CA1212528A - Compression tool - Google Patents
Compression toolInfo
- Publication number
- CA1212528A CA1212528A CA000416420A CA416420A CA1212528A CA 1212528 A CA1212528 A CA 1212528A CA 000416420 A CA000416420 A CA 000416420A CA 416420 A CA416420 A CA 416420A CA 1212528 A CA1212528 A CA 1212528A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- die
- tool
- valve
- handle
- relief
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/04—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool
- H01R43/042—Hand tools for crimping
- H01R43/0427—Hand tools for crimping fluid actuated hand crimping tools
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/04—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool
- H01R43/058—Crimping mandrels
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
- Gripping Jigs, Holding Jigs, And Positioning Jigs (AREA)
- Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
- Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract A compression tool comprises a tool head and a pair of dies mounted in the tool head for compressingly, surroundingly engaging a generally tubular workpiece.
The dies define a minimum opening and a maximum opening therebetween for accommodating workpieces over a corresponding range of sizes. A fluid operated drive urges the dies inwardly to compress the work-piece and a fluid pressure control is provided for controllably varying the maximum pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid operated drive in accordance with the size of a workpiece to be compressed.
The dies define a minimum opening and a maximum opening therebetween for accommodating workpieces over a corresponding range of sizes. A fluid operated drive urges the dies inwardly to compress the work-piece and a fluid pressure control is provided for controllably varying the maximum pressure of the fluid supplied to the fluid operated drive in accordance with the size of a workpiece to be compressed.
Description
~21;25Z8 C OMPRES S I ON TOOL
Background of the Invention , This invention is directed generally to ~he field of compression tools a~d more particularly to a compression tool for compressing or crimping generally tubular work-pieces such as connectors or terminals utilized for establishing electrical wiring connections.
A number of compression tools have heretofore been proposed for compressing or crimping the generally tu~l]ar terminal or connector members of the type utilized in elect~ical wiring installations. Briefly, these tubular comlectors receive a wire or bundles of wire and mllst be crimped or compressQd in order to securely forln both a mechanical and electrical union between the connector or terminal and the wire.
The wire sizes and corresponding connector or terminal sizes vary over a considerable range for achieving different wire gauge connections. For exam?le, the outer diameters to be compressed or crimped may range from as small as 1/4" to as l~rge as 2".
Generally speaking, the crimping or compressing tools heretofore proposed for accommodating this range of sizes of connectors or terminals have been of two basic types: 1) a tool having a tool head provided with an interchangeable set of removable diesets, one dieset for each connector size or for sizes within given limited ranges; and 2) a tool having a tool head which carries a single, permanent crimping or compression member which is compressable to different degrees or extents in order to accommodate a given range of sizes.
52~
The former type of tool can be rather difficult and timeconsuming to use, as the removable, interchangeable diesets must be frequently changed in the field, whenever different sized wires and the corresponding connectors or terminals are to be installed The lat~er type of tool is generally referred to as a "dieless" compression tool. The term "dieless" refers to the single, permanent die or compressiny structure which is utilized, rather ~han the multiple, inter-changeable, removable diesets provided with the former -type o~ tool. Tools of this latter type have hereto-fore proven relatively heavy and complex, and have been relatively difficult to operate. Moreover, many of these latter tools are prone to frequent malfunction due to the complexities of their design.
Additionally, the tools of the second type have generally provided an indentor-type of crimp, which is a crimp or compression centered about a single inden~ation, made by the tool, in the termin~l or connector. However, a polygonal configuration of compression or crimping is generally regarded as s~perior in achieving both electrical and ~echanical union of such a connector or terminal with electrical wires.
Objects and Summary of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved compression tool.
A more specific object is to provide a compression tool of the foregoing type which is capable of accom-modating a relatively broad range of connector or terminal sizes.
S2~3 related object is to provide a compression tool of the foregoing ~ype which provides a polygonal compression configuration to the connector or terminal compressed.
A further object is to provide a compression tool of the foregoing type which is relatively simple in design and easy to use and yet is highly reliable in operation.
