Patent Publication Number: US-7213430-B2

Title: Tube bending machine and its right and/or left bending device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a tube-bending machine and more particularly to a bending device that allows the bending of a tube either to the left in a so-called clockwise direction or to the right in a counterclockwise direction. 
   During bending in a clockwise direction, the bending arm moves from the right to the left around the bending head. 
   During bending in a counterclockwise direction, the bending arm moves from the left to the right around the bending head. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   According to European Patent EP 649 687, a tube-bending machine that comprises a hinged bending template, a bending arm that can pivot by 180° degrees around the axis of the bending template and a clamping jaw that is supported by the bending arm is known. 
   The bending template has two template portions placed one above the other, whereby one is designed for bending the tube to the right and the other for bending the tube to the left. 
   The clamping jaw is designed both for bending to the right and for bending to the left. The clamping jaw respectively has a jaw element on each side of a plane transversal to the clamping jaw and containing the axis of the bending template. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The lower jaw element of the clamping jaw acts with the lower template portion while the upper jaw element acts with the upper template portion for clamping a tube portion. 
   The object of the tube-bending machine according to this invention is to allow either the bending to the left or the bending to the right of the same tube by means of a bending roller that is attached to the bending arm. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises:
         a fixed frame that has, along its longitudinal axis, a guide rail on which slides a movable carriage that is integral with a rod, making it possible, by means of an internal clamping mandrel, to guide a tube to be bent and to immobilize said tube in rotation and translation,   at one of its ends a bending head, a bending roller and a bending arm that pivots around vertical axis XX′ of the bending head for the formation of the tube,   a bending arm that is provided with a jaw support that moves horizontally in the direction of the bending head, whereby said jaw support is integral with a clamping jaw that comprises at least one jaw for the bending in a clockwise direction of the tube and at least one jaw for bending in a counterclockwise direction of the tube, whereby said jaws are fixed to one another,   a bending roller that is fixed to the bending arm and that comprises at least one jaw for the bending in a clockwise direction of the tube and at least one jaw for the bending in a counterclockwise direction of the tube, whereby said jaws are laterally offset relative to one another and on both sides of vertical axis XX′ of the bending head,   a first strip support that comprises at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent clockwise,   and a second strip support that comprises at least one jaw to clamp the tube as it is being bent counterclockwise.       

   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a clamping jaw that comprises at least two jaws that are laterally offset relative to one another. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a clamping jaw that comprises at least two jaws that are located one above the other and that are separated by a housing. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises in the clamping jaw a housing that has a height that is higher than that provided for a jaw. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a clamping jaw that comprises three jaws that are laterally offset relative to one another to form, between the jaws that are located one above the other, a housing. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a bending arm that comprises a bending roller that pivots at the same time as the latter around vertical axis XX′ of the bending head as the tube is being bent to the right or left. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a bending roller that comprises at least two jaws that are laterally offset to one another and on both sides of vertical axis XX′ of the bending head. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a first strip support that comprises at least one jaw and at least one housing. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a first strip support whose number of jaws depends on the number of jaws that are integral with the clamping jaws and the bending roller making it possible to bend the tube to the left or clockwise. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a second strip support whose number of jaws depends on the number of jaws that are integral with the clamping jaw and the bending roller making it possible to bend the tube counterclockwise. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a second strip support of which each jaw is positioned on the same level as that of the corresponding housing of the clamping jaw. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a second strip support that comprises at least one jaw and at least one housing. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises a second strip support that comprises a housing above and below the jaw. 
   The tube-bending machine according to this invention comprises simultaneous and inverted driving means of the first and second strip supports in terms of a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of the tube. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following description with regard to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it possible to better understand the invention, the characteristics that it exhibits and the advantages that it is likely to ensure: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view that illustrates a tube-bending machine according to this invention. 
       FIGS. 2   a  to  2   c  are views that show in detail the clamping jaw and the bending roller of the bending machine according to this invention. 
       FIGS. 3 to 6  are perspective views that show the device for bending a tube clockwise according to this invention. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective views that show the device for bending a tube counterclockwise according to this invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2   a  to  2   c  is a bending machine  1  whose fixed frame at one of its ends carries a bending head  2  around which pivots a bending arm  3  for the formation of a tube  4  either in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction. 
   During bending in a clockwise direction, bending arm  3  moves from the right to the left around bending head  2 . 
   During bending in a counterclockwise direction, bending arm  3  moves from the left to the right around bending head  2 . 
   The fixed frame comprises, along its longitudinal axis, a guide rail, not shown, on which slides a movable carriage  5  that approaches and moves away from bending head  2  by means of a geared motor. 
   Movable carriage  5  comprises a rod or a drum  6  that makes it possible, by means of an internal clamping mandrel, to guide tube  4  to be bent and to immobilize said tube in rotation and translation. 
   Bending arm  3  comprises a jaw support  7  that moves horizontally in the direction of bending head  2 . 
