Pipe Drilling Mechanism With Spring-Loaded Force Limiting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling devices for pipes under load require complex multi-step processes, impose significant forces on the branch collar, and pose risks of injury due to empty loading and pinching during the loading of elastic means, which slows down implementation and increases the likelihood of errors.
Innovation Solution
A drilling device with a simplified structure where the elastic means are compressed only when the cutting tool is in abutment against the pipe, using an operating mechanism that ensures the compression of elastic means during the drilling process, thereby preventing empty cocking and pinching risks, and allowing the drilling force and advance to be solely provided by the elastic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drilling device uses a complex multi-step loading process with toggle clamps or cam levers, then the elastic means can be loaded, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex loading mechanism (toggle clamps, cam levers) from the drilling device and replaces it with a simple manual compression system. The operator directly compresses the spring by pushing the drilling tool against the pipe, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical loading components while maintaining reliable elastic energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling tool itself serves dual purposes: it is both the cutting instrument and the loading mechanism. By pushing the tool against the pipe, the operator simultaneously positions the tool and compresses the spring, making the system self-loading without requiring separate loading components.
2Reliability
If the drilling device uses a multi-step process with separate loading and positioning steps, then the elastic means can be loaded, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the loading step and the positioning step into a single simultaneous action. The operator compresses the spring and positions the drilling tool against the pipe in one motion, eliminating the sequential multi-step process and significantly reducing the time required for each drilling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded with elastic energy before drilling, but the loading action is performed immediately before use in a single swift motion rather than in advance through a complex multi-step process. This preliminary compression is done quickly as part of the drilling preparation, maintaining reliability while improving speed.
3Reliability
If the drilling device uses traditional mechanical loading means, then the elastic means can be loaded, but the risk of injury from empty cocking and pinching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of empty cocking into a beneficial safety feature. The spring can only be compressed when the drilling tool is physically present and positioned against the pipe, as the tool's presence is required to complete the compression stroke. This ensures the tool is always in place before drilling, preventing accidents while maintaining elastic energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prevents harmful empty cocking by requiring the drilling tool to be in position before the spring can be compressed. This preliminary condition check (tool presence) prevents the harmful action (empty loading) from occurring in the first place, eliminating the risk of injury from misfiring.
4Device complexity
If the drilling device uses a rigid connection between the shaft and connecting part, then the structure is simple, but the drilling force exceeds the elastic means capacity and damages the bypass collar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elasticity into the system by using a spring that can compress and absorb excess drilling forces. The spring acts as a mechanical buffer, dynamically adjusting the force transmission to never exceed its capacity, thereby protecting the bypass collar from damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed to store elastic energy that will be released during drilling. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the drilling force is naturally limited to the spring's capacity, preventing force spikes that could damage the bypass collar while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 solution simplifies the drilling process, reduces the risk of injury, and ensures that the drilling force does not exceed the elastic means' capacity, thereby minimizing the impact on the bypass collar and preventing damage to downstream equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The means for loading the elastic elements, which can be released, are provided between the body and the first part... a coiled spring used in compression. The drilling force thus never exceeds that imposed by the elastic means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a drilling device for drilling a pipe, enabling the implementation of an improved drilling method, said method comprising the following steps: - positioning the shaft (7) until the cutting tool (6) is against the pipe (2) and fixing the shaft to the second part of the drilling device via the removable fixing means (11), - moving the operating mechanism (15) from the first rest position in which the third part (14) is in a position away from the connection part (3) to the working position (Pt) in which the third part (14) is in a position close to the connection part (3), thus ensuring the compression of the elastic means (12), said first part being blocked in sliding by said shaft (7) then fixed to the second part (10), the cutting tool (6) against the pipe (2).