Conical Pipe Adapter for Secure Vertical and Uneven Pipe Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe adapters are limited to horizontal installation and require multiple accessories like clamps, making them complex and less suitable for vertical installations, especially when pipe ends are uneven or inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A pipe adapter with a simple design featuring a conical central section and a spigot end, allowing flexible and secure connections for both horizontal and vertical installations, using a two-part construction of a pipe and a sheath with optional sealing lips and an outer ring as a limit stop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pipe adapters are used with multiple accessories like clamps and sealing sleeves, then the connection security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidnumber of accessories
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (adapter body, sealing elements, clamping mechanisms) into a single integrated adapter structure. The adapter body itself incorporates the conical central section for guidance, the sealing lips for sealing, and the outer ring for limiting insertion depth, eliminating the need for separate clamps and sealing sleeves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, creates seals through integrated sealing lips, guides pipe insertion via the conical central section, and limits insertion depth through the outer ring. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized accessories with a single versatile component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pipe adapters are designed for horizontal installation only, then the design can be simpler, but the adaptability to different installation orientations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation orientation flexibilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter features an asymmetric conical central section that is wider on one side and tapers toward the other end. This asymmetric geometry provides guidance for pipe insertion from a specific direction while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the adapter to function in both horizontal and vertical orientations without requiring separate designs for each orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If the pipe adapter uses a two-part construction with pipe and sheath only, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection security might be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates localized sealing features (sealing lips) and structural elements (outer ring, conical central section) at specific positions within the two-part construction. These localized features provide sealing and mechanical support functions without requiring additional parts, maintaining connection security while preserving manufacturing simplicity.

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

Enables flexible and secure connections for pipes with different diameters, suitable for both horizontal and vertical orientations, without the need for additional clamps, using a conical central section and spigot end design.

Implementation Method 1

The conically shaped central section allows the second pipe section, equipped with a spigot end, to be guided into a desired pipe diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConical geometry: Geometry

Implementation Method 2

at least one sealing lip is provided, which runs around the sheath and seals any gap between the sheath and the inner surface of the pipe or borehole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3869077B1Tube adapter
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 FERNCO GMBH
  • EP3869077B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3869077B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3869077B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pipe adapter for connecting two pipe ends or a pipe end to a borehole, wherein the pipe adapter is a pipe with two pipe ends, both of which are designed as pointed ends.