   Jaw support  7  is integral with a clamping jaw  8  that comprises various jaw profiles  9 ,  10 , and  11  whose number can vary based on the number of bending motions to the right and/or left that it is necessary to carry out on tube  4 . 
   Jaws  9 ,  10  and  11  are integral with clamping jaw  8  and fixed relative to one another. 
   Based on the number of jaws, the latter are placed on clamping jaw  8  so that they are laterally offset relative to one another to constitute at least one housing  22  between two jaws. 
   This housing  22  is of a slightly greater height than the one provided for a bending jaw. 
   It is noted, in the sample embodiment according to this invention, that clamping jaw  8  comprises three jaws  9 ,  10  and  11  that are laterally offset relative to one another to form a housing  22  between jaws  9  and  11  that are located one above the other. 
   Bending arm  3  comprises a bending roller  12  that pivots at the same time as the latter around vertical axis XX′ of bending head  2  as tube  4  is being bent to the right or left. Thus, bending roller  12  is fixed in rotation relative to bending arm  3 . 
   Bending roller  12  consists of various jaw profiles  13 ,  14  and  15  whose number may vary based on the number of bending motions to the right and/or left that it is necessary to carry out on tube  4 . It is noted that the number of jaws on bending roller  12  is equivalent to the one provided on clamping jaw  8 . 
   Jaws  13 ,  14  and  15  are integral with bending roller  12  and fixed relative to one another. 
   It is noted that jaws  13 ,  14  and  15  of bending roller  12  are laterally offset relative to one another and on both sides of vertical axis XX′ of bending head  2 . 
   The various profiles of jaws  13 ,  14  and  15  of bending roller  12  are respectively placed opposite jaws  9 ,  10  and  11  of clamping jaws  8  to carry out the bending of tube  4 . 
   It is noted that the profile of jaws  9 ,  11  of clamping jaw  8  and the profile of jaws  13 ,  15  of bending roller  12  make it possible to carry out the bending of tube  4  in a clockwise direction. 
   In contrast, the profile of jaw  10  of clamping jaw  8  and that of jaw  14  of bending roller  12  make it possible to carry out the bending of tube  4  in a counterclockwise direction. 
   Bending machine  1  comprises, at bending head  2  and on both sides of tube  4  that is to be bent, a first strip support  16  and a second strip support  17  that are placed opposite one another and that move respectively in terms of a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of tube  4  and in terms of a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of bending roller  12 . 
   First strip support  16  moves in a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of bending head  2 , whereby bending arm  3  carries bending roller  12  via a drive device  23 , which can be a hydraulic or electric jack or any other motion transmission system. 
   Second strip support  17  moves in a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of bending head  2 , whereby bending arm  3  carries bending roller  12  via a drive device  24 , which can be a hydraulic or electric jack or any other motion transmission system. 
   First and second strip supports  16  and  17  are moved in a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of tube  4  for the purpose of its clamping and its immobilization via a drive means that is unique for the two strip supports  16 ,  17 . 
   Thus, when first strip support  16  is moved in the direction of tube  4  for its immobilization, second strip support  17  automatically moves away from said tube. Conversely, when second strip support  17  approaches tube  4 , first strip support  16  moves away from the latter. 
   First strip support  16  comprises two jaws  18 ,  19  that come to rest against tube  4  to be able to accompany and maintain said tube  4  during bending in a clockwise direction. 
   The number of jaws provided on first strip support  16  depends on the number of jaws that are integral with clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12  making it possible to bend tube  4  clockwise. 
   It is noted that jaws  18  and  19  of first strip support  16  are separated from one another by a housing  20  whose height d corresponds to a height that is slightly greater than that of jaws  10 ,  14  of clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12 . 
   Housing  20  of first strip support  16  is suitable for receiving jaws  10  and  14  of clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12  to be able to carry out bending of tube  4  clockwise. 
   Actually, during the bending of tube  4  clockwise, first strip support  16  moves in the direction of bending roller  12  that is integral with jaw  14  at this level. 
   Thus, strip support  16  comprises at least one jaw  18 ,  19  and at least one housing  20  whose number depends on the number of jaws that make it possible to bend tube  4  counterclockwise. 
   Second strip support  17  comprises a jaw  21  that comes to rest against tube  4  to be able to accompany and maintain said tube  4  as it is being bent to the right. 
   When second strip support  17  comprises a jaw  21 , a housing  25  that is suitable for receiving jaws  9 ,  11  and  13 ,  15  of clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12  to be able to carry out the bending of tube  4  counterclockwise is provided above and below said jaw. 
   Thus, strip support  17  comprises at least one jaw  21  and at least one housing  25  whose number depends on the number of jaws that make it possible to bend tube  4  clockwise. 
   Also, the number of jaws provided on second strip support  17  depends on the number of jaws that are integral with clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12  making it possible to bend tube  4  counterclockwise. 
