Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 1 8537~
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our Reference: PTC-196-A . PATENT
ACT~A~OR FOR FORIS~NG A FTANGE ON A WXEEL~01J8E
FIELD OF THE INVENTION . ~_
The present invention relates to an actuator
for moving one tool with respect to another tool in a
5 generally predetprminpd path, each tool having a surface
or wall portion extending forwardly of the tool face and
in substantial alignment with the direction of relative
motion between the tools, where the surfaces or wall
portions on co-acting tools are laterally of~set to
10 ~c - '~te work therebetween, and are each arranged to
overlap and engage a lateral surf ace on the co-acting
tool during the approach of the tools for a deforming
operation, and in particular, to an actuator having a
plurality of coaxial pistons connected to a single rod
15 member while being disposed in~ separate P~ n~l~hle fluid
chambers .
BACKGRO~JND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally known to perform a bending
operation on a flange of a wheelhouse by clamping the
20 flange from both sides of the clamp while wiping the free
end of the flange with a wiping block, so as to bend the
free end of the flange upward and away from the
wheelhouse. The clamp and wiping block typically have an
arcuate configuration in order to A~ qte the arcuate
25 shaped wheelhouse flange. Typically, the middle arcuate
wheel portion of the wheelhousing is bent in this
fashion, since this is the only portion of the
whPPlhollcing where interference may occur, such as with
chains placed on tires during adverse weather conditions
30 or the like. In order to develop the force nP~ t~cfi~ry to
form the flange, a large actuator has been required. The
size and weight of the actuator was greater than could be
1~ -tl~ted for automated robotic manipulation, and
theref ore has required manual manipulation in combination
35 with a counter balance ---h~nicm for use in current
production line assembly operations.
2 1 85378 - -
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SUMMARY OF TH~ INVENTION
It is desirable in the present invention to
provide an actuator capable of generating sufficient
force to form the flange in a wheelhouse, while
5 maintaining a size and weight small enough to enable
means for manipulating, such as robotic manipulation, or
manual manipulation without the need for a counter
balance r~ ` ~n;~m. The present invention relates to an
actuator, or a cylinder, for flanging a wheelhouse of a
10 motor vehicle to prevent the f lange of ~the wheelhouse
from contacting and interfering with chains placed on the
tires of the vehicle in response to adverse snow
conditions. The present invention provides a light-
weight design that still provides the nP~cs~ry loads for
15 perf orming the bending process of the f lange . The
apparatUs provides a housing having a pair of shaf ts
disposed within separate chambers of the housing for
performing a pair of sequential steps. Each shaft has a
plurality of pistons for providing the high loads
20 required of the flange forming operation. The clamp is
connect~d to one end of the first shaft and moves to and
from a fixed block connected to the housing in order to
secure the flange of the wheelhousing. The wiping block
is connected to the second shaft of the apparatus,
25 providing the wiping block with reciprocal movement to
bend the free end of the flange upward and away from the
motor vehicle tire.
The housing of the apparatus is essentially
divided into two chambers for housing the first and
3 o second shaf ts . Both the f irst and second shaf ts have
four ;ndprpn~pnt chambers defined by cylindrical
dividers. Within each of the chambers, a piston is
attached to its corresponding shaft. Each of the shafts
has a bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the
35 shafts with a port leading from the bore of the shaft
into each of the chambers def ined by the dividers . Ports
are also provided from the outside of the housing leading
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into each of the chambers, such that the ports open into
the chambers on one side of the pistons and the ports
leading into the longitudinal bore of the shaft open into
the chambers on the opposite side of the pistons. Thus,
5 ~ SY uLe is provided through one set of ports on one side
of the pistons to move the shafts in one direction, while
the ro--ining ports may supply air pressure to thê
opposite side of the pistons in order to move the shafts
in the opposite direction. Adjustable, positive stops at
10 the end of the shafts providê positive stops to limit the
amount of travel f or the clamp and wiping block .
In operation, the clamp is positioned over and
clamped onto the f lange of the wheelhouse of the motor
vehicle . The clamp is actuated by supplying f luid
15 ~LeS jULê, such as ~ ~ ~ssed air, to a bottom port of the
f irst chamber so that pressure is provided to one side of
all four pistons on the first shaft, and the first shaft
moves outward to positively clamp the f lange in a clamped
position. The wiping block is actuated by providing
20 pressure to a bottom port of the second chamber, such
that fluid yLes~uLe is provided to one side of the four
pistons attached to the second shaft. The second shaft
moves outward, and the wiping block bends the flange of
the WhF-~l ht~ e . Aftêr the wiping block completes its
25 stroke, fluid pressure is withdrawn from one side of the
pistons and supplied to the opposite side of the pistons
in order to provide the return sweep of the wiping block.
