Pipe Machining Coupling Members for Fast Frame Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe machining apparatuses face challenges in aligning and coupling semi-circular frame halves due to the need for precise alignment of numerous dowel pins and holes, which is cumbersome and prone to binding, making assembly and disassembly difficult, especially for large diameter pipes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a coupling system with moveable coupling members, including a housing member, arm, and engagement member, which allows for easy alignment and secure coupling of semi-circular sections using a detent mechanism, reducing the need for precise machining of mating surfaces and eliminating the complexity of dowel pin alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dowel pins and holes are used to align frame halves, then proper alignment of mating surfaces is achieved, but assembly becomes cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need to align numerous pin-and-hole pairings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dowel pin alignment mechanism entirely and replaces it with a coupling member system that uses housing members with alignment features and engagement members that automatically guide proper positioning. This extraction of the problematic dowel pin system eliminates the cumbersome alignment task while maintaining precise mating surface alignment through the coupling members' inherent alignment geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members serve as intermediary elements between the frame halves, replacing the direct dowel pin-to-hole alignment requirement. The coupling members' housing members and engagement members act as mediators that provide built-in alignment guidance, allowing the frame halves to be assembled without the need for manual alignment of multiple dowel pins and holes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If numerous dowel pins are used to couple frame halves, then proper alignment is maintained, but binding occurs making assembly and disassembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupling function into separate coupling members, each with its own housing member and engagement member. This segmentation replaces the single complex dowel pin alignment system with multiple independent coupling elements that can be assembled and disassembled individually, eliminating the binding problem caused by attempting to align numerous dowel pins simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members incorporate movable engagement members that can move between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic capability allows the coupling members to be easily assembled by moving the engagement member into place and easily disassembled by moving it back, providing operational flexibility that static dowel pin systems lack.
3Manufacturing precision
If high machining accuracy is used for split line mating surfaces, then proper coupling is ensured, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from the split line mating surfaces themselves and relocates it to the coupling members. The mating surfaces no longer require high machining accuracy because the coupling members' housing members and engagement members provide the alignment function through their own geometry and features, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost of the frame halves.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members act as intermediary elements that assume the alignment responsibility previously placed on the split line mating surfaces. By introducing these intermediaries with built-in alignment features, the patent allows the mating surfaces to be manufactured with lower precision while still achieving proper coupling through the coupling members' alignment mechanisms.
4Strength
If traditional coupling methods are used, then frame halves are securely coupled, but assembly and disassembly are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling members incorporate movable engagement members that can be quickly positioned into and out of engaged states. This dynamic design allows operators to rapidly assemble and disassemble the frame halves by simply moving the engagement members, dramatically reducing the time required compared to traditional methods while maintaining secure coupling when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are designed with preliminary alignment features in their housing members that automatically guide proper positioning as the frame halves are brought together. This preliminary action of self-alignment eliminates the need for time-consuming manual alignment adjustments, allowing rapid assembly while ensuring proper coupling strength is achieved.
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
This solution simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, reduces the need for high-tolerance machining of mating surfaces, and ensures proper alignment and coupling of pipe machining apparatus sections, enhancing efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an arm movably coupled to the first housing member
Implementation Method 2
an engagement member coupled to and moveable with the arm, wherein the engagement member engages the second housing member in the coupled condition
Implementation Method 3
The projection includes arcuate side surfaces and flat opposing front and rear surfaces, the receptacle being defined by a pair of arcuate surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
Pipe machining apparatuses, coupling members, and methods of assembling pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a coupling member (400) for coupling together a first section (24Α') and a second section (24Β') of a pipe machining apparatus (20') includes a first housing member (404) adapted to couple to the first section, a second housing member (408) adapted to couple to the second section, an arm (412) movably coupled to the first housing member, and an engagement member (460) coupled to the arm. The arm is adapted to move between a coupled condition, in which the engagement member engages the second housing member, and an uncoupled condition, in which the engagement member does not engage the second housing member, wherein the coupling member remains within the profile of the apparatus in both the coupled condition and the uncoupled condition.