Flange Protector With Segmented Inner Diameter For Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fittings, such as flanges and pipe connectors, are prone to damage during transportation and storage due to weight and handling issues, leading to misalignment and leaky joints when protectors are mounted, especially on larger fittings where maintaining the correct angle is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A protector with a lead portion and a fixture portion of different inner diameters, featuring an inwardly directed undercut projection, allows for pre-fixation and secure mounting on a flange-like disk, ensuring proper alignment and easy handling during the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protector with chamfered or beveled inner surface is used, then the protector can be easily slid onto the fitting, but the protector may be slid in an oblique way causing canting and bending
Solution Approach 1:
The inner surface of the protector is segmented into two distinct portions: a lead portion with a first inner diameter and a fixture portion with a second inner diameter. This segmentation allows the lead portion to guide initial placement while the fixture portion ensures precise final positioning, preventing oblique sliding and canting during mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the inner surface are given different local qualities through the two inner diameters. The lead portion has a larger first inner diameter to facilitate initial engagement, while the fixture portion has a smaller second inner diameter to provide precise alignment and prevent oblique sliding, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of mounting and alignment precision.
2Ease of repair
If high forces are applied to remove a canted protector, then the protector can be removed, but the fitting dimensions may be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented inner surface structure prevents canting during mounting in the first place, eliminating the need for high removal forces. The lead portion with first inner diameter guides proper alignment, while the fixture portion with second inner diameter secures correct positioning, thereby preventing the condition that would require forceful removal and potential damage to fitting dimensions.
3Reliability
If the protector is designed to correspond exactly to the fitting dimensions, then the protection is optimal, but the protector may bend during mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The protector structure is segmented with two different inner diameters that create a tolerance zone during mounting. The lead portion with larger first inner diameter allows for easier initial engagement without requiring exact dimensional correspondence, while the fixture portion with smaller second inner diameter ensures optimal final fit, thus preventing bending while maintaining protection effectiveness.
4Device complexity
If a single inner diameter is used throughout the protector, then the structure is simpler, but the protector cannot provide both easy mounting and precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The inner surface is segmented into two portions with different inner diameters to simultaneously achieve simple structure and precise mounting. The lead portion with first inner diameter facilitates easy initial engagement, while the fixture portion with second inner diameter ensures precise alignment, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and mounting precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a protector and a method for protecting a fitting by a protector. The protector comprises a substantially round body (2) being closed at its outer wall (32) and its bottom (20), having an opening (28), and being suitable to be imposed with its opening (28) on an exposed fitting (8) in the form of a substantially round, flange-like disk (14). The body (2) comprises means (62) for a pre-fixation of the cap (1; 101) on the disk (14).