Form-Rolling Device for Adjustable Groove Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing form-rolling devices are limited to processing tubes of specific sizes and cannot form grooves at arbitrary positions from the tube end, making them unsuitable for SUS tubes with various diameters.

Innovation Solution

A form-rolling device comprising a shaft with a convex roller and a concave roller, along with a flange-shaped tube-end positioning member and a supporting member, allows for adjustable positioning of grooves on tubular members of various sizes, enabling groove formation at arbitrary positions from the tube end.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a form-rolling device is designed for a specific tube size, then groove formation precision is improved, but adaptability to various tube diameters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroove formation precisionVSAvoidadaptability to various tube diameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The concave roller is made movable in the axial direction relative to the convex roller, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to accommodate tubes of various diameters while maintaining precise groove formation through controlled roller positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed with adjustable components that allow a single form-rolling device to process multiple tube diameters. The movable concave roller and adjustable tube-end positioning member enable one device to perform the grooving function universally across different tube sizes rather than requiring dedicated devices for each size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the groove position is fixed at a certain distance from the tube end, then processing consistency is improved, but flexibility in groove positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing consistencyVSAvoidflexibility in groove positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tube-end positioning member is made movable in the axial direction, allowing the distance between the tube end and the convex roller to be adjusted. This enables flexible groove positioning at arbitrary distances from the tube end while maintaining consistent processing through controlled positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows operators to independently adjust the positioning member and concave roller to achieve the desired groove position for each specific application, providing self-adjustable flexibility rather than requiring fixed pre-configured positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the concave roller is fixed in position, then device simplicity is improved, but positioning flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The concave roller is designed to move in the axial direction through a simple movable support structure. This minimal movement capability provides the necessary positioning flexibility for various tube diameters without introducing complex mechanisms, maintaining device simplicity while enabling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device can efficiently process tubular members of different sizes by adjusting the position of the grooving mechanism, ensuring accurate groove formation and compatibility with SUS tubes of various diameters, enhancing versatility and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

a convex roller (14) that protrudes from an outer circumference of the shaft outwardly along a circumference around the first axis (C1)... a concave roller (15)... capable of moving in a direction in which the second grooving portion approaches or departs from the first grooving portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3269467B8Form-rolling device
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 NISSHIN STEEL CO LTD

AI summary

To provide a form-rolling device for various size tubes to create a groove in a position defined relative to the tube end. The device 1 provides a shaft portion 13 rotating about an axis C1, a convex-cross-sectional-shaped convex roller 14 projects outward from the circumference of the portion 13, a concave cross-sectional-shaped concave roller 15 rotating about a second axis parallel to C1 is disposed corresponding to the roller 14 along C1, and moving in approaching-separating direction from the roller 14, a tube-end positioning member 30 attached to the circumference of the portion 13 closer to a base end than the roller 14, and a distance along C1 between the member 30 and the roller 14, is varied, and a supporting member 57 supporting a ring member 51 fitted to the circumference of a tube 2 such that the member 51 is rotating about an axis C3 of the tube.