Rotating Shifting Member in Punch Presses to Save Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional punch presses require significant space for the linear movement of shifting members between abutment and retraction positions, limiting the reduction of occupied space.

Innovation Solution

A punch press design incorporating a rotating mechanism that allows the shifting member to rotate about an axis, shifting between abutment and retraction positions, eliminating the need for linear movement and thus reducing the required space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shifting member is moved linearly between abutment position and retraction position, then the punching process can be controlled, but the occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunching process controlVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shifting member is changed from linear movement to rotational movement about a vertical axis. The shifting member rotates between an abutment position (where it contacts the punch basal end) and a retraction position (where it withdraws), achieving the same functional control of the punching process while reducing the horizontal space required for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the shifting member is moved linearly to retract the punch, then the punch can be retracted into the recess, but significant space is required for the movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunch retractionVSAvoidmovement space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shifting member rotates about a vertical axis to achieve retraction, converting linear displacement into rotational displacement. This allows the shifting member to move between abutment and retraction positions within a compact circular path, significantly reducing the linear space requirement compared to traditional linear movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the shifting member is rotated to shift between positions, then the occupied space is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupied spaceVSAvoidrotating mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shifting member itself serves multiple functions: it acts as both the rotating element and the positioning element that controls punch retraction. By integrating the shifting function and rotation function into a single component, the design reduces overall mechanism complexity while achieving compact space utilization.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3444045B1Punch press
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK
  • EP3444045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3444045B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3444045B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A punch press includes a die, a punch, a support that supports the punch, a shifting member, and a rotating mechanism. The shifting member includes an opposing surface that opposes the punch. The shifting member is movable toward and away from the die together with the support and the punch and rotatable about an axis extending in a direction in which the shifting member moves toward and away from the die. The shifting member includes a recess in the opposing surface. The rotating mechanism rotates the shifting member about the axis to shift the shifting member between an abutment position where the basal end surface of the punch is abut against the opposing surface and a retraction position where the basal end surface of the punch is retracted into the recess.