   Bending head  2  comprises translation means to be able to move horizontally and vertically relative to the fixed frame, i.e., in the directions that are in planes perpendicular to the one containing the longitudinal axis of machine  1  or of the fixed frame, which is generally embodied by tube  4 . 
   Shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, is the first bending of tube  4  clockwise that is obtained by means of jaw  11  of clamping jaw  8 , jaw  15  of bending roller  12 , and jaw  19  of first strip support  16 . 
   It is noted that to carry out a bending of tube  4  clockwise, the latter should be to the right of vertical axis XX′ of bending head  2  according to the representation of  FIG. 1 . 
   The bending of tube  4  clockwise is carried out when bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  pivot around bending head  2  according to a clockwise rotation relative to vertical axis XX′ of said head. 
   During the rotation of bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  around bending head  2 , jaw  19  of strip support  16  is moved in a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of bending roller  12  to make it possible to clamp tube  4 . 
   This accompaniment of tube  4  by strip support  16  is obtained by means of housing  20  that is provided between jaws  18  and  19  that makes it possible to receive jaw  10  of bending arm  3  and jaw  14  of bending roller  12 . 
   Actually, housing  20  of first strip support  16  makes possible the release of jaws  10 ,  14 , making possible the bending in a counterclockwise direction during the rotation in clockwise direction of bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  around axis XX′ of bending head  2 . 
   Shown, for example, in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is the second bending of tube  4  clockwise direction that is obtained by means of jaw  9  of clamping jaw  8 , jaw  13  of bending roller  12 , and jaw  18  of first strip support  16 . 
   The second bending in a clockwise direction is carried out after a translation and a rotation of tube  4  around its longitudinal axis so as to initiate the first bending of the bending jaws. 
   The second bending of tube  4  clockwise is carried out when bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  pivot around bending head  2  according to a clockwise rotation relative to vertical axis XX′ of said head. 
   During the rotation of bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  around bending head  2 , jaw  18  of strip support  16  is moved in a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of bending roller  12  to make it possible to clamp tube  4 . 
   This accompaniment of tube  4  by strip support  16  is obtained by means of housing  20  that is provided between jaws  18  and  19  that receives jaw  10  of bending arm  3  and jaw  14  of bending roller  12 . 
   Actually, housing  20  of first strip support  16  makes possible the release of jaws  10 ,  14  making possible the bending in a counterclockwise direction during rotation in counterclockwise direction of bending arm  3  around axis XX′ of bending head  2 . 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is a bending of tube  4  counterclockwise that is obtained by means of jaw  10  of clamping jaw  8 , jaw  14  of bending roller  12 , and jaw  21  of second strip support  17 . 
   The bending in a counterclockwise direction is carried out after a translation and a rotation of tube  4  around its longitudinal axis so as to initiate the first two bending motions in a clockwise direction of the bending jaws. 
   It is noted that to carry out a bending of tube  4  counterclockwise, the latter should be to the left of vertical axis XX′ of bending head  2 . 
   To do this, bending head  2  and bending arm  3  that carry bending roller  12  are moved in a vertical direction downward relative to the frame of bending machine  1 . This vertical translation makes it possible to release tube  4  from jaw support  8  and bending roller  12 . 
   Bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  are driven in rotation around bending head  2  so as to be positioned to the left of vertical axis XX′. 
   Bending head  2  and bending arm  3  are then moved vertically upward to return to the level of tube  4  so that the latter is positioned to the left of axis XX′ of bending head  2  and between jaws  10  and  14  of clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12 . 
   The bending of tube  4  counterclockwise is carried out when bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  pivot around bending head  2  according to a rotation from left to right relative to vertical axis XX′ of said head. 
   During the rotation of bending arm  3  and bending roller  12  around bending head  2 , jaw  21  of strip support  17  is moved in a horizontal translatory motion in the direction of bending roller  12  to make it possible to clamp tube  4 . 
   This accompaniment of tube  4  by strip support  17  is obtained by means of housing  22  that is provided between jaws  9  and  11  of clamping jaw  8  that receives jaw  21  of strip support  17 . 
   This accompaniment of tube  4  by strip support  17  is also obtained by means of housings  25  provided above and below jaw  21  so as to receive respectively jaws  9 ,  13  and  11 ,  15  of clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12 . 
   Thus, housing  22  of clamping jaw  8  and housings  25  of strip support  17  make possible the release of jaws  9 ,  13 ;  11 ,  15  and  21  that thus make possible the bending in a counterclockwise direction of tube  4  by means of jaws  10  and  14  of clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12  that are driven in a rotation in counterclockwise direction around axis XX′ of bending head  2 . 
   Bending machine  1  can carry out other bending motions of tube  4  counterclockwise if clamping jaw  8  and bending roller  12  comprised other jaws that make this type of bending possible. 
   Further, it should be understood that the preceding description was given only by way of example and that it in no way limits the scope of the invention if the same goal could be achieved by replacing the above-described embodiment details with any other equivalent items.