Hydraulic Power Tool Moveable Die Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic crimping tools with biased open single pivot crimping heads face difficulties in aligning crimping jaws with desired crimp locations, leading to undesired crimps and increased time and labor, especially when dealing with large connectors.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic power tool with a working head featuring a moveable die set comprising dies of different geometrical shapes and alignment features, such as grooves or lines, to facilitate precise alignment and reduce ram stroke length, enabling faster crimp cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a biased open single pivot crimping head is used, then the jaws remain open prior to crimping initiation, but proper alignment of the crimping jaws with the desired crimp location becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing alignment features (alignment grooves in the crimping head and alignment protrusions on the connector) that guide and pre-align the connector with the crimping jaws before the crimping force is applied. This ensures proper positioning is achieved in advance, resolving the alignment difficulty caused by the biased open design.
2Manufacturing precision
If the user jogs the device to approach closed jaw position, then alignment may be achieved, but additional time and touch labor are required
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features (grooves and protrusions) perform the alignment function in advance, eliminating the need for the user to jog the device back and forth to achieve proper positioning. The connector is guided into correct alignment as it is inserted, significantly reducing the time and labor required while maintaining crimp location accuracy.
3Force
If a longer ram stroke is used, then full crimping force can be applied, but the duty cycle between tool activations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the die set by providing dies of different body lengths (first die with longer body, second die with shorter body). This parameter change allows the crimping action to be completed with a shorter ram stroke while still achieving the necessary crimping force, thereby reducing the duty cycle time and increasing productivity.
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
The solution allows for precise alignment and reduced cycle time, resulting in faster duty cycles and improved crimp accuracy, particularly for large connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic tool comprising a hydraulic pump is utilized for pressurizing hydraulic fluid and transferring it to a cylinder in the tool. This cylinder causes an extendable piston or ram assembly to be displaced towards a working head
Data Source
AI summary
A working head for a hydraulic power tool including a head frame and a first moveable die head configured to move along the working head frame. The first moveable die head configured to receive a first moveable die comprising a first body length. A second die head is adapted to receive a second die comprising a second body length. The first body length of the moveable die is different from the second body length of the stationary die.