The present invention thus provides a compression tool comprising: a tool head, a die set including fi~ed and movable die means mounted in said tool head for compressingly, surround-ingly engaging a generally tubular workpiece, said movabl~ diemeans being continuously variably positionable for defining an opening of variable size between a predetermined minimum opening and a predetermined maximum opening for selectively accommodating relatively large to relatively small workpieces over a correspond-ing range of sizes by the same said die set, fluid operated drive means for driving said ~ovable die means toward said predetermined minimum opening to compress a preselected size of workpiece; and fluid pressure control means including a control member manually readily accessible in view to an operator in on-the-job field use for preselecting and presetting the maximum pressure of fluid sup-plied to said fluid operated drive means for the preselected size of workpiece to be compressed and thereby con~rolling the force applied by the drive means to the die means and the compressive force applied by the die means to the selected size of workpiece;
wherein the fluid pressure control means includes a relief valve mounted interiorly of the tool and inaccessible to an operator, said relief valve being movable to a plurality of positions, each position corresponding to a given relief pressure; and wherein the control member comprises a manually adjustable member operatively coupled with the relief valve and including an adjustment knob mounted to an exterior surface of the tool and protruding from the tool for gripping by an operator to manually achieve corresponding movement of the relief valve to a desired one of a plurality of positions thereof, and indicia on said knob and on an adjacent surface of the tool for indicating each of said plurality of posi-tions and thereby indicating each of a corresponding plurality of relief pressures.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing objects, a compression tool according to the invention comprises a tool head, die means mounted in said tool head for compressingly, surround-ingly en~aginy a generally tubular workpiece, said die means defining a minimum opening and a maximum opening therein for accommodating workpieces over a corresponding range of si~es, fluid operated drive means for driving said movable die means to compress said workpiece and fluid pressure control means for con-trollably varying the maximum pressure of the fluid supplied to said fluid operated drive means in a predetermined fashion in accordance wit~ the size of a workpiece to be compressed.
Brief Description of the Drawings Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment together with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a compression tool in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of die portions of the tool of FIG. l;
- 3a -%5~2~
FIG. 3 is a reduced view illustrating one aspect of operation of the dies of ~IG. 2;
FIG. 4 is another reduced view illustrating another aspect of operation of the dies of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is yet another reduced view illustrating a further aspect of the operation of the dies of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, somewhat dia-grammatic in form, of a pressure control portion of the tool of FIG. l; and FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrating lS another aspect of the operation of the pressure control portion.
D ailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Reerring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a compression tool in accordance with the present in-vention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. Broadly speaking, this compression tool 10 includes a tool head 12, a manually controlled tool actuating portion 14.
The tool head 12 comprises a die assembly 18 and a drive assembly 30 for actuating the die assembly 18.
In the illustrated embodiment, the die assembly 18 includes a pair of elongate guide members 20, 22 which slidably mount a lower die member 24 therebetween. An upper die member 26 is mounted to respective top ends of the elongate guide members 20, 22. Between the lower die 24 and the upper die 26 a workpiece-receiving through opening 28 is defined. As will be more fully ~%~
explained later, and in accordance with a feature of the invention, these dies 24 and 26 and the guide members 20, 22 are arranged for compressing or crimping terminals or connectors into engagement with electrical cables or conduc~ors. Moreover, the compression tool 10 readily accommodates such connectors or terminals and associated electrical cables over a relatively broad range of sizes. This novel arrangement avoids the necessity o providing a plurality of interchangeable, removable sets of dies for accommodating such a range of sizes of conductors and connectors or terminals.
The drive assembly 30 is mounted intermediate the die assembly 18 and the manual actuating portion 14. This drive assembly 30 is coupled with the lower die 24 for driving the lower die upwardly, sliding alon~ the guides 20, 22, so as to compress a workpiece between the lower die 24 and upper die 26. In the illustrated embodiment, this drive assembly 30 comprises a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder or ram arrangement, the piston 32 thereof being coupled with the lower die member 24 by suitable means such as a pin 34 extending therethrough.
Hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered to this hydraulic ram assembly 30 by means of a pump 36 mounted within an upper portion of the manual actuating portion 14. In this regard, the actuating portion 14 includes a first handle 38 which is pivotally mounted at a pivot point 39 to a second handle 40. This handle 38 is also operatively collpled for energiæing or actuating the pump 36. Accordingly3 pivotal mounting of the handle 38 with respect to the handle 40 defines a lever for actuating the pump 36. Hence, the pump 36 is primarily located within the handle 40 but is actuated by the pivotal movement of the handle 38.
~ 52 ~
The handle 40 also mounts a variable pressure control apparatus 42 (not shown in detail in FIG. 1) for con~
trolling the maximum pressure of the fluid delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly 30 by thle pump 36 in response to pivotal movement of the handle 38. This pressure control apparatus 42 is adjustable in response to manual rotation of an adjustment knob 44 rotatably carried in the handle 40. In the illustrated embodi-ment, this adjustment member or knob 44 is carried at the bottom of the handle 40. Preferably, indicia 46 are provided on the knob 44 and on the periphery of the handle 40 immediately adjacent thereto for selectin~
the maximum fluid pressure. In operation, the maximum pressure delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly 30 is lS therefore controlled in accordance with the setting of the knob 44. In this regard, the fluid pressure to be applied to the hydraulic ram assembly will generally incr~ase as the pump handle 38 is actuated. However, a maximum pressure is preselected for each size of workpiece to be compressed by the die assembly 12.
