Internally Fitting Tool for Hollow Element Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mechanically engaging two hollow cylindrical elements, such as threaded pipes, are cumbersome and difficult to align or manipulate, especially when done by one person.
Innovation Solution
An internally fitting tool with a rotatable shaft and actuating surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of a hollow-cylindrical element, allowing for easy rotation and threading by projecting gripper elements beyond the peripheral edges of the tool's plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual rotation with grippers is used to engage threaded pipes, then the operation can be performed with simple tools, but the alignment and manipulation become cumbersome and difficult especially for one-person operation
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is inserted inside the hollow cylindrical element (pipe), with gripping elements nested within the tool body between two plates. The gripping elements are radially slidably mounted and can project outward when actuated, allowing the tool to fit within the pipe while still providing effective gripping capability for rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft acts as an intermediary component that transmits rotational force from the rotation-imparting device to the gripping elements. The actuating surfaces on the shaft mediate the conversion of rotational motion into radial outward movement of the gripping elements, enabling indirect control of the gripping action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional external grippers are used to rotate pipes, then the tool structure remains simple, but the ability to align and manipulate cumbersome pipes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using external grippers that clamp onto the outside of the pipe, this invention inverts the approach by placing gripping elements inside the pipe that engage with the inner surface. This internal configuration provides better alignment capability and control for manipulating cumbersome pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements are designed to be radially slidable, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. When the shaft rotates, the actuating surfaces push the gripping elements radially outward so they project beyond the plates and frictionally engage the inner surface of the pipe, providing adaptive gripping.
3Productivity
If one person performs the threading operation alone, then the operational simplicity is maintained, but the difficulty of aligning and manipulating pipes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is designed to be self-contained and self-actuating. Once inserted into the pipe and connected to a rotation-imparting device, the rotating shaft automatically actuates the gripping elements through its actuating surfaces, eliminating the need for separate manual gripping actions and enabling one-person operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping elements are pre-positioned within the tool body in a retracted state. When the shaft begins to rotate, the actuating surfaces automatically push the gripping elements outward to engage the pipe inner surface, performing the gripping action in advance of the threading operation without requiring additional manual steps.
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 quick and efficient rotation and engagement of hollow-cylindrical elements, facilitating tight threading and disengagement with reduced manual effort, suitable for one-person operation.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the shaft in the openings of the plates causes the actuating surfaces to push the gripping elements radially outwardly
Implementation Method 2
the projecting grippers frictionally engage the inner surface of the element, causing the element to spin or rotate together with the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A spinner tool has a shaft that is receivable in a rotation-imparting device, such as a hand-held drill. The shaft carries mounts in which the shaft rotates. Gripper elements are mounted between the mounts for radial movement relative to the shaft. The shaft is configured to move the gripper elements away from the shaft away from the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. This movement of the gripper elements causes the gripper elements to engage the interior surface of a hollow-cylindrical element in which the tool is inserted, so that the hollow-cylindrical element rotates together with the shaft.