Device for bending hollow structural components

Abstract

A device (10) is disclosed for bending hollow structural components (100), in particular pipes, having a mandrel shaft (40) for receiving a receiving element (20), wherein a row of at least two ball joints (30, 30′) connected with each other can be inserted into the receiving element (20) at its end, wherein the row of ball joints (30, 30′) is preferably lockable by a ball-and-socket joint (70) at an end located opposite the receiving element (20), wherein each ball joint (30, 30′) of the row is circumferentially enclosed by a shingle (50, 50′) and the ball-and-socket joint (70) is circumferentially enclosed by an end shingle (60) and the shingles (50, 60) overlap each other at least in portions.

Claims

1. A device (10) for bending hollow structural components (100), comprising a receiving element (20); a mandrel shaft (40) for receiving the receiving element (20), at least two ball joints (30, 30′) forming a row of at least two ball joints (30, 30′) wherein the ball joints (30, 30′) of the row of at least two ball joints (30, 30′) are connected with each other and the row of at least two ball joints (30, 30′) is inserted into the receiving element (20) at a first end of the row of at least two ball joints (30, 30′), a ball-and-socket joint (70), wherein the row of ball joints (30, 30′) is lockable by the ball-and-socket joint (70) at a second end of the row of at least two ball joints (30, 30′) located opposite the receiving element (20), at least two shingles (50, 50′), wherein each ball joint (30, 30′) of the row of ball joints (30, 30′) is circumferentially enclosed by one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′), and wherein one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) and/or one of the ball joints (30, 30′) is rotatable and/or pivotable in all directions relative to each other, and an end shingle (60), wherein the ball-and-socket joint (70) is circumferentially enclosed by the end shingle (60), and one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) and the end shingle (60) overlap each other at least in portions characterized in that one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) and the end shingle (60) comprise a holding section (53, 63), wherein one of the ball joints (30, 30′) and the ball-and-socket joint (70) are insertable into the holding section (53, 63) in a positive locking manner and are pivotable in the holding section (53, 63).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) and the end shingle (60) have a limiting section (52, 62) which is configured as a stop for one of the ball joints (30, 30′) or the ball-and-socket joint (70).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) have a guiding section (54), wherein the guiding section (54) is configured for partially receiving and guiding an adjacent shingle (50′, 50″, 50′″) or end shingle (60).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) and the end shingle (60) have a limiting section (52, 62) which is configured as a stop for the ball joints (30, 30′) or the ball-and-socket joint (70); wherein one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) have a guiding section (54), wherein the guiding section (54) is configured for partially receiving and guiding an adjacent shingle (50′, 50″, 50′″) or end shingle (60); and wherein the holding section (53) is arranged between the limiting section (52) and the guiding section (54), and the holding section (53) comprises a spherical form with an inner diameter (B″) which corresponds to an outer diameter (B′) of a first end section (31) of one of the ball joints (30, 30′).

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the limiting section (52) is arranged offset to the holding section (53) and wherein the limiting section (52) has an inner diameter (B′″) which corresponds to an outer diameter (B′) of the first end section (31) of one of the ball joints (30, 30′), wherein the guiding section (54) has an inner diameter (C″) which corresponds to an outer diameter (C′) of a spherical skin surface (51) of one of the at least two shingles (50, 50′) or end shingle (60).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein a vacuity (80) is formed between each two shingles (50, 50′), wherein the vacuity (80) remains a constant volume, independent of a bending degree of the device (10).

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element (20) is connectable to the mandrel shaft (40) via a fastening means (90).

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ball joints (30, 30′) and/or the receiving element (20) is configured divisible.

Description

(1) In the following, several embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by means of the drawings. The figures show the following:

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b sectional views of a receiving element of a device according to the invention according to one embodiment,

(3) FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c views of a ball joint of the device according to the invention,

(4) FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c views of a mandrel shaft of the device according to the invention,

(5) FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c views of a shingle of the device according to the invention,

(6) FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c views of an end shingle of the device according to the invention,

(7) FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c views of a ball-and-socket joint of the device according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 7 a sectional view of the device according to the invention in a state inserted into a hollow structural component, and

(9) FIG. 8 a detailed view F of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show sectional views of a receiving element 20 of a device 10 according to the invention according to one embodiment. According to the embodiment, the device 10 is configured as a device 10 for bending hollow structural components 100 and in particular as a joint shingle mandrel.

