Spiral Pipe Winding Without Diameter Limiting Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe-making apparatuses are increased in size due to the need for diameter limiting frames such as annular or radial frames to prevent diameter shrinkage of spiral pipes during the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A pipe-making apparatus that omits diameter limiting frames by using a propulsive reaction force and a resisting force imparting portion to adjust the diameter of the spiral pipe, allowing for the production of pipes with desired diameters without the need for additional framing, with the resisting force being adjustable to enhance or reduce the diameter-changing effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If diameter limiting frames (annular or radial frames) are used to prevent diameter shrinkage of spiral pipes, then the pipe diameter can be maintained, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe diameter controlVSAvoidapparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the diameter limiting frames (annular or radial frames) from the apparatus, extracting the bulky structural components that previously occupied significant space. Instead, it uses a propulsive reaction force imparting portion that generates thrust to control pipe diameter through force application, thereby reducing apparatus volume while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical diameter limiting frames with a propulsive reaction force system. Rather than using physical frames to constrain the pipe, the invention uses thrust generation through propulsive reaction force to actively control and maintain pipe diameter, substituting a passive mechanical constraint system with an active force-based control system

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

2Volume of moving object

If propulsive reaction force and resisting force are used to adjust spiral pipe diameter without frames, then apparatus size is reduced, but diameter control precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidpipe diameter control
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic force control through propulsive reaction force and resisting force to actively adjust pipe diameter in real-time. The system uses dynamic thrust generation and resistance application to maintain precise diameter control during the spiral winding process, replacing static frame-based constraints with dynamic force balancing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls pipe diameter by adjusting the magnitude and direction of propulsive reaction force and resisting force. By varying these force parameters, the system can precisely control the spiral pipe diameter without requiring physical frames, achieving both apparatus downsizing and maintained manufacturing precision through parameter-based control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the production of spiral pipes with desired diameters without the requirement for diameter limiting frames, resulting in a downsized pipe-making apparatus that can effectively maintain or adjust pipe diameters, accommodating variations in existing pipe dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a propulsive reaction force imparting portion that generates a propulsive reaction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReaction force: Reaction (physics)

Implementation Method 2

a resisting force imparting portion that imparts a resisting force to the strip member by friction when the pipe-making apparatus is being propelled by the propulsive reaction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3290182B1Pipe-making apparatus and pipe-making method for spiral pipe
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP3290182B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3290182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3290182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A spiral pipe 9 is formed by joining edges 93, 94 of adjacent turns of a strip member 90 while helically winding the strip member 90 using a pipe-making apparatus 3. A propulsive reaction force for moving in a winding direction of the strip member 90 is imparted to a following strip portion 92 or a preceding spiral pipe portion 91 of the strip member 90 by a propulsive reaction force imparting portion 10 of the pipe-making apparatus 3. The following strip portion 92 follows a preceding spiral pipe portion 91 that has already been made into a pipe. A resisting force in a direction opposite to the propulsive reaction force is imparted to the strip member 90 along the winding direction by a friction between a resisting force imparting portion 30 and the strip member 90 generated while the strip member 90 is moved forward. In this arrangement, a diameter limiting frame can be omitted, and thereby, the pipe-making apparatus 3 can be downsized.