Apparatus for folding tube

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12535153-B2
Application number	US-202418658493-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2024
Priority date	Jun 1, 2023
Publication date	Jan 27, 2026
Grant date	Jan 27, 2026

Abstract

An apparatus for folding a tube includes a fixed mount fixedly installed in a facility, a first connection member installed on the fixed mount, a folding unit connected to the first connection member and expanding or compressing a tube folded and spirally wound, a second connection member disposed on a side opposite to a portion to which the first connection member is connected, and connected to the folding unit, and a chemical liquid container to which the second connection member is connected. The folding unit includes a plurality of link members for connection rotatably installed on the first connection member and the second connection member and a plurality of foldable link members sequentially connected and folded from the plurality of link members for connection.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a tube; a fixed mount fixedly installed in a facility; a first connection member installed on the fixed mount; a folding unit connected to the first connection member and expanding or compressing the tube folded and spirally wound; a second connection member disposed on a side opposite to a portion to which the first connection member is connected, and connected to the folding unit; and a chemical liquid container to which the second connection member is connected, wherein the folding unit comprises a plurality of link members for connection rotatably installed on the first connection member and the second connection member and a plurality of foldable link members sequentially connected and folded from the plurality of link members for connection.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of foldable link members comprise a first foldable link member and a second foldable link member, and wherein the first foldable link member and the second foldable link member are disposed to cross each other and are rotatably connected to each other in a center.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of foldable link members comprise a third foldable link member and a fourth foldable link member, wherein the third foldable link member and the fourth foldable link member are connected to ends of the first foldable link member and the second foldable link member, and the third foldable link member and the fourth foldable link member are rotatably connected to each other.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of foldable link members are connected so that an inner side thereof forms a portion of a quadrangular shape.

5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a pair of grippers for fixing the tube is installed in at least one end portion of the first foldable link member.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the pair of grippers are coupled by any one of a bolt, a spring, or a rubber band.

7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the pair of grippers are configured to form at least one through-hole, and the tube is configured to pass through one through-hole of the at least one through-hole.

8 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein a plurality of the pair of grippers are alternately arranged on the plurality of foldable link members.

9 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a stopper bolt is installed in a portion of a link member for connection and the first foldable link member.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the stopper bolt is installed on the first foldable link member connected to the link member for connection.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the stopper bolt is disposed inside a portion of a quadrangular shape formed by the link member for connection and the first foldable link member.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first connection member includes a 1-1 connection member installed on the fixed mount and having a 1-1 rotating shaft and a 1-2 connection member rotatably installed on the 1-1 rotating shaft and connected to the folding unit via a 1-2 rotating shaft.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second connection member comprises a 2-1 connection member having a 2-1 rotating shaft and connected to the chemical liquid container and a 2-2 connection member rotatably installed on the 2-1 rotating shaft and connected to the folding unit via a 2-2 rotating shaft.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tube is configured with one end connected to the chemical liquid container and an other end connected to the facility.

15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the folding unit is folded as the chemical liquid container is moved by an operator.

16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the spirally wound tube is approximately a width of the folding unit in a contracted state, wherein the diameter is a dimension from one perimeter edge of the spirally wound tube to an opposite perimeter edge of the spirally wound tube in the contracted state.

17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide supply from the chemical liquid container to the facility while the folding unit is contracted.

18 . An apparatus comprising:
a tube; a fixed mount fixedly installed in a facility; a first connection member installed on the fixed mount; a folding unit connected to the first connection member and expanding or compressing the tube folded and spirally wound; a second connection member disposed on a side opposite to a portion to which the first connection member is connected, and connected to the folding unit; and a chemical liquid container to which the second connection member is connected, wherein the first connection member comprises a 1-1 connection member installed on the fixed mount and having a 1-1 rotating shaft and a 1-2 connection member rotatably installed on the 1-1 rotating shaft and connected to the folding unit via a 1-2 rotating shaft, and the second connection member comprises a 2-1 connection member having a 2-1 rotating shaft and connected to the chemical liquid container and a 2-2 connection member rotatably installed on the 2-1 rotating shaft and connected to the folding unit via a 2-2 rotating shaft.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the folding unit comprises a plurality of link members for connection rotatably installed on the first connection member and the second connection member, and a plurality of foldable link members sequentially connected and folded from the plurality of link members for connection.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein a pair of grippers for fixing the tube is configured in at least one end portion of a first foldable link member of the plurality of foldable link members.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Choi Hyunwoong
• Lee Hyunyoung
• Kim Donghyun
• Kim Pyungkang
• Hwang Beomsoo

Classifications

• F16L3/00

  Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets (anchors for holding pipes on or under the ground F16L1/06; noise absorbers in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports F16L55/035; arrangements specially adapted for supporting insulated bodies F16L59/12) · CPC title

• F16L3/015 Primary

  using articulated- or supple-guiding elements · CPC title

• H10P72/0448

  Apparatus for applying a liquid, a resin, an ink or the like · CPC title

• B29C53/80

  Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations · CPC title

• B29C53/12

  helically, e.g. for making springs {(for textile fibres D02G1/00)} · CPC title