Pipe End Machining Tool With Helical Blade Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools for machining pipe ends require extensive time for resetting, limiting their efficiency and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A tool with a cutting unit, clamping unit, and drive unit that utilizes a helical movement mechanism with a restoring element to quickly reset the cutting blade, allowing for a time-saving and simple reset process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tool uses a conventional resetting mechanism, then the tool can be reused, but the resetting process takes a considerable amount of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool reuse efficiencyVSAvoidresetting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is made dynamically movable through helical actuation, allowing it to be rapidly repositioned from the machined position back to the starting position. The blade can move along a helical path during machining and then quickly return along the same path, enabling fast resetting without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade's resetting is achieved through self-service by utilizing the same helical actuation mechanism that performs the machining. The tool automatically resets the blade to its initial position after machining, eliminating the need for separate resetting operations and reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the cutting blade is moved helically during machining, then the outer surface of the pipe end can be processed, but the resetting process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface processing qualityVSAvoidreset mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helical actuation mechanism serves multiple functions: it performs the machining operation by moving the cutting blade along the pipe end surface, and it simultaneously provides the resetting function by enabling the blade to return to its initial position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate resetting mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The resetting process inverts the conventional approach by using the same helical motion path for both machining and resetting. Instead of requiring a separate linear or radial resetting mechanism, the tool reverses the helical actuation to achieve rapid resetting, simplifying the overall mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables rapid resetting of the tool, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity by allowing the cutting blade to return to its starting position without the need for helical actuation, thus making the tool ready for use again in a short time.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element, with which the cutting blade is spring-loaded, wherein the spring element provides a return force with which the cutting blade can be moved back to its initial position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic energy storage and release: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3315231B1Worktool for machining a tube end
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3315231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3315231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3315231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool (1) for machining a pipe end (R) comprises a cutting unit (2) with a cutting blade (3), which cutting blade (3) is used for machining, a clamping unit (4) with clamping jaws (5) for clamping the tool (1) to the pipe end (R), a drive unit (6) for actuating the cutting unit (2), the drive unit (6) being designed in such a way that the cutting blade (3) can be moved helically about a central axis (M), the drive unit (6) has a restoring element (7), which restoring element (7) provides a restoring force (F) with which the cutting blade (3) can be reset along a restoring movement (B) after helical actuation has taken place.