Tube cutter for cutting a circular tube and method for cutting a circular tube to a predetermined length

Abstract

To propose at least one option for optimizing a tube cutter of the above mentioned type with regard to the cut area that occurs during cutting of the tube. The invention relates to a tube cutter (1, 1.1) for cutting a circular tube (100). The tube cutter (1, 1.1) comprises a body (2, 2.1), a cutting device (3) assigned to the body (2, 2.1) and a rotation guide (4) for the body (2, 2.1). The rotation guide (4) is designed to rotatably receive the circular tube (100) and to allow the tube cutter (1, 1.1) to rotate around the central axis (110) of the circular tube (100) along the outer periphery (120) of the circular tube (100). The cutting device (3) has a cutting part (5) whose blade (6) lies in a cutting plane (7) and is designed such that the rotation of the tube cutter (1, 1.1) around the circular tube (100) causes the blade (6) to perform a circumferential cut (400) in the cutting plane (7). The tube cutter (1, 1.1) is also provided with at least one forming element (8) which protrudes into or is positioned at least within the cutting plane (7) and is designed to act in a forming manner on the outer periphery (120) of the circular tube (100) by rotating the tube cutter (1, 1.1) around the circular tube (100) to form, by displacement of material, a bevel (131, 141) at at least one end of the tube parts (130, 140) created by the cut (400) of the blade (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube cutter for cutting a circular tube, which has a main body, a cutting device assigned to the main body, and a rotation guide of the main body.

Background Art

[0002] Such a tube cutter is used, for example, in installation technology and serves to cut metal tubes such as copper tubes or stainless steel tubes. The tube cutter typically has one or more cutting wheels that are guided several times under pretension over the cutting process to guide the tube to be cut. This causes displacement of the material in the contact area between the cutting wheel and the tube being cut until the tube is completely separated.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to propose at least one option for optimizing a tube cutter of the type described above, particularly with respect to the cut area that occurs during tube cutting.

[0004] This object is achieved by a cutting device having the features according to claim 1. To achieve this object, a method having the features according to claim 21 is also proposed. Advantageous embodiments and / or designs and / or aspects of the present invention result from the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0005] A basic tube cutter for cutting a circular tube comprises a body, a cutting device assigned to the body, and a rotary guide of the body. Preferably, the rotary guide is designed to rotatably receive the circular tube and enable the tube cutter to rotate around the central axis of the circular tube along the outer periphery of the circular tube, particularly to be guided and rotated. Preferably, the cutting device has a cutting component with the blade existing in the cutting plane, and is designed such that as the tube cutter rotates around the circular tube, the blade performs a circumferential cut in the cutting plane. With such a tube cutter, the separation of the circular tube is achieved by guiding the tube cutter around the outer periphery of the circular tube, during which the blade is positioned in cutting contact with the outer periphery of the cut tube.

[0006] The term "circular tube" should be understood in this specification as a tube having a circular cross-section in particular, in order to accommodate the circular tube within the rotary guide of the tube cutter and enable the rotation of the tube cutter with respect to the tube. For example, the circular tube has a circular cross-section. For example, the circular tube is a metal tube, particularly a copper tube, or a stainless steel tube, or a tube containing carbon steel.

[0007] In one embodiment, the tube cutter further comprises at least one forming element that enters into or at least lies in the cutting plane and, in particular, acts in a forming pattern on the outer periphery of the circular tube while the tube cutter rotates around the circular tube, so as to form, by displacement of the material, a bevel or any type of contour such as a fillet, for example, at at least one end of the tube parts created by the cutting of the blade.

[0008] Thereby, measurements are taken to prevent any burrs in the cutting area early in the cutting process, and the end of the cut tube part is immediately formed to such an extent that the fitting of the seal ring is supported and facilitated. In particular, this prevents any damage to the seal ring, which is exacerbated when burrs are present in the cutting area. By this tube cutter, the deburring process is carried out early in the cutting process. In this regard, the user does not need to perform further working steps. By forming with a forming element, a deburring process without chips is also possible. This aspect also facilitates a high degree of leak tightness when using the cut tube together with a seal, as chip interference is prevented.

[0009] In a further embodiment, at least one forming element is positioned separately from the cutting part. In particular, at least one forming element is arranged spatially separated from the cutting part. Due to such separation of the forming element from the cutting part, it is possible to take measurements and use the tube cutter with circular tubes having different wall thicknesses. In such a case, separating the forming element from the cutting part promotes an improvement in the reliability of the process when machining circular tubes.

[0010] At least one forming element may have a rotationally symmetric contour with respect to the axis of rotation. This facilitates a uniform or even shaping of the ends of at least one cut tube along the outer circumference, especially when the forming element is rotatably mounted, i.e., when the forming element can roll away from the outer circumference of the circular tube. For example, the forming element is a forming roller.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the tube cutter comprises a spring element, and in particular, at least one forming element is designed to move, in particular to be displaced, from its starting position within the receiving area of the circular tube by the force of the spring element. This means that when the circular tube is positioned within the receiving area, at least one forming element exerts a forming force due to the force of the spring element. This is brought about, for example, by the circular tube within the receiving area causing the spring element to move from its starting position, thereby enabling the spring element to establish a restoring force, which acts as a forming force on the circular tube. For example, the circular tube is held within the receiving area when a cutting part acts on the outer circumference of the circular tube, for example to perform a cut in a cutting plane.

[0012] In particular, it is provided that at least one forming element is held in its starting position by the pretensioning force of the spring element. This prevents any rattling of at least one forming element when the circular tube is not present within the receiving area, i.e., when the circular tube is not accommodated in the rotary guide.

[0013] A positioning element may be provided that exerts a positioning force on the spring element to adjust the force of the spring element regarding the starting position of at least one forming element to a predetermined value. This enables adjustment to a defined spring force at the starting position and can thus affect the type and manner and / or intensity of the forming exerted on the circular tube by the forming element. The positioning element can be a threaded element that can increase or decrease the state of pretension regarding the body by tightening or loosening. The spring element is formed, for example, as a leaf spring. In this case, the positioning element can act on a section of the leaf spring in an adjustable manner.

[0014] There is one potential embodiment in which the tube cutter comprises a sliding guide. In particular, the sliding guide is designed to enable a preferably guided movement of at least one forming element regarding the body and to move at least one forming element from its starting position against the force of the spring element.

[0015] The tube cutter may comprise a stop for establishing or setting, for example, the starting position of at least one forming element. For example, when at least one forming element is in the starting position or has reached the starting position, at least one forming element is positioned by abutting against the stop in the operating position. For example, the starting position exists when there is no circular tube within the rotary guide.

