Punching process with magnetostrictive power source
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
InventorJ. Michael Joseph
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and assembly for punching a hole in material provided. A magnetostrictive device 14 includes a coil 26, a magnetostrictive member 22, and a punch 28 operatively associated with the magnetostrictive member 22. The magnetostrictive member 22 is constructed and arranged to lengthen, when exposed to a magnetic field created by the coil 26, thereby moving the punch 28. Material 12 to be punched is associated with the punch 28. The coil is energized to create a magnetic field and thus lengthen the magnetostrictive member 22 so that the punch 28 moves through the material 12, creating a hole in the material 12.
Claims17
A punch assembly comprising:
- a die constructed and arranged to support material to be punched,
- a magnetostrictive device including a coil, a magnetostrictive member, and a punch operatively associated with the magnetostrictive member, the magnetostrictive member being constructed and arranged to lengthen when exposed to a magnetic field created by the coil, the punch including first and second portions, each portion having an axis, the axes being offset from each other, and
- a mechanical amplifier in the form of a pivoting mechanical lever disposed between the first and second portions of the punch and constructed and arranged to increase travel of the second portion of the punch,
- whereby, when the coil is energized and the magnetostrictive member lengthens, the first portion of the punch engages the lever causing the lever to pivot and engage the second portion of the punch with the second portion of the punch moving through the material and into the die, thereby creating a hole in the material.
A punch assembly comprising:
- a punch having first and second portions, the second portion being constructed and arranged to punch a hole in material, each portion having an axis, the axes being offset from each other,
- a mechanical amplifier in the form of a pivoting mechanical lever disposed between the first and second portions of the punch and constructed and arranged to increase travel of the second portion of the punch, and
- magnetostrictive means, operatively associated with the first portion of the punch, for moving the first portion of the punch into engagement with the lever causing the lever to pivot and engage the second portion of the punch thereby causing the second portion of the punch to punch a hole in the material, upon exposure of the magnetostrictive means to a magnetic field.
A method of punching a hole in material including:
- providing a magnetostrictive device including a coil, a magnetostrictive member, a punch operatively associated with the magnetostrictive member, the punch having first and second portions, each portion having an axis, the axes being offset from each other, and a mechanical amplifier in the form of a pivoting mechanical lever disposed between the first and second portions of the punch, the magnetostrictive member being constructed and arranged to lengthen, when exposed to a magnetic field created by the coil,
- associating material to be punched with the second portion of the punch, and
- energizing the coil to create a magnetic field and thus lengthen the magnetostrictive member causing the first portion of the punch to engage the lever causing the lever to pivot and engage the second portion of the punch with the second portion of the punch moving through the material, creating a hole in the material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.