Crimping Tool Third Handle Jaw Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crimping tools cannot accommodate a partially crimped band for sliding along tubing or pipe due to insufficient jaw opening, especially for diameters around one-half inch, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A crimping tool with a third rotatable handle and an extended ratchet mechanism, allowing for a greater jaw opening, enabling a partially crimped band to be slid along tubing or pipe by manually moving the handles and third handle towards each other, and incorporating a spring to assist in opening the jaws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional crimping tools with two handles are used, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the jaw opening is insufficient preventing partially crimped bands from being slid along tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping tool is segmented into three separate handles instead of the conventional two, with the third handle rotatably attached to the first handle. This segmentation allows independent control of jaw opening and crimping force application, enabling the jaws to open sufficiently wide to accommodate partially crimped bands while maintaining operational simplicity through the rotational coupling mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the jaw opening is increased to accommodate partially crimped bands, then bands can be slid along tubing, but the structural complexity of the tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third handle is rotatably attached to the first handle, creating a dynamic structure that can adapt its configuration. The rotational joint allows the third handle to move between different positions, enabling the jaws to achieve greater opening capacity when needed for band sliding, while returning to a compact configuration during normal crimping operations, thus balancing versatility with structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the sliding of a partially crimped band along tubing or pipe, enhancing the tool's functionality and usability by increasing the jaw opening capacity, allowing for effective attachment of bands to connectors.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a spring to assist in opening the jaws
Data Source
AI summary
In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: first and second handles; first and second crimping jaws operatively connected, respectively, to the first and second handles, such that moving the first and second handles toward each other causes the first and second crimping jaws to advance toward each other thereby to crimp a band around tubing or pipe; and a third handle rotatably attached to the first handle, such that a user of the apparatus manually moves the first handle toward the second handle by grasping the second handle and the third handle and moving them toward each other. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.