Modular Pipe Crossing Distributor With Spacer Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe crossing devices are cumbersome to transport and assemble due to their large, heavy design, and they lack flexibility in component interchangeability, making it difficult to replace add-on components like slides without disassembling the entire system.
Innovation Solution
The device features a modular design with spacer elements and a sealing connection arrangement that includes a clamping ring and sealing ring, allowing for a gap between the distributor body and add-on components, enabling easy interchangeability and assembly from above, while maintaining a rigid connection and compliance with safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single cast body is used for the housing, then structural integrity is improved, but transportability and assembly ease deteriorate due to weight and dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a distributor body and separate attachment components that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows individual components to be lighter and easier to transport while maintaining structural integrity through the connection means with spacer elements and sealing arrangements.
2Strength
If flanges are connected via multiple screws, then connection strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome tightening in narrow shafts
Solution Approach 1:
Spacer elements are introduced as intermediary components between the distributor body and attachment components. These spacers maintain the required gap while allowing connection means to be positioned such that tightening operations can be performed more easily, even in narrow shafts, while still achieving strong connections.
3Device complexity
If add-on components are directly connected to the distributor body, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as component interchangeability becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a distributor body and detachable attachment components connected through standardized connection means. This segmentation enables easy interchangeability of attachment components while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between distributor body and attachment components is designed to be dynamically adjustable and detachable. The connection means with spacer elements and sealing arrangements allow components to be easily assembled and disassembled, enabling adaptability and interchangeability without excessive complexity.
4Reliability
If components are assembled tightly together, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
Spacer elements serve as intermediaries that maintain a controlled gap between components. This gap allows sealing connections to be effectively established while enabling easier assembly and disassembly operations compared to tight direct connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer elements extract the function of maintaining separation and enabling sealing from the direct component interface. By taking out this function into a separate element, the main components can be more easily assembled and disassembled while still achieving effective sealing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The apparatus has manifold apertures and attachment openings that are surrounded by distribution face surface and mounting face surface. The additional component (5) is connected to distributor by connecting unit (9) for spaced positioning of mounting face surface to distribution face surface. The spacing elements of connecting unit are connected by connecting elements (14). The gap is formed between main structure of distributor and additional component. The sealing joint assembly (8) is provided with sealing ring for surrounding gap peripherally.