[0016] The tube cutter may comprise a stop or a further stop for establishing or setting, for example, the extending position of at least one forming element. For example, when at least one forming element is in the extending position or has reached the extending position, at least one forming element is positioned by abutting against the stop or the further stop in the operating position. At least one stop means that the movement, in particular the displacement of at least one forming element, is restricted. For example, at least one stop is assigned to the sliding guide. For example, at least one stop is formed by a section of the guide surface of the sliding guide.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sliding guide has at least one guide element that can move along the guide surface. In particular, at least one forming element is provided to be arranged on at least one guide element, in particular to be rotatably mounted. In particular, the guide surface is further provided to be assigned to the body or to a sliding part assigned to the body, in particular to be arranged and / or molded or shaped on the body or the sliding part. In particular, at least one guide element is further provided to be supported with respect to the spring element, in particular to be supported directly and / or in proximity to the spring element.

[0018] For example, at least one forming element is rotatably mounted on a sliding part and can be displaced preferably radially along a guide surface of a link against the force of a spring element, in particular against a cutting force exerted, for example, by a blade, so as to exert a reaction force as a forming force against a circular tube.

[0019] In a further or alternative embodiment, the tube cutter comprises at least one support part on which at least one forming element is arranged, in particular rotatably arranged or mounted. In particular, at least one support part is provided to be movably guided over a sliding guide of the body. In particular, at least one support part is further provided to be supported on a spring element via a contact and / or connection point, in particular a single connection point or contact. For example, the connection point or contact is formed by a ridge or edge or another material contour and is assigned to, in particular formed on, at least one support part.

[0020] The sliding guide can be provided to have at least one, preferably two, guide elements each of which can move along a guide surface. The guide elements are assigned to, in particular arranged and / or molded on, at least one support part, and a corresponding guide surface can be further provided to be assigned to, in particular arranged and / or molded or shaped on, the body. Alternatively, the guide elements can be assigned to the body, in particular arranged and / or molded on the body, and a corresponding guide surface can be further provided to be assigned to, in particular arranged and / or molded or shaped on, at least one support part. Further, at least one forming element is particularly provided to be arranged between the guide elements.

[0021] For example, the guide element or each guide element is formed as a pin element or a similar cylinder element. For example, the guide surface or each guide surface is formed by a wall section of a circular hole or a longitudinal hole, into which the guide element is inserted and / or protrudes.

[0022] There is a further embodiment in which the rotary guide has at least one, preferably at least two support rollers, which are preferably arranged on the body, in particular rotatably arranged. In particular, at least two support rollers extend such that their axial extensions are transverse to the cutting plane. When viewed laterally with respect to the cutting plane, at least two support rollers are arranged alternately. For example, at least one forming element, which is arranged, for example, coaxially or axially offset, with respect to at least two support rollers is arranged between at least two support rollers.

[0023] At least two support rollers can be provided to have equal outer diameters with respect to each other and to be positioned, for example, on a common axis of rotation. At least one forming element can be further provided such that its axis of rotation is positioned on the common axis of rotation, for example when at least one forming element is positioned in the starting position. Furthermore, at least one forming element can be provided to have an outer diameter that is at least partially larger than the outer diameters of at least two support rollers when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of at least one forming element.

[0024] In order to exert a forming effect on the circular tube, the forming element can preferably have circumferential protrusions on its outer periphery. The protrusions can extend similarly or uniformly on the outer periphery. When viewed laterally with respect to the axial direction of the forming element, the protrusions can also have a symmetric cross-sectional profile. This facilitates, for example, forming bevels or curves of the same shape or design on both cut tube parts.

[0025] For example, at least one forming element is formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, at least one forming element is arranged such that its axial extension crosses the cutting plane and has a protrusion such as a pointed ridge at the front. For example, at least one forming element has a cylindrical axial extension outside the protrusion. Thereby, when, for example, a circular tube is separated, and / or when at least one forming element acts in a forming pattern on at least one outer edge of the resulting tube half, at least one forming element can exert a supporting effect on the circular tube housed in the rotary guide.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, at least two forming elements are provided which enter into the cutting plane and act in a forming pattern on the outer circumference of the circular tube while the tube cutter rotates around the circular tube, for example, to form a bevel or another type of contour such as a fillet at at least one end of the tube parts created by the cutting of the blade due to displacement of the material. This facilitates the guiding of the circular tube towards the center and prevents an undesirable single gradient of force to one side. The at least two forming elements are each formed, for example, as forming rollers.

[0027] At least two support rollers of the rotary guide can be provided to exist in pairs. In this case, one of the at least two forming elements is arranged between the support rollers, and it is appropriate for the forming element to be positioned, for example, coaxially with respect to the corresponding support rollers when the at least two forming elements are positioned in the starting position. This facilitates minimizing the spring path required for the at least two forming elements for all possible different pipe diameters.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the rotary guide functions together with a single forming element formed, for example, by at least one of the forming elements described above. This has been shown to facilitate achieving the desired forming accuracy of the circular tube.

[0029] In particular, the rotary guide is designed to rotatably receive a circular tube having an outer diameter within a first size range within the receiving area. In a further embodiment, the tube cutter comprises at least one further rotary guide. In particular, the further rotary guide is designed to rotatably receive a circular tube having an outer diameter within a second size range within a further receiving area. Preferably, the tube cutter further comprises a further forming element which enters into or is at least within the cutting plane and which, while the tube cutter rotates around a circular tube accommodated within the further rotary guide, acts in a forming pattern on the outer circumference of the circular tube so as to form, by displacement of the material, a bevel or another type of contour, such as a fillet, at at least one end of the tube parts created by the cutting of the blade.

[0030] The rotary guide and the further rotary guide may each be provided with additional support rollers. The additional support rollers may each be rotatably mounted on the body around a rotation axis, and the rotation axis may be further provided so as to extend transversely with respect to the cutting plane. When viewed transversely with respect to the cutting plane, the rotation axis of the further forming element and the rotation axes of the additional support rollers of the further rotary guide are, for example, spaced apart from each other, and between the rotation axes, the rotation axis of the forming element and the rotation axes of the additional support rollers of the rotary guide are spaced apart from each other. In this form and manner, the rotary guide, the further rotary guide and the corresponding forming elements for each can cut both the circular tube of the first size range and the circular tube of the second size range with the same cutting device and are arranged so as to be able to form, in particular bevel, the outer edges of the halves of the tube.

[0031] Furthermore, the cutting device can be provided with a feed unit for displacing the cutting part in the direction of the receiving area of the circular tube, in particular for setting or resetting the position of the blade, with respect to the body. The feed unit can be manually operable or can be operated manually. For this purpose, a handle part can be provided on the feed unit. In particular, the tube cutter can be provided with a handle for manually guiding the tube cutter during the cutting of the circular tube. The handle can be a gripping section on the body.