Once the wiping block is returned, the clamp is lln~ lnp~cl
by withdrawing fluid pLèS:~ULe from one side of the
30 pistons and providing fluid pressure to the opposite side
of the pistons. Thus, the shaft retracts, the clamp
opens, and the apparatus is moved away from the motor
vehicle .
Therefore, in its simplest form, the present
35 invention provides an actuator including wall means for
defining at least first and second separate, elongated,
coaxial fluid chambers. The first and second fluid
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chambers have coaxial apertures extending therethrough.
Fluid passage means selectively communicates with at
least the first and second fluid chambers for delivering
pressurized fluid, and fo~ removing fluid from the fluid
chambers. Elongated rod means extend through the coaxial
apertures and have at least f irst and second pistons
connected thereto for reciprocating respectively in the
f irst and second f luid chambers in response to f luid
delivered and removed by the f luid passage means .
Other objects, advantages and applications of
the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art when the following description of the
best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ~E~E DRA~INGS
~he description herein makes ref erence to the
accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals
refer to Iike parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an
apparatus for forming a flange on a whe~lh~llc;nq
according to the present invention with a clamp and a
wiping block both in a closed position;
Flgure 2 is a cross-sectional detailed view
showing the clamp and the wiping block both in an open
position;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional detailed view of
a f luid chamber or piston chamber according to the
present invention with rods connected to the clamp and
the wiping block both in an open position with
~_uLL~a~llding stops on each rod limiting reciprocal
- v I_ of the rod;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional detA; 1 ecl view
showing the clamp in a closed position while the wiper
block is still in an open position;
Figure 5 is an end view of the apparatus
according to the present invention; and
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Figure 6 is a plan view of the apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention discloses an apparatus
and method for bending a flange 10 of a wheelhouse 12 by
clamping the flange 10 from both sides with a clamp 18,
while wiping the free end 14 of the flange 10 with a
wiping block 16, so as to bend the free end 14 of the
flange 10 upward away from the wheelhouse 12. The clamp
18 and wiping block 16 both have an arcuate conf iguration
in order to a~ te the arcuate shaped wheelhouse 12.
Only the middle arcuate portion of the wheelhouse 12 is
bent in order to provide clearance ~or the tire of the
vehicle, particularly when enlarged due to the inclusion
of additional optional equipment, such as snow chains.
The apparatus 20 of the present invention
assembles a f irst element or portion thereof along an
edge of a second element and into overlapping
relationship with the second element. The assembly is
accomplished in whole or in part by deforming the first
element. The deformation is accomplished by stressing
the f irst element beyond the elastic limit . The
apparatus 20 according to the present invention includes
means, such as wiping block 16, to juxtapose, a3sociate
or fasten together a plurality of work parts by stressing
one part beyond the elastic limit thereof. The apparatus
20 according to the present invention also includes,
means, such as clamp 18 r for engaging a f irst work part
and including means, such as wiping block 16, for
engaging a second work part which means are adapted to
bring the two parts into juxtaposed relationship, or
cause one of the work parts to intimately engage the
other to thereby fasten the work parts together. The
apparatus 20 according to the present invention is
employed to perform a bending operation on a sheet or
thin plate of material in the plane of the width for
forming the flange, the added wall means on the dies
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serve to inhibit crumpling or buckling of the thin
material .
The apparatus 20 for forming the flange 10
provides a light-weight d,esign capable of delivering the
nec~csi~ry loads for performing the bending process. The
apparatus 20 includes a housing 22 having a pair of
shafts 24, 26 disposed within separate chambers 28, 30
respectively, of the housing 22 for performing a pair of
sequential steps. Each shaft 24, 26 has a plurality of
pistons 32, 34 respectively for providing the high loads
required during the f lange f orming operation . The clamp
18 is connected to one end of the first shaft 24 and
moves reciprocally toward and away from a fixed block 36
connected to the housing 22 in order to secure the flange
10 of the wheelhousing 12. The wiping block 16 is
connected to the second shaft ~26 of the apparatus 20 to
provide the wiping block 16 with reciprocal movement to
bend the free end 14 of the flange 10 away from the
future location of a vehicle tire.
