Corrugated Pipe Coupling Using Radial Clamping Ring Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corrugated pipe connection devices face challenges with sealing efficiency due to the need for manual expansion of a rigid clamping ring, which can lead to deformation, eccentric coupling, and fluid leakage, and require complex operations for assembly and repair.
Innovation Solution
A corrugated pipe connection device design where a clamping ring is temporarily coupled with a nut and socket, using protrusions and slopes to radially press the clamping ring into the pipe groove, allowing for automatic and precise sealing without manual expansion, and enabling easy repair by tightening the nut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the clamping ring is made of highly rigid metal material to ensure structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because workers must perform difficult operations to pull the ends of the clamping ring outwards to increase the inner diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring is designed with flexible portions that allow dynamic deformation during installation. The rigid metal structure incorporates localized flexible sections that enable the ring to be compressed and expanded, allowing workers to easily insert it by pushing the ends together rather than pulling them apart. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between structural strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping ring incorporates flexible portions that function as flexible elements within the rigid metal structure. These flexible sections allow the ring to deform elastically during installation and operation, enabling easy insertion by compressing the ring radially inward. The flexible portions maintain the overall structural strength while providing the necessary deformability for simple installation operations.
2Reliability
If the inner diameter of the clamping ring is made much smaller than the outer diameter of the corrugated pipe to ensure proper clamping, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because workers must excessively increase the inner diameter which can exceed the elastic limit
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring's flexible portions enable it to dynamically adjust its inner diameter during installation. Workers can easily expand the ring by pushing the flexible portions outward, and the ring will naturally return to its original smaller diameter after installation, ensuring proper clamping without exceeding the elastic limit. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portions of the clamping ring provide self-service functionality by automatically returning the ring to its original shape after installation. The elastic deformation and recovery of the flexible portions ensure that the ring maintains the correct clamping force without requiring workers to precisely control the expansion degree, preventing excessive expansion that would compromise sealing efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping ring is distorted during coupling to fit the groove, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because eccentric contact with the corrugated pipe degrades sealing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portions of the clamping ring allow it to elastically deform to match the groove shape during installation, improving ease of operation. However, the flexible portions are designed to return the ring to a properly aligned position after installation, preventing permanent distortion that would cause eccentric contact. This resolves the contradiction by allowing temporary flexibility during installation while maintaining proper alignment for sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portions act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs installation misalignments and groove irregularities. During installation, the flexible portions allow the ring to conform to the groove shape, but they also prevent excessive distortion by providing elastic resistance. This beforehand cushioning effect ensures that the ring maintains proper alignment and sealing efficiency after installation.
4Device complexity
If manual expansion of the clamping ring is required to install it, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates because complex operations are required for assembly and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portions of the clamping ring enable simple dynamic installation operations. Workers can easily install or remove the ring by pushing or pulling the flexible portions, which naturally deform and return to their original shape. This eliminates the need for complex expansion tools or procedures, improving both ease of installation and ease of repair while maintaining device 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
This design enhances sealing efficiency, prevents deformation and fluid leakage, simplifies the coupling process, and allows for maintenance without replacing components, ensuring reliable operation under external impacts and positional changes.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping ring is radially pressed so that the inner portion of the clamping ring is inserted into the groove of the corrugated pipe
Implementation Method 2
a distal end of the corrugated pipe is pressed between the socket and the clamping ring
Data Source
AI summary
A corrugated pipe connection device is completely coupled by primarily screwing a nut and a socket after interposing a clamping ring between the nut and the socket, inserting an one-side portion of a corrugated pipe, including a groove and a ridge that are successively and alternately formed, into the nut, and secondarily screwing the nut and the socket so that an inner portion of the clamping ring is inserted into the groove of the corrugated pipe and a distal end of the corrugated pipe is pressed. The corrugated pipe connection device is easily coupled in a simplified manner and is capable of achieving enhanced sealing efficiency.