[0032] One possible embodiment consists in that the feed unit is assigned to the body in a displaceable manner for moving the cutting part in the direction of the receiving area of the circular tube, in particular for setting or resetting the position of the blade, and the cutting part is manually guided, and comprises a spindle drive. The cutting part can comprise a cutting wheel which forms the blade and is rotatably movable, for example, so as to roll away from the outer circumference of the circular tube in a cutting manner. For example, the cutting wheel is rotatably movable with respect to the body and / or the feed unit. For example, the cutting wheel is mounted on the feed unit in a rotatably movable manner.

[0033] The proposed embodiment facilitates the formation of the outer edge of at least one of the two halves of the tube in an autonomously accurate position during the cutting process in which the circular tube is separated into two halves of the tube. For this purpose, spring elements and / or sliding guides can be used in the form and manner described above.

[0034] Preferably, the tube cutter described herein includes a rotary guide having a raised surface that can form a confirmation mark on the circular tube during, for example, the cutting operation, and the raised surface can form a line mark, a scratch mark, a dot mark, or a knurl mark. Advantageously, this enables the engineer to confirm that the cut tube is correctly positioned within the joint or within a connector such as a compression joint.

[0035] In one aspect, the present invention provides a tube cutter for cutting a circular tube as described herein, the rotary guide comprising at least two support rollers, preferably parallel to each other, and at least one forming roller, the at least two support rollers being rotatably mounted on the body, the at least two support rollers being mounted on biasing means, the at least two support rollers being movable from their respective starting positions (X and Y), each of the at least two support rollers extending into the receiving area at least partially beyond the outer diameter of the at least one forming roller when in the starting positions (X and Y). For example, when the biasing means is a spring such as a compression spring, the at least two support rollers extend at least partially into the receiving area beyond the outer diameter of the at least one forming roller when the spring is not compressed (or, for example, a low compression force is applied). However, as described herein, when a greater force is applied by the at least two support rollers, the support rollers can move so that the forming roller can act on the circular tube in a forming pattern.

[0036] The present invention is a tube cutter for cutting a circular tube, comprising a body, a cutting device assigned to the body, and a rotary guide for the body, wherein the rotary guide is designed to rotatably accommodate the circular tube within a receiving area so as to enable the tube cutter to rotate around the central axis of the circular tube along the outer circumference of the circular tube, the cutting device has a cutting part with a blade existing within a cutting plane, and by rotating the tube cutter around the circular tube, the blade is configured to perform a circumferential cut within the cutting plane, the tube cutter further comprises at least one forming element which enters into or is at least positioned within the cutting plane, and by rotating the tube cutter around the circular tube, the tube cutter acts on the outer circumference of the circular tube in a forming pattern, and due to the displacement of the material, at least one bevel or another type of contour is formed at at least one end of the tube part created by the cutting of the blade, the at least one forming element exists separately from the cutting part, the at least one forming element is a forming roller, the tube cutter comprises at least one spring element, the at least one forming element moves against the force of the at least one spring element from a starting position (A) existing within the receiving area of the circular tube, and thus, when the circular tube is accommodated within the receiving area, the at least one forming element is configured to exert a forming force by the force of the spring element, the rotary guide preferably comprises at least two support rollers that are parallel to each other, the at least two support rollers are rotatably mounted on the body, the at least two support rollers are mounted on biasing means, the at least two support rollers are each movable from their respective starting positions (X and Y), and each of the at least two support rollers extends into the receiving area so as to at least partially exceed the outer diameter of the at least one forming roller when at the respective starting positions (X and Y), providing a tube cutter.

[0037] Preferably, at least two support rollers are arranged such that each of their axial extensions intersects the cutting plane transversely.

[0038] Optionally, the tube cutter comprises four support rollers.

[0039] Preferably, at least two support rollers are rotatably mounted on both sides of the cutting plane.

[0040] At least two support rollers can be arranged to support the circular tube received within the receiving region by supporting adjacent cross-sectional quadrants of the circular tube.

[0041] Preferably, at least two support rollers can be arranged to support the circular tube within the receiving region by supporting the same cross-sectional quadrant of the circular tube.

[0042] More preferably, at least one forming roller can be rotatably mounted between at least two support rollers.

[0043] Preferably, the tube cutter comprises two forming rollers.

[0044] The rotational axis of at least one forming roller can be within the diameter range of, for example, at least two support rollers forming a first set of support rollers.

[0045] The rotational axis of at least one forming roller can be within the diameter range of each of at least two support rollers forming a first set of support rollers, and the rotational axis of a second forming roller can be within the diameter range of each of at least two support rollers forming a second set of support rollers. The first set of support rollers can be arranged to support one cross-sectional quadrant of the circular tube, and the second set of support rollers can be arranged to support a second adjacent cross-sectional quadrant of the circular tube.

[0046] Preferably, the biasing means comprises a spring. For example, a compression spring. Suitably, the spring is a helical spring, a spiral spring, or a leaf spring.

[0047] Suitably, the force that can be exerted on at least one forming roller by at least one spring element is greater than the force that can be exerted on at least two support rollers by the biasing means.

[0048] Each of the support rollers can be mounted to a separate biasing means.

[0049] Alternatively, two support rollers can be mounted to a common (e.g., single) biasing means. For example, two support rollers can be mounted to a single leaf spring element. The tube cutter can comprise four support rollers, with two support rollers mounted to a first biasing means and two support rollers mounted to a second biasing means.

[0050] The tube cutter can have, for example, at least two support rollers mounted to the body facing the cutting device, and the contact point between the cutting device and the circular tube received in the receiving area is spaced away from the quarter circle of the cross section where the support rollers support the circular tube.

[0051] The receiving area can have a cross section that is substantially C-shaped, V-shaped, or U-shaped. Preferably, the receiving area can have a cross section that is substantially C-shaped. The cutting device and the support rollers can be arranged substantially circumferentially around the receiving area in a spaced-apart manner.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least two support rollers can share a common axis of rotation. In such embodiments, the tube cutter can comprise two sets of such at least two support rollers, with the first set of at least two support rollers sharing a common axis of rotation, the second set of at least two support rollers sharing a common axis of rotation, and the axis of rotation of the first set of rollers being separate from the axis of rotation of the second set of rollers.

[0053] In some embodiments, the tube cutter may comprise two forming rollers. During the cutting operation, the first forming roller shares a common rotation axis with at least one support roller, and the second forming roller shares a common rotation axis with a second support roller.

[0054] In some embodiments, at least one support roller comprises a raised surface that can form a verification mark on the circular tube during the cutting operation. Preferably, the raised surface can form a line mark, a scratch mark, a dot mark, or a knurled mark on the circular tube during the cutting operation.

