JP2003328743A - Method and apparatus of producing columnar member container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for producing a container for holding a columnar member capable of holding appropriately a columnar member wound round with a shock absorbent member in a cylindrical member by making a sizing to the cylindrical member appropriately on the basis of the contacting pressure given to the columnar member by a compressive restoring force of the shock absorbent member which is compressed. <P>SOLUTION: At the measuring process (M), the shock absorbent member A is pressed by a pressing piece in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the column C to compress the shock absorbent member (M1), and the contacting pressure given to the column by the compressive restoring force of the shock absorbent member is sensed (M2), followed by measuring the distance between the axis of the columnar member when the obtained contacting pressure becomes the specified target value and the tip of the pressing piece, and the measurement is taken up as the target radius Rt (M3). At the sizing process (V), a single piece article in the condition that the shock absorbent member is wound round the columnar member is accommodated in the cylindrical member T loosely (V1), and the cylindrical member is contracted diametrically together with the shock absorbent member while the amount of diametrical contraction is set so that the substantial internal radius of the part accommodating at least the shock absorbent member becomes the target radius Rt (V2). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a columnar body holding device for holding a columnar body in a tubular member via a cushioning member, for example, a cushioning mat in the tubular member. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus suitable as a manufacturing method of a catalytic converter that holds a columnar catalyst carrier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A column body holding device for holding a columnar body having a honeycomb structure having a filter function for fluids in a tubular member made of metal via a cushioning member is used as a fluid treatment device. It is used for purification. For example, a catalytic converter or a diesel particulate filter (hereinafter referred to as DPF) is installed in an exhaust system of an automobile, and a catalyst carrier, a filter, or the like (collectively referred to as a carrier, and hereinafter, referred to as a catalyst carrier is representative of these. As a result, a fragile honeycomb structure made of ceramic is used. The columnar body having the honeycomb structure is held in a metallic cylindrical member through a cushioning member such as a ceramic mat to constitute a fluid treatment device. An example thereof is a catalytic converter. As a method of manufacturing a columnar holding device such as this catalytic converter, a manufacturing method is generally used in which a buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of a catalyst carrier, and the buffer member is compressed and accommodated in a cylindrical member. Is.

For example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-2001)
-355438), the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier is measured when press-fitting the catalyst carrier having the holding material mounted on the outer periphery into the holding cylinder, and the holding material is mounted on the holding cylinder having an inner diameter conforming to the measured value. There has been proposed a method of manufacturing a catalytic converter in which the catalyst carrier is press-fitted. A method has also been proposed in which the outer diameter of a holding material mounted on the outer periphery of a catalyst carrier is measured, and the catalyst carrier with the holding material is press-fitted into a holding cylinder having an inner diameter that matches the measured value. Further, it has been proposed to measure the outer diameter of the holding material while applying a predetermined pressure. Then, in Patent Document 1, it is proposed that materials of a large number of holding cylinders having different inner diameters are prepared in advance and a material having an appropriate inner diameter is selected from them.

On the other hand, after the catalyst carrier and the mat are gently inserted into the tubular member, the sizing is performed to reduce the diameter of the tubular member until the cushioning member mat has an optimum compression amount.
A method called calibrating) is also proposed, for example,
It is disclosed in the following Patent Documents 2 to 9 and the like. Among them, for example, in Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-234377), the central portion of the tubular body (cone-integrated casing) 23 is contracted in the radial direction with respect to the following Patent Document 10 cited as the prior art in the document. There is disclosed a catalytic converter that has a diameter as a compression portion b and that compresses the support mat 22 to support the ceramic honeycomb body 21 in the casing, but does not reduce the diameter from the end of the compression portion b in the central portion. Since it is a problem that the gap 9 between the outer circumference of the honeycomb body 21 and the inner circumference of the casing 23 is large in the direction of the cones 8a and 8b, it has been proposed to reduce the diameter over the entire length of the casing.

[0005] Further, Patent Document 7 (US Pat. No. 575502)
In 5), the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier is measured in advance,
Calculate the optimum outer diameter of the holding range by adding the compression amount of the cushioning mat to it, expand the tubular member to several kinds of diameters over the entire length based on it, and then in the selected tubular member,
The catalyst carrier and the buffer mat are to be press-fitted using a jig similar to the press-fitting method. Further, in Patent Document 8 (US Pat. No. 6,389,693), the outer diameter (D) of the catalyst carrier is measured in advance, the thickness of the support mat and the wall thickness (T2) of the tubular container are measured, and the target of the support mat is measured. Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a catalytic converter in which the thickness (T1) is set and then the cylindrical container is resizing so that the outer diameter is OD = D + 2T1 + 2T2. Similarly, Patent Document 9 (European Patent Publication No. 0982480) discloses a method of manufacturing a catalytic converter in which the diameter reduction amount of the tubular body is adjusted using the measurement result of the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier.

On the other hand, the following Patent Document 11 cited as a conventional technique in Patent Document 1 discloses a diameter reducing process by spinning. Further, in Patent Document 12,
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a catalytic converter that supports a catalyst carrier by reducing the diameter of a cushioning mat together with a tubular member by spinning using a plurality of spinning rollers that revolve around a tubular member. In addition, as necking processing for the end portion of the tubular member, eccentric spinning processing is disclosed in Patent Document 13 below, and inclined spinning processing is disclosed in Patent Document 14 below. Is disclosed in.

[0007]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-355438

[Patent Document 2] JP-A-64-60711

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-42333

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-170424

[Patent Document 5] JP-A-9-234377

[Patent Document 6] US Pat. No. 5,329,698

[Patent Document 7] US Pat. No. 5,755,025

[Patent Document 8] US Pat. No. 6,389,693

[Patent Document 9] European Patent Publication EP0982480A2

[Patent Document 10] JP-A-2-268834

[Patent Document 11] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-45762

[Patent Document 12] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-107725

[Patent Document 13] Japanese Patent No. 2957153

[Patent Document 14] Japanese Patent No. 2957154

[Patent Document 15] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-137962

[0008]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-187242 discloses that when a catalyst carrier 2 is press-fitted into a holding cylinder 1, a holding material 3 is used.
It is desirable to measure the outer diameter of the holding material 3 in a state where a pressure equivalent to the pressure applied to the holding material (hereinafter referred to as holding pressure) is applied to the holding material 3. " In, it is impossible to estimate the pressure applied to the holding material in the subsequent step, and no explanation is found on this point. That is, the description that the pressure equal to the pressure applied to the holding material 3 when the catalyst carrier 2 is press-fitted into the holding cylinder 1 is applied to the holding material 3 does not depart from the desired range. I can't find any disclosure that could be considered feasible.

Further, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, "holding cylinder 1
As the material of the above, a material having an inner diameter such that an appropriate pressure can be applied to the catalyst carrier 2 on the holding material 3 after press fitting is used. This can be achieved by preparing in advance a large number of materials having different inner diameters and selecting one having an appropriate inner diameter from among them. '' As a result of measuring the outer diameter of the holding material 3 in a state where a pressure equivalent to the pressure applied to the holding material 3 is applied to the holding material 3 (this is impossible as described above, but temporarily possible). Accordingly, it is obvious that the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 1 is not adjusted.
After all, it is not clear how the pressure is applied to measure the outer diameter of the holding material 3 and what measurement result is used and how.

On the other hand, in the conventional press-fitting manufacturing method, generally, the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier and the inner diameter of the tubular member are based on the packing density (called GBD value) of the cushioning mat as the cushioning member. The gap is set. This GBD value is
It is the weight per unit area / filling gap size, and a surface pressure (unit: Pascal) is generated according to the packing density of the buffer mat, and this surface pressure holds the catalyst carrier. In addition to adjusting the strength of the catalyst carrier so that it does not exceed the strength of the catalyst carrier, the catalyst carrier to which vibration or exhaust gas pressure is applied must be adjusted to a value that can hold the catalyst carrier so that it does not move in the tubular member. For this purpose, the buffer member (buffer mat) is press-fitted with a GBD value within the design range, and this G
The BD value must be maintained throughout the life cycle of the product.

However, in the above-described general press-fitting manufacturing method, an error in the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier, an error in the inner diameter of the tubular member, and a buffer member interposed between them are inevitably generated in the manufacturing process. The error of the weight per unit area of the (buffer mat) is superposed and becomes the error of the GBD value. Therefore, this GB
Finding the optimum combination of each member for minimizing the error of the D value cannot be a realistic solution for mass production. Also, the GBD value itself depends on the characteristics and individual differences of the cushioning member, and also depends on the measured value on the plane, and does not represent the measured value in a state in which it is tightly wound around the catalyst carrier. Therefore, GBD
It is desired to press-fit the catalyst carrier properly into the tubular member without depending on the value.

On the other hand, in the general sizing method, the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier and the inner diameter of the tubular member are measured in advance, and an appropriate amount of compression of the buffer member (buffer mat) is obtained. However, it is difficult to finally determine whether or not the compression amount of the cushioning member is optimum by this method. This is because not only the error of each catalyst carrier and the error of each buffer member are superimposed, but also the thickness of each buffer member in the state of being mounted on each catalyst carrier varies. Furthermore, when reducing the diameter of the metal tubular member, considering the springback of the tubular member,
This is also due to the fact that a diameter reduction process (so-called overshoot) needs to be performed in advance to make the diameter smaller than the target diameter. Therefore, excessive compression force may be applied. This is also due to the fact that a change in plate thickness (increase in plate thickness in the reduced diameter portion) is unavoidable during the diameter reduction processing of the tubular member. As described above, it is extremely difficult to set the true inner diameter (position of the inner wall surface), that is, the accurate diameter reduction amount, and it is impossible to shift to mass production. In order to solve the problem caused by such overshoot and the like, in the methods disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 7, 8 and 9, the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier is measured in advance, and the compression amount of the buffer mat or The diameter is to be reduced considering the target thickness. However, since various errors related to the cushioning mat, including the above-mentioned errors caused by the weight per unit area of the cushioning mat, are not considered,
It is unavoidable that an error occurs in the surface pressure applied to the catalyst carrier, which is the ultimate problem. Hereinafter, this point will be further described.

