Embossing Device for Embossing a Marking on a Motor Vehicle Component, and Tool for Processing a Motor Vehicle Component

Abstract

An embossing device for embossing a marking on a motor vehicle component includes a fastening device via which the embossing device can be fastened to a tool, by which tool the motor vehicle component can be processed. An embossing unit is held on the fastening device and has the marking in negative form, by which embossing unit the marking can be embossed into the motor vehicle component by the tool. A spring device is provided, by which the fastening device can be spring-mounted on the tool.

Claims

1.-7. (canceled)

8. An embossing device for embossing a marking on a motor vehicle component, comprising: a fastening device via which the embossing device is fastenable to a tool by which the motor vehicle component is processed; an embossing unit held on the fastening device, wherein the embossing unit has the marking in negative, and by which embossing unit the marking is embossable into the motor vehicle component by use of the tool when the motor vehicle component is processed; and a spring device by which the fastening device is spring-mounted on the tool.

9. The embossing device according to claim 8, wherein the spring device comprises a pressure-limiting device by which a pressure applied to the motor vehicle component by the embossing unit when the marking is embossed is limited.

10. The embossing device according to claim 8, wherein the spring device comprises at least one cup spring, at least one gas pressure spring, at least one rubber shim, and/or at least one hydraulic device.

11. The embossing device according to claim 8, wherein the spring device is configured to cushion the fastening device relative to the tool via a non-Newtonian fluid.

12. The embossing device according to claim 8, wherein the embossing device is fastenable as a tool to a forming tool via the fastening device.

13. The embossing device according to claim 8, wherein the embossing unit comprises at least two stamping wheels by which the marking is set and is embossed into the motor vehicle component, the two stamping wheels being cushioned together relative to the tool via the spring device.

14. A tool for processing a motor vehicle component, comprising: an embossing device configured to emboss a marking on the motor vehicle component, the embossing device; comprising a fastening device; a spring device by which the fastening device is spring-mounted on the tool; and an embossing unit, held on the fastening device, the embossing unit having the marking in negative, and by which the marking is embossed into the motor vehicle component by use of the tool when the motor vehicle component is processed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The single FIG. is a schematic perspective view of an embossing device for embossing a marking on a motor vehicle component with an embossing unit which can be fastened via a fastening device to a tool by which the motor vehicle component can be processed, wherein the embossing device comprises a spring device by which the fastening device can be cushioned relative to the tool and by which the embossing unit can be cushioned relative to the tool via the fastening device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] An embossing device 1 is shown in the single FIG. The embossing device 1 can be fastened to a tool by means of which a motor vehicle component can be processed. The tool is in particular a forming tool by which the motor vehicle component can be formed. A marking can be embossed into a surface of the motor vehicle component by way of the embossing device 1 when the motor vehicle component is formed by the forming tool. The marking is in particular a serial number of the motor vehicle component. The embossing device 1 can be brought into contact with a surface of the motor vehicle component, wherein the embossing device 1 can be pressed onto the surface of the motor vehicle component with pressure, as a result of which the marking can be embossed into the surface of the motor vehicle component. The embossing device 1 can also be referred to as a so-called counting stamp by way of which a code, in particular a seven-digit number, can be embossed into the motor vehicle component as a marking.

[0019] The embossing device 1 comprises an embossing unit 2 by which the marking can be embossed into the surface of the motor vehicle component by contact with the surface of the motor vehicle component. The embossing unit 2, which can be seen in the single FIG., comprises in the present case multiple stamping wheels 3 which have a common axis of rotation about which the stamping wheels 3 can rotate relative to one another. Each stamping wheel 3 has at least one embossing element 4. In particular, each stamping wheel 3 can have multiple embossing elements 4 which are distributed over the periphery of the respective stamping wheel 3. By revolving the respective stamping wheel 3 about the axis of rotation, the respective embossing elements 4 of the stamping wheels 3 can be oriented relative to one another and relative to the surface of the motor vehicle component and the marking to be embossed thus set. In particular, it is possible to select at each stamping wheel 3 an embossing element 4 which, by revolving the respective stamping wheel 3 about the axis of rotation, is arranged facing the surface of the motor vehicle component such that the selected embossing elements 4 together represent in negative the marking to be embossed into the surface of the motor vehicle component.

[0020] The embossing unit 2 can be fastened to the tool via a fastening device 5 which in the present case has a multi-part design. The embossing device 1 can be integrated into the tool by fastening the embossing device 1 to the tool via the fastening device 5.

[0021] Because of the varying thickness that exists in practice of the sheet metal of the motor vehicle component to be provided with the marking, the marking can sometimes be embossed more deeply into the motor vehicle component and sometimes less deeply in the case of different motor vehicle components embossed one after the other by means of an embossing device from the prior art. The situation can consequently arise where the visibility and/or readability of the embossing and hence the marking is not ensured for each of the embossed motor vehicle components. A particularly high degree of wear of this embossing device and/or damage to the motor vehicle component can be caused by a tilted position or an uneven surface and hence the striking of this embossing device against the motor vehicle component at an angle other than 90°. The particularly high degree of wear of this embossing device can negatively influence a quality of respective markings embossed in motor vehicle components and cause high costs when this embossing device needs to be repaired. A different amount of wear can occur at individual stamping wheels of the embossing unit because of different pressure or a tilted position or a different embossing depth of an embossing unit of this embossing device on the surface of the motor vehicle component. In the case of press tool embossing units placed rigidly on the tool, a different embossing depth and/or different embossing pressures can occur when the respective marking is embossed into the motor vehicle component, as a result of which particularly high maintenance costs and/or adaptation costs and/or servicing costs can result.

[0022] In order to overcome these disadvantages, the present embossing device 1 comprises a spring device 6. The embossing unit 2 can be cushioned relative to the tool by way of the spring device 6. In the present case, the embossing unit 2 can be cushioned relative to the fastening device 5 by use of the spring device 6. The fastening device 5 can be fixed in position on the tool. The spring device 6 thus enables the embossing unit 2 to be spring-mounted on the tool via the fastening device 5.

[0023] In particular, the spring device 6 can comprise multiple spring elements 7 via which the embossing unit 2 is cushioned relative to the fastening device 5. In the present case, at least one of the spring elements 7 is designed as a helical spring or as a cup spring which is supported at one end against the embossing unit 2 and at the other end against the fastening device 5. As an alternative to the embodiment of the spring elements 7 as helical springs or as cup springs, at least one of the spring elements 7 can be designed as a gas pressure spring or a hydraulic device. As an alternative or in addition to the provision of the multiple spring elements 7 of the spring device 6, the spring device 6 can comprise at least one rubber shim or cushioning using a non-Newtonian fluid.

[0024] In order to limit a pressure acting on the surface of the motor vehicle component from the embossing unit 2, the spring device 6 can comprise a pressure-limiting device 8 indicated schematically by a small box in the FIG. A pressure acting on the motor vehicle component from the embossing unit 2 when the marking is embossed can be limited by means of the pressure-limiting device 8 such that a predetermined maximum pressure is prevented from being exceeded by the pressure-limiting device 8. As a result, damage to the embossing unit 2 and the motor vehicle component can be prevented.

[0025] As a whole, the invention demonstrates how self-compensating maintenance can be provided at the counting stamp.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0026] 1 embossing device [0027] 2 embossing unit [0028] 3 stamping wheel [0029] 4 embossing element [0030] 5 fastening device [0031] 6 spring device [0032] 7 spring element [0033] 8 pressure-limiting device