WO2005110638A1

WO2005110638A1 - A device and a method for shaping and quenching a beam

Info

Publication number: WO2005110638A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/000687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Nilsson; Peter WIKSTRÖM
Original assignee: Accra Teknik Ab
Priority date: 2004-05-13
Filing date: 2005-05-13
Publication date: 2005-11-24
Also published as: KR101218512B1; DE602005027693D1; EP1755801B1; KR20070015962A; EP1755801A1; CN1984730B; CN1984730A; ATE507017T1; EP1755801B2

Abstract

A device for shaping a beam from a blank is disclosed, the blank being a profile element in the form of a beam having a closed cross-section, end portions (1A, 1B), a centre portion (1C) and a front flange, a rear flange, an upper web and a lower web. The beam is to be heated to an austenitizing temperature for quenching. The device is characterized in that it comprises an upper tool part (3) and a lower tool part (4) arranged to receive the heated beam blank and shape it, the device comprises a part (9, 9A, 9B) arranged to impress end portions (1.2a) of the rear flange, so that the beam (1) after the shaping has the greatest volume at the centre portion and the smallest volume at the ends (1A, 1B) along a certain distance (X), and parts to bend the beam end portions. The device also comprises means for directing a cooling medium through the internal cavities of the beam. The invention also relates to methods for shaping and quenching hollow beams.

Description

A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR SHAPING AND QUENCHING A BEAM

1.1 Technical field

According to a first aspect of the present invention the invention relates to a device and a method for shaping and quenching a beam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing a quenched beam.

1.2 Prior art

Increasing demands for traffic security have as one result an amended basic design of bumper beams for vehicles. Today it is common that the beam is formed of sheet metal and has a closed cross-section. This beam shape has as a result that the bumper takes up and distributes collision forces, torsional loads, strains and other forms of loads in an optimal way. The closed section, however, makes the beam voluminous and space consuming and often difficult to apply in the given space in a vehicle body.

There is a design for a bumper beam which solves these problems. It is a bumper beam for vehicles where the beam is elongated, has two ends and a closed cross- section. The beam sides are divided in a front flange directed forward in the normal direction of movement of the vehicle, a rear flange directed towards the vehicle, an upper web and a lower web. At least one portion of the rear flange, running along the beam, is impressed intended towards at least one portion of the front flange running along the beam. The resulting indentation is complete a certain and limited distance from the beam ends and inwardly towards the beam centre portion. The inner sides of the portions are in contact with each other and hereby the beam has its greatest volume at its centre part and its smallest volume at the ends along the certain and limited distance.

A vehicle front is often curved backwards out towards the vehicle sides in order to decrease the air resistance, improve the collision force absorbing properties and make the design appealing. This prior art bumper beam has the corresponding curvature in order to optimize the use of space. The beam centre portion has a big volume and a big amount of material to be able to provide the best energy absorption possible at a collision. At its ends the beam is changed as far as shape is concerned in order to simplify the mounting of the beam to the vehicle.

An object of the present invention according to said first aspect is to provide a device and a method which make is possible to manufacture beams of this design in a simple, fast and cost-effective, way providing high accuracy of tolerances.

Further, one has since long also desired to be able to simplify and cost-reduce the manufacture of curved and quenched beams, whereby an excellent accuracy regarding shape may be obtained if both the shaping and the quenching is performed in one and the same tool. However, it has proved difficult to design the combined shaping and quenching tools suitable for obtaining a sufficiently high cooling speed, which, especially when it comes to quenching low-alloy steels, is important for an acceptable quenching result.

It is previously known to rapidly cool a profile element substantially shaped to a curved beam by heat transfer and heat removal by means of a cooling medium, which is passed on the outside of the beam present in the shaping tool, whereby the cooling medium is brought to pass between finger-like support means.

Previously known are thus a method and a combined shaping and quenching device in which finger-like support means are provided for supporting the beam to be shaped. A cooling medium is introduced between the finger-like support means for quenching. Although working quite satisfactory, the method and device are associated with the problem that efficient cooling and thereby quenching is prevented by the contact surfaces between the support means and the beam outer surface, the sup- port means being quite many.

Special cooling problems are also associated with beams having grooves, channels or the like in the outer surface for improved bending and torsional rigidity properties. Such grooves etc are difficult to cool and therefore different material properties after quenching may occur in these areas .

For a better understanding it may be mentioned that by the expression profile element as it is used in the following, is meant a beam blank in the form at the tube- shaped blank with constant cross-section profile, which is collected from a roll- former plant or a similar sheet metal forming machine, and by the expression beam is meant a beam blank as well as a profile element or beam blank after that shaping and quenching of the same in a shaping tool has been performed.

In the embodiments shown and described here the profile element or beam blank is straight when it is heated and fed to the tool arrangement for shaping. However, embodiments may be imagined according to which the profile element or beam blank may be pre-formed cold or hot before it is heated and fed to the tool arrangement for shaping and quenching to a finished beam. In such cases, thus, the blank does not have to be straight and/or does not have to have a constant cross-section along the blank or profile element. Of course the tool arrangement has to be adapted accordingly.

Regarding the term curvature, as used here it should be realized that it can be a question of, starting from tube-shaped profile elements, manufacturing hollow beams, which can have both uni- and duo-curved surfaces, ie surfaces which can be curved or shaped in a number of axis directions.

Since long one has desired to be able to make the manufacture of curved and hollow beams for eg vehicle bodies more efficient and the object of the method and the device, described below, according to this second aspect of the present invention is to provide a method which fulfils this desire and which, more specifically, provides an efficient cooling speed for the quenching independent of the given shape of the beam created. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for carrying out the method.

2. Brief summary of the invention

The object according to the first aspect of the invention is obtained by means of a device showing the features specified in the attached claim 1 and a method showing the features specified in the attached claim 26. Further objects and advantages are obtained by what is specified in the respective dependent claims.

The object according to the second aspect of the invention is obtained by a method and a device according to the attached claims 30 and 42 respectively. Further objects and advantages are obtained by what is specified in the respective dependent claims.

3. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described below based on examples and preferred embodiments in association with and with reference to the attached drawings. Further advantages will also be described. In the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a beam shaped in a device according to the invention, - Fig. 2 shows a device according to the invention with a beam disposed therein, prior to shaping,

- Fig. 3 shows the end portion of the beam of Fig. 2 disposed in a device according to the invention,

- Fig. 4 shows the end portion of the beam as shaped,

- Fig. 5 shows an ejector, which constitutes a part of the lower tool part,

- Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a curved and quenched hollow beam with open ends manufactured according to the principles of the invention,

- Fig. 7 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a device for manufacturing the beam according to Fig. 6 in a first stage of operation,

- Fig. 8 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a device for manufacturing a beam according to Fig. 6 in a second stage of operation,

- Fig. 9 shows a cross-section of a centre portion of a tube-shaped profile element seen along the line 4-4 in Fig. 7 for manufacturing the beam according to Fig. 6,

- Fig. 10 shows a cross-section of an end portion of the beam seen along the line 5-5 in Fig. 8,

- Fig. 11 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a device in a second alternative embodiment for manufacturing a beam, having substantially closed or semi- closed ends, in a first stage of operation, - Fig. 12 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a device in a second alternative embodiment for manufacturing a beam, having substantially closed or semi- closed ends, in a second stage of operation,

- Fig. 13 shows a cross-section of a centre portion of a tube-shaped profile element seen along the line 8-8 in Fig. 11,

- Fig. 14 shows a longitudinal section of an end portion of the beam having substantially closed ends seen along the line 9-9 in Fig. 12,

- Fig. 15 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a portion of a device for manufacturing the beam according to Fig. 6 in a second stage of operation and

- Fig. 16 shows a cross-section of an end portion of the beam seen along the line 11- 11 in Fig. 15.

4. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A previously known beam 1 of the kind described above is shown in Fig. 1.

The blank to be shaped to such a beam 1 in a device according to the invention consists of a straight beam 1 shaped of a flat strip or sheet to a beam having a closed cross-section, see Fig. 2 and 3. The strip has been shaped in a shaping device, eg a rollformer device. The beam sides are devided in a front flange 1.1 directed forward in the normal direction of movement of the vehicle, a rear flange 1.2 directed towards the vehicle, an upper web 1.3 and a lower web 1.4. The closed cross-section is obtained by fastening the edges of the strip to each other, eg welding them together by spot welding, seam welding or the like, which edges meet and abut against each other after the rollforming. The rollformer may also create bendings 1.5, longi- tudinal grooves 1.6 and/or transverse grooves 1.7 in the strip to make further shap- ing of the beam possible but also to improve the torsional rigidity, the bending rigidity and other properties of collision force absorption. In the rollforming the beam receives a projecting portion on each opposite side, on the web sides, at the transition of the web sides to the front flange side, which constitutes a lateral extension, broadening, of the front flange 1.1 of the beam. These projecting portions are in the following called flange edges 1.8. The beam is divided in the longitudinal direction in two end portions 1A and IB and a centre portion 1C.

When the beam leaves the shaping device prior to being fed to a device according to the invention it is totally straight.

Prior to being fed to a device according to the invention the beam is heated to an austenitizing temperature suitable for the beam material. A suitable material for the beam is a boron steel and an adequate temperature for boron steels is about 850- 900°C. When the beam has reach the correct temperature the straight beam is fed to a device 2 according to the invention.

A device 2 according to the invention, see Fig. 2, will here below be described based upon the method of shaping. The construction and design of the device is the same at the two end portions 1 A, IB of the beam. The device 2 will be described substantially based upon the design at one end portion 1 A.

A device 2 according to the invention comprises an upper tool part 3 and a lower tool part 4, between which the beam 1 is positioned and shaped. The two tool parts 3,4 comprises parts which stabilize the beam 1 in position, positions the beam 1, and parts which together shape the beam 1 both regarding the beam curving/bending and regarding compression of the beam end portions 1A, IB when the upper tool part 3 is brought to move towards the lower tool part 4. The lower tool part 4 is via a base 5 arranged on an underlying ground/floor (not shown in the Fig.). The upper tool part 3 is arranged to be moved to and from the lower tool part 4, substantially in a vertical direction, by means of a guide system comprising eg a hydraulic system (not shown in detail in the Figs.). The guide system, the hydraulic system, is activated and pressurized when the beam is fed to the device 2. The upper tool part 3 is then pushed upwards, away from the lower tool part 4.

The upper tool part 3 and the lower tool part 4 are, in the introductory part of the shaping, positioned at a certain distance from each other. When the device 2 is open to receive the beam 1, the upper tool part 3 is positioned above the lower tool part 4 so that the two tool parts 3, 4 offer a space 6, a shaping space, to which the beam 1 is fed.

When the beam 1 is positioned and detected with respect to position in the device 2, the upper tool part 3 is moved down towards the lower tool part 4, whereby the shaping of the beam occurs. When the beam 1 is positioned and secured in the device 2 and the upper tool part 3 shall be moved down towards the lower tool part 4 the hydraulic pressure is removed. Then the upper tool part 3 freely falls towards the lower tool part 4 and the very shaping of the beam 1 occurs by pressing. The upper tool part 3 is heavy and a great force is obtained. The movement of the two tool parts 3, 4 towards each other, and thereby the shaping of the beam 1, takes about 2 seconds. The device constitutes a or a part of a hydraulic press. When the upper tool part 3 falls down towards the lower tool part 4 the beam is curved and the end portions 1A, IB are shaped in one single operation, in one single press step.

When the upper tool part 3 is moved towards the lower tool part 4 a number of parts, means and devices of the upper tool part 3 and the lower tool part 4 will come onto contact with the beam 1. The beam 1 is shaped by the appearing press force between the tool parts 3, 4. The front flange 1.1 and the rear flange 1.2 of the beam are given a curved arc shape and the end portions 1 A, IB of the beam are given a de- creased volume. By means of a press feeder (not shown in the Fig.) the beam 1 is fed into the device 2 and falls from the feeder, when the feeder is removed, straight down on to the lower tool part 4 and lands with the flange edges 1.8 on beam receiving parts 7 of the lower tool part 4, Figs. 2 and 3. The beam 1 is then positioned so that it rests on the flange edges 1.8 with the bottom side lying against the beam receiving parts 7 and has, thereby, the front flange side 1.1 turned upwards.

The beam receiving parts 7 consists of wing-like parts. The upper sides, upper sides/edges, of the wing-like parts constitutes support surfaces 7.1, upon which the beam 1 is received/rests. The support surfaces 7.1 are curved to correspond to the desired final curvature of the beam.