(11) FIG. 1b shows a sectional view along a sectional plane A-A of FIG. 1a. The receiving element 20 is formed cylindrical. At a first end 21 the receiving element 20 has a spherical receiving section 22. The receiving section 22 has an opening angle D at the end which can, for example, be between 90° and 170°.

(12) The receiving section 22 has an inner diameter A and an outer diameter B. The receiving section 22 can be configured flexible or bendable at the end. According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the receiving element can be split into at least two parts for opening the receiving section 22.

(13) At a second end 23 positioned opposite the first end 21 a borehole with an internal thread 24 is inserted into the receiving element 20. Preferably, the receiving element 20 is formed rotation-symmetrical along a rotational axis R.

(14) FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c show views of a ball joint 30 of the device 10 according to the invention. The ball joint 30 has a first end section 31 and a second end section 32. The first end section 31 is formed corresponding to the receiving section 22 of the receiving element 20 and forms an inner spherical receiving space 33. The receiving space 33 is opened at the end with the opening angle D′. According to the embodiment, the opening angle D of the receiving element 20 and the opening angle D′ of the ball joint 30 are identical. In addition, in the first end section 31, the ball joint 30 has an inner diameter A′, which is similar to the inner diameter of the receiving section 22 of the receiving element 20. An outer diameter B′ of the first end section 31 is also similar to an outer diameter B of the receiving section 22.

(15) The second end section 32 of the ball joint 30 is essentially configured spherical and extends in the direction of the rotational axis R from the first end section 31. Here, the ball joint 30 is configured rotation-symmetrical along the rotational axis R. The first end section 31 is spaced apart from the second end section 32 via a ligament 34.

(16) The first receiving section respectively the first end section 31 of the ball joint 30 has an inner diameter A′, which also corresponds to an outer diameter A″ of the second end section 32. By this, a ball joint 30 can be inserted with the second end section 32 into the first end section 31 of an adjacent ball joint 30′.

(17) Here, the second end section 32 can be arranged in the receiving space 33 of the first end section 31 and thus can be connected pivotably as well as rotatably. Due to such a sequence of ball joints 30, a row of ball joints 30 can be produced.

(18) Here, the first end section 31 forms a first rotation point P1 and the second end section 32 forms a second rotation point P2. If two ball joints 30, 30′ are connected with each other, the rotation points P1, P2 overlap each other preferably congruently. Depending on the embodiment, the ligament 34 can be adapted at a length so that a distance X between the rotation points P1, P2 can be adjusted.

(19) The rotation points P1, P2 are configured in such a way that a translational movement is prevented, whereas all rotational variances in the frame of the opening angles D, D′ are maintained. By this, a pivoting in all directions and rotation along the rotational axis R of at least two ball joints 30, 30′ arranged in a row can be realized.

(20) According to the shown embodiment, the ball joint 30 is configured in two parts. In particular, the ball joint 30 can be divided along a sectional plane B-B from FIG. 2a. Due to this division of the ball joint 30, the receiving space 33 can be released, so that a second end section 32 can be inserted into the receiving space 33 in a positive fitting manner. In FIG. 2c a perspective view of the ball joint 30 is shown, which illustrates the sectional plane B-B.

(21) FIG. 3a, FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c show pictures of a mandrel shaft 40 of the device 10 according to the invention. FIG. 3b illustrates a sectional view along a sectional plane C-C from FIG. 3a. FIG. 3c shows a perspective view of the mandrel shaft 40.

(22) The mandrel shaft 40 is essentially formed rotation-symmetrical along the rotational axis R and has a first end 41 and a second end 42. At the first end 41 of the mandrel shaft 40 a receiving space 43 for the receiving element 20 is provided. In particular, the receiving element 20 can be positioned in the receiving space 43 in such a way that merely the first end 21 of the receiving element 20 projects from the receiving space 43 at the end.

(23) The receiving space 43 of the mandrel shaft 40 is connected with an end borehole 45 via a connecting borehole 44 in the direction of the second end 42. The end borehole 45 is configured larger than the connecting borehole 44. The receiving element 20 can be screwed to the mandrel shaft 40 through the end borehole 45 and the connecting borehole 44.

(24) For a fastening of the mandrel shaft 40 on the tool side spanner flats 46 for tightening/fitting onto a conventionally built mandrel bar are arranged at the second end 42, which prevents a contortion of the mandrel shaft 40.

(25) At the first end 41 of the mandrel shaft 40 a spherical broadening 47 of the receiving space 43 is provided. The broadening 47 has an inner diameter C.

(26) FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c shows pictures of a shingle 50 of the device 10 according to the invention. FIG. 4b shows a section along the sectional plane D-D from FIG. 4a.

(27) The shingle 50 has a spherical skin surface 51 with an outer diameter C′. The outer diameter C′ of the skin surface 51 here preferably corresponds to the inner diameter C of the broadening 47 of the mandrel shaft 40. By this, a shingle 50 can be inserted into the broadening 47 of the mandrel shaft 40 at the end and can be stationarily fastened to the mandrel shaft by means of a ball joint 30 via the receiving element 20

(28) The shingle 50 has a limiting section 52, a holding section 53 and a guiding section 54, which form a cavity at the inside, which extends through the shingle 50. The limiting section 52 here passes into the holding section 53 and afterwards into the guiding section 54 in the direction of the rotational axis R.

(29) A ball joint 30 can be inserted into the holding section 53 with the second end section 32 via the guiding section 54 in such a way that the outer diameter B′ of the first end section 31 can nestle to an inner diameter B″ of the holding section 53 in a positive locking manner. By this, the shingle 50 and the ball joint 30 can form a mutual rotation point P1. The shingle 50 and the ball joint 30 can thus be pivoted and rotated relative to each other along the rotation point P1.

(30) The limiting section 52 is also configured spherical and has an inner diameter B′″, which corresponds to an outer diameter B′ of the first end section 31 of the ball joint 30. By this, the limiting section 52 can serve as a lateral end stop for a row of ball joints 30. A maximum relative pivoting angle b between the ball joint 30 and the shingle 50 can thus be defined by the form and the size of the limiting section 52.

(31) The guiding section 54 is spherically shaped and has an inner diameter C″ which corresponds to an outer diameter C′ of the skin surface 51 of the shingle 50. By this, several shingles 50 can be arranged in a row and can overlap in regions due to the guiding section 54. Due to the guiding section 54, the rotation point P1 is also defined for a shingle 50′ arranged in the guiding section 54.

(32) FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c show pictures of an end shingle 60 of the device 10 according to the invention. The end shingle 60 essentially corresponds to the shingle 50. In contrast to the shingle 50, the end shingle 60 has no guiding section 54, but it passes into a conical receiving section 64 at the end. Here, FIG. 5b shows the sectional plane E-E from FIG. 5a, which illustrates the form of the receiving section 64.

(33) The end shingle 60 also has a spherical skin surface 61, which has a same outer diameter Ca. The outer diameter C′″ of the end shingle 60 corresponds to an outer diameter C′ of the skin surface 51 of the shingle 50.

(34) Further, the end shingle 60 has a holding section 63 and a limiting section 62, which, according to the embodiment, are formed identical to the shingle 50.

(35) The end shingle 60 serves for terminating a row of shingles 50, 50′ at the end. Thus, a row of shingles 50, 50′ can be clamped between the spherical broadening 47 of the mandrel shaft 40 and the end shingle 60. Here, the end shingle 60 can project into the guiding section 54 of a shingle 50, wherein a ball- and socket joint 70 can be inserted into the receiving section 64 of the end shingle 60 and stationarily fastens the end shingle 60 at a ball joint 30. Such a ball-and-socket joint 70 is illustrated in FIG. 6a, FIG. 6b and FIG. 6c.

(36) The ball-and-socket joint 70 has a ligament 74 and a second end section 72, which resemble the ball joint 30 in form and dimensions. In contrast to the ball joint 30, the ball-and-socket joint 70 has a first end section 71, which is formed cylindrical. By this, the first end section 71 of the ball-and-socket joint 70 can interact with the receiving section 64 of the end shingle 60 in a positive locking manner and can fasten the end shingle 60.

(37) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the device 10 according to the invention in a state inserted into a hollow structural component 100. The hollow structural component 100 is already bent, so that an interaction of the components 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 of the device 10 is illustrated. According to the embodiment, the hollow structural component 100 is configured as a tube.

(38) The device 10 consists of a receiving element 20, which is connected to the mandrel shaft 40 by means of a screw 90. Here, the receiving element 20 is arranged in the receiving space 43 of the mandrel shaft 40. The receiving element 20 projects from the mandrel shaft 40 at the end in such a way that a shingle 50 can fit into the spherical broadening 47 in a positive locking manner. By this, the spherical broadening 47 can serve as a guiding section on the mandrel side. A ball joint 30 arranged in the receiving section 22 of the receiving element 20 fastens the shingle 50 at the receiving element 20 and the mandrel shaft 40.

(39) The ball joints 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ are arranged in a row and are rotatably and pivotably connected to each other. Here, the respective second end sections 32 are inserted into the first end sections 31 of the adjacent ball joints 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″. Around the ball joints 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ shingles 50′, 50″, 50′″ are circumferentially arranged, wherein, in the region of the holding sections 53, the shingles 50 touch the respective first end sections 31 of the ball joints 30 on the inside in a positive locking manner. The respective ball joints 30 fasten the shingles 50 in the respective guiding sections 54 and thus enable an overlap of the shingles 50. Such an overlap is illustrated in FIG. 8, which shows a detailed view F of FIG. 7. Here, due to the overlap, a vacuity 80 between two shingles 50, 50′ and the hollow structural component 100 is formed, which is minimized in its volume.

(40) Further, FIG. 7 schematically shows the respective rotation points P1, P2 and the distances X between the rotation points P1, P2. Each ball joint 30 shares the rotation point P1 in the region of the first end section 31 with a shingle 50. Here, the rotation points P1 and P2 of two adjacent ball joints 30, 30′ are congruent and overlap each other.

(41) For illustration of the mode of operation of the limiting sections 52, a minimal bending radius r of the device 10 is set around a bending axis BA.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(42) 100 hollow structural component 10 device/joint shingle mandrel 20 receiving element 21 first end of the receiving element 22 receiving section of the receiving element 23 second end of the receiving element 24 internal thread 30 ball joint/first ball joint 30′,30″,30′″ adjacent ball joints 31 first end section/first receiving section 32 second end section 33 receiving space of the first end section 34 ligament 40 mandrel shaft 41 first end of the mandrel shaft 42 second end of the mandrel shaft 43 receiving space for receiving the receiving element 44 connecting borehole 45 end borehole 46 spanner flat 47 spherical broadening 50 shingle 50′,50″,50′″ adjacent shingles 51 skin surface 52 limiting section 53 holding section 54 guiding section 60 end shingle 61 skin surface of the end shingle 62 limiting section 63 holding section 64 receiving section of the end shingle 70 ball-and-socket joint 71 first end section of the ball-and-socket joint 72 second end section of the ball-and-socket joint 73 ligament of the ball-and-socket joint 80 vacuity 90 screw/screw connection A inner diameter of the receiving section 22 A′ inner diameter of the first end section 31 A″ outer diameter of the second end section 32 b pivoting angle B outer diameter of the receiving section 22 B′ outer diameter of the first end section 31 B″ inner diameter of the holding section 53 B′″ inner diameter of the limiting section 52 BA bending axis of the device C inner diameter of the broadening 47 of the mandrel shaft 40 C′ outer diameter of the skin surface 51 C″ inner diameter of the guiding section 54 C′″ outer diameter of the end shingle 60 D opening angle of the receiving section 22 D′ opening angle of the receiving space 33 P1 first rotation point P2 second rotation point r minimum bending radius X distance between two rotation points