Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
  • B21D39/02—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder
  • B21D39/021—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder for panels, e.g. vehicle doors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D19/00—Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes
  • B21D19/02—Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes by continuously-acting tools moving along the edge
  • B21D19/04—Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes by continuously-acting tools moving along the edge shaped as rollers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
  • B21D39/02—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder
  • B21D39/021—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder for panels, e.g. vehicle doors
  • B21D39/023—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder for panels, e.g. vehicle doors using rollers

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for assembling two crimping sheet metal panels, as well as a crimping method, by carrying out a prestressing operation and a crimping operation.
• the crimping is used to assemble the two panels of sheets by folding an edge of the first panel on an edge of the second panel.
• the crimping operations are carried out with a mobile arm of a robot carrying a crimping tool including a roller or a wheel: the arm is then moved along the edge to be crimped to exert on it a force through the roller.
• the arm is moved a first time along the edge to exert a force to partially fold this edge, then it is moved a second time along the edge to exert a force to apply it on the other edge to that he encloses it.
• the force exerted by the roller on the edge to be crimped is for example generated and / or enslaved by a device such as that described in FIG. the patent application FR-A-2,843,549, possibly being controlled by a sensor.
• the object of the invention is to provide a means for performing the crimping of a part in a simple and fast manner and offering a satisfactory quality.
• the invention relates to a device for assembling by folding an edge of a first sheet metal panel on an edge of a second sheet metal panel, this device comprising a movable arm carrying a tool for exerting a force on the edge of the first panel in order to fold it towards the edge of the second panel and secondly to apply it on the edge of the second panel, characterized in that the tool comprises at least one roller pre-crimping device and a crimping roller mounted one behind the other, in the direction of movement of the tool, on a support, and in that the axes of the two rollers form between them an angle.
• the invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the support is a rocker which is mounted on a base being able to pivot relative to this base around an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tool, the base being intended to be fixed to the movable arm.
• the invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the tool comprises at least one spring compressing when the rocker is spaced from a neutral angular position.
• the invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the tool comprises two springs compressing respectively when the rocker is spaced from its neutral position in a first or a second direction of rotation about the axis.
• the invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the angle that the axes of the two rollers form, is 55 °.
• the invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the rocker is pivotally mounted relative to the base around an axis coinciding with the pivot axis of the crimping roller.
• the invention also relates to a device as defined above, in which the axis of pivoting of the crimping roller and the rocker crosses an axis of symmetry of the arm carrying the tool.
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling by folding an edge of a first sheet metal panel on an edge of a second sheet metal panel, with a device comprising a movable arm carrying a tool for exerting a force on the edge of the first panel in order firstly to fold it towards the edge of the second panel and secondly to apply it on the edge of the second panel, comprising at least the following steps: approach of the movable arm and positioning of the tool in contact with a support surface of a matrix carrying the panels to be assembled,
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 is a front view of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the crimping of sheet metal panels with the device according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 5 is a front view of the device according to the second embodiment of the invention.
• the device according to the invention is intended to assemble parts by crimping or folding. As shown in FIG. 3, this assembly consists of folding an edge B1 of a first panel P1 of sheet metal on an edge B2 of a second panel P2 of sheet metal.
• the panels are supported by a matrix M, the folding being carried out with a prestress roller 1 and a crimping roller 2 mounted on a tool carried by a mobile arm of a robot.
• the tool comprises for this purpose a support 3, or balance, carrying the two rollers 1, 2, this beam being mounted on a base 7 being able to pivot about an axis 4 relative to this base 7.
• the axis 4 extends perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the tool 1, 2 along the edge to be crimped.
• the base 7 of the tool is attached to a not shown end of the robot arm via a crimping head 8 comprising a face 9 of attachment to this arm end.
• This crimping head 8 comprises, for example, means for controlling the intensity of the force applied by the rollers to the edge to be crimped, the base 7 being rigidly fixed to a movable member of this crimping head.
• This head 8 comprises for example a spring which is compressed by the robot on a predetermined stroke to deliver a crimping force determined by the stiffness of the spring and the length of compression.
• the tool also comprises straining springs 5 and 6, respectively pre-crimping roller and crimping roller.
• the rocker 3 comprises two branches, respectively marked by 3A and 3B parallel to each other and extending on either side of the base 7, beyond the axis of rotation 4 .
• the spring 5 is interposed and held in position between the leg 3A and the base 7
• the spring 6 is interposed and held in position between the leg 3B and the base 7.
• a rotation of the balance 3 in the direct direction in Figure 1 tends to compress the spring 5, and a rotation in the indirect direction in Figure 1 tends to compress the spring 6.
• These springs thus tend, together, to bring the balance 3 in a so-called neutral angular position, corresponding to the position occupied by this beam in Figures 1 and 2, and wherein the branches 3A and 3B extend parallel to the base 7.
• the pre-crimping roller 1 meets a thickness, it will tend to rotate the rocker 3 in a direction tending to compress the spring 5, which will substantially increase the force applied by the roller edge to crimp.
