Compact Roller Hemming Device With Selectable Lower Dies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional roller hemming devices require a large space due to the need for multiple lower dies to accommodate various work types, limiting their use in narrow spaces.

Innovation Solution

A roller hemming device with a locking device that allows for the selection and fixation of specific lower dies using a locking pin and actuator, enabling efficient die changing and hemming of various works without the need for extensive space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lower dies are stored in the device to accommodate various work types, then the adaptability to process different works is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various worksVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lower die is divided into a body portion and a separate drawing portion, allowing the drawing portion to be detached and stored in a limited space while the body remains in place. This segmentation enables adaptability for different works without requiring multiple complete lower dies to be stored simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drawing portion is designed to fit within or alongside the lower die body when not in use, creating a compact storage configuration. The separate drawing portion can be nested within the device structure, reducing the overall space required to accommodate multiple die configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lower dies are stored in the device to accommodate various work types, then the versatility for different work shapes and sizes is improved, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility for different work typesVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the lower die into body and drawing portions, the system allows different drawing portions to be attached to a single lower die body, providing versatility for different work types without requiring multiple complete dies occupying separate spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single lower die body can support multiple different drawing portions, making the lower die structure universal for processing various work types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized lower dies, thereby reducing the total space required.

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

3Volume of stationary object

If the lower die structure is simplified to reduce space, then the device size is reduced, but the precision and reliability of the hemming process may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidhemming process reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the lower die into body and drawing portions maintains functional reliability because each portion can be optimized independently. The drawing portion, which directly contacts the work, can be precisely manufactured for specific hemming operations while the body provides stable support, ensuring overall process reliability despite the simplified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable drawing portion allows the system to dynamically adapt to different work requirements by changing only the necessary component. This dynamic configuration maintains reliability for each specific task while keeping the overall device compact, as the full lower die structure is not always present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2647448B1Roller hemming device
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2647448B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647448B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2647448B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a compact roller hemming device capable of performing a hemming process with respect to various works. Specifically disclosed is a roller hemming device (1) for hemming a work (W), which includes rotary shafts (11, 21) rotating on axes thereof, and lower dies (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) and lower dies (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D) on which the corresponding work (W) is placed. The lower dies (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) and the lower dies (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D) are arranged on outer circumferential parts of the rotary shafts (11, 21) at predetermined intervals. The rotary shafts (11, 21) rotate so that one each of the lower dies (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) and the lower dies (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D) is selected depending on a type of the work (W) to be hemmed.