Pipe Clamping Wedge Ring for Self-Sealing Metal Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face challenges in securely and tightly fixing metal pipes to connecting parts due to the lack of flexibility in metal materials, which hinders the achievement of absolute tightness and self-sealing functions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a metallic pipe, a connecting part, a tightening nut with corresponding threads, a clamping ring, and a wedge ring, where the wedge ring cuts into the pipe and the clamping ring is conically shaped to center the pipe, ensuring a secure and self-sealing connection by preventing overtightening through a collar design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal pipes are connected to metal connecting parts using traditional threading methods, then the connection can be assembled, but absolute tightness and self-sealing cannot be achieved due to insufficient flexibility of metal materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible sealing element (such as an O-ring or deformable ring) that can deform under compression to fill gaps and create a hermetic seal between metal components. This flexible element compensates for the rigidity of metal parts, enabling absolute tightness without requiring perfect manufacturing precision or excessive tightening force.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system combines metal components (pipe and connecting part) with non-metallic sealing materials (flexible sealing elements) to create a composite structure. This composite approach leverages the strength and rigidity of metal while incorporating the flexibility and sealing capability of elastomeric or polymer materials, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and sealing adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If a tightening nut with threads is used to secure the connection, then adjustability is improved, but the risk of overtightening and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a deformation stop feature or pre-set deformation limit in the sealing element or clamping structure that prevents further tightening beyond the optimal sealing point. This preliminary design constraint stops the user from overtightening before damage can occur, maintaining ease of adjustment while eliminating the harmful effect of excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element provides tactile or visual feedback during tightening (such as a sudden drop in torque or visible deformation) that signals the user when optimal sealing has been achieved. This feedback mechanism prevents continued tightening that would cause damage, combining adjustability with protection against overtightening.
3Reliability
If a complex sealing mechanism is used to achieve absolute tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the metal-to-metal interface and places it in a dedicated, simple flexible sealing element. This separation allows the metal components to focus on structural connection while the simple elastomeric element handles sealing, achieving high sealing reliability without complex machining or assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sealing element automatically deforms and seals the connection through the natural compression force applied during normal tightening, without requiring additional sealing mechanisms, adjustment steps, or complex components. The element self-adjusts to fill irregularities and create a hermetic seal, achieving reliable sealing with minimal complexity.
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 solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and secure connection that ensures absolute tightness and self-sealing, preventing over-tightening while maintaining ease of use and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
the wedge ring includes a cutting edge. This cutting edge is designed in such a way that during the active connection described above and the movement of the wedge ring 3 towards the clamping ring 4 by screwing the tightening nut onto the connecting part, the cutting edge cuts into the outer circumference of the pipe.
Implementation Method 2
the clamping ring is deformed in such a way that the constriction and the collar protruding from the constriction can be moved towards the inner surface of the tightening nut. This advantageously ensures that the tightening nut cannot be overtightened, since the collar of the clamping ring abuts the inner skin of the tightening nut and further screwing of the tightening nut onto the connecting part is blocked.
Implementation Method 3
The clamping ring is conical in shape. The conical shape is designed in such a way that when the pipe is inserted into the clamping ring, the pipe self-adjusts and centers in the clamping ring.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The device has an attraction unit (2) screwable on a connector (1). A conical clamping ring (4) comprising a constricting part (9). A wedge ring (3) comprises a cutting edge (27), which is adapted to engage with an external periphery of a pipe (5) to be fastened at the connector. The pipe is partially clasped by the clamping ring. The wedge ring comprises a nose taper (15), which is insertable into an interior chamfer of the clamping ring. The wedge ring is displaceable to the clamping ring by the attraction nut.