The housing 22 of the apparatus 10 is
es6entially divided into the two chambers 28, 30 for
housing the first and second shafts 24, 26. Both the
first and second shafts 24, 26 have four ;nfl~r~n~l~nt
chambers 38, 40 respectively, defined by cylindrical
dividers 42, 44 respectively. Within each of the
chambers 38, 40, a piston 32, 34 is attached to the
~ ULL.~J~ ;n~ shaft 24, 26. Each of the shafts 24, 26
has a bore 46, 48 respectively, extending along the
longitudinal axis of the shafts 24, 26 with a port 50, 52
leading from the bore 46, 48 of the shaft 24, 26 into
each of the chambers 38, 40 defined by the dividers 42,
44. Ports 54, 56 are also provided from the outside of
the housing 22 leading into each of the chambers 38, 40
respectively, such that the ports 54, 56 open into the
chambers 38, 40 on one side of the pistons 32, 34 and the
ports 50, 52 leading into the longitudinal bores 46, 48
of the shafts 24, 26 open into the chambers 38, 40 on the
2 ~ 8~7~
opposite side of the pist~ns 32, 34. Fluid pressure can
therefore be provided through one set of ports on one
side of the pistons 32, 34 to move the shafts 24, 26 in
one direction, while the ~emaining port5 may supply fluid
5 pressure to the opposite sides of the pistons 32, 34 in
order to move the shafts 24, 26 in the opposite
direction. Adjustable positive stops 58, 60 at the end
of the shafts 24, 26 respectively, provide positive stops
to limit the amount of travel for the clamp 18 and wiping
10 block 16.
In operation, the clamp 18 is lln~ nrc~d and
positioned over the flange 10 of the whPPlh~ ce 12 of a
motor vehicle. The clamp 18 is actuated by supplying
fluid ~es,,u~e to a bottom port 62 of the first chamber
15 28, so that pressure is provided to one side of all four
pistons 32 on the first shaft 24, such that the first
shaft 24 moves outward to positively clamp the flange 10
in a clamped position. The wiping block 16 is then
actuated by providing fluid pressure to a bottom port 64
20 of the second chamber 30, such that fluid pressure
provided to one side of the four pistons 32 attach to the
second shaft 26, such that the second shaft 26 moves
outward, and the wiping block 16 bends the flange 10 of
the whPPlhollce 12. After the wiping block 16 completes
25 its stroke, fluid pressure is withdrawn from one side of
the pistons 34 and supplied to the opposite side of the
pistons 34 in order to provide the return sweep of the
wiping block 16. Once the wiping block 16 has returned,
the clamp 18 is unclamped by withdrawing fluid pressure
30 from the one side of the pistons 32 and providing fluid
pressure to the opposite side of the pistons 32. Thus,
the shaft 24 retracts, the clamp 18 opens, and the
apparatus is moved away f rom the motor vehicle .
The apparatus 20 of the present invention
35 reduces the weight of existing flange forming devices by
as much as 50%, while still providing the nPcPcs~ry press
loads to bend the wheelhouse f lange during the forming
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operation. The apparatus 20 according to the present
invention uses a single ho~sing 22 having a pair of
parallel shafts 24, 26 with a plurality of tandem pistons
32, 34 in order to perform the two step sequential
operation.
The apparatus 20 may include actuator means 122
for moving, or means 124 for guiding, one tool, such as
wiping block 16 with respect to another tool, such as
support means 126 in a generally predetermined path.
Each tool may include a surface 128, or wall portion,
extending forwardly of the tool face and in substantial
alignment with the direction of relative motion between
the tools, which surfaces or wall portions on co-acting
tools are laterally offset to a~ te work
therebetween, and are each arranged to overlap and engage
a lateral surface 130 on the co-acting tool 126 during
the approach of the tools for a de~orming operation.
The present invention discloses actuator means
122 for forming a flange lO on a wheelhouse 12. The
actuator means 122 may include a cylinder or actuator 132
having wall means 134 for deflning at least first and
second separate, elongated, coaxial f luid chambers or
piston chambers 136, 138. The first and second fluid or
piston chambers 136, 138 have coaxial apertures 140
extending therethrough. Fluid passage means 142
selectively communicate with at least the f irst and
second chambers 136, 138 for delivering pressurized fluid
and ~or removing fluid from the chambers 136, 138.
Elongated rod means 144 extends through the coaxial
apertures 140 and has at least first and second pistons
146, 148 c~nnP~ t-~d thereto for reciprocating respectively
in the f irst and second chambers 13 6, 13 8 in response to
f luid delivered and removed by the f luid passage means
142 .
