Flexible Tube Head Shoulder Geometry for Multi-Thickness Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible tubes require a specific head design for each varying skirt thickness, making it difficult to adapt a single tube head to different thicknesses while maintaining an aesthetic weld.
Innovation Solution
A head design with an annular shoulder face having an opening angle greater than 125°, allowing the flexible skirt to be folded back and welded, and a height greater than the skirt thickness, accommodating varying skirt thicknesses by providing a space for material flow during welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shoulder face height is increased to accommodate thicker skirts, then the adaptability to different skirt thicknesses improves, but the weld aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to material flowing beyond the shoulder face
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the shoulder face by introducing a specific inclination angle (between 10° and 30° with respect to the perpendicular to the tube axis) and controlling the height ratio between the shoulder face and skirt thickness. This parameter optimization allows the same head design to accommodate multiple skirt thicknesses (0.14mm to 0.3mm) while maintaining aesthetic weld appearance through controlled material flow.
2Manufacturing precision
If a specific head design is created for each skirt thickness, then the weld aesthetic appearance is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to multiple head designs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal head design with a shoulder face having a specific inclination angle (10°-30°) and height ratio that can accommodate multiple skirt thicknesses (0.14mm to 0.3mm). This single multi-functional head design eliminates the need for multiple specialized head designs, reducing device complexity while maintaining aesthetic weld appearance across different tube configurations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the shoulder face height is reduced to prevent material flow, then the weld aesthetic appearance is improved, but the adaptability to thicker skirts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the shoulder face height parameter in relation to the skirt thickness, establishing that the shoulder face height should be between 0.40mm to 0.70mm (or 2 to 4 times the skirt thickness). Combined with the specific inclination angle (10°-30°), this parameter relationship allows the shoulder face to contain material flow for aesthetic appearance while still accommodating varying skirt thicknesses from 0.14mm to 0.3mm.
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 a single head design to be compatible with multiple skirt thicknesses, ensuring a flush and aesthetically pleasing weld without the need for multiple head designs.
Implementation Method 1
an upper end segment of the flexible skirt is folded back against a peripheral bearing face of the shoulder and welded thereto
Implementation Method 2
some of the material flows towards the shoulder face
Data Source
AI summary
A head for a tube includes a flexible skirt. The head includes an annular shoulder, an exposed inner annular portion, an annular peripheral bearing face, and an annular shoulder face. The annular shoulder extends from the central portion in a substantially radial direction. The exposed inner annular portion of the shoulder is configured to be visible after assembly of the head with the flexible skirt. The annular peripheral bearing face of the shoulder against which an upper end segment of the flexible skirt is intended to be folded back to enable it to be welded. The annular shoulder face projects with respect to the peripheral bearing face. The annular shoulder face has, in axial section, an opening angle (β) greater than 125° with respect to the peripheral bearing face.