U.S. patent application number 10/280063 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for crimping tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY CO., LTD., IZUMI PRODUCTS COMPANY. Invention is credited to Hirabayashi, Shigeru, Ishikura, Hideaki, Miyamoto, Shinichi.
Application Number | 20030079513 10/280063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26624137 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030079513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyamoto, Shinichi ; et
al. |
May 1, 2003 |
Crimping tool
Abstract
A crimping tool comprises a crimping operation information
detect unit for detecting information concerning a crimping
operation; a display unit for displaying quantity information; and,
a display control unit for allowing the display unit to display the
quantity information in accordance with the information detected by
the crimping operation information detect unit. A crimping tool
comprises a crimping operation information detect unit for
detecting information concerning a crimping operation; and, a
pressure judge unit for judging, in accordance with information
detected by the crimping operation information detect unit, whether
pressure is normal or abnormal.
Inventors: |
Miyamoto, Shinichi; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Ishikura, Hideaki; (Kyoto, JP) ;
Hirabayashi, Shigeru; (Nagano, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
JAPAN STORAGE BATTERY CO., LTD.,
IZUMI PRODUCTS COMPANY
|
Family ID: |
26624137 |
Appl. No.: |
10/280063 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/19.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 43/0486 20130101;
H01R 43/0427 20130101; H01R 43/0428 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/19.9 |
International
Class: |
B21D 055/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 26, 2001 |
JP |
P. 2001-329299 |
Oct 26, 2001 |
JP |
P. 2001-329300 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A crimping tool, comprising: a crimping operation information
detect unit for detecting information concerning a crimping
operation; a display unit for displaying quantity information; and,
a display control unit for allowing the display unit to display the
quantity information in accordance with the information detected by
the crimping operation information detect unit.
2. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crimping
operation information detect unit includes a pressure sensor for
detecting pressure of the crimping tool, and the display control
unit allows the display unit to display the maximum pressure value
detected during one crimping operation by the pressure sensor.
3. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crimping
operation information detect unit includes an operation detector
for detecting execution of a crimping operation, and the display
control unit counts the number of times of the execution of
crimping operations detected by the operation detector and allows
the display unit to display the count results.
4. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an
electric motor for generating a pressing force.
5. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 4, wherein the crimping
operation information detect unit includes a current detector for
detecting the drive current of the electric motor, and the display
control unit allows the display unit to display the maximum current
value detected during one crimping operation by the current
detector.
6. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 4, further including an
oil-pressure pump drivable by the electric motor to generate a
pressure, wherein the crimping operation information detect unit
includes an oil pressure sensor disposed in the oil pressure pump
for detecting the pressure, and the display control unit allows the
display unit to display the maximum pressure value detected during
one crimping operation by the oil pressure sensor.
7. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 4, wherein the crimping
operation information detect unit includes an operation detector
for detecting execution of a crimping operation, and the display
control unit counts the number of times of the execution of
crimping operations detected by the operation detector and allows
the display unit to display the count results.
8. A crimping tool, comprising: a crimping operation information
detect unit for detecting information concerning a crimping
operation; and, a pressure judge unit for judging, in accordance
with information detected by the crimping operation information
detect unit, whether pressure is normal or abnormal.
9. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 8, wherein the crimping
operation information detect unit includes a pressure sensor for
detecting the pressure, and the pressure judge unit judges, in
accordance with a pressure value detected by the pressure sensor,
whether the pressure is normal or abnormal.
10. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a
notifying unit for notifying the normal or abnormal judgment result
obtained by the pressure judge unit.
11. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a
display unit for displaying quantity information; and, a display
control unit for allowing the display unit to display the maximum
pressure value detected during one crimping operation by the
pressure sensor.
12. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 8, further including an
electric motor for generating pressure of the crimping tool.
13. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
crimping operation information detect unit includes a current
detector for detecting the drive current of the electric motor, and
the pressure judge unit judges, in accordance with a current value
detected by the current detector, whether the pressure is normal or
abnormal.
14. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 13, further comprising
a notifying unit for notifying the normal or abnormal judgment
result obtained by the pressure judge unit.
15. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 13, further comprising
a display unit for displaying quantity information; and, a display
control unit for allowing the display unit to display the maximum
current value detected during one crimping operation by the current
detector.
16. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 12, wherein the
crimping operation information detect unit includes a pressure
sensor for detecting the pressure, and the pressure judge unit
judges, in accordance with a pressure value detected by the
pressure sensor, whether the pressure is normal or abnormal.
17. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 16, further comprising
a notifying unit for notifying the normal or abnormal judgment
result obtained by the pressure judge unit.
18. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 16, further comprising
a display unit for displaying quantity information; and, a display
control unit for allowing the display unit to display the maximum
pressure value detected during one crimping operation by the
pressure sensor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a crimping tool which is
used to crimp a crimping terminal.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In an operation for crimping a crimping terminal, there is
often used a crimping tool which is operated by hand or by
electricity. Also, such crimping tool is used not only to apply
pressure directly to a crimping terminal using a gear mechanism or
a link mechanism but also to apply pressure through oil
pressure.
[0005] Now, description will be given below of a structure example
of an electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool with
reference to FIG. 9. This electrically-operated oil-pressure
crimping tool is of a type that, using a piston 2 which can be
moved forwardly from a main body 1, applies pressure to a crimping
terminal set on a tool head portion 3. Specifically, a DC motor
disposed in the interior of the main body is rotated to thereby
drive an oil-pressure pump through a planetary gear reduction
mechanism, the oil-pressure pump feeds oil within an oil tank to an
oil-pressure cylinder, so that the piston 2 can be moved forwardly
from the main body 1.
