Plastic Coated Pipe End Stripping Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stripping the plastic coating from brake or fuel line ends risk damaging the metal tube core or are costly due to the use of peeling tools or laser treatment, which can compromise corrosion protection and leave residues.

Innovation Solution

A device using roller elements with embossed edges to flex and detach the plastic coating from the metal tube core, employing a rolling process that makes the coating brittle and removable without damaging the core, and a cutting or embossing element to ensure a clean transition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a peeling tool is used to remove the plastic coating, then the coating can be stripped, but the metal tube core may be damaged and corrosion protection compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating removal qualityVSAvoidcorrosion protection integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical peeling tool with a laser-based thermal processing system. The laser beam heats and vaporizes the plastic coating without mechanical contact, eliminating the risk of damaging the metal tube core or zinc layer while achieving complete coating removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser processing induces phase transition in the plastic coating material, heating it to vaporization temperature. This thermal phase change allows the coating to be removed by sublimation or vaporization rather than mechanical force, preventing damage to underlying layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Manufacturing precision

If laser treatment is used to remove the plastic coating, then complete removal is achieved, but the process becomes component-intensive and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating removal completenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential function of the laser system - the laser beam generation and delivery - while simplifying the overall device structure. The device focuses on the minimal necessary components to achieve coating removal, reducing system complexity compared to full laser treatment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If a peeling tool is used, then the plastic coating can be removed, but plastic particles may remain as residues on the pipe end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating removal efficiencyVSAvoidsurface cleanliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical peeling with laser thermal processing, which vaporizes the plastic coating completely rather than fragmenting it. This eliminates plastic particle residues that would otherwise remain on the pipe end surface, achieving both efficient removal and complete surface cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser heating process accelerates thermal decomposition and oxidation of the plastic coating material, converting it completely to gas phase products rather than leaving solid particulate residues. This ensures a clean metal surface free of plastic contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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 provides a reliable, residue-free removal of the plastic coating, ensuring a smooth metallic surface for sealing and maintaining corrosion protection without the need for peeling tools or expensive laser treatments.

Implementation Method 1

the plastic coating to be removed is subjected to flexural work, in which the plastic coating becomes brittle due to changes in its microstructure and can thus be reliably detached from the metallic pipe core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexural work: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2837536B2Device for removing the coating from a pipe end of a brake or fuel line with a plastic coating
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 AUDI AG
  • EP2837536B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2837536B2 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2837536B2 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for stripping the outer sheath of a pipe end (1) of a brake or fuel line (2) coated with a plastic coating (15) and having a metallic pipe core (13). According to the invention, the device has at least one pressure element (25) with which the plastic coating (15) can be detached from the pipe core (13) by a mechanical rolling process in which the plastic coating (15) is alternately subjected to pressure loading and pressure release.