CRIMPING ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS HAVING A DIE STOP

Abstract

A crimping system includes a control portion, a crimping portion, and a die set. The control portion controls operation of crimping a hose and fitting assembly. The crimping portion mechanically engages a die set against the hose and fitting assembly based on the operation of the control portion. The die set includes a die having a die stop that facilitates alignment of the hose and fitting.

Description

BACKGROUND

Hoses are often used in industrial applications for media transfer, such as the transfer of fluids from one location to another. The hoses can be employed to transfer chemicals, air, water, beverage, cleaning materials and the like.

Ends of the hoses typically connected to input or output connections to serve their purpose. These connections require some type of fitting to physically and safely attach the ends of the hoses.

Fittings are generally used to make these connections by creating secure connections.

One technique of assembling fittings to hose ends is referred to as crimping and involves mechanically modifying some portion of a fitting to secure or assemble the fitting and hose end together as a substantially permanent assembly.

However, mechanically modifying the fittings typically requires manual adjustments and many years of experience to do properly. Otherwise, fitting hose assemblies can fail.

What is needed are one or more improved techniques for assembling fittings and hose ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a die 100 for use in a crimp machine in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a back view illustrating the die 100 for use in a crimp machine in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the die 100 for use in a crimp machine in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the die 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the die 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the die 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a horizontal crimping machine 700 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a diagram further illustrating the crimping portion 702 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the die set 830 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the die 100 with the die stop 308.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating insertion of a fitting and a hose for assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example method for forming a fitting hose assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description is presented herein solely for the purpose of illustrating the various embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope and applicability of the disclosure. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term “about” (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, with the understanding that a value range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, “a range of from 1 to 10” is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific data points within the range, or even no data points within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific data points, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and all data points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventors had possession of the entire range and all points within the range.

Unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts according to the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as “including”, “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, or “involving”, and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited.

Also, as used herein, any references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

Hoses are often used in industrial applications for media transfer, such as the transfer of fluids from one location to another. The hoses can be employed to transfer chemicals, air, water, beverage, cleaning materials and the like.

Ends of the hoses typically connected to input or output connections to serve their purpose. These connections require some type of fitting to physically and safely attach the ends of the hoses.

Fittings are generally used to make these connections by creating secure connections.

One technique of assembling fittings to hose ends is referred to as crimping and involves mechanically modifying some portion of a fitting to secure or assemble the fitting and hose end together as a substantially permanent assembly.

However, mechanically modifying the fittings typically requires manual adjustments and many years of experience to do properly. Otherwise, fitting hose assemblies can fail.

What is needed are one or more improved techniques for assembling fittings and hose ends.

One or more embodiments are provided to facilitate crimping. They include one or more die of a crimp die set having a die stop to mate a crimp fitting against and facilitate crimped assembly accuracy. The die stop is situated so that the die with the stop sits on a bottom of an open crimp head. Thus, an uncrimped assembly can be placed in the crimp head until meeting resistance from the die stop. The die stop can be implemented as a die stop pin, ridge, edge and the like. Once placed, the crimping operation is performed and the fitting and hose end are formed as an assembly. The die stop facilitates placement of the hose end and fitting with respect to each other in a crimping machine, in particular a horizontal crimping machine. The facilitated placement also mitigates bubble formation and the like and not crimping to full length.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a crimping system including: a control portion for controlling operation of crimping a hose and fitting assembly; a crimping portion that mechanically engages a die set against the hose and fitting assembly based on the operation of the control portion; the die set includes a die having a die stop.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the crimping portion is horizontal and the die set is positioned along a horizontal axis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the crimping portion is vertical and the die set is positioned along a vertical axis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the control portion initiates the operation of crimping only after positioning the fitting against the die stop.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the die set includes one or more additional dies having die stops.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the die is positioned toward a bottom of the crimping portion to facilitate engagement with the die stop.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the die stop is in the form of a stop pin or screw.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a system, wherein the die stop is an edge.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a die of a die set for crimping, the die including: a top surface; a bottom surface; an outer surface; and an inner surface having a fitting surface, a die stop and a hose portion, the fitting surface engages an outer surface of a fitting and the die stop engages an edge of the fitting.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a die, the fitting surface having a length of at least an outer portion of the fitting.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a die, the hose portion having a length to accommodate an insertion length of a hose end.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a die, the hose portion having a curved profile.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a die, the die stop including an edge.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of forming a fitting hose assembly, the method including: providing a die set having a die with a die stop; inserting a fitting into the die set and against the die stop; inserting a hose end portion into the fitting utilizing the die stop; and mechanically engaging the fitting with the die set to form the fitting hose assembly.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein providing the die set with the die having the die stop includes placing the die with the die stop towards a bottom of a crimping portion of a crimping system.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a die 100 for use in a crimp machine in accordance with one or more embodiments. The die 100 is provided for illustrative purposes and suitable variations are contemplated.

A left side of the die 100 is referred to as a first or top surface and a right side is referred to as a second or bottom surface. The left side may have a divot as shown.

The die 100 includes a die stop 308 that facilitates fitting placement during a crimping operation.

