Bridge-Retained Pipe Connector for Thin-Wall Axial Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connectors for plastic pipes, especially for underground supply lines, face challenges in achieving a reliable and durable tight connection while being easy to install and cost-effective. They often require large wall thicknesses for axial force transmission, which complicates cold forming and increases material costs.

Innovation Solution

The pipe connector features a sleeve-like base body with bridge retaining elements that span both pipe ends, allowing for the transmission of axial forces without the need for thick wall thicknesses. This design enables a fast and secure connection technique with reduced material consumption and simpler manufacturing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If large wall thicknesses are used for axial force transmission, then the compressive and tensile strength is sufficient, but the cold forming process becomes very complex and material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressive and tensile strengthVSAvoidcold forming process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is divided into multiple base body segments arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction. These segments collectively transmit axial forces while maintaining thin wall thickness, enabling cold forming without requiring large individual wall thicknesses for sufficient strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base body segments are made of a plastic material that provides both structural integrity and cold formability. The segmented composite structure allows thin walls to achieve sufficient compressive and tensile strength through geometric arrangement rather than relying on increased wall thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If large wall thicknesses are used for axial force transmission, then the component stresses remain within permitted range, but the material consumption and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent stresses within permitted rangeVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple base body segments are arranged circumferentially to collectively bear axial loads. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve sufficient load-bearing capacity with thin individual walls, significantly reducing material consumption while keeping component stresses within permitted ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If internal support bodies are added, then reliable and durable pipe connections are enabled, but the calibration demands on pipe ends increase and insertion difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable and durable pipe connectionVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is segmented into multiple parts that can be easily inserted over the pipe ends without requiring precise calibration. The segmented structure provides flexibility during insertion while maintaining reliability in the final connection, eliminating the need for internal support bodies that complicate the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the base body is made as a single piece, then the structure is simple, but axial force transmission requires large wall thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase body structureVSAvoidaxial force transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is divided into multiple segments arranged circumferentially. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while enabling efficient axial force transmission through the collective arrangement of segments, eliminating the need for large wall thicknesses that would be required in a solid single-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250052345A1Pipe Connector for Tightly Connecting Two Pipe Ends, Use Thereof and Method

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 VIEGA TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A pipe connector for tightly connecting a first pipe end to a second pipe end, with a sleeve-like base body which has a first receptacle for inserting a first pipe end and a second receptacle for inserting a second pipe end, with first retaining elements in the area of the first receptacle, which are designed to fixate a first pipe end inserted into the first receptacle in the first receptacle after the pipe connector has been pressed. The second retaining elements in the area of the second receptacle, which are designed to fixate a second pipe end inserted into the first receptacle after the pipe connector has been pressed. One or more bridge retaining elements are provided, wherein a bridge retaining element extends in each case from the area of the first receptacle to the area of the second receptacle and forms at least one of the first retaining elements and at least one of the second retaining elements. The invention further relates to a use of the pipe connector and to a method for tightly connecting a first pipe end to a second pipe end.