Pipe Fitting with Rotating Grooving Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe fittings for connecting cuttable pipes, such as laminar plastic or multilayer pipes, often leak due to faulty seals or insufficient tightening, and do not allow for easy coupling and decoupling, requiring elaborate equipment for removal or pipe cutting for reuse.

Innovation Solution

A pipe fitting with a housing and a connecting cylinder, featuring a rotatable pipe fastening element with horizontal slits and integral external screw threads that groove and engage the pipe interior, allowing quick connection and removal without cutting the pipe, and eliminating the need for a separate locking nut and gasket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a threaded nipple with locking nut and gasket is used to connect pipes, then the connection can be tightened, but leakage occurs due to faulty seal or insufficient tightening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection seal reliabilityVSAvoidtightening operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe fastening element automatically grooves and engages the pipe interior wall when the pipe is inserted, creating a self-sealing connection without requiring user tightening operations. The horizontal slits define elongated strips that radially move to groove the pipe, establishing a reliable seal independently of user skill or effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention removes the separate locking nut and gasket components from the connection system, replacing them with an integrated pipe fastening element that combines grooving and sealing functions. This extraction of unnecessary components eliminates the complexity of multiple parts while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional fittings are used that require locking nuts, then connection can be achieved, but the system is complex with multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting assembly simplicityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe fastening element merges multiple functions into a single component: the external screw threads provide connection, the horizontal slits define elongated strips that groove the pipe, and the integrated structure provides sealing. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate locking nuts, gaskets, and assembly steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If fittings with locking mechanisms are used, then pipe removal is prevented, but elaborate equipment is required for release or pipe cutting is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipe connection securityVSAvoidpipe removal difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe fastening element employs dynamic elongated strips that can radially move between engaged and disengaged positions. During installation, the strips groove the pipe to secure it; during removal, the strips can be retracted to release the pipe. This dynamic capability provides both secure connection and easy removal without requiring pipe cutting or specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If a rotatable fastening element with horizontal slits is used, then easy coupling and decoupling is achieved, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling and decoupling easeVSAvoidfastening element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe fastening element is segmented into horizontal slits that define elongated strips. These segmented strips can independently radially move to engage or disengage from the pipe, providing easy coupling and decoupling through simple rotational or linear motion. The segmentation creates flexibility in a single component, achieving ease of operation without requiring multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 a secure, leak-proof connection and easy removal of pipes, enabling reuse without the need for cutting or elaborate equipment, while maintaining the integrity of the pipe fittings for hidden or inaccessible locations.

Implementation Method 1

an integral, external screws thread adapted and configured to groove and engage an interior wall of the pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cutting and threading:

Implementation Method 2

the connecting cylinder being sealingly mounted in the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS9022431B2Pipe fitting

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 FURST EITAN

AI summary

A pipe fitting including a housing, a connecting cylinder at least partially disposed in the housing, the connecting cylinder being sealingly mounted in the housing, the cylinder having a portion of reduced diameter with a groove defining a sloping shoulder, a pipe fastening element rotatably mounted about the reduced diameter portion of the connecting cylinder and about the groove for selectively engaging the pipe during a quick connect action, and elements for selectively engaging the interior wall of the pipe for permitting removal of the pipe from the fitting when manipulating the pipe fastening element, and a method for forming the fitting.