Alternating Corrugated Drain Pipe for Compact Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drain pipes are inefficient in packaging due to their rigid structure, leading to bulkier storage and transportation, and lack the necessary flexibility for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A plastic drain pipe design featuring alternating sections of collapsible and non-collapsible corrugated pipe, where the collapsible sections can form bends to position non-collapsible sections adjacent to each other, allowing for efficient packaging into compact shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional rigid drain pipes are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but packaging efficiency deteriorates due to bulky storage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is divided into alternating collapsible and non-collapsible sections, allowing selective deformation of specific segments while maintaining structural integrity in others. This segmentation enables the pipe to be compressed into compact shapes for efficient packaging while preserving functionality during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with alternating flexible and rigid sections. The collapsible sections can deform during packaging and then return to their original shape during installation, providing adaptive volume characteristics that resolve the contradiction between storage efficiency and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If collapsible pipe sections are used, then packaging efficiency improves, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pipe into alternating collapsible and non-collapsible sections, the structure maintains stability in the rigid segments while allowing controlled deformation in the collapsible segments. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by localizing flexibility where needed while preserving overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the pipe are given different mechanical properties - some sections are made collapsible for packaging efficiency while others remain non-collapsible for structural stability. This local differentiation of material properties allows the pipe to simultaneously achieve both packaging efficiency and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If non-collapsible pipe sections are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe structure is segmented into alternating rigid and flexible sections, allowing the rigid sections to provide structural integrity while the flexible sections provide the necessary adaptability for installation in various configurations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections are assigned different mechanical characteristics - non-collapsible sections provide local structural integrity where needed, while collapsible sections provide local flexibility for adaptation to different installation scenarios, achieving both strength and versatility simultaneously.

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 design enables more efficient storage and transportation of drain pipes by allowing them to be packaged in compact rectangular or cuboidal shapes, maximizing space usage compared to traditional non-collapsible pipes, while maintaining structural integrity for various environmental and usage needs.

Implementation Method 1

The collapsible section of corrugated pipe has a first joining area and a second joining area. The first non-collapsible section of corrugated pipe is connected to the collapsible section of corrugated pipe at the first joining area, and the second non-collapsible section of corrugated pipe is connected to the collapsible section of corrugated pipe at the second joining area.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11326724B2Pipe with alternating sections

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 OMNIMAX INT LLC

AI summary

A plastic drain pipe for drainage includes a first end, a second end, and a pipe sub-section between the first end and the second end. The pipe sub-section includes a collapsible section of corrugated pipe, a first non-collapsible section of corrugated pipe, and a second non-collapsible section of corrugated pipe. The collapsible section of corrugated pipe has a first joining area and a second joining area. The first non-collapsible section of corrugated pipe is connected to the collapsible section of corrugated pipe at the first joining area, and the second non-collapsible section of corrugated pipe is connected to the collapsible section of corrugated pipe at the second joining area.