Abstract
A machine used in tube fabrication, wherein the machine imparts a locating feature near an end of a tube when the tube is located between a clamp die and a bend die of the machine by using a crimp die to form detents and bulges in the tube. The locating feature enables the tube to be located in a larger tube.
Claims
1. A machine to put a locating feature in a tube, comprising: a bend die having a first recess; a clamp die having a second recess, wherein the first and second recesses are adjacent to each other to form a cavity which enables the tube to pass through the cavity in a Z direction and be held in place, wherein X, Y and the Z directions are perpendicular to each other; and a crimp die movable in the X direction, the crimp die having a first crimp die edge angled relative to the X direction and which puts a first detent in the tube as the crimp die moves in a positive direction along the X direction to create a bulge in the tube extending beyond an outer circumference of the tube; wherein each of the bend die and the clamp die have a slot through which the crimp die moves in the positive and a negative X direction opposite the positive X direction.
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the crimp die has a second crimp die edge, the second crimp die edge is angled relative to the X direction and puts a second detent in the tube as the crimp die moves in a negative X direction along the X direction.
3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the crimp die has second through fourth crimp die edges, wherein the second through fourth crimp dies edges are angled relative to the X direction, wherein the second crimp die edge puts a second detent in the tube as the crimp die moves in the positive X direction, and the third and fourth crimp die edges put third and fourth detents in the tube as the crimp die moves in a negative X direction along the X direction.
4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the crimp die comprises an opening, an edge of the opening being the first crimp die edge.
5. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the crimp die comprises an opening, and edges of the opening being the first and second crimp die edges respectively.
6. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the crimp die comprises an opening, and edges of the opening being the first through fourth crimp die edges respectively.
7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein when the crimp die is in a neutral position, the crimp die enables the tube to pass through an opening having the crimp die edge in the crimp die and through the cavity, and when the tube has passed through the opening and the cavity, the crimp die moves in the positive X direction so that the crimp die edge pushes on the tube to form the detent in the tube.
8. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and second crimp die edges put the first and second indents in the tube simultaneously.
9. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the first and second crimp die edges put the first and second indents in the tube simultaneously, and the third and fourth crimp die edges put the third and fourth indents in the tube simultaneously.
10. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and second detents are located along a same diameter of the tube as each other.
11. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the first through fourth detents are located along a same diameter of the tube as each other.
12. A machine to put a locating feature in a tube, comprising: a bend die having a first recess; a clamp die having a second recess, wherein the first and second recesses are adjacent to each other to form a cavity which enables the tube to pass through the cavity in a Z direction and be held in place, wherein X, Y and the Z directions are perpendicular to each other; and a crimp die movable in the X direction, the crimp die having a first crimp die edge angled relative to the X direction and which puts a first detent in the tube as the crimp die moves in a positive direction along the X direction to create a bulge in the tube extending beyond an outer circumference of the tube; wherein the crimp die has second through fourth crimp die edges, wherein the second through fourth crimp dies edges are angled relative to the X direction, wherein the second crimp die edge puts a second detent in the tube as the crimp die moves in the positive X direction, and the third and fourth crimp die edges put third and fourth detents in the tube as the crimp die moves in a negative X direction along the X direction; and wherein each of the bend die and the clamp die have a slot through which the crimp die moves in the positive and a negative X direction opposite the X direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view highlighting a difference between a traditional beaded small tube on the left and a small tube on the right. The small tube on the right exhibits formed features that help locate the smaller tube in relation to the larger header tube;
(2) FIG. 2 shows a front view of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a larger header tube with a beaded smaller tube on the left and a smaller tube on the right that exhibits locating features on one end that help locate the smaller tube in relation to the larger tube;
(3) FIG. 3A shows a front view of a smaller beaded tube that shows a traditional bead formed around the circumference of the smaller tube;
(4) FIG. 3B shows a smaller tube with locating features that protrude outward from the circumference of the smaller tube. These protrusions that extend outward from the circumference of the smaller tube do not extend all the way around the smaller tube as does a bead on a traditional beaded tube. In this case, the protrusions number in two and are 180 apart from one another;
(5) FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a smaller tube. The smaller tube displays formed features that protrude outward. FIG. 4 also shows two features on the circumference of the smaller tube that protrude inward;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a front view of a smaller tube. The smaller tube displays formed features that protrude outward on both sides beyond the circumference of the smaller tube;
(7) FIG. 6 shows a front view of FIG. 5. The smaller tube displays a locating feature that protrudes outward from of the plane of paper. FIG. 6 is a right angle projection of FIG. 5;