[0006] In the present electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping
tool, in case where a handle portion 4 is gripped by hand and a
trigger switch 5 is pressed with a finger, a drive current is
supplied from a battery pack 6 to the DC motor to thereby move the
piston 2 forwardly from the main body 1. Also, in case where an oil
pressure removal button 7 is pressed with a finger, oil within the
oil-pressure cylinder is relieved to the oil tank side, so that the
piston 2 is pulled back by a spring.
[0007] By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional
electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool, unless the piston
2 presses the crimping terminal with oil pressure of a given value
or more, a normal crimping operation cannot be carried out.
However, for example, even in case where oil pressure of a
sufficient value cannot be output due to the end of the life of an
oil pressure circuit of an oil-pressure pump and thus the piston 2
presses the crimping terminal with pressure of less than a given
value, when the crimping terminal is observed after completion of
the crimping operation, it is difficult to judge that the pressure
of the piston 2 has been short and thus the normal crimping
operation could not have been executed. That is, in the
conventional electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool, it
is impossible to know exactly whether a sufficient value of
pressure has been obtained in the crimping operation or not. Due to
this, even in case where the pressure is short to thereby cause
poor crimping in the crimping operation, there is no way to confirm
the occurrence of such poor crimping.
[0008] Also, the above-mentioned problems are similarly found not
only in the above-mentioned electrically-operated oil-pressure
crimping tool but also in a crimping tool which can be operated by
hand or by other kinds of driving power. That is, the problems are
not limited to the oil-pressure crimping tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks
found in the conventional crimping tool. Accordingly, it is an
object of the invention to provide a crimping tool which not only
can display pressure given in a crimping operation or the number of
times of execution of crimping operations, whereby it is possible
not only to judge easily whether any poor crimping has occurred in
a crimping operation or not but also to judge whether the pressure
applied in the crimping operation has been normal or not, thereby
being able to confirm positively the occurrence of poor crimping in
the crimping operation.
[0010] In attaining the above object, according to the invention,
there is provided a crimping tool, having a crimping operation
information detect unit for detecting information concerning a
crimping operation; a pressure judge unit for judging, in
accordance with the information detected by the crimping operation
information detect unit, whether the pressure is normal or
abnormal; and, a notifying unit for notifying the judge result. An
operator, who uses the present crimping tool, is able to know
easily whether the crimping operation has been executed normally or
not. Also, the operator is also able to immediately stop the
crimping operation and take appropriate measures.
[0011] Also, in attaining the above object, according to the
invention, there is provided a crimping tool having a crimping
operation information detect unit for detecting information
concerning a crimping operation; a display unit for displaying
quantity information; and, a display control unit for allowing the
display unit to display the quantity information in accordance with
information detected by the crimping operation information detect
unit. An operator, who uses the present crimping tool, by referring
to the quantity information display, is able to judge easily
whether the crimping operation has been executed normally or not as
well as whether the maintenance of the present crimping tool is
necessary or not.
[0012] By the way, a crimping tool according to the invention is
not limited to a crimping tool which can obtain the pressure
thereof from the driving power of an electric motor but it may be a
crimping tool which can obtain the pressure thereof by hand. Also,
in a crimping tool according to the invention, oil pressure may be
used or may not in order to obtain the pressure thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit
which detects the oil pressure of an oil-pressure cylinder and
displays the thus detected oil pressure on an LED display
device;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 2 is a plan view of an
electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool, showing the LED
display device disposed in a main body thereof;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit
which detects the drive current of a DC motor and displays the
detected drive current on an LED display device;
[0016] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a circuit
using an LED display device which can display bar graphs;
[0017] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit
which counts the number of times of execution of crimping
operations and displays the count results on an LED display
device;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a circuit
which, when the oil pressure of the oil-pressure cylinder in the
crimping operation increases up to a sufficiently high value, turns
on an LED;
[0019] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a circuit
which, when the drive current of the DC motor increases up to a
sufficiently high value, sounds a buzzer;
[0020] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool according to
the invention; specifically, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a circuit
which, when the oil pressure of the oil-pressure cylinder in the
crimping operation increases up to a sufficiently high value, turns
on an LED and also displays the maximum value of the present oil
pressure; and,
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of the whole structure of a
conventional electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] In attaining the above object, according to the invention,
there is provided a crimping tool having a crimping operation
information detect unit for detecting information concerning a
crimping operation; a pressure judge unit for judging, in
accordance with the information detected by the crimping operation
information detect unit, whether the pressure is normal or
abnormal; and, a notifying unit for notifying the judge result. An
operator, who uses the present crimping tool, is able to know
easily whether the crimping operation has been executed normally or
not. Also, the operator is also able to immediately stop the
crimping operation and take appropriate measures.
[0023] By the way, a crimping tool according to the invention is
not limited to a crimping tool which can obtain pressure from the
driving power of an electric motor but it may be a crimping tool
which can obtain pressure by hand. Also, in a crimping tool
according to the invention, oil pressure may be used or may not in
order to obtain the pressure thereof.
[0024] In a crimping tool according to the invention, as the
crimping operation information detect unit, there can be used a
pressure sensor for detecting pressure or an operation detector for
detecting the execution of a crimping operation.
