Pipe Connector Sleeve and Grip Ring for Fast Airtight Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connection methods, such as the flare-connection method, are cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for individuals without expertise, as they require plastic working on pipe ends.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device comprising an adapter body with a sleeve, grip ring, body-sealing member, and cap-sealing member, allowing for rapid and secure pipe connections through threaded engagement and one-touch insertion, with a light-transmissive sleeve for visual verification of pipe alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flare-connection method is used, then a secure airtight connection is achieved, but the connection process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairtight connectionVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coupling body as an intermediary component that receives both pipes. The coupling body includes a receiving space with a bottom surface that contacts the pipe ends, eliminating the need for flare working. This mediator structure achieves secure connection without the time-consuming plastic deformation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the flare working process from the connection method. Instead of forming expanded-pipe portions through plastic working, the design directly receives the pipe ends in the coupling body's receiving space, removing the cumbersome preprocessing step while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the flare-connection method is used, then a secure airtight connection is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult for ordinary persons without expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairtight connectionVSAvoidease of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling body serves as a mediator that simplifies the connection operation. It provides a receiving space that directly accommodates pipe ends without requiring skilled flare working. The cap with latching pieces further simplifies the sealing process, making the entire operation accessible to ordinary persons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching pieces on the cap automatically engage with the coupling body to provide sealing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for expert operation, as the sealing action occurs automatically when the cap is installed, making the connection process easy for anyone to perform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a simple insertion method is used, then the connection process is simplified, but airtightness cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of connectionVSAvoidairtightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The O-ring serves as an intermediary sealing element between the simple insertion structure and the airtightness requirement. The latching pieces on the cap engage with the coupling body to compress the O-ring, creating a reliable seal while maintaining the simplicity of the insertion method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If visual verification of pipe alignment is added, then connection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe alignment precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent or translucent sleeve as a visual indicator to show pipe insertion depth and alignment. This allows users to verify connection precision without adding complex mechanical alignment devices, maintaining structural simplicity while improving manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3771855B1Connecting device for piping
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 ESSEN TECH
  • EP3771855B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3771855B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3771855B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is a connecting device for piping for connecting a pipe to another pipe or to another part for piping. The connecting device includes an adapter and a pipe nipple (150) configured to be threadedly engaged with the adapter. The pipe nipple is fixed to an end of a pipe, and an end of another pipe is inserted into the adapter. The adapter includes a hollow adapter body , a cap coupled to the adapter body, a grip ring configured to fix the pipe introduced into the adapter body (111), a body-sealing member (130) configured to provide a seal between the adapter body and the pipe, a sleeve disposed between the grip ring and the body-sealing member, and a metal sealing member (137) configured to provide a seal between the adapter body and the pipe nipple.