Press Tool Jaw Assemblies With Asymmetric Clamping Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing press tool assemblies for crimping fittings onto pipes lack compatibility and efficiency due to mismatched dimensions between jaw assemblies and press rings, leading to incomplete crimping operations and user confusion regarding compatibility.
Innovation Solution
The press tool assembly features a housing with a drive unit, clevis, trigger, and pivotable jaw assemblies with specific clamping portions and receiving portions on press rings, allowing for precise engagement and crimping operations by ensuring compatible dimensions and configurations between the jaw assemblies and press rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If jaw assemblies and press rings have mismatched dimensions, then the press tool assembly can accommodate different sizes, but incomplete crimping operations occur and user confusion arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the jaw assemblies and press rings with non-uniform, distinct dimensional characteristics. Each jaw assembly has specific clamping portion dimensions that correspond only to matching press ring receiving portions, creating an asymmetric fit system where mismatched components physically cannot engage properly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of mismatched dimensions into a beneficial feature by designing the asymmetry such that incompatible jaw assemblies and press rings cannot be mounted together. The dimensionality differences that could cause incomplete crimping are instead used to prevent incorrect combinations entirely, turning a reliability problem into a protective design feature
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple jaw assemblies with different dimensions are used, then different fitting sizes can be accommodated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a common mounting interface (clevis) that all jaw assemblies and press rings share. This universal mounting mechanism allows different sized components to be interchangeably mounted on the same press tool housing, enabling one tool to perform multiple crimping functions across different fitting sizes
3Manufacturing precision
If precise dimensional matching is required between jaw assemblies and press rings, then complete crimping is achieved, but ease of operation decreases due to user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry to create visually distinct dimensional profiles for different jaw assembly and press ring combinations. The non-uniform dimensions serve as visual cues that help users quickly identify compatible pairs without confusion, making the precision requirement intuitive rather than obscure
Data Source
AI summary
A press tool assembly includes a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly configured to be selectively coupled to a clevis, and a press ring having a plurality of links pivotably coupled to each other and configured to surround a fitting. The first jaw assembly includes a first jaw defining a first clamping portion and a second jaw defining a second clamping portion. The second jaw assembly includes a third jaw defining a third clamping portion and a fourth jaw defining a fourth clamping portion. The press ring includes first and second receiving portions configured to respectively receive the first and second clamping portions of the first jaw assembly. The third and fourth clamping portions are unable to engage the first and second receiving portions when the second jaw assembly is coupled to the clevis and in the closed configuration.