Spiral Unit Guide Device Duct Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spiral units for insertion sections in ducts often get caught on the inner peripheral surface due to steps between the distal and proximal ends and the outer peripheral surface, hindering smooth insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
A spiral unit with a tube body and spiral fin on its outer surface, featuring taper sections with a diameter-reducing design that includes a removable regulator to expand the inner diameter for insertion and reduce it for sliding, preventing catching on the duct's inner surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spiral unit has steps between distal and proximal ends to enable rotation and movement, then the insertion section can be moved to far side and near side of duct, but the end of spiral unit gets caught on inner peripheral surface of duct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a smooth transition zone at the distal end of the spiral unit where the fin height gradually decreases to zero. This localized smooth region eliminates steps at the critical interface with the duct, preventing catching while preserving the rotational capability provided by the spiral fin structure in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having steps that create abrupt transitions, the patent inverts the approach by designing a continuously smooth surface at the distal end. The spiral fin structure is gradually reduced and smoothed out, transforming the harmful stepped interface into a beneficial smooth interface that prevents catching on the duct inner peripheral surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the spiral unit has a uniform diameter structure, then manufacturing is simple, but insertion is hindered by steps between spiral unit and insertion section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the distal end region of the spiral unit with a gradual diameter reduction and smooth transition, while the main body retains its uniform diameter structure. This localized modification eliminates insertion hindrance at the critical interface without requiring complex changes to the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the smooth transition zone and gradual diameter reduction at the distal end during manufacturing. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when the spiral unit is inserted, the smooth surface already exists to guide insertion, preventing catching issues before they occur during operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the taper section has a fixed small inner diameter, then rotation stability is improved, but insertion into the taper section becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inner diameter of the taper section variable through the removable expansion regulator. The regulator can be removed to allow the taper section to expand to a larger diameter for easy insertion, then removed to allow the taper section to return to its smaller stable diameter for rotation stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion regulator serves as an intermediary device that temporarily modifies the inner diameter of the taper section. During insertion, the regulator is present to expand the diameter and facilitate entry of the insertion section. After insertion, the regulator is removed, allowing the taper section to return to its original configuration for stable rotation.
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 spiral unit effectively rotates within the duct without catching, enhancing insertion and removal efficiency by minimizing contact with the duct's inner surface, even in sections with abrupt diameter changes.
Implementation Method 1
a taper section which is a tubular shape and which is provided on at least one of a distal end side and a proximal end side of the tube body along the longitudinal axis, has a proximal part close to the tube body and a distal part apart from the tube body, has an outer periphery that is diameter-reduced toward the longitudinal axis more at the distal part than at the proximal part along the longitudinal axis, and exerts a diameter reducing force to an outer peripheral surface of the insertion section at the distal part in the range where sliding is possible in a periaxial direction of the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
a reduced diameter regulator which is removably arranged in the taper section, holds a state of expanding an inner diameter of the taper section so that insertion of the insertion section into the taper section is allowed, to regulate reduction of the inner diameter of the taper section
Data Source
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AI summary
A spiral unit includes: a tube body having a spiral fin arranged on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a tubular taper section which is provided along the longitudinal axis, has a proximal part close to the tube body and a distal part apart from the tube body, has an outer periphery that is diameter-reduced toward the longitudinal axis more at the distal part than at the proximal part along the longitudinal axis, and exerts a diameter reducing force to an outer peripheral surface of the insertion section at the distal part in the range where sliding is possible in a periaxial direction of the longitudinal axis; and a reduced diameter regulator which is removably arranged in the taper section, holds a state of expanding an inner diameter of the taper section so that insertion of the insertion section into the taper section is allowed, to regulate reduction of the inner diameter of the taper section, and is removed from the taper section along with the insertion of the insertion section into the taper section, thereby exerting the diameter reducing force to the taper section more at the distal part than at the proximal part on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion section in the range where sliding is possible in the periaxial direction of the longitudinal axis.