Two-Stage Corrugated Pipe Coupling for Post-Installation Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional male/female connectors in corrugated and ribbed pipes are complex and do not allow for limited movement after installation, leading to potential gaps and structural integrity issues when the male connector is fully inserted, causing fluid flow disturbances and seal problems.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage male/female connector design with a first spigot portion of reduced stiffness and a second spigot portion of increased outer diameter with reinforcing members, along with a female connector having cuff portions of varying diameters to accommodate limited inward and outward movement, ensuring structural integrity and smooth fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional male/female connectors are designed for full insertion with the male connector bottoming out against the female connector, then the connection structure is simplified, but the pipe connection strength and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector is segmented into two distinct spigot portions: a first spigot portion with reduced stiffness and a second spigot portion with increased outer diameter and reinforcing members. This segmentation allows each portion to serve a specific function - the first portion allows limited movement while the second portion provides structural strength, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the male connector are given different local qualities - the first spigot portion has reduced stiffness to allow movement, while the second spigot portion has increased stiffness and reinforcing members for strength. This local differentiation enables the connector to simultaneously achieve movement accommodation and structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional male/female connectors allow full insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but gaps and fluid flow disturbances occur leading to seal problems
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates dynamic characteristics by allowing limited inward movement of the male connector within the female connector through the reduced stiffness first spigot portion. This dynamic capability maintains seal reliability by accommodating movement while preventing the gaps and fluid flow disturbances that occur with full insertion designs.
3Strength
If conventional connectors are designed with complex structures to maintain strength, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The two-stage connector design merges the movement accommodation function (first spigot portion) and the structural strength function (second spigot portion) into a single integrated male connector component. This merging achieves both movement allowance and connection strength without requiring separate components or complex assembly processes, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring connector strength.
4Strength
If the male connector is made rigid for structural strength, then connection strength is improved, but adaptability to installation variations and site conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector utilizes parameter changes in stiffness across different portions - the first spigot portion has reduced stiffness to provide adaptability to installation variations and site conditions, while the second spigot portion has increased stiffness to maintain connection strength. This parameter differentiation enables the connector to simultaneously achieve strength and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe connection used in corrugated pipe includes a male/female connection that is configured to accommodate movement of the male connector in the female connector after installation of the pipe. The ability to maintain a satisfactory pipe connection throughout a desired and designed range of movement is helpful in applications where the pipe may be exposed to changing conditions such as ground settling, ground shifting, earthquake or other conditions. The male connector and the female connector for receiving the male connector are oversized to allow additional insertion of the male connector or partial withdrawal of the male connector while maintaining the pipe connection throughout the range of movement. The pipe connection can also be used to provide an effective two stage male/female connection between reinforced plastic pipe sections.