Securing ring tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining ring tool comprising a first actuating lever (101), a second actuating lever (103), a first tip (113), and a second tip (115); wherein the first tip (113) and the second tip (115) are configured to engage in a mounting hole of a retaining ring; wherein the first tip (113) is rigidly fixed in the first actuating lever (101); and wherein the first actuating lever (101) and the second actuating lever (103) are pivotably mounted relative to each other.The retaining ring tool has a cam mechanism with a cam carrier (107) rotatably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101) and a probe (109) slidably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101); wherein the second tip (115) is slidably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101) and kinematically coupled to the probe (109); and wherein the second actuating lever (103) is rotatably connected to the cam carrier (107).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a retaining ring tool according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Tools for installing and removing large retaining rings are available as commercial products. These tools use a spindle drive to open and close the retaining rings. This drive is subject to significant wear with frequent use. Furthermore, operating the spindle drive is time-consuming.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of providing a locking tool that is improved compared to the prior art. This objective is achieved by a retaining ring tool according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are included in the dependent claims and will become apparent from the following description and the figure.

[0004] A retaining ring tool is a tool used to open and close retaining rings. Retaining rings are standardized in DIN 471 and DIN 472.

[0005] For installation and removal, each retaining ring has two mounting holes. The retaining ring tool engages one mounting hole of the retaining ring to be installed or removed with a first tip and a second tip. Actuating the retaining ring tool changes the distance between the first and second tips. This also changes the distance between the mounting holes. Consequently, the retaining ring expands or contracts.

[0006] The retaining ring tool according to the invention has a first actuating lever and a second actuating lever for actuation. The first tip is rigidly fixed in the first actuating lever, meaning that no relative movement is possible between the first tip and the first actuating lever. Furthermore, the first actuating lever and the second actuating lever are pivotable relative to each other, meaning they are rotatable by an angle of less than 360° relative to each other.

[0007] The retaining ring tool is actuated by pivoting the first and second actuating levers relative to each other. Preferably, actuation is achieved by pressing the first and second actuating levers together. This reduces the angle between the first and second actuating levers.

[0008] According to the invention, a cam mechanism serves as a device for changing the distance between the first tip and the second tip. A cam mechanism is an arrangement comprising a cam carrier and a probe. The probe is in contact with a surface of the cam carrier that runs along a curve. When the cam carrier moves relative to the probe, the probe moves, preferably sliding or rolling, along this surface. This translates a movement of the cam carrier into a movement of the probe.

[0009] In this case, the cam carrier is rotatably mounted relative to the first actuating lever. In particular, the cam carrier can be rotatably mounted in the first actuating lever. The stylus is displaceably mounted relative to the first actuating lever, i.e., translationally movable. Preferably, the cam carrier is movable relative to the first actuating lever with exactly one rotational degree of freedom and no translational degree of freedom. The stylus is preferably movable relative to the first actuating lever with exactly one translational degree of freedom and no rotational degree of freedom. In particular, the stylus can be mounted linearly displaceable relative to the first actuating lever, i.e., movable along a straight line.

[0010] The cam mechanism is preferably designed as a planar cam mechanism. The sensor is displaceable relative to the first actuating lever in a plane that is orthogonal to a rotational axis of the cam carrier. In particular, the cam carrier can be designed as a cam disk, that is, as a disk-shaped component.

[0011] Like the stylus, the second tip is also mounted so that it can slide relative to the first actuating lever. To transfer movement from the stylus to the second tip, the second tip is kinematically coupled to the stylus.

[0012] The second actuating lever is rotationally connected to the cam carrier. This means that the second actuating lever is coupled to the cam carrier in such a way that any pivoting of the second actuating lever relative to the first actuating lever is transmitted to the cam carrier. As a result of the pivoting of the second actuating lever, the cam carrier rotates relative to the first actuating lever. This causes the probe, and consequently the second tip, to move relative to the first actuating lever, as described above. Since the first tip is rigidly fixed in the first actuating lever, the second tip moves relative to the first tip. Consequently, the distance between the first and second tips changes, allowing a retaining ring, into whose mounting holes the first and second tips engage, to be installed or removed.

[0013] Pivoting the operating levers of the retaining ring tool according to the invention is particularly easy and ergonomic for a fitter. Furthermore, the time required to operate the retaining ring tool is reduced. The invention is also advantageous because the cam mechanism used according to the invention is robust and not susceptible to wear.

[0014] Preferably, the retaining ring tool is further developed with a slide that is slidably mounted relative to the first actuating lever. In particular, the slide can be slidably fixed in the first actuating lever.

