Bending Forge Rolling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a forge rolling device (1) for the bending forge rolling of a component (2), in particular of a component blank, having a first forging roll (10) with a first axis of rotation (R), and a second forging roll with a second axis of rotation, wherein each of the forging rolls (10) has, on its surface (11), a forge rolling contour (12) that runs at least partially around its axis of rotation (R), said forge rolling contours (12) corresponding to one another, in order to form a component (2) passed between the forging rolls (10) in a passage direction (D). This forming can be bending with or without cross-sectional change. In this case, the forge rolling contours (12) are configured so as to bend the component (2), passed between the forging rolls (10), in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction (D) of the component (2), at least by means of one subregion (13) of the forge rolling contours (12). The present invention also relates to a method for the bending forge rolling of a component (2) and to a component (2) produced with the method according to the invention.

Claims

1. Forge rolling device (1) for the bending forge rolling of a component (2), in particular of a component blank, having: a first forging roll (10) with a first axis of rotation (R), a second forging roll with a second axis of rotation, wherein each of the forging rolls (10) has, on its surface (11), a forge rolling contour (12) that runs at least partially around its axis of rotation (R), said forge rolling contours (12) corresponding to one another, in order to form a component (2) passed between the forging rolls (10) in a passage direction (D), wherein the forge rolling contours (12) are configured so as to bend the component (2), passed between the forging rolls (10), in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction (D) of the component (2), at least by means of one subregion (13) of the forge rolling contours (12).

2. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second forging roll (10), at least the forge rolling contours (12) of the first and second forging rolls (10), are formed mirror symmetrically to one another.

3. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the forge rolling contour (12), as seen around the circumference of the respective forging roll (10), extends transversely to a plane (E) which is perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation (R), in order to bend the component (2), passed between the forging rolls (10), in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction (D) of the component (2).

4. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the respective forge rolling contour (12) has, at least in one subregion, preferably the subregion (13) in which it extends transversely to the plane (E) which is perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation (R), a side face (14) which faces in an axial direction and preferably toward the side of the transverse extent and via which the component (2) can be bent.

5. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the forge rolling contour (12) is in the form of a defined groove, in particular a profile groove, in at least one of the forging rolls (10), wherein preferably the side face (14) of the subregion (13) of the forge rolling contour (12) is formed by a side face of the groove.

6. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein that subregion (13) of the forge rolling contour (12) that serves to bend the component (2) transitions continuously or discontinuously into the adjoining regions of the forge rolling contour (12), preferably in a stepped, arcuate or undulating manner.

7. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the radially extending normals connecting the forge rolling contour (12) and the axis of rotation (R) intersect the axis of rotation (R), as seen around the circumference of the respective forging roll (10), at different points (P), at least in the subregion (13) of the forge rolling contour (12).

8. Forge rolling device (1) according claim 1, wherein, in the region in which the forging rolls (10) are located closest together, the mutually opposite forge rolling contours (12) to some extent laterally surround a forming region through which the component (2) can be passed in the passage direction (D) in order to be formed.

9. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the forging rolls (10) are arranged so as to be driven in opposite directions to one another.

10. Forge rolling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the forge rolling device (1) has several forming stages, wherein at least one of the forming stages, preferably at least the last of the forming stages, has the first and second forging rolls (10) for bending a component (2).

11-19. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further configurations and advantages of the present invention are described in the following text by way of the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIGS. 1a and 1b show two views of a component blank prior to forming by means of the bending forge rolling process according to the invention,

[0030] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c show three exemplary embodiments of a component according to the invention after the bending forge rolling process according to the invention has been carried out,

[0031] FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c show a simplified illustration of three exemplary embodiments of a forge rolling device according to the invention for producing the components according to FIGS. 2a-c,

[0032] FIGS. 4a and 4b show two exemplary embodiments of a forge rolling device as per the one in FIG. 3a with different bending angles,

[0033] FIGS. 5a and 5b show two exemplary embodiments of a forge rolling device as per the one in FIG. 3c with different bending angles,

[0034] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c show a simplified illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a forge rolling device according to the invention for providing multiple bending (in this case double bending), and a component produced by means of this forge rolling device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts show different exemplary embodiments of a forge rolling device 1 according to the invention for the bending forge rolling of a component 2, in particular of a component blank, in highly simplified illustrations. The forge rolling device 1 has a first forging roll 10 with a first axis of rotation R and a second forging roll with a second axis of rotation. For the sake of simplicity and for improved illustration of the forge rolling process, only one of the two forging rolls 10 is illustrated in the figures. The respectively other forging roll is preferably located above the drawing plane of the respective illustration, congruently with the first forging roll 10.

