Flexible Stripping Tool Adapter for Pipe Wall Thickness Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stripping tools for plastic pipes are limited in their ability to accommodate varying wall thicknesses of standardized pipe diameters, as they are designed for specific dimensions and do not account for differences in wall thickness.
Innovation Solution
A flex adapter equipped with fins or lamellae that provide a flexible suspension system, allowing for tolerance compensation and adaptability to different wall thicknesses through a combination of stop and support bars, tensioning elements, and a design that enables radial spring deflection, enabling secure insertion into pipes with varying dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clamping mandrel is designed for standardized pipe dimensions, then the stripping tool can effectively treat pipes of that specific diameter, but it cannot accommodate pipes with different wall thicknesses of the same diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mandrel incorporates a flexible suspension system with spring elements that allow dynamic adjustment to different wall thicknesses. The spring-loaded clamping jaws can automatically adapt their position and pressure to match the specific wall thickness of the pipe being treated, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the clamping mechanism by introducing elastic spring elements. These springs allow the clamping mandrel to vary its dimensional parameters (clamping force, jaw position) in response to different wall thicknesses, enabling the same device to handle multiple specifications without structural modification.
2Reliability
If the clamping mandrel is designed with fixed dimensions, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot compensate for tolerance variations in pipe wall thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mandrel uses flexible spring elements and elastic components that can deform to accommodate tolerance variations in pipe wall thickness. These flexible elements absorb dimensional variations and maintain reliable clamping contact, providing tolerance compensation without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded clamping system is self-adjusting and automatically compensates for wall thickness variations. The elastic elements self-regulate the clamping force and jaw position based on the actual pipe dimensions, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex control systems while maintaining reliable treatment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a stripping tool is designed for a specific pipe diameter, then the stripping blade can be precisely positioned, but the tool cannot be used with pipes of different diameters or wall thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mandrel with flexible suspension system serves multiple functions: it clamps pipes of standardized diameters, compensates for wall thickness variations, and maintains precise blade positioning across different pipe specifications. This universal design allows a single tool to effectively treat various pipe types without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spring-loaded clamping system automatically adapts to different pipe specifications while maintaining operational precision. The elastic elements provide continuous adjustment capability, ensuring the stripping blade remains correctly positioned relative to the pipe surface regardless of wall thickness variations, thus preserving ease of operation across diverse applications.
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
The flex adapter effectively compensates for wall thickness differences, ensuring secure engagement and even load distribution, allowing the tool to be used with pipes of standardized diameters and tapered pipes, enhancing the adaptability and functionality of stripping tools.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two fins are flexibly designed such that an outer radial load on the at least one stop creates an opposing spring force
Implementation Method 2
The at least two fins are flexibly designed such that an outer radial load on the at least one stop creates an opposing spring force
Data Source
AI summary
A flex adapter for a stripping tool for treating plastic pipes or pipes coated with plastic, comprising a base body, at least two fins with respective sops. The fins are flexibly designed such that an outer radial load on the stops produces an opposing spring force; the fins are present in the rear region of the base body. The flex adapter according to the invention further comprises tensioning elements that are arranged integrally in the front region on the base body.