The wing-like parts 7 are four and are arranged in pairs on each side of the beam. Each wing-like part 7 has a flat elongated body, which is positioned in parallel with and along the beam 1. The wing-like parts 7 rest against the bottom side 1.8 of the flange edges 1.8 of the beam 1 and against the webs 1.3, 1.4 of the beam substantially at each end portion 1 A, IB. The wing-like parts 7 decides position regarding the position of the beam vertically and laterally and prevents displacement of mate- rial laterally in the beam during the shaping. The wing-like parts 7 positions the beam 1 longitudinally and prevents a collapse of the beam shape during shaping.

Each wing-like part 7 is arranged so that it can be turned in relation to the lower tool part 4 whereby the contact surface against the flange edge 1.8 of the support surface 7.1 is varied regarding size. When the beam 1 falls down onto the lower tool part 4 onto the support surfaces 7.1 of the wings, the flange edges 1.8 of the beam 1 rests at each end portion 1A, IB of the beam 1 against a short distance of each support surface 7.1 at the portion 7.2 facing the end portions 1A, IB of each wing and is not in contact with any other part of title tool parts. Also the contact between the beam web 1.3, 1.4 and each wing inside 7.3, the side turned to the beam, is limited to the areas most far out at the beam end portions 1A, IB. These limited areas of contact between the beam 1 and the lower tool part 4 minimizes the cooling of the beam.

The wing-like parts 7 are turnably and resiliently arranged to a base part 4.1 of the lower tool part 4. When the upper tool part B is moved towards the beam 1 and the beam is pressed downwards towards the wing like parts 7, the wing-like parts will be turned and thereby displaced so that a larger part of each support surface 7.1 will support the respective flange portion 1.8 and a larger part of each wing-like part in- nerside 7.3 will be in contact with a successively larger part of the respective web 1.3 , 1.4. Thereby the guiding operation for the beam performed by the wing-like parts will increase, the more force being applied to the beam 1.

Each wing-like part 7 is arranged to the base part 4.1 by means of a device 8 which allows turning of the wing-like part 7 in relation to the base part. The device 8 is a hinge-like device having two cooperating parts 8.1, 8.2, where the first part is connected to the wing-like part 7 and the second part 8.2 is connected to the base part 4.1. The first part is positioned outside, around, the second part 8.2 and the first part 8.1 can be turned in relation to the second part 8.2. The two parts 8.1, 8.2 are two, rollers where one roller is arranged inside the other. The two parts 8.1, 8.2 are pro- vided with a guide, eg a snap groove (not shown in the Figs.), which guides the displacement so that the wing-like part with the first part 8.1 follows a cam movement. The cam movement is chosen such that the wing-like part 7 not only provides a position stabilizing force against the respective web 1.3, 1.4 but also creates a force, which compresses the beam slightly. Each wing-like part 7 is spring-loaded (not shown in the Figs.) so that it returns to the starting position when the wing-like part 7 has reached an end position and the shaping force has been removed. At the end of the shaping the wing-like part 7 contacts a stop device 4.2, which constitutes a part of the lower tool part 4 base part 4.1 and which prevents further turning of the winglike part 7 in relation to the base part 4.1. Each wing-like part 7 is at one of the lower corners 7.4, in the direction towards the beam centre portion 1C, down towards the lower tool part 4, turnably connected to the lower tool part 4 base portion 4.1. The wing-like part 7 is there, at the lower corner 7.4, connected to, or comprises there, the first part 8.1 of the hinge-like device 8. Each wing-like part supports at its upper edge, the support surface 7.1 , at an upper corner 7.5 diagonally opposing the turning corner 7.4, the respective flange edge 1.8. bottom side when the beam is positioned in the device 2.

The lower tool part comprises an elongated part 9, which lies under the beam 1 and which follows the beam lengthwise, Figs. 2 and 3. This elongated part has at the ends portions 9 A, 9B, which are curved downwardly in a vertical plane, the curvature corresponding to the desired final curvature of the beam at the beam end portions 1A, IB. The upper side 9.1. of the elongated part has at the ends portions 9A, 9B having an extension and a shape corresponding to the desired final inner flange extension and shape of the beam after the beam shaping in the device 2, Fig. 4. The elongated part 9 has at each end 9A, 9B on the upper side upwardly directed shaped portions 9.1, arranged under the beam end portions 1A, IB, constituting shaping portions. Each shaping portion 9.1 has an upwardly protruding part, a cam/groove 9.2, directed upwardly towards the beam 1. Also the cam 9.2 has a curvature corre- sponding to the desired final curvature of the beam. The shaping portions 9.1 shapes the beam as far as the compression of the beam end portions 1 A, IB is concerned.

When the upper tool part 3 is displaced downwardly towards the lower tool part 4 and towards the beam 1 resting in the device 2, the beam 1 is pressed downwardly against the shaping portion 9.1 and the cam 9.2, whereby the material of the beam 1 rear flange 1.2 is pressed in, rolled in, and is re-shaped towards the longitudinal centre, the centre axis, of the beam by the upwardly directed cam 9.2. A longitudinal centre portion 1.2a of the beam 1 rear flange 1.2 is pressed in, the material is rolled in, towards a longitudinal centre portion of the beam front flange 1.1a along each of the beam end portions 1 A, IB, whereby the bumper beam so-called building height B decreases a certain distance X along the beam end portions, 1A, IB, Fig. 1. The indentation/compression is advantageously complete in a centered part of the beam cross-section at the beam end outermost most part so that the two flanges 1.1, 1.2 come into contact with each other. The bumper beam flanges 1.1 , 1.2 are advanta- geously welded together along the distance at which the compression has occurred, in the area where the flange innersides meet each other. The weld joint will at a load on the beam 1 constitute a clear rotation and rupture notch for taking care of the forces exerted on the beam.

The elongated part centre portion 9C, which is positioned under the beam centre portion 1C does not come into contact with the beam 1. The two shaping portions 9.1 with the respective groove 9.2 for shaping the beam at each end portion 1A, IB may also constitute two separate units having been positioned/arranged in the device 2, positioned at the lower tool part 4 so that they, when a beam is positioned in the device 2, are located under each beam end 1 A, IB.

The beam has during the shaping to a beam with a closed cross-section advantageously received longitudinal curves 1.5 which serve as notches to promote the compression. The rear flange 1.2 may also be provided with longitudinal grooves 1.6 which by the indentation of the rear flange 1.2. are drawn out like a bulge and promotes the shaping. The risk for material strains and thereby appearing stresses is minimized.

