Method for reliably pressing a press fitting

Abstract

A method for reliably pressing a press fitting comprises the steps of providing a locked press; identifying the press fitting; unlocking the press according to the identified press fitting; and pressing the press fitting by means of the unlocked press.

Description

[0001] Procedure for safely pressing a press fitting

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for safely pressing a press fitting and a system for carrying out the method.

[0003] Electric or electro-hydraulic pressing devices are used to press fittings in pipe connection technology. The pressing tool, for example in the form of pressing jaws or a pressing collar, must be suitable for the press fittings being used. High forces are generated during pressing, so using the wrong press fitting can damage the workpiece, the pressing tool or the pressing device, and even pose a risk of injury to the user. To ensure safe pressing, the manufacturer / distributor of the pressing device or the pressing jaws usually provides press fittings that are precisely matched to one another. However, the user can also use other press fittings, particularly those from other manufacturers, which could then lead to the aforementioned risks.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for the safe pressing of a press fitting.

[0005] The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a system according to one of claims 13 or 14.

[0006] The method according to the invention for safely pressing a press fitting comprises the following steps:

[0007] Providing a locked pressing device;

[0008] Identifying the press fitting; unlocking the pressing device depending on the identified press fitting; and

[0009] Carry out the pressing of the press fitting with the unlocked pressing device.

[0010] The pressing device in particular has an electric or electro-hydraulic drive. The movement and force of the drive is transferred to a pressing tool. In particular, the pressing tool is a set of pressing jaws, a pressing ring or a pressing collar. By means of the pressing tool, the pressing force of the pressing device is transferred to a press fitting for pressing onto a workpiece. According to the present invention, the pressing device is initially locked. In this case, locking the pressing device precisely prevents pressing by the pressing device. The locking can be mechanical, so that, for example, no movement of the pressing tool and therefore no pressing of the press fitting can take place. Alternatively, the locking is carried out electronically, for example by disconnecting the drive from its power supply, such as a battery or the like.This differs significantly from a pressing force or drive control adapted to the press fitting. In particular, such an adaptation of the pressing force to a particular press fitting does not preclude the pressing tool from continuing to move, for example, with standard parameters. This can lead to improper pressing, injury to the operator, or damage to the pressing tool. Thus, according to the present invention, a complete blocking is achieved, preventing any mechanical movement or any operation of the pressing tool. The press fitting is then identified. Depending on the identified press fitting, the pressing tool is then unlocked so that pressing can then be carried out with the pressing tool. This ensures that pressing can only take place with identified press fittings.The use of an incorrect press fitting or a press fitting from a different manufacturer / distributor than the press tool or pressing tool can thus be ruled out. This ensures reliable pressing, as it is ensured that the press tool is compatible with the press fitting to be pressed and is matched to the press fitting in terms of pressing force, pressing path, and other pressing parameters. In particular, the pressing force, pressing path, and / or other pressing parameters can be adapted to the identified press fitting.

[0011] Preferably, unlocking the pressing device, depending on the identified press fitting, includes determining whether the identified press fitting fits the pressing device. If the identified press fitting fits the pressing device, the pressing device is unlocked. However, if the identified press fitting does not fit the pressing device, the pressing device is not unlocked, and pressing of the non-fitting press fitting by the pressing device is prevented.

[0012] Preferably, the press fitting and / or a packaging unit of the press fitting has a marking for identifying the press fitting. The marking can be, for example, a barcode, a QR code, or an NFC / RFID tag. This makes it easy to identify the press fitting and / or a packaging unit of the press fitting. The packaging unit refers to the outer packaging of the press fitting. In particular, such a packaging unit contains one or more press fittings.

[0013] Preferably, the press fitting is identified using the press tool. For example, the press tool can be equipped with a camera or an NFC / RFID chip to identify the press fitting or the press fitting packaging unit.

[0014] The press fitting and / or a packaging unit of the press fitting is preferably identified using a user terminal. The user terminal is, for example, a smartphone or the like. To identify the press fitting and / or a packaging unit of the press fitting, the user terminal has, in particular, a camera. The camera can, for example, detect a marking formed from a barcode or QR code to identify the press fitting. Alternatively or additionally, the user terminal has an NFC / RFID chip, wherein the press fitting and / or the packaging unit of the press fitting has an NFC / RFID tag that can be detected by the NFC / RFID chip of the user terminal to identify the press fitting. Furthermore, the user terminal is connected to the pressing device to unlock the pressing device.In particular, the user terminal is wirelessly connected to the pressing device via a radio connection, which is particularly designed as a Bluetooth radio connection. Thus, after identifying the press fitting and / or the packaging unit of the press fitting, an unlocking instruction can be transmitted from the user terminal to the pressing device to unlock the pressing device.

[0015] The user terminal preferably has a communication connection to a server. The communication connection can be embodied as a wireless communication connection. The wireless communication connection is, for example, a WLAN, WiFi, GSM, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G or a subsequent standard. Identification data for identifying the press fitting is generated by the user terminal and transmitted to the server. The identification data can, for example, be an image of the press fitting, with the press fitting being identified by image recognition. Alternatively, the identification data can be a marking, such as a barcode or a QR code, which is affixed to the press fitting and / or the packaging unit of the press fitting.Alternatively or additionally, the identification data transmitted to the server can be an NFC / RFID ID stored on an NFC / RFID tag attached to the press fitting and / or the packaging unit for the press fitting. The press fitting can then be identified on the server using the identification data. Alternatively, identification occurs on the user device, so that the identification of the press fitting itself is transmitted to the server as identification data. Identification occurs via the user device, and the identification data is only transmitted to the server upon verification of a suitable press fitting.

[0016] Preferably, the user terminal has a communication connection to a server, wherein, after the press fitting has been identified, an unlocking instruction is generated by the server and transmitted to the user terminal. For example, if the press fitting is identified based on transmitted identification data on the server, an unlocking instruction can be generated by the server and transmitted to the user terminal, and from the user terminal to the pressing device to unlock the pressing device. In particular, the communication connection used is the same communication connection via which the identification data is transmitted to the server.If, for example, the press fitting is identified on the user's device, the identification can be transmitted to the server as identification data, and the server can then generate an unlocking instruction and transmit it back to the user's device. The unlocking instruction is then transmitted from the user's device to the pressing device to unlock the pressing device. By unlocking the pressing device via the server, the manufacturer of the pressing device can prevent non-approved press fittings from being pressed using the pressing device. In some circumstances, the manufacturer could also prevent a defective batch of press fittings from being pressed, so that the defective press fittings can be replaced with faultless ones as part of a product recall. Inadvertent pressing of defective press fittings can therefore be prevented by the manufacturer orOperator of the server can be prevented. Pressing data is preferably transmitted to the server via the user terminal to document the pressing process. The pressing data may include, for example, the time of pressing, a pressing device ID, an error status which indicates device errors and / or pressing errors, or the like. This can also be used to record, for example, the number of pressings carried out by the pressing device. If the number of pressings carried out by the pressing device exceeds a limit and, for example, maintenance of the pressing device is necessary to ensure continued safe operation, the server can prevent the pressing device from being unlocked for further use until maintenance has been carried out. The same applies if errors are detected internally in the device.These can then be documented on the server and at the same time used to prevent the pressing device from being unlocked for further use.

[0017] The press fitting is preferably identified by identifying a packaging unit of the press fitting, wherein the packaging unit contains a number of identical press fittings. The pressing tool is unlocked for the number of pressings. If a packaging unit contains, for example, 10 identical press fittings, the pressing tool can also be unlocked for 10 pressings. After the 10th pressing has been carried out, the pressing tool is then locked and is no longer accessible for further use. Alternatively, if, for example, the press fitting is designed as a socket, the pressing tool can be unlocked for two pressings per socket, for example for 10 sockets for 20 pressings. Alternatively, if, for example, the press fitting is designed as a T-piece, the pressing tool can be unlocked for three pressings per T-piece, for example for 30 pressings with 10 T-pieces.In general, the pressing tool can be unlocked for a number of pressing operations required to fully use up / press all press fittings in the respective packaging unit. This ensures that only approved press fittings, in particular by the manufacturer / distributor of the pressing tool, are used. At the same time, it is not necessary to identify each individual press fitting and then obtain unlocking of the pressing tool for this purpose. Instead, approval is given for a corresponding number of pressing operations for the number of press fittings in a packaging unit, which simplifies handling and enables faster work. Preferably, the pressing tool is locked again after the pressing operation or the number of pressing operations has been completed. This ensures that further pressing of unsuitable press fittings using the pressing tool is avoided.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system with a pressing device, wherein the pressing device has a processor and a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, carry out the steps of the method as described above. In particular, the pressing device has a device for identifying the press fittings. This can be, for example, a camera, an NFC / RFID chip, or the like.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising a pressing device and a user terminal, wherein the pressing device has a communication interface for connection to the user terminal. The communication interface can be a wireless communication interface, e.g., implemented via Bluetooth. Furthermore, the user terminal has a processor and a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, carry out the steps of the method as described above. In particular, the user terminal has a camera for identifying the press fittings or an NFC / RFID chip.

