Sheared Edge Bend Crack Evaluation in Press-Formed Steel Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack an effective evaluation technique for bending cracks at the sheared end face of high strength steel sheets during press forming, which is crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of press-formed components in automobiles.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for evaluating bending cracks by determining the relationship between bend outer side strain and stress gradient at the sheared end face, using shape information and forming conditions, to assess the bendability and potential for cracking in metal sheets before press forming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high strength steel sheets are used for press forming, then vehicle weight reduction and collision safety are improved, but bending cracks occur at the sheared end face

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of metal sheetVSAvoidcrack-free forming
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of bending crack risk before press forming by calculating bend outer side strain and stress gradient from shape information and forming conditions. This allows selection of appropriate metal sheets or adjustment of forming parameters in advance to prevent crack occurrence during actual manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical trial-and-error testing with a computational evaluation system that uses mathematical models to calculate bend outer side strain and stress gradient. This computational approach substitutes mechanical experimentation with theoretical analysis based on shape information and forming conditions

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

2Measurement precision

If evaluation methods for stretch flange cracks are used, then stretch flange crack prediction is improved, but bending crack evaluation at sheared end face cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrack prediction accuracyVSAvoidevaluation method applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the evaluation parameters from those used for stretch flange cracks to parameters specific for bending cracks at sheared end faces. It introduces bend outer side strain and stress gradient as key parameters, which are calculated based on shape information and forming conditions, making the evaluation method adaptable to bending crack scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the crack evaluation problem into two distinct types: stretch flange crack evaluation and bending crack evaluation. By separating these evaluation methods, it allows each to use optimized parameters and models specific to its crack type, improving both precision and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3932578B1Method for evaluating bending crack, system for evaluating bending crack, and method for manufacturing press-formed component
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP3932578B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3932578B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3932578B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided is a technology for, when press forming into a desired press-formed component, evaluating forming allowance for a bending crack at a sheared end face of the press-formed component from shape information of an actual component and the like. It is a method for, when applying press forming including bending deformation to a metal sheet subjected to shearing to manufacture a desired press-formed component, evaluating forming allowance for a bending crack at a sheared end face being an end face subjected to the shearing. A crack index value for evaluating the bending crack at the sheared end face of the press-formed component is obtained from a bend outer side strain at or near the sheared end face acquired on a basis of a component shape of the press-formed component and a press die bend radius at a portion forming the sheared end face in a press die used in the press forming, and the forming allowance for the bending crack is evaluated by the obtained crack index value.