[0025] Also, in an electrically-operated crimping tool which
generates pressure by driving an electric motor, although a
pressure sensor may be used, there can also be used a current
detector for detecting the drive current of the electric motor used
when executing the crimping operation. A DC motor provides an
almost linear relationship between the drive current and output
torque thereof; and, in most of other types of electric motors as
well, the drive current and output torque thereof are mutually
related. Therefore, in case where the maximum value of the drive
current is known, the maximum pressure applied to the crimping
operation can be obtained by analogy and, using the pressure judge
unit, it can be judged whether the crimping operation has been
executed normally or not. Also, in case where the current detector
is used, there is eliminated the need to dispose a pressure sensor
in the oil-pressure cylinder and, therefore, simply by modifying an
electric circuit, the invention can be enforced easily.
[0026] By the way, an electrically-operated crimping tool according
to the invention is not limited to a tool which directly applies
pressure to the crimping terminal using the drive power of an
electric motor, but it may also be a tool which applies pressure to
the crimping terminal through oil pressure using the drive power of
an electric motor.
[0027] However, of electrically-operated crimping tools, an
electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool, which uses an
electric motor to drive an oil-pressure cylinder to thereby
generate pressure to be applied in a crimping operation, not only
is simple in structure but also, even in case where various unit
according to the invention are incorporated therein, can be made
compact. That is, preferably, there may be used such
electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool.
[0028] Also, as the electric motor, preferably, there may be used a
DC motor. The reason for this is as follows: that is, since the DC
motor has an almost linear relationship between the drive current
and output torque thereof, circuits are easy to design and thus the
DC motor is easy to control, and also a battery can be used as the
power supply of the DC motor, which not only allows an operator to
carry the crimping tool with him or her but also permits the
crimping tool to be used regardless of an operation place.
[0029] These crimping operation information detect unit may be used
independently or may be used in combination; for example, a
pressure sensor and an operation detector may be combined together,
or, a current detector and an operation detector may be combined
together.
[0030] In case where a pressure sensor is used as the crimping
operation information detect member, the display control unit may
be structured such that it allows the maximum pressure value
detected by the present pressure sensor during one crimping
operation to be displayed. In case where a current detector is used
as the crimping operation information detect member, the display
control unit may be structured such that it allows the maximum
current value detected by the present current detector during one
crimping operation to be displayed. Also, in case where an
operation detector is used as the crimping operation information
detect member, the display control unit may be structured such that
it not only counts the number of times of execution of crimping
operations detected by the present detector but also allows the
count result to be displayed.
[0031] The display unit, which is used to display the quantity
information, displays a numerical value or a quantity through a
display state including three or more conditions. The display of
numerical values is executed, for example, by displaying single
figures or more according to the decimal display system; and, such
numerical value display has an advantage that the pressure value of
oil pressure and the number of times of execution of operations can
be clearly shown to the operator. As a display device for
displaying figures according to the decimal display system in this
manner, for example, there can be used an LED (Light Emitting
Diode) display device or a liquid crystal display device which uses
a 7-segment display or a dot matrix display.
[0032] The display of quantities is executed by displaying the
quantities of the numerical value information through graphical
representation; and, such quantity display has an advantage that
the pressure value of oil pressure and the number of times of
execution of operations can be shown to the operator in an
intuitively-easy-to-understand manner. For example, when the
numerical values such as the pressure values of the oil pressure
are displayed, the operator must have knowledge about the range of
the normal pressure values. However, in case where the pressure
values are displayed by the quantity display system, the operator
can judge by intuition from proper indexes whether the pressure
values are normal or not. As a display device for displaying the
quantities through graphical representation, for example, there can
be used an LED display device or a liquid crystal display device
which, by enlarging or reducing lighted or transmitted ranges which
are continuous with one another, displays the quantities in bar
graphs or in circle graphs, using a 7-segment display or a dot
matrix display. Also, the bar graphs or circle graphs can also be
displayed stagelessly in an analog manner, for example, by rotating
a cylinder or a disk by a proper angle. Further, instead of the
above enlargement or reduction of the ranges, the quantities can
also be displayed through varying shades or colors.
[0033] The display unit for displaying the quantities includes a
printer which prints the quantities on paper to thereby put them on
record.
[0034] In case where a pressure sensor is used as the crimping
operation information detect unit, the pressure to be applied in a
crimping operation is detected by the pressure sensor and the
maximum value of the pressure is displayed by the display unit.
This allows the operator to judge easily whether a sufficient value
of pressure has been applied by the crimping operation or not.
[0035] In case where a current detector is used as the crimping
operation information detect unit, the drive current of a DC motor
in a crimping operation is detected by the current detector and the
maximum value of the drive current is displayed by the display
unit. Since the DC motor has an almost linear relationship between
the drive current and output torque thereof, in case where the
maximum value of the drive current is known, the maximum oil
pressure applied in the crimping operation can be found, which
makes it possible to judge easily whether the crimping has been
executed with a sufficient value of pressure or not. Also, because
there is eliminated the need for provision of a sensor in the
interior of an oil pressure cylinder, only by modifying an electric
circuit, the invention can be enforced simply. By the way, the
display control unit can also be structured such that, instead of
allowing the maximum value of the drive current to be displayed as
it is, it allows the display unit to display the maximum value of
the drive current in the form of a numerical value converted into
oil pressure.
[0036] In case where an operation detector is used as the crimping
operation information detect unit, the execution of individual
crimping operations is detected and the count results of the number
of times of detection is displayed by the display unit. Thanks to
this, it is possible for the operator to confirm whether a poor
condition can occur in the crimping operation due to the life of
the crimping tool itself or the life of the head portion of the
tool; and also, it is possible for the operator to know whether the
crimping tool itself or the parts of the tool must be replaced or
not.
