Parallel Piston Tool for Pipe Fitting Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool devices for connecting plastic or metal-plastic composite pipes to fittings with sliding or compression sleeves require significant space and time due to the sequential arrangement of expanding and pushing/pressing devices, making them inefficient under cramped conditions.
Innovation Solution
The tool device features parallel piston-cylinder units for expanding and pushing/pressing mechanisms, allowing for independent operation without needing to revert to initial positions, reducing space requirements and operation time by using a mechanically operable drive element that can switch between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the expanding device and pushing/pressing device are arranged sequentially one behind the other, then the tool device can be operated with a single drive element, but the tool device requires significant space and the travel distance for operating both devices is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a sequential linear arrangement of piston-cylinder units to a parallel spatial configuration. The first and second piston-cylinder units are positioned side-by-side rather than one behind the other, utilizing the transverse dimension to reduce the overall length of the tool device while maintaining independent operational capability of each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the first piston-cylinder unit and second piston-cylinder unit in an overlapping configuration where their operational spaces partially intersect. This nested-like arrangement allows both devices to coexist in a compact volume, reducing the total space required while preserving independent actuation of each device.
2Device complexity
If the expanding device and pushing/pressing device are arranged sequentially, then a single drive element can operate both devices, but changing between operating modes takes a lot of time as the entire travel path has to be covered
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the piston-cylinder units in parallel rather than sequentially, the patent eliminates the need for the drive element to traverse the entire length of both devices when switching modes. The parallel arrangement allows rapid repositioning between devices, significantly reducing mode switching time.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel configuration allows the drive element to be pre-positioned near both piston-cylinder units, enabling rapid switching between expanding and pushing/pressing operations without requiring long travel distances. This preliminary positioning capability reduces operational delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the expanding device and pushing/pressing device are arranged sequentially, then the tool device can be operated in different modes, but the travel distance for operating both devices is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parallel spatial arrangement of the first and second piston-cylinder units to maintain multi-mode operational versatility while significantly reducing the overall length of the tool device. The side-by-side configuration allows both expanding and pushing/pressing functions to be accessed without requiring the extended travel distance of a sequential layout.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tool device (1) for the connection of a plastics pipe or of a composite metal/plastics pipe to a fitting by way of a sliding sleeve or compression sleeve, wherein the tool device (1) comprises a housing (2); an expanding device (3) for expanding the ends of the plastics pipe or of the composite metal/plastics pipe; a sliding device (4) for sliding on the sliding sleeve or a pressing device for pressing on the compression sleeve; and a mechanically operable drive element (5) which is actuable in a switchable manner in order to drive the expanding device (3) or to drive the sliding device or pressing device (4), wherein the expanding device (3) comprises a first piston-cylinder unit (6), the working piston (8) of which has a piston axis (9) and which has an inner end (10) and an end (11) directed away from the tool device (1), and the sliding device (4) or the pressing device comprises a second piston-cylinder unit (12), the working piston (13) of which has a second piston axis (14) and which has an inner end (15) and an end (16) directed away from the tool device (1), wherein the piston axes (9, 14) extend in a manner parallel to one another, and wherein a perpendicular projection of the inner end of the expanding device (3) onto the piston axis (14) of the sliding device (4) or of the pressing device is located between the inner end (15) and that end (16) of the sliding device (4) or of the pressing device that is directed away from the tool device (1), and/or wherein a perpendicular projection of the inner end (15) of the sliding device (4) or of the pressing device onto the piston axis (9) of the expanding device (3) is located between the inner end (10) and that end (11) of the expanding device (3) that is directed away from the tool device (1). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a tool device (1) according to the invention for the connection of a plastics pipe or of a composite metal/plastics pipe to a fitting by way of a sliding sleeve or compression sleeve.