EP3302886B1 - Tool for crimping, pressing or forming a workpiece - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tool for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a tool comprises a first handle element and a second handle element, each of which has a handle section. To operate the tool, the grip elements can be adjusted relative to one another, in particular pivoted relative to one another, in order in this way to operate a tool mechanism enclosed in a mechanism housing for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece inserted into the tool mechanism.

The mechanism housing of the tool mechanism is arranged on the first grip element and has an end face facing away from the first grip section of the first grip element. For example, the mechanism housing is arranged at one end of the elongated first grip element and thus lies with its end face from the grip section of the first grip element. The tool can, for example, be designed as pliers, for example as crimping or pressing pliers. The grip elements can be ergonomically designed so that a user can take hold of the grip elements with one hand in order to operate the tool manually in this way.

For example, if the tool is designed as a crimping pliers, the tool mechanics must be of such massive construction that forces occurring during crimping can be absorbed and diverted in a favorable manner. The tool mechanics enclosed in the tool housing thus has a comparatively high weight, especially in comparison to the grip elements, which means that the tool can hit a floor, in particular with its tool housing, if a user drops the tool. If the tool is dropped, the tool housing can be damaged, for example the surface can be damaged, which can increase the susceptibility to corrosion, or deformation, which can possibly impair the function of the tool.

Tools for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece are for example from the EP 0 732 779 B1 and the unpublished Swedish patent application with application number SE 77765 known, the content of which is to be included in full here.

With one of the EP 0 732 779 B1 Known crimping pliers for ferrules can be adjusted to one another, for example by pivoting gripping elements towards one another, so that a working space formed between the pressing jaws is reduced and a workpiece in the form of a ferrule is pressed in the working space.

There is a need for a tool that is better protected against impact, for example on a floor, if the tool is dropped.

The object of the present invention is to provide a tool for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece that provides improved impact protection in a simple, cost-effective manner.

This object is achieved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the tool has an impact protection element arranged on the first grip element, which has two legs and an end face section connecting the legs to one another, the mechanism housing being arranged between the legs and the end face section extending over the end face of the mechanism housing.

The end face section of the impact protection element covers the end face of the mechanism housing at least in sections. The end face of the mechanism housing faces away from the grip section of the first grip element and is particularly susceptible to damage if the tool is dropped, because the tool tends to hit this end face due to the comparatively heavy tool mechanics. Because the end face is at least partially covered by the end face section of the impact protection element, the end face section can cushion an impact and thus protect the mechanics housing on its end face, so that the risk of damage to the mechanics housing is at least reduced.

The impact protection element can for example be designed as a U-shaped bracket. The impact protection element extends from the first grip element and at least partially encloses the mechanism housing. For example, the legs of the bow-shaped impact protection element can extend along side surfaces of the mechanism housing and thus protect the mechanism housing on these side surfaces, while the end face section connects the legs to one another and covers the end face of the mechanism housing, so that protection is provided on the end face via the end face section.

The grip elements of the tool can preferably be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis in order to actuate the tool mechanics of the tool for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece placed in the tool mechanics. The mechanism housing has, for example, side surfaces which are spaced apart from one another along the pivot axis and which are connected to one another via the end surface which is curved, for example, about the pivot axis. The end face section of the impact protection element extends parallel to the pivot axis over the end face and thus at least partially covers the end face towards the outside, so that the mechanical housing is protected from the outside via the end face section of the impact protection element in the event of an impact.

The end face of the mechanism housing can, for example, be curved at least in sections in a circular arc around the pivot axis.

The end face section of the impact protection element partially covers the end face of the mechanism housing towards the outside and thus provides impact protection for the mechanism housing on its end face. The end face section can provide protection for the end face of the mechanism housing not only in the immediate overlap area, but generally all those areas of the end face are protected which, due to the shape of the end face section, do not contact the surface on which the tool hits when the tool hits impacts, can come into contact. If the end face section of the impact protection element forms, for example, a first impact edge which is arranged in relation to a second impact edge of the first grip element or the second grip element in such a way that the mechanism housing is set back from an imaginary line connecting the first impact edge and the second impact edge The tool is caught by the two rebound edges and cannot use the mechanical housing set back in relation to the rebound edges, i.e. the one between the rebound edges arranged, recessed areas of the mechanism housing, so that the mechanism housing is additionally protected by the impact edges.

