DE102017115204B4 - Construction of a tube expansion arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

An expander assembly assembly (10) for clamping a tubular member (12) and securing against an expander drive (14), the expander assembly assembly (10) comprising:a support tool (20);a clamp tube assembly (30), for clamping the tubular member (12);a tube expansion clamp assembly (40) in which a plurality of clamps (42) are combined in pairs with a main body (44), the main body (44) being received in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24). wherein the main body (44) of the expander clamp assembly (40) has a plurality of clamp bores (46) through the main body (44);wherein a mode of motion is created by the application of force to the expander clamp assembly (40) to thereby either position or changing the angle whereby the various clamps (42) of the expander clamp assembly (40) are selected by the mode of motion to cause them to face an end of the tubular member (12) and the expander driver (14), characterized in that: that the carrier tool (20) has a receiving recess of the clamping tube assembly (22) and a receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24), the clamping tube assembly (30) being accommodated in the receiving recess of the clamping tube assembly (22), and that in each clamp bore (46), respectively a spring (47) is provided, a clip (42) being provided in each clip hole (46), the two ends of the clips (42) being respectively in the main body (44), and each clip (42) by the contact of the clamp (42) on the spring (47) is in an elastically displaceable state.

Description

field of invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of hand tools and more particularly to a tube expander device which can be used in conjunction with a tube expander drive and is used for locating a clamp tube assembly and a clamp assembly for tube expansion.

State of the art

In order to connect a metal tubular element to a corresponding device or to connect two metal tubes together, it is usually necessary to change the outside diameter or the shape of one end of the metal tubular element so that it can be successfully connected to the device or to the other metal tubular element. As a method for changing the outer diameter or the shape of the metal tubular member, it may be used that a tube expansion device clamps the metal tubular member and then, at one end of the metal tubular member, a tube expansion is performed with an appropriate clamp of a predetermined length to change the outer diameter or shape change.

However, before performing the flare, the predetermined length of an end of the tubular member and the final shape of the flare must first be determined. Therefore, as a rule, two different forms of clamps must be used. After using, during which they are interchangeable with each other, the tube expansion can be completed successfully. However, it is obvious that the operation in the tube expansion process is inconvenient due to the need for sequential replacement and the need to use appropriate clamps.

Further, when the tube expansion device does not have a configuration for limiting the position of the end of the tube, the user must visually estimate the tube expansion length of the tube, resulting in a reduction in tube expansion accuracy. In addition, by using an additional stopper, such. B. a stopper plate, higher accuracy can be achieved for the tube expansion length of the tube member, but it is obvious that the operation is uncomfortable.

From the patent application publications U.S. 2006/0 144 116 A1 and U.S. 2011/0 247 387 A1 Tube expansion devices with the features of the preamble of claim 1 are known.

object of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure of a flared tube assembly which eliminates the need for changing clamps by enabling modes to be switched, and in which the end of the tubular member can be formed into various shapes when a tubular member is flared.

To solve the problem, a construction of a tube expansion arrangement with the features of claim 1 is provided. Further configurations of the construction of a tube expansion arrangement according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The concept of the present invention resides in that a tube expansion can be performed on any or a suitable clamp of the tube expansion clamp assembly by means of the connection of a carrier tool to a tube expansion clamp assembly and by means of the technical means, namely that with the tube expansion clamp assembly relative to the carrier tool a predetermined mode of movement can be generated, can be performed relative to a tubular element or a tubular expansion drive. Further, the tube expansion clamp assembly can be adjusted to be placed in an appropriate position to limit and determine the tube expansion length of an end of the tubular member.

In order to achieve the above objects and technical effects, the structure of a tube expander assembly according to the present invention for clamping a tubular member and ensuring the opposition on a tube expander drive, the structure comprising: a supporting tool having a receiving hole of the clamp tube assembly and a receiving hole of the clamp assembly; a clamp tube assembly housed in the receiving recess of the clamp tube assembly and for clamping the tubular member; a clamp assembly for tube expansion in which a plurality of clamps are combined in pairs with a main body, the main body being housed in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly. Here, a mode of motion can be created by applying force to the expander clamp assembly to thereby change either position or angle, with the different clamps of the expander clamp assembly being selected by the mode of motion to achieve Chen that these are opposite to one end of the tubular element and the tubular expander drive.

The motion mode mentioned above includes linear translation, arcuate translation, and rotation. Each mode of motion can be used in conjunction with an appropriate shape of the main body, whereby a corresponding mode of motion can be created in the main body.

