Laser-Guided Pipe Bender Sleeve for Precise Bend Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe bender devices lack precise positioning mechanisms for accurately aligning pipes during bending, leading to inaccuracies in pipe bends.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve with integrated laser mounts and emitters, along with a magnet for retention, allows for precise alignment of the pipe with a pipe bender's alignment mark, ensuring accurate bending by aligning laser beams with the mark.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional pipe bender devices are used without precise positioning mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of pipe bends deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an optical alignment system. Laser emitters mounted on the pipe provide visual alignment references that eliminate the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby maintaining high manufacturing precision while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser alignment marks as an intermediary element between the pipe and the pipe bender. These laser marks serve as a mediating reference system that enables precise alignment without requiring direct mechanical interaction or complex positioning mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If visual alignment methods are used for pipe positioning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional alignment marks on the pipe surface to three-dimensional laser beams that extend through space. This dimensional change allows operators to align pipes from a distance with greater precision, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving measurement precision through the use of laser optics
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 precise pipe positioning and accurate bending by visually indicating the pipe's location in the pipe bender, facilitating consistent and varied bend directions.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes a magnet integrated into the sleeve for retaining the sleeve at a selected spot on the pipe
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of laser emitters integrated into the sleeve... a respective one of the plurality of laser emitters to be aligned with an alignment mark on a pipe bender to visually indicate
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe bender alignment assembly includes a sleeve that is positionable around a pipe. A plurality of laser mounts is each attached to and extends outwardly from the sleeve and a plurality of laser emitters is mounted to a respective one of the plurality of laser mounts to emit a beam of laser light outwardly from the sleeve. The sleeve is rotatable on the pipe to align a respective one of the plurality of laser emitters with an alignment mark on a pipe bender to visually indicate that the pipe is precisely located in the pipe bender for accurately bending the pipe. A magnet is integrated into the sleeve for retaining the sleeve at a particular angle of rotating on the pipe.