The first grip element, like the second grip element, can be made of plastic, for example, whereby two-component technology can be used to manufacture, for example, the grip section on the one hand and other sections of the grip element on the other hand from different plastic materials with different rigidity. In this case, the impact protection element is preferably formed integrally, i.e. in one piece, with the first grip element, also made of plastic, the impact protection element extending from the first grip element over the mechanism housing and thus at least partially enclosing it.

In contrast, the mechanism housing is made of metal, for example, and thus has increased structural strength, which is required in order to be able to absorb and dissipate the forces occurring in the tool mechanism in a suitable manner. For example, the mechanism housing can be made of steel.

In order to crimp, press or otherwise deform a workpiece, for example a sleeve or the like, the workpiece is to be inserted, for example, into a work space of the tool mechanics. For this purpose, one or both of the legs of the impact protection element can have an opening which is, for example, coaxial with the pivot axis of the grip elements and enables a workpiece to be inserted into the working space of the tool mechanics.

In order to further simplify the insertion of the workpiece into the tool mechanics, an insertion bevel, for example, can be arranged on an edge surrounding the opening, on which the workpiece runs when it is inserted into the tool mechanics, so that the workpiece can be conveniently and easily inserted into the tool mechanics via the insertion bevel Working space of the tool mechanics is led into it.

The tool mechanics can, for example, as described in FIG EP 0 732 779 B1 or the unpublished Swedish patent application with application number SE 77765 , the content of which is to be fully included in the present case.

For example, the tool mechanism can have an actuating element and at least one press element movably arranged on the actuating element, wherein the actuating element for moving the pressing element can be actuated by adjusting the first and second grip elements relative to one another. The adjusting element can, for example, be rotatable about the pivot axis of the grip elements in the mechanism housing by a predetermined angle in order to adjust one or more pressing elements coupled to the adjusting element in such a way that a working space formed in the tool mechanics is reduced and thus a working space inserted into the working space The workpiece is pressed, for example crimped. If several pressing elements are provided, these are preferably adjusted uniformly by adjusting the adjusting element and act on the workpiece from different sides, so that the workpiece is deformed in the same way on different sides.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Werkzeugs zum Krimpen, Pressen oder Verformen eines Werkstücks;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des Werkzeugs;

Fig. 3A

einen schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Werkzeugmechanik des Werkzeugs, vor Betätigen des Werkzeugs zum Verformen eines Werkstücks; und

Fig. 3B

eine schematische Ansicht der Werkzeugmechanik, nach Betätigen zum Verformen eines Werkstücks.

The idea on which the invention is based will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a tool for crimping, pressing or deforming a workpiece;

Fig. 2

a side view of the tool;

Figure 3A

a schematic view of an embodiment of a tool mechanism of the tool, before the tool is actuated to deform a workpiece; and

Figure 3B

a schematic view of the tool mechanics, after actuation to deform a workpiece.

Fig. 1 and 2 show a tool 1 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is designed as a crimping tool. The tool 1 has a first grip element 10 and a second grip element 11, which can be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis A and can be actuated to crimp a workpiece 3, for example a sleeve on an electrical line.

The grip elements 10, 11 are each made of plastic, for example by means of two-component technology, for example by means of plastic injection molding, and have each have a grip section 100, 110 which, compared to other sections of the respective grip element 10, 11, can be made of a different, for example softer material, in order to enable an ergonomically favorable, haptically pleasant gripping of the grip elements 10, 11 by a user.

A tool mechanism 2 is arranged at a front end of the first grip element 10 and can be mechanically operated by adjusting the grip elements 10, 11 relative to one another and is enclosed in a mechanism housing 12. The mechanism housing 12 can be made of metal, in particular steel, for example.

Because the tool mechanism 2 and also the mechanism housing 12 have to absorb comparatively large forces to deform the workpiece 3 when the tool 1 is actuated, the tool mechanism 2, like the mechanism housing 12, is relatively solid with high structural strength. The tool mechanism 2 and the mechanism housing 12 are therefore comparatively heavy in comparison to the grip elements 10, 11.

As a result, if a user accidentally drops the tool 1, it will tend to hit the mechanism housing 12, which can lead to damage to the mechanism housing 12 and also to the tool mechanism 2.

The mechanism housing 12 has two side surfaces 121, 122, spaced from one another along the pivot axis A, each extending transversely to the pivot axis A, which are connected to one another via an end surface 120, so that a mechanism housing 12 that is closed towards the outside results. In particular on sections of the end face 120 remote from the grip element 10, there is an increased risk of impact if the tool 1 with the mechanism housing 12 first hits a floor, for example.

