DESC:
FORM – 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

A MOTION TRANSFER MECHANISM

Applicants: BHARAT FORGE LIMITED AND
KALYANI TECHNOFORGE LIMITED

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a motion transfer mechanism. More particularly, the invention relates to the motion transfer mechanism utilized to transfer a part in a manufacturing process.
DESCRIPTION TO THE RELATED ART
Forging is used in a variety of metalworking operations in order to produce shaped components. Typically, a hammer or press is used to provide a compressive force to a metal (which may be heated) in order to deform the metal into the shape of a die. This type of forging operation is called closed die forging operation where the two dies (i.e. top and bottom dies) are closed using the press or hammer such that a cavity is formed in between them in closed condition which corresponds to the shape of part being manufactured. The closed die forging can be performed on hot or cold billets, depending upon the component to be forged. For example, in hot forging, the heated metal billet is placed inside the cavity of bottom die after which the press or hammer moves the top die towards bottom die and converts the shape of the billet into the required shape under compressive loading.
Various types of forging operations have been developed to suit the desired properties of the shaped component in terms of size, shape, material properties and required throughput. Many metal parts, after being drawn or formed or forged to their desired shape have an irregular or uneven edge (called flash). This flash is formed due to overflow of the metal out of the die cavities after filling it up completely. This flash requires a trimming operation subsequent to completion of finish forging process in order to further define an outer perimeter of the desired shape and bring fineness to the shaped component.
Trimming is an important forging operation subsequent to finish forging operation. Trimming basically presses a part through a cutting die (or trimming die) that runs through the periphery of the work. The cutting die is precisely designed to remove the irregularity, unevenness or flash from a particular part. Most often it is desirable to perform this operation while the part is still hot for maximum efficiency; therefore, it is usually incorporated into the process flow of forging process. Alternatively, in cold forging process flow the trimming operation is performed in cold condition or at room temperature. Thus, trimming operation is integral part of forging process flow (cold, hot or warm).
Conventionally, during the trimming operation, the finish forged component, to be shaped, is placed on a trimming / cutting die and a trimming punch assembled to the ram presses the component at the required location and then the trimmed component falls on the press bed. This trimmed component is still hot and is required to be removed from the press bed for next component in line.
One of the practices for removing of the trimmed hot component is carried out manually which involves a human intervention wherein, an extra person is required to remove it by his/her hands or by using a rod in his/her hands. As there is a human intervention, there will be chances of injury due to movement of hot trimmed component by an operator. Further an additional man power is in use to remove the finished component, instead which can be put to use for more value-added work.
Another practice to remove the trimmed component involves the use of a pneumatically or hydraulically operated piston-cylinder arrangement to push the finished component. Herein, the pneumatically or hydraulically operated piston-cylinder device is placed beside the press bed which pushes the finished component fallen on the press bed after the termination of trimming operation. An operator initiates the pneumatically operated piston-cylinder to push the finished component and retracts said once the job is done.
This process is time consuming, with extra man power requirement which again can be used for other more value-added purposes. Further, the pneumatic arrangement makes the machine bulky with addition of cost in installing it, maintaining it and repairing it if damaged.
Furthermore, pneumatic arrangement requires external source of energy. There is also complexity involved in the placement of pneumatic arrangement with its energy source besides the press bed.
Thus, there is a need for a mechanism or a device which can push or remove the trimmed component from the press bed without any use of external energy sources. There is also a need of a mechanism, which has shorter cycle time and can increase the productivity in terms of number of finished components. There is also a need of a device or a mechanism which will not deteriorate the quality of the trimmed component during handling. Furthermore, there is also a need of a mechanism or a device which can push or remove the trimmed component from press bed which will create safe environment for operator during working. There is also need of a mechanism which does not require any human intervention for operation thus, reducing the requirement of manpower on the trimming press.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism or device which pushes or removes the trimmed component or flash from the press bed automatically as soon as the trimmed component falls on the press bed.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which pushes or removes the trimmed component or flash from the press bed without any external energy source.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which requires minimum maintenance.
It is furthermore an object of present invention to provide a mechanism which pushes or removes the trimmed component or flash without any human intervention.
It is further object of the present invention to have a cost effective and a compact mechanism which pushes or removes the trimmed component or flash.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which increases the productivity of the finished component while maintaining the quality at the same time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A motion transfer mechanism 100 of the present invention is a linkage between a ram 102 and a slider 114, which move in desired directions with respect to each other. The motion transfer mechanism includes a press bed 106 on which a trimming die assembly 110 is placed. The said ram 102 is a box like structure which moves from top dead centre (TDC) to bottom dead centre (BDC) in the vertical axis along a plurality of ram guides 114. The said trimming die is of a desired shaped component. The trimming die is assembled in a trimming die assembly 110 which has a first open side 122 and second open side 124 along with open top side.
Further, a slider 114 is placed in a slider housing 120 near to the first open side 122 of the trimming die assembly 110 which is connected to the extensible linkage 116. Further, the extensible linkage 116 is connected to a pusher 118 wherein the slider 114, the extensible linkage 116 and the pusher 118 all are connected in one common horizontal axis and perpendicularly placed with respect to the ram axis.