The wall means 134 may also include at least a
third separate, elongated, coaxial fluid or piston
chamber 150 . The third f luid or piston chamber 150 has
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an aperture 140 extending coaxial with the other coaxial
apertures 140 of the first and second chambers 136, 138.
The fluid passage means 142 may also selectively
communicate with the third chamber 150 for delivering
pressurized fluid and for removing fluid from the chamber
150. The elongated rod means 144 also may extend through
the coaxial aperture 14 0 and include at least a third
piston 152 connected thereto for reciprocating
respectively in the third chamber 150 in response to
f luid delivered and removed by the f luid passage means
142 .
The wall means 134 may also include at least a
fourth separate, elongated, coaxial fluid or piston
chamber 154 with an aperture 140 extending coaxial with
the coaxial apertures 140 of the first, ~second and third
chambers 136, 138 and 150. The fluid passage means 142
may also selectively communicate with the fourth chamber
154 for delivering pressurized fluid and for removing
f luid from the fourth chamber 154 . The elongated rod
means 144 may also extend through the coaxial apertures
140 and include at least a fourth piston 156 connected
thereto for reciprocating respectively in the fourth
chamber 154 in response to fluid delivered and removed by
the fluid passage means 142.
The fluid passage means 142 may extend at least
in part through the elongated rod means 144 for
communicating between at least cu, Le~unding sides of the
first and second pistons 146, 148 within the first and
second chambers 136, 138 respectively. The elongated rod
means 144 may also include stepped progressive reductions
in diameter spaced longitudinally along a length thereof
corrF~sp~n~; n~ to at least the f irst and second chambers
136, 138. The first and second pistons 146, 148 may have
equal outer peripheries and be connected to the rod means
144 through first and second apertures o~ different
diameters corresponding to the stepped progressive
reductions in diameter of the elongated rod means 144.
218~78
.
The wall means 134 may include the housing 22
having at least one elongated aperture 158 extending
therethrough. Pirst and second elongated sleeve or liner
means 160, 162 slidably e,ngage within the aperture 158
and have inner surfaces 164, 166 respectively defining
the first and second ~luid or piston chambers 136, 138.
An in~ te wall means 168 slidably engages within
the aperture 158 and is interposed between the first and
second means 160, 162 for forming a stationary divider
wall between the first and second chambers 136, 138. The
fluid passage means 142 may be formed at least in part
between the housing 22 and the f irst and second means
160, 162, such as sleeve means or liner means, for
communicating with the f irst and second f luid or piston
chambers 136, 138.
The housing 22 may include a second elongated
aperture 170 extending therethrough. First and second
elongated liner or sleeve means 136, 138 can be slidably
engaged within the second aperture 170. The first and
second means 136, 138 have inner surfaces 164, 166 as
previously described with respect to the f irst aperture
in the housing 22 . In~ ; ate wall means 168 can be
slidably engaged within the second aperture 170 and
interposed between the f irst and second liner means 13 6,
138 for forming a stationary divider wall between the
first and second fluid or piston chambers 136, 138. The
first and second piston chambers 136, 138 have coaxial
apertures 140 extending therethrough . Second f luid
passage means 172 is provided for selectively
3 0 , ; cating with the f irst and second piston chambers
136, 138 of the second aperture 170 for delivering
pressurized fluid for removing fluid from the chambers
136, 138. Second elongated rod means 174 extends through
the coaxial apertures 140 of the first and second piston
chambers 136, 138 and has at least first and second
pistons 146, 148 connected thereto ~'or reciprocating
respectively in the first and second chambers 136, 138 in
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response to f luid delivered and removed by the second
fluid passage means 172. The wall means 134 can include
first and second end cap means 176, 178 connected to
opposite ends of the aper,ture extending through the
housing 22 for closing the aperture while allowing at
least one end of the elongated rod means 144 to extend
outwardly through one of the end cap means 176, 178.
The apparatus 20 according to the present
invention may also include at least one wheelhouse f lange
die means 180 connected to one end of the second
elongated rod means 174 ~or forming a flange on a
wheelhousing of a vehicle side panel. An opposing
support means 126 is connected to the housing 122 for
supporting the housing 22 and die means 180 during the
flange forming operation. The support means 126 is
positionable in opposing relationship to the clamp 18 for
interposing the wh~ lhollcing therebetween while the die
means 180, such as wiping block 16 moves with respect to
the clamped flange of the vehicle side panel to bend the
flange between the surfaces 128 of the die means 180 and
support means 126. Guide means 182 is proYided for
guiding movement of the die means 180 and support means
126 while forming the flange on the wheelhousing of the
vehicle side panel.
