U.S. patent application number 11/488959 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for flow forming connection of metallic parts and resultant part assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to TransForm Automotive LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas Meier.
Application Number | 20080016670 11/488959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38957520 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080016670 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meier; Thomas |
January 24, 2008 |
Flow forming connection of metallic parts and resultant part
assembly
Abstract
A method and apparatus (10) provide a flow formed part assembly
(12) having mechanically interlocked first and second metallic
parts (22) and (24).
Inventors: |
Meier; Thomas; (Rochester
Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
TransForm Automotive LLC
Sterling Heights
MI
|
Family ID: |
38957520 |
Appl. No.: |
11/488959 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
29/508 ;
72/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 22/14 20130101;
Y10T 29/49913 20150115; B21D 39/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/508 ;
72/84 |
International
Class: |
B21D 39/00 20060101
B21D039/00; B21D 22/00 20060101 B21D022/00 |
Claims
1. A method for mechanically connecting metallic parts to each
other, comprising: rotating first and second metallic parts with
each other about a central axis with the first metallic part having
an outer locking formation; and rotating a flow forming tool about
a tool axis at a location spaced radially outward from the central
axis; and moving the rotating flow forming tool axially along the
central axis to flow form the second metallic part around the first
metallic part in a mechanically interlocking relationship with the
outer locking formation of the first metallic part.
2. A metallic part flow forming connecting method as in claim 1
wherein the outer locking formation of the first mechanical part
includes circumferentially spaced locking projections about which
the second metallic part is flow formed to provide both
circumferential and axial mechanical interlocking of the parts to
each other.
3. A metallic part flow forming connecting method as in claim 1
wherein the first and second metallic parts are selected from the
group consisting of: parts made of different types of metals; parts
having different heat treatments; parts having different
compositions; parts made from blanks made by different processes;
and combinations thereof.
4. A metallic part flow forming connecting method as in claim 1
wherein a plurality of flow forming tools are rotated about
associated axes at a location spaced radially outward from the
central axis, and the rotating flow forming tools being moved
together axially along the central axis to provide the flow forming
of the second metallic part around the first metallic part in its
mechanically interlocking relationship with the outer locking
formation of the first metallic part.
5. A method for mechanically connecting metallic parts to each
other, comprising: initially forming a first metallic part with an
outer locking formation including locking projections spaced
circumferentially and extending outwardly from a central axis;
rotating the first metallic part and a second metallic part with
each other about the central axis; rotating a flow forming tool
about a tool axis at a location spaced radially outward from the
central axis; and moving the rotating flow forming tool axially
along the central axis to flow form the second metallic part around
the circumferentially spaced locking projections of the outer
locking formation of the first metallic part in an axial and
rotationally mechanically interlocking relationship.
6. Apparatus for mechanically connecting metallic parts to each
other, comprising: a spindle for rotatably mounting first and
second metallic parts about a central axis with the first metallic
part having an outer locking formation; and a flow former including
at least one rotary flow forming tool mounted for rotation about a
tool axis at a location spaced radially outward from the central
axis; and the flow forming tool being mounted for axial movement
along the central axis during the rotation thereof to flow form the
second metallic part around the first metallic part in a
mechanically interlocking relationship with the outer locking
formation of the first metallic part.
7. Apparatus for mechanically connecting metallic parts as in claim
6 wherein the spindle includes a mandrel and a tailstock between
which the first and second metallic parts are axially clamped and
supported for the rotation about the central axis.
8. Apparatus for mechanically connecting metallic parts as in claim
6 wherein the flow former includes a plurality of flow forming
tools that are rotated about associated axes at a location spaced
radially outward from the central axis and that are moved axially
along the central axis to provide the flow forming of the second
metallic part around the first metallic part.
9. A metallic part assembly comprising: a first metallic part
having a central axis and an outer locking formation including
locking projections extending outwardly from and spaced about the
central axis; and a second metallic part that is flow formed around
the outer locking formation of the first metallic part and located
on opposite axial sides and circumferentially between the locking
projections so as to mechanically interlock the first and second
metallic parts to each other.
10. A metallic part assembly as in claim 9 wherein the first and
second metallic parts are selected from the group consisting of:
parts made of different types of metals; parts having different
heat treatments; parts having different compositions; parts made
from blanks made by different processes; and combinations thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for
mechanically connecting metallic parts to each other by flow
forming and also relates to the resultant part assembly.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Metallic parts utilized in torque transmission such as
vehicle transmissions, transfer cases, couplings and other torque
transmitting assemblies have previously been made as individual
parts by flow forming which involves rotating a part around a
central axis about which one or more rotary flow forming tools are
rotated and moved axially to form the part about a central
mandrel.
[0005] Prior art references noted during an investigation conducted
in accordance with the present invention include U.S. Pat. Nos.:
2,707,823 Sowter; 2,707,824 Sowter; 2,894,323 Sowter et al.;
2,926,030 Rozmus et al.; and 3,090,116 Burgess.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide an
improved method for mechanically connecting metallic parts to each
other.
[0007] In carrying out the above object, the method for
mechanically connecting metallic parts to each other in accordance
with the invention is performed by rotating first and second
metallic parts with each other about a central axis with the first
metallic part having an outer locking formation. A flow forming
tool is rotated about a tool axis at a location spaced radially
outward from the central axis, and the rotating flow forming tool
is moved axially along the central axis to flow form the second
metallic part around the first metallic part in a mechanically
interlocking relationship with the outer locking formation of the
first metallic part.
[0008] The outer locking formation of the first mechanical part as
disclosed includes circumferentially spaced locking projections
about which the second metallic part is flow formed to provide both
circumferential and axial mechanical interlocking of the parts to
each other.
