Pipe Connection Insert for Sealing Reinforced Concrete Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection systems for pipes to steel-reinforced concrete main pipes fail to ensure tightness and protect the reinforcement from moisture and oxygen, leading to potential damage or destruction, and lack universality across varying pipe wall thicknesses.

Innovation Solution

A connection system featuring a hollow, partially soft installation insert with a conical screw area and an extension mechanism that includes arrow-shaped or mushroom-shaped connecting means, providing a firm and fluid-tight seal, and using polymer materials for durability and ease of installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connection system is installed on a steel-reinforced concrete main pipe, then tightness at the transverse opening is achieved, but the exposed steel reinforcement is exposed to moisture and oxygen causing rust and potential destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidmoisture and oxygen exposure to reinforcement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible membrane that extends from the connection system to cover the exposed steel reinforcement on the inner surface of the main pipe. This membrane creates a protective barrier that prevents moisture and oxygen from reaching the reinforcement, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the tightness function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the protective function into a new spatial dimension by adding a membrane that covers the reinforcement area. This dimensional extension transforms the connection system from merely providing tightness to also providing corrosion protection, addressing both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different pipe wall thicknesses are accommodated, then universality across main pipes is achieved, but the complexity of ensuring protection for varying reinforcement exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveuniversalityVSAvoidcomplexity of protection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using an extensible membrane that can dynamically adjust its length to match different pipe wall thicknesses. The membrane can be extended or shortened as needed, allowing the same connection system design to universally accommodate various main pipe specifications without increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of membrane length to adapt to different pipe wall thicknesses. By making this single parameter adjustable, the system achieves universality across different main pipe specifications while maintaining a simple and consistent structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the end section of the installation insert is extended to cover reinforcement, then protection from moisture and oxygen is achieved, but the complexity of the connection system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from rustVSAvoidcomplexity of connection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function with the existing membrane structure of the connection system. Instead of adding a separate protective component, the membrane is integrated into the connection system design, allowing it to serve both as part of the sealing mechanism and as the protective barrier for the reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers and repurposes the membrane material already present in the connection system for an additional protective function. The membrane is extended beyond its original sealing role to also cover and protect the exposed reinforcement, effectively using existing material for dual purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3832188B1Connection system with an adaptation element
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 REHAU IND SE & CO KG
  • EP3832188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832188B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection system (100) for connecting a pipe (10) to a main pipe (20), a shaft, or the like, at a transverse opening (30), wherein the connection system (100) is connectable to the main pipe (20) or the shaft for this purpose, with a hollow plug-shaped, at least partially soft installation insert (50), the outer surface (51) of which is adapted to the transverse opening (30), and the inner surface (53) of which has a conical screw area (52), wherein the installation insert (50) has an end section (54) that can be partially inserted into the main pipe (20) or shaft through the transverse opening (30), and wherein an outer contact surface (57) of the installation insert (50), in a connected state in which the connection system (100) is connected to the main pipe (20) or shaft, at least partially forms an inner surface (23) of the main pipe that is adapted to the transverse opening (30) borders and surrounds it, contacts,and a relatively harder connecting piece (60) comprising an engagement end (61), a conical middle section (62) with external thread (63), and a drive end (64), characterized in that an end face (55) is formed on the end section (54) of the installation insert (50), which has a connecting element (56), and that an attachment element (70) has a first attachment element end face (71) that is congruent with the shape of the end face (55) on the end section (54) of the installation insert (50), wherein the first attachment element end face (71) has a first attachment element connecting element (72), and a second attachment element end face (74) is formed at the end (73) opposite the first attachment element end face (71), which is adapted to the shape of the inner surface (27) of the main pipe (20), the shaft, or the like in the area of ​​the transverse opening. (30) is adaptedwith the installation insert (50). The invention further relates to a pipe system with a connection system (100) of the type mentioned above.