Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING
  • B25B27/00—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for
  • B25B27/02—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for connecting objects by press fit or detaching same
  • B25B27/10—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for connecting objects by press fit or detaching same inserting fittings into hoses
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
  • B21D39/04—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of tubes with tubes; of tubes with rods
  • B21D39/048—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of tubes with tubes; of tubes with rods using presses for radially crimping tubular elements

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a radial pressing tool for producing pipe connections and in particular a pressing ring and a pressing tool for these purposes as well as methods for their application.
• Common radial pressing tools are designed to transform a workpiece, and especially an assembly consisting of a pipe end and a connecting piece, e.g., a fitting, from an initial oversized shape into a predetermined final shape by applying forces acting radially to the pipe axis.
• the resulting change in shape can include radial and/or axial deformation of the assembly or individual parts thereof. Alternatively or cumulatively, the change in shape can also include a displacement of parts of the assembly relative to one another. Further details are disclosed in the publications. DE 101 44 100 C1 , DE 10 2008 010 083 A1 , to which reference is made here for the purpose of supplementing the disclosure, with the note that the cited printed works may ascribe a meaning to identical terms that differs from the present one.
• Radial press tools often engage the workpiece at more than 180° of its circumference and must therefore be designed to create the necessary clearance for attaching and detaching the radial press tool from the workpiece. In some cases, this is achieved through a multi-segment, interconnected design of the radial press tool.
• the mobility of the individual segments relative to each other is dimensioned such that the clearance required for the aforementioned purposes is present in at least one configuration.
• the radial press tools are two-segment press rings with only one joint and two interconnected segments.
• the die required for forming can be formed by several die elements arranged on the segments. In one configuration, the die elements can form a more or less continuously defined die bore.
• a sufficient clearance for the workpiece exists between at least two die elements.
• only two die elements are provided, which in special versions are integrally formed directly in the links.
• These two-part press rings can be positioned on the workpiece in an open position.
• the radial press tools are three-part press jaws in which two levers equipped with die elements are connected to each other via a tab.
• the press tools are press chains or press loops with three or more links.
• a multi-section, movable radial press tool which is designed to group several die elements ring-shaped to form a bore die in a closed position and to create a variable passage gap for a workpiece between two die elements in open positions, wherein the radial press tool in an open position has a number of surface features in the area of the passage gap with which, when the radial press tool is pushed onto a workpiece with a flange or bead, a positive fit with the flange or bead can be achieved when the radial press tool is in the intended axial working position relative to the workpiece.
• the positive locking mechanism can be one-sided or two-sided. In both cases, the operator can tactilely locate the axial working position via the positive locking mechanism. From this position, the radial press tool is moved into the working position by a displacement that is essentially radial to the die bore. In this working position, the workpiece is formed by closing the radial press tool against its structural resistance.
• the improved radial press tool can further be designed such that the bore die formed by the die elements in the closed setting is axially profiled and, in particular, has a circular groove for receiving a bead on the workpiece.
• the improved radial pressing tool can further be designed such that the surface features are arranged so that, when they engage with the bead of the workpiece, the groove is radially aligned with the bead.
• the improved radial pressing tool can still be designed such that the surface features are present on both sides of the passage gap.
• the improved radial pressing tool can still be designed such that the surface features are located in the gap and/or on the face of the through-slot.
• the improved radial pressing tool can further be designed such that the surface features include a number of grooves or slots, which in particular extend radially towards the die bore and, most especially, have a depth that decreases towards the die bore.
• the improved radial pressing tool can still be designed such that the grooves or slots continue into an end face at the passage gap.
• Useful results are generally achieved by using a predefined radial pressing tool to find the axial working position before the forming process via the tactile positive locking in the contact between a collar or bead on the workpiece and the surface features in the area of the passage gap.
• a design of a multi-part movable radial pressing tool which is suitable for grouping several die elements in a ring shape to form a bore die in a closed setting and for forming a passage gap between two die elements in open settings, wherein the radial pressing tool includes a detent device which is configured to define a surmountable detent position in a number of open settings.
• the further improved radial press tool can also be designed such that several links are movably connected to each other in pairs by joints, and the parts of the locking device intended to overcome this movement are assigned to the respective joint and, in particular, integrated into the respective joint.
• the further improved radial press tool can still be designed such that a detent position specified by the detent device is in a partially open setting in which the width of the passage gap is insufficient for pushing through a workpiece suitable for machining with the axially profiled die bore.
• the further improved radial press tool can still be designed such that the partially open setting is determined in such a way that the detent device can be overcome by radially pushing the passage gap in the first open setting against the workpiece while expanding the passage gap.
• the further improved radial press tool can still be designed such that a detent position specified by the detent device is in a fully open setting in which the width of the passage gap is sufficient for pushing through a workpiece suitable for machining with the bore die while maintaining the detent position.
• the further improved radial press tool can also be equipped with a preloading device and, in particular, a closing spring, the preload of which, in at least one open position, is directed towards the contraction of the passage gap.
• the further improved radial pressing tool can be, in particular, a two-part pressing ring, a three-part pressing loop, or a three-part pressing pliers.
• the further improved radial pressing tool can have a hook or attachment point for a safety cable.
• this hook or attachment point can be located in the area of a pivot point between the movable parts.
• the hook or attachment point can be an eyelet or a hook.
• an intermediate jaw for driving a pressing ring or a pressing loop by means of an electro-hydraulic pressing machine, wherein the intermediate jaw also includes devices for attaching the pressing ring or pressing loop via a safety cable or an equivalent end-rigid connection.
• the end-rigid connection can include a safety cable.
• the safety cable can be attached to a winding device from which a limited length of the safety cable can be pulled out against a preset spring force.
• a method for forming a workpiece with a bead using a previously specified radial press tool and a drive device for its actuation comprises steps for providing the radial press tool in a first setting in which the width of the passage gap is insufficient for pushing through the workpiece intended for processing; for positioning the the passage gap at the bead of the workpiece and aligning the radial pressing tool with the bead using the surface features present at the passage gap to the intended machining position; sliding the radial pressing tool over the bead of the workpiece while widening the passage gap against a closing force; and moving the radial pressing tool into the closed position while forming the workpiece held by the die elements using the drive device.
• Figs. 1 to 6 show the construction of a first exemplary embodiment of a radial pressing tool 1, which is referred to generically as a press ring 1 in specialist circles and in the present case.
• the exemplary press ring 1 comprises two curved legs 2, 3, each of which is pivotally connected at one end by a joint about an axis A.
• the joint of the exemplary press ring 1 is formed by a bolt 4, which is inserted into aligned bores of comb-like interlocking end lugs 5, 6 on the legs 2, 3.
• the exemplary press ring 1 has two connection points 7, 8 for a drive device at the free ends of the legs 2, 3 projecting from the joint.
• the energy required to form a workpiece can be introduced into the exemplary press ring 1 via these connection points 7, 8.
• the connection points 7, 8 are designed for a pincer-like engagement of a special drive device and are specifically configured as conical caps.
• a drive device compatible with these connection points 7, 8 could, for example, include spherical pressure bolts to compensate for changes in the angle of attack at the connection points 7, 8 that occur when the legs 2, 3 pivot.
• the exemplary press ring 1 is two-part in the sense that the force-conducting structure running between the two connection points 7, 8 only comprises the legs 2, 3 and the joint.
• Each leg 2, 3 of the exemplary press ring 1 has an integral half-die formed as a die element 9 or 10.
• the die elements 9, 10 are designed such that they are in the closed position of the legs 2, 3, in particular according to Fig. 1 , assemble into a profiled bore die.
• the bore die of the exemplary press ring 1 is defined in the closed position, except for rounded edges, over the entire plane circumferential angle and allows, particularly with regard to the Figs. 3 and 4 , three different profile sections can be identified in the axial direction, which are explained below.
• a first profile section located exemplarily in the center of the die bore, defines a rounded groove 11 that is essentially circular.
• Second, exemplarily identical profile sections adjoin this groove 11 on both sides, defining essentially short, cylindrical bore sections 12, 13.
• third profile sections are provided on both sides, defining, in this exemplary embodiment, two hexagons 14, 15 of equal size and orientation.
• the die bore is divided in a plane in a manner known per se, wherein the four closing surfaces, which are opposite each other in the closed position of the exemplary press ring 1, extend directly adjacent to the die bore and across its entire axial extent on the legs 2 and 3 in the exemplary embodiment.
• the inner closing surface 16 located closer to the joint, and the outer closing surface 17, located further away from the joint, are designated.
• the contact of the outer closing surfaces defines the endpoint of the forming process in a manner known per se.
• the narrow gap on both sides of the die bore, bounded by the paired closing surfaces prevents material from flowing out shortly before the endpoint of the forming process.
• the exemplary press ring 1 has a number of surface features 18, 19 adjacent to the outer closing surfaces 17, which are exemplified as wedge-shaped recesses 18, 19 extending towards the end face. Between the beginning of the recesses 18, 19 and the die bore, a sufficiently wide space can be provided, according to the exemplary design. The section of the outer closing surfaces 17 remains. Due to the wedge-shaped depth of the recesses 18, 19, which increases towards the front face, these can form an insertion aid in a partially open position of the exemplary press ring, which will be discussed in the explanations for the Figs. 7 to 10 will be discussed in more detail.
• a closing spring 21 is inserted in an enlarged space 20 between the comb-like end tabs 4, 5, which is supported on each of the legs 2, 3 in a suitably arranged recess 22 or 23.
• the closing spring 21 in the exemplary press ring 1 is designed to hold the two legs 2, 3 in the closed position according to Fig. 1 to pre-tension the springs.
• a blind hole 24 is provided in the upper leg 2 of the exemplary press ring 1.
• This blind hole accommodates a ball 25, which is biased towards the opening of the blind hole 24 by a compression spring 26 located behind it.
• the ball 25 bears against a running surface 27 arranged on the lower leg 3 and shaped in a substantially concentric arc relative to the axis of the bolt 4.
• the running surface 27 has two recesses 28, 29 arranged at an angle to each other.
• the ball 25 slides or rolls on the running surface 27. This generates a small frictional torque in the region of the arcuate shape of the running surface 27, which opposes the movement.
• a pronounced detent moment occurs, which is directed towards the lowest position of the ball 25 in the respective depression 28, 29, regardless of the direction of movement.
• the force exerted by the closing spring 21 on the legs 2, 3 is dimensioned in all positions of the legs 2, 3 such that the resulting torque overcomes the aforementioned frictional torque of the ball 25, but remains below its detent torque in the recesses 28, 29.
• the exemplary press ring 1 will maintain each of the two detent positions in which the ball 16 is located in one of the two recesses 28, 29. The press ring 1 will not maintain other, non-closed positions outside the detent positions.
• designs of the closing spring 21, the compression spring 26, and the recesses 28, 29 are possible with which the exemplary press ring 1 automatically returns to the closed position from any position that does not correspond to a detent position.
• Such a design allows a user to first move the exemplary press ring 1 into one of the two exemplary detent positions, and then release it with a slight force. Furthermore, such a design ensures that the exemplary press ring 1 remains in the closed position or returns to it during storage and transport. This can be helpful in preventing damage to the surfaces of the die elements 9 and 10.
• the exemplary press ring 1 can be used in a manner known per se to create a positive-locking connection between an assembly consisting of a fitting 31 and a pipe end piece 32.
• the exemplary press ring 1 and similarly constructed radial press tools are often applied to the workpiece separately from the drive device required to generate the actuating force.
• the drive device is only connected afterwards. This can be helpful for the user if the working position would restrict maneuvering with the drive device for the purpose of aligning the radial press tool on the workpiece. In particular, in this case, the user can concentrate fully on correctly positioning the exemplary press ring 1 on the workpiece.
• the exemplary press ring 1 can, at the beginning of its application to the workpiece 30, in a first partially open position, reach the first detent position 28 according to Fig. 5
• the user can, for example, set the exemplary press ring 1 to the first detent position 28 before bringing it into contact with the workpiece 30.
• the exemplary press ring 1 will maintain this setting unless significant external forces cause the legs 2, 3 to pivot relatively.
• the user can bring the exemplary press ring 1 with its end face into contact with the workpiece 30, as shown schematically in the Fig. 7 This is illustrated.
• the bead 33 on the fitting 31 will be aligned with the recesses 18, 19. From an alignment slightly offset axially from this correct position, the user can easily find the correct alignment by slightly laterally shifting the exemplary pressing ring 1 on the bead 33 of the fitting 31. As soon as the exemplary pressing ring 1 reaches the correct position, the bead 33 of the fitting 31 will noticeably engage in the prismatic recess formed by the recesses 18, 19. This process can provide an attentive user with useful tactile feedback regarding the correct alignment between the exemplary pressing ring 1 and the workpiece 30.
• Fig. 8 to overcome the detent position and further unfold the legs 2, 3.
• the preload force of the closing spring 21 can help to ensure that the outer ends of the legs 2, 3 maintain continuous contact with the workpiece 30.
• the recesses 18, 19, which extend inwards to near the die bore, allow the user to maintain the lateral positive locking of the exemplary pressing tool 1 with the bead 33 of the fitting 31 until it overflows the short section of the outer closing surfaces 17 and enters the groove 11 of the die bore.
• the user can assist this by gently compressing the legs 2, 3, thereby positioning the exemplary pressing ring 1 correctly on the workpiece 30. Then, according to the schematic illustration in the Figs. 9 and 10 the bead 33 of the fitting 31 lies in the groove 11 of the die bore.
• the exemplary press ring 1 can in particular be designed to provide a sufficiently large closing force by means of the closing spring 21, which is sufficient to close the Figs. 7 to 10
• the leg 3 shown below is held securely against the workpiece against the force of gravity acting upon it in a real-world situation.
• a clamping force may be required that significantly exceeds what is necessary to compensate for the force of gravity. This assists the operator when attaching a drive device.
• a sufficiently large clamping force can prevent the exemplary press ring 1 from being unintentionally stripped from the workpiece 30 when the drive device is attached.
• the exemplary press ring 1 can be coupled with a suitable drive device.
• the drive device is in the Fig. 11 This is symbolized as an assembly consisting of an exemplary electro-hydraulic press 35 and an intermediate jaw 34.
• the intermediate jaw 34 has two legs 36a, 36b pivotally suspended in a common plane, which, for force transmission, engage with the connection points 7 of the exemplary press ring 1 via front pressure pins 37 facing away from the press 35. This is illustrated for the upper leg 36a in the cutaway section view.
• the pressure pins 37 can, in particular, be semi-spherical to allow for a limited selection of the angle between the plane of the exemplary press tool 1 and the plane of the legs 35, 36 of the intermediate jaw 34. Further details and possible embodiments are revealed in the publications. EP 1 201 371 B1 , EP 1972 394 B1 and EP 2 230 049 B1 , to which reference is further made here for the purpose of completeness and supplementation of the disclosure, with the note that identical terms may have a different meaning there.
• Fig. 12 it may be advantageous to attach the selected crimping ring to the intermediate jaws or crimping machine with a rigid end connection to prevent the ring from falling due to careless handling.
• This measure may be mandatory, particularly as fall protection when working on roofs and scaffolding, to protect people below from injury caused by falling objects.
• the fall protection can be limited to equipping the crimping ring and intermediate jaws with eyelets to which the ends of a short safety cable are attached.
• the attachment can be releasable from one or both sides.
• the releasable attachment can be implemented using carabiners, spring hooks, or hinged eyelets, particularly to accommodate the potential mechanical compatibility of the intermediate jaws with several different crimping rings.
• a further developed exemplary press ring 1' is equipped with a semi-circular eyelet 4a at the head of the bolt 4, which allows an attachment of a safety rope 38.
• the safety cable is a thin steel or synthetic fiber cable with a spring hook 38a at one free end.
• the other end of the safety cable 38 is attached to a winding device 39.
• the winding device 39 can be attached to the intermediate clamp 34, as shown in the example, and may comprise a round housing containing a spool and a spring mechanism for drawing the safety cable 38 through an opening 39a into the interior of the housing with minimal force.
• the exemplary winding device 39 ensures that only the required length of the safety cable 38 is available in all work situations. This helps to prevent unintentional knotting or entanglement of the free section of the safety cable 38.
• the safety cable of the crimping ring can also be attached to the crimping machine, which in the relevant scenarios always requires a connection by a safety cable.
• FIG. 13 to 15 Figure 1 shows the construction of a second exemplary embodiment 40 of a radial pressing tool, which is referred to in specialist circles and in this case generically as a pressing tool. Furthermore, the figures illustrate Figs. 14 and 15 a special way of handling the exemplary crimping tool 40.
• the force-conducting structure of the exemplary crimping pliers 40 comprises two two-armed levers 41, 42, which are connected to each other by a double-layered tab link 43. Since the tab link 43 has a The section of the force-conducting structure of the exemplary crimping tool 40 can be considered a three-part radial crimping tool. However, in the exemplary crimping tool 40, only the two levers 41, 42, and thus only two parts of the force-conducting structure, are equipped with die elements 45, 45. As with the previously described exemplary crimping ring 1, the die elements 44, 45 are also integrally formed with the force-conducting structure in the exemplary crimping tool 40. The two-armed levers 41, 42 are pivotally attached to the double-layered tab member 43 by two bolts 46, 47 to allow the die elements 44, 45 to pivot apart from the closed position shown.
• the outer ends of the exemplary crimping tool 40 projecting to the right, have two recesses 48, 49 arranged approximately centrally to the axial extent of the die bore. These recesses are designed to form a positive fit with a bead 33 of a workpiece 30 to be machined, both in the closed position and in some partially open positions of the exemplary crimping tool 40.
• the workpiece 30 to be machined can again be an assembly consisting of a pipe end 32 and a fitting 31.
• the recesses 48, 49 can be designed as grooves or slots.
• the recesses can be arcuate or prismatic to allow for positive locking in two directions.
• a user can bring the exemplary crimping tool 40, in its closed position, from an approximately radial direction until it makes contact with the bead 33 of the fitting 31 and then search for the tactile positive fit between the bead 33 and the recesses.
• the operator can slowly open the exemplary crimping tool 40 while maintaining contact and slide the front ends over the fitting.
• the positive locking between the bead 33 and the recesses will help the operator to maintain the previously established axial alignment of the exemplary crimping tool 40 with respect to the fitting 31.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Automatic Assembly (AREA)
• Mounting, Exchange, And Manufacturing Of Dies (AREA)

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• 2021
  • 2021-11-08 EP EP21810528.6A patent/EP4251372B1/fr active Active
  • 2021-11-08 WO PCT/DE2021/100886 patent/WO2022111753A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2021-11-08 EP EP25000097.3A patent/EP4644016A3/fr active Pending
  • 2021-11-08 DE DE112021006112.7T patent/DE112021006112A5/de active Pending

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