(8) FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a machine that includes a device to form the inventive locating features on a small tube without extending the small tube first in the +Z direction towards and end forming machine;
(9) FIG. 8 is a bend head assembly that is part of the machine shown in FIG. 7. The bend head includes a crimping device that is able to form locating features on the end of a small tube. These features will prevent the small tube from being inserted too far into a larger tube;
(10) FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of a crimping device that is able to form features on the end of a small tube. These features will prevent the small tube from being inserted too far into a larger tube;
(11) FIG. 10 shows a front view of FIG. 9 with the crimping device positioned in the neutral position;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a detailed view of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows the opening where a small tube would protrude (tube cavity) between a clamp die and a bend die;
(13) FIG. 12 shows a front view of FIG. 9 with the crimping device sitting in the actuated left position;
(14) FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows the opening (cavity) where a small tube would protrude between a clamp die and a bend die. In this view, the left V of the crimp die is exposed within the tube cavity;
(15) FIG. 14 shows a front view of FIG. 9 with the crimping device sitting in the actuated right position;
(16) FIG. 15 shows a detailed view of FIG. 14. FIG. 15 shows the opening where a small tube would protrude between a clamp die and a bend die. In this view, the right V of the crimp die is exposed within the tube cavity;
(17) FIG. 16 shows an isometric view of the relationship between the clamp die, crimp die, tube, and pivot arm. The tube moves in the Z direction;
(18) FIG. 17 shows a front view of the crimp die and a tube in what is considered the neutral position of the crimp die with respect to its location to the tube.
(19) FIG. 18 shows a top view of the bend die, clamp die, and crimp die;
(20) FIG. 19 shows a section view of FIG. 18 along the section line F-F. FIG. 19 shows the cavity in the bend die and the cavity in the clamp die. Both cavities allow the crimp die to pass thru both the bend die and the clamp die;
(21) FIG. 20 shows an isometric view of the bend die, clamp die, and the crimp die. The cavity in the bend die is shown. This cavity allows the crimp die to pass thru the bend die;
(22) FIG. 21 shows an isometric view of the bend die, clamp die, and the crimp die. In this view the cavity in the clamp die is shown. This cavity allows the crimp die to pass thru the clamp die. This view also shows the end of the tube in relation to the bend die and the clamp die;
(23) FIG. 22 shows an alternative crimp die. This crimp die displays only one crimping edge. This edge is used to deform (dent) the tube. By denting the tube, the tube then expands outward in another direction. Specifically, by denting the tube, a local area on the circumference of the tube then protrudes outward away from the centerline of the tube. It is this protrusion that limits how far the tube can extend into an opening formed in a larger tube;
(24) FIG. 23 shows a recess (cavity) in the bend die and a recess (cavity) in the clamp die; and
(25) FIG. 24 shows a cross section of FIG. 18 along the line F-F. FIG. 24 does not show the tube or the crimp die as does FIG. 19. FIG. 24 shows the slot in the bend die and the slot in the clamp die for which the crimp die travels in the X direction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(26) FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B all show a comparison between a traditional beaded tube 12 and an alternative tube 13. Tube 12 shows a bead 14 that extends all around the circumference of tube 12. Tube 12 represents related art. This type of locating feature requires a compressive axial force to be applied and thus cannot be provided conveniently within the bend tooling. As an alternative, tube 13 can be formed within the bend tooling. Tube 13 represents a new approach as disclosed in this application. From FIG. 1 and FIG. 3B and others, bulge features 16 and 19 located on tube 13 are sufficient to locate tube 13 relative to tube 11.
(27) From FIG. 7, a tube forming machine 30 is shown. Machine 30 contains a computing device, such as a personal computer 51 by way of example, that is used to direct a series of logic devices that makes the machine function. The computing device
(28) The computing device may be a cellular phone, a smartphone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer. For ease of description, the devices mentioned above are collectively referred to as computing devices in this application.
(29) Functions of machine 30 may be implemented by at least one of electronic units such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, and/or a microprocessor, or may be implemented by a software module that performs at least one function or operation. The software module may be implemented by using a software program compiled by using any appropriate software language. The software program may be stored in a memory in a mobile device or a network, and is read and executed by a processor.
(30) The processor may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to control program execution in the solutions of this application.
(31) A memory stores computer readable instructions to control the processor to perform the functions of the machine 50. The memory may be a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that can store static information and an instruction, a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that can store information and an instruction; or may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or another compact disc storage, optical disc storage (including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, or the like), and a disk storage medium or another disk storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store expected program code in a form of an instruction or data structure and that can be accessed by a computer. However, the memory is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently, and is connected to the processor through the communications line. Alternatively, the memory may be integrated with the processor.
