Tube Joining Mechanism for Accurate Flexible Tube Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube joining devices face challenges with manual handling of flexible tubes, leading to potential distortion or three-folded settings during the joining process, resulting in joining failures and requiring complex mechanisms for automatic tube holding and release.
Innovation Solution
A tube joining device with a plate-shaped cutting member for fusing and joining tube ends, featuring a first and second tube holding portion, a tube superimposing portion, and a switching mechanism that applies biasing forces to maintain or release tube holding, allowing for easy and accurate tube alignment without manual superimposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual superimposition of flexible tubes is performed, then the device configuration can be simple, but the tubes may be set in a distorted state or three-folded state causing joining failure
Solution Approach 1:
The tube holding portions are designed to preliminarily hold and position the tubes in a correct superimposed state before the actual joining process. This preliminary positioning action prevents distortion and three-folding of tubes during the joining operation, ensuring proper alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube holding portions act as intermediary elements between the user and the tubes. These holding portions provide a controlled environment for tube positioning, guiding the flexible tubes into the correct superimposed state and maintaining this state during joining, thereby eliminating alignment errors without increasing overall device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If a mechanism for automatically releasing tube holding is added, then tube holding and release can be automated, but the device configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The tube holding portions utilize a dynamic design where holding and release are achieved through relative movement between the first and second tube holding portions. When these portions move relative to each other during the joining process, the holding state automatically transitions to a release state, providing automation without requiring separate complex release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding and release functions are merged into the same tube holding portions through their relative movement. The same structural elements that hold the tubes also automatically release them when moved, combining multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism and avoiding additional device complexity.
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 device prevents joining failures by ensuring proper tube alignment and simplifies the device configuration, enabling easy and accurate tube holding and release, thus improving the reliability of the tube joining process.
Implementation Method 1
a plate-shaped cutting member that is heated, and replaces the fused end of the first tube and the fused end of the second tube
Data Source
AI summary
A tube joining device which is capable of preventing occurrence of a joining failure. The tube joining device includes: a first tube holding portion for holding a first tube; a second tube holding portion for holding a second tube; a tube superimposing portion that aligns the first tube and the second tube; and a switching mechanism switching from a state of holding the second tube to a state of releasing the second tube.