[0009] The first and second metallic parts may be made of different
types of metals, have different heat treatments, have different
compositions, have blanks made by different processes or
combinations of the former.
[0010] A plurality of flow forming tools may be rotated about
associated axes that are spaced radially outward from the central
axis, and the rotating flow forming tools are moved together
axially along the central axis to provide the flow forming of the
second metallic part around the first metallic part in its
mechanically interlocking relationship with the outer locking
formation of the first metallic part.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide
improved apparatus for mechanically connecting metallic parts to
each other.
[0012] In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the
apparatus for mechanically connecting metallic parts to each other
in accordance with the invention includes a spindle for rotatably
mounting first and second metallic parts about a central axis with
the first metallic part having an outer locking formation. A flow
former includes at least one rotary flow forming tool mounted for
rotation about a tool axis at a location spaced radially outward
from the central axis. The flow forming tool is mounted for axial
movement along the central axis during the rotation thereof to flow
form the second metallic part around the first metallic part in a
mechanically interlocking relationship with the outer locking
formation of the first metallic part.
[0013] The spindle of the apparatus includes a mandrel and a
tailstock between which the first and second metallic parts are
axially clamped and supported for the rotation about the central
axis.
[0014] The apparatus may be constructed with the flow former
including a plurality of flow forming tools that are rotated about
associated axes spaced radially outward from the central axis and
that are moved axially along the central axis to provide the flow
forming of the second metallic part around the first metallic
part.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved metallic part assembly.
[0016] In carrying out the immediately preceding object, the
metallic part assembly of the invention includes a first metallic
part that has a central axis and an outer locking formation
including locking projections extending outwardly from and spaced
about the central axis. A second metallic part of the assembly is
flow formed around the outer locking formation of the first
metallic part and located on opposite axial sides and
circumferentially between the locking projections so as to
mechanically interlock the first and second metallic parts to each
other.
[0017] The first and second metallic parts may be made of different
metals, have different heat treatments, have different
compositions, start with blanks made by different processes, or
have combinations of the former.
[0018] The objects, features and advantages of the present
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment for carrying out the
invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken through apparatus of the
invention for providing the metallic part connecting method thereof
and the resultant metallic part assembly of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an axial view taken along the direction of line
2-2 in FIG. 1 to illustrate a first metallic part that is connected
to a second metallic part by the apparatus and method.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the direction of line
2-2 to further illustrate the construction of the first metallic
part.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a half sectional view illustrating the manner in
which the second metallic part is flow formed around the first
metallic part illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to provide the metallic
part assembly of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial axial view taken along the direction of
line 5-5 in FIG. 4 to further illustrate the construction of the
metallic part assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, apparatus 10 for
providing metallic part connection in accordance with the invention
is utilized to perform the method thereof which provides the
resultant metallic part assembly 12 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
metallic part connecting method, the apparatus 10 and the resultant
metallic part assembly 12 will all be described in an integrated
manner to facilitate an understanding of all aspects of the
invention.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a spindle 14
rotatable about a central axis A. The spindle 14 includes a
headstock 16 that mounts a mandrel 18 and also includes a tailstock
20. First and second metallic parts 22 and 24 are mounted by the
spindle 14 by axial clamping between the mandrel 18 and tailstock
20. Rotation of the spindle 14 thus rotates the first and second
metallic parts 22 and 24 about the central axis A.
[0026] The first metallic part 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a
generally annular shape and includes an outer locking formation 26
extending about the central axis A and provided by
circumferentially spaced locking projections 28 that project
radially in an outward direction. These locking projections 28 may
be formed as gear teeth, splines or other projections such as
between grooves formed in the inner metallic part.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus also includes a flow
former 30 that includes at least one flow forming tool 32. As
actually shown, there are a plurality of such tools, most
preferably three such tools spaced at 120 degrees from each other.
Each flow forming tool 32 rotates about an associated axis a and is
located outwardly from the central axis A adjacent the outer
extremity of the mandrel 18. During the rotation of the first and
second metallic parts 22 and 24 on the spindle 14 as described
above, the rotating flow forming tools 32 are moved axially along
the central axis as shown by arrows b to provide flow forming of
the second metallic part 24 over the outer locking formation 26 of
the first metallic part 22. This flow forming mechanically
interlocks the first and second parts 22 and 24 to each other to
thereby provide the part assembly 12 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
5.
[0028] More specifically as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second
metallic part 24 has portions 24' and 24'' that are located on
axial opposite axial sides of the outer locking formation
projections 28 (FIG. 4) of the first metallic part 22 and has
radially inwardly extending portions 34 (FIG. 5) that are located
circumferentially between the outer locking formation projections
28. Thus, both axial and circumferential innerconnection of the
metallic parts to each other secures their fixed relationship to
each other.
[0029] The first and second metallic parts 22 and 24 may be made
from different types of metals such as steel, zinc, aluminum, etc.,
may have different heat treatments to provide the required
properties for each part, may have different compositions to also
provide the required properties for each part, may be formed from
blanks made by different processes such as rolling, casting,
forming and machining, and may be combinations of the former.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first metallic part 22 is
initially formed inward of its outer locking formation 26 to
provide connection formations 34 which are illustrated as holes
that may be machined or otherwise initially formed upon the
manufacture of the part. Such connection formations can be more
easily provided such as by machining before the flow form
connection of the parts to each other as the part assembly. Often,
the resultant part assembly construction cannot be provided by a
unitary metallic component because the connection formations cannot
be machined or otherwise provide in the part configurations
involved.
[0031] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *