Press

Abstract

Pressing device for pressing a workpiece. The pressing device comprises a housing, a tool holder connected to the housing for receiving a pressing tool, and an operating element for operating the pressing device, wherein the operating element extends at least partially along the circumference of the housing.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressing device for pressing a workpiece and in particular to an operating element of such a pressing device.

[0002] Electromechanical or electrohydraulic pressing devices are used for pressing workpieces, particularly for connecting pipes using press fittings. Known pressing devices typically have a pressing tool that is detachably or permanently connected to a tool holder of the pressing device. A drive device is provided in the pressing device, by means of which a pressing force is generated, which is transferred to the pressing tool, so that the press fitting or other workpiece held by the pressing tool is pressed. Such pressing tools are known, for example, from DE 20 2006 001 889 U1.

[0003] In this type of pressing, the orientation of the pressing tool is determined by the orientation of the workpiece. This can lead to problems, especially in confined spaces where the pressing tool is used, as the orientation of the pressing tool also determines the orientation of the pressing tool.

[0004] To enable the most unhindered use of the pressing tool, known pressing tools are essentially cylindrical in shape, thus having a rod-like shape. In particular, the power supply (e.g., a battery), the drive unit, and the tool holder are arranged on a common axial axis. This allows the pressing tool to rotate around this axial axis, allowing the pressing tool to be adjusted accordingly to the orientation of the press fitting or workpiece.

[0005] To start the pressing process, known pressing devices have an operating element, which is designed as a button, for example. This button is arranged in particular on the top side of the pressing device. However, particularly in confined spaces, it can happen that the operating element of the known pressing devices is no longer accessible to the user or is covered. The user must therefore detach the pressing device from the press fitting and find a position of the pressing device relative to the press fitting or workpiece that allows the pressing device to be activated. This is time-consuming and carries the risk that such pressing cannot be carried out at all at the respective location, since there is no way to place the pressing device on the press fitting or workpiece and at the same time reach the operating element.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to create a pressing device which can be used in a variety of ways.

[0007] The object is achieved by a pressing device according to claim 1.

[0008] The pressing device for pressing a workpiece according to the present invention has a housing. In particular, an electromechanical or electrohydraulic drive unit is arranged in the housing. In particular, the housing has a power supply or a battery is arranged in the housing or is connected / connectable to the housing. The user grips the pressing device by the housing during use. A tool holder for holding a pressing tool is connected to the housing. The pressing tool can be permanently or detachably connected to the tool holder of the pressing device. In particular, the tool holder or the pressing tool is not rotatable relative to the housing. This simplifies the design of the tool holder or the pressing device and, in particular, due to the present invention, it is no longer necessary to ensure relative rotatability of the pressing tool relative to the housing.For this purpose, the pressing device of the present invention has an operating element for operating the pressing device. The operating element extends at least partially along the circumference of the housing. The operating element is therefore no longer arranged only on the top side of the pressing device, as in the prior art. Rather, the operating element can be reached from different sides to operate the pressing device, as the operating element extends partially along the circumference of the housing. It is therefore no longer necessary to rotate the pressing device in such a way that the operating element is accessible to the user. Instead, the operating element is accessible from different sides of the pressing device, thus preventing it from being completely inaccessible or covered in the respective usage situation. In particular, the operating element is accessible regardless of whether the user is left-handed or right-handed.There is no need to adjust the pressing device to suit the individual user.

[0009] Preferably, the operating element is accessible from at least two sides and in particular three sides of the housing, or the operating element extends over at least two and in particular three sides of the housing. In other words, the operating element extends over an angle of at least 90°, preferably at least 180°, and particularly preferably over an angle of at least 270°. In particular, if the surface of the housing is not completely circular, the angle of the operating element can correspond to an angle on a cylindrical projection surface. The vertex of the angle lies in particular on the axial axis of the housing or on an axis in the axial direction through the geometric center at the location of the operating element. The legs of the angle connect the vertex of the angle with the starting point or end point of the operating element. This ensures that the operating element of the pressing device is always accessible to the user.

[0010] Preferably, the control element extends across the entire circumference of the housing. This allows the control element to be operated from all sides of the pressing device and thus activated by the user from any position.

[0011] Preferably, the operating element is arranged between the housing and the tool holder. Particularly in the case of a rod-shaped, hand-held pressing device, the area between the housing and the tool holder is easily accessible to the user. An operating element arranged between the housing and the tool holder of the pressing device can be reached ergonomically easily by the user.

[0012] Preferably, the housing defines a handle section by which a user can grip the pressing device during use. The operating element is arranged directly adjacent to the handle section, in particular in the direction of the tool holder. This means that the operating element does not have to be arranged between the tool holder and the housing. Instead, the operating element is directly adjacent to the handle section by which the user grips the pressing device. In this way, the operating element is ergonomically easy to reach and can be arranged at any position on the housing so that it is easily accessible for the user.

[0013] Preferably, the housing and in particular the pressing device are cylindrical. The housing and the tool holder are arranged on a common axial axis. In particular, the pressing device has a rod shape. Other components, such as a power supply via a battery or the like, are also arranged on this axial axis. "Cylindrical design" does not mean that the pressing device follows the shape of an exact cylinder. Rather, the pressing device has a substantially cylindrical shape, so that the pressing device has a greater extension along the axial axis than perpendicular to this axial axis.

[0014] The operating element is preferably rotatable to activate the pressing device. In particular, the operating element is rotatable around the axial axis of the housing. For example, the operating element can be rotated by 5°-10° to operate the pressing device. In particular, rotation in both directions can further increase the pressing device's activation options for the user and also make it easy to use for both left-handed and right-handed users.

[0015] Preferably, the operating element has one or more cams, wherein the cams extend axially so that these cams can be used by the user to transmit a force to the operating element, in particular to rotate the operating element.

[0016] Preferably, the operating element has at least three and in particular four cams, which are arranged, for example, at an angle of 70-100° and in particular 90° to one another, so that at least one cam is always accessible to the user from each side of the pressing device.

[0017] Preferably, the cams have a rubber coating to improve the power transmission to the control element.

[0018] Alternatively, the operating element can be moved, particularly in the axial direction of the housing, to activate the pressing device. Thus, the pressing device is activated by axially moving the operating element. In particular, the operating element can be moved toward the tool holder and / or moved in the opposite direction away from the tool holder.

[0019] Preferably, the operating element has an at least partially and in particular completely circumferential edge, wherein the edge protrudes from the operating element for operation by the user. Thus, the user can transmit an activation force to the operating element via the circumferential edge. For this purpose, a frictional connection is created between the circumferential edge and, for example, the user's thumb, so that a movement of the thumb over the circumferential edge results in a displacement of the operating element.

[0020] In particular, the surrounding edge can have a rubber coating so that force can be transmitted to the control element particularly easily.

[0021] The operating element is preferably transparent, with an illuminated element arranged beneath the operating element. The illuminated element can be used to particularly highlight the operating element, so that the operating element is always visible even in poorly lit installation situations and can therefore be reached by the user. Alternatively or additionally, the illuminated element is designed as a status indicator, so that the color of the light emitted by the illuminated element reflects the status of the pressing device. For example, the illuminated element can emit a green light if the pressing device is ready for pressing and has no errors. Furthermore, the illuminated element can emit a red light if there is an error in the pressing device or if pressing is currently in progress. However, these are only examples, and other colors of the illuminated element for other statuses are also possible.

[0022] Preferably, the control element has a different color than the housing. This can, in particular, be a signal color so that the control element is clearly visible to the user and can therefore be easily grasped and reached.

[0023] The operating element preferably has a spring element, wherein the operating element is preloaded by the spring element towards an initial position. Thus, the operating element can be deflected from this initial position by the user's actuation, for example by displacement in the axial direction or rotation as described above. The spring element returns the operating element to its initial position after the user releases the operating element. Furthermore, the spring element ensures that unintentional actuation of the operating element is prevented, since the operating element must be moved against the spring force of the spring element. The user must therefore apply a required minimum force to activate the pressing device.

[0024] The spring element is preferably a spiral spring, a leaf spring, an element made of an elastic material such as rubber, or an element, in particular a housing element, which is elastic and is therefore deformable.

[0025] Preferably, the surface of the operating element is flush with the outer surface of the housing or the tool holder. This creates a closed surface, particularly of the housing. Accidental snagging on a protruding operating element is thus prevented. Alternatively, the operating element can at least partially cover an outer surface of the housing. This ensures that no dirt or foreign matter can get between the operating element and the housing and cause malfunction or damage to the pressing device. In particular, the cams and the edge described above can protrude from the outer surface.

[0026] Preferably, the operating element is connected to a control device of the pressing device, wherein the control device is designed to initiate a pressing process upon actuation of the operating element. In particular, the operating element must be activated twice for this purpose. This prevents unintentional activation of the pressing device.

[0027] This creates a pressing tool that can be connected to a workpiece in various positions. In particular, the pressing tool can be rotated about its axial axis for connection to a press fitting or a workpiece. The operating element is always accessible to the user, as the operating element extends at least partially around the circumference of the pressing tool's housing.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0029] They show: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the present invention and Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment.

[0030] In the Figure 1 and 2a pressing tool 10 is shown which is in rod form and thus essentially cylindrical along an axial axis 11. The pressing device 10 has a housing 12, at the first end of which a battery 16 is arranged as a power supply. At the opposite second end, a tool holder 14 is arranged, to which a pressing tool (not shown) is detachably or permanently connected for pressing a workpiece or a press fitting. An electromechanical or electrohydraulic drive device is provided in the housing 12, which generates the necessary pressing forces and transmits them to the pressing tool. A handle section 15 is defined by the housing 12. The user grips the pressing device 10 in the area of the handle section 15 and, for example, with the thumb can reach an operating element 18 which is directly adjacent to the handle section 15.In particular, the operating element 18 is arranged between the tool holder 14 and the housing 12 and is thus easily accessible to the user. The operating element 18 extends along the circumference of the housing. In the embodiment of the . Figure 1 The operating element 18 is designed so that it extends over the entire circumference of the housing, i.e., has a 360° extension and is thus accessible from every side of the pressing device 10. The pressing device 10 can thus be freely rotated, while the operating element 18 always remains accessible to the user.

[0031] The control element 18 in the embodiment of the Figure 1is designed to be rotatable according to the arrows 20, 20' for activating the operating element 18. Thus, for example, a rotation of 5-10° around the axial axis 11 of the pressing device 10 can trigger an activation of the operating element 18. As indicated by the arrow 20, the operating element 18 can be rotated in a first direction for activating the operating element and alternatively also in an opposite second direction (according to the arrow 20') for activation. The operating element 18 is guided by spring elements towards an initial position, shown in the Figure 1, preloaded. The spring element can be, for example, a leaf spring or several coil springs or the like. The one or more spring elements require a minimum force, which must be applied by the user, to rotate the control element 18 according to the arrows 20, 20'. Only then is the control element 18 activated. This prevents unintentional activation of the control element 18.

[0032] For improved transmission of the user's force to the operating element 18, the operating element 18 in the embodiment of the Figure 1 Cams 24, which extend axially and are arranged at a distance of 90° from one another. Thus, at least one cam 24 is accessible from each side of the pressing device 10, so that the operating element 18 can be rotated by the user using the cams 24 according to the arrows 20, 20'.

[0033] In a further embodiment shown in the Figure 2 the operating element 18 is displaceable according to the arrow 26 and in particular displaceable in the direction of the tool holder 14. Alternatively, the operating element 18 of the embodiment of the Figure 2 have a displaceability in both directions, so that when the operating element 18 is moved in the direction of the tool holder 14 or in the opposite direction, the operating element 18 is activated. In this case, the operating element 18 is also an embodiment of Figure 2 pre-tensioned by means of one or more spring elements in the direction of an initial position, so that the operating element 18 is moved out of this initial position by the user and when the operating element 18 is subsequently released, it moves back into the initial position.

[0034] For a better transmission of the user's force to the operating element 18, the operating element 18 can be designed according to the embodiment of the Figure 2 have a protruding edge 28. This protruding edge can be grasped by the user and the control element 18 can be moved according to the arrow 26.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment. Here, the operating element 18 is arranged according to the embodiment of Figure 1formed, although the operating element is not designed to be completely circumferential. Rather, the operating element extends over an angle 32. This angle is at least 90°, in particular at least 180° and preferably at least 270°. The angle apex of the angle 32 lies on the axial axis 11 or the geometric center of the housing 12 at the location of the operating element. The angle legs 30A and 30B connect the angle apex to a starting point 18A or an end point 18B of the operating element. The relevant angle points in the direction of the operating element 18. Thus, it is not necessary for the operating element 18 to extend over the entire circumference. Rather, it may already be sufficient if the operating element is accessible from a sufficient number of sides.

Claims

1. Pressing device for pressing a workpiece, comprising a housing, a tool holder connected to the housing for receiving a pressing tool and an operating element for operating the pressing device, wherein the operating element extends at least partially along the circumference of the housing.

2. Pressing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element extends over at least three sides of the housing or over at least 90° and in particular at least 180°.

3. Pressing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element extends over the entire circumference of the housing.

4. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the operating element is arranged between the housing and the tool holder.

5. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe housing defines a handle section by which a user can grip the pressing device during use, wherein the operating element is arranged immediately adjacent to the handle section in the direction of the tool holder.

6. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing and in particular the pressing device is cylindrical.

7. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the operating element is rotatable for activation, wherein the operating element is rotatable in particular in one direction and preferably in two directions.

8. Pressing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating element has one or more axially extending cams for operation by the user.

9. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe operating element is displaceable, in particular in the axial direction of the housing, for activation, wherein the operating element is displaceable in particular in one direction and preferably in two directions.

10. Pressing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the operating element has an at least partially and in particular completely circumferential edge, wherein the edge protrudes for operation by the user.

11. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the operating element is transparent and a lighting element is arranged below the operating element, wherein in particular the lighting element is designed as a status indicator.

12. Pressing device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the operating element has a spring element, wherein the operating element is pretensioned by the spring element in the direction of an initial position.

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