First, the holding force required to hold the catalyst carrier at a predetermined position in the tubular member will be described. The radial holding force of the tubular member is the outer surface of the catalyst carrier and the tubular member. It is the compressive restoring force of the buffer member that acts in the direction orthogonal to the inner surface. On the other hand, for example, with respect to a tubular member fixed to an exhaust system of an automobile, an axial force is generated in the catalyst carrier and the cushioning member due to vibration and exhaust gas pressure. A holding force in the (longitudinal direction) is required, and this is where the frictional force between the cushioning member and the catalyst carrier and the frictional force between the cushioning member and the tubular member contribute.

The frictional force between the cushioning member and the catalyst carrier and the frictional force between the cushioning member and the tubular member are respectively the static friction coefficient between the outer surface of the catalyst carrier and the cushioning member. The product obtained by multiplying the compression restoring force (contact pressure) and the coefficient of static friction between the inner surface of the tubular member and the cushioning member are multiplied by the compression restoring force (contact pressure) of the cushioning member. At this time, the holding force in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) is dominated by the frictional force between the member having the lower static friction coefficient and the cushioning member. Therefore, regarding the catalyst carrier and the tubular member whose static friction coefficient is known, the necessary friction force becomes clear, and in order to secure this, it is necessary to increase the surface pressure on the buffer member,
In order to avoid an excessive radial load when the catalyst carrier is fragile, it is necessary to set the axial holding force to be secured within the limit of the surface pressure on the buffer member.

The surface pressure on the buffer member is set based on the static friction coefficient of the lower one of the static friction coefficient of the outer surface of the catalyst carrier and the static friction coefficient of the inner surface of the tubular member. Accordingly, the diameter of the tubular member may be reduced. That is, when holding the catalyst carrier in the tubular member via the buffer member,
The most suitable control parameter is a cushioning member (cushioning mat)
Is the surface pressure (unit: pascal) applied to the catalyst carrier (or filter) via, and directly detects this, or the value uniquely corresponding to this or an approximate value, and If it is possible to reduce the diameter of the tubular member based on this, the diameter of the tubular member can be reduced with good accuracy by sizing. Here, the sizing is
"Shrinking", which means reducing the diameter of a tubular member while controlling the amount of diameter reduction, and is included in the same category from the viewpoint of reducing the diameter of a tubular member, but simply means reducing the pipe diameter. Be used separately.

On the other hand, in the conventional method, the management based on the GBD value of the above-mentioned cushioning member (buffer mat) is general, so to speak, the estimation management by the substitute value is performed. Therefore, not only the estimation factor is superposed and the error becomes unavoidable, but as a result, the holding force due to the frictional force between the cushioning member and the catalyst carrier and the friction between the cushioning member and the tubular member are caused. The holding force by force is confused, and the dimensional relationship of each component is set. Also, in the measurement in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, inevitably, an estimation factor for the subsequent process is superimposed and an error occurs, so it is necessary to take some measures.

In particular, in a catalytic converter, a surface which can consider variations in surface pressure due to an error in the outer diameter of the catalyst carrier and changes over time, or which can suppress axial movement of the catalyst carrier due to various accelerations during use. It is ideal that the compressive force of the cushioning mat is as strong as possible and is evenly applied in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction in consideration of the pressure (the required minimum surface pressure value at this time is α). If the compression force is set excessively to cope with this, the catalyst carrier may be damaged, so the compression force cannot be made larger than a predetermined value (the pressure at which the catalyst carrier is damaged (isostatic strength) is β). Furthermore, due to the recent demand for improvement in exhaust gas purification performance, the catalyst carrier is required to have a thinner wall, and is significantly weakened (that is, β is decreased) as compared with the conventional catalyst carrier,
The allowable range of the holding force setting (which can be represented by (β-α) as a damage margin for the surface pressure) is further narrowed.

Further, since the exhaust gas temperature (the temperature of the exhaust gas introduced into the catalytic converter) rises (about 900
However, it is necessary to combine an alumina mat having high heat resistance as a buffer mat. However, since the alumina mat is thermally non-expandable, it is difficult to follow the deformation of the heat-expandable metal container. From this also, the required minimum surface pressure value α is lower than that of the existing processing method. Must also be set to a large value and the compression density of the buffer mat must be set to a large value. Therefore, as a recent tendency, the descent of the allowable surface pressure range (β-α) is remarkable due to the decrease of β and the increase of α. In other words, precise surface pressure setting for each individual is indispensable, which makes it extremely difficult to manufacture a catalytic converter in a mass production process.

In addition, due to the recent progress of thinning of the catalyst carrier for catalytic converters, the allowable range of surface pressure (β-
α) is about one half of the conventional value. The surface pressure allowable range (β-α) will be described later with reference to FIG. It is estimated that the wall thickness will be reduced to about half the allowable range by further thinning. From these values, it is clear that it is very difficult to load a thin-walled catalyst carrier while maintaining an appropriate surface pressure by a conventional press-fitting method or the like.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a columnar body holding device for holding a columnar body in a tubular member via a cushioning member, the columnar body is imparted to the columnar body by a compression restoring force of the compressed cushioning member. An object of the present invention is to appropriately perform sizing on a tubular member based on the applied surface pressure and appropriately hold the column body around which the cushioning member is wound inside the tubular member.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for a column holding device which can appropriately cope with a springback and a change in plate thickness due to a diameter reduction of a tubular member.

[0022]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method of manufacturing a column body holding device according to the present invention is characterized in that, as described in claim 1, the column body is provided in the tubular member via a buffer member. In the method for manufacturing a column body holding device for holding, in a state in which the buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of the column body, by pressing the buffer member in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the column body by a pressing body. While compressing the cushioning member, detecting the surface pressure applied to the pillar by the compression restoring force of the cushioning member,
When the surface pressure reaches a predetermined target surface pressure, the distance between the shaft core of the column body and the tip of the pressing body is measured as a target radius, and the buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of the column body. After being gently accommodated in the tubular member in such a state, the tubular member is reduced in diameter together with the cushioning member so that the substantial radius inside at least the portion accommodating the cushioning member becomes the target radius. Then, the columnar body formed by winding the buffer member is held in the tubular member in a compressed state of the target surface pressure.

According to the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned claim 1,
The column body around which the cushioning member is wound is held in the tubular member in a compressed state when the surface pressure reaches the target surface pressure, so that the surface pressure on the column body does not become excessive and the cushioning member is compressed. The column body can be reliably held by the restoring force. As described above, the frictional force between the cushioning member and the column body and the frictional force between the cushioning member and the tubular member are respectively the static friction coefficient of the outer surface of the column body and the compression restoring force of the cushioning member ( Surface pressure), and the product of the static friction coefficient of the inner surface of the tubular member and the compression restoring force (surface pressure) of the cushioning member. The axial eye retention force has a lower static friction coefficient. The frictional force between the shock absorber and the cushioning member becomes dominant. Therefore, regarding the column body and the tubular member whose static friction coefficient is known, the necessary friction force is clarified, and in order to secure this, it is necessary to increase the surface pressure on the buffer member, but the column body is fragile. In this case, in order to prevent the radial load from becoming excessive, it is necessary to set the axial holding force within the limit of the surface pressure on the cushioning member.

Thus, as set forth in claim 2, the target surface pressure is the coefficient of static friction of the outer surface of the column body, the coefficient of static friction of the inner surface of the tubular member, and the buffer member of the pressing body. It is desirable to set it based on the pressing force. For example, the target surface pressure may be set based on the static friction coefficient of the lower member of the static friction coefficient of the outer surface of the column and the static friction coefficient of the inner surface of the tubular member, and the pressing force of the pressing body.

Further, in the manufacturing method according to claim 2, as described in claim 3, a plurality of the pressing bodies are arranged side by side over the entire circumference of the cushioning member, and the plurality of pressing bodies are provided. At least one of the above may compress the cushioning member by pressing the cushioning member in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the column body, and detect the surface pressure of the cushioning member with respect to the column body. .

Further, in the manufacturing method according to claim 3, as described in claim 4, the plurality of pressing bodies have a length corresponding to a portion of the tubular member that holds at least the buffer member. The plurality of long members may be provided, and the pressing bodies of the plurality of long members may be arranged in parallel over the entire circumference of the buffer member.

In the manufacturing method according to claim 4,
As described in claim 5, the columnar body formed by winding the cushioning member in a state from the compressed state by the pressing body when the target surface pressure is reached to the state before the compression is restored, It may be housed in a tubular member. That is,
As long as the column body requires a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) from the compressed (reduced diameter) state to the state before the compression due to its material, as in claim 1, After the measurement, the buffer member can be housed in the tubular member in a state from the compressed state to the restored state. Therefore, if the inner diameter of the tubular member is set with reference to the cushioning member in this state, the amount of diameter reduction during sizing can be minimized.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 4, as described in claim 6, the plurality of elongated members are arranged side by side along the entire circumference of the buffer member. The plurality of pressing bodies may be configured to reduce the diameter of the tubular member together with the cushioning member so that at least the inner radius of the portion accommodating the cushioning member becomes the target radius. .

In the manufacturing method according to the first aspect, as described in the seventh aspect, at least a change in the material diameter and a change in the material thickness of the tubular member when the diameter of the tubular member is reduced. A predetermined correction amount may be set based on one of them, and the diameter reduction amount when reducing the diameter of the tubular member together with the cushioning member may be adjusted based on the correction amount. For example, as described in claim 8, in a state where the cushioning member is wound around the outer periphery of the columnar body, a substantial radius inside at least a portion of the tubular member that accommodates the cushioning member is the target. Below the radius, until just before the column body is broken, the limit radius when the buffer member is pressed by the pressing body is measured in advance, and a predetermined distance within the range of the difference between the limit radius and the target radius, It can be set as the correction amount.

