Patent GB-808847-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for the formation of wheel rims and the like
IPC: B21B31/26
Filed: 1956-01-23
Abstract: 808,847. Spinning; corrugating. BENSON, W. E., and BENSON, G. E. Jan. 23, 1956, No. 2163/56. Class 83 (4). A machine for forming wheel rims from cylindrical blanks has an external multipart annular die and profile forming rolls which are radially supported by internal reaction within the blank die. In one example the die comprises a large number of profiled segments 20, Figs. 3, 4, displaceable in guideways 21a under the action of a conical ring 23. The blank 25 has a diameter approximately that of the tyre seat rim and is engaged internally by opposed rolls 26 on a turntable 24, the tyre well being formed as the die segments 20 are gradually contracted. The tyre flanges are subsequently formed by pairs of freely rotating opposed flange forming rolls 31 above and below the rolls 26 and which are moved radially outwards by eccentrics 32. The rolls 26 are freely rotatable over sleeves 8 on shafts 5 supported on slides 5a for radial movement on the turntable 24 and are normally urged inwardly by springs 2d. Radial expansion of the rolls to engage the blank is caused by a spreader roller 27 movable transversely between the rolls 26 by an hydraulic cylinder 29 attached by a pivot 7a to the turntable. The eccentrics 32 for expanding the flanging rolls are attached to the sleeve 8 and are rotated by an hydraulic cylinder 33 through links 9a. In a modification a blank having the initial diameter of the well base is clamped in a fixed two-part die and the tyre rims are formed during the radial expansion of the opposed rolls 26 by the spreader roller. In another example opposed frames 150, Fig. 14, carry rollers 158 which complete the full finished contour of the wheel rims. The frames 150 contain integral hydraulic cylinders 157 which slide over rams 151 and guides 156 attached to the turntable 152. Hydraulic fluid is supplied through ducts 153. Retraction of the frame 150 is effected by springs 154. In another example the blank 25, Figs. 5, 5A, has the well 25a formed between contracting segmented dies 20 and opposed rolls 26 and then has the flanges 25b formed by rolls 131 which pivot radially outwards on a turntable 24. A radially fixed roll 135 on the turntable 24 also engages the base of the wheel well. The turntable 24 carrying the rolls is mounted at the top of a column 38 and is carried by a shaft 77 running in a bush 64 and a footstep bearing 78. It is driven by a motor 53 through a belt drive 51, 52 and bevel gears 71, 72. The die segments 20 are radially slidable on a ring 21 supported on a cylindrical member 35 attached to a table 36 at the top of column 38. The conical ring 23 for actuating the dies is carried by a cylindrical casing 54 which is yieldingly supported by spaced hydraulic rams 110 and is lowered to contract the die by an annular hydraulic piston 120 in an annular cylinder 42 on the underside of the table 36. The rim forming rolls 26, Fig. 12, are freely rotatable on shafts 122 carried by radially slidable guide blocks 123 on the turntable 24 and actuated by toggle links 125 pivoted to a shaft 126 which is radially slidable on blocks 112 on the turntable 24 and carries a spreader roller 127. Movements of the spreader roller 127 and shaft 126 is obtained through an hydraulic cylinder 129 at the base of the machine which actuates a piston 94 and screwed nut 91 causing a shaft 89 to rotate. A pinion 130 on the shaft 89 engages a rack 132 attached to the slide blocks 112 in which the shaft 126 is mounted. The flanging roller 131, Fig. 11, is freely rotatable in a shaft 134 which is movable radially outwardly on arms 137 pivoted at A-A to the turntable and having toothed segments 138 engaged by pinions 139 on a shaft 136 mounted on the turntable. The shaft 136 is rotated to move the flanging rollers 131 radially outwardly through a pinion 140 engaged by a control pinion 141 mounted at the top of a screwed member 85. Rotation of the screwed member 85 relating to the turntable is obtained through a nut 84 which is raised and lowered by an annular hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement 98, 133, surrounding the shaft 77 and raising and lowering a rotary sleeve 80, carrying pins 82 which engage the nut 84 through slots 83 in the shaft 77. The shaft 136 carries also the freely rotatable rolls 135 which engage the base of the wheel well. The roller system at the top of the machine is sealed from the lower part by a packing ring 75 so that soluble oil may be supplied to the rolls and discharged through a duct 56. Specification 631,902 is referred to.