Deformable Pressing Sleeve for Uniform Pipe Seal Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for connecting pipes with different outer diameters often result in incomplete contact of the sealing collar, leading to reduced load-bearing capacity and material stress, which can cause breakage.

Innovation Solution

A cuff system with deformable pressing elements and adjustable overlapping areas allows for even pressing of the sealing collar onto pipes with varying diameters, using a combination of deformable connecting elements and snap connections to ensure complete contact and absorb material stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a spring cage is used for pressing a sealing sleeve onto pipes with different outer diameters, then the device can be adapted to different diameters, but free spaces remain on the spring cage even when contracted, resulting in incomplete pressing of the sealing sleeve and reduced load-bearing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to different outer diametersVSAvoidload-bearing capacity of connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing device is divided into multiple pressing elements arranged around the sealing sleeve, with each element capable of independent deformation. This segmentation allows each pressing element to make complete contact with the sealing sleeve surface, eliminating free spaces while maintaining adaptability to different pipe diameters through the modular arrangement of elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing elements are designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically adjust their shape and position during the pressing process. This dynamic capability enables complete contact with the sealing sleeve surface across varying pipe diameters, ensuring uniform pressing force distribution and maximizing load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If rigid pressing elements are used to press the sealing collar, then complete contact can be achieved, but material stress concentrates and can cause breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete contact of sealing collarVSAvoidresistance to material breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing elements are designed with deformable properties that allow them to change their physical state during pressing. By transitioning from a rigid to a deformable state, the elements can distribute pressing forces more evenly across the sealing collar surface, achieving complete contact while preventing stress concentration that would lead to material breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing device incorporates materials with combined properties of rigidity and deformability, allowing the structure to maintain its shape for precise positioning while enabling localized deformation for even force distribution. This composite approach ensures complete contact without creating stress concentration points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The cuff system provides a stable and uniform connection between pipes with different diameters, ensuring complete contact of the sealing collar and reducing the risk of material breakage by evenly distributing pressure and absorbing material stresses through deformable elements.

Implementation Method 1

Each first and each second pressing element consists at least partially of a deformable material. By enlarging all overlapping areas of the first or second collar end section by moving the adjacent first or second pressing elements towards one another, the first or second opening can be narrowed with deformation of all first or second pressing elements.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

At least one deformable connecting element is provided for creating a connection between the first cuff end section and the second cuff end section, with at least one first pressing element connected to a second pressing element by the at least one deformable connecting element.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2820343B1Sleeve for pressing a sealing sleeve onto a first and a second pipe, and system and assembly comprising such a sleeve

Publication Date: 2015.12.02 REHAU AG & CO

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AI summary

The invention relates to a sleeve (10) for pressing a sealing sleeve (12) onto a first and a second pipe (14, 16) that are connected to each other via the sealing sleeve (12), wherein, in order to form a connection, a first of two end sections (18, 20) of the sealing sleeve (12) receives a pipe end section (22) of the first pipe (14) and the second end section (20) receives a pipe end section (22) of the second pipe (16), wherein the sleeve (10) has a plurality of first pressing elements (32) and a plurality of second pressing elements (40), wherein the first pressing elements (32) form a first sleeve end section (26) having a first opening (28) to receive the first end section (18) of the sealing sleeve (12), wherein the second pressing elements (14) form a second sleeve end section (30) having a second opening (29) to receive the second end section (20) of the sealing sleeve (12). The invention further relates to a system (262) and to an assembly (63) comprising such a sleeve (10).