Flange Coupling Hole Structure for Weld-Free Pipe Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connection devices require welding, which increases size and can lead to quality issues due to welding dispersion, and necessitate additional space and time for forming serrations.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connection device design where the pipe is joined to a flange via a coupling hole with a serrated first part and an inclined second part, eliminating the need for a separate welding area and reducing overall size while enhancing joining force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the pipe and pipe joint are joined by welding, then the connection strength is improved, but the device size increases and quality problems occur due to welding dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling hole is segmented into two functional parts: a first part with serrations for mechanical interlocking and a second part with an inclined surface for guiding and positioning. This segmentation allows the pipe to be joined without welding while maintaining connection strength, thereby reducing device size and eliminating welding-related quality issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The serrations are localized only in the first part of the coupling hole rather than the entire hole, concentrating the joining force where needed. This local quality approach improves connection strength at the interface while minimizing the overall device size and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the serration is included in the entire coupling hole, then the joining force is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining forceVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The serrations are applied only to the first part of the coupling hole rather than the entire length, providing sufficient joining force at the critical interface while significantly reducing the time and cost required for serration formation compared to full-length serrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the pipe is formed perpendicular to reduce space, then the device volume is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is pre-formed with a perpendicular configuration before assembly, allowing the coupling hole to be straightforwardly designed with its two-part structure. This preliminary shaping of the pipe simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the non-standard geometry, as it enables direct insertion into the coupling hole without additional complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4671589A1Pipe connection device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HWASEUNG R&A CO LTD
  • EP4671589A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671589A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671589A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pipe connection device (10) includes a pipe (100) and a flange (200), the pipe including a first region (110) and a second region (120) extended perpendicularly to the first region, the flange including a coupling hole (210) into which at least a portion of the second region of the pipe is joined, the coupling hole including a first part (211) with a serration (215) and a second part (121) with an inclined surface (2121), the first part (211) being extended in parallel with a thickness direction of the flange, the inclined surface (2121) being extended from the first part (211) to one side surface of the flange, the inclined surface of the second part being configured to guide the second region (120) of the pipe toward the first part (211) when the second region is inserted into the coupling hole.