The invention relates to crimping tools and, more particularly, to a force multiplying structure that provides sufficient force, for example, to crimp or swage an object.
A device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,621 provides high force to an output shaft or ram due to a relatively small force applied to an input shaft. Many applications of this device require a nonlinear, increasing force with respect to travel of a ram. A well-known mechanism that produces a nonlinear, increasing leverage is a double link, hinged in the middle. However, in such mechanisms, pivots at the ends of the links must carry an excessive load and thus can fail.
There is a need to provide force multiplying structure for multiplying the output of a device of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,621 wherein the links do not carry an excessive load.
An object of the invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention a force multiplying structure is provided for multiplying force from an output shaft to a tool. The tool includes first and second members with at least one of the members being a movable member to exert the multiplied force on an object. Each of the first and second members has a cam surface. The force multiplying structure includes a central cam associated with the output shaft. A first link structure has one end pivotally coupled to the first member and another end pivotally coupled with respect to the central cam. A first roller is associated with the first link structure for rotation with respect thereto. The first roller is disposed so as to rotate on the cam surface of the first member and on a surface of the central cam. A second link structure has one end pivotally coupled to the second member and another end pivotally coupled with respect to the central cam. A second roller is associated with the second link structure for rotation with respect thereto. The second roller is disposed so as to rotate on the cam surface of the second member and on a surface of the central cam. Movement of the output shaft causes the first and second link structures to move thereby causing the movable member to move and engage the object with a force increased from a force exerted by the output shaft, with the rollers carrying loads exerted on the first and second link structures.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
a is a schematic view of a link structure of the force multiplying structure and the upper jaw of the crimping tool of
b is a schematic view of a link structure of the force multiplying structure and upper jaw of the crimping tool of
c is a schematic view of a link structure of the force multiplying structure and upper jaw of the crimping tool of
d is a schematic view of a link structure of the force multiplying structure and upper jaw of the crimping tool of
As noted above, there is a need to provide force multiplying leverage structure for the output of a device of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,621, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,621 provides high force to an output shaft or ram due to a relatively small force applied to an input shaft. Alternatively, any type of machine using a ram or linear actuator could make use of the force multiplying structure described below to multiply force.
With reference to
Link structure 22 is pivotally coupled via connection 23 at one end 24 to the jaw 16 with the other end 26 being pivotally coupled via connection 25 to an output shaft 28, such as the output shaft of the tool of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,621 patent, or of the output shaft of the tool described in commonly owned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/401,314, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification. In the embodiment, the link structure 22 includes a pair of links (only one link 27 is shown in
The roller 30 is preferably of elongated cylinder type and is mounted to the links 27 for rotation about axis A (e.g., transverse with respect to link axis B). The roller 30 ensures that the connections 23 and 25 at the ends of the link structure 22 do not carry an excessive load. The links 27 preferably have slotted holes at the connections 23 and 25 thereof that permit the roller 30, not the links, to carry the entire load. The links 27 are important in that they are needed to keep the roller 30 on a centerline between cam surfaces 32, 34 that they roll on. There is very little force that would cause the rollers to move off of this centerline.
With reference to
a-3d show the crimping force provided by the force multiplying structure 10 during various operating stages when coupled with an output shaft of the device described in commonly owned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/401,314. Thus, as the jaws 16 and 18 are moved to a closed position about the object 14 (
Although the force multiplying structure 10 is shown in
In the embodiment, the first link structure 114 includes a pair of links 126 and 128 disposed in spaced relation. A first roller 30′ is provided between the links 126 and 128 for rotation on a cam surface 130 of jaw 112 and on the central cam 132. In the embodiment, the second link structure 118 includes a pair of links 134 and 136 disposed in spaced relation. A second roller 30″ is provided between the links 134 and 136 for rotation on a cam surface 138 of the crimping tool 122 and on the central cam 132.
Since the crank arm 125 is connected with the output shaft 28 it can be considered to be associated with or part of the output shaft. Furthermore, since the central cam 132 is connected with the second link structure 118 which is connected to the crank arm 125, the central cam 132 can be considered to be associated with the output shaft 28.
The embodiment of
The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and functional principles of the present invention, as well as illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and are subject to change without departing from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/729,203, filed on Oct. 24, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60729203 | Oct 2005 | US |