Abstract:
A device for arranging, clamping or contracting a ring-shaped securing mechanism, including an open clamping ring ( 3 ) with a securing section ( 5, 7 ) at each end; and at least two ring-shaped clamping jaws ( 11 ) located inside the clamping ring. The clamping jaws rest against the clamping ring ( 12 ) with their outer edge ( 12 ) and together at least almost form a circular opening with their inner surface ( 19 ). The device also has at least one spring-type mechanism ( 15 ) being situated respectively between the laterally contiguous clamping jaws to drive them apart or to part the clamping ring in its non-clamped state, in the direction in which the ring opening diameter increases and to secure the clamping jaws in the clamping ring. The open clamping ring can be clamped in the direction in which the diameter decreases by means of a clamping mechanism with at least two engaging sections which are provide for engaging with the securing sections.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for mounting, clamping or contracting an annular retaining element, a method for mounting, clamping or contracting an annular retaining element as well as a device for mounting locking, clamping or contract rings such as so-called multi contract rings in particular. 
     To mount largely circular retaining elements such as clamping, press or contract rings, in particular the very widely sold earless “Oetiker” clamp jaws, that have no elements protruding outward for arranging a corresponding mounting tool, expensive, control-intensive mounting arrangements are used. Installations are known in particular from the auto industry for contracting so-called multi-crimp rings in drive shafts and steering gears, for arranging protective rubber joints to ensure lubrication of the joints. 
     Thus, for example, press rings are contracted by a number of pressing jaws arranged circularly and preferably able to be actuated hydraulically or pneumatically in order to firmly mount sleeved rubber joints over a drive shaft, for example. These known mounting arrangements are suitable for automated mounting of drive shafts and/or steering gears on the automobile mounting line. 
     In connection with repairs on drive shafts, steering gears or so-called clamping connections that are equipped with what are referred to as multi-crimp rings as connecting elements, to this day there is no device that is designed in the form of a manual tool in order to be used at any time on site for contracting the aforementioned multi-crimp rings (MCR). Nor are there any known mounting arrangements for the mounting of drive shafts and steering gears for very small series assemblies. It is also important for such an mounting installation to be operable without additional hydraulic or pneumatic peripherals in order to dispense with the infrastructure required for this. 
     In EP 0 451 806 a clamping tool is proposed for connecting tubular work-pieces. They are connected by means of more than two curved dies that can be swung apart on axles and/or can be pushed apart by press rings and tension belts provided, so that they can be pushed over the tube ends. By attaching drive means, the curved dies are drawn together in the closing direction so that they connect the tube ends together by means of connecting sleeves. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     It is a technical problem the present invention to create a device for mounting, clamping or contracting an annular retaining element that is preferably able to be operated by hand and is also suitable in particular for carrying out repairs and/or for only mounting individual retaining elements and/or for individual assemblies. 
     According to the invention, the technical problem posed is solved by means of a device according to claim  1  particular. 
     A device for mounting, clamping or contracting an annular retaining element is proposed that is characterized by: 
     an open clamping ring or clamping band with a retaining section at each end, 
     at least two annularly curved clamp jaws laterally abutting as far as possible, mounted inside the clamping ring, resting with their outer annular contour against the clamping ring, and together forming an at least almost circular ring opening with their inner annular surface, 
     at least one spring-like element between laterally abutting clamp jaws to push them away from each other or to open up the clamping ring in unclamped status in the direction enlarging its diameter and hold the clamp jaws firmly in the clamping ring, and 
     a clamping element provided with at least two gripping sections in order to grip the retaining sections and clamp the open clamping ring in the diameter-reducing direction. 
     Preferred forms of construction of the device according to the invention are characterized in the subclaims. 
     Furthermore, a method is disclosed for mounting, clamping or contracting an annular retaining element, such as clamping ring, press ring or contract ring, that is characterized in that the retaining element is arranged within a number of clamp jaws arranged largely circularly, and these clamp jaws together form with their inner surfaces a largely circular ring opening and are laterally pushed away from each other by a spring-like element providing spacing between two clamp jaws or clamping segments, and then an open clamping ring clasping the outside of the clamp jaws and holding them is clamped by means of a clamping element in the diameter-reducing direction, in order to move the clamp jaws pushing them largely radially and vertically inward and clamp and/or contract the retaining element such as a press ring, clamping ring or contract ring, if necessary on an object to be arranged and or defined. 
