Corrugated Pipe Cable Integration Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible corrugated pipes with embedded electric cables lack sufficient flexibility, which can lead to deformation when used in small spaces, compromising their handling properties.

Innovation Solution

The electric cable is integrated within the pipe at the same level as the reinforcement metal coils, enhancing the pipe's flexibility by forming an embossed corrugated pattern and increasing the resilient properties through a larger diameter cable aligned with the pipe size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the electric cable is embedded in the pipe at a different level from the metal coils, then the cable can be easily installed, but the pipe flexibility deteriorates and the corrugated pattern formation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable installationVSAvoidpipe flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The electric cable is merged with the metal reinforcement coils by positioning both at the same level within the pipe wall thickness. This integration allows the cable and coils to work together as a unified structural system, enabling the formation of embossed corrugated patterns while maintaining both electrical functionality and mechanical flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from considering cable placement as a separate layer to integrating it within the same dimensional plane as the metal coils. By utilizing the thickness dimension of the pipe wall and positioning both elements at the same level, the design enables coordinated deformation and pattern formation without compromising either element's function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a larger diameter electric cable is used to improve flexibility, then the pipe's resilient properties increase, but the pipe size and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe flexibilityVSAvoidpipe size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable diameter is optimized locally within the pipe structure rather than uniformly increasing the entire pipe size. By selecting a larger diameter cable that specifically targets the flexibility requirement while maintaining appropriate cable-to-pipe size ratios, the design improves resilient properties without proportionally increasing overall pipe volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP1881250B1Corrugated flexible pipe with a built-in electric cable
Publication Date: 2011.03.30 IVG COLBACHINI
  • EP1881250B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A flexible corrugated pipe, of a type comprising a plurality of overlapping material layers, comprises at least a coiled wire (4a,4b), and at least an electric cable (9), the coils or turns of said at least a wire and said at least an electric cable being arranged on a same plane, inside the wall of the pipe. Owing to the provision of the built-in electric cable (9), embedded in the thickness of the corrugated pipe, at a same position or level as the reinforcement metal coils (4a,4b), the outer corrugating configuration of the body of the tube is improved, thereby consequently improving the flexibility of the corrugated pipe.