Drill Attachment for Pipe Outer Diameter Sanding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical methods for sanding or cleaning the outer diameter of pipes and tubes are cumbersome and complex, making them difficult to use effectively for standard drills.
Innovation Solution
A drill attachment featuring a shank with a chuck, a housing with a threaded end and hollow chamber, a compression bladder, and a tube with a sanding or cleaning surface, which can be securely held in place by a threaded lid to facilitate efficient sanding or cleaning of pipes with outer diameters ranging from ¼-inch to 5-inches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art mechanical means are used to sand or clean the outer diameter of pipes, then sanding or cleaning function is achieved, but the device becomes complicated and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The drill attachment integrates multiple functions (sanding, cleaning, polishing) into a single device that can be mounted on a standard drill, eliminating the need for separate specialized tools while maintaining effectiveness across different pipe sizes through interchangeable tubes
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment features a nested structure where the tube is inserted into the compression bladder, which is itself inserted into the hollow chamber of the housing. This nested arrangement allows compact storage and easy assembly/disassembly while keeping the overall device size small
2Productivity
If prior art mechanical means are used to sand or clean the outer diameter of pipes, then sanding or cleaning function is achieved, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The compression bladder dynamically adjusts its compression level based on the tube size being used. When a smaller tube is inserted, the bladder compresses more to maintain firm contact, and when a larger tube is used, the compression is reduced. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain effectiveness across different pipe sizes without requiring a larger overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its effective working parameters (compression force, contact pressure) by replacing tubes of different diameters. The compression bladder automatically adjusts the compression level based on the tube size, allowing the same device structure to effectively handle pipes ranging from 1/4-inch to 5-inches in diameter
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed size attachment is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate various pipe diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment is segmented into interchangeable components (tubes with different diameters, compression bladders, sanding sheets) that can be independently selected and replaced. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different pipe sizes without requiring a completely different attachment, as users can simply swap the tube component
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient sanding or cleaning of pipes and tubes using a standard drill, providing secure attachment and adjustable size options for various pipe diameters, enhancing usability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A compression bladder having a tubular opening through it is configured to be inserted into the hollow chamber... The lid could also be modified to have a non-compressible ring mounted between the lid and the compression bladder. This non-compressible ring could be formed into the lid, attached to the lid, or free floating between the lid and the compression bladder.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment for a drill comprises a shank with a chuck configured to mount the attachment to the drill. A housing on the shank comprises a threaded end and a hollow chamber. A compression bladder having a tubular opening through it is configured to be inserted into the hollow chamber. A tube comprising a sanding or cleaning surface located on the inner surface of the tube is configured to be insertable into the tubular opening of the compression bladder. A threaded lid having a circular opening that is at least the same diameter as the inner diameter of the tube is configured to mount onto the housing at the threaded end and compress the compression bladder thereby reducing the diameter of the tubular opening and compressing the compression bladder against the tube to secure the tube within the housing.