Hinged Pipe Bend Die Unit for Crinkle-Free Rotary Draw Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe bending technologies face challenges in preventing crinkling during rotary draw bending, with wipers being fragile due to wear concerns and requiring frequent replacements, and existing die sets lack efficiency in changing dies for different pipe sizes and types, leading to inaccuracies and reduced reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
A pipe bend die unit with a rotatable bend die and hingedly connected clamp and counter pressure members, forming a half-circular groove, allows for smooth bending without crinkling and easy die changes, featuring a counter pressure member that can be retracted to avoid interference and adjusted for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper is used to prevent crinkling during pipe bending, then crinkling prevention is improved, but the wiper is subject to wear and breakage requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the wiper component from the bending apparatus entirely. Instead of using a wiper that contacts and slides along the pipe inner surface, the patent employs a bending method where the pipe is bent externally against a bend die without any internal wiper intervention, thereby eliminating wear and breakage issues associated with wipers
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of preventing crinkling by adding a protective element (wiper) inside the pipe, the invention inverts the approach by using external bending forces and die geometry to achieve smooth bending without internal interference. The crinkling prevention is achieved through the bending mechanism itself rather than a separate protective component
2Adaptability or versatility
If die sets are changed for different pipe sizes and types, then adaptability is improved, but the changing process is time-consuming and requires frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The bend die is designed with a universal groove structure that can accommodate different pipe sizes and types without requiring die changes. The groove geometry and positioning system allow the same die to work with various pipe specifications, making the apparatus multi-functional and adaptable to different bending requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The die positioning system incorporates adjustable and movable components that can be dynamically reconfigured for different pipe sizes. Rather than physically changing entire die sets, the system allows dynamic adjustment of die position and orientation to match different pipe specifications, reducing die changing time
3Manufacturing precision
If the bend die groove is positioned at the initial bending point, then bending accuracy is improved, but the die structure becomes complex requiring precise positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bend die groove is integrated directly into the body of the bend die itself, merging the positioning function with the bending function. The groove is permanently formed at the correct position on the die, eliminating the need for separate adjustable positioning mechanisms while maintaining precise bending initiation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The bend die groove is pre-positioned and pre-formed at the exact location where bending should initiate. This preliminary positioning during die manufacturing ensures that when the die is used, the groove is already at the correct position, eliminating the need for complex real-time positioning adjustments during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A bend die comprises a clamp member having a first groove part of half-circular cross section on its outer peripheral surface with a fitting recess formed on the first groove part and extending in a peripheral direction by a first predetermined length on a planar surface perpendicular to a rotary axis, and a counter pressure member having a second groove part of half-circular cross section formed on its outer peripheral surface, and a fitting protrusion extending in a peripheral direction by a second predetermined length from a tip end portion of the second groove part. The fitting protrusion is positioned in the fitting recess so that a pipe-receiving groove of half-circular cross section is formed. The first and second groove parts are hingedly connected to one another about the rotary axis so as to be rotated relative to each other.