Pipe connection piece

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting pieces for air distribution systems are inadequate for connecting pipes with substantially rectangular or oval cross-sections, particularly in confined spaces where flexibility and fluid-tight connections are required, as they do not accommodate varying cross-sectional shapes effectively.

Innovation Solution

The development of connecting pieces with at least three connection openings, specifically designed for pipes with oval cross-sections, featuring channel sections with increased width and reduced height, allowing for nested configurations and fluid-tight connections, enabling the connection of multiple pipes with different cross-sectional shapes, including circular and oval sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connecting pieces are designed for circular cross-section pipes, then connection reliability is improved, but adaptability to rectangular or oval cross-section pipes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different cross-sectional shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple cross-sectional shapes (circular, rectangular, oval) through the same connection mechanism. The channel sections are formed with geometric features that adapt to different pipe shapes while maintaining fluid-tight connections, allowing one connecting piece design to serve multiple functions across different pipe types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting piece incorporates locally adapted features in different regions to match specific cross-sectional shapes. The channel sections have varying cross-sectional geometries at different locations, with each local region optimized for its specific pipe type while maintaining overall structural integrity and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If channel sections are nested to reduce overall height, then space utilization in confined areas is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall heightVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece employs nested channel sections where one channel is positioned within another, significantly reducing the overall height of the assembly. This nesting arrangement allows the structure to fit into confined spaces while maintaining all necessary connection functions, achieving compact dimensions without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple channel sections that would traditionally be separate components are merged into a single integrated structure. The nested channels are formed as part of the same connecting piece, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing steps despite the complex geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If connecting pieces accommodate different cross-sectional shapes, then adaptability is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different cross-sectional shapesVSAvoidfluid-tight connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece incorporates locally adapted features in different regions to match specific cross-sectional shapes. The channel sections have varying cross-sectional geometries at different locations, with each local region optimized for its specific pipe type while maintaining overall structural integrity and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting piece is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple cross-sectional shapes (circular, rectangular, oval) through the same connection mechanism. The channel sections are formed with geometric features that adapt to different pipe shapes while maintaining fluid-tight connections, allowing one connecting piece design to serve multiple functions across different pipe types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2971923B1Pipe connection piece

Publication Date: 2017.09.27 ZEHNDER GROUP INTERNATIONAL AG

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection piece (10; 20; 30) for connecting at lest three pipe sections, in particular of an air distribution system. The connection piece has at least three connection openings (11, 12, 13; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33, 34) in which a respective end of one of the three pipe sections can be fixed in a fluid-tight manner. The connection piece (10; 20; 30) has at least one connection opening (11; 21; 31) which has a substantially rectangular or oval cross section which has two axes of symmetry (X, Y) orthogonal to one another, the width B of which cross section as measured along its first axis of symmetry (X) being greater than the height H of said cross section as measured along its second axis of symmetry (Y).