Rigid Tubing With Metallic Inserts For Co-Moulding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rigid tubings with metallic and elastomeric end-pieces face challenges in deformation and high production costs due to the need for strong, heavy metallic tubes to withstand co-moulding pressures, leading to increased weight and expense.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating metallic inserts at the ends of the metallic tube before co-moulding the elastomeric connecting end-pieces, which enhances mechanical strength without increasing the tube's weight or cost, allowing for the use of less robust metallic materials and enabling cost-effective, high-productivity manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If strong metallic tubes are used to withstand co-moulding pressures, then deformation is avoided, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic tube is segmented into two functional parts: a main tube body made of lighter material and localized reinforcing inserts made of high-strength material at the ends. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the main tube for minimal weight and the inserts for withstanding co-moulding pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical strength is not uniformly distributed throughout the tube but is concentrated locally at the ends where reinforcing inserts are placed. This local quality approach ensures strength is provided only where needed during co-moulding, while the rest of the tube remains lightweight.
2Strength
If strong metallic tubes are used to withstand co-moulding pressures, then deformation is avoided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into a standard main tube and separate reinforcing inserts. This segmentation allows the use of less expensive materials for the main tube body while using high-strength material only for the inserts, reducing overall material cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube becomes a composite structure combining the main tube material with reinforcing insert material. This composite approach allows optimization of each material for its specific function, achieving required strength at lower overall cost than using high-strength material throughout.
3Strength
If tube thickness is increased to provide mechanical strength, then deformation resistance improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing tube thickness throughout, reinforcing inserts are placed locally at the ends where strength is needed during co-moulding. This provides the necessary mechanical strength without the penalty of increased weight across the entire tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube structure is segmented into the base tube and separate reinforcing inserts. This allows strength to be added only where required rather than increasing thickness uniformly, minimizing weight increase while providing adequate mechanical strength.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The tubing (10) comprises a tube (12) of metallic material, one or two connecting endpieces (14) of elastomeric material, each co-moulded on a respective end portion of the tube (12) and, for each connecting end-piece (14), a respective reinforcing insert (16) of metallic material inserted into the tube (12) at the end portion on which the connecting end-piece (14) is provided. Preferably, the metallic tube (12), the reinforcing inscrt(s) (16) and the connecting end-piece(s) (14) are made of light alloy, steel and thermosetting elastomer, respectively. A layer of adhesion-promoting agent is advantageously deposited on the surface of the metallic tube (12) which is intended to interface with the connecting end-piccc(s) (14).