(19)
(11) EP 1 243 363 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/10

(43) Date of publication A2:
25.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/39

(21) Application number: 02006385.5

(22) Date of filing: 21.03.2002
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B22D 17/24, B22D 17/22, B22D 17/20
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 22.03.2001 JP 2001083085

(71) Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Ito, Masafumi, c/o K.K. Toyota Jidoshokki
    Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)
  • Kawaguchi, Masahiro, c/o K.K. Toyota Jidoshokki
    Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)
  • Ota, Masaki, c/o K.K. Toyota Jidoshokki
    Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)
  • Fujita, Yoshio, c/o K.K. Toyota Jidoshokki
    Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)
  • Hiramatsu, Osamu, c/o K.K. Toyota Jidoshokki
    Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)
  • Yoshida, Yoshiharu, c/o K.K. Toyota Jidoshokki
    Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken (JP)

(74) Representative: Leson, Thomas Johannes Alois, Dipl.-Ing. 
Tiedtke-Bühling-Kinne & Partner GbR, TBK-Patent, Bavariaring 4
80336 München
80336 München (DE)

   


(54) Die-casting method and die-casting apparatus


(57) A method of producing a die-cast article by die-casting, the die-cast article having at least one of an inner and an outer circumferential surface, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a mold assembly (224, 226; 400, 402; 500, 502) including a hollow portion (280, 410, 510) having a molding surface (300, 420, 530) for molding one of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the die-cast article; closing the mold assembly to define therein a mold cavity (236, 426, 540) having a configuration corresponding to that of the die-cast article; subjecting the hollow portion to an elastic deformation in a direction toward the one of the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the die-cast article to be produced; introducing a molten metal into the mold cavity while the hollow portion is subjected to the elastic deformation; opening the mold assembly and permitting the elastic deformation to be removed from the hollow portion after the molten metal has solidified; and removing the die-cast article from the mold assembly. An apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.






Search report