Pivoting Press Tool Jaws for Lateral Press Tabs in Tight Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressing tools struggle to effectively press fittings with laterally projecting press tabs in tight assembly conditions, as they require significant space for gripping and cannot achieve bilateral contact with the press tab.

Innovation Solution

A pressing tool with two pivoting adjusting levers and associated pressing levers, equipped with joints that allow transverse pivoting, enabling the pressing jaws to contact the press tab on both sides, even in confined spaces, using a servomotor for actuation and locking devices for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional pressing tool is used to press fittings with laterally projecting press tabs, then the pressing action can be performed, but the tool requires significant space for gripping and cannot achieve bilateral contact with the press tab in tight assembly conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to press fitting in tight spacesVSAvoidspace required for tool operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing tool employs adjustable pressing levers that can be dynamically repositioned along the pressing jaw, allowing the tool to adapt its configuration to fit within tight spatial constraints while maintaining the ability to apply pressing force to the press tab

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing tool is divided into separate functional components including adjustable pressing levers, pressing jaws, and positioning mechanisms, allowing each segment to be independently positioned to achieve bilateral contact with the press tab in confined spaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the pressing tool is designed to contact the press tab on both sides, then bilateral contact is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjusting mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebilateral contact with press tabVSAvoidadjusting mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanisms serve multiple functions: they position the pressing levers to achieve bilateral contact with the press tab, they allow adaptation to different press tab configurations, and they enable the tool to operate in various spatial configurations, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 pressing of fittings with laterally projecting press tabs in tight spaces by allowing the pressing levers to pivot transversely, ensuring bilateral contact and efficient pressing, even where space is limited.

Implementation Method 1

Each joint (29, 30) has a joint head (31) which is guided in a joint socket (33)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall joint mechanism: Ball

Implementation Method 2

Each locking device (37, 38) has a locking element (39) which is preloaded against a locking contour (45) by a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring preload: Spring

Implementation Method 3

The pressing tool then engages the sleeve around its entire circumference to achieve plastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4461431A1Press tool
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 HENCO IND
  • EP4461431A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461431A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4461431A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressing tool (1) comprising two actuating levers (4, 5) which are pivotable relative to each other in an actuating plane (12) and each is coupled to an associated pressing lever (21, 22), each of which is equipped with a pressing jaw (26, 27). When pivoting, each actuating lever (4, 5) takes its respective associated pressing lever (21, 22) with it in its pivoting movement, whereby the pressing jaws (26, 27) of the pressing levers (21, 42) move either towards each other or away from each other in a pressing plane (28), depending on the pivoting movements of the actuating levers (4, 5) relative to each other.Furthermore, the coupling of the respective actuating lever (4, 5) with the respective associated pressing lever (21, 22) is carried out via a joint, which transmits the pivoting movement of the respective actuating lever (4, 5) to the respective associated pressing lever (21, 22) and thereby enables different laterally pivoted positions of the respective associated pressing lever (41, 42) relative to the respective actuating lever (4, 5).