Elastic Linking Pin for Releasable Rehabilitation Pipe Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for linking segments in rehabilitation pipes, such as those used for sewage pipes, face difficulties in easily unlinking segments once they are linked in the longitudinal direction, especially when the attachment is incorrect, leading to challenges in reconfiguring the linkages.
Innovation Solution
A linking pin made of elastic plastic with symmetrically connected halves that can be folded back and overlapped, featuring protruding and tubular portions, allows for easy linking and unlinking by adjusting its diameter, enabling segments to be securely connected and disconnected in the longitudinal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a linking pin is configured to prevent backward movement of the other segment, then the segments are firmly linked, but it becomes difficult to separate the segments in the longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The linking pin is designed with elastic material properties that allow it to dynamically change its diameter. When installing, the pin can be compressed to a smaller diameter for insertion, then expands to lock the segments firmly. For unlinking, the pin can be compressed again to release the segments, providing both strong linking and easy separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter (diameter) of the linking pin between two states: a smaller diameter for insertion and a larger diameter for locking. This parameter change enables the pin to both firmly secure segments during operation and allow easy separation when needed, resolving the contradiction between linking strength and ease of unlinking.
2Ease of operation
If the linking pin is small-sized for easy insertion, then it can be simply snap fitted, but it cannot provide sufficient linking strength
Solution Approach 1:
The linking pin transitions from a small compressed state during insertion to a large expanded state during locking. This dynamic size change allows the pin to be easily inserted when small, then provide sufficient linking strength when expanded to the larger diameter that engages with the segment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter change (diameter) to resolve the contradiction. The pin is inserted in a compressed small-diameter state for ease of operation, then expands to a large-diameter state to provide the necessary linking strength, achieving both easy insertion and strong linking.
3Ease of operation
If the linking pin is made of elastic plastic to enable diameter adjustment, then linking and unlinking becomes easy, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linking pin is designed to perform both linking and unlinking functions through its own elastic properties without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The elastic material inherently provides the ability to expand and contract, making the pin self-sufficient for both operations and minimizing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter change (elastic diameter adjustment) as a simple mechanism to achieve complex functionality. By allowing the pin's diameter to change elastically, a single simple component can provide both secure linking and easy unlinking, avoiding the need for multiple parts or complex release mechanisms.
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 solution allows for efficient and error-tolerant linking and unlinking of segments, reducing construction time and worker burden, as the elastic linking pin can expand to secure segments and contract to release them, facilitating flexible assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a linking pin is prepared which is made of elastic plastic having linking pin halves symmetrically connected via a connecting portion and capable of being folded back and overlapped with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A linking pin made of elastic plastic having linking pin halves is used to link segments in the longitudinal direction to assemble a rehabilitation pipe. The linking pin includes a tubular portion having on its outer periphery surface first and second protrusions separated by a distance of twice the thickness of the side plate of the segment and a rear protruding portion that enlarges in diameter due to elasticity. The linking pin is inserted into one segment and the other segment so that the side plates of both the segments come between the first and second protrusions. The linking pin is then enlarged in diameter due to elasticity to fit the side plates between the first and second protrusions and link both the segments in the longitudinal direction. The linking pin that is enlarged in diameter can be reduced in diameter to unlink both the segments.