Further, the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a columnar body holding device comprising a cylindrical body and a columnar body held via a cushioning member as described in claim 9.
Along with a plurality of elongated members having a length corresponding to at least a portion of the tubular member holding the cushioning member,
A state in which the plurality of elongated members are arranged side by side along the entire circumference of the column body, and the buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of the column body by the pressing body. A pressing means for pressing the cushioning member in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the column to compress the cushioning member, and a surface pressure applied to the column by the compression restoring force of the cushioning member. And measuring means for measuring the distance between the axis of the column and the tips of the plurality of pressing bodies when the surface pressure reaches a predetermined target surface pressure, and the measuring means measures the distance. Using the distance as the target radius,
A portion for accommodating at least the cushioning member by the plurality of pressing bodies, after the cushioning member is gradually accommodated in the cylindrical member in a state of being wound around the outer periphery of the column, and then the pressing unit is driven. A control means for reducing the diameter of the tubular member together with the cushioning member may be provided so that a substantial radius inside of the is equal to the target radius. With this device, the manufacturing method according to claim 6 can be carried out, and the steps from measurement to diameter reduction can be continuously performed with a single device.

In the manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, as described in claim 10, the control means changes the material diameter and the material thickness of the tubular member when reducing the diameter of the tubular member. A predetermined correction amount may be set on the basis of at least one of the changes, and the diameter reduction amount for reducing the diameter of the tubular member together with the cushioning member may be adjusted based on the correction amount. According to this structure, the substantial radius becomes the target radius even when the material diameter changes due to springback of the tubular member due to the diameter reduction, or when the material thickness of the tubular member increases. Can be manufactured as.

For example, as described in claim 11, in the measuring means, in a state in which the cushioning member is wound around the outer periphery of the columnar body, at least an inner portion of the tubular member that accommodates the cushioning member. Is substantially less than the target radius, until the column body is broken, until the limit radius when the buffer member is pressed by the pressing body is measured in advance, the control means, and the limit radius. A predetermined distance within the range of the difference from the target radius may be set as the correction amount.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a method of manufacturing a column body holding device for holding a column body in a tubular member via a buffer member, a surface provided to the column body. In the state in which the cushioning member is wound around the outer periphery of the column body together with the detecting means for detecting a pressure, the cushioning member is gently housed in the tubular member, and a body portion including at least the cushioning member of the tubular member is formed. It is also possible to reduce the diameter together with the buffer member and hold the column body so that the surface pressure applied to the column body by the compression restoring force of the buffer member falls within a predetermined pressure range. .

A manufacturing device for manufacturing a columnar body holding device in which a columnar body is held in a tubular member with a cushioning member interposed between the cylindrical body and the surface attached to the columnar body. At least the cushioning member of the tubular member, which is loosely accommodated in the tubular member in a state where the sensing member for sensing the pressure and the cushioning member together with the sensing member are wound around the outer periphery of the columnar body. A pressurizing means for compressing the body portion including the cylinder, and driving the pressurizing means so that the surface pressure applied to the column body by the compression restoring force of the buffer member falls within a predetermined pressure range, It is possible to configure a manufacturing apparatus including a control means for reducing the diameter of the body of the member together with the cushioning member, and the steps from measurement to diameter reduction can be continuously performed with a single device.

As the above-mentioned detection means, for example, there is a pressure-sensitive element interposed between the column and the buffer member, and the surface pressure is determined based on the detection signal of this pressure-sensitive element. be able to. If the pressure-sensitive element is inexpensive, it may be left as it is without being extracted after the diameter reduction.

An exhaust treatment device which is an example of the columnar holding device to be manufactured according to the present invention is, for example, a catalytic converter or a DP filter device. The tubular member is also referred to as an outer cylinder, a housing, or a casing. In the case of a catalytic converter, the pillar body corresponds to the catalyst carrier, and includes, for example, a ceramic honeycomb structure, and the buffer member is a buffer mat for holding the catalyst carrier. Correspond. Further, in the case of the DP filter device, the pillar body corresponds to the filter, and the cushioning member corresponds to the cushioning mat for the DP filter. The catalyst carrier and the DP filter which form the columnar body are generally formed in a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape and have a circular cross section, but some of them have an elliptical cross section or an oval cross section (race track). The column body of includes a non-circular cross section. Therefore, the term "radius inside the tubular member" includes, for example, the major axis and the minor axis (one half of the major axis) of the tubular member having an elliptical cross section, and is therefore referred to as a substantial radius in the present application.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a column body holding device for holding a column body in a tubular member via a cushioning member. First, referring to FIG. After describing the overall configuration of the apparatus manufacturing method, as a specific mode thereof, a method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter that is an exhaust treatment apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 18. In FIG. 1, first, in the integration step (U), the cushioning member A is wound (R) around the outer periphery of the column C. This step is usually performed separately, and the following measurement step (M) is performed on a pre-integrated integrated product (for example, indicated by 1 in FIG. 2).

In the measuring step (M), the columnar body C is pressed by the pressing body (for example, PM shown by a broken line) in the compressing step (M1).
The cushioning member A is pressed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the cushioning member A to compress the cushioning member A, and in the surface pressure detection step (M2), the surface provided to the pillar C by the compression restoring force of the cushioning member A. Pressure (P
s) is detected. The distance between the shaft center of the columnar body C and the tip of the pressing body PM when the surface pressure (Ps) becomes a predetermined target surface pressure (Pt) is measured in the distance measuring step (M3), and this is measured. Set as the target radius (Rt). It should be noted that these steps of M1 to M3 are listed in time series for the sake of convenience of description, and as will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, in the accommodating step (V1) of the sizing step (V), the above-mentioned integrated product in which the cushioning member A is wound around the outer periphery of the column C is gently accommodated in the tubular member T. .
Then, in the diameter reducing step (V2), at least the buffer member A
Is substantially equal to the target radius (R
The diameter of the tubular member T is reduced together with the cushioning member A so as to be t). As a result, a columnar body C formed by winding the cushioning member A
(Integrated product) is a tubular member T in a compressed state of the target surface pressure (Pt).
Can be held inside. The steps V1 to V3 are also divided for convenience of description, and for example, V1
It is not necessary to separate V2 and V2, and they are processed as a series of sizing control.

Further, in the correction amount setting step (V3),
A predetermined correction amount (ds, dt) is set based on at least one of the material diameter and the material thickness (plate thickness) of the tubular member T, and the cushioning member A is set in the diameter reduction step (V3) based on this correction amount. At the same time, it is preferable to adjust the diameter reduction amount when the diameter of the tubular member T is reduced. According to this, even when the tubular member T springs back after the diameter reduction, or when the material thickness of the tubular member T increases with the diameter reduction, it is kept within the limit radius, and the substantial radius is the target radius. (Rt) can be manufactured.

For example, when the correction amount (ds) is set based on the material diameter of the tubular member T, the above-mentioned measurement step (M)
In, the substantial radius inside the portion of the tubular member T that accommodates at least the buffer member A is less than the target radius,
The limit radius when the buffer member A is pressed by the pressing body PM is measured in advance until just before the pillar C is destroyed, and the limit radius and the target radius (Rt) are calculated in the correction amount setting step (V3). The distance within the difference range may be set as the correction amount (ds). According to this, in particular,
It can be manufactured such that the substantial radius becomes the target radius (Rt) when the tubular member T springs back after the diameter reduction.

If necessary, the process proceeds to the necking step (N) where necking is performed on the open end of the tubular member T to form the product P (for example, the catalytic converter in FIG. 20). . The pressing body (not shown) used in the compression step (M1) and the pressing body used in the diameter reduction step (V3) are made of the same member so that they can be pressed by the same pressing means. If comprised, the measurement process (M) and the sizing process (V) can be continuously controlled by a single apparatus. This will be described in detail later.
However, the above-described measurement step (M) and sizing step (V) do not necessarily have to be performed continuously, and may be performed at different times and locations. For example, the integrated product 1 that has undergone the measurement process in one factory may be press-fitted into the tubular member T in another factory. Further, another process such as machining of the tubular member T may be added between the measurement process (M) and the sizing process (V). In any case, the detection result of the measurement step (M) can be used as it is in the sizing step (V).
This will also be described later in detail.

Next, a manufacturing method (and a manufacturing apparatus) of a catalytic converter will be described as a specific mode of the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned column body holding device. First, as in the above-mentioned integration step (U), as shown in FIG. 2, a cushioning mat 3 constituting the cushioning member of the present invention is further wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 2 and, if necessary, a flammable tape or the like. Fixed by. As a result, the integrated product 1 shown in FIG. 2 is formed. In this case, it is advisable to form a convex portion and a concave portion on both ends of the cushioning mat 3 as shown in FIG. 2 and use a general winding method in which these are fitted to each other. In FIG. 2, the pressure sensitive element SS and the IC tag TG used in another embodiment of the present invention are shown by broken lines, but these will be described later together with other embodiments.