(32) The memory may be a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that can store static information and an instruction, or a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that can store information and an instruction, or may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or another compact disc storage medium, an optical disc storage medium (including a compressed optical disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, and the like), a magnetic disk storage medium or another magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be configured to carry or store expected program code in a form of an instruction or a data structure and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and is connected to the processor by using the communications bus 2021. The memory may alternatively be integrated with the processor 2011.
(33) From FIG. 7 and FIG. 16, machine 30 has a tube forming industry standard feeding device for feeding the tube 13 forwards and backwards along the Z axis. This feeding device is well known in the art of tube fabrication so this is not shown in FIG. 7. Machine 30 includes a bend head 40. From FIG. 8, bend head 40 includes a crimping device 10. From FIG. 9, crimping device 10 is attached to a clamp die 42. Adjacent to clamp die 42 is a bend die 41. From FIG. 10, a crimp die 45 is supported by clamp die 42. Crimp die 45 is actuated in the positive X or negative X direction per an actuator arm 31 through slots 46 and 47 in the bend die 41 and clamp die 42, respectively (see FIGS. 16 and 18-23 as well). Actuator arm 31 is rotated about a pivot pin 33 by actuator 32. Actuator arm 31 is connected to crimp die 45 by a pivot pin 34. Actuator 32 is mounted to an actuator bracket 43. Actuator bracket 43 is secured to clamp die 42 by conventional means.
(34) From FIG. 11, clamp die 42 and bend die 41 hold captive tube 13. Tube 13 is located in a tube cavity 44. From FIG. 13 and FIG. 23, tube cavity 44 is created by a recess 66 in bend die 41 and a recess 67 in clamp die 42. From FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, tube cavity 44 allows the passage of tube 13 in the Z direction.
(35) From FIG. 10, actuator arm 31 is shown in the neutral position. With actuator arm 31 in the neutral position, crimp die 45 is not visible in tube cavity 44.
(36) From FIG. 12, actuator 32 is shown retracted in the negative X direction. When actuator 32 is retracted, this causes actuator arm 31 to pivot about pivot pin 33 in a counterclockwise direction. From FIG. 13, a crimp die edge 35 and a crimp die edge 36 are exposed in tube cavity 44. Crimp die edge 35 and crimp die edge 36 are part of crimp die 45. The relative angle between crimp die edge 35 and crimp die edge 36 is 40, but can form an angle in a wider range, such as 20 to 60, by way of example. Crimp die edge 35 and crimp die edge 36 are exposed in cavity 44 as a result of actuator arm 31 rotated counterclockwise about pivot pin 33.
(37) Likewise, from FIG. 14, actuator 32 is shown extended in the positive X direction. When actuator 32 is extended, this causes actuator arm 31 to pivot about pivot pin 33 in a clockwise direction. From FIG. 15, a crimp die edge 37 and a crimp die edge 38 are exposed in tube cavity 44. Crimp die edge 37 and crimp die edge 38 are part of crimp die 45. The relative angle between crimp die edge 37 and crimp die edge 38 is 40, but can form an angle in a wider range, such as 20 to 60, by way of example. Crimp die edge 37 and crimp die edge 38 are exposed in cavity 44 as a result of actuator arm 31 rotated clockwise about pivot pin 33.
(38) From FIG. 16, tube 13 is shown adjacent to clamp die 42. Tube 13 is also shown to pass thru the opening in crimp die 45. Connected to crimp die 45 is actuator arm 31. It is pivot pin 34 that joins crimp die 45 to actuator arm 31.
(39) From FIG. 17, tube 13 is shown inside a cutout 48 formed in crimp die 45. The cutout 48 in crimp die 45 is defined by crimp edges 35 thru 38.
(40) FIG. 18 shows a top view of bend die 41, clamp die 42, and crimp die 45.
(41) FIG. 19 shows a section view of FIG. 18 along the section line F-F.
(42) FIG. 19 shows a slot 46 in bend die 41. FIG. 19 also shows slot 47 in clamp die 42. Crimp die 45 is able to pass through slot 46 and slot 47 in the X direction.
(43) FIG. 20 shows slot 46. FIG. 21 shows slot 47. Both slot 46 and slot 47 allow crimp die 45 to pass thru bend die 41 and clamp die 42.
(44) From FIGS. 23-24, slot 46 is shown. Slot 46 is adjacent to a cavity 68. Cavity 68 allows bulge 16 room to expand outward away from the center of tube 13. Likewise, slot 47 is shown. Slot 47 is adjacent to a cavity 69. Cavity 69 allows bulge 19 room to expand outward and away from the center of tube 13.
