Height-Adjustable Support for Pipe Cutting Lance Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe processing machines face challenges in maintaining the stability and longevity of the catching lance, leading to potential scratches on the pipe interior and reduced machining accuracy due to lance deflection and contact with pipe sections.
Innovation Solution
An unloading device with a height-adjustable support element for the catching lance, combined with a storage area and a scraper system that includes a support roller, allows for controlled movement and positioning to prevent contact between the lance and the pipe, reducing vibrations and extending the lance's service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the catching lance is inserted into the pipe interior without support, then it can reach the processing point, but it deflects due to its own weight and the weight of pipe sections, reducing machining accuracy and potentially scratching the pipe interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a height-adjustable support element that moves in the vertical direction (Z-axis) to support the catching lance. This adds a vertical dimension of adjustment to the traditionally horizontal lance positioning system, allowing the lance to be supported at optimal heights and preventing deflection while maintaining its insertion capability into the pipe interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary between the catching lance and the machine structure. It provides indirect support to the lance, preventing direct contact between the lance and potentially damaging surfaces, while also preventing deflection. This intermediary support mechanism resolves the contradiction by stabilizing the lance without compromising its insertion function.
2Productivity
If the catching lance contacts pipe sections during processing, then it can support and move them, but it causes scratches on the pipe interior and reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves as an intermediary that bears the weight of pipe sections, preventing direct contact between the catching lance and the pipe interior surfaces. This allows the lance to maintain its productivity function of supporting and moving pipe sections while eliminating the harmful scratching effect, thereby extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the weight-bearing function from the catching lance by introducing a dedicated support element. The lance retains only its primary function of insertion and guidance into the pipe interior, while the support element handles the weight support task. This separation of functions prevents the lance from contacting and scratching the pipe interior.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the catching lance is made longer to reach processing points in large pipes, then it can process larger pipes, but it becomes more prone to deflection and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The height-adjustable support element provides vertical support that counteracts the increased deflection tendency of longer lances. By adjusting the support height, the system can compensate for the reduced rigidity of longer lances, enabling processing of larger pipes while maintaining stability and reducing vibrations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a discharge device (5) for a processing device for the cutting processing of pipes, wherein the discharge device (5) has a collecting lance (27) movable in the longitudinal direction (X) of the pipe and insertable into the interior of a pipe to be processed. The discharge device (5) comprises at least one support element movable in the vertical direction (Z), in particular a roller-shaped one, for supporting the collecting lance (27) and/or a storage surface (24) movable in the vertical direction (Z) for storing at least one pipe section to be separated from the pipe during the cutting processing. The invention also relates to a method for the cutting processing of a pipe using a processing device to which such a discharge device (5) is assigned.