Tubular Hardware Locator Using Reference Indicia and Existing Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for locating hardware on tubular structures in machines are cumbersome, costly, and incompatible with various hardware types and dimensions, making it difficult to access and position hardware at remote sites, such as mining sites, which affects machine productivity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a linear element with reference indicia and a slider, combined with an angular element that can surround the tubular structure, allowing for precise location of hardware using pre-existing hardware as a reference, enabling quick and flexible positioning of hardware with different profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional bulky locating tools and set-ups are used, then hardware location can be achieved, but the device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locating tool is divided into separate modular components: a measuring device with linear and angular elements, and a hardware locator component. This segmentation allows the tool to be disassembled into smaller, more portable parts while maintaining full functionality when assembled, directly resolving the contradiction between operational capability and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device incorporates movable linear elements that can slide along angular elements, creating a dynamic, adjustable structure. This dynamic design allows the tool to adapt to different hardware locations and orientations without requiring a bulky fixed structure, achieving both functionality and compactness.
2Ease of operation
If conventional locating tools are used, then hardware can be located, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is pre-configured with scaled linear elements and reference markings that allow direct measurement and calculation of hardware location. The linear element's scale is预先 designed to represent the actual tubular structure dimensions, enabling immediate location determination without complex calculations or multiple measurement steps, thus reducing time loss.
3Ease of operation
If conventional locating tools are used, then hardware location is possible, but compatibility with different hardware types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware locator is designed as a universal component that can engage with various hardware types (bosses, brackets, blocks) through a standardized interface. The measuring device works with any hardware that can be engaged by the locator, making the entire system compatible with different hardware types and dimensions without requiring separate specialized tools for each type.
4Manufacturing precision
If design of locating tool is revised for different hardware locations, then accurate location is achieved, but part numbers and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating multiple static locating tool variants for different hardware locations, the invention uses a single dynamic measuring device with adjustable linear elements that can be configured for any location. The linear element's scale and the angular element's markings provide the necessary precision for different locations without requiring physical redesign, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing part numbers and costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for locating a hardware at a desired location on a tubular structure of a machine includes a linear element including a plurality of linear reference indicia thereon, a slider coupled to the linear element, an angular element including a plurality of angular reference indicia thereon, a hardware locator coupled to the linear element and adapted to engage with the hardware to locate the hardware at the desired location on the tubular structure, and a reference hardware locator coupled to the angular element. The angular element is coupled to the tubular structure such that the reference hardware locator engages with a pre-existing hardware mounted on the tubular structure. The pre-existing hardware is used as a reference to locate the hardware at the desired location on the tubular structure.