In this embodiment, the catalyst carrier 2 is made of a ceramic honeycomb structure, but it may be made of metal, and the material and manufacturing method are not limited. In the present embodiment, the cushioning mat 3 is made of an alumina mat which hardly expands due to heat, but it may be a thermal expansion type vermiculite type cushioning mat or a combination of them. Alternatively, an inorganic fiber mat not impregnated with a binder may be used. Since the surface pressure changes depending on the presence or absence of the binder and the content thereof, it is necessary to take this into consideration when setting the surface pressure. Alternatively, a wire mesh formed by knitting fine metal wires may be used, or it may be used in combination with a ceramic mat. Further, these may be combined with a metal annular retainer, a wire mesh seal ring, or the like. It should be noted that there is also a buffer mat that is formed in a cylindrical shape in advance, so this may be used. In that case, the catalyst mat 2 can be stored in the cylindrical buffer mat so that the buffer mat surrounds the catalyst carrier 2. It will be attached to the.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned integrated product 1
Is clamped between the pair of clamp devices CH, and the catalyst support 2 is pressed through the cushioning mat 3 by the pressing body PM of the measuring device DT.
Is pressed in a direction orthogonal to its axis, and the surface pressure applied to the catalyst carrier 2 is detected, and this surface pressure (Ps)
Axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 when becomes the target surface pressure (Pt)
The distance between the pressure member PM and the pressing body PM is measured, and this is set as the target radius (Rt). After the measurement, the pressing body PM is returned to the original position, and then the grip by the clamp device CH is released. Hereinafter, the clamp device CH and the measuring device DT used in this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 3, the clamp device CH is constituted by, for example, a split type (finger type) chuck, by which the upper and lower ends of the catalyst carrier 2 are clamped and the axis Z thereof is set at a predetermined measurement position. . The measuring device DT of this embodiment includes a ball screw type actuator AC driven by a motor MT, a pressing body PM which is a reaction force detecting means supported at a tip end thereof via a load cell LC, and a position detecting means arranged at a rear end. A barrel rotary encoder RE is provided. The detection signals of the load cell LC and the rotary encoder RE are electronic control devices (hereinafter referred to as controllers) CT
Is input into the memory, converted into various data described below and stored in a memory (not shown), and the motor MT is driven and controlled by the controller CT.

The pressing body PM is arranged so that it can move forward and backward in the direction orthogonal to the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 (left and right direction in FIG. 3) and come into contact with the cushioning mat 3 to compress it. Since the contact area of the pressing body PM is known, the reaction force when the pressing body PM presses the catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 to be measured is detected by the load cell LC as the surface pressure on the catalyst carrier 2. , Is input to the controller CT. In the controller CT, load cell LC
Is converted into a surface pressure value, stored in a memory, and compared with a predetermined target surface pressure (Pt) separately input in advance. Further, the rotary encoder RE is used to press the pressing body PM.
The amount of advance / retreat and stop position of the ball screw (not shown)
Is detected as rotation information of and is input to the controller CT. In the controller CT, the detection signal of the rotary encoder RE is converted in real time into the advance / retreat amount of the pressing body PM and the value of the stop position and stored in the memory.
Incidentally, these detecting means and the controller CT may be electrically or optically connected.

The axial center Z of the catalyst carrier 2 is driven by driving the measuring device DT constructed as described above as follows.
The relationship between the distance between the pressing body PM and the pressing body PM and the surface pressure applied to the catalyst carrier 2 at that time can be measured. That is, the pressing body PM is moved forward (moved to the left in FIG. 3) from the initial position (point S0 in FIG. 3) to press a part of the buffer mat 3, and the compression reaction force of the buffer mat 3 in the pressing portion is set to a predetermined value. The position (point S1 in FIG. 3) when the value of is reached is detected.
This position (point S1 in FIG. 3) is the inner wall surface (after the diameter reduction processing) of the tubular member 4 when the surface pressure value of the cushioning mat 3 after becoming the product becomes the target surface pressure (Pt). Corresponds to the position. Therefore, the relationship between the pressing force applied to the catalyst carrier 2 and the reaction force (surface pressure) generated thereby is stored in advance in the memory of the controller CT, and the load cell L is based on this relationship.
The detection signal (reaction force) of C is converted into a surface pressure value, and the pressing body PM is moved to the above-mentioned position (FIG. 3) while comparing this with a predetermined surface pressure value.
To the S1 point), and the moving distance (D
s) is calculated.

Thus, the movement of the pressing body PM detected by the rotary encoder RE from the predetermined distance between the initial position of the tip of the pressing body PM (point S0 in FIG. 3) and the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2. By subtracting the distance (Ds), it is possible to determine the position of the tip of the pressing body PM, that is, the position of the target radius (Rt) from the axis Z, and this position is the product state (that is, inside the tubular member 4). Thus, it means the position of the inner wall surface (after the diameter reduction processing) of the tubular member 4 in the state where the surface pressure on the catalyst carrier 2 is maintained at a predetermined surface pressure value. As described above, according to the present embodiment, a position where a predetermined surface pressure value is obtained without individually measuring the dimensions and characteristic values of the catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 and without using the above-mentioned GBD value (Fig. S1 of 3
Point) can be determined. That is, the above catalyst carrier 2
Since the distance between the shaft center Z and the tip of the pressing body PM is a value that takes into consideration not only the outer diameter error of the catalyst carrier 2 but also the error of the weight per unit area of the buffer mat 3, It is not necessary to separately measure the error of.

The above distance (Ds) or target radius (Rt) is stored in the memory of the controller CT in preparation for the next step, but it may be displayed if necessary. Further, a plurality of measuring devices DT are radially arranged around the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 to perform multipoint measurement, or the clamp device CH and the integrated product 1 are rotated (indexed) around the axis Z. Configured to perform multipoint measurements,
The average of each measurement value may be obtained. In particular, when the catalyst carrier 2 does not have a circular cross section, it is necessary to perform multipoint measurement according to the shape of the catalyst carrier 2, so it is desirable to arrange a plurality of measuring devices DT. The pressing body PM does not necessarily have to be stopped at a predetermined position (point S1 in FIG. 3). After this position is detected, the pressing body PM is continuously retracted, and the clamp device CH is synchronized with the backward movement of the pressing body PM.
The grip may be released.

Further, regarding the above-mentioned measurement step, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of pressing bodies PMx are arranged radially around the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 (step M1a), and a plurality of measurements including these are carried out. The buffer mat 3 is compressed by the device DTn to perform multipoint measurement (step M1b), or the clamp device CH and the integrated product 1 are rotated (indexed) around the axis Z to perform multipoint measurement. The measurement may be performed and the average of each measurement value may be obtained (the same applies to the measurement step (M) described in FIG. 1). In particular, when the catalyst carrier 2 does not have a circular cross section, it is necessary to perform multipoint measurement according to the shape of the catalyst carrier 2, so it is desirable to arrange a plurality of measuring devices DTn. It should be noted that the plurality of pressing bodies PMx in FIG. 4 are composed of members that are at least longer than the axial length of the cushioning mat 3, and these pressing bodies PMx are arranged side by side over the entire circumference of the cushioning mat 3 with substantially no space. However, some of these may be used. Hereinafter, an example of a measuring device capable of performing multipoint measurement will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of a multi-point measuring device, in which a so-called scroll chuck 50 and its driving device 60 are mounted on a horizontal base BS. On the scroll chuck 50, chuck claws 51 that can move simultaneously in the radial direction are arranged at three positions at equal angles. These chuck claws 51 are configured to move in the radial direction or the centripetal direction by the same amount according to the rotational drive of the shaft 62 by the motor 61 of the drive device 60. That is,
The three chuck claws 51 can be arbitrarily opened, closed or fixed by the drive device 60. Each chuck claw 51
An L-shaped holder 70 is placed and fixed on the upper part of each measuring device DTn. That is, the load cell LCn is fixed to the upper part of each holder 70, and the long pressing body PMn is fixed to the lower part of each load cell LCn. In order to prevent the chuck claws 51 from rattling due to the backlash of the scroll chuck 50, each holder 70 has an air cylinder 71 fixed on the base BS.
Is always urged in the centripetal direction or the radial direction.

At the time of measurement, the driving device 60 simultaneously moves the three chuck claws 51 and the holder 70 fixed thereto by the same amount in the centripetal direction, and presses the buffer mat 3 wound around the catalyst carrier 2 against each other. The body PMn abuts at the same time. When each pressing body PMn further moves in the direction of the catalyst carrier 2, the buffer mat 3 is pressed in the radial direction (from the direction perpendicular to the axis of the catalyst carrier 2). At this time, the compression reaction force of the cushioning mat 3 at each pressing portion is calculated by (each pressing body P
Each load cell LCn detects the position (via Mn), and detects the position (corresponding to the position S1 of the distance Rt from the axis Z shown in FIG. 3) when the detection result reaches a predetermined value. Then, the distance between each pressing body PMn when reaching this position and the axial core (of the catalyst carrier 2) is obtained, and the average value thereof is obtained.

In this case, since the tip position of each pressing body PMn can be specified based on the number of rotations of the motor 61, for example, the distance between each pressing body PMn and the axial center (of the catalyst carrier 2) is obtained. be able to. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the movement amount of the holder 70 or the like is directly detected by a position measuring device 72 using a digital side length system (for example, a product name “Magnescale” manufactured by Sony Precision Technology Co., Ltd.). Therefore, in this embodiment, the moving distance of each pressing body PMn is directly detected by this method.

Further, on the scroll chuck 50, three holding devices 40 are mounted and fixed between the measuring devices DTn at equal intervals. This is positioning (centering) with respect to the integrated product 1 of the catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 before measurement.
And an auxiliary holding device during measurement, which is configured to urge the holding body 42 in the centripetal direction or the radial direction by the air cylinder 41. Therefore,
Prior to the measurement process, each holding device 40 moves in the centripetal direction to position the integrated product 1. Then, in that state, a force in the centripetal direction is lightly applied and held. During this holding state, a series of measurement is performed by the measuring device DTn, and after the measurement is completed, the air cylinder 41 holds the holding body 42.
Are radially driven to separate from the cushioning mat 3 and return to the initial position.

After being measured as described above in the measuring step (M), sizing is performed in the sizing step (V) based on the measurement result. The relationship between both steps will be described below with reference to FIG. explain. The left side of FIG. 7 shows the measurement step (M), which is basically the same as FIG. 3,
Here, a part of a multipoint measuring device in which a plurality of pressing bodies PMx are arranged around the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 as shown in FIG. 4 is shown. According to this, the pressing body PMx is moved forward (moved to the right in FIG. 7) from the initial position (point S0 in FIG. 7), the pressing force Fp is applied, and the cushioning mat 3 is extended over its entire axial length. Compress. Then, the position (point S1 in FIG. 7) when the surface pressure (compression reaction force of the cushioning mat 3) at the pressing portion calculated based on the detected value of the load cell LCx reaches the target surface pressure (Pt) is detected. Thus, the position of the target radius (Rt) from the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 can be determined.

