Elastomer Connection Sleeve with Snap-Fit and Gripping Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing arrangements for water and heat supply in buildings face challenges in achieving fast and simple, reliable waterproof connections between water pipes and manifold cabinets, particularly in ensuring watertight joints during installation and maintaining the integrity of protective tubes.
Innovation Solution
A tubular plug-in type connection sleeve made of elastomer with a flange portion and radially extending snapping protrusion for snap-fit jointing to the cabinet wall, combined with a gripping protrusion and stiffening member for secure engagement of the protective tube, ensuring waterproof contact and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-part connection element with threaded collar and sleeve is used, then reliable waterproof connection is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is divided into a collar portion with thread and a separate threaded sleeve, allowing modular assembly and simplifying the installation process while maintaining reliable waterproof connection
Solution Approach 2:
The collar portion is pre-assembled with the cabinet wall and pipe positioning is prepared in advance, so that the threaded sleeve can be quickly screwed on without requiring complex alignment during installation
2Reliability
If a two-part connection element with multiple sealing rings is used, then waterproof sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are combined into the connection element structure itself, with sealing rings integrated at critical interfaces (collar-cabinet wall, sleeve-collar, pipe-protective tube) to ensure waterproofing without requiring separate sealing components
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic material elements act as intermediaries between rigid components (cabinet wall, connection element, protective tube), providing flexible sealing that accommodates dimensional variations and ensures waterproof connection
3Strength
If protective tube is locked with clamp on connector, then pipe security is improved, but installation simplicity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element structure itself provides self-locking features through its geometric design and elastic material properties, where the collar and sleeve configuration automatically secures the protective tube without requiring external clamps or additional fastening operations
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
Facilitates fast and reliable waterproof connections, maintaining the integrity of both the water pipe and protective tube, allowing for early leak detection and preventing damage by ensuring a secure, watertight seal during installation and operation.
Implementation Method 1
A tubular plug-in type connection sleeve made of elastomer
Data Source
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AI summary
A tubular plug-in type connection sleeve (1, 101) for forming a lead-through of a water pipe (4, 104) with a protective tube (5, 105) thereon through a hole (8) in a wall (9) of a manifold cabinet (10) comprises a flange portion (11, 111) made of an elastomer; and a radially outwards extending snapping protrusion (14, 114) on the outer surface (12, 112) of the connection sleeve defining, together with the annular sealing surface, a snapping gap (15, 115) for receiving, when in use, a cabinet wall edge (19) surrounding the hole in the cabinet wall. According to the invention, the connection sleeve comprises a gripping protrusion (22, 122) extending radially inwards from the inner surface (23, 123) of the connection sleeve for gripping the protective tube received, when in use, in the connection sleeve; and a stiffening member (28, 126) made of a plastic material, comprising a closed ring portion (27, 126) extending around the circumference of the connection sleeve, the closed ring portion being coupled to the gripping protrusion for constraining the radially outward retraction of the gripping protrusion.