In addition to the compression the bumper beam rear flange 1.2 is shaped also with respect to the horizontal extension by bending/curving when it is pressed towards the lower tool part 4, towards the curved shaping portions 9.1, and towards the curved cams 9.2. When the beam leaves the rollformer device it is totally straight. A vehicle front is often curved backwards out against the vehicle sides to decrease the air resistance, improve the collision force absorbing properties and make the design appealing. The bumper beam shall have the corresponding curvature to optimize the use of space. By means of the same shaping tool performing the compression, the beam ends are bent backwards. The beam 1 has at the rollforming been provided with traverse grooves 1.7 on the webs 1.4, 1.5, which grooves promotes this bending. The grooves 1.7 are pulled out like a bulge and the risk for material strains and thereby appearing stresses is minimized. The compression of the rear flange 1.2 towards the front flange 1.1 promotes the bending of the beam 1 since the beam width B and thereby the torsional rigidity is decreased in the beam end portions 1 A, IB at the same time.

The upper tool part 3 comprises means 10, a clamp, Fig. 2, which position stabilizes the beam at the centre portion by, when the two tool parts 3, 4 move against each other, hold the beam at the centre portion 1C and prevents the beam from being pressed upwards. The clamp 10 is arranged at the upper tool part 1 in such a way that it follows the beam and guides is continuously during the whole press step.

The upper tool part 3 comprises force transferring turnable parts 11, press plates, which are turnable in relation to the upper tool part 3, to a base part 3.1 of the upper tool part 3, Figs. 2 and 3. The press plates 11 are four and are positioned in pairs at the beam end portions, 1 A, IB on each side of the beam 1. The press plates 11 exert a force on the beam 1 downwardly when the upper tool part 3 is displaced downwardly towards the lower tool part 4. The press plates 11 have surfaces 11.1, bottom sides, abutting against the beam 1, which are turned to and working against the beam flange edges 1.8, against, at the present position of the beam 1, the upper sides 1.8b of the flange edges, Fig. 3. The press plates bottom sides 11.1 constitutes con- tact surfaces having a shape corresponding to the desired curvature of the beam 1. The bottom sides 11.1 are curved in the longitudinal direction. Each press plate 11 abuts, to start with, only by a part of the bottom side 11.1 against a limited distance of each flange edge 1.8 at the beam end portions 1 A, IB. When the upper tool part 3 is moved downwardly the press plate 11 is turned around a mounting point 11.2 (not shown in the Fig.) and more of the press plate bottom side 11.1 will abut against a longer distance of the flange edge 1.8 of the beam 1. The mounting point 11.2 is arranged at the press plate upper end 11.3 arranged at the respective beam end.

Each press plate 11 has a design position stabilizing the beam in relation to the press plate 11. The press plate bottom side/abutment side 1 1.1 has a recess 11.3 in which a protruding part 1.9 of the beam flange edge 1-8 interferes, Fig. 3. Alternatively, the recess may constitute a part of the flange edge 1.8 and the protruding part may constitute a part of the press plate 11.

The upper tool part 3 comprises fixed parts 12, which exerts forces on the beam 1 and bends the beam 1 in the areas between the beam end portions 1 A, IB and the centre portion 1C, and have a bottom side 12.1 with contact surfaces directed towards the beam 1 and have a shape in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the desired curvature of the beam 1. The fixed parts 12 constitutes a part of the up- per tool base part 3.1 and the bottom sides 12.1 form a continuation of the press plate contact surfaces 11.1 in the beam longitudinal direction, in the direction towards the beam centre portion lC. The fixed parts 12 comprises four parts each contacting one of the two flange parts 1.8.

The upper tool part 3 further comprises two support means 13, Fig. 3, directed downwards towards the beam 1 and being arranged at the beam end portions 1 A, IB. Each support means bottom side 13.1 gives an external support for the shape of the beam front flange 1.1 and prevents collapse of the beam end portions 1A, IB. The support means 13 offers a counter-force to the forces appearing in the beam ma- terial when the cam 9.3 presses in the beam rear flange 1.2 in the beam 1. The support means 13 also have as a task to centre the beam 1 longitudinally in the device 2.

Each support means 13 constitutes a block-like design, at the bottom side 13.1 being shaped after the design of the beam external surfaces, after the design of the beam front flange side 1.1, against which the respective support means 13 abut. The beam front flange 1.1 has in the longitudinal centre portion, the bend 1.5 running along the beam 10, a groove. The support means 13 is adapted to the groove design and is positioned in the recess, from the external side of the beam 1, and fills it so that no change of shape appears in this area of the beam 1 when the upper tool part 3 moves downwards towards the lower tool part 4.

The support means 13 follows the upper tool part movement downwards when the beam is curved. The support means 13 are arranged adjacent the upper tool part 3 and is guided linearly by a pin (not shown in the Fig.) on the upper tool part 3. The pin guides the support means 13 downwards. The guideance is mechanical.

When the upper tool part 2 is displaced downwardly towards the lower tool part 4, the fixture 10, the press plates 11, the fixed parts 12 and the support means 13 press the beam 1, substantially the beam end portions 1 A, IB, down against the wing-like parts 7 and the shaping portions 9 with the cams 9.3. The beam rear flange 1.2 is changed with respect to shape by the contact with the shaping portions 9 A, 9B and the whole beam 1 is bent/curved after the curved portions of both the upper tool part 3 and the lower tool part 4 as soon as they are pressed against the beam 1 and the beam 1 in turn is pressed against them.

A pinch force appears between the support surface 7.1 of the wing-like parts, their upper edge, and the bottom sides 11.1 of the press plates, which pinch force holds the beam 1 in a certain position between the tool parts 3, 4 during the shaping and in the final part of the shaping when the tool parts 3, 4 abut against the beam 1 and also after the shaping.

After the shaping the finished beam 1, the bumper beam 1, is quenched, Fig. 1. The beam is during the quenching still positioned in the device 2. The quenching is performed by a fast cooling of the shaped beam 1. The cooling medium is transferred to the device via pipes (not shown in the Figs.), which lead to nozzles (not shown in the Figs.), through which the cooling medium passes out over the beam an/or through the beam cavity. The bent shape of the beam makes it especially suitable to introduce cooling medium at the beam end opening at one end portion and make it run out through the other opening at the other end portion. Preferred embodiments for cooling is described later, according inter alia to the second aspect of the present invention.