[0020] Preferably, the two aforementioned systems are further developed based on the features of the method described above. For example, the system can comprise a server, with identification data being transmitted from the user terminal to the server for identifying the press fitting.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a system comprising a first pressing device, at least one second pressing device, and a user terminal. The first pressing device and the second pressing device have a communication interface for connection to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal is designed to identify a press fitting and / or a packaging unit of press fittings. The user terminal is further designed to transmit an unlocking instruction, in particular selectively to the first pressing device and / or the second pressing device. This makes it possible for owners of multiple pressing devices to flexibly distribute their quota of pressings among different pressing devices. Thus, if the owner purchases a larger number of press fittings, a corresponding quota of pressings can be made available in order to completely press / use up the corresponding number of press fittings.This does not have to be done with one and the same pressing device, but can be done with different pressing devices.

[0022] Preferably, the system has more than two pressing devices.

[0023] Preferably, the first pressing device and the second pressing device are connected to the same user terminal for unlocking.

[0024] Preferably, the first pressing device is connected to a first user terminal and the second pressing device is connected to a second user terminal, wherein the first user terminal and the second user terminal are different user terminals. Both user terminals are connected to a common server, wherein the server generates a first unlocking instruction and transmits it to the first user terminal to unlock the first pressing device and / or generates a second unlocking instruction and transmits it to the second user terminal to unlock the second pressing device. A quota for the owner can be stored on the server. This quota can be flexibly distributed across multiple pressing devices and, in particular, used by different users of the terminals. This is particularly advantageous if an owner owns multiple pressing devices that are used, for example, in different locations.

[0025] Preferably, the user terminal configured to identify the press fitting and / or the packaging unit is different from the user terminal configured to transmit an unlocking instruction to the first pressing device and / or the second pressing device, in particular to the first user terminal and the second user terminal. Thus, the press fitting and / or the packaging unit can be identified using a third user terminal. A quota of pressings derived therefrom, which allows complete pressing of all identified press fittings and / or all press fittings of a packaging unit, can then be stored, for example, by the third user terminal on a server for the common owner.The stored quota can be reduced if the server transmits an unlocking instruction to one of the first, second, or third user devices to unlock a press tool connected to the respective user device. This eliminates the need for the same person or the same user device to identify the press fitting and / or packaging unit and subsequently unlock it. By centrally storing a corresponding quota, all press tools belonging to an owner can be unlocked and used, for example, by different users and their user devices.

[0026] Furthermore, the system is further developed based on the features of the method described above and the preceding systems.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of the present invention,

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the method according to the present invention in a first embodiment,

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the method according to the present invention in a further embodiment and

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the method according to the present invention in a further embodiment.

[0032] Reference is made to Figure 1. In step SO1, a locked pressing device is provided. The pressing device comprises, in particular, a drive and a pressing tool by means of which a press fitting can be pressed. The pressing tool can be, for example, pressing jaws, a pressing ring, or a pressing collar, by means of which the force and movement of the drive are transmitted to the press fitting.

[0033] In step S02 the press fitting is identified and in step S03 the pressing device is unlocked depending on the identified press fitting.

[0034] In step S04, the press fitting is pressed using the unlocked pressing device.

[0035] Therefore, the identification of the press fitting is required to unlock the pressing tool. The locked pressing tool can be either mechanically or electronically locked and is therefore not available for pressing a press fitting. Only after the press fitting has been identified and, in particular, after it has been determined that the identified press fitting is compatible with the pressing tool, is the pressing tool unlocked so that pressing can be carried out with the pressing tool. This ensures that only those press fittings that have previously been identified as suitable are used with the pressing tool. After the pressing process has been carried out or a specified number of pressing processes have been carried out, the pressing tool is locked again and is therefore not usable for further pressing processes.

[0036] Reference is made to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a pressing device 10 with a pressing tool 12 and a press fitting 14. The press fitting 14 has a marking 16, which can be designed, for example, as a barcode or QR code. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the press fitting 14 is identified by the pressing device 10. For this purpose, the pressing device 10 can, for example, have a camera or the like for detecting (represented by the dashed line 22) the marking 16. Upon successful identification of the press fitting 14, the pressing device 10 is unlocked and is ready to press the press fitting 14.

[0037] In the following, reference is made to Figure 3. In Figure 3, the same or identical components are identified by the same reference numeral.

[0038] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the press fitting 14 is identified by a user terminal 18. The press fitting 14 is identified by means of the user terminal 18, which is, for example, a smartphone. This can be done by optical identification, which is represented by the dashed line 22. At the same time, the user terminal 18 is connected to the pressing device via a wireless communication connection 20, which is, for example, designed as a Bluetooth connection. If the press fitting 14 is successfully identified by the user terminal 18, an unlocking instruction can be transmitted from the user terminal 18 to the pressing device 10, thus unlocking the pressing device 10 for pressing the press fitting 14. Thus, pressing can only take place if a suitable press fitting 14 is actually available and, in particular, from the same manufacturer / distributor as the pressing device 10.The manufacturer / distributor of the pressing device 10 can thus easily influence the press fittings 14 used by the user. In particular, the user terminal 18 can have software / application (app) that is executed by the user terminal 18 and performs the steps of identifying the press fitting 14 and transmitting the unlocking instruction to the pressing device 10.