• 1 eine Außenansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 eine Außenansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 3 eine Außenansicht eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 4 eine Explosionsansicht des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 5 eine Außenansicht der Kombination des Trägerwerkzeugs, der Klemmrohrbaugruppe und der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung des kombinierten Aufbaus des Trägerwerkzeugs, der Klemmrohrbaugruppe und der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 7 eine Außenansicht des Hauptkörpers der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 8 eine erste schematische Ansicht der relativen Position der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung gegenüber dem Trägerwerkzeug des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 9 eine zweite schematische Ansicht der relativen Position der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung gegenüber dem Trägerwerkzeug eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 10 eine schematische Ansicht der Position und des Zustands der zum Anschlagen des Rohrelements dienenden Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 11 eine schematische Ansicht des Verschiebungszustands der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 12 eine schematische Ansicht der Kombination der Klemmenbaugruppe zur Rohraufweitung mit dem Trägerwerkzeug des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 13 eine Draufsicht der kombinierten Komponenten des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures in a schematic representation. It shows:

• 1 an external view of a first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 2 an external view of a second embodiment according to the present invention;
• 3 an external view of a third embodiment according to the present invention;
• 4 an exploded view of the first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 5 14 is an external view of the combination of the carrier tool, the clamp tube assembly and the clamp assembly for expanding the tube of the first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 6 12 is a schematic diagram showing the combined structure of the carrier tool, the clamp tube assembly, and the clamp assembly for expanding the tube of the first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 7 14 is an external view of the main body of the clamp assembly for expanding a tube of the first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 8th Figure 14 is a first schematic view of the relative position of the tube expander clamp assembly to the carrier tool of the first embodiment of the present invention;
• 9 Figure 12 is a second schematic view of the relative position of the tube expander clamp assembly to the carrier tool of a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
• 10 Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the position and state of the tubular member stopping clamp assembly for expanding the tube of the first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 11 Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing the state of displacement of the clamp assembly for expanding the tube of the first embodiment according to the present invention;
• 12 Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the combination of the tube expansion clamp assembly and the carrier tool of the second embodiment according to the present invention;
• 13 12 is a plan view of the combined components of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

See the 1 , 2 and 3 . The tubular expander assembly 10 of the present invention is used to clamp a tubular member 12 and ensure the tubular member is opposed to a tubular expander drive 14. The tubular expander assembly 10 includes a clamp tube assembly 30 and a clamp assembly 40 housed in a carrier tool 20, the carrier tool 20 being connected to the tubular expander drive 14 with the clamp tube assembly 30 serving to clamp the tubular member 12 .

A clamp assembly 16 is mounted on one side of the carrier tool 10 with one end facing the clamp tube assembly 30, one end of the clamp assembly 16 for abutting the clamp tube assembly 30 so that the tubular member 12 clamped by the clamp tube assembly 30 is in a stable positioning state can.

The pipe expansion drive 14 has a shaft bracket 18 . The shaft bracket 18 is located at one end of the expander driver 14 and serves to engage the rotary recess 23 at one end of the carrier tool 20. It should be noted that the expander driver 14 may be hydraulic, pneumatic or screw. The tube expander drive 14 includes an output member (not shown) located at an axial position of the shaft bracket 18 for opposing and moving a clamp 42 .

In the devices shown in the above figures, the position or angle of the expander clamp assembly 40 relative to the carrier tool 20 can be changed by the application of force, allowing the user to select a different clamp 42 of the expander clamp assembly 40 to attach to one end of the tubular member 12 and the pipe expansion drive 14, whereby the end portion of the tubular member 22 under the action of the various clamps 42 different outer diameters or shapes can be formed.

See the 4 and 5 . In the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the carrier tool 20 has a receiving recess for the clamp tube assembly 22 and a receiving recess for the clamp assembly 24 . A through opening 26 (cf. 4 ) provided, whereby the receiving recess of the clamp tube assembly 22 is continuously connected to the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24.

The carrier tool 20 has an observation window 28 , the observation window 28 being of continuous construction and facing the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 . The rotary recess 23 is located at one end of the carrier tool 20 and is adjacent to and continuous with the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 . For example, a perforation 25 is provided between the rotational recess 23 and the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 so that the rotational recess 23 can be continuously connected to the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 via the perforation 25 .

The clamp tube assembly 30 includes two clamp tube blocks 32 which mate with one another and can be effected to close. The two clamping tube blocks 32 serve to clamp the tube element 12. The two closed clamping tube blocks 32 are accommodated in the receiving recess of the clamping tube arrangement 22.

See the 4 and 6 . The tube expander clamp assembly 40 houses a plurality of clamps 42 in the main body 44 . In particular, the main body 44 has a plurality of terminal bores 46 with each terminal bore 46 having a spring 48 therein. Each clamp 42 is accommodated in the respective clamp bore 46 and abuts the respective spring 48, whereby each clamp 42 is in an elastically slidable state.

The tube expander clamp assembly 40 is movably housed within the clamp assembly receiving recess 24 . An end of the clamp 42 faces an end of the tubular member 12 . Thus, a portion of the surface of the expander clamp assembly 40 can be viewed through the viewing window 28 (see FIG 5 ).

