EP0946337B1 - System for the remote handling of equipment particularly adapted to elastic rings - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for the remote handling of equipment (4) for instance designed for mounting elastic rings (6) comprises a fixed jaw (8) and a mobile jaw (12) which moves linearly relative to the fixed jaw (8) by actuating elements coupled to the equipment (4) by a cable (2) connected to the mobile jaw (12) inside a sheath (3) one end of which comes to stop (10) on the fixed jaw (8). The actuating elements consist of two branches (13, 14) articulated on a common axis (15) such that the distance between their free end (131, 141) is not less than the maximum displacement of the mobile jaw (12), when bringing closer the two handles (16, 17) respectively integral with the two branches (13, 14) of which the free end (131) of one (13) acts as a stop to the other end of the sheath (3) while allowing the cable (2) that is connected to the free end (14) of the other arm (14) to slide.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for remote handling of tools such as those, including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw capable of moving linearly relative to the fixed jaw by means remote control, particularly useful mounting and dismounting elastic band collars widely used in the automotive field, for example for fixing the hoses on pipes cooling undergoing wide variations in their outer diameter, due to large expansions; we then knows that to maintain tight connections between hose and pipe, it is not possible to use for example rigid screw collars, hence the interest of elastic cable ties subsequently called elastic collars.

Recall that such necklaces are conventionally made from a shaped strip in a generally circular ring. The ring in question is naturally susceptible to distortion by spacing of its two ends which creates a couple of elastic return used as tightening; he is since long known to make this type of necklace by making overlap the two ends of a spring strip; a median cut of the collar band extends over a few centimeters at one of its ends to form one passage for the other which is reduced in width for coinciding with said passage; the two ends of the band are provided with a training ear obtained by simple rectangular folding of their extremities towards the outside of the collar in such a way that thanks to a forceps fitted with jaws, we can easily bring the two control ears that is to say enlarge the diameter of the collar causing when the couple is released elastic return necessary for tightening.

Numerous tools for mounting and disassembly of elastic collars are available of users, and most of these tools, manuals or automatic systems operate on lever systems very simple, such as X-shaped pliers.

The major drawback of these tools for elastic collars is that when mounting on the hoses of an automobile engine for example it is practically impossible to get for sure precise position of the collar on a sleeve. Indeed, the necklace with a diameter significantly larger than the diameter of the sleeve to be tightened can be found in any what position when you release both ears said collar for tightening; at this moment, the collar adopts a totally random position generally uncontrollable by the editor who often no visibility; it is even common to observe that mounting, this type of collar suddenly released and positioned at an angle, alter the hose mounted on the pipe end piece; in the favorable hypothesis where the editor notices, the correct installation of the poorly positioned collar often requires rework difficult, given the lack of accessibility generally observed; it is compulsory anyway proceed with a minimum loosening of the collar for the put back in good position, which is often impossible.

To overcome such difficulties in particular access, we often use clamp systems large deployment which remain very unwieldy. We still know by the German utility model DE-29603425 pliers for mounting and dismounting elastic collars including a pressure clamp connected to a slide forming a movable jaw by through a flexible cable. This device, if allows easy remote intervention on the assembly and the disassembly of the collars is characterized in that the slide / slide assembly includes a device stop in the open position for the collar, on which the operator must act for the final positioning of the same collar, or for its removal in the event of disassembly; this device has the serious disadvantage of obliging the operator to handle the slide / collar assembly and release system with one hand, the other hand being in principle intended to manipulate or maintain the pressure clamp; it therefore appears extremely difficult to use the same hand to both position and unlock the collar especially when it is difficult accessible.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these different disadvantages; in this regard it is proposed a remote handling system for a tool comprising actuation means, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw capable of moving linearly relative to the fixed jaw by means actuators located remotely and coupled to said audit tooling via cable connected on one side with movable and sliding jaw inside a sheath advantageously flexible, one end of which abuts on the fixed jaw to let the cable slide, such system being characterized in that the means of actuation consist of two arms which are articulated on the same axis so that they move apart angularly by a value such as the distance between their free end is at least equal to the displacement maximum of the movable jaw, when one approaches one towards the other two sleeves respectively secured to the two arm of which the free end of one serves as a stop for the other end of the sheath while allowing it to slide freely the cable which crosses it and which is connected to the free end of the other arm.