[0036] Each of the forging rolls 10 has on its surface 11 a forge rolling contour 12 that runs at least partially around its axis of rotation R. The forge rolling contours 12 of the two forging rolls 10 are in this case formed in a manner corresponding to one another. The forge rolling contours 12 are provided so as to form a component 2 passed between the forging rolls 10 in a passage 3o direction D. In this case, this forming comprises in particular the bending according to the invention of the component 2 transversely to its original longitudinal extension and can furthermore comprise material distribution, known in the forge rolling method, in the direction of the original longitudinal extension of the component 2 (i.e. in particular a cross-sectional change of the component 2), as is illustrated for example in FIGS. 1a-b.

[0037] The forge rolling contours 12 are configured so as to bend the component 2, passed between the forging rolls 10, in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction D of the component 2, at least in a subregion 13 of the forge rolling contours 12, preferably at least with regard to its original longitudinal extension. In FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, this transverse direction is in the drawing plane. As a result of the component 2 being rotated around its original longitudinal axis or with regard to the passage direction D (i.e. around the axis in the direction of the passage direction D) as the component 2 is passed between the forging rolls 10, three-dimensional bending of the component 2 can also be achieved.

[0038] In order to bend the component 2, the first and the second forging roll 10, at least the forge rolling contours 12 of the two forging rolls 10, can be formed mirror symmetrically to one another. The mirror plane in this case extends preferably between the two forging rolls 10 and in the passage direction D.

[0039] As can be gathered in particular from FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, at least some of the forge rolling contour 12, as seen around the circumference of the respective forging roll 10, preferably extends transversely to a plane E which is perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation R, in order to bend the component 2, passed between the forging rolls 10, in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction D of the component 2. In the figures illustrated here, as already explained, the bending takes place in the drawing plane.

[0040] As can also be gathered from FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, the respective forge rolling contour 12 has, at least in one subregion, a side face 14 which faces in an axial direction and via which the component 2 can be bent. In other words, a side face 14 is provided which presses laterally against the component 2 in the drawing plane in the illustrations, shown here, of FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, and thus bends it in the corresponding region of the component 2.

[0041] As can likewise be gathered from FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, the forge rolling contour 12 is particularly preferably in the form of a defined groove, in particular a profile groove, in at least one of the forging rolls 10. The respectively other forging roll can then have for example an identical forge rolling contour, or at least a forge rolling contour which corresponds to the forge rolling contour 12 of the first forging roll 10 and which can also be provided for example by the (for example cylindrical and substantially smooth) surface of the other forging roll. The side face 14 of the aforementioned subregion 13 of the forge rolling contour 12 can preferably be formed by a side face of the groove.

[0042] In the region in which the forging rolls 10 are located closest together, the two corresponding and mutually opposite forge rolling contours 12 can preferably to some extent laterally surround a forming region 15 through which the components 2 can be passed in the passage direction D in order to be formed. Thus, the forming region 15 is laterally bounded at least in the direction toward the axes of rotation R and consequently forms the contour for the forge rolling of the components 2. The forming region 15 is also defined by the aforementioned side faces 14, at least in the regions which serve for bending the component 2, such that the bending forge rolling process according to the invention can be carried out by means of the forge rolling device 1 according to the invention.

[0043] As can furthermore be gathered from FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, that subregion 13 of the forge rolling contour 12 that serves to bend the component 2 can transition continuously or discontinuously into the adjoining regions of the forge rolling contour. This preferably results in particular in a stepped or arcuate (see FIGS. 3a-c, 4a-b and 5a-b) or undulating (cf. FIGS. 6a-c) forge rolling contour 12. Of course, other contour shapes are also conceivable, which lead to the desired complex component geometry.

[0044] At least some of the radially extending normals connecting the forge rolling contour 12 and the axis of rotation R intersect the axis of rotation R, as seen around the circumference of the respective forging roll 10, at different points P. This goes at least for that subregion 13 of the 3o forge rolling contour 12 in which the component region to be bent is guided through the forge rolling device 1.

[0045] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the forging rolls 10 are arranged so as to be driven in opposite directions to one another. In this way, active passing of the component 2 through the forging roll device 1 is preferably provided at the same time.

