Elastic Sanitary Fitting with Integrated Holding Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fitting fluid lines do not provide a secure and flexible connection that prevents water from coming into contact with metal faucet housings, leading to potential contamination and leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting fluid line featuring a connecting line piece made of elastic plastic material with radially outward holding profiles and radial stops on the connection nipples, which expands to create a fluid-tight seal without the need for a press sleeve, and optionally includes a corrugated profile for increased flexibility and length tolerance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a press sleeve is used to secure the connecting line piece to the connection nipple, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the press sleeve component from the connection system. Instead of using a separate press sleeve to secure the connecting line piece, the connection nipple itself is designed with an integrated holding profile that directly engages with the connecting line piece, eliminating the need for the press sleeve while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The holding profile function is merged into the connection nipple structure. The radial stop and holding profile are integrated features of the connection nipple, combining the functions of positioning, securing, and connecting into a single component, thereby reducing overall device complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If the connecting line piece is made smooth and rigid, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different sanitary fitting configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting line piece is designed with different local properties: the end areas that connect to the nipples are smooth for precise connection, while the middle area has a corrugated profile for flexibility. This local differentiation allows the line piece to maintain manufacturing precision at connection points while gaining adaptability in the intermediate section
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated profile in the middle area of the connecting line piece provides dynamic flexibility, allowing the line to bend and adapt to different routing requirements in sanitary fittings, while the smooth end areas maintain rigid, precise connections to the nipples
3Ease of manufacture
If the holding profile protrudes radially outwards without a radial stop, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection reliability against axial loosening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radial stop is designed to engage with the expanded end area of the connecting line piece before axial forces can cause loosening. This preliminary engagement prevents axial displacement by creating a mechanical stop that acts in advance of any potential loosening force
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 solution ensures a secure, fluid-tight connection that prevents water from contacting metal fittings, reducing the risk of contamination and leakage, while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to various sanitary fitting configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the associated end area of the connecting line piece is fluid-tight under tensile stress up to the radial stop pushed onto the line receiving portion of the connection nipple. Due to the expansion stress, the end region of the connecting line piece pushed up to the radial stop bears against the outwardly protruding retaining profile of the connection nipple with radially inwardly directed pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The fluid conduit (1) has connection pipe (2) that is made of elastic plastic material, and whose end portions (2a,2b) are pushed into pipe receiving portion (3a,6a) of respective connection nipple (3,6). Each pipe receiving portion is provided with outwardly projecting holding profile (4,7) and underlying radial stop portions (5,8). End portions of connection pipe are pushed into the pipe receiving portion of respective connection nipple under tensile stress so as to provide fluid-tight connection with radial stop portions.