DIE SET APPARATUS

Abstract

A lift mechanism of a die set apparatus includes a guide pin, a linear motion guide member, a first washer, a second washer, a first coil spring, and a second coil spring. A first positioning portion and a second positioning portion control a first end turn portion and a second end turn portion from moving in a radial direction of the guide pin in a state where a first gap is formed between the first coil spring and the guide pin. A third positioning portion and a fourth positioning portion control a third end turn portion and a fourth end turn portion from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin in a state where a second gap is formed between the second coil spring and the guide pin.

Claims

1. A die set apparatus comprising: a first die holder which holds a first die; a second die holder which holds a second die; a guide post which guides the first die holder and the second die holder to move in a direction of coming close to or separating from each other; and a lift mechanism which urges the second die holder in a direction of separating the second die holder from the first die holder, the lift mechanism comprising: a guide pin extending in a direction parallel to the guide post between the first die holder and the second die holder; a linear motion guide member which is provided on the guide pin, includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and is movable in a direction along an axis of the guide pin; a first washer which is provided at the first end portion of the linear motion guide member; a second washer which is provided at the second end portion of the linear motion guide member; a first coil spring which includes a first end turn portion and a second end turn portion, and is arranged in such a state that the first coil spring is compressed between the first die holder and the first washer; a second coil spring which includes a third end turn portion and a fourth end turn portion, and is arranged in such a state that the second coil spring is compressed between the second die holder and the second washer; a first positioning portion which controls the first end turn portion from moving in a radial direction of the guide pin in a state where a first gap is formed between an inner surface of the first coil spring and the guide pin; a second positioning portion which controls the second end turn portion from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin in a state where the first gap is formed between the inner surface of the first coil spring and the guide pin; a third positioning portion which controls the third end turn portion from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin in a state where a second gap is formed between an inner surface of the second coil spring and the guide pin; and a fourth positioning portion which controls the fourth end turn portion from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin in a state where the second gap is formed between the inner surface of the second coil spring and the guide pin.

2. The die set apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first coil spring is formed of a first wire which is shaped cylindrically, a diameter of the first coil spring is substantially constant in a length direction of the coil spring, and a cross section of the first wire is of a flat rectangular shape in which a thickness of the wire is smaller than a width of the wire; and the second coil spring is formed of a second wire which is shaped cylindrically, a diameter of the second coil spring is substantially constant in a length direction of the coil spring, and a cross section of the second wire is of a flat rectangular shape in which a thickness of the wire is smaller than a width of the wire.

3. The die set apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linear motion guide member is a ball guide in which a plurality of balls are provided to be reliable in a cylindrical retainer.

4. The die set apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first positioning portion is formed of an outer peripheral surface of a spacer which is inserted at the first end turn portion.

5. The die set apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the second positioning portion is formed of an inner peripheral surface of a recess, which is formed on the first washer and into which the second end turn portion is inserted; and the fourth positioning portion is formed of an inner peripheral surface of a recess, which is formed on the second washer and into which the fourth end turn portion is inserted.

6. The die set apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third positioning portion is formed of an inner peripheral surface of a recess, which is formed on the second die holder and into which the third end turn portion is inserted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of a die set apparatus according to one embodiment, which is in part shown in cross section.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of the die set apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a workpiece.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view which shows partly in cross section the state in which a second die holder of the die set apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is moved.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lift mechanism of the die set apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the lift mechanism shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A die set apparatus 10 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view of the die set apparatus 10 which is in part shown in cross section, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of the die set apparatus 10. FIG. 3 shows an example of a workpiece W1. Though the type of the workpiece W1 is arbitrary, an example of the workpiece W1 shown in FIG. 3 is a suspension chain blank which is formed in the process of manufacturing a disk drive suspension. The workpiece W1 includes a frame W2 formed of a thin metal plate, and a plurality of suspensions W3 arranged at a predetermined pitch on the frame W2.

[0026] The die set apparatus 10 includes a first die holder 11, a second die holder 12, a plurality of (four, for example) guide posts 13, and a pair of lift mechanisms (a first lift mechanism 14 and a second lift mechanism 15). The first die holder 11 is fixed on a bed 20 of press equipment. The second die holder 12 is arranged above the first die holder 11.

