Equipment for producing a closed-section cross-member, comprising an adaptable-length punch and/or matrix, and corresponding production method

Abstract

A piece of equipment for production of a closed-section cross-member configured to connect two longitudinal arms of a flexible axle of a motor vehicle. The equipment includes at least one matrix configured to cooperate with a punch to form a torsion area of a certain length on the closed section of the cross-member and a mechanism to maintain the cross-member in position. The length of the matrix and/or the punch can be adapted to adapt the length of the torsion area.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member configured to connect two longitudinal arms of a motor vehicle non-rigid axle, the tooling comprising:
 at least one die configured to collaborate with a punch to form, on a closed section of the cross-member, a length of torsion zone; and   means for holding the cross-member in position, wherein the die and/or the punch are length-adjustable so that the length of the torsion zone can be adapted.   
   
   
       11 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the die and the punch each comprise at least two parts that can be moved away from/toward each other. 
   
   
       12 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the two parts of the die and/or of the punch can be actuated by at least one actuating cylinder. 
   
   
       13 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the two parts of the die and/or of the punch are held in continuation of one another using a screwing mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a set of shims configured to be interposed between the two parts of the die and/or of the punch. 
   
   
       15 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the means for holding comprises at least one variable-travel clamp. 
   
   
       16 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the means for holding comprises at least one variable-travel clamp. 
   
   
       17 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the means for holding comprises at least one variable-travel clamp. 
   
   
       18 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the means for holding comprises at least one variable-travel clamp. 
   
   
       19 . The tooling for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the means for holding comprises at least one variable-travel clamp. 
   
   
       20 . A method for manufacturing a closed-section cross-member configured to connect two longitudinal arms of a motor vehicle non-rigid axle, using tooling including at least one die configured to collaborate with a punch to form, on a closed section of the cross-member, a length of torsion zone, and means for holding the cross-member in position, the method comprising:
 adjusting a length of the die and/or of the punch so as to adapt the length of the torsion zone.   
   
   
       21 . The method of manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a prior calculating the length of the torsion zone according to a desired torsional stiffness of the cross-member and according to a wall thickness of the section. 
   
   
       22 . The method of manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising adjusting travel of two clamps that form the means for holding. 
   
   
       23 . The method of manufacturing a closed-section cross-member as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising adjusting travel of two clamps that form the means for holding.