[0055] As outlined above, the tube cutter may comprise a sliding guide, which is configured to enable the movement of at least one forming element with respect to the body and to move at least one forming element from the starting position (A) against the force of a spring element.

[0056] The sliding guide can have at least one guide element that can be moved along a guide surface. At least one forming element is arranged on at least one guide element, in particular rotatably mounted. The guide surface is assigned to the body or to a sliding part assigned to the body. At least one guide element is supported against the spring element.

[0057] The tube cutter may comprise at least one support part. At least one forming element may be arranged on at least one support part, in particular rotatably arranged. At least one support part is movably guided above the sliding guide to the body and is supported on the spring element via a connection point, in particular a single connection point. Preferably, the sliding guide can have at least one, preferably two, guide elements, each of which can be moved along a guide surface. The guide element is assigned to at least one support part and the corresponding guide surface is assigned to the body, or vice versa, the guide element is assigned to the body and the corresponding guide surface is assigned to at least one support part, and at least one forming element is arranged between the guide elements.

[0058] At least one forming element preferably has a circumferential protrusion on its outer periphery to achieve a forming effect.

[0059] The tube cutter comprises more than one rotation guide. For example, one rotation guide can be provided to rotatably receive a circular tube having an outer diameter within a first size range in a receiving area, and a further rotation guide can be provided to rotatably receive a circular tube having an outer diameter within a second size range in a further receiving area. The tube cutter can comprise a further forming element that projects into or is at least positioned within the cutting plane and, during the cutting operation, acts in a forming manner on the outer periphery of the circular tube to form a bevel or another type of contour at at least one end of the tube part created by the cutting of the blade by displacement of the material.

[0060] The cutting device can have a feed unit for displacing the cutting part in the direction of the receiving area of the circular tube, in particular for setting or resetting the position of the blade, with respect to the body.

[0061] The cutting part can comprise a cutting wheel that forms the blade and is movable so as to roll away from the outer periphery of the circular tube in a cutting manner.

[0062] According to one aspect, a method is provided for cutting a circular tube to a predetermined length, for example, by the tube cutter described above. In this method, the cutting movement is performed on the outer circumference of the circular tube by the blade. In particular, in this method, a forming element, such as the one described above, moves along the outer circumference of the circular tube by a movement associated with the cutting movement, and by the displacement of the material, forms another type of contour, such as a bevel or a fillet, at at least one end of the tube part created by the cutting of the blade. This brings about the advantages described above in relation to the tube cutter. In particular, the burring process is carried out early in the cutting process. In this regard, the user does not need to perform further working steps.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0063] Further details and features of the present invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment using the drawings. The following are shown:

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show a perspective view (FIG. 1) and a side view as a partial section (FIG. 2) of a possible embodiment of the tube cutter 1. FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a section of the tube cutter 1 within the region where a circular tube (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is cut.

[0065] The circular tube to be cut can be a copper tube or a stainless steel tube. It can also be a tube made of C steel. Basically, all form-stable tubes can be cut with the tube cutter 1. For example, plastic tubes can also be cut with a tube cutter. Circular tubes that can be cut with the tube cutter 1 can be used, for example, in the HVAC and / or piping sectors to establish or route drinking water lines.

[0066] The tube cutter 1 comprises a main body 2, a cutting device 3 assigned to the main body 2, and preferably a rotary guide 4 of the main body 3. FIGS. 4 and 5 each show the tube cutter 1 with a circular tube 100 received therein, in a front view (FIG. 4) and a side view as a partial section (FIG. 5) of the tube cutter 1. FIG. 4 shows the circular tube 100 in a state where it has already been cut. Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5 for a better understanding of the following description.

[0067] The rotary guide 4 of the tube cutter 1 is preferably designed to rotatably receive the circular tube 100 within the receiving region 20, enabling the tube cutter 1 to rotate about the central axis 110 of the circular tube 100 along the outer periphery 120 of the circular tube 100, particularly to be guided and rotate. Preferably, the cutting device 3 has a cutting part 5 in which the blade 6 is present within the cutting plane 7, and preferably, by the rotation of the tube cutter 1 around the circular tube 100, the blade 6 is designed to perform a circumferential cut 400 of the cutting plane 7.

[0068] The tube cutter 1 is preferably provided with at least one forming element 8 that protrudes into the cutting plane 7 and, by the rotation of the tube cutter 1 around the circular tube 100, acts on the outer periphery 120 of the circular tube 100 in a forming pattern, for example, by the displacement of the material, to form a bevel 131 or 141 or a curve at at least one end of the tube parts 130, 140 created by the cut 400 of the blade 6, or to perform at least one burring process, for example, by the displacement of the material.

[0069] Preferably, at least one forming element 8 has a rotationally symmetric contour with respect to the rotation axis 10. Preferably, the forming element 8 is formed as a forming roller 22. For this purpose, also refer to FIG. 3 which shows the forming element 8 of the cutting device or the tube cutter 1 in a side view in one embodiment.

[0070] Preferably, at least one forming element 8 preferably has a circumferential protrusion 17 on its outer periphery 18 in order to achieve the target forming effect. The protrusion 17 preferably has a contour such that the target shaping of the ends of at least one of the tube parts 130 or 140 is achieved by the forming in the cutting region 7.

[0071] For example, the protrusion 17 has a contour such as to create a bevel 131 or 141 where the ends of both tube parts 130, 140 are formed in the same manner and have an inclination of, for example, 20° or substantially 20°. Such shaping or beveling facilitates the damage-free mounting of the sealing O-rings on the respective tube parts 130 or 140 when it is necessary to have a sealing fit with other tube parts or joints to establish a piping system.

[0072] Preferably, at least one forming element 8 is arranged separately from the cutting part 5 and is in particular arranged spatially separated from the cutting part 5. For example, at least one forming element 8 is integrated into the rotary guide 4. This can be implemented as follows. The rotary guide 4 has, for example, at least two support rollers 15, 16 which are rotatably mounted on the body 2 and whose respective axial extensions extend, for example, transversely with respect to the cutting plane 7 and which are, for example, arranged alternately when viewed in the transverse direction with respect to the cutting plane 7. When viewed in the transverse direction with respect to the cutting plane 7, at least one forming element 8 is arranged, for example, between at least two support rollers 15, 16.

[0073] In particular as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, at least one forming element 8 preferably moves from a starting position A existing within the receiving region 20 of the circular tube 100 against the force of the spring element 13, so that when the circular tube 100 is received within the receiving region 20, at least one forming element 8 is designed to exert a forming force by the force 13 of the spring element.

