Radial Press Compensation Device for Offset Workpiece Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radial presses with yoke press designs face issues with machine-internal bending moments and deformation when workpieces are offset from the reference plane, leading to conical deformation and requiring strong structural elements to absorb induced bending moments.

Innovation Solution

A compensation device with a further drive unit and control unit is introduced, featuring drive elements acting between structural elements to generate a compensation moment counteracting induced bending moments, ensuring the press geometry remains unchanged even with axially offset workpieces, allowing for lighter construction while maintaining high-quality workpiece production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If structural elements are dimensioned strong to absorb induced bending moments, then reliability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpress weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit activates the further drive unit to generate a compensation moment that counteracts the induced bending moment before significant deformation occurs. This preliminary counter-action prevents the need for over-dimensioned structural elements, allowing weight reduction while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the press geometry and adjusts the further drive unit's output to maintain compensation against induced bending moments. This feedback mechanism ensures structural stability without requiring excessive structural mass, resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If structural elements are dimensioned strong to prevent deformation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece cylindricalityVSAvoidpress structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces purely mechanical reinforcement (larger, stronger structural elements) with an active control system comprising sensors, control units, and adjustable drive elements. This substitution achieves the same deformation prevention goal with less structural mass and reduced complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The further drive unit and its adjustable drive elements provide dynamic compensation for induced bending moments during operation. This dynamic approach allows precise control of press geometry without requiring static over-engineering of structural elements, thereby improving manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If drive elements are added to counteract bending moments, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepress geometry stabilityVSAvoiddrive system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The further drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions: generating compensation moments, adjusting to different workpiece positions, and integrating with existing press structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby improving press geometry stability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation system is divided into modular components: the further drive unit with adjustable drive elements, sensors for monitoring geometry, and a control unit. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies integration, reducing the complexity burden of adding compensation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2694230B1Radial press
Publication Date: 2015.01.21 UNIFLEX HYDRAULIC
  • EP2694230B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A radial press of yoke press type comprises a press tool, which comprises press jaws, and two structural elements (1, 2), which comprise in each case one press yoke (3, 4). The press yokes can be moved relative to one another by means of a drive unit comprising two tie rods (6) and between them form a receiving chamber (7) in which the press tool is received. Here, a compensation device (9) is provided, said compensation device having a further drive unit (11), which acts between the two structural elements (1, 2) and which acts on at least one of the structural elements with an offset with respect to the reference plane defined by the two tie rods, and having an associated regulating unit. The force which is provided by the drive element of the further drive unit and which acts between the two structural elements counteracts a change of the press geometry which arises during pressing as a result of an arrangement of the workpiece offset with respect to the reference plane.