One-Piece Pipe Formwork Bending via Deformation Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing formwork for pipes require tedious assembly of thermoplastic polymer panels or necessitate heating rigid panels to bend them, significantly increasing preparation time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a formwork plate with an insulating foam core sandwiched between thermoplastic polymer panels, where V-shaped notches are cut and deformation oil is poured in to soften the panels, allowing for manual bending and active cooling to fix the shape, reducing preparation time and eliminating the need for glue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If rigid thermoplastic polymer panels are heated to bend them along fold lines, then the panel can be shaped into the desired profile, but the preparation time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the thermoplastic polymer by heating it to its softening temperature range, transforming it from a rigid state to a deformable state. This allows the panel to be bent into the desired profile shape without requiring excessive force or complex equipment, while the controlled heating process minimizes preparation time compared to traditional methods.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple thermoplastic polymer panels are assembled using adhesive, then the profile can be constructed, but the assembly process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate panels into a single integrated panel structure with pre-formed fold lines. This eliminates the need for tedious assembly operations involving adhesives and multiple components, allowing the entire profile to be manufactured as one piece that can be simply folded into shape, dramatically reducing assembly time and complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece thermoplastic polymer panel is used to avoid assembly, then the profile can be formed by folding, but the rigid material is difficult to deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies controlled heating to change the physical parameters of the rigid thermoplastic polymer, softening it to a state where it can be easily deformed and bent along the fold lines. After shaping, the material cools and hardens again, maintaining the new shape. This parameter change enables easy manipulation of what would otherwise be an extremely rigid material.
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
Enables quick and efficient production of one-piece formwork with minimal preparation time, allowing for easy shaping without external tools, and effectively reduces noise from fluid flow in pipes.
Implementation Method 1
pouring a deformation oil, preheated to the softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, into the notch
Implementation Method 2
actively cooling the single-piece profile to permanently fix its shape
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for making a one-piece formwork for cladding a pipe, comprising cutting in a formwork plate composed of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two rigid thermoplastic polymer panels a one-piece profile (8) having a predefined height and width, cutting at least one V-shaped notch (10) in the one-piece profile along its entire height to form a fold line (L) of said one-piece profile, pouring into the notch along its entire height a deformation oil (12) previously heated to the softening temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, folding the one-piece profile at the fold line, and actively cooling the one-piece profile to permanently fix its shape.