The lower tool part 4 also comprises an ejector 14, Fig. 5, on which the beam rests during the shaping and which pushes up the beam 1 out of the lower tool part 4 when the downwardly pressing force from the upper tool part 3 is removed. The ejector 14 is provided with a spring device 15 which is compressed and in which energy is stored when the upper tool part 3 is displaced towards the lower tool part 4. The energy in the spring device 15 is released when the upper tool part 3 is displaced away from the lower tool part 4, whereby the ejector 14 is moved upwards and the beam 1 is lifted up out of the lower tool part.

This device makes it possible to shape a bumper beam designed in one single piece with a closed cross-section and to stabilize the beam during the quenching. The manufacture of bumpers beams providing safe vehicles becomes simple, cost- effective and qualitative.

The outer dimensions of the beam are after shaping in a device according to the invention always equal to or less that they were prior to the shaping. The beam does not become longer, broader or higher in any part of the extensions. Further, the beam is not exposed to any weakening material reductions.

In Fig. 6 a curved and quenched hollow beam 21 is shown, which is manufactured starting from a beam-shaped profile element by profilation in a profile mill or roll- former plant. As a blank for the profile element a strip or sheet has been used, which has been given the shape of said beam with a closed cross-section and showing a first opening 22 in one end portion 23 and, a second opening 22' in the other end portion 23 ' . The closed cross-section has in a known way been obtained by fixing the strip edges, which after the rollforming meet and abut against each other, to each other by welding, eg by sopt welding, seam welding or the like. The beam 21 has been given transverse local indentations 24 and may, even if it is not shown in the Fig., be provided with longitudinal grooves to further improve the beam 21 tor- sional and bending rigidity. The provision of said longitudinal grooves may be of special interest in case of manufacturing bumper beams or body details for vehicles, whereby the longitudinal grooves and the transverse local indentations contribute to the beam 21 chock-absorbing properties. It must be said that the expressions "shaping" and "bending" as used in the following refers to substantially all, to the person skilled in the art known, shaping methods for a hollow profile element to a beam of a desired shape.

The beam 21 has been bent along the longitudinal axis 25, so that it shows one convex 26 and one concave 27 main side respectively. Further the beam 21 has along the concave main side 27 been given an extensive longitudinal material indentation 28, which is so arranged that the beam shows the highest profile height in the centre portion 29 and the lowest profile height at the end portions 23, 23'. On the convex main side of the beam there is arranged a number of longitudinal relatively small profiling grooves 30, which contribute both to the beam rigidity and prevents buckling of the beam. Regarding said profiling grooves 30 reference also to Fig. 20 is made.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a longitudinal section of a combined shaping and quenching device 31 for the manufacture of the beam according to Fig. 6 is shown.

In Fig. 7 the combined shaping and quenching device 31 in a first state of operation is shown and in Fig. 8 it is shown in a second state of operation. The shaping and quenching device 31 comprises support parts 32:1 - 32:n, which are mutually movable and which are arranged to supportingly between them receive sections of the profile clement and by manoeuvring relative to each other shape the profile element between them to a beam of desired shape. Since the shaping in this case substantially occurs in a vertical plane only, the support parts are in this case carried by a by 3 designated upper, first tool part and a by 4 designated lower, second, tool part. Operated by set and manoeuvre means 35 in the form of hydraulic cylinders the two tool parts are movable to and from each other and intended to receive and between them shape a profile element, a beam blank, heated to austenitiz- ing temperature to a finished beam 21.

As mentioned above the upper and the lower tool parts 3, 4 are provided with the above mentioned support parts 32:1 - 32:n having as a task to both shape the pipe- shaped profile element between them to a beam and hold the thus formed beam 21 in the shaping device for a subsequent quenching step.

In Fig. 9 the blank centre portion 29 is shown in cross-section in the starting position before the shaping and seen along the line 2-2 in Fig. 7 and in Fig. 10 the end portion 23 of the beam formed by the shaping is shown in cross-section along the line 5-5 in Fig. 8.

Since the design of the tool parts 3, 4 and the support parts 32:1 - 32:n comprised thereby, substantially is governed by the pre-determined shape of the beam 21 and said support parts as such do not constitute any substantive parts of this second as- pect of the present invention, the design, the positioning or their mutual movability are not described in detail. A device 2 as described above is one embodiment of a device suitable for application of this second aspect of the present invention.

As can be understood from a closer examination of Figs. 7 and 8 the shaping and quenching device 31 comprises means 36 being in close connection with , in the Figs, not shown, source for output of a forced flow of cooling medium and means 37 for receiving and it's a controlled way removinh of such a cooling medium. Said cooling medium preferably consists of water, which is led into the hollow beam 21 via the output means 36 and after having passed through the beam is led out from the beam via the receiving means 37. Said output means and receiving means 36, 37 respectively, are located in the lower, second tool part 4 and thereby on the tool part against which the heated profile element 27 main side 26 is intended to be bent to a concave shape. The output means 36 comprises a flushing nozzle 38 and the receiving means 37 comprises a collection nozzle 39, which nozzles 38, 39 are so arranged in relation to the finished shaped beam 21 relative position between the tool parts that the beam openings 22, 22' in the end portions 23, 23' are present in a position adjacent or substantially ending against said nozzles 38, 39 (Fig. 8). During the shaping the profile element for the beam 21 is driven or bent so that the first opening 22 in the beam end portion 23 meets and is put into flow transferring connection with the output means 36 flushing nozzle 38. In the same way the other beam end portion 23 ' is bent so that the other beam opening 22' meets and is put into flow transferring connection with the collecting means 37, collecting nozzle 39. In connection with the establishment of said flow transferring connections cooling medium may be led in through the beam 21 via the first opening 22 and after passage through the beam, out via the beam other opening 22'.

For start and activation of the equipment and, thus, for generating a forced flow of cooling medium through the beam when it is finished, the shaping and quenching device comprises a detection means 40, e.g. in the form of a photocell or switch, which may be arranged to detect the tool parts 3, 4 relative positions or, as in this case, be arranged to register the presence of the beam 21 first opening 22 adjacent to the collecting means 37 collecting nozzle 39. A fast cooling of the beam 21 is thus provided hereby by leading the cooling medium via the output means into the hollow beam via the opening 22 in one end portion 23 of the beam and by leading the cooling medium out in a controlled way via the collecting means 37 and the opening 22 in the beam 21 other end portion 23 ' after having passed through the beam 21. In Figs. 11 and 12 a shaping and quenching device 31 is shown in a second embodiment, which primarily is intended for shaping or bending of the type of beams 21 having substantially closed or quite limited openings, semi-closed, in the end portions 23, 23 ', ie beams 21 with limited passage for leading cooling medium out through the respective ends of the beam 21.

