Metal Tank Cage Assembly With Folded Tube Ends for Safer Welding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal cages for tanks pose risks to operators due to sharp edges and imprecise welds, and lack structural reliability and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
The metal cage features flattened and folded vertical tubular elements with recesses in horizontal elements for secure electro-welding, eliminating sharp edges and enhancing structural rigidity through optimized welding points and compression-formed recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vertical tubular elements are sheared to obtain ends, then assembly is simplified, but sharp edges and metal burrs are created that injure operators
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular elements are provided with rounded ends during the manufacturing process itself, before assembly. This preliminary rounding action eliminates sharp edges and metal burrs that would otherwise be created by shearing, thereby preventing operator injuries while maintaining assembly simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful sharp edges and metal burrs into beneficial rounded ends. By rounding the ends of tubular elements, the harmful cutting edges are transformed into safe, smooth surfaces that protect operators while still facilitating easy assembly
2Productivity
If welds are made quickly between vertical and horizontal tubular elements, then assembly speed increases, but weld precision and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular elements are provided with rounded ends during manufacturing, before the welding process. This preliminary preparation ensures that the welding surfaces are already optimized for stable welds, allowing welds to be made quickly without compromising precision or stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the tubular element ends from sharp/flat to rounded. This parameter change optimizes the welding surface geometry, enabling both rapid assembly and stable, precise welds by improving contact area and weld distribution
3Strength
If the metal cage structure is made more rigid to prevent structural collapse, then safety during transport improves, but the structure becomes less elastic and more prone to damage from liquid oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs tubular elements with rounded ends that provide both rigidity and flexibility. The rounded geometry allows the structure to absorb and dissipate energy from liquid oscillation through controlled deformation, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent structural collapse during transport
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 solution ensures operator safety, improves structural integrity, facilitates easy and secure assembly, and provides a reliable and cost-effective metal cage design.
Implementation Method 1
the folded end (7) is welded to the upper horizontal peripheral tubular element (4') at said recesses (8)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a metal cage (1) for a tank (2) comprising a base (3), a plurality of horizontal annular tubular elements (4, 4′) and a plurality of vertical tubular elements (5) associated with the horizontal annular tubular elements (5) and to the base (3) so as to define a containment volume for a tank (2).According to the invention, the upper portion (6) of the vertical tubular elements (5) is flattened and has a folded end (7), inclined with respect to the direction of longitudinal development of the vertical tubular element (5). Moreover, the upper horizontal peripheral tubular element (4′) comprises a plurality of recesses (8) configured to house said folded ends (7) of the vertical tubular elements (5). These folded ends (7) are welded to the upper horizontal peripheral tubular element (4′) at said recesses (8).