Press Tool Fixing Element Controls Jaw Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressing tools for press fittings experience unpredictable relative movement between pressing jaws and fittings, leading to uneven deformation, burrs, and potential leaks, which complicate and cost expensive repairs.

Innovation Solution

A pressing tool with at least two movable pressing elements connected like a chain or tongs, equipped with fixing elements such as hemispherical attachments on the pressing jaws to reduce and define relative movement, ensuring controlled deformation and integration of company/product identification for visual inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional pressing tools are used without fixing elements, then the pressing operation can be performed, but unpredictable relative movement occurs between pressing jaws and press fitting, leading to uneven deformation, burrs, and creases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation uniformityVSAvoidconnection tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing element is pressed into the press fitting before the main deformation process begins. This preliminary action establishes a reference point that prevents subsequent unpredictable relative movements, ensuring uniform deformation throughout the pressing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing element acts as an intermediary between the pressing jaw and the press fitting. It mediates the interaction by providing a stable contact point that eliminates slippage and unpredictable movements, thereby ensuring consistent deformation and reliable connection tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If pressing is performed without fixing elements, then the process is simpler, but relative movement causes burrs and creases that weaken the fitting and compromise sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing process simplicityVSAvoidburr and crease formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing element is installed before the pressing operation to establish a stable reference point. This preliminary action prevents the formation of burrs and creases during deformation, eliminating harmful effects without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If no fixing element is used, then the pressing tool structure is simpler, but leak detection is delayed until after extended operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structure complexityVSAvoidleak detection timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing element creates a visible mark or imprint on the press fitting surface. This visual indicator allows for immediate detection of proper pressing and potential leaks, eliminating the need for extended operation before leak detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

4Manufacturing precision

If fixing elements are added to pressing jaws, then relative movement is reduced and deformation is controlled, but the tool structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative movement controlVSAvoidpressing tool structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing tool is segmented into functional components: the pressing jaw structure and the separate fixing element. This segmentation allows the fixing element to be a simple, add-on component rather than integrating complexity into the main jaw structure, thereby controlling relative movement with minimal increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 tool minimizes relative movement and deformation damage, allowing for defined plastic deformation and easy verification of proper pressing through visual inspection, ensuring a tight and reliable connection.

Implementation Method 1

a fixing element is connected to at least one of the press jaws, with the aid of the fixing element reducing the relative movement between the corresponding press jaw and the press fitting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the pressing elements are moved towards one another. The drive element can be connected to the two end pressing elements for closing the pressing tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a plastically deformable press sleeve surrounding the pipe to be connected is manually or automatically deformed radially

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2508275B1Press tool and use of such a press tool
Publication Date: 2014.09.10 NOVOPRESS GMBH PRESSEN UND PRESSWERKZEUGE & CO KG
  • EP2508275B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2508275B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The pressing tool has two pressing elements (10,12) that are movable relative to each other and dies (16,18) that are supported by the pressing elements. A drive unit is provided for moving the dies. A fixing element (22) is provided at one of the dies for reducing the relative motion between the latter die and the press fitting in the area of fixing element. An independent claim is also included for a press fitting with an inner contour.