For example, the in 5 shown surface of the main body 44 may be marked with characters, symbols or patterns to indicate the type and size of the corresponding clamp 42 or the current position of the main body 44. The user can easily read the characters, symbols or patterns through the observation window 28.

Please refer 7 . One side of the main body 44 of the tube expansion clamp assembly 40 is provided with at least one restricting groove 47 . The present embodiment discloses two restricting grooves 47. Further, a side of the main body 44 of the tube expanding clamp assembly 40 is provided with a plurality of positioning holes 49. As shown in FIG. The limiting grooves 47 and the terminal holes 46 are not in the same plane.

See the 4 and 8th . One side of the carrier tool 20 is provided with at least one limiting part 27 . The figures reveal two limiting parts 27. Furthermore, one side of the carrier tool 20 is provided with an elastic positioning element 29. Although the figures show a combination of a stopper 27 shown as a bolt, an elastic positioning member 29 shown as a spring, a steel ball and a stop screw, the components and combination are for illustrative purposes only and are not limited thereto.

See the 8th and 9 . The tube expander clamp assembly 40 is movably housed within the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 of the carrier tool 20 . The restricting parts 27 are mounted on the bottom surface of the supporting tool 20, with one end of the restricting part 27 facing and being able to be locked with the restricting groove 47, so that the clamp assembly for expanding the pipe 40 can be moved but cannot be detached from the supporting tool 20. The positioning elastic member 29 is mounted on the bottom surface of the supporting tool 20 and can face the positioning hole 49, thereby moving the expander clamp assembly 40 to a predetermined position, with one end of the positioning elastic member 29 (steel ball) facing the positioning hole 49 and communicating with it may be engaged whereby the expander clamp assembly 40 is in the positioning condition.

Please refer 10 in connection with the above description. The tube expander clamp assembly 40 of the present invention can be driven and thus positioned. By having a positioning hole of the main body 44 connected to a positioning elastic assembly (not shown) by selecting a predetermined position, a portion of the surface of the main body 44 (e.g. the surface between the two clamp bores) directly opposite the end of the tubular member 12 lie.

According to the 10 disclosed state and in 10 In the position disclosed, the surface of the tubular member 12 can be used to limit the displacement of the tubular member 12 into the main body 44. With the pipe element, this position can be used as a precise reference position for carrying out the subsequent pipe expansion. In this way, at one end of the tubular element 12, the exact tubular expansion length can be determined. Whether the tube expansion clamp assembly 40 is moved to the reference position can be determined from the characters, symbols or patterns marked on the surface of the main body 44 displayed through the observation window 28 .

Please refer 11 . The expander clamp assembly 40 is subjected to a force and is displaced thereby causing the two ends of any clamp 42 within the main body 44 to oppose the expander driver 14 and the tubular member 12 in the clamp tube assembly 30, respectively. The operator controls the tubular expander drive 14, causing the output member of the tubular expander drive 50 to push the clamp 42, thereby moving the clamp 42 toward one end of the tubular member 12.

Since each clamp 42 has a different tube expander function, for example, it can be used to change the outside diameter or shape of the tubular member 12, using a quick and easy mode of operation, the operator can conveniently switch the position of the clamp assembly to the tube expander 40 and select different Clamps 42 complete the tube expansion of one end of tube member 22 .

See the 2 and 12 . The difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment is that the main body 44 of the expander clamp assembly 40 is elongated, arc-shaped and block-shaped, and the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 of the carrier tool 20 for fitting to the arc-shaped main body 44 has the shape of an arc-shaped groove . Thus, the tube expander clamp assembly 40 can be movably accommodated in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 . When the main body 44 experiences a force, movement can be effected in an arcuate path, causing various clamps 42 to oppose the tubular member 12 and the tubular expander drive 14 (see FIG 2 ).

See the 3 and 13 . The difference of the third embodiment from the first embodiment is that the main body 44 of the clamp assembly for tube expansion 40 is disk-shaped, and the disk-shaped main body 44 is rotatably housed in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 . The receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 is an open recess that extends through the carrier tool 20 . The disk-shaped main body 44 can be used with a suitable shaft to be accommodated in the open-mouthed receiving recess of the clamp assembly 24 . The main body 44 can be rotated by the application of force, causing various clamps 42 to oppose the tubular member 12 and the tubular expander drive 14 (see FIG 2 ).

The resulting positioning of the expander clamp assembly 40 after movement/rotation and the technical means in the second and third embodiments for preventing the main body 44 from detaching from the carrier tool 20 can achieve all the means listed in the first embodiment.

