Pipe Hole-Making Clamp With Centering for Perpendicular Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for drilling holes in tubular bodies, such as pipes, face challenges like drill slippage and ensuring perpendicularity, especially when pipes are installed high or under ceilings, and current tools lack stability and accuracy, particularly for larger pipe dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held apparatus with a housing and rotatable cutting tool, featuring a centering device for perpendicular alignment and a clamping mechanism with adjustable gripper arms to securely attach to the pipe, along with a mechanism for controlled axial movement of the cutting tool and connection to a driving means for precise hole-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hand-held drill with centre drill is used for freehand drilling, then the drilling operation is simple and quick, but the drill slips on the pipe surface and the hole axis is not perpendicular to the pipe centre axis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation simplicityVSAvoidhole perpendicularity and position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the housing with centering mechanism) between the hand-held drill and the pipe. This housing includes a centering device with a ball that contacts the pipe surface and guides the cutting tool to ensure perpendicularity and prevent slippage, while the drill itself remains easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling system is segmented into separate functional components: the hand-held drill provides rotational power, while the separate housing with centering mechanism provides positioning and guidance. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, maintaining ease of operation while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If an elongated holder with guides is used to support the cutting tool, then the holder provides certain support, but the guide becomes worn and inaccurate over time due to radial pressure from the cutting tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole-making accuracyVSAvoidguide durability and accuracy maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the cutting tool press against a guide for support, the patent inverts the support mechanism: the housing is clamped to the pipe and the cutting tool is supported from within the housing by the centering mechanism. This reverses the force direction, eliminating radial pressure on external guides and preventing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The centering device with the ball acts as an intermediary between the housing and the pipe, providing a wear-resistant contact point that ensures perpendicularity without requiring the cutting tool to press against wearing guides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If tapping sleeves with surrounding clamps are used for larger pipes, then the clamping force is sufficient, but the device is not adapted for hand-held drilling machines and includes multiple loose elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidnumber of loose elements and adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with universal adaptability: it can be clamped to pipes of various diameters using the adjustable clamping device, and it universally accepts hand-held drilling machines through its mounting interface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing the grip arms to be positioned at different locations and angles to accommodate pipes of various diameters. This adjustability provides sufficient clamping force for larger pipes without requiring multiple fixed-size devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If the operator presses on the drill to achieve the necessary push force, then the drilling force is sufficient, but the operator must hold the drill above his head and force it through the pipe wall, complicating the operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling push forceVSAvoiddrilling operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the force application function from the operator's direct manipulation of the drill. The cutting tool is mounted in the housing which is clamped to the pipe, allowing the operator to apply force through the housing structure rather than directly pushing the drill, making the operation more convenient especially when working overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11213969B2Apparatus for hole-making in an elongated, tubular body, and method of use of the apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 TALGOE TEKNOLOGI AS

AI summary

A hand-held apparatus is for hole-making in an elongated body. The apparatus has a housing including a rotatable cutting tool arranged to be axially movable from a non-cutting position into a cutting position. The first end portion of the housing comprises a clamping device arranged to be adjusted from a first, inactive position into a second, active position, wherein the clamping device, in the active position, is arranged to hold the apparatus fixed to the elongated body. The apparatus further has a device for connecting to a driving means, for example a hand-held drill.