Therefore, in the sizing step (V),
The tubular member 4 is arranged so that the substantial radius inside the tubular member 4 in the portion that accommodates the cushioning mat 3 becomes the target radius (Rt).
If the diameter is reduced together with the buffer mat 3, the surface pressure on the catalyst carrier 2 in the tubular member 4 is maintained at the target surface pressure (Pt). In this case, a plurality of pressing bodies D for pressurization
When reducing the diameter of the tubular member 4 together with the cushioning mat 3 by Vx (it can be shared with the pressing body PMx for measurement), the moving distance (Ds) from the initial position (point S0) in the pressing body PMx at the time of measurement. In the sizing step (V), a pressing amount is a distance (Ds-t) obtained by subtracting the thickness (t) of the tubular member 4 from the moving distance (Ds) in the sizing step (V). When the body DVx is moved, the inner radius of the tubular member 4 becomes approximately the target radius (Rt).

In the diameter reduction step in the sizing step (V), the change in the material diameter (spring back) and the material thickness (plate thickness) of the tubular member 4 considered in the correction amount setting step (V3) in FIG. Change is not taken into consideration, but considering the above-mentioned correction amount (ds, dt), the pressing body DVx when the diameter is reduced
The target distance (Dt) is Dt = Ds + ds-
It can be set as (t + dt). Therefore, the pressing body DVx is moved from the initial position (S0 point) to the target distance (Dt).
If the tubular member 4 is moved and the diameter of the tubular member 4 is reduced together with that of the cushioning mat 3, the surface pressure on the catalyst carrier 2 is surely reduced to the target surface pressure (Pt).
Then, the state of being held in the tubular member 4 is obtained. In the following description, the target distance (Dt) will be used. However, the position of the target radius (Rt) is specified with reference to the axis Z, and the pressing is performed while adjusting the correction amount (ds, dt). Movement of the body DVx may be controlled.

The change in the material diameter of the tubular member 4 due to the spring back of the tubular member 4 at the time of the above-mentioned diameter reduction is based on the result measured in advance before the diameter reduction step, and the amount of correction is made in advance. It can be set as (ds). That is, the target radius (Rt) and the actual radius (Ra) when the tubular member 4 is reduced in diameter.
As shown in FIG. 22 as an example of the experimental results (no springback is indicated by a dashed line and existence is indicated by a solid line), in the example of the tubular member 4, the tubular member caused by the springback is The change in the material diameter of No. 4 was about 0.35 mm, which was substantially constant. Therefore, ds = 0.35 may be set.
Similarly, the change in the material diameter of the tubular member 4 due to the change in the material thickness of the tubular member 4 when the diameter is reduced (increase in plate thickness) is about 1.0.
An experimental result of approximately constant at 5 (ie, about 5% increase) was obtained.

FIG. 8 shows a specific mode of the sizing step (V) in FIG. 7, and the sizing step (V) in FIG. 1 can be configured in the same manner. First, the integrated product 1 in which the cushioning mat 3 is wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 2 is gently housed in the tubular member 4 (step V1). Subsequently, the integrated product 1 and the tubular member 4 are housed in a plurality of pressing bodies DVx arranged in a tubular shape and arranged at a predetermined position (step V2a). Then, the tubular member 4 is moved by the pressing body DVx so that the substantial radius inside at least the portion accommodating the cushioning mat 3 becomes the target radius (Rt).
At the same time, the diameter is reduced (shrinking) (step V2b). As a result, when the integrated product 1 and the tubular member 4 are taken out from the pressing body DVx (step V4), the integrated product 1 of the catalyst carrier 2 formed by winding the buffer mat 3 is compressed in the compressed state of the target surface pressure (Pt). The intermediate product which is held in the member 4 is completed. After that, a finished product is obtained through the necking step (N) shown in FIG. 1, which will be described later.

FIG. 9 includes the measuring step (M) shown in FIG. 4 and the sizing step (V) shown in FIG.
Measurement step (M) and sizing step (V) described in FIG.
A processing procedure for manufacturing a catalytic converter based on the relationship will be described. First, in step S101, initial values such as the above-described target surface pressure (Pt), correction amount (ds, dt), and limit values (Pe, De) of surface pressure and movement distance described later are set. The correction amount (ds, dt) is set on the basis of the result measured in advance for the target tubular member 4, and the limit value (Pe, De) is set in advance according to the characteristics of the cushioning mat 3. Is.

Next, in step S102, the pressing body P
The surface pressure (Ps) applied to the catalyst carrier 2 is detected by the method described above while compressing the buffer mat 3 by the movement of Mx. The pressing body PMx is moved until the surface pressure (Ps) reaches the target surface pressure (Pt). As a result, when the surface pressure (Ps) becomes equal to or higher than the target surface pressure (Pt), the process proceeds from step S103 to step S104, it is determined whether the surface pressure (Ps) is less than the upper limit value (Pe), and if it is less than the limit value (Pe). If so, step S
Although the process proceeds to 105 or later, if it is equal to or more than the limit value (Pe), the process proceeds to step S112 to warn that the abnormality is present.

Then, in step S105, the surface pressure (P
The moving distance (Ds) of the pressing body PMx when s) becomes the target surface pressure (Pt) is detected, and this is set as the target radius (Rt). Then, steps S106 and S107.
And add the correction amount (ds) to the movement distance (Ds),
The correction of the change in the material diameter of the tubular member 4 (spring back) is performed, and the correction amount (d) is added to the material thickness (t).
t) is added, and the plate thickness is corrected for the increase in the plate thickness of the tubular member 4. [Ds + ds- (t + dt)] of this result
Is set as the target movement distance (Dt) in step S108. Based on this, in step S109, sizing is performed as shown in FIG. 8 until the moving distance (Dn) of the pressing body DVx reaches the target moving distance (Dt).
Move x. As a result, if the movement distance (Dn) becomes equal to or larger than the target movement distance (Dt), the process proceeds from step S110 to step S111, it is determined whether or not it is less than the upper limit value (De), and if it is less than the limit value (De). If there is, the process ends, and if it is equal to or greater than the limit value (De), the process proceeds to step S112 to warn that there is an abnormality.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a specific structure of the diameter reducing device RD used in the sizing step (V) shown in FIG. 8 and a split type (finger type) chuck is used. That is, the cylindrical pressing die DP having a tapered inner surface is housed in the cylindrical housing GD so as to be slidable in a liquid-tight manner.
Further, a plurality of split dies DV are slidably accommodated in the pressing die DP, and at least the diameter reduction (shrinking) is performed.
It functions as a pressing body for processing (DVx in FIG. 8). Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer side of each split mold DV is formed into a tapered surface, and is slidably arranged on the inner tapered surface of the pressing die DP. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the pedestal BD is arranged on the axis of the housing GD, and the integrated product 1 is placed on the upper surface thereof. The press die DP and the split mold DV are configured to be driven by a hydraulic drive device (not shown), and the press die DP is moved in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the housing GD by hydraulic pressure (shown by OP in FIG. 12). The split mold DV is driven and driven in the radial direction (axial direction) in accordance with the axial movement (movement upward in FIG. 12) of the pressing die DP. The hydraulic drive unit (not shown) is controlled by a controller (not shown) as described later.

Further, if the diameter reducing device RD2 shown in FIG. 11 is used in place of the diameter reducing device RD shown in FIG. 10, the diameter reducing (shrinking) process described above can be performed more appropriately. . That is, in the diameter reducing device RD2, each split mold DV is divided into two and is composed of the segment DS and the back metal member DX. A T-slot DC is fitted between each segment DS and the back metal member DX, and each segment DS is detachable. That is, the segment DS can be exchanged according to the diameter of the tubular member to be processed. Further, shoulders DSa and DSb having smooth curved surfaces are formed at both ends of the segment DS. It is desirable that these shoulders R are about several millimeters R.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a part of the cushioning member 3 from being caught in the gap during the minimum diameter reduction in the measurement step, that is, when the gap between the adjacent segments DS is minimum. A pressure sensor (corresponding to SS in FIG. 2) may be provided on the segment DS itself or between the segment DS and the back metal member DX.

Next, a diameter reducing process for reducing the diameter of the body of the tubular member 4 together with the cushioning mat 3 by the diameter reducing device RD shown in FIG. 10 will be described. In addition, the diameter reducing device R of FIG.
It goes without saying that D2 may be used, but for convenience of explanation, the explanation will be given using the diameter reducing device RD of FIG. Also,
Each of the diameter reducing devices is composed of eight split dies, but the number of split dies is not limited to this, and the split die driving method is arbitrary regardless of whether the split die is odd or even. Is. Although it is ideal to drive and control as many split molds as possible individually, they may be appropriately selected in consideration of required accuracy, ease of manufacturing, cost, and the like. Alternatively, the collet formula may be applied. Thus, for example, the diameter reducing device R of FIG.
When D is used, first, the integrated product 1 is placed on the upper surface of the pedestal BD as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular member 4 is placed on the upper surface of the annular stepped portion below the pedestal BD, and the axis of the tubular member 4 is arranged so as to substantially coincide with the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2. As a result, the integrated product 1 is gently accommodated in the tubular member 4.

The tubular member 4 of this embodiment is made of, for example, a stainless steel tube, and when it is a product, it is called an outer tube, a housing or a casing. The inner diameter of the tubular member 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the cushioning mat 3 wound around the catalyst carrier 2. Therefore, the catalyst carrier 2 and the cushioning mat 3 wound around the catalyst carrier 2 are gently inserted into the tubular member 4 without the outer surface of the cushioning mat 3 being pressed against the inner surface of the tubular member 4 (that is, not press fitting). Since it is accommodated, the catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 are not likely to be damaged. The tubular member 4 is not limited to the stainless steel pipe, but other metal pipes may be used, and the material is arbitrary. Further, the pipe material may be appropriately made in the previous step, or the existing pipe material may be cut. The plate thickness is also optional, but for catalytic converters, 1 to 3 mm
A plate thickness of the order is desirable.