     The device as well as the method defined according to the invention are particularly well suited to contract clamping, press or contract rings, such as the so-called multi-crimp rings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained in more detail below in examples and referring to the attached figures: 
     The following are shown: 
     FIG. 1 an arrangement according to the invention in a side view in unclamped status, provided in order to mount a contract ring, 
     FIG. 2 the arrangement from FIG. 1 in clamped status with contracted contract ring, 
     FIG. 3 a clamp jaw of the device from FIGS. 1 and 2, in a side view, 
     FIG. 4 in cross-section, the clamp jaw from FIG. 3 along line I—I, 
     FIG. 4 a  a cutout from FIG. 4, 
     FIG. 5 in cross-section, the clamp jaw from FIG. 3 along line II—II, 
     FIG. 6 a clamping ring of an arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2, suitable for driving the clamp jaws together in a manner reducing the diameter, 
     FIG. 7 a clamping tool suitable for clamping the clamping ring or clamping belt of the device according to FIG. 1 or  2 , 
     FIG. 8 in side view, a section of a drive shaft surrounded on the outside with a flexible rubber joint, mounted with so-called contract rings, and 
     FIG. 9 in exploded view, and schematically, the mounting procedure for a contract ring when mounting a bellows joint for binding a shaft end of a drive shaft. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of a clamping arrangement according to the invention, for mounting or contracting a press or contract ring, for example. In this connection, the clamping or press or contract ring  1  to be arranged on any object to be mounted is arranged inside the device according to the invention, and the clamping or press or contract ring has the diameter D. The clamping device is in the unclamped status and has the following parts: 
     An outer, surrounding, open clamping ring or a clamping belt  1  with the open, curved ends  5  and  7 , suitable for grasping and gripping a clamping tool. 
     Several clamp jaws or clamping segments  11 , arranged annularly and resting with their outer surfaces  12  on or against the inside of the clamping ring or clamping belt  3 , form with their inner surface  19  a largely circular ring opening. The individual clamp jaws or clamping elements  11  are each laterally spaced from each other by a gap that is formed by springs  15  arranged between each of the clamp jaws or clamp segments and by means of which the clamp jaws are pushed away from each other. These springs  15  are each mounted or held in hole-like recesses  17  in the side surfaces  13  of the clamp jaws or segments  11 . With these springs, it is further ensured that the-eight according to the illustration in FIG.  1 —mounted clamp jaws or segments are held firmly within the clamping ring or clamping belt  3 . 
     By using a clamping tool, e.g. one having the two pincer-like legs  31  and  33 , to grip the curved ends  5  and  7 , the clamping ring or clamping belt  3  is clamped in the diameter-reducing direction, whereby on the one hand the clamp jaws are each driven laterally against the spring force of the springs  15  and are also moved radially and vertically inward. By means of this inward movement of the individual clamp jaws or clamping segments  11 , the diameter of the inner ring opening formed by the clamp jaws is also reduced, of course, whereby the press or contract ring  1  is then compressed or contracted and then has a diameter D′, substantially smaller than the original diameter D. It has been shown in practical experience that diameter reductions of approx. 3 mm can be achieved, in connection with which the size of the reduction is naturally also dependent on the size of the clamping device. Greater diameter reductions can also be achieved, of course, by means of larger clamping devices. 
     During the clamping process, the circle is closed or, respectively, the diameter D′ is attained only when the clamp jaws are arranged resting completely against each other, or the clamp jaws are closed. In this connection, it has been shown that when clamping the clamping ring, first the lower jaws are closed and only after this are the upper jaws consecutively closed to form the definitively closed circle. 
     FIGS. 3 through 5 are referred to in order to show how on the one hand, the contract ring or press ring  1  or  1 ′ is held inside the clamping device and on the other hand, how the clamp jaws or clamping segments  11  are held inside the clamping ring or clamping belt  3 . In this connection, FIG. 3 shows an individual clamp jaw or clamping element  11 , FIG. 4 shows a section of the segment from FIG. 3 along line I—I and FIG. 5 shows a section along line II—II of the segment or the clamp jaw from FIG.  3 . 
