Variable Force Spring Mechanism for Automatic Crimping Pliers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressing and crimping pliers face a conflict between requiring a spring to bias jaws for closing or opening, which complicates the design and operational safety, as they need to secure workpieces without manual force but also open automatically after the working stroke.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a spring device with an equilibrium position that applies a closing force during the initial part of the working stroke and an opening force during the latter part, allowing automatic return to the equilibrium position, ensuring secure clamping and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to bias the pliers jaws in closing direction to secure workpieces automatically, then the workpiece securing is improved, but the operational safety deteriorates due to risk of accidental closure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force parameter is made variable rather than constant. The spring device applies different magnitudes of closing force at different positions during the working stroke, with maximum force at the beginning and decreasing force toward the end, eliminating the need for constant high spring force and reducing accidental closure risk
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device is designed to dynamically adjust its closing force based on the position of the pliers jaws during operation. The force transitions from high to low as the jaws move through their stroke, providing secure initial clamping while allowing safe release at the end
2Ease of operation
If a spring is used to bias the pliers jaws in opening direction for automatic return, then the automatic return is improved, but the workpiece securing deteriorates as manual force is needed to maintain clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device operates in periodic phases: applying closing force during the first part of the working stroke and switching to opening force during the second part. This periodic action allows automatic return without requiring continuous manual force to maintain clamping
Solution Approach 2:
The spring dynamically switches its function from closing to opening based on the position in the working stroke, providing workpiece securing when needed and automatic return when the stroke is complete
3Ease of operation
If a spring device with equilibrium position is used to provide both closing and opening forces, then the operational comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device is designed as a multi-functional mechanism that performs multiple roles: it provides closing force, provides opening force, and establishes an equilibrium position. This single device replaces what would otherwise require separate spring mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The closing spring and opening spring functions are merged into a single spring device with an equilibrium position. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary functions
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 design enhances operational comfort and safety by automatically securing workpieces without manual force and ensuring the pliers open automatically after the crimping process, improving force conditions and reducing the risk of accidental closure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring device (35) is integrated into the pressing pliers or crimping pliers (1). The at least one spring device (35) comprises an equilibrium position at which the at least one spring device (35) generates no spring force
Implementation Method 2
The at least one spring device has a particular design and is integrated into the force flow in a particular way
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to pressing or crimping pliers (1). According to the invention a spring device (35) (which is e.g. embodied as U-shaped leaf spring (36)) is used in the crimping pliers. In an equilibrium position (48) the leaf spring (36) is trapped between stops (49, 50). If the pressing or crimping pliers (1) are moved from the equilibrium position (48) in closing direction the leaf spring (36) is biased by a follower (54) such that the leaf spring (36) generates an opening force. In reversed direction the opening movement of the pressing or crimping pliers (1) from the equilibrium position (48) leads to a bias of the leaf spring (36) by a follower (55) such that the leaf spring is able to generate a closing force. According to the invention it is possible to provide that the pressing or crimping pliers (1) automatically and elastically open when reaching the closed position. Furthermore, a workpiece inserted into the pressing or crimping pliers (1) is clamped by a closing force and secured in this way.