Hence, the range of relative movement of the die members 24 and 26, and the range of maximum pressure selectable by the knob 44 and pressure control apparatus 42 together define a range of sizes of workpieces which may be accommodated for compression by the tool 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, th~ die assembly 18 including the guide members 20, 22, the lower die 24 and the upper die 26 will now be described in greater detail.
Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is a typical electrical con-nector or terminal member 50 and an electrical conductor or wire 52 which is to be compressingly engaged or crimped within the tubular conductor or terminal 12 by ~he action of the tool 10 of the invention.
In accordance with a feature of the invention, a composite die is defined by the lower die member 24 and the upper die member 26, which comprises a plurality of in~ermeshing die surfaces, indicated generally by the reference numeral 51. These intermeshing die sur-faces 51 define a relatively broad range of compression, th.ereby accommodating a corresponding ran~e of sizes of connectors or termlnals such as the terminal 50 for compression. In the illustrated embodiment, the inter-meshing die surfaces 51 are defined by a plurality ofdie surfaces an~ intervening recesses on each of the lower die member and upper die member 26.
In this latter regard9 in the lllustrated embodiment, the l.ower die member 24 deines three substantially similar and parallel die surfaces 54, 56 and 58 which are separated by a pair of recesses 60, 62. Similarly, the upper die member 26 defines foux die surfaces 64, 56, 68 and 70 which are substantially similar and parallel and are separated by three recesses 72, 74 and 76. The guides 22 and 20 hold the lower die member 24 and upper die member 26 in alignment such that the die surfaces 54, 56 and 58 of the lower die member 24 are in align-ment with, and as the die member 24 advances, intermesh or interfit with the recesses 72, 74 and 76 of the upper die member 26. Correspondingly, the die surfaces 66 and 68 of the upper die member 26 are aligned with and, as t~e die member 24 advances, interfit with the recesses 60 and 62 of the lower die member 24. The remaining die surfaces 64 and 70 of the upper die member 26 align with and slidably engage over the outer sides of the die surfaces 54 and 58 of the lower die mem~er 24.
5~1~
In operation, and referring to FIG~ 3, FIG. 4 and FIG.
5, the foregoing intermeshing of the respective die members 24 and 26 as the lower, movable die member 24 is advanced by the ram 30, is illustrated. It will be seen from an inspection of these three illustrations that the die assembly 12 as thus far described defines a range of sizes of the through opening 28 from a fully - opened position illustrated in FIG. 3 to a fully closed position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this latter, fully closed position, the respective die surfaces and re-ceiving recesses described above are fully interengaged and bottomed out with respect to each other. Hence, a corresponding range of sizes of workpieces such as the electrical connector or terminal 50 and associated cable 52 may be accommodated for compression by the die assembly of the invention as thus far described.
Reference is next invited to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, wherein further details of the variable pressure control appara-tus 42 are shown. Preferably, this pressure controlappara~us 42 comprises an adjustable relief or bypass valve, In the illustrated embodiment, this pressure relief or bypass valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve chamber 80 which terminates in a conical section 82 defining a valve seat, A correspondingly cylindrical valve member 84 terminates in a generally conical end 86 for seating on the valve seat 82. The valve member 84 and in particular, the end 86-thereof is normally urged into seating engagement with the valve seat 82 by a compression spring 88 which is carried internally o the cylindrical valve portion 84. The opposite end of the spring 88 abuts an adjustable screw or sto~ member 90 which is threadably movable with respect to the valve chamber 80.
~ S 2~
In operation, as the threaded stop member 90 is advanced with respect to.the valve chamber 80J the com-pressive for.ce.applied.to the spring 88 increases, tending to urg~ the valve portion.86.into seating engagement wlth.the valve seat 82 with increasing force Conv~rsel.y, as..the threaded stop member 90 is threadabl.y retracted with.respect to the valve chamber 80, a lesser such force is supplied by the spring 88. The stop member 90 is rotated for either threadable advancement or retraction by an elongate rod 92 which extends axially through the handle 40 ~see FIG. 1) and is coupled at its opposite end to the adjustment knob 44.
The valve 42 is coupled in hydraulic circuit for varying the ma~imum pressure applied to the hydraulic ram assembly 30 by the pump 36. In this regard, a first hydraulic fluid line 94 carries hydraulic fluid from the pump 36 to the hydraulic ram assembly 30.
The valve seat 82 communicates with this first fluid passageway 94 by way of a through bore or passa~eway 96. This bore or passageway 96 is normally held in a closed condition by the seating of the conical valve 86 upon the con~cal valve seat 82. However, when the fluid pressure in the passageway 94 applies a force to the end 86 of the valve member 84 at the passageway 96 which exceeds the force applied by the spring 88 to hold the valve 86 seated, the valve body 84 will be forced back, compressing the spring 88 and permitting fluid from the passageway 94 to enter into and through the passageway 96 to the interîor of the valve body 80. In this regard a second, return bore or passageway 98 is provided in the valve body and is coupled for returning fluid to a suitable fluid reservoir (not shown).