A construction of a clamp tube assembly thus comprises a carrier tool, a clamp tube assembly and a clamp assembly for expanding the tube. The clamp tube assembly is housed in the carrier tool for clamping a tubular member. The expander clamp assembly includes a plurality of clamps, with the expander clamp assembly being movably mounted in the support tool to provide opposition to the clamp tube assembly. By changing the position or angle of the tube expansion clamp assembly based on the different tube diameters or shapes of the tube expansion, the appropriate clamp can be opposed to the tube element. The clamp contacts one end of the tubular member and is continuously advanced to create a predetermined tubular flare condition. With the above structure and operation mode, changing terminals is no longer required, so easy operation can be achieved with it.

The above description represents only preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the claims. All equivalent changes and modifications, which can be made by one skilled in the art in accordance with the description and drawings of the invention, fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims.

Reference List

10

tube expansion assembly

12

pipe element

14

pipe expansion drive

16

clamping assembly

18

wave stand

20

carrier tool

22

Receiving recess of the clamping tube arrangement

23

rotational recess

24

Receiving recess of the clamp assembly

25

perforation

26

passage opening

27

boundary part

28

observation window

29

elastic positioning element

30

clamp tube assembly

32

clamp tube block

40

Tube expansion clamp assembly

42

clamp

44

main body

46

terminal hole

47

limiting groove

48

Feather

49

positioning hole

Claims (9)

An expander assembly assembly (10) for clamping a tubular member (12) and securing against an expander driver (14), the expander assembly assembly (10) comprising: a support tool (20); a clamp tube assembly (30) for clamping the tubular member (12); a tube expanding clamp assembly (40) in which a plurality of clamps (42) are paired with a main body (44), the main body (44) being received in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24), the main body (44) of the clamp assembly a plurality of clamp bores (46) through the main body (44) for expanding the tube (40); wherein a mode of motion is created by the application of force to the expander clamp assembly (40) to thereby change either position or angle, the different clamps (42) of the expander clamp assembly (40) being selected by the mode of motion to achieve that these are opposite one end of the tube element (12) and the tube expansion drive (14), characterized in that the carrier tool (20) has a receiving recess for the clamping tube arrangement (22) and a receiving recess for the clamp assembly (24), the clamping tube assembly (30 ) is housed in the receiving recess of the clamp tube arrangement (22), and that a spring (47) is provided in each clamp bore (46), with a clamp (42) being provided in each clamp bore (46), the two ends the clamps (42) are respectively located in the main body (44), and each clamp (42) is in an elastically displaceable state by abutment of the clamp (42) with the spring (47). Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 wherein the main body (44) of the tube expansion clamp assembly (40) is elongate and block-shaped and is movably accommodated in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24), whereby linear displacement can be caused when the main body (44) is subjected to a force , whereby various clamps (42) oppose the tubular member (12) and the tubular expander drive (14). Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 wherein the main body (44) of the tube expander clamp assembly (40) is elongated, arcuate and block-shaped and is movably accommodated in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24), whereby when the main body (44) experiences a force, movement an arcuate path whereby various clamps (42) face the tubular member (12) and the tubular expander drive (14). Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 , in which the main body (44) of The tube expander clamp assembly (40) is disc-shaped and rotatably housed in the receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24), the main body (44) being rotatable by the application of force, whereby various clamps (42) are attached to the tubular member (12) and the expander drive (14). opposite. Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 wherein the carrier tool (20) has an observation window (28), the observation window (28) facing the receiving recess of the clamp assembly (24), a portion of the surface of the clamp assembly for tube expansion (40) being viewed through the observation window (28). can. Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 wherein one side of the main body (44) of the clamp assembly for tube expansion (40) is provided with a restricting groove (47), wherein one side of the supporting tool (20) is provided with restricting parts (27), the restricting parts (27) being inserted into the Carrier tool (20) are introduced and protrude into the limiting groove (47). Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 wherein one side of the main body (44) of the tube expansion clamp assembly (40) is provided with a plurality of positioning holes (49), wherein the supporting tool (20) is provided with a positioning elastic member (29) opposed to the positioning hole (49), the tube expansion clamp assembly (40) faces the support tool (20) to change position or angle, the elastic positioning element (29) being intended to be combined with the various positioning holes (49). Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 7 , wherein the surface of the main body (44) of the tube expansion clamp assembly (40), after the connection of a positioning hole (49) with the elastic positioning assembly, is directly opposite to the end of the tubular member (12) to prevent the displacement of the tubular member (12) in the To limit the main body (44) and thus to form a reference position for the implementation of the subsequent tube expansion in the tube element (12). Construction of a tube expansion arrangement (10). claim 1 wherein the carrier tool (20) has a rotary cavity (23), the rotary cavity (23) being located at one end of the carrier tool (20) and being adjacent and continuously connected to the receiving cavity of the clamp assembly (24), wherein the tubular expander drive ( 14) has a shaft bracket (18), the shaft bracket (18) being located at one end of the pipe expansion drive (14) and being used for latching with the rotary recess (23).

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