(45) FIG. 22 shows an alternative crimp die 61. Crimp die 61 makes use of one crimp edge 62. Crimp edge 62 defines crimp opening 63. Crimp opening 63 formed in crimp die 61. Crimp opening 63 allows a tube 64 to pass thru crimp die 61.
(46) In operation, from FIG. 7, machine 30 controls bend head 40. From FIG. 16, With the end of tube 13 sitting as shown, tube 13 is in a position to have a locating feature imparted on its end. The locating feature itself most often is spaced a small distance from the very end of tube 13 The distance might be as small as 0.06 inches and as large as 2 inches, by way of example. With crimping device 10 in the neutral position as shown in FIG. 10, actuator 32 retracts in the negative X direction as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. With crimp die 45 shifted to the right, crimp die edge 35 and crimp die edge 36 compress on tube 13 against clamp die 42. Then actuator 32 changes position from retracted (FIG. 12) to extended as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. With actuator 32 extended in the positive X direction, this allows crimp die 45 to shift to the left (negative X direction). When shifted, this allows crimp die edges 37 and 38 to compress on tube 13 against bend die 41.
(47) From FIG. 17, when crimp die edges 35 thru 38 compress tube 13, this causes tube 13 to deform. From FIG. 10, actuator 32 will extend in the positive X direction. It will also retract in the negative X direction. When doing so, from FIG. 3B and FIG. 4, detents 17, 18, 21, and 22 are formed on tube 13 by crimp die 45. From FIG. 3B and FIG. 4, pushing on tube 13 in the area of detents 17, 18, 21, and 22 will cause the circumference on tube 13 to expand outward as shown in FIG. 3. From FIG. 3B and FIG. 17, bulges 16 and 19 are caused by crimp die 45 pressing in on tube 13 in the area of detents 17, 18, 21, and 22.
(48) From FIGS. 18 thru 24, detents 17, 18, 21, and 22, are formed by crimp die 45 as crimp die 45 travels in the positive X and negative X directions in slots 46 and 47. During this motion of crimp die 45, crimp die 45 is captivated within slot 46 and slot 47 as viewed in the Y and Z directions. It is the voids provided by cavity 68 and cavity 69 that allows the bulges 16 and 19 the room to be formed by crimp die 45.
(49) From FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B, it is bulge 16 and bulge 19 that extend outward from the circumference of tube 13 that allow these features to position tube 13 when installed in tube 11.
(50) From FIG. 3B and FIG. 7, once bulge 16 and bulge 19 are formed on tube 13, a standard feeding device can then move tube 13 forward in the +Z direction. Once tube 13 is advanced in the +Z direction, the bend tooling can then be directed by a microprocessor to form various bends on tube 13 in user defined locations.
(51) From FIG. 22, an alternative crimp die 61 is actuated in the positive X direction. When crimp die 61 moves in the positive X direction, crimp edge 62 formed in a cutout (opening) 63 will deform a tube 64. By deforming (denting) tube 64, tube 64 will be forced to bulge outward or expand radially outward. This bulge (protrusion) will cause tube 64 from being inserted too far into a mating tube.
(52) Other alternatives are possible as well. For example, there may be a second crimp edge underneath the crimp edge 62 so that when the crimp die moves in the positive X direction, a second detent is formed in the tube 64 at the same time. Or there could be another crimp edge to the right (directly or to the right and below) in FIG. 22 of the crimp edge 62 so that a detent is formed when the crimp die 61 moves in the positive X direction, one detent is formed in the tube 62, and when the crimp die 61 moves in the negative X direction, another detent is formed in the tube 62. Other combinations of crimp die edges can be formed at the edge of the cutout 63.
(53) In the present invention, bulges 16 and 19 are formed in tube 13 along the X axis. It is possible to form bulges 16 and 19 along the Y axis or yet at some other angle that is not perpendicular to the X axis. All that would be required is a different style crimp die.
(54) Crimping device 10 could be an all-electric device, hydraulic device, or even a hybrid device involving other crimping processes or other source of power. A goal is to describe a device that can save time and material when joining a smaller tube to a larger tube as is often the case in the manufacturing of products such as air conditioning units for example.
(55) It is possible to conceive of a device where detents 17, 18, 21, and 22 are all imparted on tube 13 at the same time. With additional mechanisms, one or more bulges located on the circumference of a tube can be formed all at the same time. This process can save further processing time. To effect this, additional mechanisms would be required.
(56) Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