[0074] Preferably, the tube cutter 1 includes a sliding guide 11. Preferably, the sliding guide 11 is designed to enable the movement of at least one forming element 8 with respect to the body 2 and to move at least one forming element 8 from the starting position A against the force 13 of the spring element. For this purpose, the sliding guide 11 preferably has at least one guide element 11.1 that can move along the guide surface 12.

[0075] At least one guide element 11.1 preferably rotatably accommodates at least one forming element 8 and is preferably supported against the spring element 13, for example directly and / or in proximity. The guide surface 12 is preferably formed on a sliding part 44 assigned to the body 2. Preferably, at least one guide element 11.1 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example shaped as a pin, and is guided on the guide surface 12, preferably being forced to be guided, for example on its outer periphery.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows at least one forming element 8 in the starting position A. The starting position A is the position of at least one forming element 8 where the tube cutter 1 is in a standby state, that is, where the circular tube to be cut is not accommodated. Preferably, in the starting position A, the guide element 11.1 contacts a section of the guide surface 12 used as a stop to establish the starting position A of at least one forming element 8.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 5, in the cutting state of the tube cutter 1 with a circular tube or circular tube 100 accommodated, due to the cutting force exerted by the blade 6, at least one forming element 8 moves in a direction away from the circular tube 100, particularly downward. At least one forming element 8 is in its extended position B therein.

[0078] As can be seen more clearly from FIGS. 2 and 5, positioning elements 14, such as screw elements, etc., which exert a positioning force on the spring element 13, may be provided. By the positioning element 14, the force 13 of the spring element can be set to a predetermined value with respect to the starting position A of at least one forming element 8.

[0079] As can be seen more clearly from FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotary guide 4 may have a pair of support rollers 15, 16. In this case, for example, additional support rollers 15', 16' are provided. In addition to the forming element 8, a further forming element 9 may also be provided in the same design. In this case, one of the forming elements 8, 9 may be arranged between a set of support rollers 15, 16 or 15', 16' respectively.

[0080] The sliding guide 11 may also be formed in such a manner that the forming element 8 is guided on the guide element 11.1 and, accordingly, a further forming element 9 may be guided on the guide element 11.1'. For this purpose, for example, the movement of each forming element 8 or 9, in particular the displacement, occurs radially with respect to, for example, the circular tube 100, and the guide surface 12 of any corresponding forming element 8 or 9 is formed so as to establish a forming force.

[0081] The tube cutter 1 can be manually guided and / or manually operated. For example, the cutting device 3 has a feed unit 19 as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. By the feed unit 19, the cutting part 5 is displaced with respect to the body 2 in the direction of the receiving region 20 of the circular tube 100 according to the arrow 23, in particular, the position of the blade 6 is set or reset.

[0082] The feed unit 19 may comprise, for example, a spindle drive device that can be manually operated to set the cutting part 5 in the direction of the circular tube 100. Preferably, the cutting part 5 comprises a cutting wheel 21 that forms the blade 6 and is movable so as to roll away from the outer periphery 120 of the circular tube 100 in a cutting manner.

[0083] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the tube cutter 1.1. Figure 7 shows a side view as a partial section of the tube cutter 1.1. Figures 6 and 7 each show a section of the tube cutter 1.1 within the region where a circular tube (not shown in Figures 6 and 7) is cut. Components of the tube cutter 1.1 according to Figures 6 and 7 that are structurally or functionally similar to the components of the tube cutter 1 according to Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and in this regard, reference is made to the description of the tube cutter 1 according to Figures 1 and 2.

[0084] By means of the tube cutter 1.1 according to Figures 6 and 7, at least one forming element 8 is arranged on the support part 27 and is in particular rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation, the support part 27 being guided movably on the sliding guide 45 towards the body and being preferably supported on the spring element 13 via a single connection point 43. The body of the tube cutter 1.1 is given the reference numeral 2.1 in Figures 6 and 7. Furthermore, the axis of rotation of at least one forming element 8 is given the reference numeral 40 in Figures 6 and 7.

[0085] In addition to the support part 27, a further support part 28 is preferably provided which is preferably structurally or functionally similar to the support part 27. Preferably, at least one forming element 8 is supported on the one hand on one support part which is 27 and on the other hand on the other support part which is 28, in particular at least one forming element 8 being rotatably mounted thereon. For the sake of brevity, the function and / or the structure of the sliding guide 45 will be explained with reference to the following support part 28 as an example.

[0086] Preferably, the sliding guide 45 has two guide elements 11.2, 11.2', each being movable along its respective guide surface 12.2 or 12.2'. Preferably, the guide elements 11.2, 11.2' are assigned to the support part 28, and the corresponding guide surfaces 12.2 or 12.2' are assigned to the main body 2.1 respectively. For example, the guide elements 11.2, 11.2' are arranged on the support part 28, particularly formed there, for example molded there. For example, the guide surfaces 12.2 or 12.2' are arranged on the main body 2.1, particularly formed there, for example, molded or shaped on the main body 2.1.

[0087] Preferably, the guide elements 11.2, 11.2' are formed in a cylindrical shape and their axial extensions extend transversely, for example orthogonally, with respect to the cutting plane 7. Preferably, the guide surfaces 12.2, 12.2' are each formed on the wall section of a recess or borehole or hole in the main body 2.1 into which the corresponding guide element 11.2 or 11.2' projects.

[0088] Preferably, the support part 28 has a longitudinal extension extending in the direction of the cutting plane 7. As is apparent from FIG. 7, for example, at least one forming element 8 is preferably arranged between the guide surfaces 12.2, 12.2' when viewed in the direction of the cutting plane 7. Referring to the longitudinal extension of the support part 28, the guide elements 11.2, 11.2' and at least one forming element 8 are arranged such that, for example, their axial extensions are transverse to the longitudinal extension of the support part 28 and thus transverse to the cutting plane 7.

[0089] The spring element 13 is preferably a leaf spring 34 having two end portions 35, 36 positioned opposite to each other. The leaf spring can be arranged on the main body 2.1 in such a manner that, for example, one of the end portions 35, 36 is received in the mount 38 of the main body 2.1, particularly loosely or under tension, and the other end portion 35 is supported on the material projection 37 of the main body 2.1. Preferably, the connection point 43 of the support part 28 is positioned with respect to the spring element 13 within the region between the end portions 35, 36.

[0090] The tube cutter 1.1 enables machining of circular tubes with different tube diameters over a wide range. For this purpose, the tube cutter 1.1 preferably has two rotary guides 4.1, 24. One or both of the rotary guides 4.1, 24 may be structurally or functionally similar to the rotary guide 4 of the tube cutter 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2, and reference is made to the description of the tube cutter 1 in this regard.

