Segmented Press Mold Layout for Compact Flexible Forming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing press devices lack design flexibility and are unnecessarily large due to the need to accommodate the largest work size, resulting in inefficient use of space and resources.

Innovation Solution

The press device features adjustable metal molds with processing parts arranged at unequal pitches, in a staggered manner, or in point symmetry, and a third metal mold for flexible processing, along with individually controlled drive means to optimize space usage and reduce the overall size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the press device uses fixed-size plates to accommodate the largest work, then the structural stability is maintained, but the device size becomes unnecessarily large and design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The press device divides the processing area into multiple discrete processing parts (first processing part, second processing part, third processing part) that can be independently configured. Each processing part can be selectively activated based on the work size and processing requirements, allowing the device to adapt to different work dimensions without requiring a uniformly large structure throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The press device employs drive means that can independently control the movement and positioning of the upper mold relative to each processing part. This dynamic control capability allows the processing configuration to be adjusted according to the specific work being processed, enabling compact overall dimensions while maintaining adaptability to various work sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If multiple processing parts are arranged at unequal pitches, then the device compactness is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive means is designed with multi-functionality to perform diverse operations including positioning, clamping, and pressing across multiple processing parts with different configurations. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated drive system, the patent manages to reduce overall device complexity despite the unequal pitch arrangement of processing parts.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes in the drive means control to adapt to different processing part configurations. By programmatically adjusting positioning parameters, speed parameters, and force parameters based on the selected processing part, the system manages complexity through software-based adaptability rather than hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the processing parts are arranged in a staggered manner, then the space utilization is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guide structures and positioning mechanisms as intermediary elements between the drive means and the processing parts. These intermediaries ensure that even with staggered arrangements of processing parts, the upper mold maintains precise positioning and alignment during pressing operations, thereby meeting manufacturing precision requirements while optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If individually controlled drive means are used for each processing part, then the adaptability to different works is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drive units into a single integrated drive means that can selectively activate different processing parts. This merging approach maintains the adaptability to handle different work types and sizes while reducing the overall control system complexity by using a unified control architecture rather than separate independent control systems for each processing part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3059079B1Press device and press device production method
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3059079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3059079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3059079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A press device (100) according to the present invention includes a first metal mold (110), a second metal mold (120), the first and second metal molds (110, 120) being configured to sandwich a work therebetween and thereby process the work, and a plurality of drive means (130a-130d) disposed to connect the first metal mold (110) with the second metal mold (120), the plurality of drive means (130a-130d) being configured to change a distance between the first and second metal molds (110, 120), in which each of the first and second metal molds (110, 120) includes a connection part (111a-111d, 121 a-121 d) for connecting with the drive means (130a-130d), and at least one of the first and second metal molds (110, 120) includes a reinforcement part (113a-113d).