[0037] Also, according to the invention, there is provided a
crimping tool having crimping operating information detect unit for
detecting information concerning a crimping operation; pressure
judge unit for judging in accordance with the information detected
by the crimping operation information detect unit whether the
pressure is normal or abnormal; and, notifying unit for notifying
the judgment result. According to the present invention, a user,
who uses the present crimping tool, is allowed to know easily
whether the crimping operation has been executed normally or not.
Further, in case where it is found that the crimping operation has
been executed abnormally, the user is allowed to immediately stop
the operation and take appropriate measures.
[0038] Further, in case where the crimping tool of the invention
comprises not only the above-mentioned crimping operation
information detect unit, pressure judge unit and notifying unit but
also display unit for displaying quantity information and display
control unit for allowing the display unit to display the quantity
information. Therefore, a user, who uses the present crimping tool,
is allowed to judge easily by referring to the thus displayed
quantity information whether the crimping operation has been
executed normally or not.
[0039] And, these crimping operation information detect unit may be
used independently or may be used in combination; for example, a
pressure sensor and an operation detector may be combined together,
or, a current detector and an operation detector may be combined
together.
[0040] Also, according to the crimping tool of the invention, the
pressure sensor can also be used in combination with the current
detector. In case where the pressure sensor and current detector
are used in combination, the value detected by the pressure sensor
can be compared with the value detected by the current detector and
thus the detected values can be corrected, which makes it possible
to judge the pressure with more accuracy.
[0041] By the way, according to the invention, the crimping tool is
not limited to a tool of an electrically-operated type that the
pressure thereof can be obtained through the drive force of an
electric motor. For example, the crimping tool may also be a tool
of a type that the pressure thereof can be obtained by hand. Also,
the pressure maybe obtained through oil pressure or not through the
oil pressure.
[0042] As the crimping operation information detect unit for
detecting information concerning pressure applied in a crimping
operation, there can be used a pressure sensor for detecting the
pressure in the crimping operation; and, in the case of an
electrically-operated crimping tool, there can be used a current
detector for detecting the drive current of an electric motor.
[0043] Also, the pressure judge unit is unit which, in accordance
with a pressure value detected by the pressure sensor or a drive
current value detected by the current detector, judges whether the
pressure is normal or abnormal. For example, the pressure judge
unit may be composed of a comparison circuit capable of setting a
given voltage value or a given current value serving as a standard
for judgment, and a record circuit for recording the normal or
abnormal state of the pressure.
[0044] Further, the notifying unit is unit which notifies a user,
who uses the present crimping tool, of the judgment results through
lights or sounds. For example, in case where the pressure is found
abnormal, an LED may by turned on or a buzzer may be sounded. Due
to this, the user using the present crimping tool is allowed to
know immediately whether the crimping operation is good or not. By
the way, the notifying unit has only to notify at least one of the
normal and abnormal judgment results.
[0045] According to the crimping tool of the invention, since the
pressure detected by the crimping operation information detect unit
is judged by the pressure judge unit, it is possible to know
whether the crimping operation has been carried out normally or
not. Such judgment result can be notified immediately to the user
using the present crimping tool; and, at the same time, in the case
of an electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool, there maybe
disposed unit which, when the crimping operation is found abnormal,
shuts off the current and oil pressure system, so that the
operation can be forcibly stopped immediately. Also, the judgment
results of the pressure may be put on record or, in case where
there is disposed unit for transferring the record to a management
department, thereby being able to add such recording function to
the crimping tool. Thanks to this, the parts of the crimping tool,
which has a possibility of being poorly crimped, can be collected
before the present crimping tool is delivered.
[0046] Now, description will be given below of the preferred
embodiments of a crimping tool according to the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0047] FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a crimping tool according
to the invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a
circuit which detects the oil pressure of an oil-pressure cylinder
and displays the thus detected oil pressure on an LED display
device; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electrically-operated
oil-pressure crimping tool, showing the LED display device disposed
in a main body thereof; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit
which detects the drive current of a DC motor and displays the
detected drive current on an LED display device; FIG. 4 is a block
diagram of a circuit using an LED display device which can display
bar graphs; and, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit which
counts the number of times of execution of crimping operations and
displays the count results on an LED display device.
[0048] Further, FIGS. 6 to 8 also show the above embodiment of a
crimping tool according to the invention. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a
block diagram of a circuit which, when the oil pressure of the
oil-pressure cylinder in the crimping operation increases up to a
sufficiently high value, turns on an LED; FIG. 7 is a block diagram
of a circuit which, when the drive current of the DC motor
increases up to a sufficiently high value, sounds a buzzer; and,
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a circuit which, when the oil pressure
of the oil-pressure cylinder in the crimping operation increases up
to a sufficiently high value, turns on an LED and also displays the
maximum value of the present oil pressure.
[0049] By the way, in the present embodiment, the composing parts
thereof having similar functions to those of the conventional
crimping tool shown in FIG. 9 are given the same designations.
[0050] In the present embodiment, description will be given below
of an electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool which is
similar to the conventional crimping tool shown in FIG. 9. In an
electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool according to the
present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, on the upper surface of a
main body 1 thereof, there are disposed an LED display device 8 and
a display button 9. The LED display device 8 is a display device
which displays six-figure numbers through the 7-segment display of
an LED. And, the display button 9 is a switch which switches the
on/off of the display by the LED display device 8.