     It is now clearly recognizable in FIG. 4 that the outer surface  12  as well as the inner surface  19  of the jaw or segment  11  are designed such that on the one hand, the clamp jaw  11  is held in a manner resistant to lateral slipping inside the clamping ring  3 , and on the other hand, the press ring or contract ring  1  is held, resistant to lateral slippage, inside the annular opening of the clamping device. Thus, the inner surface  19  has guide rails or edges  21  on each side, within which the press ring or contract ring to be compressed is held. In this connection, it is, recognizable in particular in FIG. 4 a  that the side flank—facing the inner surface  19 —of each of the two edges  23  is designed running conically diagonal, in order to prevent the ring from widening during contracting. These edges are used to cause the thickness of the ring to increase slightly during the contracting process, which is advantageous. The outer surface  12  in turn has guide rails or edges  23  on each of its sides as well as an inner sliding surface  27 , which is kept at a distance from the lateral guide rails  23  by longitudinal grooves  25  protruding inward. With the design of the outer surface with reduction of the support surface, a better sliding of the clamping ring  3  on the outer surface  12  of the clamp jaws or clamping elements  11  is additionally achieved. In addition, the surface  27  designed belt-like in the middle can be provided with a friction-reducing coating to allow smooth sliding during the pressing or clamping procedure. Of course, the better sliding can also be achieved by providing lubricants, lubricating oil, etc. 
     FIG. 5 shows the lateral face  13  of a clamp jaw or a clamping segment  11 , and in the face the recess  17  can be seen in which the springs arranged between two clamp jaws are held. 
     FIG. 6 in turn shows a clamping ring or a clamping belt  3  with the outward bent ends  5  and  7 , provided for gripping a clamping tool. 
     FIG. 7 then shows how a clamping device can be clamped by means of a clamping tool in order to mount the press ring or contract ring. As we already started to illustrate in FIG. 2, the section at the ends  5  and  7  of the clamping ring  3  can be engaged by means of a clamping tool  30  and corresponding pincer-like legs  31  and  33 . So that the bent ends  5  and  7  are securely held in the clamping tool, slits can also be placed in the end sections of the legs  31  and  33 , into which the belt ends grip. 
     According to FIG. 7, the clamping tool consists of on the one hand of the end sections  31  and  33 , provided in order to engage the ends  5  and  7  of the clamping ring, and the two legs  35  and  37  that are joined together pivoting around a connecting axis  39 . 
     By means of a threaded spindle  41  having the thread  43  that engages the leg  37  in a corresponding thread bore, the two legs  35  and  37  can be actuated by actuating a screw grip, for example, or if desired, by means of a dynamometric key  45 . The force by means of which the two legs  35  and  37  are pushed together and the clamping ring  3  of the device is thus clamped depends on the sizing of the clamping tool or the setting of the dynamometric key. 
     Of course, the clamping tool using a dynamometric key or screw grip with joint is only one example of clamping the clamping device according to FIG. 1 and 2. Any other suitable clamping tools, pincer-like ones for example, or even hydraulically or pneumatically operated clamping tools can be used for clamping the clamping ring. The spindle shown in FIG. 7 can of course be replaced by any other suitable actuation mechanism such as hydraulically or pneumatically operating cylinders. Such an actuator can be hand-operated and can also motor-driven. In other words, the present invention is naturally not limited to the spindle shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an example of application in which so-called press rings or contract rings are used that do not have any parts nor contact surfaces protruding outward. The advantage of such “earless” or “stage-less” press rings or contract rings is in the fact that they cannot cause imbalance during rotation. 
     In this connection, FIG. 8 shows a rear axle shaft or a drive shaft between the drive shaft  51  and the wheel hub  52 , which is protected by two rubber joints. On an inner drive shaft  51 , a contract ring or press ring  1  is mounted in order to hold the joint  53  on the shaft end. The seam  2  can be clearly seen on the contract ring or press ring  1 ; it is either already firmly connected before the contract ring or press ring is attached or it is attached during the compression step. 