The slider 114 is further connected with the ram 102 through a connector 112 forming a motion transfer linkage between the ram 102, slider 114, extensible linkage 116 and pusher 118. A pusher guide 108 is placed inside the trimming die assembly 110 which passes through the first open side 122 and the second open side 124. The said pusher 118 when in operation moves along the pusher guide 108 and through the said openings.
During the process of trimming, ram 102 moves from TDC to BDC and trims the component in desired shape. A trimming force on ram 102 which also acts on the connector allows the ram 102 to move from TDC to BDC and in turn forces the slider 114 to move in backward direction further compressing the extensible linkage 116 and retracting the pusher 118 along pusher guide 108 and out of the trimming die assembly 110.
During the motion of ram 102 towards TDC, the connector 112 between ram 102 and slider 114 allows the pusher 118 along with extensible linkage 116 to expand towards the trimming die assembly 110. This forward stoke of the pusher 118 follows the pusher guide 108 into the trimming die assembly 110 and pushes the trimmed component or flash fallen on press bed out from the trimming die assembly 110.
The motion transfer mechanism of the present invention provides an energy free mechanism, wherein the motion of a ram 102 from TDC to BDC and from BDC to TDC is converted into expansion and retraction motion of extensible linkage 116. As this motion is carried out based on the inertia of ram 102 and strength of the extensible linkage 116, injuries to the operators are avoided as human intervention itself is non-essential.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the following diagrams below wherein:
Fig. 1 shows the schematic illustration of motion transfer mechanism with return stroke of slider whereas ram is at the bottom dead centre (BDC) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 shows the schematic illustration of motion transfer mechanism with forward stroke of slider whereas ram is at the top dead centre (TDC) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “an article” may include a plurality of articles unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention. There may be additional components described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.
Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention constitutes a motion transfer mechanism wherein a vertical linear motion of the ram is converted in horizontal linear motion of the slider. Accordingly, the components have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
Fig. 1 shows the schematic illustration of motion transfer mechanism 100 with return stroke of a slider 114 whereas a ram 102 is at the bottom dead centre. The mechanism 100 as shown in FIG. 1 includes a trimming die assembly 110 placed upon a press bed 106 and axially in line but beneath the ram 102. The said ram 102 is a box like structure which moves from top dead centre (TDC) to bottom dead centre (BDC) in the vertical axis along a plurality of ram guides 104 on which one part (upper part) of the trimming die assembly 110 is placed. A trimming tool (not shown in figures) is attached to said upper part of said trimming die assembly 110. The press bed 106 is substantially a rectangular structure on which another part (lower part) of the trimming die assembly 110 is placed. A trimming die is attached to said lower part of said trimming die assembly 110. The said trimming die of lower part of trimming die assembly 110 is of a desired shaped component. The said trimming die assembly 110 has a first and second partially open side 122 and 124 respectively and an open top side.
Further, a slider 114 is placed in the slider housing 120 near to the first open side 122 of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 and along the axis of the said first and second open side 122 and 124 respectively. The said slider 114 is connected to an extensible linkage 116 wherein the extensible linkage 116 is a series of crossed jointed levers pivoted together to form a framework which is capable of extending along its axis up to a desired distance. Further the extensible linkage 116 is connected to a pusher 118 wherein the slider 114, the extensible linkage 116 and the pusher 118 all are connected in one common horizontal axis and perpendicularly placed with respect to the ram 102 axis. The slider 114 is further connected with ram 102 through a connector 112 forming a motion transfer linkage between the ram 102, the slider 114, the extensible linkage 116 and the pusher 118. A pusher guide 108 is placed inside lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 which passes through first and second opening 122 and 124 respectively. The said pusher 118 when in operation moves along the pusher guide 108 and through the said openings 122 and 124.
During the process of trimming, the ram 102 which has the trimming tool (not shown in the FIGURES) moves from TDC to BDC and trims the component which is placed on the trimming die of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 in desired shape. A trimming force on ram 102, which also acts on the connector 112, allows the ram 102 to move from TDC to BDC and in turn forces the slider 114 to move in backward direction further compressing the extensible linkage 116 and retracting the pusher 118 along pusher guide 108 and out of the trimming die 110.
The dimensions of the various components of this mechanism are maintained in such a way that it allows the extensible linkage 116 to remain in compressive state until and unless the trimming operation is in process. FIG. 1 herein shows the retracted compressive state of the slider 114 and the extensible linkage 116, while trimming operation is carried out by the ram 102.
Now referring to the FIG. 2 which shows the schematic illustration of motion transfer mechanism 100 with forward stroke of slider 114 whereas ram 102 is at the top dead centre i.e. TDC. FIG. 2 represents the final state of the ram 102 and the slider 114 after the termination of trimming process.
Referring to both Figure 1 and Figure 2, the extensible linkage 116 is in a compressive state before trimming operation and is in a retracted compressive state during trimming operation carried out by the ram 102.
The mechanism 100 as shown in FIG. 2 includes the trimming die assembly 110 whose upper part is attached to ram 102 and lower part is placed upon a press bed 106 and axially in line but beneath the ram 102. The said upper part includes the trimming tool and said lower part includes the trimming die. The press bed 106 in one of the embodiments is a rectangular structure on which lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 is placed. The trimming die of trimming die assembly 110 is of a desired shaped component. The trimming die assembly 110 has a first and second partially open side 122 and 124 respectively and having an open top side.
The said ram 102 is a box like structure which moves from top dead centre (TDC) to bottom dead centre (BDC) in the vertical axis along a plurality of ram guides 104.
Fig.1 illustrates the state of the mechanism when trimming process is in operation. During this state the ram 102 is at BDC and the extensible linkage 116 is retracted. Once the trimming process is over, the trimmed component or flash (not shown in FIGURES) falls on the press bed 106 inside the trimming die assembly 110 and ram 102 starts moving towards TDC.
