ROTATING INSERT FOR FLANGING AND WIDENING METAL TUBES, "A FLANGING BIT"

Abstract

Rotating insert for flanging and widening metal tubes, a flanging bit, with a metal body, for use with flanges and metal tube widening in split-type air-conditioning connection systems, domestic refrigerators, chiller cabinets and the like; characterized by the rotary actuation method, which can be coupled to a drill or screwdriver, which requires no counterpoint mechanism (1), which is composed of a coupling cylindrical body (15) and a flanging tip with a single stage (19) or multiple stages (20), with different flanging diameters (gauges).

Claims

1. Rotating insert for flanging and widening metal tubes, a flanging bit, with a metal body, for use with flanges and metal tube widening in split-type air-conditioning connection systems, domestic refrigerators, chiller cabinets and the like; characterized by the rotary actuation method, which can be coupled to a drill or screwdriver, which requires no counterpoint mechanism (1), which is composed of a coupling cylindrical body (15) and a flanging tip with a single stage (19) with different flanging diameters (gauges).

2. Rotating insert for flanging and widening metal tubes, a flanging bit, as claimed in 1, and characterized by multiple stages (20) with different flanging diameters (gauges) within a single insert.

Description

[0015] Initially, in reference to the current State of the Art, there are two flanger models available on the market, called a) conventional flangers and b) eccentric flangers: [0016] a) The conventional flangers (FIG. 1) are characterized by having a mordant for fastening the tubes (1) and a flanger mechanism, the latter, in turn, is made up of a body for attachment to the mordant (2), a screw spindle (3) which is coupled to the body, a 45-degree conical tip (4) coupled to one end of the spindle and a drive crank (5) at the other end of the spindle. This system is characterized by a concentric alignment (FIG. 2), between the axis of the spindle (6) and the axis of the conical tip (7). During the execution of the flange, the contact zone between the tip and the tube is established across the entire surface of the cone. [0017] b) Eccentric flanges (FIG. 3) are characterized by having a mordant for fastening the tubes (8) and a flanger mechanism, the latter, in turn, is made up of a body for attachment to the mordant (9), a screw spindle (10) which is coupled to the body, a 45-degree conical tip (11) coupled to one end of the spindle and a drive crank (12) at the other end of the spindle. This system is characterized by the eccentric misalignment (FIG. 4), between the axis of the spindle (13) and the axis of the conical tip (14). During the execution of the flange, the contact zone between the tip and the tube is established across a linear contact of the cone.

[0018] Although both promote the final shape of the flange, the current State of the Art requires the use of a mordant (counterpoint) to shape the flange. Coupling of the tube to the mordant and the execution of the flange takes a long time to execute because, for example, in the case of split-type air conditioning applications, it is necessary, to make a total of four flanges per unit. That is, two flanges per tube. It is necessary for the gauge of these two tubes to be of different sizes. Moreover, because of their design, both shape the tube using cold forming which hardens the flanged material, incurring the risk of cracking the flange wall.

[0019] Referring now to the Rotating Insert for flanging and widening of metal tubes, i.e., the Flanging Bit. This allows the execution of the widening and/or flanging of metal tubes through an interchangeable insert system. These inserts may be coupled to drills (these may be those with a mandrel or pneumatic coupling) or even to electric screwdrivers.

[0020] Insert (FIG. 5) may be subdivided into the following parts: [0021] a) a cylindrical body (15) for coupling to a drill or a screwdriver by means of a mandrel. [0022] b) A Hanger tip (16) to properly engage the metal tube (FIG. 6) and impart at its tip (17) the shape of a flanged (FIG. 7) metal tube (18) having an angle of approximately 45.

[0023] The flange tip (FIG. 8) may contain one stage (19) or (FIG. 9) more stages (20) to make the flange in one or more tubes without needing to exchange the insert with another one of a different size and gauge. As an example, the same tip may have a diameter of 6.35 mm at the end near its tip and 12.05 mm at the end closest to the cylindrical body. In addition, it (FIG. 10) has a thin shape (21) and rounded corners (22), decreasing the contact points with the metal tube to only two, thus reducing the friction and the number of burrs.

[0024] Therefore, the invention is different from the present State of the Art in several aspects. First, since the insert does not require a counterpoint system (mordant) to execute the flange on the metal tube. Since the force required to hold the tubing in the working position is low, the user himself can maintain the positioning of the flanged tubing with his hands. Second, by working with a high-speed system, there is the presence of friction and heat generation in the pipe, facilitating hot forming of the flange without hardening in the flange region of the pipe. The absence of the hardening in the region of the flange avoids the problems of cracking during tightening of the connection, a recurrent problem in the State of the Art. Thirdly, the invention allows for the presence of one or more gauges within a same insert, having different diameters, decreasing the flange execution time, especially in the split-type air conditioning installations, being possible to flange different tube sizes using only a single insert.

[0025] The main objective of the insert in question is therefore to optimize working time due to its speed and ease of operation and to bring a higher quality result, keeping in mind that the tube is heated when being flanged with the insert and its better microstructural result with higher strength. In accordance with the applicability of the product, this invention seeks to optimize the process and time used to flange metal tubes for split-type air conditioning systems, but is not restricted thereto. It may also be applied to flange type fittings, in tubing for refrigeration applications or in pipe connections for systems using liquefied petroleum gas.