The actuator means 122 according to the present
invention can be assembled by a method comprising the
steps of providing the housing means 22 with an aperture
extending th~:Le ~ ugh, connecting f irst end cap means
176 to close one end of the aperture in the housing means
22. The first end cap means 176 has a rod receiving
aperture 140 extending therethrough. Rod means 144 is
inserted through the rod receiving aperture 140 of the
first end cap means 176 for reciprocating between first
and second end li~its of movement. The rod means 144 may
have longi~llAin~lly spaced, progressively reduced
diameter portions extending from a first end to a second
end. ~irst liner means or sleeve means 160 is inserted
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12
in the aperture of the housing means 22 for abutting
against the first end cap means 176. A first piston 146
can be connected on the rod means 144 for engaging
between the rod means 144, and the first sleeve means 160.
5 The f irst piston 14 6 is connected to a f irst reduced
diameter portion 182 of the rod means 144 for
reciprocating with the rod means 144 between the f irst
and second end limits of movement. An intermediate,
radially extending, wall means 168 is slidably inserted
on the rod means 144 to enclose the first piston 146
within a f irst chamber 13 6 def ined by the f irst end cap
means 176, the first sleeve means 160 and the
int~ te wall means 168. Second liner means or
sleeve means 162 is inserted in the aperture of the
housing means 22 for interposing the int~ te wall
means 168 between the first and second sleeve means 160,
162. A second piston 148 can be connected on the rod
means 144 for engaging between the rod means 144 and the
second sleeve means 162. The second piston 148 is
connected to a second reduced diameter portion 184 of the
rod means 144. Second end cap means 178 is connected to
the housing means 22 for closing an opposite end of the
aperture in the housing means 22.
The actuator 132 according to the present
invention can also be assembled including the steps of
inserting a second int~ te radially extending wall
means 168 slidably on the rod means 144 to enclose the
second piston 148 within the second fluid chamber 138
defined by the second int~-- ~';ate wall means 168, the
seconc~ sleeve means 162 and the first intermediate wall
means 168. Third sleeve means or liner means 186 can be
inserted in the aperture of the housing means 22 for
interposing the second int~ te wall means 168
between the second and third sleeve means or liner means
148, 186. A third piston 152 can be connected on the rod
means 144 for engaging between the rod means 144 and the
third sleeve means 186. The third piston 152 can be
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13
connected to a third reduced diameter portion 190 of the
rod means 144.
The assembling method can also include the
steps of inserting a third intermediate radially
extending wall means 192 slidably on the rod means 144 to
enclose the third piston 152 within a third fluid chamber
150 defined by the third in~ iAte wall means 192, the
third sleeve means 186 and the second in~ iate wall
means 185. Fourth sleeve or liner means 196 can be
inserted in the aperture of the housing means 22 for
interposing the third intP -~;~te wall means 192 between
the third and fourth sleeve or liner means 186, 196. A
fourth piston 156 can be connected on the rod means 144
for engaging between the rod means 144 and the fourth
sleeve or liner means 196. The fourth piston 156 can be
connected to a fourth reduced diameter portion 200 of the
rod means 144.
The assembling method for the actuator 132 can
also include the housing means 22 having a second
2 0 elongated aperture 17 0 extending therethrough and
connecting the first cap means 176, or a third cap means,
to close one end of the second aperture 170 in the
housing means 22. The assembling process ~or the second
rod means 174 is the same as previously described for the
first drive means 144 ;ncl~l~in~ inserting the first liner
means 160, connecting a first piston head 146, inserting
an intermediate radially extending plate means 168,
inserting second liner means 162, connecting a second
piston head 148 and connecting second cap means 178. In
the preferred configuration, one of the rod means is
connected to clamp 18, while the other is connoC~ ed to
the wiping block 16. The rod means 144, 174 are operable
inrloron~ontly of one another to form the flange 10 in a
wheolho~lce 12 as previously described.
While the invention has been described in
connection with what is presently considered to be the
most practical and preferred ~mhQ~lir-nt, it is to be
2 1 85378
14
understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
disclosed ~mho~lir-nts but, on the contrary, is intended
to cover various modif ications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope o~ the
5 appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to ~nc-~r iqc all such
modif ications and equivalent structures as is permitted
under the law.
