Drain Pipe Arrangement Settlement Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drain line arrangements in buildings are prone to separation due to settlement differences between the building and surrounding subsoil, leading to improper drainage and potential damage, requiring frequent inspections and costly excavation to rectify.

Innovation Solution

A drain line arrangement featuring a control rod anchored to the horizontal drain pipe, with a long sleeve connection between the vertical and horizontal pipes, allowing for easy monitoring of settlement movements and maintaining a secure fluid connection through a telescopic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid pipe connection is used between the vertical supply line and horizontal drain pipe, then the connection is stable and secure, but the pipe connection will separate due to settlement differences between the building and subsoil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidsettlement compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe connection transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic telescopic system that can adapt to settlement movements. The inner pipe can move axially within the outer pipe, allowing the connection to dynamically adjust to differential settlement between the building foundation and surrounding subsoil while maintaining fluid tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection geometry changes from fixed to variable through telescopic movement. The overlapping length between inner and outer pipes can vary to accommodate settlement, and sealing elements change their position and compression state to maintain sealing under varying geometric conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If frequent inspections are conducted to detect pipe separation, then problems can be identified early, but inspection effort and excavation work increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearly problem detectionVSAvoidinspection frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control rod provides continuous visual feedback about the telescopic connection status. By monitoring the position of the control rod relative to the inner pipe, settlement movements and potential connection issues can be detected without excavation, replacing frequent physical inspections with simple visual checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control rod acts as an intermediary indicator that translates the internal telescopic connection status into an externally visible signal. This mediator allows remote monitoring of the connection state without direct access to the buried pipes, eliminating the need for frequent excavation-based inspections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a telescopic long sleeve connection is used to compensate for settlement, then pipe separation is prevented, but the complexity of the connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettlement compensationVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic connection is segmented into an inner pipe and an outer pipe that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design compared to a monolithic complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing elements and control rods act as intermediaries that enable the telescopic function without requiring complex mechanical joints or fastening systems. The sealing elements provide both sealing and positioning functions, while the control rod provides both structural support and visual indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3686366B1Drain pipe arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 GEIB INES
  • EP3686366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686366B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a drainage pipe arrangement on a building in the surrounding subsoil (U) with a substantially horizontal drainage pipe (1) in the deeper subsoil (U) and a substantially vertical supply pipe (2) to the horizontal drainage pipe (1), wherein a long socket connection is provided between the vertical supply pipe (2) and the horizontal drainage pipe (1) in the vertically oriented pipe path, characterized in that the building (G) has a base plate and/or foundation (F), wherein the vertical supply pipe (2) is anchored to the base plate and/or foundation (F) with a pipe clamp (26).