In FIG. 14, when a hydraulic drive device (not shown) is driven and the press die DP is driven in the axial direction of the housing GD by hydraulic pressure (shown by OP in FIG. 14) (moves upward in FIG. 14). ), As shown in FIG. 15, the split mold DV is driven in the radial direction (axial direction), and the body portion of the tubular member 4 and the cushioning member 3 are compressed and the diameter thereof is reduced. The diameter reduction amount at this time is accurately controlled by the control of the hydraulic drive device by the controller (not shown), and the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 is controlled.
And the inner wall surface of the tubular member 4 is equal to the target radius (Rt).
Until the cylindrical member 4 and the cushioning mat 3 are reduced in diameter and aligned, the reduced diameter portion 4a shown in FIG. 15 is formed. That is, in the sizing step performed in step S109 of FIG. 9, after the sizing processing, the distance between the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 and the inner wall surface of the tubular member 4 is corrected so as to be the target radius (Rt). The target moving distance (Dt) is used. For example, the substantial radius of the inside of the tubular member 4 that accommodates at least the cushioning mat 3 is below the target radius (Rt), and the cushioning mat 3 is pressed by the pressing body PMx in FIG. It is advisable to measure in advance the limiting radius (re) when pressing.

Thus, the limit radius (Re) and the target radius (R
A predetermined distance within the range of the difference from t) is set as the correction amount (ds), and the moving distance (Ds) is set based on this correction amount (ds).
Is corrected to set the target movement distance (Dt), the target movement distance (Dt) is used for NC control to drive and control the diameter reducing device RD, and the tubular member 4 and the cushioning mat 3 are reduced in diameter. When the tubular member 4 springs back after the diameter, the substantial radius of the tubular member 4 becomes the target radius (Rt). As a result, the distance between the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 and the inner wall surface of the tubular member 4 becomes the target radius (Rt) without being affected by the spring back, and even for the catalyst carrier 2 that is particularly fragile. However, it can be properly held in the tubular member 4 without breaking.

As described above, the hydraulic drive device (not shown) of the diameter reducing device RD is controlled by the controller (not shown), and in particular, it is constructed so that an arbitrary amount of sizing can be performed by NC control. And fine control is possible. Further, when the diameter is reduced, if the workpiece is rotated (for example) sequentially and indexing control (index control) is performed, the diameter can be reduced more uniformly over the entire circumference. It should be noted that the drive and control medium of the diameter reducing device RD is not limited to hydraulic pressure, and any drive method such as mechanical type, electric type, pneumatic type, etc. is used as the drive and control type, and CNC control is used for control. It is preferable to use.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the catalyst carrier 2 is not affected by the size of the catalyst carrier 2, the size of the tubular member 4, and the characteristics of the buffer mat 3, in other words, the catalyst carrier 2 is not affected. Of the outer diameter, the inner diameter of the tubular member 4, the weight of the cushioning mat 3 per unit area, and the like, and the adjustment based on the influence of the springback and the change of the plate thickness is performed in advance. It is possible to reduce the diameter of the body portion of the tubular member 4 with good accuracy so that the surface pressure on the catalyst carrier 2 does not exceed the target surface pressure. In particular, (as the correction amount can be set in advance), finally, the measured value that is a variable is only the distance between the axis Z of the catalyst carrier 2 and the tip of the pressing body PM, and the optimum value must be obtained. Can be set. Thus, the catalyst carrier 2 is always kept stable (via the buffer mat 3).
It can be held in the tubular member 4.

As described above, in FIG. 21, the conventional surface pressure allowable range (β-α) is in the range of A (the applicable GBD is in the range of Ga1 to Ga2) as described above. According to the above embodiment, the range is B, and the GBD can use a buffer mat having a narrow range of Gb1 to Gb2. In other words, in the thin-walled ceramic catalyst carrier 2 of the present embodiment, which is particularly vulnerable to the force in the axial direction (diameter-reducing direction), the allowable surface pressure range (β-α) is reduced and applied as described above. The possible GBD is in the range of Gb1 to Gb2, but even such a catalyst carrier 2 can be appropriately sized without damage.

Further, if the catalyst carrier 2 requires a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) from the compressed state (reduced diameter) to the state before compression due to its material,
After measuring as shown in FIG. 3, the cushioning mat 3 is wound in a state in which the cushioning mat 3 is compressed (compressed state when the surface pressure reaches the target surface pressure) and is restored to the state before the compression. The catalyst carrier 2 can be easily accommodated in the tubular member 4. Therefore, if the inner diameter of the tubular member 4 is set on the basis of the state from when the cushioning mat 3 is compressed to when it is restored, even if the inner diameter of the tubular member 4 is set smaller than the initial value in the above-described method, Since it can be accommodated gently, the diameter reduction amount of the tubular member 4 can be minimized.

Next, the plurality of split molds DV are configured so as to function as the above-mentioned pressing body for measurement (for example, pressing body PMx in FIG. 4), and are driven in the axial Z direction of the catalyst carrier 2. An embodiment in which the tubular member 4 is reduced in diameter together with the cushioning mat 3 and the steps from measurement to reduction in diameter are performed in a series of steps with a single device will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. . That is, the diameter reducing device RD of the present embodiment also functions as the above-described measuring device DT, and for example, according to the processing of FIG. 9, measurement and sizing can be continuously performed by a single device. In this case, a pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the pressure of the hydraulic pressure (OP) and an encoder (not shown) that detects the stroke for measuring the moving distance of the split DV are required. That is, in the former case, the compression reaction force of the cushioning mat 3 is detected by the hydraulic reaction force, but a pressure sensor such as a load cell may be provided on the pressing surface of the split DV (functions as the pressing body PMx). Good. In the latter, stamped DP
The stroke may be detected, or the stroke may be obtained by detecting the pump discharge amount, which is the hydraulic pressure supply amount. Further, a biasing means for assisting the return of the split type DV to the original position may be provided.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, the integrated product 1 is placed on the upper surface of the pedestal BD. Next, when the hydraulic drive device (not shown) is driven and the press die DP is driven in the axial direction of the housing GD by hydraulic pressure (shown by OP in FIG. 13) as shown in FIG. 13 (upward in FIG. 13). Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the split DV is driven in the radial direction (axial direction), and the cushioning mat 3 is compressed. The split mold DV at this time functions as the pressing body PMx in FIG. That is, the split mold DV is driven from the initial position (point S0 in FIG. 12) in the axis Z direction, the buffer mat 3 is pressed, and the position when the compression reaction force of the buffer mat 3 reaches a predetermined value (FIG. 13 point S1) is detected. This position (point S1 in FIG. 13) is the inner wall surface (after the diameter reduction processing) of the tubular member 4 when the surface pressure value of the cushioning mat 3 after becoming the product becomes the target surface pressure (Pt). Corresponds to the position. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the split DV is converted to the above-mentioned position (see the figure) while converting the detection signal of the pressure sensor (not shown) into a surface pressure value and comparing this with a predetermined surface pressure value. By moving to the S1 point 13) and calculating the moving distance of the split mold DV, the position when the compression reaction force of the cushioning mat 3 reaches a predetermined value is specified.

Thus, the initial position of the tip of the split type DV (see FIG.
(S0 point of 2) and the axial center Z of the catalyst carrier 2 is subtracted by subtracting the moving distance of the split mold DV detected by an encoder (not shown) that detects a stroke from the split mold D.
The position of the tip of V (that is, the position of the target radius Rt from the axis Z) can be determined, and if this springback and the change in plate thickness are ignored, this position is the product state (that is,
This means the position of the inner wall surface (after the diameter reduction processing) of the tubular member 4 in the state where the surface pressure on the catalyst carrier 2 is maintained at a predetermined surface pressure value in the tubular member 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, if the correction amount (ds, dt) based on the springback and the plate thickness change is taken into consideration, the target radius (Rt) can be surely obtained after the diameter reduction process.

Then, after the one-end split type DV is driven backward, the cylindrical member 4 is arranged as shown in FIG. 14 as in the above-described embodiment. Next, when the hydraulic drive device (not shown) is driven and the press die DP is driven in the axial direction of the housing GD by the hydraulic pressure (shown as OP in FIG. 14) (moves upward in FIG. 14), FIG. As shown in, the split mold DV is driven in the radial direction (axial direction), and the body portion of the tubular member 4 and the cushioning member 3 are compressed and the diameter thereof is reduced. Split type DV at this time
8 functions as the pressing body DVx in FIG. 8, and the amount of movement thereof is accurately controlled by the control of the hydraulic drive device by the controller (not shown), and the axial center Z of the catalyst carrier 2 and the inner wall surface of the tubular member 4 are separated. The tubular member 4 and the cushioning mat 3 are reduced in diameter (shrinking) until the distance between them reaches the target radius (Rt), and the reduced diameter portion 4a shown in FIG. 15 is formed.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the diameter of the body portion of the tubular member 4 accommodating the catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 as described above is reduced, both ends thereof are spun as follows. Necking processing is performed. First, as shown in FIG. 16, the body portion (reduced diameter portion 4a) of the tubular member 4 is
It is clamped by a clamp device CL for a spinning device (not shown), and fixed so that it cannot rotate and cannot move in the axial direction.
Then, by a plurality of spinning rollers SP that revolve around the outer periphery of one end of the tubular member 4 in a circular locus of the same diameter,
Spinning is performed on one end of the tubular member 4. That is, the spinning rollers SP, which are preferably arranged at equal intervals around the outer circumference of the tubular member 4, are made to closely contact the outer circumferential surface of the tubular member 4 to revolve, and are driven in the radial direction to reduce the revolution locus and the axis. Direction (rightward in FIG. 16) to perform spinning.

Then, as shown on the right side of FIG. 16, necking processing is performed by the spinning roller SP so that the diameter of the tubular member 4 continuously decreases from the reduced diameter portion 4a of the tubular member 4, A tapered portion 4b and a bottleneck portion 4c, which are necks, are formed at one end of the tubular member 4. As a result, a smooth surface is formed without leaving a step between the reduced diameter portion 4a and the tapered portion 4b. Before performing the necking process, as shown on the left side of FIG. 16, a step portion 4d is formed along with the diameter reduction of the tubular member 4.