• the spring 6 will be compressed, thus tending to increase substantially the force applied by the roller 6.
• the crimping force is applied by the arm and enslaved via the crimping head 8 to correspond to a desired value of the sum of the forces applied by the two rollers 1 and 2 to the edge to be crimped.
• the distribution of this force between the roller 1 and the roller 2 is managed by the spring 5 and 6 to absorb the best irregularities encountered during the movement of the tool.
• the rollers 1 and 2 are carried respectively by an axis A1 and by an axis A2 which form a non-zero angle, denoted W, with respect to one another. More particularly, the axis Al and the axis A2 are inscribed in two parallel planes, perpendicular to the path of the tool.
• the angle W corresponds to the angle separating, in the plane containing the axis A2, the axis A2 and the orthogonal projection of the axis Al in this plane.
• the pre-crimping roller 1 is positioned in abutment on a guide surface S of the matrix M in which the sheet metal panels P1 and P2 have been crimped, exerting a force on the edge Bl via the tool, to fold this edge Bl locally.
• the not shown movable arm is then moved to move the tool along the edge crimping, resting on the guide surface S, so as to exert a force on the edge Bl to crimp.
• the edge Bl As the tool advances along the edge Bl, the latter is first folded by the pre-crimping roller 1, then applied to the edge B2 of the second panel P2 by the crimping roller 2.
• the prestressing roller 1 brings the first deformations of the edge Bl of the panel P1 and the crimping roller 2, which follows the roller 1 at a short distance, performs the crimping.
• the angle W is 55 degrees, which makes it possible, in practice, to make crimps in which the crimping edge is bent at an angle of up to 105 degrees in a single pass, that is to say - say in one pass the crimping tool.
• the cycle time of a crimp can thus be divided by two.
• the support or balance 3 has an axis of symmetry coinciding with the axis of revolution AX of the crimping head 8 when the balance 3 occupies a neutral angular position, as in FIG.
• the axes A1 and A2 of the rollers 1 and 2 are respectively located in front and rear of a plane normal to the movement of the tool and containing the axis AX.
• the pressure applied by the head 8 is thus equitably distributed over the first and the second roller 1 and 2, this distribution being moreover managed by the stressing springs 5 and 6 in case of inclination of the balance 3.
• the device comprises a balance 3 'which is asymmetrical.
• This balance also carries a roller presteving and a roller 2 'crimping located one behind the other relative to the direction of movement of the tool.
• These rollers 1 'and 2' are also mounted on axes A1 'and A2' forming an angle W with respect to each other, as can be seen in FIG.
• the axis Al 'and the axis A2' are inscribed in two parallel planes, perpendicular to the path of the tool.
• the angle W corresponds to the angle separating, in the plane containing the axis A2 ', the axis A2' and the orthogonal projection of the axis Al 'in this plane.
• the rocker arm 3 ' is also mounted on a base indicated by 7' which is rigidly secured to a crimping head 8 'provided with an upper surface 9' of attachment to an arm of the robot .
• the support 3 ' is pivotable relative to the base 7' about the axis A2 'coinciding with the axis of the roller 2' crimping.
• the crimping head 8 'of Figures 4 and 5 is identical to the crimping head 8 of Figures 1 and 2. It comprises for example a spring for adjusting the level of force applied to the tool by setting the path of the robot to compress more or less strongly this spring.
• the device comprises a single lateral branch indicated by 11 ', extending parallel to the axis AX' and carrying the spring 5 '.
• This branch 11 ' is located behind the crimping roller 2' relative to the direction of travel of the tool. It comprises a yoke at its lower end by which it is connected to a lower arm 12 'of the support 3' by a pivot connection axis parallel to the axis A2 '.
• the lower arm 12 extends an attachment zone of the rollers, in the horizontal direction corresponding to the direction of advance of the tool, and ends with a bend oriented vertically at the upper end of which is fixed the yoke of the branch 11 '.
• the branch 11 ' comprises a rod not visible in the figures and having its lower end fixed to the yoke. This rod is parallel to the axis AX ', and it passes through a tubular abutment 13', this stop being rigidly fixed to the base 7 'extending parallel to the axis AX'.
• the helical spring 5 surrounds a set screw
• the set screw 14 'thus makes it possible to directly adjust the force applied by the prestress roller 1 to the edge of the sheet to be bent, this force being all the more important as the screw 14' is tightened.
• the base of the clevis 15 'of the arm 11' defines a support surface of larger dimensions than the lower face of the tubular abutment 13 '.
• the tool is then moved along the edge to be crimped, resting on the guide surface S, so as to exert a force on the edge Bl to crimp.
• the advance of the tool causes the folding of the edge Bl by the pre-crimping roller 1 ', then this edge B1 is applied on the edge B2 by the crimping roller 2'.
• the cycle time can thus be divided by two.
• the mobility of the balance makes it possible to avoid marking the pieces when passing an obstacle: a fine adjustment of the pressure of the presetting roller can be performed by adjusting the set screw 14 '.
• the programming of the trajectory of the robot carrying the tool according to the second embodiment is simplified by the fact that the axis Al 'carrying the prestressing roller 1' is inscribed in a plane comprising the axis AX 'of the head 8' and the axis 4 'of pivoting of the balance 3'.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
• Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
• Straightening Metal Sheet-Like Bodies (AREA)
• Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
• Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
• Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
• Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=37814247

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2006
  • 2006-07-03 FR FR0652762A patent/FR2903030B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-07-02 WO PCT/FR2007/051576 patent/WO2008020137A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2007-07-02 EP EP07823532A patent/EP2035164B1/fr active Active
  • 2007-07-02 BR BRPI0711244-0A patent/BRPI0711244A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2007-07-02 ES ES07823532T patent/ES2330976T3/es active Active
  • 2007-07-02 AT AT07823532T patent/ATE442923T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-07-02 DE DE602007002498T patent/DE602007002498D1/de active Active
  • 2007-07-02 CN CN2007800250611A patent/CN101484255B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (4)

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