Two-Piece Protective Cap for Bending Small-Diameter Thick-Walled Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective caps for small-diameter thick-walled pipes hinder bending operations and require time-consuming removal, leading to potential contamination and reduced work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A protective cap comprising an inner cap with a plug and an outer cap that can be removably attached, featuring a frustoconical or truncated arcuate seating surface, gripping portions, and an inspection window, allowing bending with the inner cap attached and simultaneous removal of both caps with a one-touch operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional protective cap with integral inner and outer cap structure is used, then the pipe end and inner surface are protected from debris, but the protective cap hinders bending operations and requires time-consuming removal
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is divided into two separate components: an inner cap that fits into the connection head and an outer cap that covers the connection head externally. This segmentation allows the inner cap to remain during bending operations for continued protection, while the outer cap can be easily removed or left off during bending to avoid interference, and both can be simultaneously removed later through the engagement projection mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the protective cap is embedded into the end of the pipe to avoid hindering bending, then bending becomes easier, but it requires time and effort to remove the protective cap
Solution Approach 1:
The removal process merges the removal of both caps into a single action. The outer cap includes an engagement projection that fits into a recess in the inner cap, creating a coupled structure. When the coupled caps are pulled off the connection head, both caps are removed simultaneously in one motion, eliminating the need for separate removal steps and reducing total removal time.
3Ease of operation
If the protective cap is removed for bending or shape inspection, then these operations can be performed, but debris or the like enters the pipe, thereby hardly ensuring cleanliness inside the pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cap is preliminarily installed into the connection head before bending operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that the pipe end and inner surface are protected from the start of the bending process. The inner cap remains in place throughout the bending operation, maintaining cleanliness without requiring removal and subsequent reinstallation.
4Reliability
If a conventional protective cap structure is used, then protection is provided, but it is impossible to bend the pipe with the protective cap attached
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the protective cap into inner and outer components with different functions and removal characteristics, the system gains adaptability. The inner cap provides continuous protection during bending, while the outer cap can be selectively removed or left on based on the specific bending requirements, allowing the pipe to be bent with the protective cap attached while maintaining protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a protective cap for a small-diameter thick-walled pipe that does not hinder during bending work or shape inspection of the pipe and it is thus possible to bend the pipe with the protective cap attached, thereby ensuring cleanliness inside the pipe. The protective cap for a small-diameter thick-walled pipe having a connection head at the end of the thick-walled pipe with the small diameter is composed of an inner cap having an integral structure of a plug to be tightly inserted into the connection head of the pipe and a gripping portion for attachment/detachment and an outer cap that includes a covering portion of the connection head and is fitted removably over the inner cap.