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EP-4741121-A2 - HYDRAULIC POWER TOOL

EP4741121A2EP 4741121 A2EP4741121 A2EP 4741121A2EP-4741121-A2

Abstract

A working head (22) for a hydraulic power tool (10). The working head (22) includes a head frame and a first moveable die head configured to move along the working head frame (25). The first moveable die head is configured to receive a first moveable die (200) comprising a first body length and a second die head is adapted to receive a second die (250) comprising a second body length. At least one of the moveable die (200) or stationary die (250) comprises an elongated die.

Inventors

  • KOSKI, Jonathan
  • MARKS, Troy
  • NORQUIST, ERIC
  • BALLARD, JAMES
  • KNACK, Kris

Assignees

  • Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20170922

Claims (15)

  1. A working head (22) comprising: a moveable die head (150) including a first alignment feature (300); and a moveable die (200) removably received by the moveable die head (150) and including a second alignment feature (320) on an outer surface of the movable die (150), the second alignment feature (320) configured to align with the first alignment feature (300) and indicating a crimp or cut location to allow a user to align the working head (22) with a crimp target or a cut target.
  2. The working head (22) of claim 1, wherein the moveable die head (150) includes a main body (155) defining a first surface (156A) and a first end face (159A), the first alignment feature (230) disposed on at least one of the first surface (156A) and the first end face (159A).
  3. The working head (22) of claim 2, wherein the moveable die includes a notch and the moveable die head includes a lip that retains the notch of the moveable die (200) when the moveable die head (150) receives the moveable die (200).
  4. The working head (22) of claim 2, wherein the moveable die head (150) defines a curved die holder (154) that receives the movable die (200).
  5. The working head (22) of claim 4, wherein the movable die (200) includes a curved main body (202) with curved surface (204), and a first horizontal surface (214) extending from the curved main body (202), the first horizontal surface (214) including the outer surface with the second alignment feature (320).
  6. The working head (22) of claim 5, wherein the movable die (200) includes a second horizontal surface (216) extending from the curved main body (202) and opposed with the first horizontal surface (214), and die plate (240) between the first horizontal surface (214) and the second horizontal surface (216) to define an I-beam shape with the first horizontal surface (214) and the second horizontal surface (216).
  7. The working head (22) of claim 1 further comprising a stationary die head (160) that includes a third alignment feature (340) that is configured to align with the second alignment feature (320).
  8. The working head (22) of claim 7, wherein the third alignment feature (340) is on at least one of a second surface (350) or a second end face (335) of the stationary die head (160).
  9. The working head (22) of claim 7 further comprising a stationary die (250) removably received by the stationary die head (160) and including a fourth alignment feature on an outer surface of the stationary die (250)
  10. The working head (22) of claim 7 further comprising a guide surface (28) that separates the moveable die head (150) from the stationary die head (160), the guide surface (28) including a fifth alignment feature.
  11. The working head (22) of claim 10, wherein at least one alignment feature (300, 320, 340) is a groove.
  12. The working head (22) of claim 11, wherein the at least one alignment feature is a dashed line or a continuous line of constant width.
  13. The working head (22) of claim 1, wherein the moveable die (200) is a crimp die.
  14. A hydraulic tool (10) comprising: the working head (22) of any of claims 1-13; and a cylinder (140) coupled to the working head (22) to move the moveable die (200).
  15. The hydraulic tool of claim 14, wherein the cylinder (140) includes a sixth alignment feature on an outer surface (142) of the cylinder (140).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/710,976, filed on September 21, 2017 and entitled "Hydraulic Power Tool," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application serial number 62/405,582, filed on October 7, 2016, and entitled "Hydraulic Power Tool," which is herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in this description. FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to power tools. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hand-held power tool that utilizes at least one extended die that provides a shorter ram stroke and therefore enables a faster duty cycle between tool activation, such as either crimping or cutting. This hand held power tool may be a crimping power tool, a cutting power tool, or other type of tool that utilizes a die set. The present disclosure also relates to connector alignment features that allow a power tool user to align a working head (i.e., compression or cutting head) with a targeted location of a work piece, such as an electrical connector, electrical wire, or cable. BACKGROUND Unless otherwise indicated herein, material described in this section are not prior art to the claims and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. Hydraulic crimpers and cutters are different types of hydraulic power tools for performing work (e.g., crimping or cutting) on a work piece. In such tools, a hydraulic tool comprising a hydraulic pump is utilized for pressurizing hydraulic fluid and transferring it to a cylinder in the tool. This cylinder causes an extendable piston or ram assembly to be displaced towards a working head, such as a crimping head or a cutting head. The piston exerts a force on the working head of the power tool, which may typically include opposed crimp dies with certain crimping features. The force exerted by the piston may be used for closing the crimp dies to perform a crimp or perform a cut on a work piece at a desired crimp or cut location. Certain hydraulic tools and associated working heads are known. For example, one known hydraulic crimping tool utilizes a biased open - single pivot crimping head. Such a biased open crimping tool head may be spring biased such that the jaws of the crimping tool pivot about a single pivoting point axis. Spring biased jaws remain open prior to initiation of the crimp. There are certain perceived disadvantages of utilizing such a biased open - single pivot crimping head. As just one disadvantage, because of the biased open nature of the jaws of such a crimping head, proper alignment of the crimping jaws with a desired crimp location can be difficult since the crimping head is biased open. Oftentimes, in an attempt to accomplish a successful crimp at a desired crimp location, a user of such a biased open crimping device may "jog" (i.e., quickly starting and stopping) the device to approach a closed jaw position just prior to the actual crimping operation in order to achieve a desired crimp location on the connector. Such a process may result in a crimp that is performed at an undesired location on the connector. In addition, such a process may also add additional time and touch labor as some connectors (especially high voltage/high current application) may utilize large aluminum to copper splicing connectors or aluminum to aluminum splicing connectors (such as on the order of over 5 inches in length) and may require repeated crimps. SUMMARY According to an exemplary arrangement, a working head for a hydraulic power tool comprises a head frame, a first moveable die head configured to move along the working head frame, the first moveable die head configured to receive a first moveable die comprising a first body length; and a second die head adapted to receive a second die comprising a second body length. At least one of the first moveable die or the second die comprises an elongated die. The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary hydraulic tool,Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the working head of the exemplary hydraulic tool illustrated in Figure 1;Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a moveable die head that may be used with the working head illustrated in Figures