This manipulation system with each arm and the sleeve associated with it remain, in the plane of their respective movements, on the same side of a midline of the shot passing between the two arms, the two sleeves and their articulation center, is particularly advantageous for application to the mounting and dismounting of collars elastic even at very difficult points accessible, which is generally the case in engines of current vehicles.

It is indeed sufficient to conform the fixed jaw and the movable jaw of the remote manipulated tool so that it come fit on the control ears of a elastic collar quite classic and not prestressed. If it is a disassembly, it is very easy to snap the two jaws around the ears of control of the collar to be loosened with a left hand by example, the right hand holding the remote manipulator, position sleeves apart, to facilitate the entry of the jaws on the control ears; for disassembly, it will be enough with a simple pressure of the right hand, bring the two sleeves together, which determines a couple sufficient drive to move the movable jaw closer to fixed jaw with the consequence of increasing the diameter of the collar and therefore to provide the desired loosening. AT conversely, if one wishes to reposition the collar as well loose either in a good position or in another position on the hose, just gently release the two handles of the manipulator until the left hand can easily disengage the movable and fixed jaws from collar control ears.

• la figure 1 représente en trait plein un télémanipulateur conforme à l'invention vu de face en position "manches rapprochés" correspondant à un collier élastique précontraint en position de montage et en trait mixte fin le même manipulateur en position "manche écartés" correspondant en principe à la position de serrage des colliers élastiques,
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté du télémanipulateur de la figure précédente en position maximale d'ouverture pour le mors mobile,
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement les trois principales variantes de forme du télémanipulateur conforme à l'invention.

It is well understood all the interest of such a remote handling system and other characteristics and advantages will emerge even better from the description of a remote manipulator, given now by way of nonlimiting example of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. on which ones :

• FIG. 1 shows in solid line a remote manipulator in accordance with the invention seen from the front in the "sleeves close together" position corresponding to a pre-stressed elastic collar in the mounting position and in thin broken lines the same manipulator in the "handles apart" position corresponding in principle in the tightening position of the elastic collars,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the manipulator of the previous figure in the maximum opening position for the movable jaw,
• FIG. 3 schematically represents the three main variant forms of the remote manipulator according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, the remote manipulator 1 according to the invention is connected by a set comprising a cable 2 inside a sheath 3, at a tool 4 allowing to act on the ears of control 5 of an elastic collar 6 for mounting or disassembly for example on a pipe hose.

In accordance with Figures 1 and 2, tool 4 for the tightening and loosening of the collar 6 is essentially constituted by a yoke 7 advantageously obtained from a flat iron folded in a U whose two wings are joined at their end around a part 8 constituting the jaw fixed. The fixed jaw is provided in its rear part 9 with a bore 10 inside which the sheath abuts flexible 3. In the same axis as the bore 10 a hole 11 allows the passage of cable 2 which can extend up to movable jaw 12 arranged astride the interior of the clevis 7 whose vertical sections serve as a rail guide for its linear displacement; cable 2 is plugged into a well made in the movable jaw 12 and counter-clamped by means of a screw to block it.

The movable jaw 12 is formed by an internal block 121 of same size as the width of the yoke 7 to form a lateral guide to the jaw 12. Above and below piece 121 two plates 122 and 123 are attached coming to rest on the edges of the yoke 7 so to form a slide with the two blanks 71,72 of the yoke 7. From the plates 122 and 123 forming the slides, and on the side of the movable jaw 12 opposite the jaw fixed 8, inclined sides 124 are provided inwards of block 121 making it possible to constitute a half-tail housing dovetail to accommodate the first ear of command 5 of the collar 6 without risking when tightening his untimely dislocation.

Incidentally, the fixed jaw 8 consists of the same as the movable jaw 12 by a central block fixed on both sides to the two side wings 71,72 of clevis 7 and held above and below in pairs counterplates shaped like jaw 12 to receive the second control ear 5 of the collar 6.