[0091] By means of the rotary guide 4.1, a circular tube having an outer diameter within a first size range can be accommodated, for example, within a first receiving region. By means of a further rotary guide 24, a circular tube having an outer diameter within a second size range can be rotatably accommodated, for example, within a second receiving region. This is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 by means of an embodiment of two circular tubes 200, 300 having different outer diameters.

[0092] The two rotary guides 4.1 and 24 enable the tube cutter 1.1 to rotate about the central axis 210 or 310 of the respective circular tube 200 or 300, and the circular tube 200 or 300 can rotate along its respective outer circumference when the circular tube 200 or 300 is accommodated within the respective rotary guide 4.1 or 24.

[0093] For example, the forming element 8 is assigned to the rotary guide 4.1. Preferably, a further forming element 31, which is structurally or functionally similar to the forming element 8, for example, is provided. Preferably, the further forming element 31 is provided so as to project into the cutting plane 7 or at least be positioned within the cutting plane 7.

[0094] Preferably, the further forming element 31 is designed to act in a forming pattern on the outer periphery of the circular tube 200 by rotating around the circular tube 200 accommodated in the further rotation guide 24, preferably by displacement of the material, to form a bevel or any type of contour, such as a fillet, for example, at at least one end of the tube parts created by the cutting of the blade 6.

[0095] The further forming element 31 moves, for example, against the force of the spring element 13, such as a leaf spring, or a further spring element, from the starting position A existing in the receiving region of the circular tube 200, and thus, when the circular tube 200 is accommodated in the further receiving region, the further forming element 31 is designed to exert a forming force by the force 13 of the spring element.

[0096] FIG. 6 shows the forming element 8 and further the further forming element 31 at the starting position A. In FIG. 8, the circular tube 200 is accommodated in the further rotation guide 24, and the cutting part 5 is arranged at the cutting position with respect to the circular tube 200. In this state, the further forming element 31 moves from the starting position A to the extended position B1 against the force of the spring element 13. FIG. 9 shows the state of the rotation guide 4.1 in which the circular tube 300 is accommodated. The forming element 8 moves from the starting position A to the extended position B2 against the force of the spring element 13.

[0097] Preferably, the rotation guide 4.1 and the further rotation guide 24 each have an additional support roller 25 or 26. Preferably, the additional support rollers 25, 26 are each rotatably mounted on the body 2.1 around the rotation axis 41 or 42, and preferably, the rotation axes 41, 42 extend laterally with respect to the cutting plane 7. When viewed laterally with respect to the cutting plane 7, the rotation axis 39 of the further forming element 31 and the rotation axis 42 of the additional support roller 26 of the further rotation guide 24 are arranged apart from each other. Preferably, between the rotation axes, the rotation axis 40 of the forming element 8 and the rotation axis 41 of the additional support roller 25 of the further rotation guide 24 are positioned.

[0098] Preferably, forming element 8 and further forming element 31 are each a single forming element assigned to their respective rotation guides 4 or 24. Thus, in this case, the forming effect is created by only a single forming element.

[0099] The rotation guide 4.1 can have, for example, at least two support rollers 15, 16 as described for the tube cutter 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The support rollers 15, 16 are, for example, rotatably mounted on the body 2.1 around the rotation axis 30, and are arranged, for example, such that their respective axial extensions extend transversely with respect to the cutting plane 7, and are arranged alternately, for example, when viewed laterally with respect to the cutting plane 7. When viewed laterally with respect to the cutting plane 7, the forming element 8 is arranged, for example, between at least two support rollers 15, 16.

[0100] In a similar manner, a further rotation guide 24 has, for example, at least two support rollers 32, 33 which are rotatably mounted on the body 2.1 around the rotation axis 29, and their respective axial extensions extend transversely with respect to the cutting plane 7, and are arranged alternately, for example, when viewed in the transverse direction with respect to the cutting plane 7. When viewed laterally with respect to the cutting plane 7, the further forming element 31 is arranged, for example, between at least two support rollers 15, 16.

[0101] The tube cutter of FIG. 1 is provided, for example, to be suitable for cutting small-diameter circular tubes such as 1 / 4-inch or 1 / 2-inch copper tubes (or stainless steel tubes), but when cutting larger-diameter circular tubes, a leakage path may be formed adjacent to the end of the cut tube. The inventors of the present invention have discovered that when gripped between the cutting device 3 and the forming roller 22 of the tube cutter of FIG. 1, especially at the start of the cutting operation, the leakage path occurs due to some instability of the larger circular tube.

[0102] Figure 10 shows an isometric cut-away view of a further embodiment of the present invention that addresses the above-described problem. The embodiment of Figure 10 is similar to the embodiments of the previous drawings in that support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' are rotatably mounted on bodies 2, 2.1 by biasing means. The embodiment of Figure 10 has two forming rollers 22, 22'. Support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' are movable from their respective starting positions X, Y, Q, R. For example, support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' can move vertically in a vertical pattern as illustrated by double-headed arrow Z in Figure 10. Support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' extend into receiving region 20 at least partially beyond the outer diameter of at least one of the forming rollers 22, 22'.

[0103] The cut-away section of Figure 10 shows support mounts 1501, 1501' that rotatably mount support rollers 15, 15' to the body via biasing means in the form of springs 1301, 1301'. Sliding guides (not shown) associated with each support roller 15, 15' facilitate the movement of support mounts 1501, 1501' and support rollers 15, 15' from each of their respective starting positions. At the starting positions, the support rollers extend into receiving region 20 at least partially beyond the outer diameter of the forming rollers 22, 22'. Springs 1301, 1301' can be compression springs. When a circular tube is housed within the receiving region 20 of the tube cutter, the tube is supported by the support rollers before contacting the forming rollers 22, 22', which facilitates optimal positioning of the tube prior to the cutting operation. Support rollers 15, 15' are movable from their respective starting positions X and Y, for example, by compression of springs 1301, 1301'. One skilled in the art will understand that a similar arrangement of support mounts, sliding guides, and springs can be arranged for the other two support rollers 16, 16' shown in Figure 10. This is the case for the embodiment of Figure 10.

[0104] Advantageously, the tube disposed within the receiving region 20 is first supported by the support rollers extending at least partially beyond the outer diameters of the forming rollers 22, 22' into the receiving region 20. This ensures that optimal positioning of the tube is achieved prior to cutting. This is particularly advantageous for cutting tubes of larger diameter. The initial support provided by the support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' prevents the tube 100 from being first positioned between the cutting device and the forming rollers, which can lead to suboptimal cutting and the formation of spiral grooves adjacent to the cutting point of the tube by the forming member.

