Flexible Pipe Connector Assembly for Misalignment Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connectors often experience leakage and leaks due to misalignment of pipes, leading to the escape of vapors or fumes, especially in kitchen exhaust systems.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connector with a flexible region made of deformable, compressible, or expandable material between insertion openings, allowing for translational and rotational displacement of receptacles, and featuring retaining elements and sealing lips to ensure a secure and leak-tight connection despite misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pipes are rigidly connected to the pipe connector, then connection stability is improved, but misalignment causes leakage and connection loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidleakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe connector incorporates a flexible region that enables dynamic adaptation to misaligned pipe connections. This flexible section allows the rigid receptacles to maintain proper alignment while accommodating pipe position variations, preventing both leakage and connection loosening through controlled flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector uses a flexible region with bellows-like structure that can deform to compensate for misalignment. This flexible element acts as a buffer between rigid components, maintaining seal integrity while adapting to dimensional variations in pipe positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Manufacturing precision

If the pipe connector is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but it cannot compensate for pipe misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceptacle alignmentVSAvoidmisalignment compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe connector is divided into distinct functional segments: rigid receptacle sections for precise manufacturing and connection, and a flexible intermediate region for misalignment compensation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector transitions from a fully rigid structure to a hybrid design with dynamic flexibility. The flexible region with bellows structure enables the connector to adapt to misaligned pipes while the rigid receptacles maintain manufacturing precision for proper connection geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible region is made more compliant to better absorb misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemisalignment toleranceVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows-like flexible region provides controlled compliance that can absorb misalignment while maintaining sufficient connection strength. The layered structure of the flexible region distributes stresses and prevents concentration at critical connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connector combines rigid materials for strength-critical receptacle sections with flexible materials for the intermediate region. This composite construction allows the system to exhibit both strength and flexibility where needed, optimizing the balance between connection strength and misalignment tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 flexible region effectively compensates for pipe misalignment, reducing stresses and ensuring a stable, leak-tight connection, even with offset or angled pipes, thereby preventing the escape of vapors or fumes.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible region of a deformable, compressible or expandable and/or elastic material arranged between the first and second insertion openings, so that the first receptacle can be displaced in translation and/or rotation relative to the second receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12578041B2Pipe connector and an assembly of a pipe connector with at least two pipes

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 NABER HOLDING GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A pipe connector for connecting at least two pipes, wherein the pipe connector has a first receptacle with a first insertion opening for inserting a pipe and a second receptacle with a second insertion opening for inserting a pipe, wherein the pipe connector has at least one preferably circumferential stop arranged between the first and the second insertion opening on an inner side of the pipe connector, which stop determines a maximum insertion depth of a pipe into the first and/or second receptacle, the pipe connector having at least one, preferably circumferential, sealing lip arranged on the inner side of the pipe connector between the first and/or the second insertion opening and the stop, characterized in that the pipe connector comprises a flexible region of a deformable, compressible or expandable and/or elastic material arranged between the first and the second insertion opening, so that the first receptacle is translationally and/or rotationally displaceable relative to the second receptacle. The invention further relates to corresponding arrangements of a pipe connector having at least two pipes connected thereto.