~2~;~5~8 A fluid return line ~not shown~ from the ram 30 is also preferably provided, including a suitable valve ~not shown) to permit the ram to return the die 24 to its fully open posi~ion following compression.
The conduit 94 preferably includes a suitable ball check element lO0 for preventing back flow. The relative pressure in the line 94 at which the valve 84 unseats may be referred to as a relief pressure or by-pass pressure of the valve. This relief or by-pass pressure is adjusted to correspond to a predetermined or desired maximum pressure to be applied to workpieces or connectors o:E given sizes.
In this regard, the indicia 46 on the handle 40 and/or ~djustment knob 44 preferably indicate ~he desired positions of the adjustment knob 44 for a plurality of sizes of connectors or terminals compressable by the tool lO of the invention.
In operation, when a connector or a terminal such as the terminal 50 is to be coupled with a cable such as the cable 50 by compression in the tool of the invention, the adjustment 44 is first set to an indicia 46 corresponding to the size of the terminal or con-nector 50. Thereupon, the handle 38 may be manually, pivotally actuated toward the handle 40 to energize the pump 36 and hence hydraulic ram assembly 30, driving the movable or slidable lower die member 34 upwards towards the relatively fixed or stationary upper die member 26. When the selected maximum or relief pressure has been reached, pressure will be relieved by the v~lve arrang~ment 42 of FIG. 6 and ~IG~ 7, permitting the lo~er die 34 to return to its open condition, whereupon the compressed and joined connector or terminal 50 and wire or cable 52 may be removed from the die opening 28.
~2~25~1!3 In accordance with one practical and prefe~red form of the invention and referring again to FIG. 2, the upper die member 26 is preferably coupled with the top or upper portion of the respective guides 20, 22 by a pair of suitable pins 102, 104. Preferably, one of these pins 102~ 104 is removable, whereby the upper die member 26 is hingedly movable with respect to one of the two guide members 20, 22. Consequently, a connector for joining a pair of wires in serial fashion may ~e ~ccommodated by the tool 10 of the invention.
In this illustrated embodiment, the die surfaces 5~, 56 and 58 of the lower die member are all generally V-shaped, whereby their outermost leading edges inter-mesh with like inwardly-formed portions of the recesses in the upper die member 26. Similarly, the die surfaces 6~, 66, 68 and 70 of the upper die member 26 are also generally V-shaped to intermesh with similar recesses of the lower die member 24. Preferably, the leading edges of the respective die surfaces of both upper die member 26 and the lower die member 24 are generally flat or horizo~tal, that is, generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the die 24, for defining a firm and definite seat with the respective and similar receiving recesses and thus positively defining the ma~imum extent of compression of the die assembly 12.
While the invention has been illustrated and described hereinabove wlth reference to a preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may devise various alternatives, changes and modifications upon reading the foregoing descriptions.
Accordingly, the invention includes such alternatives, changes and modifications insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Background of the Invention , This invention is directed generally to ~he field of compression tools a~d more particularly to a compression tool for compressing or crimping generally tubular work-pieces such as connectors or terminals utilized for establishing electrical wiring connections.
A number of compression tools have heretofore been proposed for compressing or crimping the generally tu~l]ar terminal or connector members of the type utilized in elect~ical wiring installations. Briefly, these tubular comlectors receive a wire or bundles of wire and mllst be crimped or compressQd in order to securely forln both a mechanical and electrical union between the connector or terminal and the wire.
The wire sizes and corresponding connector or terminal sizes vary over a considerable range for achieving different wire gauge connections. For exam?le, the outer diameters to be compressed or crimped may range from as small as 1/4" to as l~rge as 2".
Generally speaking, the crimping or compressing tools heretofore proposed for accommodating this range of sizes of connectors or terminals have been of two basic types: 1) a tool having a tool head provided with an interchangeable set of removable diesets, one dieset for each connector size or for sizes within given limited ranges; and 2) a tool having a tool head which carries a single, permanent crimping or compression member which is compressable to different degrees or extents in order to accommodate a given range of sizes.
52~
The former type of tool can be rather difficult and timeconsuming to use, as the removable, interchangeable diesets must be frequently changed in the field, whenever different sized wires and the corresponding connectors or terminals are to be installed The lat~er type of tool is generally referred to as a "dieless" compression tool. The term "dieless" refers to the single, permanent die or compressiny structure which is utilized, rather ~han the multiple, inter-changeable, removable diesets provided with the former -type o~ tool. Tools of this latter type have hereto-fore proven relatively heavy and complex, and have been relatively difficult to operate. Moreover, many of these latter tools are prone to frequent malfunction due to the complexities of their design.
