Pipe Coupling Biasing Member Pull-Out Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe couplings lack sufficient security, reliability, and pull-out resistance, as they rely on pipe pull-out forces to intensify the wedged engagement between the clamp ring and the main tubular body, which can lead to incomplete clamping and reduced connection stability.

Innovation Solution

A pipe coupling with a radially deformable clamp ring and a resilient biasing member that moves the clamp ring from an insertion position to a locking position, providing continuous positional bias and immediate clamping force, ensuring enhanced pull-out resistance and deeper pipe insertion without relying on pipe pull-out forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the clamp ring relies on pipe pull-out forces to move to the locking position, then the device structure can be simpler, but the security and reliability of the connection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient biasing member performs the action of moving the clamp ring to the locking position in advance, before any pull-out force is applied. This preliminary action ensures the clamp ring is already in the secure locked position during normal operation, eliminating the need to rely on pull-out forces to achieve locking, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient biasing member is self-actuating and automatically moves the clamp ring to the locking position without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The biasing member uses its own resilient energy to perform the locking action, making the system self-service and avoiding the need for additional complex actuating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the clamp ring waits for pull-out forces to intensify wedged engagement, then the device can operate with fewer components, but the pull-out resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-out resistanceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient biasing member performs the action of moving the clamp ring to the locking position in advance, before any pull-out force is applied. This preliminary action ensures the clamp ring is already in the secure locked position during normal operation, eliminating the need to rely on pull-out forces to achieve locking, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing member integrates multiple functions: it provides the force to move the clamp ring axially, maintains the wedged engagement between the clamp ring and main tubular body, and ensures continuous clamping pressure. By merging these functions into a single resilient component, the patent achieves high pull-out resistance without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the clamp ring is not continuously biased toward the locking position, then the device structure is simpler, but the security and immediate clamping engagement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmediate clamping engagementVSAvoidbiasing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient biasing member is self-actuating and automatically moves the clamp ring to the locking position without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The biasing member uses its own resilient energy to perform the locking action, making the system self-service and avoiding the need for additional complex actuating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient biasing member provides continuous axial biasing force on the clamp ring, ensuring it remains constantly pressed against the main tubular body in the locking position. This continuous action maintains immediate clamping engagement throughout the service life of the connection, eliminating periods where the clamp ring might be disengaged or loosely positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 improved security, reliability, and increased pull-out resistance by ensuring immediate and continuous clamping engagement upon pipe insertion, maintaining the pipe deeper within the coupling and reducing the need for additional pull-out forces to intensify the wedged engagement.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient biasing member arranged within the main tubular body configured for providing positional bias of the clamp ring in the axial direction from the ring insertion position toward the ring locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A radially deformable clamp ring arranged in the main tubular body for clamping engagement with an inserted pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

the clamp ring is in wedged engagement with the main tubular body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedged engagement: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP3425253B1Pipe coupling
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 M & G GRP EURO
  • EP3425253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pipe coupling for push fit insertion of a pipe, comprising a main tubular body (2) provided with a pipe receiving bore (3) and a radially deformable clamp ring (4) arranged in the main tubular body (2) for clamping engagement with an inserted pipe (5) in operation. The clamp ring (4) is linearly moveably with respect to the main tubular body (2) in an axial direction (A) of the pipe receiving bore (3) between a ring insertion position (P1) and a ring locking position (P2), wherein the clamp ring (4) is in wedged engagement with the main tubular body (2). The pipe coupling (1) further comprises a biasing member (6) arranged within the main tubular body (2) and axially biasing the clamp ring (4) from the ring insertion position (P1) to the ring locking position (P2).