The die 100 includes an interior surface having a die stop 308. The interior surface mechanically engages or supports a fitting. The die stop 308 mechanically positions an edge of the fitting. The die stop 308 is located a distance 104 from the bottom surface. The distance 104 facilitates or ensures proper hose insertion into the fitting.

The die 100 has an overall length of 102 based on the fitting size and the hose insertion.

The die 100 is employed with a die set having a plurality of dies. Typically, the die 100 is positioned towards a bottom of the crimping machine. Other dies of the die set may or may not have similar die stops 308.

FIG. 2 is a back view illustrating the die 100 for use in a crimp machine in accordance with one or more embodiments. The die 100 is provided for illustrative purposes and suitable variations are contemplated.

The die 100 has a radius 204 from a central point of the die set.

An outer surface of the die 100 has a circumference or length 202.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the die 100 for use in a crimp machine in accordance with one or more embodiments. The die 100 is provided for illustrative purposes and suitable variations are contemplated.

The front view includes a detent 314 and an edge or ridge of the die stop 308.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the die 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The die 100 is shown with the top surface 424 on the left and the bottom surface 422 on the right.

An outer surface includes divots or holes 316 that can include internal threads 318.

The die stop is shown with the hose insertion distance 104 and a fitting distance 310.

The interior surface of the die 100 includes a fitting surface 428 and a hose portion 426. The fitting surface 428 engages the fitting.

The die 100 has a length 102, 312.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a cross sectional portion of the die 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The die stop 308 is shown as an edge 528 or ridge.

It is appreciated the die stop 308 can have other configurations, such as a stop pin.

FIG. 6 is side view detail view of the die 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The die 100 is shown with the top surface 424 on the left and the bottom surface 422 on the right.

The interior surface of the die 100 includes the fitting surface 428 and the hose portion 426. The fitting surface 428 engages the fitting.

The hose portion 426 is shown having a curved profile 626, which facilitates hose insertion. It is appreciated that the profile 626 can have other shapes that facilitate hose insertion.

The die stop 308 is shown as the edge 528. The edge 528 can be substantially perpendicular to the fitting surface 428. However, it is appreciated that other angles 530 of less than 90 degrees are contemplated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a horizontal crimping machine 700 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The machine 700 is provided for illustrative purposes and it is appreciated suitable variations are contemplated.

The machine 700 includes a crimping portion 702 and a control panel 704.

The crimping portion 702 is shown without a die set inserted. A die set, such as the set 100 including at least one with the die stop 308, is inserted prior to crimping.

The dies set 830 includes a plurality of dies to mechanically crimp a hose and fitting assembly.

The die set 830 includes one or more of the dies 100 having die stops 308.

FIG. 8 is a diagram further illustrating the crimping portion 702 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The crimping portion 702 is shown with the die set 830 inserted. The die set 830 includes one or more of the dies 100 having the die stops 308.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the die set 830 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

The die set 830 includes the die 100 having the die stop 308.

The die set has a plurality of knobs or handles attached by holes 316.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the die 100 with the die stop 308.

In FIG. 10, the die stop 308 is in the form of a protuberance or raised portion as the stop. In one example, the die stop 308 is formed by screwing into the interior surface of the die.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating insertion of a fitting and hose to be assembled into a die set 1100 having a die stop 308.

The die set 1100 is in a horizontal crimping machine, such as the machine 700.

The fitting and hose are shown being inserted into the die set 1100. An edge of the fitting is placed against or up to the die stop 308.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example method for forming a fitting hose assembly.

The method can be used with the above systems and machines, including die 100 and die stop 308.

The method comprising:

At 1210, providing a die set having a die with a die stop.

At 1220, inserting a fitting into the die set and against the die stop.

At 1230, inserting a hose end portion into the fitting utilizing the die stop.

At 1240, mechanically engaging the fitting with the die set to form the fitting hose assembly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be sufficiently thorough and will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will be appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Also, in some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Further, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that in the design, manufacture, and operation of apparatus to achieve that described in the disclosure, variations in apparatus design, construction, condition, erosion of components, gaps between components may present, for example.

Examples can include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts or blocks of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when performed by a machine cause the machine to perform acts of the method or of an apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to embodiments and examples described herein.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner”, “adjacent”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A crimping system for crimping a hose and fitting assembly comprising:

a control portion for controlling operation of the crimping system;

a crimping portion that mechanically engages a die set against a hose and fitting assembly based on the operation of the control portion;

the die set includes a die having a die stop; and

wherein the die stop mechanically positions an edge of a fitting of the hose and fitting assembly, and

wherein the control portion is configured to initiate the operation of crimping only after the fitting of the hose and fitting assembly is positioned against the die stop.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the crimping portion is horizontal and the die set is positioned along a horizontal axis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the crimping portion is vertical and the die set is positioned along a vertical axis.

4. (canceled)

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the die set includes one or more additional dies having die stops.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the die is positioned toward a back of the crimping portion to facilitate engagement with the die stop.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the die stop is in the form of a stop pin or screw.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the die stop is an edge.

9-18. (canceled)

19. The system of claim 1, the die set including a second die having a second die stop.

20-28. (canceled)

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the die set includes a plurality of dies, each die having a die stop.