Adjustable Gripping Mechanism for Drilling Rod Handling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The handling of drilling rods or tubes in the mineral drilling industry is risky and inefficient due to the need for manual handling of large and heavy components, and existing devices are not adaptable to different sizes or lengths, leading to accidents and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A handling device associated with a drilling rig that automatically manipulates drilling rods or tubes between vertical and horizontal positions, featuring a support, carriage, and arm with movable gripping means, allowing for adjustable separation distance and remote operation to facilitate the handling of different length rods or pipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual handling of drilling rods is used, then operators can directly control the components, but operational risks and accidents increase due to the heavy weight and size of the components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidmanual handling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A robotic manipulator arm serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the drilling rod, enabling automated handling that eliminates direct human contact with heavy components while maintaining operational control through remote or programmed instruction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robotic system that uses electric or hydraulic actuators to manipulate drilling rods, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-size handling devices are used, then device structure can be simplified, but adaptability to different rod sizes and lengths is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different rod sizesVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripper components are designed with movable and adjustable elements that can dynamically adapt their position and configuration to accommodate drilling rods of varying diameters and lengths, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handling device incorporates universal gripping mechanisms that can handle multiple sizes and types of drilling rods through adjustable夹持 components, enabling one device to perform multiple functions across different rod specifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12104444B2Handling device for drilling bars or pipes of different sizes

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 SAFEDRILL SPA

AI summary

Handling device associated with a drilling rig to manipulate bars or drilling tubes between a vertical position and a horizontal position in an automated manner that reduces risks in the operation, which is basically made up of a support, a carriage, and an arm with an arm support and at least two gripping means on the arm, separated from each other, for holding, capturing or gripping the drill rods, wherein at least one of said gripping means is movable so that it can be moved or moved to length of the arm, allowing to vary the separation distance between the means of gripping the arm, facilitating the handling of rods or perforation pipes of different lengths.