[0105] This undesirable spiral effect is shown in FIG. 15. The tube of FIG. 15 was cut using a tube cutter as shown in FIG. 1, i.e., a tube cutter, and the position of the support rollers is fixed and the support rollers are not mounted to biasing means and the support rollers cannot move further than the forming rollers from the starting position where the support rollers extend into the receiving region.

[0106] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tube cutter shown in FIG. 10 with a circular tube 100 received within the receiving region 20. The circular tube 100 has a smaller diameter (e.g., a 1 / 4 inch or 1 / 2 inch copper pipe). FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tube cutter shown in FIG. 10 with a circular tube 100 received within the receiving region 20. The circular tube 100 has a larger diameter (e.g., a 5 / 8 inch or 3 / 4 inch or 1 inch copper pipe).

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 10 - 13, the support rollers are mounted via springs 1301, 1301' (the support rollers 16, 16' are also mounted to springs not shown), which facilitates the movement of the support rollers into the receiving region 20 to some extent. For example, in FIG. 10, the springs 1301, 1301' facilitate the vertical movement of the support rollers 15, 15' into and out of the receiving region 20 along direction Z.

[0108] FIG. 14 shows the angles (α and β) formed between a line extending from the rotation axis of the cutting device d and the central axis c2 of the circular tube housed within the receiving region 20, and a line formed between the central axis c2 of the circular tube housed within the receiving region 20 and the rotation axes of the forming rollers c3, c4. Preferably, the angles α and β are obtuse angles, for example, α and β can each be in the range of 110° to 170°, preferably in the range of 120 to 160°. The forming rollers 22, 22' can be positioned similarly. Advantageously, such an arrangement of the support rollers and the forming rollers provides considerable stability when the circular tube to be cut is housed within the receiving region. Due to the additional stability imparted to the circular tube, the cutting operation becomes more efficient, so that in order to achieve a cleanly cut tube with beveled and deburred ends, less force needs to be exerted through the cutting device and the forming elements.

[0109] In FIG. 15, the spiral groove near the end of the tube was formed by the forming rollers of the tube cutter device, which, in contrast to the tube cutter of FIG. 10, does not comprise at least two support rollers mounted to biasing means. Since the support rollers of the tube cutter used to cut the tube shown in FIG. 15 were in a fixed position, i.e., the support rollers were not movable from their starting position, the support rollers extended into the receiving region 20 beyond the outer diameter of the forming rollers at their starting position. The spiral groove occurred because the alignment of the circular tube 100 within the receiving region 20 during the cutting operation was not optimal. When a circular tube 100 or pipe as shown in FIG. 15 is fitted to a pipe connector such as a compression joint, the spiral groove can provide an unwanted leakage path below the O-ring seal of the compression joint.

[0110] In contrast, the tube cutters shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 include at least two support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' rotatably mounted on the body by biasing means (e.g., springs 1301, 1301'), and the at least two support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' are movable from their respective starting positions X, Y, Q, R, and each of the at least two support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' extends at least partially into the receiving region 20 beyond the outer diameter of each of the forming rollers 22, 22', and no helix was observed.

[0111] In FIG. 10, the receiving region 20 does not include the circular tube 100. Thus, the at least two support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' extend at least partially into the receiving region beyond the outer diameter of each of the forming rollers 22, 22', i.e., the at least two support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' are in their starting positions X, Y, Q, R.

[0112] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the circular tube 100 is received and cut within the receiving region 20. Thus, the circular tube 100 is gripped between the cutting devices, and the support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' and the forming rollers 22, 22' act in a forming pattern on the outer periphery 120 of the circular tube 100 such that, by displacement of the material, a bevel 131, 141 or another type of profile can be formed at at least one end of the tube parts 130, 140 created by the cutting 400 of the blade 6. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, during the cutting operation, when the forming roller is forming a bevel, the support rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' are displaced from their starting positions X, Y, Q, R. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, when the circular tube 100 is received within the receiving region 20 and throughout the cutting operation, a compressive force is exerted by compression springs, e.g., springs 1301, 1301' and other springs (not shown) by which the other support rollers 16, 16' are mounted to the circular tube 100 through the support rollers, which stabilizes the circular tube 100 within the receiving region 20 during the cutting operation.

[0113] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, which includes two forming rollers 22, 22' and two sets of supporting rollers 15, 15', 16, 16', the circular tube 100 accommodated in the receiving area during the cutting operation is particularly stable. This arrangement results in a particularly clean cut, with beveled ends at each cut end. FIG. 13 shows two supporting rollers 15, 16 and one forming roller 22 arranged to engage the same cross-sectional quadrant D of the circular tube 100. Similarly, two supporting rollers 15', 16' and one forming roller 22' are arranged to engage the same cross-sectional quadrant C of the circular tube 100. The cutting device and the supporting rollers are arranged in a substantially circumferentially spaced manner around the receiving area 20. The forming rollers 22, 22' and the supporting rollers 15, 15', 16, 16' are arranged within the receiving area 20 such that each faces the cutting device.

[0114] For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the presence of two forming rollers in close proximity results in an improved bevel that does not include the risk of damaging the O-ring seal of the compression joint.

[0115] In this description, reference to a particular aspect or a particular embodiment or a particular design indicates that the particular features or particular characteristics described in relation to each aspect or each embodiment or each design are at least included therein, but not necessarily in all aspects or embodiments or designs of the present invention. Each combination of the various features and / or structures and / or characteristics described with reference to the present invention is explicitly mentioned to the extent that it is included in the present invention, provided that it does not explicitly or clearly conflict with such relevance.

[0116] The use of individual or all examples, or the illustrative representation in words, is merely intended to explain the present invention and does not represent any limitation with respect to the scope of the present invention unless otherwise claimed. In addition, no representation or syntax in the description should be understood as indicating an element not claimed as essential to the practice of the present invention.

