Corrugated Pipe Connection With Rotational Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connections for corrugated flexible pipes are difficult to disassemble for inspection or maintenance, prone to twisting and damage, and may accidentally detach, leading to cable damage and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

A connection featuring a cylindrical body with a threaded extension, quadrangular windows, and locking members with teeth and apertures, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly through axial and rotational movements, preventing twisting and ensuring secure engagement with the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clips or stop rings or snap hooks are used to constrain the corrugated flexible pipe, then the pipe is secured to the connection, but the pipe becomes difficult to remove for inspection or maintenance and may be damaged during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of pipe to connectionVSAvoidremoval of pipe for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member transitions from a static constraint to a dynamic mechanism that can be easily activated and deactivated. By rotating the locking member around the longitudinal axis, the engagement state changes between locked and unlocked, enabling easy removal while maintaining secure connection during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking member acts as an intermediary element between the connection body and the pipe. It mediates the interaction by providing a controlled engagement mechanism through its teeth that interact with the pipe's corrugations, allowing both secure holding and easy release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional connection methods are used, then the pipe is constrained to the connection, but twisting of the sheath occurs which may damage the cables inside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstraint of pipe to connectionVSAvoidtwisting damage to cables
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is designed to rotate dynamically around the longitudinal axis, allowing the connection to accommodate rotational movements and twisting forces without transmitting them to the pipe and cables inside. This dynamic rotation prevents the accumulation of torsional stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement parameters of the locking mechanism are designed to allow controlled rotation. The teeth of the locking member engage with the pipe corrugations in a way that permits rotational movement while maintaining axial constraint, changing the mechanical parameters from rigid fixed-position to controlled rotational engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If traditional connection structures are used, then the pipe is secured, but accidental detachment may occur following recurrent stress or strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimple connection structureVSAvoidresistance to accidental detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical constraint system (clips, stop rings, snap hooks) is replaced with a rotational locking mechanism. The locking member uses a different mechanical principle based on rotational engagement of teeth with pipe corrugations, providing more reliable resistance to detachment forces while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP1801482B1Corrugated pipe connection
Publication Date: 2008.08.06 TEAFLEX
  • EP1801482B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1801482B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A corrugated pipe connection including a body (12), made by melting of PVC or any other known plastic material, basically cylindrical in shape to define a sleeve whose upper face stretches to a threaded extension (16) and a ring (14) likewise made by melting of a plastic material, wherein the body (12) is equipped in the lower portion with at least three (22) that extend circumferentially into a slot (24), the ring (14) has on the upper face three or more appendages (26), which extend upwards and define some teeth (28) and (30) located on the opposite faces (26) of the appendages themselves and one or more apertures (32) illustratively egg-shaped, which are located along the side surface of the ring (14).