     At the other end, the rubber joint  53  is held on the connecting shaft or drive shaft  54  by means of a contract ring or press ring  1 . Similarly, the connection joint placed between the connection shaft  54  and the wheel hub  52  is in turn protected by means of a rubber joint  53  that is once again attached or secured by means of contract rings or press rings  1 . With such drive shafts, it is then possible that in case of repair work or when replacing an entire drive shaft, any information such as repair details, mounting data, etc. can be punched in on a press ring or contract ring contracted according to the invention, such that this information is available on site and at any time later. If necessary, an already mounted press ring or contract ring can be removed and replaced with a new one without the entire drive shaft or the joint having to be removed. Already mounted press rings or contract rings could thereby be replaced at any time, if the information recorded there needs to be updated or replaced, for example. 
     Lastly, FIG. 9 shows the mounting procedure for a contract ring or press ring  1  (not shown) on a shaft end  51  by means of a clamping device according to the invention. In this connection, the tension belt or clamping belt  3  is clamped by means of a clamping tool  30  in that the two ends  5  and  7  of the tension belt or clamping belt  3  are clamped. As already mentioned with reference to FIG. 7, the clamping process takes place by means of a threaded spindle  41  that engages with a thread  43  in a corresponding thread bore in one of the two legs of the clamping tool  33 . 
     In particular in connection with repairs on drive shafts, steering gears or other clamping connections that are equipped with so-called multi-crimp rings (MCR) as connection elements, for example, the tension or clamping device illustrated according to the invention—which can be designed in particular in the form of a hand tool—is suitable for use at any time on site to contract MCRs. The device according to the invention can also be used for small series assemblies. It is also important that such a device according to the invention can be operated in the basic design without additional hydraulic or pneumatic peripheral devices. To be able to monitor a closing force defined for each MCR in the case of a hand-operated contracting procedure, there is the possibility to also use a dynamometric key calibrated for the device, instead of the screw key. Even with this simple device there is thus the possibility to monitor the contracting force in a manner comparable to that of industrial contracting installations. In addition, the contracting path differing depending on each MCR size can also be monitored, since the device according to the invention is calibrated for the different diameters, i.e., can be equipped with different closing segments that are drawn together in the smallest possible diameter by the device and the clamping belt. As already mentioned above, diameter reductions of approx. 3 mm and more can easily be achieved. 
     The clamping tool preferably has a pair of clamping legs with hinge and right or left-acting threaded spindle as well as receiving slots for that clamping belt ends  5  and  7 . The clamping tool is driven by means of a screw grip or preferably with a dynamometric key via the threaded spindle. With respect to FIG. 9 as well, it should be emphasized once again that of course, any other suitable drive can be used for clamping the clamping tool instead of a threaded spindle, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, for example. The clamping procedure itself can be carried out either hand-operated or by means of a motorized drive. 
     The clamping device itself consists of two or more clamp jaws or closing segments, in connection with which eight such segments are shown according to the examples in FIGS. 1 through 9. The segments should be sized and/or selected so as to allow a closing path of approx. 3 mm in diameter. The individual segments have side edges that laterally position the MCR during the closing step. The clamping belt or clamping ring holds the closing segments, such as the eight segments in FIGS. 1 through 9, together as a unit. Adaptation to the individual MCR diameters can take place by replacing the closing segments. 
     The clamping tool or the clamping device is designed such that it can be securely clamped in the area of one of the clamp jaw legs in order to work against the lateral forces arising during the closing process due to the movement of the screw grip. 
     The clamping devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9 are of course only examples, that can be altered, completed or modified in any desired manner. It is thus basically a question of optimization, whether two, three, five, eight or even more clamp jaws or clamping segments are used. The springs shown in the figures between the individual clamping segments can also be replaced with other spring-like elements that push the laterally abutting clamp jaws away from each other. The material is not a primary concern, either; tempered steel certainly should be in the foreground as a rule but aluminum or even reinforced plastics are quite conceivable depending on the application. 
     The widest variety of clamping tools can also be used for clamping the clamping device, e.g. any pincer-like tools or even hydraulically or pneumatically operated elements that are appropriate to push the open ends of the clamping ring toward each other.