Hydraulic Pressing Tool for Pipe Connection Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting plastic pipes, such as mirror welding, threaded connections, and electrofusion sockets, are time-consuming, require specialized skills, and are not suitable for large diameters or difficult-to-access locations, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a pressing tool with variable distance pressing sections and a biasing element, allowing the tool to assume multiple states for engaging and pressing a press connector, which is connected to a workpiece via a hydraulic pressure transmission connection, enabling a space-saving and user-friendly connection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mirror welding is used to connect plastic pipes, then a tight connection is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires specialized skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection tightnessVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal welding process (mirror welding) with a mechanical pressing process. A pressing tool with pressing sections applies radial pressing force to deform the press connector and create a tight mechanical connection with the pipe, eliminating the need for heating, cooling, and specialized welding qualifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing tool is driven by a hydraulic pressing device that generates and transmits hydraulic pressure through flexible hoses to the pressing sections. This allows the operator to control the pressing force remotely and efficiently, reducing connection time while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If threaded connections are used to connect pipes, then a secure connection is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the threaded connection process with a direct pressing operation. The pressing sections apply radial force to deform the press connector onto the pipe, creating a secure mechanical interlock without requiring thread cutting, rotation, or multiple assembly steps, significantly reducing connection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If electrofusion sockets are used to connect pipes, then a tight connection is achieved, but the process requires warm-up, holding, and cooling time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection tightnessVSAvoidconnection duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal electrofusion process with a mechanical pressing process. Instead of requiring warm-up time to heat the socket, holding time to maintain temperature, and cooling time to solidify the melted plastic, the pressing tool immediately applies radial force to deform the press connector and create a tight mechanical connection, eliminating all thermal processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If pressing tools with fixed pressing sections are used, then the structure is simple, but the tool cannot adapt to different pipe diameters or difficult-to-access locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structureVSAvoidadaptability to different diameters and locations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing sections are designed to be movable relative to each other along the pressing direction, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the tool to adapt to different pipe diameters and reach difficult-to-access locations while maintaining a relatively simple overall tool structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing tool is designed with universal adaptability through its adjustable pressing sections and flexible hydraulic connection, allowing it to perform pressing operations on press connectors of various sizes and in various locations using a single tool, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Ease of operation

If the pressure generation location is close to the pressing location, then the hydraulic transmission connection is short, but the operator cannot operate from a convenient location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator convenienceVSAvoidhydraulic transmission connection length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing tool is connected to the hydraulic pressing device through flexible hydraulic transmission connections (hoses), allowing the operator to generate hydraulic pressure at a convenient location away from the pressing point. The flexible hoses transmit the hydraulic force over a distance, enabling remote operation while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 system simplifies the connection of large diameter pipes in difficult-to-access locations, reduces the need for specialized skills, and lowers costs by allowing for a faster and more efficient connection process compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure tool and the pressing tool are connected via a hydraulic pressure transmission connection, wherein the pressure generation location and the pressing location are located away from one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

the pressing tool is designed to absorb a hydraulic pressure at a pressing location and to press a press connector accordingly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure to mechanical force conversion: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4031329B1Pressing-force transmission means, pressing tool, system and method for producing a tight connection between a press-connector and a workpiece
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 VIEGA TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4031329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4031329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4031329B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (2) for producing a tight connection between a press-connector (10) and a workpiece (4), in particular a pipe, preferably a plastics pipe, using a pressing tool (8) to press a press-connector (10) and using a pressure tool (12) for driving the pressing tool (8). The pressure tool (12) is designed to output a hydraulic pressure at a pressure generation location (16). The pressing tool (8) is designed to receive a hydraulic pressure at a pressing location (18) and to press a press-connector (10) accordingly. The pressure tool (12) and the pressing tool (8) are connected via a hydraulic pressure-transferring connection (14), wherein the pressure generation location (16) and the pressing location (18) are remote from one another. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing a tight connection between a press-connector (10) and a workpiece (4), in particular a pipe made of yielding material, preferably a plastics pipe, and a pressing-force transmission means and a pressing tool.