Press Jaw Axial Compression for Compact Pipe Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connection methods, such as pressing jaws, face challenges in achieving a non-detachable, metal-sealing connection with ease and safety while maintaining a compact fitting size and minimizing material usage, as they often require inhomogeneous pressing forces and complex structures with increased diameters and material consumption.
Innovation Solution
A press jaw with a sliding unit that can move partially parallel to the axis of the receiving area, allowing for axial compression without the need for large, clumsy pressing tools, and enabling a compact, inexpensive fitting design by using a sliding unit that couples with the jaw quarters to facilitate axial pressing during the closing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radial pressing is used with traditional press jaws, then the pressing force is applied perpendicular to the receiving area axis, but this disturbs the rotational symmetry of the workpiece and impairs connection functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from radial pressing (perpendicular to the receiving area axis) to axial pressing (parallel to the receiving area axis). This dimensional change allows the pressing force to be applied along the axis of the workpiece, maintaining rotational symmetry and ensuring connection functionality while still achieving the desired deformation and sealing.
2Reliability
If axial compression technique is used to maintain workpiece symmetry, then material stress effects are reduced, but the pressing tools become very large and clumsy
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing tool is designed with a compact structure where the sliding unit is nested within or integrated with the jaw quarters. The sliding unit moves axially within the confines of the press jaw assembly, allowing axial compression functionality to be achieved without requiring a large external pressing tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The press jaw incorporates a sliding unit that can move dynamically between different positions (retracted and extended) along the receiving area axis. This dynamic mechanism allows the tool to achieve axial compression while maintaining a compact overall size, as the pressing action is achieved through relative motion rather than a large static structure.
3Ease of operation
If inclined pressing surfaces are used to achieve axial pressing with radial jaw movement, then axial compression is possible, but the fitting diameter must be significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The press jaw is divided into stationary jaw quarters and a movable sliding unit. This segmentation allows the pressing action to be achieved through the relative movement of the sliding unit along the axis, rather than requiring inclined surfaces that would increase the fitting diameter. The axial compression is achieved through the linear motion of the sliding unit against the workpiece.
4Ease of operation
If complex fitting structures with increased diameters are used, then axial pressing can be achieved, but material consumption and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding unit is designed to utilize the closing movement of the jaw quarters to drive its own axial movement through the coupling mechanism. The system is self-actuating, where the radial closing motion automatically converts to axial pressing motion without requiring additional actuators or complex external mechanisms, thereby reducing material consumption and manufacturing costs.
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
This solution allows for a simple, space-saving, and cost-effective production of non-detachable pipe connections with improved material efficiency and ease of handling, achieving a metal-to-metal sealing connection without the need for external force deflection surfaces or complex geometries.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sliding unit (26) is provided, which is displaceable at least partially parallel to the axis (24) of the receiving area (22)... the couplings (32a, 32b) partially couple the displacement of the sliding unit (26), which is at least partially parallel to the axis (24) of the receiving area (22), to the closing movement of the at least one second jaw quarter (6a, 6b)
Implementation Method 2
The couplings (32a, 32b) are formed by contact surfaces (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) which are inclined with respect to the axis (24) of the receiving area (22)
Implementation Method 3
at least one axis of rotation (8a, 8b), which pivotally supports at least one jaw half (2a, 2b)... the at least one jaw half (2a, 2b) is pivotable between an open and a closed position substantially transverse to the axis of the receiving area (24)
Implementation Method 4
The bracket (8) has an upper pivot (8a) pivotally supporting the upper jaw quarters (4a, 6a) and a lower pivot (8b) pivotally supporting the lower jaw quarters (4b, 6b)
Implementation Method 5
method for metal-sealing connection of a fitting to a metal pipe... the compression sleeve (56) is pushed onto the fitting body (54) by a movement of a sliding unit (26) of the press jaw (1) that is at least partially parallel to the axis (24) of the receiving area (22)
Implementation Method 6
axial compression technique... the resilience properties of the workpieces to be deformed also act in principle in the axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a fitting for a metal-to-metal sealing connection with at least one metal pipe, comprising a metal fitting body (54) and a press sleeve (56, 58). The objective of providing a fitting that enables simple crimping transverse to the receiving area axis and simultaneously allows for a reduction in workpiece size, particularly fitting size, is achieved by the fitting body (54) having a cylindrical socket (82, 84) with an inner diameter adapted to the outer diameter of the pipe (80) to be joined and a cylindrical rim, wherein the press sleeve (56, 58) has a receiving section (86) at one end for receiving an end portion of the socket (82, 84), and wherein the press sleeve has a pressing section (88) whose inner profile tapers axially to a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting body (54).wherein in a starting position the fitting body is partially inserted into the press sleeve and wherein the inner profile of the press section is suitable, during an axial displacement onto the fitting body, to crimp the edge of the socket inwards and to taper the edge of the socket to an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe (80) to be joined. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for metal-to-metal sealing of a fitting (50) to a metallic pipe (80).