Further, the tubular member 4 processed as described above.
17 are reversed by 180 degrees, and as shown in FIG. 17, the other end of the tubular member 4 is necked by the spinning roller SP in the same manner as above. In the present embodiment, the reversing operation of the tubular member 4 in this case is performed as shown in FIG.
After the step of 6, the clamped state of the tubular member 4 by the clamp device CL is released, the tubular member 4 is taken out from the clamp device CL by a robot hand (not shown), inverted, and mounted again on the clamp device CL. By.

If a robot is used for loading and unloading the workpiece such as the tubular member 4 as well, a better working efficiency can be obtained. Alternatively, the clamp device CL itself may be inverted. Then, the body portion of the tubular member 4 is again clamped by the clamp device CL, and FIG.
The left unprocessed part is processed by the spinning roller SP in the same manner as described above to form the taper part 4b and the bottleneck part 4c as shown in FIG. The clamp device CL is designed to handle the difference in diameter of the clamp part.
A variable diameter type having an aligning function, for example, a split type (finger type) chuck or the like may be used. Furthermore, the provision of an indexing function is suitable when the neck portions at both ends are not formed on the same plane in the eccentricity / inclined necking process described later.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the mandrel MN which can advance and retreat in the axial direction is inserted into the end of the tubular member 4 and necking is performed by the spinning roller SP. Shape accuracy is improved. It should be noted that, after first necking the one end of the tubular member 4, as shown in FIG.
May be formed, and finally the other end of the tubular member 4 may be necked.

In FIG. 18, instead of the steps shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the axis of the mandrel MN is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the axis of the cylindrical member 4 which is the workpiece, and the spinning roller S is used.
The necking process by P is performed. In this case, the clamp device CL needs to be configured so as not to interfere with the spinning roller SP. Thus, as shown in FIG. 18, a tapered portion 4e and a bottleneck portion 4f having an axis inclined with respect to the axis of the reduced diameter portion 4a are formed at the other end of the tubular member 4.

Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 18, a taper portion and a bottleneck portion having an axis eccentric to the axis of the reduced diameter portion 4a as shown on the right side of FIG. 19 may be formed. . Furthermore, necking can be performed by appropriately combining both ends of the tubular member 4 with the axis of the reduced diameter portion 4a, coaxially, tilting axis and eccentric axis. The spinning method including the eccentric axis and the tilt axis is disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 13 and 14, and these processing methods can be applied to the molding of the end portion of the tubular member 4. As the spinning processing apparatus of this embodiment, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 15 (JP 2001-137962 A) is suitable.

Thus, according to this embodiment, since the tubular member 4 does not rotate during the spinning process, a structure for securely holding the tubular member 4 can be easily constructed, and the tubular member 4 can be easily constructed. The catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 housed in the rotor also rotate during spinning (rotation around the axis)
Since it does not occur, a stable holding state can be maintained. Further, since the necking process for both ends of the tubular member 4 can be easily and continuously performed, the processing time can be shortened as compared with the conventional method.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the neck portion having a smooth surface continuous with the reduced diameter portion 4a can be formed by necking with the plurality of spinning rollers SP. In particular, when the diameter of the tubular member 4 is reduced, the tubular member 4
4d between the body portion (reduced diameter portion 4a) and both ends (see FIG. 1).
6) is formed, it can be removed by the spinning roller SP, so that a smooth continuous surface from the body to the neck can be formed in an arbitrary shape. For example, as in the finished catalytic converter shown in FIG. 19, a neck portion (tapered portion 4b) having an inclined axis on the left side is provided.
Also, a neck portion having an eccentric shaft on the right side of the bottle neck portion 4c) can be formed in a smooth surface continuous from the body portion (the reduced diameter portion 4a) without forming a step portion. Furthermore,
If necessary, as shown in FIG. 20, the tubular member 4 is intentionally left so that the step portion 4d formed when the tubular member 4 is reduced in diameter is left.
It is also possible to form the neck portion (taper portion 4b and bottle neck portion 4c) by processing both end portions of. It should be noted that the finished product of the catalytic converter shown in FIG. 20 has a neck portion having an inclined shaft on the left side and a neck portion having an eccentric shaft on the right side.

Next, as another embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
As shown by a broken line in FIG. 3, an embodiment in which a pressure sensitive element SS is interposed between the catalyst carrier 2 and the buffer mat 3 and the surface pressure is directly detected based on the detection signal of this pressure sensitive element SS explain. As the pressure-sensitive element SS, one in which electrodes are arranged on a long sensor sheet and pressure distribution is detected in real time is commercially available. For example, US Tekscan, I
A sensor sheet (MATSCAN) manufactured by nc. and a surface pressure distribution measurement system (I-SCAN) manufactured by Nitta Co., Ltd. are commercially available. Since these can detect the pressure distribution in real time, for example, the long pressing body (PMx) described above is used.
If a long sensor sheet that can correspond to the range pressed by is arranged, and the surface pressure detection means is configured by this, the above-mentioned distance (Ds) is previously measured by the measuring device DT.
Alternatively, it is not necessary to obtain the target radius (Rt), and the body pressure of the tubular member 4 including the cushioning mat 3 is set to the surface pressure (Pt).
The catalyst support 2 can be configured to be reduced in diameter together with the buffer mat 3 so that s) falls within a predetermined pressure range.

That is, in this embodiment, as the detection means for detecting the surface pressure applied to the catalyst carrier 2 which is a column,
The pressure sensitive element SS is provided, and the buffer mat 3 (buffer member) is wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 2 (column) together with the pressure sensitive element SS, and is gently accommodated in the tubular member 4. ,
A pressurizing unit (for example, a diameter reducing device GD in FIG. 10) for compressing a body portion including at least the buffer mat 3 of the tubular member 4 is provided, and the catalyst carrier 2 (columnar body) is further provided by the compression restoring force of the buffer mat 3. Control means for driving the pressurizing means so that the surface pressure applied to) falls within a predetermined pressure range, and reducing the diameter of the body of the tubular member 4 together with the cushioning mat 3 (for example, the controller CT in FIG. 3). It constitutes a manufacturing apparatus provided with.

Thus, for example, by the diameter reducing device GD shown in FIG. 10, the cushioning mat 3 is gently housed in the tubular member 4 while being wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 2, Of the body including at least the cushioning mat 3 of
It is possible to hold the catalyst carrier 2 by reducing the diameter together with the cushioning mat 3 so that the surface pressure applied to the catalyst carrier 2 by the compression restoring force is within a predetermined pressure range. That is, the steps from measurement to diameter reduction can be continuously performed with a single device, and the manufacturing time can be greatly reduced. still,
If the pressure sensitive element SS is inexpensive and does not adversely affect the function of the catalytic converter, it may be left as it is without being extracted after sizing.

Further, by attaching an IC tag TG to the end surface of the catalyst carrier 2 as shown by the broken line in the upper part of FIG. 2, the manufacturing forms can be diversified as follows. In this IC tag TG, a writable IC chip and a small antenna that can be transmitted are embedded in a tag-like member, and a radio wave from a reader or a writer is converted into electric power to generate a CP.
If U can be activated, radio waves for data exchange can be generated to send and receive data, and if holding power is not required, any type of commercially available product may be used, but the sides and thickness of several mm Is desirable. Note that the tag is not always required as long as it functions as the storage and communication means as described above, and may be in the form of an IC card or another form. Further, the propagation distance of radio waves such as a close contact type, a proximity type, a proximity type, and a remote type is optional, and a contact type that does not communicate with a radio wave may be used. In the present application, these are collectively referred to as an IC tag. Call.

Thus, for example, as the first manufacturing mode,
First, the product number information, carrying information and producer information of the catalyst carrier 2 are written in the nonvolatile memory in the IC tag TG. Next, the buffer mat 3 is wound around the catalyst carrier 2, and the above-described measurement is performed to obtain a target radius (R
The measurement result information such as t) and the measurer information are added to the IC tag TG. Then, in the sizing step, sizing is performed based on the ID information and the processing necessary information written in the IC tag TG, and after the necessary processing, the IC tag TG is removed and a finished product (catalyst converter) is shipped. Here, a supplier who manufactures the catalyst carrier 2 and attaches the IC tag TG, a supplier who winds the buffer mat 3 around the catalyst carrier 2 and adds the measurement to the IC tag TG, and the IC tag TG.
Even if the sizing companies based on the information are different, it is possible to surely perform processing so that the target radius (Rt) is obtained. If each supplier can automatically exchange the exchanged information on each occasion via the Internet, etc., a series of operations can be performed smoothly, such as checking the progress status, preparing the process, and finally managing the physical distribution. You can proceed.

Alternatively, as the second manufacturing mode, first,
The buffer mat 3 is wound around the catalyst carrier 2, and the above-mentioned measurement is performed to obtain the measurement result information such as the product number information of the catalyst carrier 2, the carrying information, the producer information, and the target radius (Rt) when the optimum surface pressure is achieved. , And the measurer information are written in the IC tag TG. Then, in the sizing process, the IC tag TG
Sizing is performed on the basis of the information written in, and after the necessary processing, the IC tag TG is removed and the finished product (catalytic converter) is shipped. That is, the catalyst carrier 2 is manufactured by two companies, a company that winds the buffer mat 3 around the catalyst carrier 2 and performs measurement, and writes it in the IC tag TG, and a company that performs sizing based on the IC tag TG information. This is the case, and in this case as well, the processing can be performed so that the target radius (Rt) can be reliably achieved.

