Thermoplastic Pipe Belling Machine Seal Loading Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional belling machines face challenges in precise seal loading and high production rates due to the complexity and inefficiency of the Rieber system, which requires manual seal positioning and additional auxiliary devices, leading to increased production time and potential errors.
Innovation Solution
A belling machine design that incorporates a precise seal loading mechanism using a loader with gripper elements and a contact flange to securely position the seal on the mandrel, allowing for automatic and accurate seal integration during the socket forming process, reducing the complexity and time required for seal loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the Rieber system is used for seal integration, then the seal is integrated in the socket during forming, but the system complexity increases due to additional auxiliary devices and manual seal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic seal loading where the loader automatically positions and loads the seal onto the mandrel without manual intervention. The gripper elements automatically grasp and position the seal, eliminating the need for auxiliary positioning devices and reducing system complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated loading mechanism that uses a loader with gripper elements to automatically position and load the seal onto the mandrel. This substitution of manual operations with automated mechanical systems reduces the need for complex auxiliary devices.
2Reliability
If manual seal positioning is used in the Rieber system, then seal placement can be performed, but production time increases due to additional positioning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic loading mechanism allows continuous operation where the loader seamlessly loads seals onto mandrels without interruption. The gripper elements continuously grasp and position seals, eliminating idle time between sealing operations and maintaining continuous production flow, thereby increasing productivity while ensuring reliable seal placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the seal positioning function from manual operations and integrates it into the automated loading mechanism. By removing the manual positioning step and replacing it with automated gripper-based loading, the system eliminates time-consuming manual intervention while maintaining seal placement reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the loader with gripper elements is used for seal loading, then loading precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loader with gripper elements serves multiple functions: it grasps the seal, positions it precisely on the mandrel, and releases it automatically. This multi-functional design consolidates several operations into a single device, reducing the need for separate positioning mechanisms and auxiliary devices, thereby improving precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 solution enables precise and rapid seal loading with minimized errors, enhancing production efficiency and allowing for high-speed processing of pipes of various diameters without compromising precision.
Implementation Method 1
Belling machines are equipped with at least one oven for heating the end of the pipe to be formed
Implementation Method 2
by sucking with a vacuum from the inside of the mandrel
Implementation Method 3
by applying a vacuum (tending to create a vacuum inside the pipe fitted on the mandrel) and/or an overpressure on the outer surface of the pipe (for example with a pressurised fluid such as, in particular, compressed air)
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
A belling machine (1) forms end sockets equipped with an integrated seal on pipes (3) made of thermoplastic material using a forming mandrel (4) on which an annular seal (5) was previously placed, diametrically expanded, coaxially and in a predetermined position. A loader (8) for loading the annular seal (5) on the mandrel (4) is able to move between a priming position, in which the loader is spaced from the belling axis (b) and does not interfere with the mandrel (4) movement along the belling axis (b), and a loading position, in which the loader is coaxial with the belling axis (b) and is located between the mandrel (4) back position, disengaged from the pipe (3) and the mandrel (4) forward position, inserted in the end (30) of the pipe (3). An annular seal (5) is placed in a positioner (10) which holds it in an operating position for the action of a priming device (9). After the seal (5) has been picked up from the positioner (10), the priming device (9) primes the loader (8) with the annular seal (5) when the loader (8) is in the priming position. [Figure 2]