Brake Pipe Flange Friction Control via Selective Coating Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing pipes with flanges, such as brake or fuel pipes for vehicles, often result in unintentional loosening of pipe screws due to torsional stress, which can lead to functional reliability issues and the risk of residue from coating removal.

Innovation Solution

A method involving selective coating removal on the pipe end section to create distinct friction coefficients for sealing and contact surfaces, using a combination of laser processing and mechanical methods to form a flange with depressions, allowing for a high friction sealing surface and a low friction contact surface, thereby preventing torsional stress and ensuring a secure, fluid-tight connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the covering layer is completely removed from the end section, then the sealing surface quality is improved, but the risk of residue particles affecting brake system reliability increases and the anti-corrosion layer may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing surface qualityVSAvoidbrake system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different surface treatments to different regions of the end section. The sealing surface area has the covering layer completely removed to ensure high sealing quality, while the non-sealing surface area retains the covering layer to prevent residue particles and protect the anti-corrosion layer. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing quality and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the covering layer is removed by mechanical processing, then the sealing surface is smooth, but particles may remain in the end section posing reliability risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidresidue particles
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful covering layer into a beneficial element by selectively retaining it in the non-sealing surface area. The retained covering layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents residue particles from entering the brake system, while the sealing surface area is properly treated to ensure smoothness. This transforms the covering layer from a source of contamination risk into a protective feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If a uniform friction coefficient is applied to the entire end section, then the manufacturing process is simple, but torsional stress occurs during assembly causing pipe screw loosening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidassembly stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different friction characteristics in different regions of the end section. The non-sealing surface area retains the covering layer to provide a specific friction coefficient that prevents torsional stress during assembly, while the sealing surface area has the covering layer removed to ensure proper sealing. This local differentiation of friction properties resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and assembly stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If the covering layer is removed to create a flange, then the connection function is achieved, but the anti-corrosion layer may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection functionVSAvoidanti-corrosion protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selectively removes the covering layer only in the sealing surface area where flange formation is required for connection, while retaining the covering layer in the non-sealing surface area to protect the anti-corrosion layer. This localized approach enables the connection function to be achieved while preserving corrosion protection in areas where it is not interfered with by the flange formation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach effectively prevents pipe screw loosening and ensures a reliable, residue-free assembly by generating appropriate friction levels, allowing for the use of conventional, inexpensive pipe screws and maintaining the integrity of the anti-corrosion layer.

Implementation Method 1

by means of laser processing, as is known from DE 295 10 705 U1, in which the cover layer is removed by means of a laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

two layers of a friction-reducing layer, which is a dry sliding film based on polyethylene, are applied to the contact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3347638B1Method for the production of a pipe conduit, especially brake pipe conduit or fuel pipe conduit for a motor vehicle, and such a pipe conduit
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE (DEUTSCHLAND) GMBH
  • EP3347638B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3347638B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3347638B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d

AI summary

A method for the production of a brake pipe conduit (10, 70) having a flange (40, 40a), comprising the following steps: providing a pipe conduit (10, 70) which comprises an inner pipe (20), a coating (30) covering the inner pipe (20), and an end portion (12) terminating in an end face (11); removing the coating from the end portion (12) in such a way that the surface of the end portion (12) causes a first friction coefficient (μ1) in the area of a first coating removal portion (13); removing the coating from the end portion (12) along at least one second coating removal portion (16) in such a way that the surface causes a second friction coefficient (μ2), smaller than the first friction coefficient (μ1), in the area of the second coating removal portion (16); shaping the end portion (12) to form a flange (40, 40a) which has a sealing surface (41, 41a) and a contact surface (42, 42a), such that the first coating removal portion (13) forms the sealing surface (41, 41a) and the second coating removal portion (16) forms the contact surface (42, 42a); the coating (30) being provided with at least one indent (xT) in the area of the first coating removal portion (13) and/or the second coating removal portion (16).