In Fig. 13 the centre portion of the blank for a beam 21 is shown in cross-section in a starting position before the shaping and seen along the line 8-8 in Fig. 11, and in Fig. 14 the manufactured beam 21 end cross-section after the shaping is shown, seen along the line 9-9 in Fig. 12. Since the design of the upper and lower tool parts 3, 4, comprised by the shaping and quenching device 31, and the support means 32:1 - 32:n comprised therein, substantially totally is determined by the predetermined shape of the beam, these will, as such, not be described in detail for a beam in this design.

Contrary to what has been described above the output means 36 flushing nozzle 38 for discharging a forced flow of a cooling medium, the nozzle in this embodiment is located adjacent to the beam 21 centre portion 29. More specifically, a number of flushing nozzles 38 arranged at angles and at a distance in relation to each other are used, the nozzles are located so that they are present turned to or ending at the main side 27 of the beam the side being concave after the shaping.

In order to make the cooling medium able to be led into the beam inner cavity via the flushing nozzles 38, the beam has at the main side 27, having been bent to a concave shape, been provided with holes 41, which serve as a first opening 22 in the beam and also for introduction of cooling medium into the beam. These holes 41 are located so that they during the shaping of the beam are driven to meet and establish flow connections with the, at a distance in relation to each other located, flushing nozzles in the lower tool part. Since the beam ends are. substantially closed and al- low only a limited discharge of cooling medium, not only one end of the beam is used for discharging of cooling medium but both beam end portions 23, 23'.

For collecting the cooling medium the cooling medium, which is led out from the beam 21 are, as collecting means 37, two collecting nozzles 39, 39' arranged, one of which is arranged in the area of the first opening 22 in one end portion of the beam and the other in the area of the second opening 22' in the other end portion 23' of the beam. As in the case described above the collecting means 37 collecting nozzles 39, 39' are arranged in relation to the beam relative position between the tool parts 3, 4, so that the collecting nozzles 39, 39' are present at a position just in front of or substantially running out against the first and the second opening 22, 22' respectively in the beam ends 23, 23" when the beam is finished. Consequently, flow connections are hereby also established for leading cooling medium out of the beam 21 via said collecting nozzles 39, 39' and the beam first and second 22, 22' openings, only in the finally shaped stage of the beam.

Start and activation of the equipment and generation of a forced flow of cooling medium through the beam when the beam is finished, is done via the detection means 40, which detects the tool parts 3, 4 relative positions or, as in this example, the presence of the finished beam 21 first opening 22, which in this case is formed by the two holes 41, in relation to the output means 36 flushing nozzles 38. In a similar way the detection means also detects the relative presence between the finished beam 21 second opening, in this case defined as the opening in the beam respective ends, and the collecting means 37 two collecting nozzles 39, 39'.

Fast cooling of the beam is thus provided by leading the cooling medium into the hollow beam 21 centre portion 29 via the holes 41 and, after passage through the beam cavity, leading the cooling medium out from the beam via the openings 22, 22' in the beam end portions 23, 23'. For providing an especially efficient cooling it should be realized that the holes 41 and consequently also the output means 36 flushing nozzles 38 should be located as near the beam 21 centre portion 29 as possible in case of a symmetric beam. Alternatively, the flushing nozzles 38 as well as the corresponding holes arranged in the beam 21 may be distributed in a suitable way along the beam. In case of a non-symmetrical beam, seem from the centre por- tion, the holes 41 are preferably located in such a way that the cooling medium flow is about the same towards the respective end portions 23, 23' of the beam.

A profile element heated to a preferred, suitable, quenching temperature or to the austenitizing temperature, for eg a boron steel about 850-900°C, is placed between the two tool parts 3, 4 and bent or in another way shaped to a beam having the shape determined by the tool shape. After shaping the profile element to a beam, it is cooled rapidly by heat removal by a cooling medium which, while the beam is still locked in the shaping tool 31, is led through the beam cavity.

With reference to Fig. 15 and 16 an embodiment of the device is shown, which differs from the above exemplified devices in that the cooling medium exclusively is brought to pass through the beam via one end 23, ie the opening in one beam end portion 23 is used as both a first opening 22 for leading cooling medium into the beam cavity and a second opening 22' for leading the cooling medium out of the beam. The opening, in this case, double functions are illustrated by the two arrows 45, 46 in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16.

It should be realized that when one end portion 23 of the beam 21 is used for both input and output of cooling medium in this way, the other beam end is normally closed or so restrictedly open that it does not admit the necessary passage of cooling medium. For leading cooling medium into the beam there is adjacent to the opening 22 arranged a flushing nozzle 38 for discharging a forced flow of a cooling medium, as well as a collecting nozzle 39. Said flushing nozzle 38 and collecting nozzle 39 respectively are so arranged in relation to the beam position between the tool parts 3, 4 that they are present in a position just in front of or substantially running out against the single opening 22 in the beam end portion 23 when the beam is finished.

Above the invention has been described with reference of exemplifying and preferred embodiments. Of course further embodiments as well as minor amendments and additions may be imagined without departing from the basic inventive idea.

Thus, within the inventive idea it is fully possible to have other solutions and detailed designs for parts of the device. The description given above is not to be considered as a restriction for the invention but as a guidance for full understanding of the invention in all parts and aspects. The description is focused an bumper beams but the devices and the methods may of course be used for similar shaping and manufacturing of other types of beams, ie beams for other purposes.

Further, as mentioned earlier, the profile element or beam blank does not have to be straight and/or have to have a constant cross-section but may be pre-formed cold or hot to a different shape before being heated, at least after cold pre-forming, and shaped to a finished beam shape and quenched.