Additionally, the tools of the second type have generally provided an indentor-type of crimp, which is a crimp or compression centered about a single inden~ation, made by the tool, in the termin~l or connector. However, a polygonal configuration of compression or crimping is generally regarded as s~perior in achieving both electrical and ~echanical union of such a connector or terminal with electrical wires.
Objects and Summary of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved compression tool.
A more specific object is to provide a compression tool of the foregoing type which is capable of accom-modating a relatively broad range of connector or terminal sizes.
S2~3 related object is to provide a compression tool of the foregoing ~ype which provides a polygonal compression configuration to the connector or terminal compressed.
A further object is to provide a compression tool of the foregoing type which is relatively simple in design and easy to use and yet is highly reliable in operation.
The present invention thus provides a compression tool comprising: a tool head, a die set including fi~ed and movable die means mounted in said tool head for compressingly, surround-ingly engaging a generally tubular workpiece, said movabl~ diemeans being continuously variably positionable for defining an opening of variable size between a predetermined minimum opening and a predetermined maximum opening for selectively accommodating relatively large to relatively small workpieces over a correspond-ing range of sizes by the same said die set, fluid operated drive means for driving said ~ovable die means toward said predetermined minimum opening to compress a preselected size of workpiece; and fluid pressure control means including a control member manually readily accessible in view to an operator in on-the-job field use for preselecting and presetting the maximum pressure of fluid sup-plied to said fluid operated drive means for the preselected size of workpiece to be compressed and thereby con~rolling the force applied by the drive means to the die means and the compressive force applied by the die means to the selected size of workpiece;
wherein the fluid pressure control means includes a relief valve mounted interiorly of the tool and inaccessible to an operator, said relief valve being movable to a plurality of positions, each position corresponding to a given relief pressure; and wherein the control member comprises a manually adjustable member operatively coupled with the relief valve and including an adjustment knob mounted to an exterior surface of the tool and protruding from the tool for gripping by an operator to manually achieve corresponding movement of the relief valve to a desired one of a plurality of positions thereof, and indicia on said knob and on an adjacent surface of the tool for indicating each of said plurality of posi-tions and thereby indicating each of a corresponding plurality of relief pressures.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing objects, a compression tool according to the invention comprises a tool head, die means mounted in said tool head for compressingly, surround-ingly en~aginy a generally tubular workpiece, said die means defining a minimum opening and a maximum opening therein for accommodating workpieces over a corresponding range of si~es, fluid operated drive means for driving said movable die means to compress said workpiece and fluid pressure control means for con-trollably varying the maximum pressure of the fluid supplied to said fluid operated drive means in a predetermined fashion in accordance wit~ the size of a workpiece to be compressed.
Brief Description of the Drawings Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment together with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a compression tool in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of die portions of the tool of FIG. l;
- 3a -%5~2~
FIG. 3 is a reduced view illustrating one aspect of operation of the dies of ~IG. 2;
FIG. 4 is another reduced view illustrating another aspect of operation of the dies of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is yet another reduced view illustrating a further aspect of the operation of the dies of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, somewhat dia-grammatic in form, of a pressure control portion of the tool of FIG. l; and FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrating lS another aspect of the operation of the pressure control portion.
D ailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Reerring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a compression tool in accordance with the present in-vention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. Broadly speaking, this compression tool 10 includes a tool head 12, a manually controlled tool actuating portion 14.
The tool head 12 comprises a die assembly 18 and a drive assembly 30 for actuating the die assembly 18.
In the illustrated embodiment, the die assembly 18 includes a pair of elongate guide members 20, 22 which slidably mount a lower die member 24 therebetween. An upper die member 26 is mounted to respective top ends of the elongate guide members 20, 22. Between the lower die 24 and the upper die 26 a workpiece-receiving through opening 28 is defined. As will be more fully ~%~
explained later, and in accordance with a feature of the invention, these dies 24 and 26 and the guide members 20, 22 are arranged for compressing or crimping terminals or connectors into engagement with electrical cables or conduc~ors. Moreover, the compression tool 10 readily accommodates such connectors or terminals and associated electrical cables over a relatively broad range of sizes. This novel arrangement avoids the necessity o providing a plurality of interchangeable, removable sets of dies for accommodating such a range of sizes of conductors and connectors or terminals.
The drive assembly 30 is mounted intermediate the die assembly 18 and the manual actuating portion 14. This drive assembly 30 is coupled with the lower die 24 for driving the lower die upwardly, sliding alon~ the guides 20, 22, so as to compress a workpiece between the lower die 24 and upper die 26. In the illustrated embodiment, this drive assembly 30 comprises a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder or ram arrangement, the piston 32 thereof being coupled with the lower die member 24 by suitable means such as a pin 34 extending therethrough.
Hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered to this hydraulic ram assembly 30 by means of a pump 36 mounted within an upper portion of the manual actuating portion 14. In this regard, the actuating portion 14 includes a first handle 38 which is pivotally mounted at a pivot point 39 to a second handle 40. This handle 38 is also operatively collpled for energiæing or actuating the pump 36. Accordingly3 pivotal mounting of the handle 38 with respect to the handle 40 defines a lever for actuating the pump 36. Hence, the pump 36 is primarily located within the handle 40 but is actuated by the pivotal movement of the handle 38.
~ 52 ~
The handle 40 also mounts a variable pressure control apparatus 42 (not shown in detail in FIG. 1) for con~
trolling the maximum pressure of the fluid delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly 30 by thle pump 36 in response to pivotal movement of the handle 38. This pressure control apparatus 42 is adjustable in response to manual rotation of an adjustment knob 44 rotatably carried in the handle 40. In the illustrated embodi-ment, this adjustment member or knob 44 is carried at the bottom of the handle 40. Preferably, indicia 46 are provided on the knob 44 and on the periphery of the handle 40 immediately adjacent thereto for selectin~
the maximum fluid pressure. In operation, the maximum pressure delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly 30 is lS therefore controlled in accordance with the setting of the knob 44. In this regard, the fluid pressure to be applied to the hydraulic ram assembly will generally incr~ase as the pump handle 38 is actuated. However, a maximum pressure is preselected for each size of workpiece to be compressed by the die assembly 12.
Hence, the range of relative movement of the die members 24 and 26, and the range of maximum pressure selectable by the knob 44 and pressure control apparatus 42 together define a range of sizes of workpieces which may be accommodated for compression by the tool 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, th~ die assembly 18 including the guide members 20, 22, the lower die 24 and the upper die 26 will now be described in greater detail.
Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is a typical electrical con-nector or terminal member 50 and an electrical conductor or wire 52 which is to be compressingly engaged or crimped within the tubular conductor or terminal 12 by ~he action of the tool 10 of the invention.
In accordance with a feature of the invention, a composite die is defined by the lower die member 24 and the upper die member 26, which comprises a plurality of in~ermeshing die surfaces, indicated generally by the reference numeral 51. These intermeshing die sur-faces 51 define a relatively broad range of compression, th.ereby accommodating a corresponding ran~e of sizes of connectors or termlnals such as the terminal 50 for compression. In the illustrated embodiment, the inter-meshing die surfaces 51 are defined by a plurality ofdie surfaces an~ intervening recesses on each of the lower die member and upper die member 26.
In this latter regard9 in the lllustrated embodiment, the l.ower die member 24 deines three substantially similar and parallel die surfaces 54, 56 and 58 which are separated by a pair of recesses 60, 62. Similarly, the upper die member 26 defines foux die surfaces 64, 56, 68 and 70 which are substantially similar and parallel and are separated by three recesses 72, 74 and 76. The guides 22 and 20 hold the lower die member 24 and upper die member 26 in alignment such that the die surfaces 54, 56 and 58 of the lower die member 24 are in align-ment with, and as the die member 24 advances, intermesh or interfit with the recesses 72, 74 and 76 of the upper die member 26. Correspondingly, the die surfaces 66 and 68 of the upper die member 26 are aligned with and, as t~e die member 24 advances, interfit with the recesses 60 and 62 of the lower die member 24. The remaining die surfaces 64 and 70 of the upper die member 26 align with and slidably engage over the outer sides of the die surfaces 54 and 58 of the lower die mem~er 24.
5~1~
In operation, and referring to FIG~ 3, FIG. 4 and FIG.
5, the foregoing intermeshing of the respective die members 24 and 26 as the lower, movable die member 24 is advanced by the ram 30, is illustrated. It will be seen from an inspection of these three illustrations that the die assembly 12 as thus far described defines a range of sizes of the through opening 28 from a fully - opened position illustrated in FIG. 3 to a fully closed position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this latter, fully closed position, the respective die surfaces and re-ceiving recesses described above are fully interengaged and bottomed out with respect to each other. Hence, a corresponding range of sizes of workpieces such as the electrical connector or terminal 50 and associated cable 52 may be accommodated for compression by the die assembly of the invention as thus far described.
