Pre-Assembled Pipe Coupling for Axial Sealing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe coupling technologies face challenges in providing a reliable, pre-assembled solution for securely joining pipe ends in an axial arrangement while ensuring a fluid-tight seal without requiring deformable materials or complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A pre-assembled pipe coupling design featuring a gasket with annular and side flanges, surrounded by a housing with segmented structure and attachment mechanisms, allowing for axial insertion and secure gripping of pipe ends with adjustable fasteners to form a fluid-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pre-assembled pipe coupling is used to securely join pipe ends in an axial arrangement, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the segmented housing structure with multiple components (gasket, housing segments, fasteners, pipe engagement members)
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple segments that can be assembled together to form the complete coupling. Each segment contains specific features such as pipe engagement members and sealing surfaces, allowing the complex function to be distributed across simpler modular components that are easier to manufacture and assemble
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is pre-assembled within the housing segments before the pipe ends are inserted. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and alignment of sealing components, improving connection reliability while reducing the complexity of on-site assembly operations
2Reliability
If a gasket with multiple flanges and sealing lips is used to form a fluid-tight seal, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for precise alignment of multiple flange components
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is designed with different flange regions (annular base, central flange, side flanges) each having specific local geometries and sealing lip configurations optimized for their particular functions. This local differentiation allows each region to contribute to sealing reliability while the overall design accommodates normal manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is pre-positioned and secured within the housing segments during assembly, ensuring proper alignment of all flange components before the pipe ends are inserted. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for high-precision alignment during final installation
3Ease of operation
If adjustable fasteners are used to grip the gasket and locate sealing lips within the insertion boundary, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional fastening mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are designed to be adjustable, allowing the coupling to be assembled and then tightened to the appropriate clamping force. This dynamic adjustment capability simplifies installation operations while the fastening mechanism itself remains relatively simple in structure
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-assembled pipe coupling (10) includes a gasket (200), a housing (12) surrounding the gasket, and a fastener (20). The housing has three segments sequentially coupled to each other to define an insertion boundary (11). A bridge segment (12c) has a first mount (18) extending lateral from the wall and having a plurality of first lateral walls defining a first aperture (22) and a second mount (18) having a plurality of second lateral walls defining a second aperture (22). A first clamp segment (12a) has a first hook (14) disposed in the first aperture. A second clamp segment (12b) has a second hook (14) disposed in the second aperture. The fastener is disposed through the first fastener aperture and the second fastener aperture. The fastener has an adjusted length at which the first clamp segment grips the gasket, and the second clamp segment grips the gasket to locate the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip within the insertion boundary.