Winding Machine Roller Gap Control for Pipe Rehabilitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional winding machines for rehabilitating pipes face issues such as prolonged operation times and inefficiencies due to the outer roller getting stuck on sediment, cracks, or projections within the pipe, leading to loose plastic strips and increased pipe diameters during the winding process.
Innovation Solution
A winding machine with a separate drive unit and fit unit, where the inner and outer rollers operate independently to maintain smooth rotation and constant speed, preventing the outer roller from contacting the pipe's inner surface and ensuring precise joining of the plastic strip, thus avoiding the issues of sticking and loose strips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the outer roller contacts the inner surface of the existing pipe to maintain position during winding, then the winding machine can be stabilized, but the outer roller gets stuck on sediment, cracks, or projections causing operation interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the outer roller into multiple independent small rollers (first outer roller, second outer roller, third outer roller, fourth outer roller) arranged along the winding direction. Each small roller can independently rotate and adapt to local surface irregularities, preventing the entire system from getting stuck while maintaining positional stability during the winding operation.
2Loss of time
If the outer roller rotates smoothly without contact, then operation time is reduced, but the winding machine cannot maintain stable position on the pipe inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide rollers as intermediary elements that contact the pipe inner surface to provide positioning and stability, while the outer rollers maintain a slight gap to avoid getting stuck. The guide rollers act as mediators between the winding machine and the pipe surface, enabling stable operation without the outer rollers directly contacting irregularities.
3Productivity
If the plastic strip is fed at high speed to increase productivity, then operation time is reduced, but the plastic strip becomes loose and pipe diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tension control mechanism that continuously monitors the plastic strip tension and dynamically adjusts the feeding speed. When the strip becomes loose, the system automatically reduces feeding speed to maintain proper tension, ensuring consistent pipe diameter precision while maximizing overall productivity through intelligent speed modulation.
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
This configuration allows for efficient and precise formation of rehabilitating pipes with reduced operational time and effort, preventing the outer roller from getting stuck and maintaining consistent pipe diameter, ensuring a safe and high-precision winding operation.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit and a fit unit which each comprise an inner roller and an outer roller; the drive unit causes the joining mechanism to orbit along the inner surface of the existing pipe by rotation of the inner roller and the outer roller in directions opposite to each other so as to sandwich and send out the plastic strip
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A winding machine (1) according to one embodiment includes a frame (2) that is installed inside an existing pipe (200), a joining mechanism (4) for joining a plastic strip (100), and a wheel (6) for supporting the joining mechanism (4) on an inner surface of the existing pipe (200). The joining mechanism (4) includes an inner roller (42) and an outer roller (43) that sandwich the plastic strip (100) from inside and outside. The wheel (6) includes a rotational shaft at a position different from positions of rotational shafts of the inner roller (42) and the outer roller (43). The outer roller (43) of the joining mechanism (4) is maintained in a state of being separated from the inner surface of the existing pipe (200).