Reference is next invited to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, wherein further details of the variable pressure control appara-tus 42 are shown. Preferably, this pressure controlappara~us 42 comprises an adjustable relief or bypass valve, In the illustrated embodiment, this pressure relief or bypass valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve chamber 80 which terminates in a conical section 82 defining a valve seat, A correspondingly cylindrical valve member 84 terminates in a generally conical end 86 for seating on the valve seat 82. The valve member 84 and in particular, the end 86-thereof is normally urged into seating engagement with the valve seat 82 by a compression spring 88 which is carried internally o the cylindrical valve portion 84. The opposite end of the spring 88 abuts an adjustable screw or sto~ member 90 which is threadably movable with respect to the valve chamber 80.
~ S 2~
In operation, as the threaded stop member 90 is advanced with respect to.the valve chamber 80J the com-pressive for.ce.applied.to the spring 88 increases, tending to urg~ the valve portion.86.into seating engagement wlth.the valve seat 82 with increasing force Conv~rsel.y, as..the threaded stop member 90 is threadabl.y retracted with.respect to the valve chamber 80, a lesser such force is supplied by the spring 88. The stop member 90 is rotated for either threadable advancement or retraction by an elongate rod 92 which extends axially through the handle 40 ~see FIG. 1) and is coupled at its opposite end to the adjustment knob 44.
The valve 42 is coupled in hydraulic circuit for varying the ma~imum pressure applied to the hydraulic ram assembly 30 by the pump 36. In this regard, a first hydraulic fluid line 94 carries hydraulic fluid from the pump 36 to the hydraulic ram assembly 30.
The valve seat 82 communicates with this first fluid passageway 94 by way of a through bore or passa~eway 96. This bore or passageway 96 is normally held in a closed condition by the seating of the conical valve 86 upon the con~cal valve seat 82. However, when the fluid pressure in the passageway 94 applies a force to the end 86 of the valve member 84 at the passageway 96 which exceeds the force applied by the spring 88 to hold the valve 86 seated, the valve body 84 will be forced back, compressing the spring 88 and permitting fluid from the passageway 94 to enter into and through the passageway 96 to the interîor of the valve body 80. In this regard a second, return bore or passageway 98 is provided in the valve body and is coupled for returning fluid to a suitable fluid reservoir (not shown).
~2~;~5~8 A fluid return line ~not shown~ from the ram 30 is also preferably provided, including a suitable valve ~not shown) to permit the ram to return the die 24 to its fully open posi~ion following compression.
The conduit 94 preferably includes a suitable ball check element lO0 for preventing back flow. The relative pressure in the line 94 at which the valve 84 unseats may be referred to as a relief pressure or by-pass pressure of the valve. This relief or by-pass pressure is adjusted to correspond to a predetermined or desired maximum pressure to be applied to workpieces or connectors o:E given sizes.
In this regard, the indicia 46 on the handle 40 and/or ~djustment knob 44 preferably indicate ~he desired positions of the adjustment knob 44 for a plurality of sizes of connectors or terminals compressable by the tool lO of the invention.
In operation, when a connector or a terminal such as the terminal 50 is to be coupled with a cable such as the cable 50 by compression in the tool of the invention, the adjustment 44 is first set to an indicia 46 corresponding to the size of the terminal or con-nector 50. Thereupon, the handle 38 may be manually, pivotally actuated toward the handle 40 to energize the pump 36 and hence hydraulic ram assembly 30, driving the movable or slidable lower die member 34 upwards towards the relatively fixed or stationary upper die member 26. When the selected maximum or relief pressure has been reached, pressure will be relieved by the v~lve arrang~ment 42 of FIG. 6 and ~IG~ 7, permitting the lo~er die 34 to return to its open condition, whereupon the compressed and joined connector or terminal 50 and wire or cable 52 may be removed from the die opening 28.
~2~25~1!3 In accordance with one practical and prefe~red form of the invention and referring again to FIG. 2, the upper die member 26 is preferably coupled with the top or upper portion of the respective guides 20, 22 by a pair of suitable pins 102, 104. Preferably, one of these pins 102~ 104 is removable, whereby the upper die member 26 is hingedly movable with respect to one of the two guide members 20, 22. Consequently, a connector for joining a pair of wires in serial fashion may ~e ~ccommodated by the tool 10 of the invention.
In this illustrated embodiment, the die surfaces 5~, 56 and 58 of the lower die member are all generally V-shaped, whereby their outermost leading edges inter-mesh with like inwardly-formed portions of the recesses in the upper die member 26. Similarly, the die surfaces 6~, 66, 68 and 70 of the upper die member 26 are also generally V-shaped to intermesh with similar recesses of the lower die member 24. Preferably, the leading edges of the respective die surfaces of both upper die member 26 and the lower die member 24 are generally flat or horizo~tal, that is, generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the die 24, for defining a firm and definite seat with the respective and similar receiving recesses and thus positively defining the ma~imum extent of compression of the die assembly 12.
