Metal deforming – By relatively receding work-engaging tool-faces – Embodying three or more tools
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-05-01
Larson, Lowell A. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By relatively receding work-engaging tool-faces
Embodying three or more tools
C029S243518
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223581
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a hemming device for inner hemming with a hemming head having one or more hemming tools divided into segments. The hemming tool or hemming tools is/are provided with a hemming edge, with a stroke drive for generating the hemming stroke and with an adjusting means for retracting and extending the segments. The adjusting means has an adjusting drive which moves all the segments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various designs of such hemming devices have been known from practice. They have a hemming head, which has one hemming tool or a plurality of hemming tools divided into segments. The hemming tool or hemming tools is/are provided with a hemming edge rotating in the operating position. The hemming device also has a stroke drive for generating the hemming stroke and an adjusting means for retracting and extending the segments. Such hemming devices are intended mainly for workpieces with an internal opening, e.g., vehicle doors with a window opening. In the retracted resting position of the segments, the hemming head can move up and down in the opening of the workpiece. In the extended operating position, the segments bead the sheet metal edges. The prior-art hemming devices have an adjusting means, which operates in one step or two steps and moves the segments in two or more groups one after the other. This requires a plurality of drives and implies a more complicated control and design. In addition, this technique is to the detriment of the cycle time.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a better hemming device.
The present invention accomplishes this object with a plurality of hemming segments each including a hemming edge and a contact surface. An adjusting means connects to the plurality of hemming segments and holds the hemming segments movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The hemming segments are positioned in the extended position to have the contact surfaces abut each other flush and to have the hemming edges align to form a single continuous hemming edge. The adjusting means also includes an adjusting drive for moving the hemming segments simultaneously.
All segments can be moved simultaneously and require only one drive in the case of the hemming device according to the present invention. The hemming device according to the present invention is less expensive, more economical and faster as a result.
The contact surfaces of the segments are adapted to the kinematics. To avoid incidents, wedge angles between 20° and 50° and preferably between 35° and 40 are recommended.
The preferred embodiment of the adjusting drive as a crank mechanism offers a stable and highly accurate design. The cranks assume a stretched position in the operating position and safely support the segments against the hemming forces. Due to the cranks being arranged at different levels on the crankshaft, the cranks can rotate independently from one another and without mutually disturbing one another, and they are able to perform feed strokes of different lengths. The segments can be moved at different velocities with this crank kinematics and they mutually evade each other. This is especially advantageous when the hemming edge goes around the corner and the feed axes of the segments are oriented at angles in relation to one another.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1242627 (1917-10-01), Winningham
patent: 1722556 (1929-07-01), Cameron
patent: 1823047 (1931-09-01), Hothersall
patent: 2720241 (1955-10-01), Calcaterra
patent: 3566817 (1971-03-01), De Coye De Castelet
patent: 3621699 (1971-11-01), Valek et al.
patent: 4835825 (1989-06-01), Warner
patent: 5647243 (1997-07-01), Zampini
patent: 43 30 683 C2 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 2 645 053 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 2 651 699 (1991-03-01), None
patent: 623266 (1961-07-01), None
patent: WO 95/21711 (1995-08-01), None
Kuka Schweissaniagen GmbH
Larson Lowell A.
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
LandOfFree
Bordering device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Bordering device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bordering device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2552158