Bridge-Retained Pipe Connector for Fast Leak-Tight Plastic Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connectors for plastic pipes, especially in underground supply lines, require high installation effort due to long welding and cooling times, and often necessitate large wall thicknesses to withstand radial and axial forces, making them difficult to deform and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector with a sleeve-like base body featuring bridge retention elements that span across the connection area, allowing axial forces to be transferred between pipe ends without being absorbed by the base body, enabling a durable and reliable connection with lower material consumption and simpler installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional compression connectors use large wall thicknesses to withstand radial and axial forces, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates because plastic components with large wall thicknesses are almost impossible or very difficult to cold-form
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two functional parts: the base body (housing) and the bridge retaining element. The base body provides radial support and guidance, while the bridge retaining element specifically handles axial force transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the base body to have thinner walls since it no longer needs to bear the full axial load.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge retaining element acts as an intermediary component that mediates the transmission of axial forces between the two pipe ends. It spans across the base body and directly connects the inner circumferential surfaces of the pipe ends, thereby transferring axial tensile forces without requiring the base body to have large wall thicknesses.
2Reliability
If electrofusion welding is used to bond pipe connectors to pipe ends, then the reliability and durability of the connection are improved, but the loss of time increases due to very long welding and cooling times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal electrofusion welding process with a mechanical pressing system. The pressing tool applies radial compression force to the base body, which deforms the base body and the bridge retaining element to create a mechanical interlock with the pipe ends. This mechanical connection achieves reliable, leak-proof sealing without the lengthy heating and cooling cycles required by electrofusion welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the connection mechanism from thermal bonding (electrofusion) to mechanical deformation (pressing). By applying radial compression force during installation, the base body and bridge retaining element deform elastically or plastically to grip the pipe ends, creating a secure mechanical joint that eliminates the need for thermal processing and extended cooling times.
3Reliability
If internal support bodies are used in pipe connectors, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because inserting pipe ends into such connectors can be more difficult, especially in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge retaining element is designed to be flexible and deformable during the insertion process. When radial compression force is applied during pressing, the bridge retaining element deforms to accommodate the pipe ends and then locks into position, providing dynamic adaptation during installation while maintaining structural stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector provides localized support where needed: the bridge retaining element makes contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the pipe ends at specific points to transmit axial forces, while the base body provides radial guidance and support. This localized quality of support ensures connection stability without requiring a bulky internal support structure that would hinder insertion in confined spaces.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe connector (100, 200, 300) for tightly connecting a first pipe end (4) to a second pipe end (6), comprising a sleeve-like base body (102, 202) which has a first receptacle (104, 204) for inserting a first pipe end (4) and a second receptacle (106, 206) for inserting a second pipe end (6), with first retaining elements (116, 216) in the region of the first receptacle (104, 204) which are designed to fix a first pipe end (4) inserted into the first receptacle (104, 204) after crimping the pipe connector (100, 200, 300) in the first receptacle (104, 204), and with second retaining elements (120, 220) in the region of the second receptacle (106, 206) which are designed to are to fix a second pipe end (6) inserted into the second receptacle (106, 206) after the pipe connector (100, 200, 300) has been crimped in the second receptacle (106, 206), wherein one or more bridge retaining elements (114, 214) are provided,wherein a bridge retaining element (114, 214) extends from the region of the first receptacle (104, 204) to the region of the second receptacle (106, 206) and forms at least one of the first retaining elements (116, 216) and at least one of the second retaining elements (120, 220). The invention further relates to a use of the pipe connector (100, 200, 300) and a method for tightly connecting a first pipe end (4) with a second pipe end (6).