Description of the Reference Numerals

[0117] 1 Tube cutter 1.1 Tube cutter 2 Body 2.1 Body 3 Cutting device 4 Rotating guide 4.1 Rotating guide 5 Cutting part 6 Blade 7 Cutting plane 8 Forming element 9 Forming element 10 Rotation axis 11 Sliding guide 11.1 Guide element 11.2 Guide element 11.1’ Guide element 11.2’ Guide element 12 Guide surface 12.2 Guide surface 12.2’ Guide surface 13 Spring element 14 Positioning element 15 Support roller 15’ Support roller 16 Support roller 16’ Support roller 17 Protrusion 18 Outer circumference 19 Feed unit 20 Receiving area 21 Cutting wheel 22 Forming roller 22’ Forming roller 23 Arrow 24 Further rotating guide 25 Additional support roller 26 Additional support roller 27 Support part 28 Support part 29 Rotation axis 30 Rotation axis 31 Further forming element 32 Support roller 33 Support roller 34 Leaf spring 35 End 36 End 37 Material protrusion 38 Mount 39 Rotation axis 40 Rotation axis 41 Rotation axis 42 Rotation axis 43 Connection point 44 Sliding part 45 Sliding guide 100 Circular tube 110 Central axis 120 Outer circumference 130 Tube part 131 Bevel 140 Tube part 141 Bevel 200 Circular tube 210 Central axis 300 Circular tube 310 Central axis 400 Cut 1301 Spring 1301’ Spring 1501 Support mount 1501’ Support mount A Starting position B Extended position B1 Extended position B2 Extended position X Starting position Y Starting position Q Starting position R Starting position Z Vertical movement

Claims

1. A tube cutter (1, 1.1) for cutting a circular tube (100), comprising a body (2, 2.1), a cutting device (3) assigned to the body (2, 2.1), and a rotary guide (4, 4.1) of the body (2, 2.1), wherein the rotary guide (4, 4.1) is designed to rotatably accommodate the circular tube (100) within a receiving region (20) such that the tube cutter (1) can rotate about the central axis (110) of the circular tube (100) along the outer circumference (120) of the circular tube (100), the cutting device (3) has a cutting part (5) including a blade (6) within a cutting plane (7), and by rotation of the tube cutter (1, 1.1) about the circular tube (100), the blade (6) is configured to perform a circumferential cut (400) of the cutting plane (7), and the tube cutter (1, 1.1) further comprises at least one forming element (8), the at least one forming element (8) protruding into the cutting plane (7) or at least being positioned within the cutting plane (7), and by rotation of the tube cutter (1, 1.1) about the circular tube (100), the at least one forming element (8) is configured to exert a forming action on the outer circumference (120) of the circular tube (100) to form a bevel (131, 141) or another type of contour at at least one end of the tube parts (130, 140) created by the cut (400) of the blade (6) due to displacement of the material. The at least one forming element (8) exists separately from the cutting part (5). The at least one forming element (8) is a forming roller (22, 22'). The tube cutter (1; 1.1) comprises at least one spring element (13), and the at least one forming element (8) is configured to move from a starting position (A) within the receiving region (20) of the circular tube (100) against the force of the at least one spring element (13), so that the at least one forming element (8) exerts a forming force by the force of the spring element (13) when the circular tube (100) is accommodated within the receiving region (20). The rotary guide (4) preferably comprises at least two support rollers (15, 15', 16, 16') that are parallel to each other, and the at least two support rollers (15, 15', 16, 16') are rotatably mounted on the body (2, 2.1). The at least two support rollers (15, 15', 16, 16') are mounted on biasing means, the at least two support rollers (15, 15', 16, 16') are movable from their respective starting positions (X and Y), and each of the at least two support rollers (15, 15', 16, 16') extends into the receiving region (20) at least partially beyond the outer diameter of the at least one forming roller (22, 22') when in the starting positions (X and Y). A tube cutter (1, 1.1) characterized by this. **Claim 2** The tube cutter according to claim 1, wherein each of the axial extensions of the at least two support rollers (15, 15') is arranged to cross the cutting plane respectively. **Claim 3** The tube cutter according to claim 1 or 2, comprising four support rollers (15, 15', 16, 16'). **Claim 4** The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least two support rollers are rotatably mounted on both sides of the cutting plane. **Claim 5** The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least two support rollers (15, 15') are arranged to support the circular tube (100) received in the receiving region (20) by supporting adjacent cross-sectional quadrants of the circular tube (100). **Claim 6** The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least two support rollers (15, 16) are arranged to support the circular tube (100) within the receiving region (20) by supporting the same cross-sectional quadrant of the tube. **Claim 7** The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one forming roller (22) is rotatably mounted between at least two support rollers (15, 16). **Claim 8** The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising two forming rollers (22, 22'). **Claim 9** The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotation axis of at least one forming roller (22) is within the diameter range of each of at least two supporting rollers (15, 16).

10. The rotation axis of at least one forming roller (22) is within the diameter range of each of at least two supporting rollers (15, 16) forming a first set of supporting rollers, and the rotation axis of a second forming roller (22') is within the diameter range of at least two supporting rollers (15', 16') forming a second set of supporting rollers, the first set of supporting rollers being arranged to support one cross-sectional quadrant of the circular tube, and the second set of supporting rollers being arranged to support a second adjacent cross-sectional quadrant of the circular tube. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring, such as a compression spring such as a helical spring, a spiral spring, or a leaf spring.

12. The force that can be exerted on at least one forming roller (22, 22') by at least one spring element (13) is greater than the force that can be exerted on at least two supporting rollers (15, 15') by the biasing means. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of at least two of the supporting rollers is mounted on a separate biasing means.

14. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising two of the supporting rollers (15, 15'), and these two supporting rollers being mounted on a common biasing means.

15. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising four supporting rollers, two supporting rollers being mounted on a first biasing means, and two supporting rollers being mounted on a second biasing means.

16. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein at least two of the supporting rollers are mounted on the body facing the cutting device, and the contact point between the cutting device and the circular tube accommodated in the receiving area (20) is away from the cross-sectional quadrant where the supporting rollers support the circular tube.

17. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the receiving area has a substantially C-shaped, V-shaped, or U-shaped cross section.

18. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the cutting device and the support roller are disposed substantially circumferentially in a spaced-apart manner around the receiving area.

19. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising at least two support rollers sharing a common rotation axis.

20. The tube cutter according to claim 19, comprising two sets of the at least two support rollers, wherein the first set of the at least two support rollers share a common rotation axis, the second set of the at least two support rollers share a common rotation axis, and the rotation axis of the first set of rollers is different from the rotation axis of the second set of rollers.

21. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising two forming rollers, wherein during the cutting operation, the first forming roller shares a common rotation axis with at least one support roller, and the second forming roller shares a common rotation axis with a second support roller.

22. The tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein at least one support roller has a raised surface capable of forming a verification mark on the circular tube during the cutting operation.

23. The tube cutter according to claim 22, wherein the raised surface can form a line mark, a scratch mark, a dot mark, or a knurled mark.

24. A method for cutting a circular tube (100) in the longitudinal direction by the tube cutter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein an active cutting movement is performed on the outer periphery (120) of the circular tube (100) by a blade (6), and by a movement associated with the cutting movement, a forming element (8) moves along the outer periphery (120) of the circular tube (100) to form a bevel (131, 141) or another type of contour at at least one end of the tube parts (130, 140) created by the cutting (300) of the blade (6) due to displacement of the material.

25. Use of the tube cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 23 for cutting a circular tube to a predetermined length.

Images