[0051] Also, in the present electrically-operated oil-pressure
crimping tool, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressure sensor 11 is mounted
on an oil-pressure cylinder 10 which is disposed in the interior of
the main body 1. The pressure sensor 11 is a sensor which detects
the oil pressure in the interior of the oil-pressure cylinder 10
for pressing against a piston 2. The pressure value of the oil
pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11 is transmitted to a
peak hold circuit 12. This peak hold circuit 12 is a circuit which
holds the maximum value of the oil pressure detected by the
pressure sensor 11 and, by resetting a value held in the start time
of a crimping operation, at the time of the end of the present
crimping operation, is able to continue to output the maximum value
of the oil pressure obtained during the present crimping operation.
The maximum value of the oil pressure output by the peak hold
circuit 12 is transmitted to a display driver 13. This display
driver 13 is a circuit which allows the LED display device 8 to
display the maximum value of the oil pressure output by the peak
hold circuit 12 in the form of figures according to the decimal
display system.
[0052] The detect value to be output by the pressure sensor 11 is
an analog signal which is normally composed of a voltage value.
And, the peak hold circuit 12, using an operational amplifier and a
condenser, can be configured as an analog circuit which outputs the
maximum value of the voltage value. Also, the display driver 13 is
able to quantize the present maximum value and control the
7-segment displays of the respective figures numbers of the LED
display device 8 to thereby display them as figures according to
the decimal display system.
[0053] However, according to the present embodiment, the peak hold
circuit 12 and display driver 13 are respectively composed of a
microcomputer mounted on the back surface of a substrate on which
the LED display device 8 is disposed. Therefore, the detect value
of the oil pressure output by the pressure sensor 11 is input to
the analog input terminal of this microcomputer, where it is A-D
converted and is thereby processed as a digital signal. Also, the
peak hold circuit and display driver 13 are respectively composed
of the program of the microcomputer. That is, in the case of the
peak hold circuit 12, in the start time of a crimping operation,
the initial value of the oil pressure is set in a given rewritable
storage area; and, in each sampling, the detect value of the oil
pressure input from the pressure sensor 11 is compared with the
initial value set in the given storage area and, only when the
detect value is larger than the initial value, the initial value is
replaced with the present detect value, while such replacement
processings are repeated, thereby being able to hold the maximum
value of the oil pressure obtained during the present crimping
operation after completion of the present crimping operation. In
the display driver 13, for example, in the case of a dynamic
display, in each display scan, the value set in the given storage
area is read out and is converted into data for a 7-segment
display, and on/off signals are sequentially output to the
respective segments of the respective figures of the LED display
device 8, thereby being able to display figures according to the
decimal display system.
[0054] According to the above-structured electrically-operated
oil-pressure crimping tool, in case where the operator presses down
the display button 9 to turn on the LED display device 8, whenever
a crimping operation is completed, the maximum value of the oil
pressure in the present crimping operation can be displayed by the
LED display device 8. Therefore, by confirming whether the present
maximum value exceeds a given value and thus the oil pressure has
been sufficient for the crimping or not, the operator is able to
judge whether the crimping operation has been performed normally or
not.
[0055] By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, in the case
of the crimping operation information detect unit, description has
been given of a structure using the pressure sensor 11 disposed in
the interior of the oil-pressure cylinder 10. However, this is not
limitative but, for example, provided that it is capable of
detecting the pressure of the piston 2, the pressure sensor 11 may
also be disposed at any position on the oil pressure circuit, or
the pressure sensor 11 may be disposed at a position where it is
able to detect directly the pressure of the piston 2.
[0056] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the drive current of a DC motor 14
disposed in the interior of the main body 1 may be detected by a
current detector 15 and the present detect value may be used
instead of the detect value of the pressure sensor 11. Since the DC
motor 14 provides an almost linear relationship between the drive
current and output torque thereof, by detecting the drive current,
it is possible to know the output torque of the DC motor 14, that
is, the oil pressure to be applied to the oil-pressure cylinder 10
by an oil-pressure pump. In the case of the structure shown in FIG.
3, the maximum value of the drive current is held by the peak hold
circuit 12 and is displayed on the LED display device 8 through the
display driver 13. In this case, the numeric value representing the
maximum value of the drive current can also be displayed after it
is converted into a numeric value representing the maximum value of
the oil pressure. In case where the current detector 15 is used in
this manner, not only there can be eliminated the need for use of
the pressure sensor 11 which is expensive and troublesome to
handle, but also there can be avoided the need for time and labor
for sealing and fixing the pressure sensor 11 to the interior of
the oil-pressure cylinder 10. That is, simply by modifying the
electric circuit, the invention can be enforced at a low cost.
[0057] Also, in the above embodiment, description has been given of
the LED display device 8 for displaying numeric values. However, as
shown in FIG. 4, there can also be used an LED display device 16
which displays quantities. In this LED display device 16, twelve
narrow and long LED display segments are arranged in a row and, as
the value to be displayed increases, these twelve display segments
are turned on sequentially in the order starting from the left side
shown in FIG. 4, that is, the number of the turned-on or lighted
display segments is increased in this order to thereby display the
values in a bar-graph manner. Use of such LED display device 16 can
provide the following advantage: that is, even when the actual
value of the oil pressure or drive current necessary in the
crimping operation is not known, in case where the number of the
turned-on display segments exceeds nine but any one of the
remaining three display segments disposed on the right end side in
FIG. 4 and differing in the light emitting colors is not turned on,
the operator can understand by intuition that a sufficient value of
oil pressure has not been obtained; that is, there can be obtained
an advantage that it is easy for the operator to judge whether the
crimping operation has been executed normally or not. As the LED
display device 16 for displaying quantities, there can be used not
only an LED display device which displays the quantities in such a
bar-graph manner as illustrated in FIG. 4 but also an LED display
device which displays the quantities in a circular-graph manner.
