Flange Blank Structure for Multiple Drilling Standards

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing flanges with different drilling patterns require multiple flange blanks, leading to increased production effort and costs, as each blank is adapted to a single drilling pattern, limiting material savings and flexibility in meeting international standards.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a flange blank with a base body having sections with varying material thicknesses, where the force-receiving section is designed to selectively create through holes according to multiple drilling patterns, including standards like DIN EN 1092 and ANSI B16.5, using casting and machining processes, allowing for the production of flanges with various drilling patterns from a single blank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flange blanks are used to produce flanges with different drilling patterns, then different drilling patterns can be achieved, but production effort and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling pattern varietyVSAvoidproduction effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A single flange blank design is created that can serve multiple drilling pattern requirements. The blank includes a support section and a force-bearing section with sufficient material thickness to accommodate through-holes for different drilling patterns (e.g., DIN EN 1092 with 8 holes and ANSI B16.5 with 12 holes), allowing one blank to produce flanges for various international standards without requiring separate blanks for each pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flange blank features non-uniform material thickness distribution, with a thinner support section for material savings and a thicker force-bearing section to provide sufficient material for drilling through-holes according to different drilling patterns. This local variation in quality allows the single blank to meet diverse drilling requirements while minimizing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flange blanks are used to produce flanges with different drilling patterns, then different drilling patterns can be achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling pattern varietyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single flange blank design is created that can serve multiple drilling pattern requirements. The blank includes a support section and a force-bearing section with sufficient material thickness to accommodate through-holes for different drilling patterns (e.g., DIN EN 1092 with 8 holes and ANSI B16.5 with 12 holes), allowing one blank to produce flanges for various international standards without requiring separate blanks for each pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flange blank features non-uniform material thickness distribution, with a thinner support section for material savings and a thicker force-bearing section to provide sufficient material for drilling through-holes according to different drilling patterns. This local variation in quality allows the single blank to meet diverse drilling requirements while minimizing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of substance

If material thickness is reduced in the support section, then material savings are achieved, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidflange strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flange blank features non-uniform material thickness distribution, with a thinner support section for material savings and a thicker force-bearing section to provide sufficient material for drilling through-holes according to different drilling patterns. This local variation in quality allows the single blank to meet diverse drilling requirements while minimizing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flange blank is divided into distinct functional sections: a support section with reduced material thickness for material savings and a force-bearing section with greater material thickness to ensure sufficient strength for drilling through-holes and maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3384194B1Method for producing a flange blank and for producing a flange, and flange blank

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 MINIMAX GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~6b
Figure 7~9b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a flange blank (1), comprising the following step: producing a main body (3), wherein the main body (3) comprises a fluid passage (5), a support section (7) having a first material thickness (M1), and a force-absorbing section (9) having a second material thickness (M2), the second material thickness (M2) is greater than the first material thickness (M1), and the force-absorbing section (9) is designed for the selective production of through-holes (15a – 15h, 17a –17l) in accordance with a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern. The invention further relates to a method for producing a flange (100). In addition, the invention relates to a flange blank (1).