[0039] Reference is made below to Figure 4, wherein in the embodiment of Figure 4, the same or identical components are identified by the same reference numbers.

[0040] In addition to the embodiment of Figure 3, the embodiment of Figure 4 additionally has a server 24, which is designed, for example, as a cloud server. The user terminal 18 and the server 24 are connected to one another by a wireless communication connection 26. The wireless communication connection 26 is, for example, a WI-FI, WiFi, GSM, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G connection, or a connection of another telephone standard or wireless communication standard. Identification data from the press fitting 14 can be captured by the user terminal and then transmitted to the server. The identification of the press fitting 14 can thus take place, for example, on the server 24.Upon successful identification of the press fitting 14, the server 24 then generates an unlocking instruction and transmits it to the user terminal 18 and then, via the wireless communication connection 20, to the pressing device 10 to unlock the pressing device 10. The press fitting 14 can then be pressed using the pressing device 10. Alternatively, identification already takes place on the user terminal 18, analogous to the embodiment in Figure 3, wherein the identification data transmitted to the server 24 already include the identified press fitting, and the server 24 then simply generates an unlocking instruction to unlock the pressing device 10. This allows central administration on the server 24.Multiple use, for example, of the marking 16 to unlock a pressing tool 10 or multiple pressing tools 10 can thus be ruled out due to the central management on the server 24. This prevents misuse and ensures that the pressing device 10 is unlocked exactly once per existing press fitting 14.

[0041] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2-4, identification of the press fitting 14 is carried out based on the press fitting itself. Alternatively, identification of the press fitting 14 can also be carried out based on the packaging unit of the press fitting 14. Several identical press fittings can be packaged together in the packaging unit. This allows the pressing tool 10 to be unlocked upon identification of the packaging unit, which makes it possible to press all of the press fittings 14 from the respective packaging unit. If, for example, the packaging unit has ten press fittings, the pressing tool 10 is unlocked for ten pressings. After the ten pressings have been carried out, the pressing tool is locked again and is not accessible for further use. Depending on the fitting type (socket, T-piece or the like), the pressing tool can be unlocked for more than one pressing per press fitting.The pressing device can be unlocked for a number of pressing operations that are required to completely use up / press all press fittings of the respective packaging unit.

[0042] This ensures that the pressing tool 10 is only used with press fittings 14 for which it is designed, tested, and approved. The use of press fittings 14 from other manufacturers, for example, which would pose a significant safety risk, is specifically excluded.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Procedure for safely pressing a press fitting with the following steps: Providing a locked pressing device; Identifying the press fitting; Unlocking the pressing device depending on the identified press fitting; and Carry out the pressing of the press fitting with the unlocked pressing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking the pressing device depending on the identified press fitting comprises: determining whether the identified press fitting matches the pressing device and if the identified press fitting matches the pressing device, unlocking the pressing device and if the identified press fitting does not match the pressing device, not unlocking the pressing device.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the press fitting and / or a packaging unit of the press fitting has a marking for identification, wherein the marking is a barcode or a QR code.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification of the press fitting is carried out by means of the pressing device.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the identification of the press fitting and / or a packaging unit of the press fitting takes place by means of a user terminal, wherein the user terminal is connected to the pressing device for unlocking the pressing device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the user terminal is connected to the pressing device wirelessly, in particular by means of Bluetooth.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the user terminal is connected to a server by means of a communication connection and, in order to identify the press fitting, identification data are generated by the user terminal and transmitted to the server.

8. Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the user terminal is connected to a server by means of a communication connection and, after identification, an unlocking instruction is generated by the server and transmitted to the user terminal.

9. Method according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the server generates an unlocking instruction and transmits it to the user terminal without identification of the press fitting by the server.

10. Method according to one of claims 5 to 9, in which pressing data are transmitted to the server by means of the user terminal for the purpose of documenting the pressing process.

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the press fitting is identified by identifying a packaging unit of the press fitting, wherein the packaging unit contains a number of identical press fittings and the pressing device is unlocked for the number of pressings.

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that after the pressing or the number of pressings has been carried out, the pressing device is locked.

13. A system comprising a pressing device, the pressing device comprising a processor and a memory unit, the memory unit storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A system comprising a pressing device and a user terminal, wherein the pressing device has a communication interface for connection to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal has a processor and a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 5 to 10 and 11 to 12 when dependent on claim 5.

15. System with a first pressing device, at least one second pressing device and a user terminal, wherein the first pressing device and the second pressing device have a communication interface for connection to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal is designed to identify a press fitting and / or a packaging unit of press fittings, wherein the user terminal is further designed to transmit an unlocking instruction to the first pressing device and / or the second pressing device.

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