Further, there can also be used a display device which can changes
the light emitting colors or the light emitting intensities step by
step or steplessly according to the values to be displayed.
[0058] Also, in the above embodiment, in the case of the display
unit, description has been given of the structure using the LED
display device 8 and the structure using the LED display device 16.
However, there can also be used any other display unit, provided
that it can display numeric values or quantities using a display
manner including at least three states; for example, there can be
used an LED display device 8 and an LED display device 16 each of a
dot matrix system. Further, the display unit is not limited to a
display device using an LED but it is also possible to use a liquid
crystal display device. Also, the display unit may be linked with a
printer; that is, whenever a crimping operation is executed, the
operation is printed on paper to thereby display the execution of
the operation, so that the crimping operations, which have been
executed previously, can be put on record.
[0059] Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, description has
been given of the structure in which the oil pressure of the
oil-pressure cylinder 10 and the pressure of the piston 2, or the
drive current of the DC motor 14 having a given relationship with
respect to the oil pressure or the pressure is detected and the
maximum value of the detected values is displayed. However,
alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the execution of individual
crimping operations can be detected by a crimping operation
detector 17, the number of times of execution of the crimping
operations detected by the crimping operation detector 17 can be
counted by a counter circuit 18, and the count results of the
crimping operations can be displayed through the display driver 13
on the LED display device 8.
[0060] In actual execution of individual crimping operations, there
is a possibility that an operator continues to depress the trigger
switch 5, or presses back the trigger switch 5 suddenly, or fails
to execute a crimping operation and thus executes the crimping
operation again. Thus, it is not always easy for the crimping
operation detector 17 to detect the execution of the individual
crimping operations one by one with accuracy. Therefore, the
crimping operation detector 17 may be structured such that it need
not always detect the execution of the individual crimping
operations one by one with accuracy. For example, the operation of
the piston 2 may be detected by a microswitch; that is, in case
where the piston 2 advances a given distance or more and then
returns, it may be defined uniformly that one crimping operation is
completed. And, the start and completion of the crimping operation
may also be detected through the varying patterns of the oil
pressure in the interior of the oil-pressure cylinder 10 or through
the varying patterns of the drive current of the DC motor 14. The
counter circuit 18 and display driver 13maybe respectively composed
of a logical circuit, or, similarly to the above-mentioned
embodiment, they may be composed of a microcomputer. In case where
the number of times of execution of the crimping operations is
counted and displayed in the above manner, it is possible to
confirm not only the need for replacement of the parts of the
electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool but also the life
of the electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool itself in
accordance with the thus displayed number of times.
[0061] Further, what is displayed by the display unit such as the
LED display device 8 is not limited to the maximum pressure value
and the number of times of execution of crimping operations that
are mentioned above, but other pieces of information concerning the
crimping operations can also be displayed by the display unit. For
example, in case where pressures respectively applied to the piston
2 in the respective crimping operations are time integrated and the
thus integrated values are added up together and displayed, the
life of the electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool can be
surmised more accurately while differences between the habits of
operators, differences between the materials and shapes of crimping
terminals are taken into consideration.
[0062] Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, description has
been given only of the case in which, only when the display button
9 is depressed to turn on the display unit such as the LED display
device 8, the numeric information can be displayed. However,
alternatively, the information can also be displayed independently
of the display button 9. For example, such display can be executed
when the main switch of the electrically-operated oil-pressure
crimping tool is put into operation, or such display can be
executed only for a given period of time after completion of each
crimping operation. Also, there can be employed a structure in
which, only when the cover of the main body 1 is removed, the
display unit such as the LED display device 8 is allowed to appear
and carry out such display. Further, such display can be performed
for a given period of time after the display button 9 is depressed.
Or, the maximum pressure may be previously detected and the number
of times of execution of crimping operations may be previously
counted using a microcomputer; and, these displays can be switched
over to each other by pressing down the display button 9.
[0063] Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, description has
been given only of the case in which the numeric information
concerning the maximum pressure value and the number of times of
execution of crimping operations are displayed by the display unit
such as the LED display device 8. However, the present numeric
information not only can be displayed by the display unit such as
the LED display device 8 but also can be automatically printed on
paper by a printer each time the crimping operation is executed or
can be printed while an operator is operating a printer. Also, when
the maximum value does not reach a given value or when the number
of times of execution of crimping operations exceeds a given value,
an LED may be blinked in red for display or alarm unit such as a
buzzer may give an alarm.
[0064] Next, description will be given below of an embodiment shown
in FIG. 6 of an electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool
according to the invention. In FIG. 6, a pressure sensor 11 is
mounted on an oil-pressure cylinder 10 which is disposed in the
interior of a main body 1. This pressure sensor 11 is a sensor
which is used to detect the oil pressure in the interior of the
oil-pressure cylinder 10 for pressing against a piston 2. The
pressure value of oil pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11
is transmitted to a comparison circuit 19. Also, the output of the
comparison circuit 19 is transmitted to a memory circuit 20, while
the output of the memory circuit 20 is transmitted to an LED
21.