In order to provide impact protection for the tool 1, an impact protection element 13 is arranged on the first grip element 10, which extends in the form of a U-shaped bracket from the first grip element 10 and at least partially surrounds the mechanism housing 12. The impact protection element 13 has two lateral legs 130, 132 which extend along the side surfaces 121, 122 of the mechanism housing 12 extend and are connected to one another via an end face section 131 covering the end face 120.

The impact protection element 13 is manufactured integrally with the first grip element 10 and, like the grip element 10, consists of plastic.

Because the impact protection element 13, in particular with my end face section 131, covers the end face 120 of the mechanism housing 12 on a side of the mechanism housing 12 facing away from the grip element 10, the mechanism housing 12 is protected in the event of an impact, particularly in the area of its end face 120. Protection is also provided on the side surfaces 121, 122 of the mechanism housing 12 via the legs 130, 132.

The fact that the impact protection element 13 is made integrally with the first grip element 10 from plastic and thus - in comparison to the metal mechanism housing 12 - consists of a soft material, forces acting upon impact are effectively dampened, so that the risk of damage to the mechanism housing 12 is reduced.

The impact protection element 13 with its end face section 131, viewed in the circumferential direction around the pivot axis A, not only provides protection in the immediate overlap area of the end face 120, but also in those areas in which contact is prevented upon impact, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is sketched. The end face section 131 thus forms a first impact edge 135 which, together with a second impact edge 112 at an end of the second grip element 11 facing the tool mechanism 2, creates additional impact protection. Because the mechanism housing 12 is set back from an imaginary line L connecting the impact edge in 135, 112 to one another, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 As can be seen, an impact can be absorbed via the impact edge 135, 112 without the mechanism housing 12, with its sections located between the impact edges 135, 112, being able to come into contact with a surface on which the tool 1 strikes. Protection is thus also provided via the impact protection element 13 in the areas of the mechanism housing 12 located between the impact edges 135, 112.

To machine a workpiece 3, for example a crimp sleeve, the workpiece 3 is inserted into the tool mechanism 2 in an insertion direction E. The tool mechanism 2 is enclosed within the mechanism housing 12 and here accessible via an opening 133 in the leg 130, so that the workpiece 3 can be inserted into the tool mechanism 2 through the opening 133 (an identical opening can also be provided on the other, opposite leg 132, so that the workpiece 3 can be inserted from both sides into the Tool mechanics 2 can be used).

A circumferential insertion bevel 134, which is inclined relative to the insertion direction E, is provided at the opening 133, which makes it easier to insert a workpiece 3 into the opening 133 and, in particular, guides the workpiece 3 into the tool mechanism 2 when it is inserted.

An exemplary embodiment of a tool mechanism 2 is shown schematically in FIG Figures 3A and 3B illustrates where Figure 3A the tool mechanics 2 prior to actuation of the tool 1 to deform the workpiece 3 and Figure 3B show the tool 1 after actuation.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tool mechanism 2 has an actuating element 20 which is mounted pivotably about the pivot axis A in the mechanism housing 12 and which is coupled to the second grip element 11 via a pivot point 202 on a tab element 201. A plurality of pressing elements 21 (four in the illustrated embodiment) are arranged on the adjusting element 20, each pressing element 21 being pivotable about an assigned pivot point 211 to the adjusting element 21 at least by a certain pivoting path.

The pressing elements 21 are arranged with their pivot points 211 equally spaced about the pivot axis A on the actuating element 20.

The tool mechanism 2 furthermore has a plurality of guide pins 22 which are each assigned to a pressing element 21 and are fixed in place and in relation to the first grip element 10. The guide pins 22 reach through an opening 200 of the actuating element 20 and are each guided in contact with an associated pressing element 21.

The pressing elements 21 form a working space 24 between them, into which a workpiece 3 can be inserted and the size of which can be changed in order to deform a workpiece 3 inserted into the working space 24 in this way. In a non-actuated state of tool 1 ( Figure 3A ) is the cross-sectional area of the working area (in the swivel plane perpendicular to swivel axis A) comparatively large. After pressing tool 1 ( Figure 3B ) On the other hand, the size of the work space 4 20 is reduced, so that a workpiece 3 located in the work space 24 is pressed.

The second grip element 11 is additionally coupled to the first grip element 10 via a lever element 23, the lever element 23 being pivotably connected to the first grip element 10 on the one hand and to the second grip element 11 on the other hand via pivot points 230, 231.

