Drilling Rig Driving Sleeve Draw Key Fixation via Stopper Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing combined driving sleeves for drilling rigs have unreliable draw key fixation, leading to loosening, falling, and complex dismounting issues, requiring high labor intensity and long time for replacement.

Innovation Solution

A combined driving sleeve design featuring a driving sleeve body, a draw key, a fixed stopper block, a movable stopper block with a bolt hole, and bolts, where the draw key is fixed using a fixed stopper block at one end and a movable stopper block at the other, with stopper steps for secure engagement, simplifying the fixation and replacement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple rows of bolts are used to fix the draw key in the inner-hole groove, then the draw key is fixed, but the threaded hole machining becomes complicated with high accuracy requirements and the draw key easily loosens and falls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedraw key fixation reliabilityVSAvoidthreaded hole machining complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bolt fixation system from the draw key itself and relocates it to the stopper block. The stopper block contains the threaded holes and bolts, while the draw key only has a simple through-hole for the bolt to pass through. This separation eliminates the need for complex threaded hole machining in the draw key and groove, while maintaining reliable fixation through the stopper block's bolt mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper block serves as an intermediary component between the driving sleeve body and the draw key. It provides the fixation mechanism (bolts and threaded holes) without requiring complex machining in the draw key itself. The stopper block mediates the connection, simplifying the draw key structure while ensuring reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple rows of bolts are distributed on the draw key to fix it, then the draw key can be fixed, but the mounting and dismounting becomes complicated with high labor intensity and long time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedraw key fixationVSAvoidmounting and dismounting convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the multiple bolt fixation system from the draw key and concentrates it in the stopper block. Instead of distributing dozens of bolts across the draw key and groove, the fixation is achieved through a single bolt passing through the draw key's through-hole and securing the stopper block. This dramatically simplifies mounting and dismounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the fixation function of multiple bolts into a single bolt mechanism. The stopper block consolidates the fixation role, and a single bolt secures the entire assembly (draw key and stopper block together). This merging reduces the number of operations from dozens of bolt installations to just one, greatly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If an integrated driving sleeve with key groove is used, then the structure is simple, but the entire driving sleeve must be replaced after excessive wear with high cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the driving sleeve into replaceable components: the expensive driving sleeve body (with the groove) and the wear-prone draw key. The draw key can be separately replaced when worn, while the driving sleeve body is retained. This segmentation allows cost-effective maintenance by replacing only the consumable part rather than the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables discarding and recovering by allowing the draw key to be replaced while retaining the driving sleeve body. The wear-prone draw key is discarded and replaced with a new one, while the expensive driving sleeve body with its precision groove is recovered and reused. This extends the service life of the valuable component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3135853B1Combined-type driving sleeve of drilling rig with reliably fixed draw key
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 SUNWARD INTELLIGENT EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3135853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135853B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3135853B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention disclose a combined driving sleeve of a drilling rig with a reliably fixed draw key, which comprises: a driving sleeve body (1), a draw key (2), a fixed stopper block (6), a movable stopper block (7), and bolts (8), the fixed stopper block (6) is fixed at one end of a groove of the driving sleeve body (1), while the movable stopper block (7) is fixed at the other end of the groove of the driving sleeve body (1) by means of a bolt (8), and the draw key (2) is fixed into the groove of the driving sleeve body (1) by means of the fixed stopper block (6) and the movable stopper block (7). The advantages thereof are: the draw key is reliably fixed and will not easily come loose; the method of mounting the draw key of the driving sleeve is simple and manufacturing costs are low; the operating space for replacing the draw key is large, and labor intensity is low; and the draw key is longitudinally symmetrical and can be inverted and interchanged.