Pipe End Flanging Roller Alignment for Low-Wear Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe end flanging devices experience particle formation and wear on flanging rollers due to their funnel-shaped or V-shaped alignment, leading to reduced service life and quality of the flanging contour.

Innovation Solution

The device aligns the axis of rotation of the flanging roller at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the receiving unit, creating a roof-shaped configuration, which minimizes particle formation and wear by ensuring the flanging roller touches the workpiece only at the forming contour, and includes features like adjustable height and counter-rotating components to enhance the flanging process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the flanging roller is aligned in a funnel-shaped or V-shaped manner (parallel alignment with receiving unit axis), then the device structure is simpler, but particle formation increases and roller wear accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment structureVSAvoidparticle formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by aligning the flanging roller's rotational axis at an angle (2-45 degrees) relative to the receiving unit's longitudinal axis, creating a roof-shaped configuration instead of the symmetric funnel-shaped alignment. This asymmetric arrangement ensures single-point contact between the roller and workpiece, minimizing particle formation while extending roller service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If the flanging roller is aligned in a funnel-shaped or V-shaped manner, then the device structure is simpler, but roller service life decreases due to increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment structureVSAvoidroller service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric angular alignment (2-45 degrees) between the flanging roller axis and receiving unit axis creates a roof-shaped configuration that reduces contact area to a single point. This minimizes wear on the flanging roller surface, thereby extending the roller's service life and reducing maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Force

If the flanging roller touches the workpiece along a line or area (funnel-shaped alignment), then the forming force is distributed, but the flanging contour quality deteriorates due to particle formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforming force distributionVSAvoidflanging contour quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric angular alignment to transform the contact geometry from line/area contact (funnel-shaped) to point contact (roof-shaped). This ensures the flanging roller touches the workpiece only at the forming contour, eliminating particle formation and producing high-quality flanging contours while maintaining adequate forming force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4467257A1Device for flanging a pipe end
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 HARRO HOFLIGER VERPACKUNGSMASCHEN
  • EP4467257A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4467257A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4467257A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for flaring a pipe end. The device (10) has a receiving unit for the workpiece (12) to be flared and at least one tool holder (30). Furthermore, at least one flaring roller (34) is provided, which is attached to the tool holder (30) via an axle (32). The flaring roller (34) can rotate about a pivot axis (36) along the longitudinal axis of the axle (32). According to the invention, the longitudinal axis (22) of the receiving unit (20) and the pivot axis (36) of the flaring roller (34) are oriented at an angle to each other. The pitch (39) of the pivot axis (36) of the flaring roller (34) is positive in the direction of the longitudinal axis (22) of the receiving unit (20).