Pipe Coupling Seal Geometry for Low Dead Space and Tightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe couplings create dead spaces that are undesirable in hygiene-sensitive applications, leading to potential contamination, and can leak if the pipe section is bent or deformed.
Innovation Solution
A pipe coupling design featuring a sleeve-shaped sealing element with a bulge and a conically tapered tubular section that reduces dead space and maintains high tightness, even when the pipe is bent, by radially compressing the sealing element during installation to achieve a conical inner diameter taper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing element is designed to minimize dead space, then hygiene performance is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates when the pipe is bent or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into three functional segments: a first sealing region with a bulge for primary sealing, a tubular intermediate section for structural support and guidance, and a second sealing region for maintaining seal integrity. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally while working together to solve the contradiction between dead space reduction and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing element are given different geometric properties and material characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first sealing region has a bulge shape for initial sealing, the tubular section has specific wall thickness for flexibility and support, and the second sealing region is positioned to maintain contact under deformation. This local differentiation allows the sealing element to adapt to pipe deformation while maintaining both low dead space and high sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If the sealing element is designed with complex geometry to maintain tightness under deformation, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is made from elastomeric material that provides inherent flexibility, allowing it to deform with the pipe while maintaining sealing contact. This flexible shell approach eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms or multiple rigid components, achieving reliable sealing under deformation through material properties rather than geometric complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element incorporates curved and rounded geometric features, including a bulge in the first sealing region and a tubular section with specific curvature, which allow it to conform to pipe deformation more effectively than sharp-edged or angular designs. These curved geometries distribute stress and maintain sealing contact during bending while keeping the overall design relatively simple.
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 design effectively minimizes dead spaces and ensures a high degree of tightness, preventing leaks and contamination, while allowing for easy pipe insertion and secure connection.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element (6) which is arranged in the receiving space (3) and is designed to surround the outer circumference of the free end of the pipe section (4) received in the receiving space (3), thereby sealing the interface between the housing (2) and the pipe section (4) in a fluid-tight manner
Implementation Method 2
the tubular section of the sealing element is designed to be conically tapered on the inside towards the second free end, at least in the installed state of the sealing element, i.e. the inner diameter of the tubular section is reduced in the direction of the second free end
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe coupling comprising a housing with a receiving space for a pipe section, with fixing members for releasably fixing the pipe section in the housing, and a sealing element which is arranged in the receiving space and is designed to surround the free end of the pipe section received in the receiving space on the outer circumferential side and thereby seal the interface between the housing and the pipe section in a fluid-tight manner. The pipe coupling is characterized in that the sealing element is designed in the form of a sleeve with a first and a second free end, in that a bulge is provided at the first free end, and in that a tubular section protrudes from the bulge and forms the second free end on the edge side.