During the motion of ram 102 towards TDC, the connector 112 between ram 102 and slider 114 allows the pusher 118 along with extensible linkage 116 to expand towards first partially open side 122 of lower part of trimming die assembly 110. This forward stroke of the pusher 118 follows the pusher guide 108 into the first partially open side 122 of lower part of trimming die assembly 110 and pushes out the trimmed component or flash out from second partially open side 124 of lower part of the trimming die assembly 110. The motion of pusher 118 is restricted until the ram 102 reaches up to TDC. The motion transfer of the ram 102 from BDC to TDC takes place due to the removal of the trimming force from the ram 102 which allows the extensible linkage 116 to expand until the trimmed component or flash is pushed out of the trimming die assembly 110.
In one exemplary illustration, stroke of RAM is 180 mm, length of connector is 600 mm, dimensions of slider is 360 X 30 mm, and dimension of extensible linkage is 100 X 30 mm in contraction state and 640 mm in expansion state.
The present invention is now illustrated with the help of following one or embodiments. These embodiments can be combined with any of the preceding or succeeding embodiment/s.
Embodiment 1:
The present invention provides a motion transfer mechanism 100 comprising:
a. a ram 102 having a trimming tool adapted to move from a top dead centre (TDC) to a bottom dead centre (BDC) in a vertical axis along a plurality of ram guides 104;
b. a trimming die assembly 110 having an upper part and a lower part is placed upon a press bed 106 beneath the ram 102;
c. a connector 112;
d. a slider 114 placed in a slider housing 120 near to the first open side 122 of a lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 and along the axis of a first open side and a second open side 122 and 124 respectively;
e. an extensible linkage 116 connected to the slider 114 and a pusher 118; and
f. a pusher guide 108 is placed inside the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 which adapted to pass through the first open side 122 and the second open side 124,
wherein the connector 112 is adapted to form a motion transfer linkage between the ram 102, slider 114, extensible linkage 116 and pusher 118,
wherein the slider 114, the extensible linkage 116 and a pusher 118 all are connected in a horizontal axis and perpendicularly placed with respect to the ram 102 axis.
Embodiment 2:
The motion transfer mechanism according to embodiment 1, wherein the trimming die assembly 110 comprises an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part is attached to the ram 102 and the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 is placed on the press bed 106, wherein the upper part includes the trimming tool and the lower part includes a trimming die.
Embodiment 3:
The motion transfer mechanism according to embodiment 1, wherein the slider 114 is connected to an extensible linkage 116, wherein the extensible linkage 116 is a series of crossed jointed levers pivoted together to form a framework which is capable of extending along its axis up to a desired distance.
Embodiment 4:
The motion transfer mechanism according to embodiment 1, wherein the pusher 118 when in operation moves along the pusher guide 108 and through the first open side 122 and the second open side 124.
Embodiment 5:
The motion transfer mechanism according to embodiment 1, wherein the trimming tool (not shown in the FIGURES) attached to the ram 102 moves along with the ram 102 from TDC to BDC and trims a component placed on the trimming die of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110.
Embodiment 6:
The motion transfer mechanism according to embodiment 1, wherein the extensible linkage 116 is in a compressive state before trimming operation and is in a retracted compressive state during trimming operation carried out by the ram 102.
Embodiment 7:
The motion transfer mechanism according to embodiment 1, wherein the shape of the ram includes but is not limited to rectangular and the like.
Embodiment 8:
The present invention provides a method for trimming a shaped component; said method comprising:
i) providing the motion transfer mechanism 100 according to embodiment 1;
ii) placing the shaped component on the trimming die of the trimming die assembly 110;
iii) applying the trimming force on the ram 102 to trim the shaped component, which also acts on the connector 112, thereby allowing the ram 102 to move from TDC to BDC which in turn forces the slider 114 to move in backward direction further compressing the extensible linkage 116 and retracting the pusher 118 along pusher guide 108 and out from the trimming die 102;
iv) obtaining a trimmed component or flash on the press bed 106 inside the trimming die assembly 110;
v) removing the trimming force from the ram 102 which allows the ram 102 to move towards TDC which further allows the pusher 118 along with extensible linkage 116 to expand towards the first partially open side 122 of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 to push out the trimmed component out from the second partially open side 124 of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110.
The benefits of the invented mechanism over the prior art are as follows:
1. It pushes or removes the trimmed component or flash from the press bed automatically as soon as the trimmed component falls on the press bed.
2. It does not require any external energy source.
3. It requires minimum maintenance making it a cost-effective solution.
4. It pushes or removes the trimmed component or flash without any human intervention thus helping in optimizing the manpower requirement on the shop floor as well as avoiding any human error or injury.
5. It is a cost effective and a compact mechanism.
6. It increases the productivity of the finished component while maintaining the quality at the same time.
Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A motion transfer mechanism 100 comprising:
a) a ram 102 having a trimming tool adapted to move from a top dead centre (TDC) to a bottom dead centre (BDC) in a vertical axis along a plurality of ram guides 104;
b) a trimming die assembly 110 having an upper part and a lower part is placed upon a press bed 106 beneath the ram 102;
c) a connector 112;
d) a slider 114 placed in a slider housing 120 near to the first open side 122 of a lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 and along the axis of a first open side and a second open side 122 and 124 respectively;
e) an extensible linkage 116 connected to the slider 114 and a pusher 118; and
f) a pusher guide 108 is placed inside the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 which adapted to pass through the first open side 122 and the second open side 124,
wherein the connector 112 is adapted to form a motion transfer linkage between the ram 102, slider 114, extensible linkage 116 and pusher 118,
wherein the slider 114, the extensible linkage 116 and a pusher 118 all are connected in a horizontal axis and perpendicularly placed with respect to the ram 102 axis.

