Pipe Separator Light Beam Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe cutting devices face challenges in accurately positioning the marking on the pipe relative to the cutting tool due to visibility issues, leading to incorrect cuts and waste, which depends heavily on operator experience and skill.

Innovation Solution

A pipe cutting device equipped with a light beam device, such as a laser or LED, that projects an optically visible light mark onto the pipe, allowing for precise alignment of the marking with the cutting edge, enhancing visibility and accuracy of the cutting position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional optical marking means (pencil, colored pen, scratching tool) are used to mark the pipe, then the marking can be applied to the pipe surface, but the marking is not visible or only imprecisely visible within the pipe cutting device, leading to incorrect positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of pipe markingVSAvoidvisibility of pipe marking
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical marking methods (pencil, colored pen, scratching tool) with a light beam device that projects a visible light beam onto the pipe. This substitution transforms the marking system from one relying on physical contact and limited visibility to one using projected light that is clearly visible within the cutting device, thereby improving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light beam acts as an intermediary between the marking system and the pipe surface. Instead of directly applying physical marks that are hard to see, the system uses a visible light beam as a mediator to indicate the precise cutting position, making the marking clearly visible and improving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If operator experience and skill are relied upon to position the pipe marking correctly, then some accuracy can be achieved, but incorrect pipe lengths are often cut off resulting in pipe waste and multiple work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting length accuracyVSAvoidpipe waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The light beam device enables the system to self-align and self-position the marking accurately without relying on operator skill. The visible light beam automatically indicates the correct cutting position, allowing the system to perform the positioning function independently, thereby improving cutting accuracy and reducing waste from incorrect cuts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The visible light beam provides immediate visual feedback to the operator about the correct positioning of the pipe. This feedback mechanism allows real-time verification of the cutting position, enabling corrections before the cutting operation begins, thus improving manufacturing precision and reducing pipe waste from incorrect cuts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the pipe marking is positioned to be radially aligned with the cutting edge, then accurate cutting can be achieved, but the marking is often only visible from an unfavorable position or not visible at all

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracy of marking with cutting edgeVSAvoidvisibility of marking to operator
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the marking from a two-dimensional surface mark (pencil, pen) to a three-dimensional projected light beam that can be viewed from multiple angles. The light beam extends through space, allowing the operator to see the marking position from favorable positions rather than being constrained to unfavorable viewing angles, thereby improving both alignment accuracy and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 light beam device ensures accurate positioning of the pipe marking relative to the cutting tool, reducing errors and pipe waste by providing a clear visual indication of the cutting point, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

a light beam device (50) into which an artificial light source (51) can be inserted, is arranged at a location remote through the pipe-receiving opening (10) on the separating device (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2136954B1Pipe separator device
Publication Date: 2011.05.04 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2136954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2136954B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a pipe separator device comprising a light beam device (50) for producing an optically recognizable light marking on a pipe to be disconnected in a plane radial to the rotational axis of the separator tool, said plane extending through the separating edge of the separator tool (34).