Forming Tool and Method for Producing a Component

Abstract

A forming tool includes at least one first die half where the first die half has an insert part which is designed to move a finished component out of the first die half along a direction of motion where a displacement direction of the insert part is inclined relative to the direction of motion.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A forming tool, comprising: a first die half; and an insert part which is configured to displace a finished component out of the first die half along a movement direction; wherein a displacement direction of the insert part is inclined in relation to the movement direction.

12. The forming tool according to claim 11 further comprising a second die half which is closable along a closing direction to form a cavity in the forming tool; wherein the displacement direction, at least to an extent, is inclined in relation to the closing direction and is oriented away from the cavity.

13. The forming tool according to claim 12, wherein the second die half is an upper tool half of the forming tool and the first die half is a lower tool half of the forming tool and wherein the forming tool is a hydroforming tool.

14. The forming tool according to claim 11, wherein the insert part comprises a portion of an ejector unit, wherein the ejector unit has two insert parts, and wherein respective displacement directions of the insert parts are oriented away from one another at least to an extent.

15. The forming tool according to claim 14 further comprising a plurality of ejector units.

16. The forming tool according to claim 12, wherein the displacement direction is inclined at an angle ranging from 0.5 to 45 in relation to the closing direction and/or the movement direction.

17. The forming tool according to claim 11, wherein the insert part is mounted in the first die half via a prestressing element.

18. The forming tool according to claim 11, wherein the insert part is configured such that the insert part is prestressed as the forming tool is being closed.

19. A method for producing a component, comprising the acts of: producing the component in a forming tool, wherein the forming tool has a first die half with an insert part; opening the forming tool and displacing the insert part along a displacement direction which is inclined in relation to a movement direction of the produced component; and ejecting the produced component from the forming tool along the movement direction by the displacing of the insert part.

20. A use of the forming tool according to claim 11 to produce a vehicle component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lower tool half of a hydroforming tool with a component arranged therein;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 prior to insert parts being moved out; and

[0021] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement which is known essentially from FIG. 2, the insert parts being depicted in an end position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a tool, in particular a hydroforming tool. This is merely a partial illustration. It shows, in particular, just a lower tool half 11 or a lower die half, in which is arranged a component 1, which extends along a longitudinal direction L. A component is essentially a hollow body, which extends along the longitudinal direction L. Ejector units 20 are provided at the locations or positions denoted by reference sign 20 and each of these ejector units comprise two insert parts, reference being made in this respect to FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration at least of part of the tool which is known from FIG. 1, this view also illustrating a second or upper die half 12. The section is taken along the region of an ejector unit, and it is therefore possible to see the corresponding insert parts 22 here. In particular, it can be seen that the ejector unit is a split lifting device or ejector. These are part of the die and form, to some extent, an outer contour of the component 1, which extends along the longitudinal direction L. In this view, the tool is closed. For this purpose, the first or lower die half 11 and the second or upper die half 12 have been displaced along their respective closing directions S. As an alternative, it is also possible for just one of the die halves 11 or 12 to be displaced. The insert parts 22 are arranged or mounted in the lower die half 11 via prestressing elements 40. The reference sign B denotes a movement direction of the component 1. When the insert parts 22 are moved out or displaced along their respective displacement direction V, the component 1 moves along the movement direction B and/or along the closing direction S of the second or upper die half 12. To this extent, this gives rise to an angle between the displacement directions V and the movement direction B of the component 1 and/or the corresponding closing direction, the angle , depending on the component geometry, ranging for example from approximately 0.5-45.

[0024] FIG. 3, then, shows essentially the arrangement which is known from FIG. 2, although the upper die half 12 has not been illustrated here. The ejectors or insert parts 22 have been moved out to the full extent and it can be seen that a gap 14 has formed between them. Furthermore, the insert parts 22 have also moved away from the side walls of the component 1, cf., by way of example, the detail E. It is advantageously possible to do without demolding slopes in these regions. If appropriate, even undercuts are possible. As a result, the component 1 can be removed from the tool more or less in a force-free manner. The prestressing elements 40 are, for example, gas pressure springs, which were prestressed for example as the tool was being closed and then move out automatically when the tool is being opened.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0025] 1 Component [0026] 2 Cavity [0027] 11 First/lower die half/tool half [0028] 12 Second/upper die half/tool half [0029] 14 Gap [0030] 20 Ejector unit [0031] 22 Insert part, ejector [0032] 40 Prestressing element [0033] Angle [0034] B Movement direction [0035] E Detail [0036] S Closing direction [0037] V Displacement direction