[0015] The second tip and the probe are attached to the slide according to the further development. Consequently, a displacement of the slide relative to the first actuating lever is accompanied by a displacement of the second tip and the probe relative to the first actuating lever. Preferably, the second tip is rigidly fixed in the slide, meaning that no relative movement between the second tip and the slide is possible.

[0016] The sensor is preferably designed as a roller that is rotatably mounted in the slide. When the cam carrier rotates relative to the first actuating lever, the roller rolls along the aforementioned surface of the cam carrier. This is accompanied by a displacement of the roller relative to the first actuating lever and a corresponding displacement of the slide relative to the first actuating lever.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, a spring is tensioned between the first actuating lever and the slide. As a result of this tension, the spring exerts a spring force on the slide, which clamps the slide, and thus the sensor, against the cam carrier.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the second actuating lever is rotationally fixed to the cam support. This means that the second actuating lever and the cam support cannot rotate relative to each other. Therefore, any pivoting of the second actuating lever relative to the first actuating lever is translated into a rotation of the cam support relative to the first actuating lever with a corresponding angle of rotation.

[0019] Furthermore, preferably the second actuating lever is rigidly connected to the cam support, meaning that no relative movement is possible between the second actuating lever and the cam support. This is advantageous because, according to the further embodiment, the second actuating lever is mounted above the cam support. In particular, the second actuating lever can be pivotally mounted above the cam support in relation to the first actuating lever.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in Fig. 1 shown. In detail: Fig. 1 a retaining ring tool.

[0021] The in Fig. 1 The illustrated retaining ring tool has a first actuating lever 101 and a second actuating lever 103. The first actuating lever 101 has a bearing 105 with which a cam disk 107 is pivotably mounted in the first actuating lever 101.

[0022] The second actuating lever 103 is fixed in the cam 107. This allows the second actuating lever 103 and the cam 107 to pivot as a unit relative to the first actuating lever 101. Pivoting the second actuating lever 103 results in a corresponding pivoting of the cam 107.

[0023] A roller 109 serves as the sensor. This roller is rotatably mounted in a slide 111, which is slidably attached to the first actuating lever 101. The slide 111 is spring-loaded. A corresponding spring force acting on the slide 111 points towards the cam disk. This clamps the slide 111 with the roller 109 against the cam disk 107, and the roller 109 bears against the cam disk 107. A pivoting of the first lever 101 and the second lever 103 relative to each other, and the associated pivoting of the cam disk 107, is thus transmitted via the roller 109 to the slide 111 and results in a displacement of the slide 111 relative to the first actuating lever 101.

[0024] For engaging the mounting holes of a retaining ring, a first tip 113 and a second tip 115 are provided. The first tip 113 is fixed in the first actuating lever 101, the second tip 115 in the slide 111. A displacement of the slide 111 due to a pivoting of the actuating levers 101 and 103 is therefore accompanied by a displacement of the first tip 113 and the second tip 115 relative to each other. Reference sign

[0025] 101 Actuating lever 103 Actuating lever 105 Bearing 107 Cam disc 109 Roller 111 Slide 113 Tip 115 Tip

Claims

1. A retaining ring tool comprising a first actuating lever (101), a second actuating lever (103), a first tip (113), and a second tip (115); wherein the first tip (113) and the second tip (115) are configured to engage in a mounting hole of a retaining ring; wherein the first tip (113) is rigidly fixed in the first actuating lever (101); and wherein the first actuating lever (101) and the second actuating lever (103) are pivotably mounted relative to each other; characterized by a cam mechanism with a cam carrier (107) rotatably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101) and a probe (109) displaceably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101); wherein the second tip (115) is displaceably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101) and kinematically coupled to the probe (109); and wherein the second actuating lever (103) is rotatably connected to the cam carrier (107).

2. Retaining ring tool according to claim 1; characterized by a slide (111) which is slidably mounted relative to the first actuating lever (101); wherein the second tip (115) and the probe (109) are attached to the slide (111).

3. Retaining ring tool according to the preceding claim; characterized by the fact that the sensor (109) is designed as a roller which is rotatably mounted in the carriage (111).

4. Circlip tool according to one of the preceding two claims; characterized by a spring tensioned between the first actuating lever (101) and the slide (111).

5. Circlip tool according to one of the preceding claims; characterized by the fact that the second actuating lever (103) is connected to the cam carrier (107) in a rotationally fixed manner.

6. Retaining ring tool according to the preceding claim; characterized by the fact that the second actuating lever (103) is rigidly connected to the cam support (107).

Images