Claims

1. A device (2, 31) for shaping a beam (1, 21) from a blank, the blank being a profile element in the form of a beam, this beam being elongated, having two end por- tions (1A, IB, 23, 23'), a centre portion (1C, 29) and a closed cross-section and comprises at least one front flange (1.1) a rear flange (1.2), an upper web (1.3) and a lower web (1.4), the beam prior to the shaping being intended to be heated to a, based upon the beam material, chosen austenitizing temperature for quenching, characterized in that it comprises an upper tool part (3) and a lower tool part (4) arranged to cooperate and to receive the heated beam and shape it, and which comprises a part (9, 9A, 9B) arranged to impress at least one portion (1.2a) of the rear flange running along the beam against at least one portion (1.1a) of the front flange (1.1) running along the beam, and in that the resulting indentation is intended to be substantially complete by a certain and limited distance (X) from the beam end por- tions (1A, IB, 23, 23') and in towards the beam centre portion (1C, 29) so that the portions (1.1a, 1.2a) inner sides substantially abut against each other along the distance (X), whereby the beam (1, 21) after the shaping has the greatest volume at the centre portion and the smallest volume at the ends (1 A, IB, 23, 23') along the certain and limited distance (X), and in parts (9-13, 32: l-32:n) arranged to bend the beam end portions backwards in relation to the beam centre portion.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the lower tool part (4) comprises beam receiving parts (7, 32:n) having support surfaces (7.1) arranged to abut against the beam bottom side/rear flange (1.2) and against the beam web (1.3, 1.4) substantially at each end portion to determine the beam position vertically and laterally and to prevent displacement of beam material laterally during the shaping.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the support surfaces (7.1) are curved so that they correspond to the desired curvature of the finished beam.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the beam receiving parts (7) are four and arranged in pairs on each side of the beam.

5. A device according to anyone of claims 2-4, wherein each beam receiving part (7) is a wing-like part (7) and turnably arranged at the lower tool part (4) by means of a device (8) comprising two cooperating parts (8.1, 8.2), a first part (8.1) being connected to the wing-like part (7) and the other part (8.2) being connected to the lower tool part (4), whereby the size of each support surface contact surface against the beam increases when the upper tool part (3) is displaced towards the lower tool part (4).

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the two cooperating parts (8.1, 8.2) are provided with a guide which guides the displacement of the beam receiving part (7) in a cam movement directed against the beam.

7. A device according to anyone of claims 2-6, wherein the wing-like parts (7) are resiliently arranged at the lower tool part (4) so that they return to a starting position when the wing-like parts (7) have reached an end position and the shaping force has been removed.

8. A device according to anyone of claims 2-7, wherein the lower tool part (4) comprises, at each beam end, an elongated part (9, 9A, 9B), which is arranged under the beam, follows the beam longitudinal extension, has a curvature corresponding the desired final curvature of the beam at the beam ends and which shapes the beam as far as the compression of the beam end portions is concerned.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein each elongated part (9, 9A, 9B) has on the upper side upwardly directed portions (9.1), which constitutes shaping portions comprising an upwards protruding part, a cam/groove (9.2) directed upwards against the beam.

10. A device according to anyone of claims 2-9, wherein the upper tool part (3) comprises force transferring parts (11) affecting the beam with forces when the upper tool part (3) is displaced against the lower tool part (4).

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the force transferring parts (11), press plates, are turnably arranged in relation to the upper tool part (3) so that the respective part (11), to start with, abuts against a limited distance of the beam front flange (1.1) at the beam end portions with only a limited part of the bottom side (11.1), to, when the upper tool part (3) moves against the lower tool part (4), be turned around a mounting point ( 11.2) so that a greater part of the press plate bottom side (11.1) will abut against a longer distance of the beam.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the force transferring parts (11) are four and positioned in pairs at the beam end portions on each side of the beam.

13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the force transferring parts bottom sides (11.1) are curved in the longitudinal direction in correspondence with the desired curvature of the finished beam.

14. A device according to anyone of claims 11-13, wherein each force transferring part (11) comprises a portion (11.3) arranged to cooperate with a part (1.9) of the beam for position stabilization of the beam in relation to the force transferring part (11).

15. A device according to anyone of claims 1-14, wherein the upper tool part (3) comprises fixed parts (12), which are arranged to affect the beam with forces and to bend the beam in the areas between the beam end portions and the centre portion and which are provided with bottom sides (12.1) arranged to abut against and be di- rected towards the beam and have a shape in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the desired curvature of the finished beam.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the fixed parts (12) forms a continua- tion of the force transferring parts contact areas (11.1) in the beam longitudinal direction.

17. A device according to anyone of claims 1-16, wherein the upper tool part (3) comprises means (13) directed downwards towards the beam and which on the bot- torn side (13.1) are shaped after the design of the beam front flange side (1.1), against which the respective means abut at the beam end portions and which are intended to give an external support for the shape of the beam front flange (1.1) and to centre the beam (1) in the device.

18. A device according to anyone of claims 1-17, wherein the lower tool part (4) comprises an ejector (14) upon which the beam is intended to rest during the shaping and which presses the beam up out of the lower tool part (4) when the downwardly directed force from the upper tool part (3) is removed.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the ejector (14) is provided with a spring device (15) in which energy is stored when the tool parts (3, 4) are moved towards each other and the beam is pressed against the ejector (14) and wherein the energy is discharged when the tool parts (3, 4) are moved from each other.

20. A device according to anyone of the proceeding claims, wherein means (36, 37, 38, 39, 39', 40, 41) for quenching of the finished beam (11) is provided, said means comprising a flushing nozzle (38) connected to a source for the provision of cooling medium and wherein the flushing nozzle is positioned in relation to the finished beam in the shaping device so that a flow connection is established between said flushing nozzle and a first opening (22) in the beam and wherein the cooling medium is led out via a second opening (22') in the beam.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein means (39) are provided for receiving and collecting in a controlled way cooling medium which is led out of the beam via the second opening (22').

22. A device according to claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein the output means for feeding cooling medium into the beam and the means for receiving and in a controlled way collecting and leading cooling medium away from the beam are carried by the lower tool part (4).

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the output means (36) for discharging cooling medium is so arranged on the lower tool part (4) that the output means, when the beam is finished, is present in flow connection with the beam first opening (22) present in one beam end or arranged as holes (41) in the beam centre portion.

24. A device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the collecting means for collecting and leading cooling medium away in a controlled way, is so arranged on the lower tool part that the collecting means, when the beam is finished, is present in flow connection with at least one second beam opening (22') present in one end of the beam.

25. A device according to claim 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein the beam first and second openings for leading cooling medium into and out of the beam cavity are located to one opening in the beam.