2. The motion transfer mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trimming die assembly 110 comprises an upper part and lower part, wherein the upper part is attached to the ram 102 and the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 is placed on the press bed 106 wherein the upper part includes the trimming tool and lower part includes a trimming die,

3. The motion transfer mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider 114 is connected to an extensible linkage 116, wherein the extensible linkage 116 is a series of crossed jointed levers pivoted together to form a framework which is capable of extending along its axis up to a desired distance.

4. The motion transfer mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pusher 118 when in operation moves along the pusher guide 108 and through the first open side 122 and the second open side 124.

5. The motion transfer mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trimming tool (not shown in the FIGURES) attached to the ram 102 moves along with the ram 102 from TDC to BDC and trims a component placed on the trimming die of lower part of the trimming die assembly 110.

6. The motion transfer mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extensible linkage 116 is in a compressive state before trimming operation and is in a retracted compressive state during trimming operation carried out by the ram 102.

7. The motion transfer mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of the ram includes but is not limited to rectangular and the like.

8. A method for trimming a shaped component; said method comprising:
i. providing the motion transfer mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1;
ii. placing the shaped component on the trimming die assembly 110;
iii. applying the trimming force on the ram 102 to trim the shaped component, which also acts on the connector 112, thereby allowing the ram 102 to move from TDC to BDC which in turn forces the slider 114 to move in backward direction further compressing the extensible linkage 116 and retracting the pusher 118 along pusher guide 108 and out from the trimming die 102;
iv. obtaining a trimmed component or flash on the press bed 106 inside the trimming die assembly 110;
v. removing the trimming force from the ram 102 which allows the ram 102 to move towards TDC which further allows the pusher 118 along with extensible linkage 116 to expand towards the first partially open side 122 of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110 to push out the trimmed component out from the second partially open side 124 of the lower part of the trimming die assembly 110.

Dated 13th Day of June 2022
For BHARAT FORGE LIMITED AND
KALYANI TECHNOFORGE LIMITED

Manisha Jadhav
Of NOVOIP
Applicants’ Patent Agent (IN/PA-3556)