The remote manipulator 1 is essentially made up by two arms 13,14 likely to deviate from one of the other by rotation around an axis 15 in order to determine between their two ends 131,141 a displacement equivalent to that of the free jaw 12 on the yoke 7 in direction and until contact with the fixed jaw 8. This linear movement of the fixed jaw 12 is naturally obtained by pulling on the cable 2 fixed at the end 141 of the inner arm 14 of the manipulator 1, thanks to a pin or screw 142. Of course, cable 2 transmits its movement to tool 4 by means of sheath 3 coming to do this in abutment on the end 131 of the arm outside 13 of the remote manipulator 1.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, each arm 13 or 14 is associated with a handle, respectively 16 or 17, depending on a provision particular matching each arm to the handle located on the same side of a line XX 'coinciding with the midline of sleeves 16,17 and arms 13,14 passing by their center or their axis of articulation 15; according to figure 1, it follows that when brings the two sleeves 16 and 17 together by rotation around axis 15 we spread arms 13 and 14, and conversely, when we separate the sleeves from each other, we tend to bring the two arms 13 and 14 together.

According to a particularly advantageous construction of the remote manipulator 1, with particular reference to the Figure 2, the remote manipulator 1 is cut from strip of thickness 5 mm for example, determining on either side of a plate, centered on axis 15 and used to rotate the tool on one side of the supports sleeves 18,19 and the other, respectively arms 13 and 14 that we have previously twisted in on themselves 90ø to serve, by the outer arm, as a stop for the sheath 3 and by the inner arm, fixing system for actuation cable 2.

Incidentally, two ergonomic handles are fixed astride the two ends of the sleeves 18 and 19 to provide a better grip the tool.

In accordance with FIGS. 3, it is possible to make the manipulator 1 according to the invention according to three main configurations:
according to Figure 3 a, the manipulator 1, in rest position, that is to say, the two sleeves 16,17 moved towards each other, is such that first arm 13 is located in the extension of the handle 16 with which it is associated along an axis YY 'of direction perpendicular to the axis of articulation 15, the two axes not necessarily being intersecting and that the second arm 14 forms with the handle 17 with which it is associated, a angle α in the plane of movement perpendicular to the axis of articulation 15 of a value such that the distance between the free ends 131,141 of the two arms 13,14 is at least equal to the displacement of the movable jaw 12 from its most distant on the yoke 7 until contact with the fixed jaw 8 of the tool 4.

According to another variant shown in Figure 3b , the manipulator 1, still in its rest position, is such that each arm 13,14 is symmetrically inclined relative to the median axis YY 'of the tool so that in final , it determines an angle α identical to variant a .

Finally, according to a last variant represented in FIG. 3 c , the manipulator 1 is such that the two arms 13, 14 are inclined on the same side as the median axis YY '; naturally the inclination of the outer 13 and inner 14 arms is calculated so that, in the rest position, that is to say in the position where the two sleeves 16, 17 are brought together, the arms make an angle between them equal to α as in the previous variants.

According to a preferred arrangement of the invention, the articulation zone 143 of the inner arm 14 does not coincide not with the junction zone 144 of the same arm 14 with its sleeve 17, but it is offset thanks to an appendage 145 joining the two zones 143,144; we easily understand than the length of appendix 145 joining the axis of articulation 15 to the assembly constituted by the arm 14 and the handle 17, depends on the position of the arms 13,14 in particular when the two innings are in the most discarded, with the consequence of better adapting the torque of traction exerted by the arm 14 on the cable 2 and decrease the angle of the cable 2 relative to the arm 13 when the arm 14 describes the angle α improving the operation of the manipulator 1; the skilled person knows perfectly adapt the geometry of all these elements, i.e. the length of the arms 13,14 as well as the length of appendix 145 naturally depending on the length of the sleeves 16,17 constituting the arms of remote control lever 1.

According to ancillary provisions of the remote manipulator 1, provision is made between two sleeves 16,17 and close to their articulation 15, a return spring 20 tending to spread at rest the same sleeves, that is to push the movable jaw to the end of the yoke 7 of the tool 4.

The spring 20 is a simple helical spring blocked between two bosses provided on the edge of the sleeve supports 18.19.

