Multi-Pipe Wire Drawing for Uniform Longitudinal Shape

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wire drawing methods for high-temperature superconducting wire rods result in non-uniform longitudinal cross-sectional shapes due to varying deformation resistances among the metal pipes, leading to inconsistent longitudinal lengths and increased material loss.

Innovation Solution

A wire drawing method and device that adjusts the longitudinal lengths of metal pipes with different deformation resistances by setting specific differences in longitudinal lengths after drawing, using computer-aided engineering (CAE) to optimize the process and reduce material loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the wire drawing method is used to reduce cross-sectional diameter of multi-pipe wire rod, then the wire rod can be processed into thin and long shape, but the longitudinal cross-sectional shape becomes non-uniform due to varying deformation resistances of different metal pipes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire rod lengthVSAvoidlongitudinal cross-sectional shape uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting different longitudinal lengths for metal pipes with different deformation resistances before the wire drawing process. Specifically, pipes with higher deformation resistance are given longer initial lengths, while pipes with lower deformation resistance are given shorter initial lengths. This preliminary differentiation compensates for the varying deformation rates during drawing, ensuring that all pipes reach approximately the same final length and maintain uniform longitudinal cross-sectional shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If metal pipes with different deformation resistances are wire-drawn simultaneously, then the processing efficiency is maintained, but the amount of deformation varies for each metal material causing longitudinal length variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire drawing efficiencyVSAvoidlongitudinal length uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different initial longitudinal lengths to different metal pipes based on their specific deformation resistance characteristics. Each pipe receives a customized initial length tailored to its material properties - pipes with higher deformation resistance (like copper) are given longer initial lengths, while pipes with lower deformation resistance (like aluminum or iron) are given shorter initial lengths. This localized differentiation allows all pipes to deform at different rates during simultaneous wire drawing while still achieving uniform final dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the conventional wire drawing process is used, then the wire rod can be manufactured, but material loss increases and cutting steps increase due to non-uniform longitudinal shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire rod manufacturingVSAvoidmaterial loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and setting the optimal initial longitudinal lengths for each metal pipe type before the wire drawing process begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that after deformation, all pipes achieve approximately equal final lengths without requiring extensive cutting or trimming. By anticipating the deformation behavior of each material and pre-adjusting initial dimensions, the process minimizes material loss and reduces the need for post-processing cutting steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method achieves uniform longitudinal cross-sectional shapes and reduces material loss by minimizing the number of cutting steps, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The drawing method is a processing method for reducing a cross-sectional diameter of a material to be wire-drawn to the same diameter as a hole diameter of a dice hole by passing the material through the dice hole having the hole diameter smaller than a maximum diameter of the material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

a grip portion that grips one end portion of the wire rod and that pulls the one end portion in a predetermined direction with a predetermined tensile force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile force: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS12440879B2Wire drawing method and wire drawing device
Publication Date: 2025.10.14 HITACHI LTD
  • US12440879B2 patent drawing
  • US12440879B2 patent drawing
  • US12440879B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A wire drawing method includes: preparing a first wire rod that includes a first pipe having a first longitudinal length and a second pipe having a second longitudinal length different from the first longitudinal length; creating a second wire rod that includes the first pipe having a third longitudinal length and the second pipe having a fourth longitudinal length different from the third longitudinal length, by reducing a cross-sectional diameter of the first wire rod through wire drawing; and setting a first difference between the third longitudinal length and the fourth longitudinal length in the second wire rod to be smaller than a second difference between the first longitudinal length and the second longitudinal length in the first wire rod.