26. A method for shaping a beam, a blank being a profile element in the form of a beam, which is elongated, has two ends, a centre portion and a closed cross-section and comprises at least one front flange, a rear flange, an upper web and a lower web, the beam prior to shaping being intended to be heated to a, depending on the beam material, chosen anstenitizing temperature for quenching, characterized in the use of a device (2, 31) comprising an upper tool part (3) and a lower tool part (4), which cooperate and between which the beam (1, 21) is arranged and shaped, and wherein a portion (la) of the rear flange (1.2) running along the beam is impressed against at least one portion (1.1) of the front flange (1.1) running along the beam by means of parts (9, 9A, 9B) of the device (2, 31), so that the resulting indentation is substantially complete a certain and limited distance (X) from the beam ends (1A, IB, 23, 23') and towards the beam centre portion (1C, 29), so that the portions (1.1, 1.2) insides substantially abut against each other, whereafter the beam has the greatest volume at the centre portion and the smallest volume at the ends along a certain and limited distance (X), and wherein the beam end portions are bent backwards in relation to the beam centre portion by means of parts (9-13, 32:l-32:n) of the device.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the shaped beam is held in the device during a quenching process.

28. A method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein quenching of the finished beam is performed by feeding a cooling medium to at least the beam inner cavity for cooling the beam.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein at least one opening (22, 22') of the beam for feeding a cooling medium into/out of, respectively, the beam inner cavity is driven to meet, and thereby to establish a flow connection with, a flushing nozzle (38) and a collecting nozzle (39), respectively, during a finishing step of the shaping of the beam.

30. A method for shaping and quenching hollow beams, wherein a pipe-shaped profile element, heated to a quenching temperature and preferably manufactured by rollforming, is placed in a shaping device provided by support parts, which are mutually movable and intended to supportingly receive portions of the profile element between them and by manoeuvring in relation to one another shape the profile element to a beam of desired shape, and wherein the beam thus formed is quenched by being brought into contact with a heat removing cooling medium for heat removal, characterized in that cooling medium is brought to pass the beam (1, 21) cavity.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the cooling medium is brought to pass the beam cavity via a first (22) and second (22') beam opening.

32. A method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein a flushing nozzle (38), being in closed connection with a source for discharging a pressurized cooling medium, is used for feeding cooling medium into the beam via a first beam opening (22).

33. A method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein a collecting nozzle (39) for receiving and leading away cooling medium is used for leading cooling medium in a controlled way out of the beam via the second opening (22').

34. A method according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the beam first opening (22) is driven to meet and thereby establish a flow connection with the flushing nozzle (38) during a finishing step of the shaping.

35. A method according to claim 33, wherein the beam second opening (22') is driven to meet and thereby establish a flow connection with the collecting nozzle (39) during a finishing step of the shaping.

36. A method according to claim 32, wherein the beam first opening (22) is driven to meet and thereby establish a flow connection with the flushing nozzle (38) by bending one main side (27, 1.2) of the beam to a concave shape in a direction towards said flushing nozzle.

37. A method according to claim 33, 34, 35 or 36, wherein the beam second opening (22') is driven to meet and thereby establish a flow connection with the collecting nozzle (39) by bending one main side (27, 1.2) of the beam to a concave shape in a direction towards said collecting nozzle.

38. A method according to anyone of claims 31-37, wherein one end (23) of the beam serves as a first opening for feeding a cooling medium into the beam cavity and the other beam end (23') serves as a second opening (22') for leading cooling medium out of the beam.

39. A method according to anyone of claims 31-38, wherein the beam is provided with at least one hole (41) serving as a first opening (22) in the centre portion (29), through which hole cooling medium is fed into the beam and is fed out of the beam via the second opening (22') in the beam respective ends (23, 23').

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the hole (41) in the centre -portion (29) is provided in a step prior to the shaping and quenching steps.

41. A method according to anyone of claims 32-40, wherein an established, flow connection between the beam first opening (22) and the flushing nozzle (39) is detected by detection means (40) before the cooling medium is fed into and driven through the beam cavity.

42. A device (2, 31) for shaping and quenching hollow beams, comprising a shaping device in which a pipe-shaped closed cross-section profile element heated to a quenching temperature and preferably manufactured by rollforming, is intended to be positioned, a number of support parts comprised by the shaping device, which support parts are mutually movable and intended to supportingly receive portions of the profile element, means for manoeuvring the support parts relative to each other and thereby shaping the profile element to a beam with a desired shape and means for quenching the beam arranged between the support parts by the provision of a cooling medium for heat removal, characterized in that the means for quenching of the beam comprises an output means (36), which for discharging cooling medium comprises a flushing nozzle (38) in connection with a source for discharging cooling medium, and wherein the flushing nozzle (38) has been positioned in relation to the beam finished in the shaping device, so that a flow connection is established be- tween said flushing nozzle and a first opening (22) in the beam, whereby the cooling medium is led out via a second opening (22') in the beam.

43. A device according to claim 42, wherein means (37) for receiving and collecting in a controlled way cooling medium being led out of beam via the second opening (22').

44. A device according to claim 43, wherein the collecting means (37) for receiving and, in a controlled way, leading cooling medium out of the beam (21) via the second opening comprises a collecting nozzle (39).

45. A device according to anyone of claims 42-44, wherein the shaping device support parts are carried by a first and a second, to and from each other movable tool part (3, 4) arranged for receiving the profile element and shaping the same by displacing the halves towards each other.

46. A device according to claim 45, wherein the profile element positioned between the first and the second tool part (3, 4) for shaping to a beam has a main side (27,

1.2), which is intended to be bent to a substantially concave shape against the second tool part (34).

47. A device according to anyone of claim 45 or 46, wherein the means (36) for discharging cooling medium into the beam and the means (37) for receiving and collecting and leading away in a controlled way cooling medium from the beam, are carried by the second tool part (34).

48. A device according to anyone of claims 42-47, wherein the output means (36) for discharging cooling medium is so arranged on the second tool part (34) that the output means, when the beam is finished, is arranged in flow connection with the beam first opening present in one beam end (23).

49. A device according to anyone of claims 32-48, wherein the collection means (36) for collecting and leading away in a controlled way cooling medium is so positioned on the second tool part (34) that the collecting means, when the beam is finished, is present in flow connection with the beam second opening (22') present in the beam second end (23 ').

50. A device according to anyone of claims 42-47, wherein the output means (36) for discharging cooling medium is so arranged on the second tool part (34) that the output means, when the beam is finished, is present in flow connection with the beam first opening arranged as holes (41) in the beam centre mid-portion (29).

51. A device according to claim 42, wherein the beam first and second openings (22, 22') for feeding cooling medium into and out of respectively, the beam cavity consist of one single opening in the beam.

52. A device according to claim 51, wherein the beam first and second openings (22, 22') for feeding cooling medium into and out of, respectively, the beam cavity are arranged in one beam end (23').