Method and machine for punching bodywork components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9656404-B2
Application number	US-201113699335-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2011
Priority date	May 24, 2010
Publication date	May 23, 2017
Grant date	May 23, 2017

Abstract

A method for punching bodywork components, in particular a skin in order to install parking-assistance sensors or headlight washers therein. The invention also relates to a punching machine having an anvil for receiving the bodywork component, a punch, and movement means for moving the punch, initially over a first stroke in order to bring it into a utilization position, and then over a second stroke in order to pierce said component. The movement of the punch over the second stroke takes place at a travel speed not exceeding 10 mm/s and less than the travel speed of the punch over the first stroke. The means for moving the punch over the second stroke comprise a punching actuator coupled to a force-multiplication mechanism. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a machine and to a bodywork component obtained by performing the method.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for punching a bodywork component, in particular a skin in order to install parking-assistance sensors or headlight washers therein, in which said method comprises the steps of:
placing said bodywork component on an anvil associated with a punch that is held at a distance therefrom when in a rest position;
activating a first actuator to move said punch toward said bodywork component over a first stroke in order to bring said punch close to said bodywork component;
activating a second actuator to move said punch over a second stroke in order to pierce said bodywork component;
said movement of said punch over said second stroke being performed at a travel speed relative to said bodywork component that does not exceed 10 mm/s and that is less than a travel speed of said punch over its first stroke, said second actuator, which is coupled to a force-multiplication mechanism, being distinct from said first actuator;
wherein said punch is mounted at a first end of an axially-movable support that has said first end and a second end opposite said first end, wherein said axially-movable support travels along said first stroke in order to place said second end in a vicinity of said force-multiplication mechanism so that said second end can be subjected to thrust from said mechanism during said second stroke when said punch is moved by said second means;
wherein the movement of said punch over said first stroke by said first actuator over said second stroke by said second actuator is always directed towards the anvil.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, after said first stroke, a distance between said bodywork component to be punched and said punch is preferably less than 5 mm.

3. A machine for punching a bodywork component, in particular a skin in order to install parking-assistance sensors or headlight washers therein, said machine comprising an anvil suitable for receiving a bodywork component, a punch that is held at a distance from said anvil when in a rest position, and movement means for moving said punch initially over a first stroke in order to bring it into a utilization position close to said bodywork component, and then over a second stroke in order to pierce said bodywork component, said movement means being designed so that said movement of said punch over said second stroke takes place at a travel speed relative to said bodywork component that does not exceed 10 mm/s and that is less than a travel speed of said punch over said first stroke, wherein said movement means comprise a first means for moving said punch over said first stroke and a second means, distinct from said first means, for moving said punch over said second stroke, and wherein the second means for moving said punch over said second stroke comprises a punching actuator coupled to a force-multiplication mechanism;
wherein said first means for moving said punch over said first stroke and said second means for moving said punch over said second stroke both cause said punch to move towards said anvil;
wherein said punch is mounted at a first end of an axially-movable support that has said first end and a second end opposite said first end, wherein said axially-movable support travels along said first stroke in order to place said second end in a vicinity of said force-multiplication mechanism so that said second end can be subjected to thrust from said mechanism during said second stroke when said punch is moved by said second means.

4. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said first means comprise an approach actuator for said first stroke.

5. The machine according to claim 4 , wherein said approach actuator is a pneumatic actuator.

6. The machine according to claim 4 , wherein said force-multiplication mechanism comprises a cam acting as a wedge against a cam wheel secured to said punch.

7. The machine according to claim 4 , wherein said force-multiplication mechanism comprises a lever hinged on a pin secured to a frame and actuated by an actuator, said lever exerting a force on a support of said punch by a lever effect in order to move said punch over said second stroke.

8. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said force-multiplication mechanism comprises a cam acting as a wedge against a cam wheel secured to said punch.

9. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said force-multiplication mechanism comprises a lever hinged on a pin secured to a frame and actuated by an actuator, said lever exerting a force on a support of said punch by a lever effect in order to move said punch over said second stroke.

10. The machine according to claim 3 wherein said punching actuator is a pneumatic actuator.

11. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said force-multiplication mechanism comprises a cam acting as a wedge against a cam wheel secured to said punch.

12. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said force-multiplication mechanism comprises a lever hinged on a pin secured to a frame and actuated by an actuator, said lever exerting a force on a support of said punch by a lever effect in order to move said punch over said second stroke.

13. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said first means is a pneumatic actuator.

14. The machine according to claim 13 , wherein said second means is a pneumatic actuator.

15. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein said second means is a pneumatic actuator.

16. A machine for punching a bodywork component comprising:
an anvil suitable for receiving said bodywork component;
a punch that is held at a distance from said anvil when in a rest position; and
a first driver or mover for moving said punch initially over a first stroke in order to bring it into a utilization position close to said bodywork component, and a second driver or mover for moving said punch over a second stroke in order to pierce said bodywork component;
wherein said movement of said punch over said second stroke takes place at a travel speed relative to said bodywork component that does not exceed 10 mm/s and that is less than a travel speed of said punch over said first stroke, wherein said first driver or mover for moving said punch over said first stroke is distinct from said second driver or mover for moving said punch over said second stroke, and wherein said second driver or mover for moving said punch over said second stroke comprises a punching actuator;
wherein said first driver or mover moves said punch over said first stroke and said second driver or mover moves said movement of said punch over said second stroke, wherein said movement of said punch over said first stroke and said second stroke is always directed towards the anvil;
wherein said punch is mounted at a first end of an axially-movable support that has said first end and a second end opposite side first end, wherein said axially-movable support travels along said first stroke in order to place said second end in a vicinity of a force-multiplication mechanism so that said second end can be subjected to thrust from said force-multiplication mechanism during said second stroke when said punch is moved by said second driver or mover.

17. The machine according to claim 16 , wherein said first driver or mover comprises an approach actuator for said first stroke.

18. The machine according to claim 17 , wherein said approach actuator is a pneumatic actuator.

19. The machine according to claim 16 , wherein a force-multiplication mechanism comprises a cam acting as a wedge against a cam wheel secured to said punch.

20.

Assignees

• Tresse David
• Plastic Omnium Cie

Inventors

• Tresse David

Classifications

• B26D5/12

  Fluid-pressure means · CPC title

• B26F1/02

  Perforating by punching, e.g. with relatively-reciprocating punch and bed · CPC title

• B26F1/40

  using a press, e.g. of the ram type (presses in general B30B) · CPC title

• Y10T83/874

  Straight line positioning · CPC title

• Y10T83/06

  Blanking · CPC title