[0065] The detect value of the oil pressure to be output from the
pressure sensor 11 is an analog signal which normally includes a
voltage value. And, the comparison circuit 19 can compare the
voltage value of the oil pressure with a given voltage value
V.sub.ref using an operational amplifier and also can output a
binary signal indicating whether the voltage value of the oil
pressure exceeds the given voltage value V.sub.ref or not. Also, in
the case of the memory circuit 20, for example, using a flipflop
circuit, in the start time of a crimping operation, a reset signal
is transmitted to a reset terminal RESET thereof to thereby
previously prepare the memory circuit 20 so as to allow an abnormal
signal to be output from an output terminal Q thereof as an initial
value. In case where a signal, which shows that the voltage value
of the oil pressure during the crimping operation exceeds the given
voltage value V.sub.ref, is input to a set terminal SET once or
more times, the memory circuit 20 can switch the state of the
flipflop circuit to thereby allow a normal signal to be output from
the output terminal Q from that time on. That is, in case where the
voltage value of the oil pressure from the start of the crimping
operation to the end thereof never exceeds the given voltage value
V.sub.ref, the memory circuit 20 continues to output an abnormal
signal; and, on the other hand, in case where the voltage value of
the oil pressure exceeds the given voltage value V.sub.ref at least
once, the memory circuit 20 outputs a normal signal. The given
voltage value V.sub.ref is a voltage value which is obtained when
the minimum value for making the oil pressure value sufficiently
high for a crimping operation is made to correspond to the detect
value of the oil pressure of the pressure sensor 11. Now, an LED 21
is a light emitting diode element which is disposed on the upper
surface of the main body 1 and has a green color as the light
emitting color thereof. In case where a normal signal is output
from the memory circuit 20, the LED 21 is turned on, which makes it
possible to notify an operator that the crimping operation is
completed.
[0066] However, in the present embodiment, the comparison circuit
19 and memory circuit 20 are respectively composed of a
microcomputer mounted on a substrate which is disposed in the
interior of the main body 1. Therefore, the detect value of the oil
pressure output from the pressure sensor 11 is input to the analog
input terminal of this microcomputer, where the detect value is A-D
converted and is thereby processed as a digital signal. Also, the
comparison circuit 19 and memory circuit 20 are respectively
composed of the programs of the microcomputers. That is, the
comparison circuit 19 is composed of a program which, in each
sampling, compares the detect value of the oil pressure input
therein through the analog input terminal with its associated one
of the given voltage values V.sub.ref stored in the appropriate
storage areas. In case where the detect value of the oil pressure
is equal to or less than the given voltage values V.sub.ref, the
comparison circuit 19 executes no processing and, in case where the
detect value of the oil pressure exceeds the given voltage values
V.sub.ref, the comparison circuit 19 shifts its control to the
program of the memory circuit 20. The memory circuit 20 is composed
of a program which rewrites the data of a specific output port.
This output port is set in a data output state which, in the start
time of a crimping operation, shows an abnormal state as an initial
value. In case where the comparison circuit 19 judges that the
detect value of the oil pressure exceeds the given voltage values
V.sub.ref, the output port is rewritten to a data output state
which shows a normal state by the memory circuit 20. The LED 21 is
connected to the present output port and, when data showing the
normal state is output, the LED 21 can be turned on.
[0067] According to the above structured electrically-operated
oil-pressure crimping tool, whenever one crimping operation is
ended, the operator is able to know from the turned-on LED 21 that
the oil pressure during the present crimping operation has exceeded
the given voltage value V.sub.ref at least once and thus there has
been obtained a sufficient output for the present crimping. Also,
in case where the LED 21 is structured such that it can be turned
on only when the crimping operation is executed normally, there can
be eliminated a fear that occurrence of poor crimping can be
overlooked when the LED 21 is not turned on due to its
breakdown.
[0068] By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, description
has been given of the case using the pressure sensor 11 that is
disposed in the interior of the oil-pressure cylinder 10. However,
according to the invention, the pressure sensor 11 may be disposed
at any position on the oil-pressure circuit, provided that it is
able to detect the pressure of the piston 2; or, the pressure
sensor 11 can also be disposed at such a position that permits
direct detection of the pressure of the piston 2.
[0069] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the drive current of a DC motor 14
disposed in the interior of the main body 1 may be detected by a
current detector 15 and the thus detected value may be used instead
of the detect value of the pressure sensor 11. Since the DC motor
14 has an almost linear relationship between the drive current and
output torque thereof, by detecting the drive current, it is
possible to know the output torque of the DC motor 14, that is, the
oil pressure that is applied to the oil-pressure cylinder 10 by an
oil-pressure pump. Also, it is also possible to use any one of
other electric motors than the DC motor 14, provided that it has a
correlation between the drive current and output torque thereof. In
the case of the structure shown in FIG. 7, the value of the drive
current is compared with a given voltage value V.sub.ref V by a
comparison circuit 19 and the comparison result is transmitted
through a memory circuit 20 to a buzzer 22. In this case, the drive
current of the DC motor 14 is detected as a voltage value by the
current detector 15; and, the given voltage value V.sub.ref V is a
voltage value which can be obtained when the minimum pressure value
necessary for the oil pressure to be sufficiently high pressure for
a crimping operation is made to correspond to the detected voltage
value of the current detector 15. Use of such current detector 15
not only can eliminate the need for use of the pressure sensor 11
which is expensive and troublesome to handle, but also can avoid
the time and labor to seal and fix the pressure sensor 11 to the
interior of the oil-pressure cylinder 10. That is, only by
modifying the electric circuit, the invention can be enforced at
low cost.
