Rotatable Chuck Jaws for Precise Saddle Fitting Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chucks for gripping and moving cylindrical bodies, such as fittings and pipe segments, are limited by their fixed orientation and lack of versatility, leading to complex operations and compromised weld quality due to imperfect alignment and the need for multiple chuck designs for different diameters.
Innovation Solution
A chuck design featuring movable jaws and a mechanism for angular rotation relative to a support member, allowing adjustable positioning and alignment of cylindrical bodies, including a movable plate and angular position adjuster for precise fitting engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the chuck is locked inside a collar with a locking lever to fix the saddle fitting in a fixed position, then the fitting is securely retained, but the complexity of operations for heating and welding increases due to inability to adjust orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the chuck to rotate relative to the support member during the heating operation, allowing dynamic adjustment of the fitting's orientation to achieve perfect alignment with the heating bushings, while maintaining secure retention through the locking mechanism after positioning is complete
2Reliability
If a rubber disk is made complementary to the internal shape of the saddle fitting to lock it by mechanical interference, then the fitting is securely held, but versatility is reduced requiring different chucks or rubber disks for each diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single chuck with an adjustable locking mechanism that can accommodate saddle fittings of different diameters through the ability to rotate and reposition the jaws, eliminating the need for multiple specialized chucks or rubber disks for different fitting sizes
3Reliability
If the jaws are fixed in position to maintain stable gripping, then the fitting is securely held, but alignment precision with heating bushings deteriorates due to fixed orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by allowing the jaws and main body to rotate relative to each other during the heating operation, enabling dynamic adjustment of the fitting's orientation to achieve perfect alignment with the heating bushings, while maintaining secure gripping through the adjustable locking mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A chuck (1) for gripping and moving cylindrical bodies, in particular fittings and pipe segments, including a main body (2) defining an axis of rotation (50) and a plurality of jaws (3) fastened to the main body (2); the jaws (3) are movable between a position of maximum closure, in which they are at the minimum distance from the axis of rotation (50), to a position of maximum opening, in which they are at the maximum distance from the axis of rotation (50); the chuck (1) has an adjuster means for adjusting the positions of maximum closure and maximum opening and a movement means for moving the jaws (3) between the positions of maximum closure and maximum opening; the chuck (1) includes a fixing means (30) adapted to allow the axial fixing of the chuck (1) to a support member and the connection of the chuck (1) to the support member so that they are angularly rotatable with respect to each other.