[0046] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the forge rolling device 1 has several forming stages, wherein at least one of the forming stages, preferably at least the last of the forming stages, has the above-described first and second forging rolls 10 for bending the component 2. The other forming stages can in this case be in the form of known forge rolling forming stages and serve only for the mass distribution of the component in the longitudinal direction L or likewise be configured as per the forming stage according to the invention.

[0047] FIGS. 1a-b show a component 2 provided for the forge rolling operation according to the invention by means of the forge rolling device 1 according to the invention. This can already have been shaped for example by means of conventional forge rolling methods for defined mass distribution in preceding forge rolling stages. As shown in FIGS. 1a-b, the component 2 illustrated here by way of example has a large-diameter region 20, a conical region 21 and a shank region 22. The component is produced in particular from metal, for example aluminum or steel. However, other materials are also conceivable, which can be subjected to a forge rolling process and for example also to a subsequent (drop) forging process. The component 2 illustrated here is a simplified illustration of a component 2 as can be used for example for use in a forge rolling device 1 according to the invention. The invention is not limited to the shape of the component 2 illustrated.

[0048] In the following text, a method according to the invention for the bending forge rolling of a component 2, in particular of a component blank, is described.

[0049] The method according to the invention comprises, in a first step, the provision of a bending forge rolling device. This can be in particular the bending forge rolling device 1 according to the invention.

[0050] In a second step, a component 2 is then provided. This can be for example an elongate component 2, as shown in FIGS. 1a-b. Of course, other components 2 are also conceivable, which preferably have an elongate component extension (or longitudinal axis) L.

[0051] According to a third step, the component 2 is passed between the two forging rolls 10 of the bending forge rolling device 1 in the region of the opposite forge rolling contours 12 of the forging rolls 10 in order to form the component 2. This is shown for example in FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, wherein the passage direction D is directed upward in the drawing plane; the components 2 have thus already been substantially guided for the most part through the forge rolling device 1. In the last forming step of the method according to the invention, the component 2 is bent, at least in a subregion of the forge rolling contour 12, in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction D (in this case to the right) of the component 2. Furthermore, a cross-sectional change of the component 2 can also take place.

[0052] Depending on the region of the forge rolling contour 12 in which the latter extends longitudinally with regard to the axis of rotation R, bending of the component 2 at any desired, defined point or over any desired defined region can be implemented. For example, according to FIG. 3a, the subregion for bending is located in a region of the forging roll 10 that is illustrated at the top here, such that the component 2 has been implemented in a region 210 of the start of the cone in this exemplary embodiment. According to FIG. 3b, the subregion for bending is located in the topmost quarter of the forging roll 10 illustrated here, such that the component 2 has been implemented in a region 211 of the end of the cone in this exemplary embodiment. According to FIG. 3c, the subregion for bending is located in the central third of the forging roll 10 illustrated here above the axis of rotation R, such that the component 2 has been implemented in a region 220 of the shank 22 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0053] With reference to FIGS. 4a-b, two different embodiments of a corresponding forging roll 10, or forge rolling contour 12, are shown, which are provided for the production of a different bending angle here in the region of the cone start 210; i.e. bent in a comparable manner to FIG. 3a. 3o With reference to FIGS. 5a-b, two different embodiments of a corresponding forging roll 10, or forge rolling contour 12, are likewise shown, which are provided for the production of a different bending angle here in the region of the shank 22; i.e. bent in a comparable manner to FIG. 3c.

[0054] The bending angle results from the angle between the longitudinal axes or longitudinal extensions L, L.sub.1 of mutually adjoining bending regions 23, 24 of the component 2 that are angled with respect to one another. A different bending angle can in this case be established in particular by the transverse deviation, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and their subparts, of the forge rolling contour 12. In particular, in the third step of the method according to the invention, the component 2 can be bent in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction D of the component 2, at least in one subregion 13 of the forge rolling contour 12, in which at least some of the latter, as seen around the circumference of the respective forging roll 10, extends transversely to the plane E which is perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation R. The bending angle can thus be set, for example via the angle of the longitudinal extension of the forge rolling contour 12, as seen around the circumference of the forging roll 10, with regard to the aforementioned plane E, or via the angle between the longitudinal extensionas seen around the circumference of the forging roll 10of mutually adjoining forge rolling contour regions that are angled with respect to one another.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the component 2 is bent in particular transversely to its original longitudinal extension L. In this case, the component 2 can also be bent at several regions, in particular as seen with regard to its original longitudinal extension L, as is illustrated for example in FIGS. 6a-c. In FIGS. 6a-c, the component 2 has been bent in two regions 210 and 221. The (relative) bending angle (in this case .sub.1, .sub.2) of two adjacent bending regions 23 and 24, or 24 and 25 of the component 2 results in this case preferably in each case from the angle .sub.1, .sub.2 enclosed by the longitudinal axes (or longitudinal extension) L, L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the two adjacent bending regions 23 and 24, or 24 and 25.