To actuate the tool 1, the second grip element 11 is moved in an actuation direction B (see FIG Figure 3B ) pivoted relative to the first grip element 10 and thus approached the first grip element 10. As a result, guided by the lever element 23, the adjusting element 20 is adjusted within the mechanism housing 12 in a pivoting direction S, whereby the pressing elements 21 are moved towards one another due to the interaction with the guide pins 23 to reduce the working space 24. A workpiece 3 located in the working space 24 is thus deformed, for example crimped.

For further details of the mode of operation of such a tool mechanism 2, reference is also made to the unpublished Swedish patent application with application number SE 77765 referenced.

It should be expressly pointed out that the tool mechanism 2 can in principle also be designed completely differently. In this respect, it is used on the basis of Figures 3A and 3B embodiment described for illustration purposes only.

The idea on which the invention is based is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can in principle also be implemented in a completely different manner.

A tool of the type described here can in particular be designed as crimping pliers or pressing pliers and can be used for crimping or pressing workpieces, for example sleeves such as wire end sleeves or the like.

Because damage to a mechanical housing can be reliably prevented by an impact protection element of the type described, in particular the risk of corrosion on the mechanical housing as a result of damage is reduced. In addition, deformations on the mechanical housing as a result of a fall and the associated restrictions on the functionality of the tool can be avoided.

List of reference symbols

1

Tool

10

Handle element

100

Handle section

11

Handle element

110

Handle section

111

end

112

Impact edge

12th

Mechanical housing

120

Face

121, 122

Side faces

13th

Impact protection element (bracket)

130

leg

131

Face section

132

leg

133

opening

134

Lead-in bevel

135

Impact edge

2

Tool mechanics

20th

Control element

200

opening

201

Flap element

202

Pivot point

21

Pressing element

211

Pivot point

22nd

Guide pin

23

Lever element

230.231

Pivot point

24

working space

3

workpiece

B.

Actuation direction

E.

Insertion direction

L.

line

S.

Swivel direction

Claims (13)

1. Tool (1) for crimping, pressing or forming a workpiece, having

   - a first grip element (10), which has a first grip portion (100),

   - a second grip element (11), which has a second grip portion (110),

   - a mechanism housing (12), which is arranged on the first grip element (10) and has an end face (120) that faces away from the first grip portion (100), and

   - a tool mechanism (2), which is enclosed in the mechanism housing (12) and can be actuated to crimp, press or form the workpiece (3) by adjusting the first and second grip elements (10, 11) relative to one another,

   characterized by
   an impact-protection element (13), which is arranged on the first grip element (10) and has two limbs (130, 132) and an end-face portion (131) connecting the limbs (130, 132) to one another, wherein the mechanism housing (12) is arranged between the limbs (130, 132) and the end-face portion (131) extends beyond the end face (120) of the mechanism housing (12).
2. Tool (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the impact-protection element (13) is in the form of a U-shaped bracket.
3. Tool (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first grip element (10) and the second grip element (11) can be pivoted in relation to one another about a pivot axis (A), wherein the end-face portion (131) is extended beyond the end face (120) of the mechanism housing (12) parallel to the pivot axis (A).
4. Tool (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the limbs (130, 132) of the impact-protection element (13) extend along oppositely situated side faces (121, 122) of the mechanism housing (12) that are spaced apart from one another along the pivot axis (A).
5. Tool (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the end face (120) of the mechanism housing (12) is curved at least in certain portions in a circular-arc shape about the pivot axis (A).
6. Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end-face portion (131) of the impact-protection element (13) has a first impact edge (135), which is arranged in relation to a second impact edge (112) of the first grip element (10) or of the second grip element (11) in such a way that the mechanism housing (12) is set back with respect to an imaginary line (L) connecting the first impact edge (135) and the second impact edge (112) to one another.
7. Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first grip element (10) is manufactured from plastic.
8. Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact-protection element (13) together with the first grip element (10) is manufactured from plastic.
9. Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism housing (12) is manufactured from metal.
10. Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the limbs (130, 132) has an opening (133) for inserting the workpiece (3) into a working space (24) of the tool mechanism (2).
11. Tool (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that an insertion bevel (134) for inserting the workpiece (3) into the working space (24) of the tool mechanism (2) is formed at the opening (133).
12. Tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool mechanism (2) has an actuating element (20) and at least one pressing element (21) which is arranged movably on the actuating element (20), wherein the actuating element (20) can be actuated to move the pressing element (21) by adjusting the first and second grip elements (10, 11) relative to one another.
13. Tool (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the actuating element (20) is mounted pivotably in the mechanism housing (12) and, by pivoting the actuating element (20), the at least one pressing element (21) can be moved to crimp, press or form the workpiece (3).

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