[0027] A first die 21 is held by the first die holder 11. A second die 22 is held by the second die holder 12. The workpiece W1 is processed by the first die 21 and the second die 22. On an upper part of the second die holder 12, a coupling portion 31, which connects with a pressure portion 30 of the press equipment, is provided. The second die holder 12 moves in a direction (up-down direction, for example) of coming close to or separating from the first die holder 11.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows the state in which the second die 22 is moved to be above the first die 21 (i.e., die open position). A guide member 35 is provided on the second die 22. FIG. 4 shows the state in which the second die 22 is moved to a position (die closed position) to be in contact with the first die 21. When the second die 22 is moved toward the first die 21, the guide member 35 fits into a guide hole 36 of the first die 21. As the guide member 35 is fitted into the guide hole 36, alignment of the first die 21 and the second die 22 is performed.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide posts 13 are provided at four places of the die set apparatus 10. These guide posts 13 have a common structure, and each have a guide bush 40 which is movable in the up-down direction. The guide bush 40 is urged upward by a spring 41 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4). With respect to the second die holder 12, the movement in the up-down direction is guided by the guide posts 13 and the guide bushes 40.

[0030] The first lift mechanism 14 and the second lift mechanism 15 have the function of urging the second die holder 12 in a direction of separating the second die holder 12 from the first die holder 11. In the die set apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the first die holder 11 is arranged on the lower side, and the second die holder 12 is arranged on the upper side. Thus, the first lift mechanism 14 and the second lift mechanism 15 urge the second die holder 12 upward.

[0031] The structures of the first lift mechanism 14 and the second lift mechanism 15 are common to each other. For this reason, in the following, the first lift mechanism 14 will be described as a typical example of the lift mechanism. Note that for the first lift mechanism 14 and the second lift mechanism 15 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, common reference numbers are assigned to parts that are common to the two lift mechanisms.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lift mechanism 14. FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the lift mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 5. The lift mechanism 14 includes a guide pin 50, a linear motion guide member 51, a first washer 61, a second washer 62, a first coil spring 71, and a second coil spring 72. The linear motion guide member 51 is provided on the guide pin 50.

[0033] The guide pin 50 extends in a vertical direction which is parallel to the guide post 13 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) between the first die holder 11 and the second die holder 12. The guide pin 50 includes a columnar pin body 50a, a thread portion 50b, and a step portion 50c. The pin body 50a includes an axis X1 (shown in FIG. 5). The thread portion 50b is formed at one end (lower end) of the pin body 50a. The step portion 50c is formed between the pin body 50a and the thread portion 50b. A radial cross section of the pin body 50a is circular. The cross section of the pin body 50a is substantially constant in a direction along the axis X1.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, a screw hole 75 is formed in the first die holder 11. The thread portion 50b of the guide pin 50 is inserted into the screw hole 75. A spacer 76 and a spring receiving member 77 are arranged between the step portion 50c of the guide pin 50 and the first die holder 11. The thread portion 50b is inserted into the screw hole 75. As the thread portion 50b is screwed into the screw hole 75, the guide pin 50 is fixed to the first die holder 11. The other end (upper end) 50d of the guide pin 50 is inserted into a hole 78 formed in the second die holder 12.

[0035] The guide pin 50 is provided with the linear motion guide member 51. The linear motion guide member 51 includes a first end portion 51a and a second end portion 51b. The linear motion guide member 51 is freely movable in a direction along the axis X1 of the guide pin 50. An example of the linear motion guide member 51 is an oilless-type ball guide. The ball guide includes a cylindrical retainer 80. A plurality of balls 81 are provided to be freely rollable in the retainer 80. The ball 81 rotatably contacts an outer peripheral surface 50e of the guide pin 50. As another example of the linear motion guide member 51, instead of the ball guide, an oilless-type linear bush (plain guide) may be used. The linear bush may be provided such that it moves slidably in a direction along the axis X1 of the guide pin 50.

[0036] At the first end portion 51a of the linear motion guide member 51, the first washer 61 is provided. A gap S1 (shown in FIG. 5) is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the first washer 61 and the guide pin 50. By virtue of the gap S1, the first washer 61 is prevented from being in contact with the outer peripheral surface 50e of the guide pin 50. The first washer 61 is fixed to a lower end of the retainer 80 of the linear motion guide member 51.

[0037] At the second end portion 51b of the linear motion guide member 51, the second washer 62 is provided. A gap 52 (shown in FIG. 5) is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the second washer 62 and the guide pin 50. By virtue of the gap 52, the second washer 62 is prevented from being in contact with the outer peripheral surface 50e of the guide pin 50. The second washer 62 is fixed to an upper end of the retainer 80 of the linear motion guide member 51. The first washer 61 and the second washer 62 move in the direction along the axis X1 of the guide pin 50, integrally with the linear motion guide member 51.

[0038] The spring receiving member 77 and the first washer 61 are provided on the first die holder 11. The first coil spring 71 having a cylindrical shape is provided between the spring receiving member 77 and the first washer 61. An axis C1 (shown in FIG. 6) of the first coil spring 71 extends in a length direction of the first coil spring 71. The first coil spring 71 is arranged in such a state that it is compressed between the first washer 61 and the spring receiving member 77. The first coil spring 71 is arranged concentrically with the guide pin 50. The first coil spring 71 includes a first end turn portion 91 and a second end turn portion 92. The first end turn portion 91 is supported by the spring receiving member 77. The second end turn portion 92 is supported by the first washer 61. The guide pin 50 is inserted inside the first coil spring 71.

[0039] A diameter of the first coil spring 71 having the cylindrical shape is substantially constant in the length direction of the first coil spring 71. That is, the diameter of the first coil spring 71 is substantially constant in a direction along the axis C1 (shown in FIG. 6). The first coil spring 71 is formed of a first wire 71a which is shaped to be helical. With respect to a cross section of the first wire 71a (i.e., the cross section along the axis C1), a thickness T1 of the first wire 71a is smaller than a width D1 of the same. More specifically, the first wire 71a is formed of a flat steel wire whose cross section is rectangular. An inside diameter of the first coil spring 71 is greater than an outside diameter of the guide pin 50. As shown in FIG. 5, a first gap G1 is formed between the cuter peripheral surface 50e of the guide pin 50 and an inner peripheral surface 71b of the first coil spring 71. The first gap G1 is formed around the entire perimeter of the inner peripheral surface 71b. By virtue of the first gap G1, contact between the first coil spring 71 and the guide pin 50 is avoided.

[0040] The second coil spring 72 having a cylindrical shape is provided between the second die holder 12 and the second washer 62. An axis C2 (shown in FIG. 6) of the second coil spring 72 extends in a length direction of the second coil spring 72. The second coil spring 72 is arranged in such a state that it is compressed between the second die holder 12 and the second washer 62. The second coil spring 72 is arranged concentrically with the guide pin 50. The second coil spring 72 includes a third end turn portion 93 and a fourth end turn portion 94. The third end turn portion 93 is supported by the second die holder 12. The fourth end turn portion 94 is supported by the second washer 62. The guide pin 50 is inserted inside the second coil spring 72.

[0041] A diameter of the second coil spring 72 having the cylindrical shape is substantially constant in the length direction of the second coil spring 72. That is, the diameter of the second coil spring 72 is substantially constant in a direction along the axis C2 (shown in FIG. 6). Similarly to the first coil spring 71, the second coil spring 72 is formed of a second wire 72a which is shaped to be helical. With respect to a cross section of the second wire 72a (i.e., the cross section along the axis C2), a thickness T2 of the second wire 72a is smaller than a width D2 of the same. More specifically, the second wire 72a is formed of a flat steel wire whose cross section is rectangular. An inside diameter of the second coil spring 72 is greater than an outside diameter of the guide pin 50. As shown in FIG. 5, a second gap G2 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 50e of the guide pin 50 and an inner peripheral surface 72b of the second coil spring 72. The second gap G2 is formed around the entire perimeter of the inner peripheral surface 72b. By virtue of the second gap G2, contact between the second coil spring 72 and the guide pin 50 is avoided.

[0042] The specifications (the number of turns, pitch, spring constant, etc.) of the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 are common to each other. Since the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 are commonalized, the type of the coil spring to be used for the lift mechanisms 14 and 15 can be reduced. Note that the specifications (the number of turns, pitch, spring constant, etc.) of the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 may be different from each other according to the purpose.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 76 is arranged at an inner side of the first end turn portion 91. A position of an inner peripheral surface 91a of the first end turn portion 91 is restricted by an outer peripheral surface 76a of the spacer 76. The outer peripheral surface 76a of the spacer 76 serves as a first positioning portion 101. The first positioning portion 101 controls the first end turn portion 91 from moving in a radial, direction of the guide pin 50. That is, in a state where the first gap G1 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 71b of the first coil spring 71 and the guide pin 50, the first positioning portion 101 controls the first end turn portion 91 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50.

[0044] A recess 110 is formed on a lower surface of the first washer 61. The second end turn portion 92 is inserted into the recess 110. A position of an outer peripheral surface 92a of the second end turn portion 92 is restricted by an inner peripheral surface 110a of the recess 110. The inner peripheral surface 110a of the recess 110 serves as a second positioning portion 112. The second positioning portion 112 controls the second end turn portion 92 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50. That is, in a state where the first gap G1 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 71b of the first coil spring 71 and the guide pin 50, the second positioning portion 112 controls the second end turn portion 92 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 120 is formed on a lower surface of the second die holder 12. The third end turn portion 93 is inserted into the recess 120. A position of an outer peripheral surface 93a of the third end turn portion 93 is restricted by an inner peripheral surface 120a of the recess 120. The inner peripheral surface 120a of the recess 120 serves as a third positioning portion 130. The third positioning portion 130 controls the third end turn portion 93 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50. That is, in a state where the second gap G2 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 72b of the second coil spring 72 and the guide pin 50, the third positioning portion 130 controls the third end turn portion 93 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50.

[0046] A recess 135 is formed on an upper surface of the second washer 62. The fourth end turn portion 94 is inserted into the recess 135. A position of an outer peripheral surface 94a of the fourth end turn portion 94 is restricted by an inner peripheral surface 135a of the recess 135. The inner peripheral surface 135a of the recess 135 serves as a fourth positioning portion 140. The fourth positioning portion 140 controls the fourth end turn portion 94 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50. That is, in a state where the second gap 02 is formed between the inner peripheral surface 72b of the second coil spring 72 and the guide pin 50, the fourth positioning portion 140 controls the fourth end turn portion 94 from moving in the radial direction of the guide pin 50.

[0047] An action of the die set apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0048] An example of the workpiece W1 is a suspension chain blank (shown in FIG. 3). The workpiece W1 may be a product other than the suspension chain blank. The workpiece W1 is processed by the first die 21 and the second die 22.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows the state in which the second die holder 12 is in an elevated position (die open position), in other words, the second die 22 is away from the first die 21. The workpiece W1 is brought onto the first die 21. After that, the second die holder 12 is lowered by the pressure portion 30 of the press equipment. When the second die holder 12 is lowered, the second die 22 is moved toward the first die 21.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the second die holder 12 is moved to a lowered position. When the second die holder 12 is moved to the lowered position, the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 are compressed. Accordingly, the length of each of the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 is reduced. Also, the linear motion guide member 51 is moved downward. Further, the workpiece W1 is processed between the first die 21 and the second die 22. For example, a part of the workpiece W1 is cut or bent.

[0051] When the second die holder 12 is moved from the elevated position to the lowered position, the coil springs 71 and 72 are compressed. The amount of compression of the coil springs 71 and 72 depends on a movement stroke of the second die holder 12 in the up-down direction. When the amount of movement of the second die holder 12 is large, the amount of compression of the coil springs 71 and 72 is also large. If bowing occurs when the coil springs 71 and 72 are compressed and the lengths thereof are reduced, the inner surfaces of the coil springs 71 and 72 may contact the guide pin 50.

[0052] Therefore, in the die set apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, movement of the first end turn portion 91 in the radial direction of the guide pin 50 is restrained by the first positioning portion 101. Further, movement of the second end turn portion 92 in the radial direction of the guide pin 50 is restrained by the second positioning portion 112. Consequently, the first gap G1 is secured. For this reason, even if the first coil spring 71 extends and retracts repeatedly, it is possible to prevent the inner peripheral surface 71b of the first coil spring 71 and the guide pin 50 from being in contact with each other.