Similarly, there is advantageously provided a ratchet mechanism 21, mounted for example on the support sleeve 19, so that its hook end 22 cooperate with a lug 23 provided on the other sleeve support 18 to hold one against each other the two innings when these are close together, that is to say when the movable jaw 12 is brought near the fixed jaw 8; naturally a manual device 24 makes it possible to disengage the hook 22 of lug 23 at any time, thereby freeing the two sleeves and by that, any traction on the ears of control 5 releasing the elastic collar 6.

It is obvious that if the remote manipulator 1 coupled with its tool 4 is particularly suitable for assembly and disassembly of elastic band collars, is still possible to use the remote manipulator in all cases where it is necessary to operate linearly two jaws between them and this, at a distance, by means of a flexible sheath; in this sense, the particular application to elastic collars is probably an example important but in no way limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. System for the remote manipulation of a tool (4), comprising means of actuation, a fixed jaw (8) and a moving jaw (12) that can be moved linearly relative to the fixed jaw (8) by the actuation means, which consist of two arms (13, 14) respectively attached to two grips (16, 17) articulated on a common axis (15), situated a distance apart and coupled to the said tool (4) via a cable (2) connected at one end to the moving jaw (12) and sliding inside a sheath (3) which is advantageously flexible and one end of which abuts (10) against the fixed jaw (8) to allow the cable (2) to slide, the free end (131) of the arm (13) serving as the abutment at the other end of the sheath (3) while allowing the cable (2) passing through it and connected to the free end (141) of the other arm (14) to slide freely,
   characterised in that
   the two arms (13, 14) are mutually inclined at an angle of value (α) such that the distance between their free ends (131, 141) is equal to the maximum linear displacement of the moving jaw (12), when one of the two grips (16, 17) is moved close to the other, and in that a pawl mechanism (21) mounted on one of the grips (17) and cooperating with a catch (23) provided on the other grip (16) keeps the said grips (16, 17) one against the other and therefore keeps the moving jaw (12) in a position close to the fixed jaw (8), except when the catch (23) is released from the pawl (21) by acting upon a release mechanism.
2. Remote manipulation system according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   one (13) of the two arms (13, 14) and its grip (16) are aligned parallel to the median axis (YY') passing through the axis of the articulation (15) and the other arm (14) and its grip (17) form between them an angle (α) in the plane of movement perpendicular to the axis of the articulation (15), with a value such that when the two grips (16, 17) are near one another, the distance between the free ends (131, 141) of the two arms (13, 14) is at least equal to the maximum linear displacement of the moving jaw (12).
3. Remote manipulation system according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   when the two grips (16, 17) are close to one another in the plane of movement perpendicular to the axis of the articulation (15), the arms (13, 14) respectively associated with them move apart in the same plane, symmetrically to one another relative to the median axis (YY'), by a value (α) such that when the two grips (16, 17) are against one another, the distance between the free ends (131, 141) of the two arms (13, 14) is at least equal to the maximum linear displacement of the moving jaw (12).
4. Remote manipulation system according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   when the two grips (16, 17) are close to one another in the plane of movement perpendicular to the axis of the articulation (15), the arms (13, 14) respectively associated with them are inclined in the same plane, on the same side of the median axis (YY') passing between the grips (16, 17) and the articulation (15), the inside arm (14) being inclined more than the outside arm (13) which serves preferentially as the abutment for the sheath (3), such that when the two (16, 17) grips are against one another, the distance between the free ends (131, 141) of the two arms (13, 14) is at least equal to the maximum linear displacement of the moving jaw (12).
5. Remote manipulation system according to the preceding claim,
   characterised in that
   the articulation zone (143) of the arm (14) when it is in the inside position does not coincide with the junction zone (144) of the said arm (14) with its grip (17), which is distanced by an extension (145) that connects the two zones (143, 144).
6. Remote manipulation system according to any of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   each arm/grip assembly is cut out of strip which essentially makes the grip supports (18, 19) and the articulation (15) flat, while the arms (13, 14) are twisted upon themselves through an angle of 90° to accommodate at their ends (131, 141) the machined areas forming the abutment of the sheath (3) in one case (13) and the attachment of the cable (2) in the other case (14).
7. Remote manipulation system according to any of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   a return spring (20) is arranged between the two grips (16, 17) close to their articulation (15), which tends to keep the said grips (16, 17) apart at rest and therefore also separates the moving jaw (12) from the fixed jaw (8).

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