Lay-Flat Pipe Connector Brackets for Reliable Lateral Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural irrigation systems with lay-flat pipes face challenges in anchoring drip irrigation laterals due to the difficulty in forming reliable connectors on the thin walls of these pipes, especially when the pipes are already manufactured and not in a flat state, which complicates the installation of brackets for connectors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for forming brackets for connectors on pre-manufactured lay-flat pipes using injection molding, where an opening is created on the pipe wall, a separation means is positioned inside, and a mold is used to inject molten plastic, affixing the material only to the pipe wall and the opening edge, allowing for the formation of brackets that can seal the edges and accommodate connectors without obstructing the pipe's rolling capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors are pre-fabricated by forming openings in the pipe wall and mounting connectors over the thin edge, then reliable anchoring of drip irrigation laterals is achieved, but the installation process becomes highly challenging and difficult to perform in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming brackets during the pipe manufacturing process before the pipe is laid in the field. The brackets are injection-molded directly onto the pipe surface, creating ready-to-use anchoring points that eliminate the need for field workers to perform difficult opening formation and connector mounting operations on thin-walled pipes.
2Ease of operation
If brackets are formed by injection molding on pre-manufactured pipes, then easy field installation is achieved, but the thin wall of the pipe makes opening formation and connector mounting challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets are formed during pipe manufacturing through injection molding, transferring the manufacturing complexity to the factory setting where thin-walled pipes can be properly handled and processed. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field workers to attempt difficult connector mounting operations on thin-walled pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection-molded bracket serves as an intermediary component that bridges the pipe wall and the connector. The bracket is formed with a cavity that receives the connector, distributing forces and providing a robust mounting interface that is easier to install than direct mounting on the thin pipe wall.
3Reliability
If openings are formed in the pipe wall for connector installation, then connectors can be mounted for lateral anchoring, but the pipe's ability to be rolled up is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets are formed with localized cavities and structures that provide connector mounting capability at specific points on the pipe surface. The rest of the pipe maintains its original properties and ability to be rolled up, as the brackets are designed to be compact and non-obstructive to the rolling process.
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
Enables the reliable anchoring of drip irrigation laterals on lay-flat pipes by forming brackets that seal the edges of openings on pre-manufactured pipes, allowing for easy installation and maintaining the pipe's ability to be rolled up without additional infrastructure, thus simplifying field installation and ensuring water-tight connections.
Implementation Method 1
a mold for injection molding that is suitable for injecting molten plastic material through it into a cavity
Implementation Method 2
the mold is suited for pressure injecting of molten plastic material into the cavity in such a manner that it affixes the injected material only to the one wall of the ready from before pipe and to the circumferential edge of the opening
Implementation Method 3
injecting molten plastic material under pressure using the mold into the cavity in a manner that fixes the injected material only to the one wall of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method of forming connector brackets for irrigation laterals along a prefabricated lay-flat pipe and lay-flat pipe with such connector's brackets, wherein an opening is formed at one wall of the premanufactured pipe, a separation means is positioned inside the pipe opposite the opening while separating the one wall from the second wall of the pipe, and an injunction molding is performed into a mold cavity, in order to form the bracket affixed to the one wall of the prefabricated pipe and around the opening.