Even when all of the above steps are carried out by one supplier, if the IC tag TG is used in the same manner, it is particularly effective when it is necessary to carry out the steps which are distant from each other in terms of distance or time. Is. Furthermore, I
Completed product with the C tag TG attached (catalytic converter)
The IC tag TG may be burned out during the test run of the catalytic converter in the automobile manufacturer.
As described above, by using the IC tag TG, not only the measurement result of the previous process can be used and the sizing can be appropriately performed, but also mis-assembly can be prevented, the distribution status can be grasped,
Various effects such as grasping and improving process problems can be expected. Although the catalyst carrier 2 is one in the above-described embodiment, two or more catalyst carriers may be arranged in series, and the body portion is appropriately reduced in diameter for each portion corresponding to each buffer member. The diameter may be continuously reduced. The final product is not limited to the exhaust system parts of automobiles, but can be applied to various fluid treatment devices such as a reformer for a fuel cell.

[0094]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. That is, in the method of manufacturing the column body holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the cylindrical body is not affected by an error in the outer diameter of the column body, an error in the inner diameter of the tubular member, an error in the cushioning member, and the like. The diameter of the body of the member can be reduced with good accuracy. In particular, in the end, the variable is only the distance between the axis of the column and the tubular member, so it is possible to set the optimum value without fail, and this is reflected in the diameter reduction of the tubular member. can do. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and easily manufacture the pillar body holding device in which the pillar body is properly held in the tubular member via the cushioning member, and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Particularly, according to the sixth aspect, the steps from measurement to diameter reduction can be performed in a series of steps and with a single device. That is, claims 9 to 11
If the manufacturing apparatus is configured as described in (1), a single apparatus can smoothly perform a series of steps from measurement to diameter reduction.

According to the seventh and tenth aspects, when the tubular member springs back due to the diameter reduction and the material diameter changes, or when the material thickness of the tubular member increases. Can also be manufactured such that the substantial radius is the target radius. For example, claims 8 and 1
According to the structure described in 1, the diameter can be reduced so that the substantial radius becomes the target radius when the tubular member springs back after the diameter reduction. That is, since it is possible to deal with the diameter reduction (shrinking) in consideration of the unavoidable springback, it is possible to properly hold the fragile columnar body without breaking it.

Further, in the manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus for the column body holding device according to the twelfth and thirteenth aspects, in addition to the above effects, the surface pressure applied to the column body by the detection means is detected, and this surface pressure is detected. Since the body part of the tubular member can be reduced in diameter together with the cushioning member so that the pressure is within a predetermined pressure range, it is possible to reduce the diameter with stable and extremely good accuracy, and to significantly reduce the manufacturing time. Can be shortened to Furthermore, a series of steps from measurement to diameter reduction can be smoothly performed with a single device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an overall configuration of a method of manufacturing a columnar body holding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a catalyst carrier and a cushioning mat wound around the catalyst carrier in a catalytic converter which is a target of the manufacturing method according to one embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a measuring step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of measurement steps of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a multipoint measuring apparatus used in the measuring step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a multipoint measuring apparatus used for the measuring step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a measuring step and a sizing step in the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a sizing step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing including a measuring step and a sizing step of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first example of a diameter reducing device used in a method for manufacturing an exhaust treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second example of the diameter reducing device used in the method for manufacturing the exhaust treatment device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the diameter reducing device of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a measurement state by a diameter reducing device of a manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a diameter reduction start state by the diameter reduction device of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the diameter reduction is completed by the diameter reduction device of the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a spinning step for one end portion in the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a spinning step for the other end portion in the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a spinning step for an end portion having an inclined axis in the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing an example of a finished catalytic converter in which neck portions are formed at both ends of a tubular member in the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front view showing a catalytic converter in which a neck portion is formed so as to leave a step portion between a reduced diameter portion and both end portions of a tubular member in a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a graph showing a contact pressure allowable range for an example of a buffer member in a general catalytic converter.

FIG. 22 relates to a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention,
It is a graph which shows an example of the experimental result which calculates | requires the change of the raw material diameter of a cylindrical member resulting from a spring back from the relationship between the target radius and the real radius at the time of diameter reduction of a cylindrical member.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 integrated product, 2 catalyst carrier, 3 buffer mat, 4
Cylindrical member, 4a reduced diameter portion, 4b tapered portion, 4c,
4f bottleneck part, 4d step part, 4e taper part, DT measuring device, PM pressing body, LC load cell, RE rotary encoder, RD diameter reducing device,
CH, CL clamp device, SP spinning roller

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 3G091 AA02 AB01 AB13 BA09 BA39                       GA06 HA26 HA31                 4D058 JA32 KA11 KA27 KC62 LA02                       SA08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A method for manufacturing a columnar body holding device for retaining a columnar body in a tubular member via a cushioning member, wherein the columnar body is wound around the outer periphery of the columnar body, and the columnar body is pressed by a pressing body. The cushioning member is pressed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the body to compress the cushioning member, and the surface pressure applied to the pillar by the compression restoring force of the cushioning member is detected. Is a target radius by measuring the distance between the shaft core of the column and the tip of the pressing body when the pressure reaches a predetermined target surface pressure, in a state in which the buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of the column. After gently accommodating in the tubular member, the tubular member is reduced in diameter together with the cushioning member so that a substantial radius inside at least a portion accommodating the cushioning member becomes the target radius, The column body formed by winding a buffer member is compressed to the target surface pressure. A method for manufacturing a column body holding device, characterized in that the column body holding device is held in the tubular member. 2. The target surface pressure is set based on a static friction coefficient of an outer surface of the column body, a static friction coefficient of an inner surface of the tubular member, and a pressing force of the pressing body against the cushioning member. The method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 1. 3. A plurality of the pressing bodies are arranged side by side over the entire circumference of the cushioning member, and at least one of the plurality of pressing bodies is used to cushion the cushion in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the column. The method for manufacturing a columnar body holding device according to claim 1, wherein a member is pressed to compress the cushioning member, and a surface pressure of the cushioning member against the columnar body is detected. 4. The plurality of pressing members are composed of a plurality of elongated members having a length corresponding to at least a portion of the tubular member that holds the cushioning member, and the plurality of elongated members. 4. The method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 3, wherein the pressing bodies are arranged side by side along the entire circumference of the cushioning member. 5. The cylindrical member is formed by winding the column member, which is formed by winding the buffer member, in a state from a compressed state by the pressing body when the target surface pressure is reached to a state before the compression is restored. 5. The method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 4, wherein the column body holding device is housed. 6. A substantial radius inside at least a portion for accommodating the buffer member by the plurality of pressing bodies formed by arranging the plurality of elongated members in parallel over the entire circumference of the buffer member. 5. The method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical member is reduced in diameter together with the cushioning member so that is the target radius. 7. A predetermined correction amount is set based on at least one of a change in material diameter and a change in material thickness of the tubular member when the tubular member is reduced in diameter, and the buffer is set based on the correction amount. The method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter reduction amount when the diameter of the tubular member is reduced together with the member. 8. The column has the cushioning member wound around the outer periphery thereof, and a substantial radius of an inside of at least a portion of the tubular member accommodating the cushioning member is smaller than the target radius, and the column. Until just before the body is destroyed, the limit radius when the cushioning member is pressed by the pressing body is measured in advance,
8. The method for manufacturing a column body holding device according to claim 7, wherein a predetermined distance within a range of a difference between the limit radius and the target radius is set as the correction amount. 9. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a columnar body holding device comprising a columnar body held in a tubular member via a cushioning member,
Along with a plurality of elongated members having a length corresponding to at least a portion of the tubular member holding the cushioning member,
A state in which the plurality of elongated members are arranged side by side along the entire circumference of the column body, and the buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of the column body by the pressing body. A pressing means for pressing the cushioning member in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the column to compress the cushioning member, and a surface pressure applied to the column by the compression restoring force of the cushioning member. And measuring means for measuring the distance between the axis of the column and the tips of the plurality of pressing bodies when the surface pressure reaches a predetermined target surface pressure, and the measuring means measures the distance. Using the distance as the target radius,
A portion for accommodating at least the cushioning member by the plurality of pressing bodies, after the cushioning member is gradually accommodated in the cylindrical member in a state of being wound around the outer periphery of the column, and then the pressing unit is driven. An apparatus for manufacturing a column body holding device, comprising: a control means for reducing the diameter of the tubular member together with the cushioning member so that the substantial radius inside of the column becomes the target radius. 10. The control unit sets a predetermined correction amount based on at least one of a change in material diameter and a change in material thickness of the tubular member when the diameter of the tubular member is reduced, and the correction amount is set. 10. The manufacturing apparatus for a column body holding device according to claim 9, wherein the diameter reduction amount when reducing the diameter of the tubular member together with the cushioning member is adjusted based on the above. 11. A substantial radius inside at least a portion of the tubular member accommodating the cushioning member is a target radius when the measuring unit winds the cushioning member around an outer periphery of the columnar body. Under, until just before the pillar is destroyed,
The limit radius when the buffer member is pressed by the pressing body is measured in advance, and the control unit sets a predetermined distance within a range of a difference between the limit radius and the target radius as the correction amount. The manufacturing apparatus of a column body holding device according to claim 10. 12. A method of manufacturing a columnar body holding device for retaining a columnar body in a tubular member via a cushioning member, wherein the cushioning member is provided together with a detecting means for detecting a surface pressure applied to the columnar body. In a state of being wound around the outer periphery of the body, the body is gently housed in the tubular member, and the body portion including at least the buffer member of the tubular member is formed into the column body by the compression restoring force of the buffer member. A method for manufacturing a columnar body holding device, comprising reducing the diameter of the columnar body together with the buffer member so that the applied surface pressure falls within a predetermined pressure range. 13. A manufacturing device for manufacturing a columnar body holding device comprising a cylindrical body and a columnar body held by a cushioning member, and a detecting means for detecting a surface pressure applied to the columnar body,
In a state where the buffer member is wound around the outer periphery of the column body together with the detection means, the buffer member is gently housed in the tubular member, and at least the body portion of the tubular member including the buffer member is compressed. The pressurizing means is driven so that the surface pressure applied to the column body by the compression means and the compression restoring force of the cushioning member falls within a predetermined pressure range, and the body portion of the tubular member is moved to the cushioning member. An apparatus for manufacturing a column body holding device, comprising: