Continuous Textile Thread with Rigid Puller for Tube Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating the interior of millimeter diameter tubes, such as lapping, polishing, and cleaning, face challenges with swabs and rigid rods that can scratch the tubes, and strings or rubbing fabrics that struggle with introduction and fragility, especially for longer tubes with smaller diameters.
Innovation Solution
A string comprising a continuous first rigid part for thread pulling and a second flexible part for treatment, both made from the same material, allowing for integrated functionality without mechanical connections, with optional geometric variations and materials like thermosetting fibers for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wire puller is used to introduce the textile material into the tube, then the string can be introduced into the tube, but the connection between the wire puller and textile material is fragile and cannot withstand the forces required for treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wire puller and textile material into a single integrated structure where the string is formed directly from the same material. The rigid first part serves as the wire puller while the flexible second part serves as the textile material, eliminating the need for a separate connection interface and thus eliminating the fragility of mechanical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The string is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component: the first part provides thread-pulling functionality for introduction, while the second part provides treatment functionality. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and their fragile connections.
2Strength
If a rigid rod is used for treatment, then it can withstand torsional and compression forces, but it cannot perform fine lapping or polishing without deteriorating the internal surface condition
Solution Approach 1:
The string is designed with different local properties: the first part has high rigidity for withstanding forces during introduction, while the second part has flexibility and appropriate surface characteristics for fine lapping or polishing. This local differentiation allows each section to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition from rigid first part to flexible second part creates a dynamic structure that can adapt to different operational requirements. The flexible second part can deform and conform to the tube interior for precise treatment while the rigid first part maintains structural integrity during introduction.
3Productivity
If a swab with metallic shaft is used, then it allows effective removal of dirty deposits, but it carries a risk of scratching the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The entire string is made from the same material throughout, ensuring uniform properties. This homogeneity eliminates the risk of scratching that would occur with metallic components, while still allowing the string to effectively remove deposits through its flexible, conforming action and appropriate surface characteristics.
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 effective and efficient treatment of millimeter diameter tubes over long lengths without scratching or mechanical connection issues, providing dual functionality for thread pulling and interior treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a first part, called the 'rigid part ', forming a wire puller for the introduction and forward traction of the string into the interior of the tube
Implementation Method 2
the treatment of the inter-tube of millimeter diameter over long lengths... comprising in particular the lapping, polishing and/or cleaning of the interior of the tubes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention mainly relates to a textile thread element (1) for treating a tube, characterised in that it comprises: a first portion (1a), called the "rigid portion", forming a thread puller for introducing and front traction of the thread element (1) inside the tube; and a second portion (1b), called the "flexible portion", forming a flexible thread for treating the inside of the tube, the rigidity of the first portion (1a) being greater than that of the second portion (1b), and the first portion (1a) and the second portion (1b) being made from the same material or materials and continuous with each other.