[0053] Also, movement of the third end turn portion 93 in the radial direction of the guide pin 50 is restrained by the third positioning portion 130. Further, movement of the fourth end turn portion 94 in the radial direction of the guide pin 50 is restrained by the fourth positioning portion 140. Consequently, the second gap G2 is secured. For this reason, even if the second coil spring 72 extends and retracts repeatedly, it is possible to prevent the inner peripheral surface 72b of the second coil spring 72 and the guide pin 50 from being in contact with each other.

[0054] In a conventional die set apparatus, a long coil spring adapted to a distance between the first die holder and the second die holder has been used. Therefore, when the coil spring is compressed, there has been a case where bowing (buckling) occurs, and the inner surface of the coil spring is brought into contact with the guide pin. In particular, with respect to a coil spring formed of a wire having a circular cross section, the greater the length of the coil spring is, the more the bowing is likely to occur.

[0055] In contrast, in the die set apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the spring of the lift mechanism is separated into two springs, which are the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72. Further, the cross section of each of the wires 71a and 71b of the coil springs 71 and 72 is of a flat rectangular shape. Moreover, the linear motion guide member 51 is provided between the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72. That is, the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 are arranged in series via the linear motion guide member 51. Consequently, even if the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 are compressed, it is possible to prevent the bowing from occurring. It is thereby possible to prevent the respective inner surfaces of the coil springs 71 and 72 from being in contact with the guide pin.

[0056] After the workpiece W1 has been processed, the pressure portion 30 is elevated, whereby the second die holder 12 is elevated. Accordingly, the second die 22 is separated from the first die 21. The second die holder 12 is elevated as shown in FIG. 1. Consequently, the amount of compression of the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 is decreased, and the lengths of the coil springs are increased. Simultaneously with the above, the linear motion guide member 51 is moved upward.

[0057] In the die set apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the workpiece is to be processed, the second die holder 12 is moved in the up-down direction relative to the first die holder 11. Even if the second die holder 12 is moved in the up-down direction relative to the first die holder 11, it is possible to prevent the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 from being in contact with the guide pin 50. Consequently, occurrence of fine particles caused by the coil springs 71 and 72 being in contact with the guide pin 50 is suppressed. Thus, it is possible to avoid adhesion of the fine particles to the workpiece, and the workpiece can be kept in a clean state.

[0058] The first coil spring 71 is formed of the first wire 71a whose cross section is flat. The cross section of the first wire 71a is of a rectangular shape in which the thickness T1 is smaller than the width D1. That is, the first wire 71a is flat in a direction in which the coil spring 71 extends and retracts. The second coil spring 72 is also formed of the second wire 72a whose cross section is flat. The cross section of the second wire 72a is of a rectangular shape in which the thickness T2 is smaller than the width D2. That is, the second wire 72a is flat in a direction in which the coil spring 72 extends and retracts. As compared to a general coil spring formed of a wire having a circular cross section, in the coil springs 71 and 72 which are formed of the wires 71a and 72a as described above, a close-contact length at maximum compression can be reduced.

[0059] Since the close-contact length of each of the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72 is small, a stroke of deflection which takes place when the coil spring extends and retracts can be made large. In the present embodiment, the linear motion guide member 51 of a predetermined length is arranged between the first coil spring 71 and the second coil spring 72. Despite the above arrangement, since the close-contact length is small in both of these coil springs 71 and 72, a stroke of deflection, which is sufficiently larger than a movement stroke which takes place when the die holder 12 is moved in the up-down direction, can be secured.

[0060] Needless to say, in implementing the present invention, each member which constitutes the die set apparatus may be modified variously. For example, the first die holder, the second die holder, and the lift mechanism may be modified variously in the implementation. A lateral arrangement type die set apparatus in which a second die holder is moved in a horizontal direction relative to a first die holder may be employed. Also, the guide pin and the linear motion guide member, the first washer, the second washer, the first coil spring, the second coil spring, and the first to fourth positioning portions may be embodied in a variety of other forms as necessary.

[0061] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.