations to be achieved within a more compact volume by exploiting the third dimension (vertical axis) rather than requiring increased horizontal volume.
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
This solution allows for more efficient and effective bending of flat metal elements, automates handling operations, reduces operator intervention, and decreases processing costs and time, making the machine suitable for a broader range of metal elements and improving resource management.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating device comprises a rack and pinion gear unit and a connecting plate apt to be attached to the lower component. The rack and pinion gear unit comprises a pinion having an axis, at least a first rack and a second rack actuated simultaneously by the pinion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating device (10) for actuating a contractible element (100) for bending means (4) of an industrial machine (1) for bending metal elements provided with a lower component (44) and an upper component (46) apt to move relative to each other from a first position (P1) to a second position(P2), the actuation device (10) comprising a connecting plate (30) configured to be connected to the lower component (44) of said contractible element (100). A rack and pinion gear unit (20) comprises a pinion (21) having an axis (X), at least a first rack (22) and a second rack (23) actuated simultaneously by the pinion (21). The first rack (22) is configured to be fixed to the upper component (46) and the second rack (23) is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate (30). The pinion (21) is operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack (22) and the second rack (23) transverse to said axis (X) in opposite directions. The pinion (21) is operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to the first one, to move said racks (22, 23) in opposite directions towards a second position.