Pipe connector with centering function
The novel pipe connector addresses the labor-intensive and costly connection of stairlift roadway segments by enabling precise machining and clamping-free assembly, resulting in efficient and stable pipe connections.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202025001584
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-06-30
AI Technical Summary
The existing manufacturing process for stairlift roadways, which involves connecting multiple segments of 3D bent pipe geometries, is labor-intensive and costly due to manual processes like bore production, bolting connectors, and manual re-clamping, increasing overall costs.
A novel pipe connector that allows for accurate machining of tube ends and assembly without clamping operations, using a fixture on a machining center, ensuring stable and centered alignment of pipe ends with minimal gaps.
Facilitates faster and economical connection of round pipes under heavy loads by reducing production steps and eliminating manual clamping, while maintaining precise alignment and stability.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
State of the art:
[0001] Round tubes are often used as guideways for stairlifts, but such a guideway cannot be manufactured or transported in one piece. Therefore, they are divided into several segments, and these 3D-bent tube geometries must be connected. Until now, this has often been accomplished through complex manufacturing steps, such as drilling locating holes in the tube ends, inserting a custom-made connecting sleeve, and then pinning the tubes and sleeves. When constructing the guideway in the stairwell, the tube end is pinned again by hand. This process is labor-intensive and costly. Description of the problem:
[0002] Before the track can be installed at the customer's site, numerous process steps are required, including drilling a precise hole, pinning the connecting sleeve, and manually connecting the track on site. These individual steps require various machines and frequent re-clamping of the tube, which is often done manually. These manual processes are uneconomical and significantly increase the manufacturing costs of the stairlift track.
[0003] A pipe connector is required that securely connects the guide tubes of a stairlift, centers the tube ends, and prevents them from drifting apart (creating gaps). The pipe connector should be machine-manufacturable and easy to install on-site during assembly. Fixing the problem:
[0004] This problem is solved by the features described in claim 1. The new pipe connector significantly reduces the required manufacturing steps. The pipe ends can be machined to a precise dimension using a pipe laser, for example (see Fig. The pipe connector and the clamping and fitting screws can be manufactured in a single setup on a machining center. Assembly of the roadway at the customer's site is now faster, as only the clamping and fitting screws need to be screwed in.
[0005] The pipe connector enables stable, precise, and centered alignment of the pipe ends with minimal gaps. This allows round pipes to be connected easily and economically, even under heavy loads, such as in stairlift tracks. Example:
[0006] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Fig. 1 to 4 explained. Fig. : Shows two pipe ends (3) held together by the pipe connector (1). Fig. : A sectional view of the seat of the pipe connector (1) in the pipe ends (3), with the clamping and fitting screws (2). Fig. : A detailed representation of the precise fit of the screw head of the clamping and fitting screw (2) in the pipe ends (3) and the pipe connector (1), which prevents them from drifting apart. Fig. : A sectional view of how the clamping and fitting screw (2) spreads the pipe connector (1) by twisting and presses it against the inner wall of the pipe ends (3) to ensure exact centering. List of reference symbols: 1 pipe connector 2 clamping and fitting screws 3 Pipe ends to be connected
Claims
[1] The pipe connector is characterized by that the pipe connector (1) is designed in such a way that spreading is possible by turning the clamping and fitting screw (2). [2] Pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized by that the screw head of the clamping and fitting screw (2) is precisely adapted to a recess in the pipe ends to be connected (3) and a precisely fitting bore in the pipe connector (1). [3] Pipe connector according to claim 1, characterized by that the pipe connector (1) consists of an elastic material which partially adapts to the inner wall of the pipe ends (3) to be connected.