Pipe Chuck Linkage for Wide Clamping Without Surface Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chuck mechanisms for pipe processing are either bulky and complex, or when designed to handle various diameters, they tend to concentrate load on the pipe, causing dents or scars due to inadequate surface contact.
Innovation Solution
A chuck mechanism with a simple structure utilizing dog leg shaped link members, parallel link members, and a swing drive mechanism that allows for a wide open/close width and surface or line contact clamping, preventing dents or scars, and includes a rotary, transfer, and swivel drive mechanism for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-jaw chuck with extended sliding distance is used to increase open/close width, then the device becomes bulky and structurally complex, but the patent achieves wide open/close width with a compact structure through a different mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic linkage mechanism where the clamp jaw is connected to the drive mechanism through a link with a pin that moves within a slot. This dynamic connection allows the clamp jaw to follow a curved trajectory during opening and closing, enabling the clamp to achieve a wide open/close width without requiring an extended linear sliding distance, thus maintaining a compact and simple device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gripping members rotate around pivot axes to increase open/close width, then the open/close width increases, but the gripping members make line or point contact causing dents or scars on the pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic linkage mechanism where the clamp jaw is connected to the drive mechanism through a link with a pin that moves within a slot. This dynamic connection causes the clamp jaw to follow a curved trajectory during opening and closing, enabling the clamp to achieve a wide open/close width without requiring an extended linear sliding distance, thus maintaining a compact and simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp jaw is designed with a specific geometry that ensures surface contact with the pipe throughout the clamping process. The linkage mechanism maintains the clamp jaw's orientation such that the entire contact surface engages with the pipe, distributing the clamping force uniformly and preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause dents or scars.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex multi-jaw chuck mechanism is used to handle various pipe diameters, then the open/close width increases, but the device becomes bulky and inherently prone to trouble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic linkage mechanism where the clamp jaw is connected to the drive mechanism through a link with a pin that moves within a slot. This dynamic connection allows the clamp jaw to follow a curved trajectory during opening and closing, enabling the clamp to achieve a wide open/close width without requiring an extended linear sliding distance, thus maintaining a compact and simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp mechanism is designed as a universal solution that can handle various pipe diameters through a single configuration. The linkage mechanism with the slot and pin provides adaptive motion that accommodates different clamp jaw openings, allowing the same device to securely clamp pipes of varying sizes without requiring multiple specialized components or complex adjustments.
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 mechanism achieves downsizing with a simple structure, enabling handling of various pipe diameters while ensuring surface or line contact clamping, thus preventing damage to the pipe, and allows for efficient pipe processing operations like cutting and bending.
Implementation Method 1
a swing drive mechanism causing rear parts of the pair of dog leg shaped link members to swing in directions in which the rear parts move apart from and closer to each other
Implementation Method 2
parallel link members each having a rear end rotatably supported on the frame so as to be parallel to each of front parts of the pair of dog leg shaped link members
Data Source
AI summary
A chuck mechanism enables downsizing of the device with a simple structure, has a wide open/close width of clamps, and hardly causes a dent or scar on pipes. The chuck mechanism includes a horizontally arranged shaft, a frame, a pair of dog leg shaped link members, parallel link members, a pair of clamp members, and a swing drive mechanism.