[0056] The forging rolls 10 are driven in opposite directions and run, when viewed in the drawing plane of FIGS. 3 to 6 and their subparts, preferably in a direction of rotation upward; i.e. in the 3o passage direction D of the component 2.

[0057] During the third step of the method according to the invention, in a region in which the forging rolls 10 are located closest together, the opposite forge rolling contours 12 to some extent laterally surround a forming region 15 through which the components 2 are passed in order to be formed. The forging rolls 10, at least the forge rolling contours 12, are provided preferably mirror symmetrically to one another. The invention is not limited thereto, however. Other embodiments are also conceivable, wherein the forge rolling contours 12 should each be configured in a manner corresponding to one another in order to be able to create a defined component geometry.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the third method step of the method according to the invention can preferably be carried out multiple times. In this case, it is conceivable in particular for the third step to be carried out in this case with forging rolls 10 with different forge rolling contours 12, in order to effect for example continuous bending or component geometry shaping.

[0059] Likewise, according to a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention can also comprise a further step for the longitudinal forge rolling of the component 2 without bending. This step is preferably carried out between the second and third steps of the method according to the invention; but can also be carried out after the third step of the method according to the invention. This additional method step is intended to make it possible to form the component in the direction of its original longitudinal extension L, preferably to distribute the material in a defined manner along its original longitudinal extension L (for example cross-sectional change). The result of this additional forming stage can be for example a component 2 as per FIGS. 1a-b.

[0060] As already explained above, a component 2 produced by means of the method according to the invention, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 2a-c, 6b and 6c, is also encompassed by the invention. The component 2 according to FIG. 2a results for example from a method according to FIG. 3a. The component 2 according to FIG. 2b results for example from a method according to FIG. 3b. The component 2 according to FIG. 2c results for example from a method according to FIG. 3c.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments, to the extent that it is encompassed by the subject matter of the following claims. Thus, the invention is in particular not limited to a particular forge rolling contour 12 and thus bending and optionally mass distribution of a component 2. Similarly, the invention is not limited to particular dimensions of the forging rolls 10 or of the components 2 to be worked. Also, the material of the components 2 to be worked can be chosen as desired, as long as it can be subjected in principle to a forge.

[0062] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to original claims 11 to 19, as summarized below:

[0063] Method for the bending forge rolling of a component (2), in particular of a component blank, having the following steps of: [0064] (a) providing a bending forge rolling device, preferably a bending forge rolling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, [0065] (b) providing a component (2), in particular an elongate component (2), and [0066] (c) passing the component (2) between two forging rolls (10) of the bending forge rolling device (1) in the region of opposite forge rolling contours (12) of the forging rolls (10) in order to form the component (2), wherein the component (2) is bent in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction (D) of the component (2), at least by means of one subregion (13) of the forge rolling contours (12).

[0067] Furthermore, in step (c), the component (2) is preferably bent in at least one direction transversely to the passage direction (D) of the component (2), at least in one subregion (13) of the forge rolling contour (12), in which at least some of the latter, as seen around the circumference of the respective forging roll (10), extends transversely to a plane (E) which is perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation (R).

[0068] Preferably, the component (2) is bent transversely to its original longitudinal extension (L).

[0069] Preferably, the forging rolls (10) are driven in opposite directions.

[0070] Preferably, during step (c), in a region in which the forging rolls (10) are located closest together, the opposite forge rolling contours (12) to some extent laterally surround a forming region through which the component (2) is passed in order to be formed, wherein the forging rolls (10), at least the forge rolling contours (12), are provided preferably mirror symmetrically to one another.

[0071] Preferably, step (c) is carried out multiple times, preferably with forging rolls (10) with different forge rolling contours (12).

[0072] Preferably, this method further comprises a step for the longitudinal forge rolling of the component (2) without bending, wherein this step is carried out between steps (b) and (c), in order to form the component (2) in the direction of its original longitudinal extension (L), preferably to distribute the material in a defined manner along its original longitudinal extension (L).

[0073] Component (2) is preferably produced by a method according to this preferred embodiment.

[0074] This said Component (2) preferably has a bending angle of up to 30, preferably 40, particularly preferably 50.