[0070] The buzzer 22 is structured such that, when the memory
circuit 20 outputs data showing a normal state, it gives out a
sound to thereby notify the operator of the effect that a
sufficiently large value of pressure has been obtained. However,
such confirming sound may only be given for a short period of time
and, therefore, preferably, after completion of the crimping
operation, a reset signal may be transmitted immediately to the
memory circuit 20 to stop the sound. Also, the buzzer 22 may also
be structured such that, only when the memory circuit 20 is
outputting data showing an abnormal state even after completion of
the crimping operation, it can give out an alarm sound to thereby
notify the operator of the effect that the pressing force of the
crimping operation has been short. In such case where the shortage
of the pressure of the crimping operation is notified, instead of
the buzzer 22, an LED 21 may also be blinked in red as an alarm
light. However, to stop the confirming sound, or to give out the
alarm sound, or to use the LED 21 as an alarm light, it is
necessary to detect the completion of the crimping operation. The
completion of the crimping operation can be detected by detecting,
for example, the operation of the piston 2. That is, in case where
the piston 2 is advanced and returned by a given distance or more,
it can be considered uniformly that one crimping operation is
completed. Also, the completion of the crimping operation can be
detected through the varying pattern of the oil pressure within the
oil-pressure cylinder 10 or through the varying pattern of the
drive current of the DC motor 14.
[0071] Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, description has
been given of the case in which the judgment result of the normal
or abnormal state of the crimping operation is notified to the
operator using the LED 21 or buzzer 22. However, there can also be
used other unit, for example, other visual or acoustic notifying
unit and, in some cases, there can be used notifying unit which
appeals to the sense of touch. Further, without using such
notifying unit, or in combination with such notifying unit, the
judgment result of the normal or abnormal state of the crimping
operation can also be recorded in a memory or in other storage
medium; or, only when it is judged that a certain crimping
operation has been abnormal, its following crimping operations can
be prevented from being executed.
[0072] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the maximum value of oil pressure
detected by the pressure sensor 11 can be displayed by an LED
display device 16 of a seven-segment display type. In this case,
the detect value of the pressure sensor 11 is transmitted to a peak
hold circuit 12, where the maximum value is detected. The peak hold
circuit 12 is a circuit which holds the maximum value of the oil
pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11. As the peak hold
circuit 12, for example, there can be used the analog circuit such
as an operational amplifier or a condenser; and, the peak hold
circuit 12 can also be composed of the program of a microcomputer.
And, the maximum value of the oil pressure held by the peak hold
circuit 12 is displayed as decimal figures through a display driver
13 by the LED display device 16. In case where the maximum value of
the oil pressure in the crimping operation is displayed in this
manner, the operator is able to know more specific information. For
example, even in case where a crimping operation is ended normally,
when there has been output only the oil pressure that exceeds the
necessary pressure only slightly, there can be surmised a high
possibility that, in case where the crimping operation is repeated
as it is, poor crimping can occur in the crimping operation. Here,
there is shown the case in which, to display the maximum value of
the oil pressure, there is used the LED display device 16. However,
it is also possible to use other display device such as a liquid
crystal display device. Also, not only the numeric values maybe
displayed on the display device but also quantities corresponding
to these numeric values may be displayed using bar graphs.
[0073] In the structure shown in FIG. 8, the comparison circuit 19
compares the maximum value of the oil pressure held by the peak
hold circuit 12 with a given value to thereby check whether the
former has exceeded the latter or not, and the comparison result
the comparison circuit 19 is transmitted to the LED 21. That is,
here, since the peak hold circuit 12 holds the maximum value of the
oil pressure, there is eliminated the need for use of the memory
circuit 20. Also, in case where it is necessary to obtain only the
judgment result by comparison, the memory unit such as the memory
circuit 20 and peak hold circuit 12 is not always necessary. And,
what is detected by the pressure sensor 11 is not limited to the
oil pressure of the oil-pressure cylinder 10 but the pressure of
the piston 2 can be detected directly by the pressure sensor 11.
Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the drive current of the DC motor 14 can
be detected.
[0074] Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, description has
been given of the electrically-operated oil-pressure crimping tool.
However, the invention can also be applied similarly to other
oil-pressure crimping tools which can be operated by other drive
power than the electric power or by hand. Further, the invention
can also be applied to a crimping tool which does not use-oil
pressure.
[0075] As can be understood clearly from the foregoing description,
according to the crimping tool of the invention, since information
concerning a crimping operation such as the maximum pressure in the
crimping operation and the number of times of execution of crimping
operations is displayed as quantity information, it is possible to
judge easily whether the crimping operation has been executed
normally or not as well as whether the crimping tool needs
maintenance or not.
[0076] Also, according to the crimping tool of the invention,
because it is possible to judge whether the pressure in the
crimping operation has been equal to or more than a given value,
the possibility of occurrence of poor crimping in the crimping
operation can be grasped with accuracy. For example, in case where
a normal level of pressure has not been obtained, when such
judgment result is notified to an operator, the operator is able to
immediately stop the present crimping operation and take
appropriate measures. Also, in case where the present judgment
result is recorded, the parts of the crimping tool, which hold the
possibility of causing poor crimping, can be collected before the
present crimping tool is delivered.
[0077] The description of Japanese Patent Application No.
2001-329299 filed on Oct. 26, 2001 and 2001-329300 filed on Oct.
26, 2001 including the specification, drawings and abstract is
incorporated by reference in its entirely.
* * * * *