While the invention has been illustrated and described hereinabove wlth reference to a preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may devise various alternatives, changes and modifications upon reading the foregoing descriptions.
Accordingly, the invention includes such alternatives, changes and modifications insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (12)
1. A compression tool comprising a tool head, a die set including fixed and movable die means mounted in said tool head for compressingly, surroundingly engaging a generally tubular workpiece, said movable die means being continuously variably positionable for defining an opening of variable size between a predetermined minimum opening and a predetermined maximum opening for selectively accommodating relatively large to relatively small workpieces over a corresponding range of sizes by the same said die set, fluid operated drive means for driving said movable die means toward said predetermined minimum opening to compress a preselected size of workpiece; and fluid pressure control means including a control member manually readily accessible in view to an operator in on-the-job field use for preselecting and presetting the maximum pressure of fluid supplied to said fluid operated drive means for the preselected size of workpiece to be compressed and thereby controlling the force applied by the drive means to the die means and the compressive force applied by the die means to the selected size of workpiece; wherein the fluid pressure control means includes a relief valve mounted interiorly of the tool and inaccessible to an operator, said relief valve being movable to a plurality of position, each position corresponding to a given relief pressure; and wherein the control member comprises a manually adjustable member operatively coupled with the relief valve and including an adjustment knob mounted to an exterior surface of the tool and protruding from the tool for gripping by an operator to manually achieve corresponding movement of the relief valve to a desired one of a plurality of positions thereof, and indicia on said knob and on an adjacent surface of the tool for indicating each of said plurality of positions and thereby indicating each of a corresponding plurality of relief pressures.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said die means comprises guide means, a lower die member slidably mounted to said guide means and an upper die mmber non-slidably mounted to said guide means.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said upper die member and said lower die member include a plurality of intermeshing die surfaces.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said upper die member and said lower die member comprises a plurality of die surfaces spaced apart by a plurality of recesses, said guide means aligning the die surfaces of each of said uppr and lower die member with the recesses of the other to define said plurality of intermeshing die surfaces, the maximum extent of said intermeshing defining said minimum opening of said die set.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of die surfaces of said upper die member and of said lower die member are substantially concave for together surroundingly compressingly engaging said workpiece.
6. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 5 wherein said intermeshing die surfaces collectively define an elongated aggregate die surface which is substantially polygonal in cross-section.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid operated drive means comprises hydraulic piston means coupled for inwardly compressingly moving said die means and pump means coupled in hydraulic circuit for energizing said piston means.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tool further includes manually operated handle means coupled with said tool head and operatively coupled for actuating said pump means.
9. Appartus according to claim 7 wherein said pressure control means comprises an adjustable pressure relief bypass coupled in hydraulic circuit with said pump means.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pressure relief bypass valve comprises a valve seat and a valve member, means for urging said valve member to a seated position against said valve seat and means for varying the force applied to said valve member by said urging means and thereby varying the relief pressure of said pressure relief bypass valve.
11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said handle means comprises a first handle pivotally mounted to a second handle to define a lever for actuating said pump means.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said pump means is carried in said second handle, wherein said drive means is mounted intermediate said second handle and said tool head and wherein said fluid pressure control means is carried in said second handle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US34701482A | 1982-02-08 | 1982-02-08 | |
| US347,014 | 1982-02-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1212528A true CA1212528A (en) | 1986-10-14 |
Family
ID=23361977
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416420A Expired CA1212528A (en) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-11-25 | Compression tool |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0086303A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS58137566A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1212528A (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2177931A (en) * | 1985-06-03 | 1987-02-04 | Napier Ind Ltd | Device for use in making a cracker |
| JPS6233024A (en) * | 1985-08-05 | 1987-02-13 | Izumi Seiki Seisakusho:Kk | Hydraulic fastener |
| US4796461A (en) * | 1986-06-02 | 1989-01-10 | Greenlee Textron Inc. | Hydraulic crimping tool |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1355932A (en) * | 1963-04-09 | 1964-03-20 | Process for assembling rings, as well as said rings and the tools for their installation, in particular on cables and ropes | |
| US4132107A (en) * | 1977-06-24 | 1979-01-02 | Izumi Products Company | Hydraulic compression tool |
| US4136549A (en) * | 1978-01-16 | 1979-01-30 | Burndy Corporation | Electrical cable connector tool |
| US4337635A (en) * | 1980-07-03 | 1982-07-06 | Teledyne Penn-Union | Compression tool |
-
1982
- 1982-11-25 CA CA000416420A patent/CA1212528A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-12-01 EP EP82306372A patent/EP0086303A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1982-12-14 JP JP22000282A patent/JPS58137566A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS58137566A (en) | 1983-08-16 |
| EP0086303A2 (en) | 1983-08-24 |
| EP0086303A3 (en) | 1986-06-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |