Release Device for an Industrial Machine for the Bending of Metal Elements

Abstract

A release device developed for an industrial machine for the bending of metal elements via a plurality of sheet-pressing tools arranged on a support frame is disclosed. The device includes a longitudinal member whereupon the sheet- pressing tools are positioned via an inclined interface. A modular coupling interface is included and situated between the wall of the machine and tightening elements, which keeps the tools locked in position. Clamping elements are set out which are suitable for locking the interface against the upper wall of the tools and which are arranged in an alternate manner in relation to a plurality of actuators. The actuators, once actuated, exert a force against the wall that is opposite to that exerted by clamping elements, and therefore allow for the horizontal displacement of the clamping elements, such a displacement making it possible for the interface to move itself vertically in such a way as to allow for the removal of the sheet-pressing tool.

Claims

1. A release device for industrial machines for bending metal elements by means of a plurality of sheet-pressing tools arranged over a supporting frame, the machines comprising a longitudinal member to which said sheet-pressing tools are coupled by means of an inclined interface, said device comprising: clamping means, a modular coupling interface configured to be located in between said clamping means and a wall of the machine, said interface being configured for keeping said tools in a locked position, wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of clamping elements suitable for locking the interface to the upper surface of the sheet-pressing tools, and is arranged in alternation to a plurality of actuators, wherein said actuators are configured to exert on the wall, when in action, a force opposed to the force exerted by said clamping elements, facilitating horizontal displacement of the clamping means, and wherein said displacement enables the interface to move vertically to allow the removal of the sheet-pressing tool.

2. The release device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling interface comprises at least one plate configured to be coupled to at least one respective sheet-pressing tool to be locked.

3. The release device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping elements comprise clamping screws.

4. The release device according to claim 3, wherein said clamping screws are configured to be received in respective cavities within the said modular interface and said industrial machine.

5. The release device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping elements are arranged substantially equidistant to each other.

6. The release device, according to claim 1, wherein said actuators are hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators.

7. The release device according to claim 6, wherein the actuators comprise chambers and are operated by supplying an appropriate fluid through one or more supply channels to the chambers.

8. The release device, according to claim 1, further comprising a lifting mechanism for each of the plates of the coupling interface.

9. An industrial machine for bending metal elements by means of a plurality of sheet-pressing tools arranged over a supporting frame, said machine comprising: a longitudinal member arranged to be coupled to said sheet-pressing tools by means of an inclined interface; and a release comprising: clamping means, a modular coupling interface configured to be located in between said clamping means and a wall of the machine, said interface being configured for keeping said tools in a locked position, wherein said clamping means comprises a plurality of clamping elements suitable for locking the interface to the upper surface of the sheet-pressing tools, and is arranged in alternation to a plurality of actuators, wherein said actuators are configured to exert on the wall, when in action, a force opposed to the force exerted by said clamping elements, facilitating horizontal displacement of the clamping means, and wherein said displacement enables the interface to move vertically to allow the removal of the sheet-pressing tool.

10. The industrial machine according to claim 9, further comprising a wall suitable to keep said coupling interface locked in place when said actuators are not in action against said wall.

11. The industrial machine according to claim 10, wherein said wall comprises a plurality of cavities suitable to receive respective clamping elements of the release device

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, with particular reference to the Figures in the accompanying drawings, characterized in that:

[0019] FIGS. 1a and 1b show prospective views of the elements of the industrial machine for the bending of metal elements, comprising the release device of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a section along the vertical plane of the detail of FIGS. 1a and 1b in the closed position;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows the section of FIG. 2 in the open position; and FIG. 4 shows a top view of a section of the elements of the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b and 2, in general terms the following are represented: the tightening means 1, positioned on the coupling interface 2, in the closed position, with the tightening screws 3 highlighted and the actuators 4, positioned within said tightening means 1 and spaced apart in relation to the screws 3;

[0023] the supply channel 5 of the fluid of the actuators 4 and the chambers 10 thereof.

[0024] the lifting mechanism 7 of the coupling interface 2;

[0025] the wall 12 of the machine and the longitudinal member 8 whereupon, upon closing, the sheet-pressing tools 6 fit together, by means of the guidance of an inclined plane 9;

[0026] the housing 11 of the gripping means used for the removal and/or the insertion of the tools 6.

[0027] In particular, with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2, the state of the machine when the release device remains in the tightened position will now be described. The tightening means 1 is in contact with the coupling interface 2; the actuators 4 are not under pressure, therefore the tightening means 1 are maintained in position to be the tightening force exerted by the screws 3. The friction between the surfaces in contact with the interface 2 respectively with the tightening means 1 and the wall 12, therefore prevents their vertical translation and, consequently, the horizontal sliding of the tool 6 is prevented; it remains fixed to the longitudinal member 8 by virtue of the inclined plane 9.

[0028] In detail, in FIG. 3 it can be seen that the actuators 4 are in contact with the wall 12; said actuators 4 and screws 3 are positioned along a guide within the interface 2, in such a way that the interface can advantageously slide along the vertical direction. Specifically, this guide may comprise a cavity, for example passing through the interface 2 itself.

[0029] In a preferred variant, the screws 3 are preferably arranged in an alternate manner in relation to the actuators 4 but spaced apart in relation to them, in order to make it possible, upon their actuation, to obtain a minimum degree of play between the interface 2, the tightening means 1 and wall 12, freeing the tool 6, by means of a minimum displacement of the tightening means 1 along a preferred direction determined by actuators 4.

[0030] Making reference now to FIG. 3, the state of the device of the invention will be described, when the actuators 4 are actuated by the fluid supplied by the pipe 5. The increase in the pressure of the fluid within the chambers 10 generates a force that is opposed to that elastic force of the tightening exerted by the screws 3.

[0031] The consequent displacement of the tightening means 1 advantageously produces a minimum degree of play between the surfaces of the interface 2, of the tightening means 1 itself and of the wall 12, allowing said interface 2 to be lifted vertically by the mechanism 7. The tool 6 can therefore be removed and/or replaced by horizontally sliding it, by means of gripping means capable of being engaged within the housing 11.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows more clearly the arrangement of the screws 3 and of the actuators 4, in a preferred configuration, highlighting the modular character of the coupling interface 2. In general terms, it is clear that the problem mentioned above, of a quite complex nature, is resolved in a simple and ingenious manner by the device described; indeed it can, by means of a combination of simple kinematics, and some technical shrewdness, render precise, reliable and automatic a process that involves numerous drawbacks if performed conventionally, making it possible to easily and quickly take up any play between surfaces in contact.

[0033] The present invention has been described, for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, according to preferred embodiments thereof, but it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications can be made by experts in the field, without for this reason going beyond the relative scope of protection.