Glass Tube Forming Arms With Integrated Oil And Air Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass tube forming devices in forming machines for medical containers face issues with external oil and air tubes obstructing visibility, requiring precise pressure control, and are not compact or efficient in operation.

Innovation Solution

The forming device integrates lubrication and cooling channels and ducts within the support arms, allowing deforming discs to hang downwards, utilizing gravity for lubrication and cooling, eliminating external tubes and enhancing visibility and reducing pressure requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external tubes for oil and air are provided to lubricate and cool the deforming disc, then the deforming disc can be properly lubricated and cooled, but the tubes obstruct the vision of the working area and create construction difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication and cooling functionVSAvoidexternal tube structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the lubrication and cooling channels directly into the support arm structure itself, merging the function of separate external tubes with the structural component. The support arm contains internal passages that deliver oil and air directly to the deforming disc, eliminating the need for external tubing while maintaining all necessary lubrication and cooling functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lubrication and cooling channels are nested within the support arm structure. The internal passages are embedded in the arm's body, with outlets positioned near the deforming disc. This nesting approach allows the delivery system to be contained within the existing structural component, removing external tubes and improving visibility of the working area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If pressurized tubes are used to feed oil and air onto the deforming discs, then adequate lubrication and cooling can be achieved, but precise pressure control is required and the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication and cooling deliveryVSAvoidpressure control requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm structure itself serves as the delivery system for lubrication and cooling. By integrating the channels directly into the arm, the system eliminates the need for complex external pressure control mechanisms. The gravity-assisted oil delivery and simplified air cooling reduce the need for precise pressurization, making the system easier to operate and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If deforming discs are mounted on arms with external tubes, then the structure can support the discs, but the overall device size increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural support capabilityVSAvoiddevice compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm and the lubrication/cooling delivery system are merged into a single integrated component. The arm structure contains internal channels that eliminate the need for separate external tubes, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining full structural support capability for the deforming discs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery channels are nested within the support arm structure, allowing the functional elements to be contained within the existing structural volume. This nesting approach maintains structural integrity while eliminating external components that would increase device size, achieving a more compact overall configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 integrated system simplifies operation, reduces maintenance, and improves process visibility while ensuring precise lubrication and cooling, making the forming process more efficient and compact.

Implementation Method 1

a lubrication channel 18 through which lubrication oil is delivered by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

cooling ducts 19 which also flow inside the body of the arm 12... affecting the glass tube being deformed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4477627B1Glass tube forming device in a forming machine of glass containers for medical use
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 EUROMATIC SRL
  • EP4477627B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4477627B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

Glass tube forming device adapted to be used in a forming machine of glass containers for medical use comprising a parallelepiped base block (11) supporting a pair of arms (12) each bearing a flat roller or idle deforming disc (13), wherein - said arms (12) are L-shaped arms and are arranged in the upper part of the base block (11), - said two arms (12) can be moved closer to and farther away from each other (arrow F) to be arranged to respectively engage on and disengage from a glass tube (15) to be shaped; characterised in that said deforming disc (13) is arranged hanging from the free end of each arm (12), placed idle underneath the arm (12), each arm (12) carries channels (18) for oil and ducts (19) for cooling air therein, ending at and above each deforming disc (13).