Universal Connecting Piece for Protective Cable Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting pieces for protective cable pipes fail to provide a universal sealing solution across varying pipe diameters, leading to the need for separate sealing production for each diameter and inefficiencies in sealing between shell parts and pipe ends.
Innovation Solution
A connecting piece with a conical contact surface in the socket end and a sealing rib that compresses the sealing ring, ensuring a secure seal across different pipe diameters, where the sealing ring is designed to bear against the rib's end portion, providing a complete and effective sealing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing ring is integrated with the sealing lip in the socket end (as in EP 499 885 A1), then sealing between the socket end and pipe is improved, but the connecting piece can only accommodate pipes of one specific diameter, requiring separate co-injection moulds for each diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into separate components: the sealing rib (integrally formed with the shell half) and the sealing ring (inserted separately into the socket end). This segmentation allows the sealing ring to be independently selected and exchanged for different pipe diameters while keeping the main connecting piece structure universal.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece design achieves universality by using a standardized socket end structure that can accommodate different sealing rings for various pipe diameters. The sealing rib provides a universal mounting interface, while the sealing ring adapts to specific pipe sizes, making the connecting piece applicable to multiple pipe diameter standards.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate sealing production is made for each pipe diameter, then sealing precision for specific diameter is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to requiring multiple separate co-injection moulds
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing functions into the sealing rib (structural component integrally formed with the shell) and the sealing ring (independent inserted component), the design eliminates the need for complex multi-diameter co-injection moulds. Each sealing ring can be manufactured separately for its specific diameter, simplifying the moulding process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring acts as an intermediary element between the socket end structure and the pipe. It provides the diameter-specific sealing function while allowing the main connecting piece to maintain a universal design, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized moulds.
3Ease of manufacture
If sealing elements are not joined between the dividing plane and socket end, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but water can seep through the area between the end side of the sealing strip and the coupling nut
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing rib and sealing ring work together as a combined sealing system. The sealing rib provides sealing at the dividing plane between shell halves, while the sealing ring provides sealing at the socket end. Their end portions meet and join to form a continuous sealing path, merging two sealing functions into one integrated system that prevents water seepage while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
The solution allows for universal use across a wide range of pipe diameters with a single suitable sealing ring, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective sealing of protective cable pipes without the need for multiple moldings.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing rib has an end portion which is situated in the contact surface of the socket end so that the outer surface of the sealing ring, in use, bears against the end portion of the sealing rib in a sealing manner
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
Connecting piece for connecting two or more pipe ends of protective cable pipes comprises at least two shell parts (1,1') which are divided by a dividing plane and fit together by their shell edges (2,2') situated in the dividing plane. At least one of the shell edges of one of the shell parts is provided with a sealing rib (3) and the shell part situated opposite is provided with a groove (4') at the corresponding shell edge. The sealing rib is accommodated in the groove when the shell parts are fitted together in order to seal the partial seam which is formed between the abutting shell edges. The connecting piece has at least two socket ends (13,14,15) for connecting the pipe ends. A contact surface (6) is provided in the socket ends against which a separate sealing ring (10) bears in a sealing manner by means of its outer surface. The sealing ring, in use, engages with the outer side of a connected protective cable pipe in a sealing manner. The sealing rib has an end portion which is situated in the contact surface of the socket end, so that the outer surface of the sealing ring, in use, bears against the end portion of the sealing rib in a sealing manner.