Pipe Machining Coupling Member Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe machining apparatuses face challenges in aligning and coupling semi-circular frame halves due to numerous dowel pins, which can be cumbersome and lead to binding issues, requiring high machining accuracy for split line mating surfaces to ensure proper mating and coupling.
Innovation Solution
A pipe machining apparatus with a coupling member comprising a first and second housing member, an arm, and an engagement member that moves between coupled and uncoupled conditions, allowing for easy alignment and secure coupling of sections without relying on precise dowel pin alignment, using adjustable and detent mechanisms to facilitate assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If numerous dowel pins are used to align frame halves, then alignment precision is improved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex dowel pin alignment system entirely and replaces it with a simplified coupling mechanism using housing members with complementary shapes that guide alignment through their geometry alone, eliminating the need for multiple dowel pins and their associated alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces housing members as intermediary coupling elements that mediate the connection between frame halves. These housing members incorporate alignment features directly into their structure, serving as both the coupling mechanism and the alignment guide, thereby eliminating the separate dowel pin alignment function
2Manufacturing precision
If dowel pins are used for coupling frame halves, then alignment is achieved, but binding occurs and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs housing members with complementary geometric shapes that dynamically guide the coupling process. The shapes are designed to naturally guide alignment as the housing members come together, allowing for self-correction and smooth assembly without binding, replacing the rigid dowel pin system
Solution Approach 2:
The housing members are pre-designed with built-in alignment features and geometric constraints that automatically guide proper alignment during the coupling process itself, eliminating the need for preliminary manual alignment of multiple dowel pins before assembly
3Manufacturing precision
If high machining accuracy is applied to split line mating surfaces, then proper mating is ensured, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates the precision requirements into specific localized alignment features within the housing members rather than requiring the entire split line mating surface to be highly accurate. The housing members' complementary shapes provide the necessary alignment in critical areas while allowing less critical areas to have lower precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the housing members as precision copies or templates that replicate the required alignment geometry. By machining the housing members with precise complementary shapes, the alignment function is captured in these discrete components rather than requiring the entire mating surface to maintain high precision throughout
Data Source
AI summary
Pipe machining apparatuses, coupling members, and methods of assembling pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a coupling member for coupling together a first section and a second section of a pipe machining apparatus includes a first housing member adapted to couple to the first section, a second housing member adapted to couple to the second section, an arm movably coupled to the first housing member, and an engagement member 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.