Actuating Device Force Transmission via Corrugated Tube Wall

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing piping systems with adjusting devices, such as pneumatic control valves, often require multiple components and complex arrangements to transmit forces between outer and inner control elements, leading to increased complexity and sealing challenges.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using the corrugated pipe wall itself to directly transmit forces between outer and inner adjusting elements through a form-fit contact area, eliminating the need for additional ring elements and simplifying the system by reducing the number of components, thereby enhancing sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If an external control element is arranged between two corrugated pipe sections and directly connected to an inner control element, then the force transmission is direct and effective, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components and sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the force transmission function into the corrugated pipe wall itself by creating contact areas on the inner control element that directly engage with the corrugated pipe wall. This eliminates the need for separate external control elements and intermediate connection components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective force transmission from the deformable pipe section to the control element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components (external control elements, guide rings, and complex sealing arrangements) by utilizing the corrugated pipe wall's inherent structural properties for direct force transmission. The inner control element is designed with contact areas that directly interface with the corrugated pipe wall, removing redundant components and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If multiple components are used to connect outer and inner control elements, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the sealing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsealing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the force transmission and sealing functions into a single integrated solution where the corrugated pipe wall itself serves as both the structural element and the sealing interface. The contact areas on the inner control element directly engage with the corrugated pipe wall structure, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and intermediate connection elements, thereby reducing sealing complexity while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a corrugated pipe wall is used to directly transmit force through form-fit contact areas, then the number of components is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidcontact area adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific contact areas on the inner control element that are adapted to the local geometry of the corrugated pipe wall. Rather than requiring high precision across the entire component, the contact areas are designed to match the specific local features of the corrugated structure, allowing for effective force transmission while tolerating variations in overall manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach results in a more streamlined and easily sealed piping system with fewer components, improving the overall functionality and ease of operation by directly transmitting forces through the corrugated pipe wall, making the system more efficient and easier to maintain.

Implementation Method 1

a corrugated pipe section 1 with a corrugated pipe wall 1.1, an external adjusting element 2 arranged outside of the corrugated pipe section 1 and an inner control element 3 arranged within the corrugated pipe section 1, the outer control element 2 being operatively connected to the inner control element 3... the corrugated pipe wall itself is used directly to transmit a force from one adjusting element to the other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3196522B1Actuating device
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 VIESSMANN GRP GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3196522B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3196522B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an adjusting device comprising a corrugated tube section (1) with a corrugated tube wall (1.1), an external adjusting element (2) arranged outside the corrugated tube section (1), and an internal adjusting element (3) arranged inside the corrugated tube section (1), wherein the external adjusting element (2) is operatively connected to the internal adjusting element (3). According to the invention, at least the external or the internal adjusting element (2, 3) has a contact area (2.1, 3.1) adapted to the corrugated tube wall (1.1) for transmitting a force from the external to the internal adjusting element (2, 3) or vice versa.