Pipe Compression Tool Using Drill Torque and Linear Jaw Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held tools for pressing and expanding pipe sections often require high forces and are not compact, flexible, or safe to use, lacking efficient mechanisms for applying and controlling these forces.

Innovation Solution

A tool with two jaws, where one jaw is driven by a mechanical interface with a drill or screwdriver, allowing for the transmission of counter-torque and linear movement of the feed element along a sliding guide, enabling the application of high, continuous forces while being compact and adaptable for various pipe processing tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If high forces are applied to machine the pipe section, then the pressing and expanding capability is improved, but the tool size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing forceVSAvoidtool weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor drive unit is extracted from the tool itself and relocated to the drill or screwdriver, which the user already possesses. The tool only retains the mechanical interface, feed element, and jaw mechanism, dramatically reducing its weight while maintaining high force capability through the external power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is designed to be universally compatible with standard drills and screwdrivers through a conventional mechanical interface. This allows the same tool to be used with various power sources already owned by the user, eliminating the need for a dedicated motor unit in the tool itself.

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

2Force

If an integrated motor drive unit is included in the tool, then the force application capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive forceVSAvoidtool complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor drive unit is extracted from the tool itself and relocated to the drill or screwdriver, which the user already possesses. The tool only retains the mechanical interface, feed element, and jaw mechanism, dramatically reducing its weight while maintaining high force capability through the external power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A mechanical interface acts as an intermediary between the drill/screwdriver and the tool, enabling torque transmission without requiring complex integration of motor and control systems within the tool itself. This simple coupling mechanism reduces complexity while maintaining force transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the feed element moves along a sliding guide, then the movement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement precisionVSAvoidguide mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding guide uses simple, inexpensive components such as linear bearings or guide rails that provide sufficient precision for the application without requiring complex mechanisms. These basic mechanical elements achieve the needed movement precision while keeping the overall device simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Volume of moving object

If the tool is designed to be compact, then the portability is improved, but the force transmission capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool volumeVSAvoidforce transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The motor drive unit is extracted from the tool itself and relocated to the drill or screwdriver, which the user already possesses. The tool only retains the mechanical interface, feed element, and jaw mechanism, dramatically reducing its weight while maintaining high force capability through the external power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The force transmission is enhanced by utilizing the rotational dimension of the drill/screwdriver shaft and converting it to linear motion through the feed element mechanism. This dimensional transformation allows compact tool design while maintaining effective force application through efficient mechanical advantage.

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 tool provides a compact, flexible, and safe solution for pressing and expanding pipe sections by efficiently transmitting high forces through a mechanical interface with a drill or screwdriver, ensuring precise and uniform movement, and is cost-effective without the need for an integrated motor drive unit.

Implementation Method 1

the interface is capable of transmitting a counter-torque to a drive torque via support means at the same time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque transmission: Torque

Implementation Method 2

a driven, movable feed element of the tool is guided linearly back and forth along a sliding guide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear guidance: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4126457B1Tool for compressing and/or expanding a pipe section
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 REHAU IND SE & CO KG
  • EP4126457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4126457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4126457B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool (1) for compressing and/or expanding a pipe section for a compression and/or expansion operation on a pipe, the tool (1) comprising two jaws (3, 4) which are driven movably relative to one another by a drive (5) of the tool (1) for a compression and/or expansion operation. According to the invention, the drive comprises one side of a mechanical interface (7) to a drill and/or to a screwdriver (2), the drill and/or the screwdriver (2) having a counterpart side matching the side of the mechanical interface (7), wherein, when the drill and/or the screwdriver (2) is/are connected to the tool (1), the interface (7) is capable of simultaneously transmitting a counter-torque to a drive torque via support means, wherein a movably driven feed element (20) of the tool (1) is linearly guided so as to be movable back and forth along a sliding guide, and wherein the feed element (20) is motion-coupled to a jaw (4).