Pipe Fitting Spacer Control for Hygienic Seal Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The classic milk tube screw connection presses the seal too strongly when connecting two pipe sections, causing the seal to protrude into the flow cross-section and lead to contamination and potential production or product quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A spacer is introduced between the union nut and the end surface of the pipe section, which maintains a defined distance between the threaded portion and the cone, allowing the seal to be compressed only to this extent, preventing it from entering the flow cross-section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the union nut is tightened to secure the connection between pipe sections, then the connection strength is improved, but the seal is compressed excessively and protrudes into the flow cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the union nut and the pipe end. This spacer absorbs excess compression force during tightening, preventing the seal from being over-compressed and protruding into the flow cross-section. The spacer acts as a mechanical mediator that distributes and limits the compressive force transmitted to the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer modifies the compression parameter by limiting the maximum compression distance. By changing the geometric parameter (spacer thickness), the seal compression is controlled to remain within acceptable limits, preventing seal deformation that would cause protrusion into the flow path while still maintaining adequate sealing force.
2Reliability
If the seal is compressed with excessive force to ensure sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the seal protrudes into the flow cross-section causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as a protective intermediary between the tightening force and the seal. It ensures the seal receives sufficient compression for reliable sealing while preventing excessive compression that would cause the seal to deform and protrude into the flow cross-section, thereby eliminating the contamination hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer provides beforehand cushioning by pre-limiting the compression force applied to the seal during assembly. This preventive measure ensures that even with high tightening forces, the seal compression remains within safe limits, preventing seal protrusion and subsequent contamination before it can occur.
3Length of moving object
If the threaded socket and conical socket are positioned close together to minimize assembly length, then the compactness is improved, but the seal cannot be properly protected from over-compression
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is nested within the existing pipe fitting structure, fitting into the space between the threaded socket and conical socket. This nested arrangement provides the necessary seal protection function while minimizing the increase in overall assembly length, as the spacer utilizes the existing internal volume of the connection assembly.
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 spacer ensures that the seal is compressed uniformly and to a controlled extent, preventing it from entering the flow cross-section and thus reducing the risk of contamination and improving product quality.
Implementation Method 1
A spacer (12) is arranged between a front end surface (8) of the projecting pipe connection section (4) and a stop surface (14) of the union nut (11) that faces the free end (1b) of the pipe section (1a) of the threaded socket (1)
Implementation Method 2
the pipe connection section (4) of the flange-like widening (3) has a conical socket guide surface (7) on the inside and the flange-like widening (3) is provided with an external thread (9) on the outside, in which the conical socket (2) has at its free end (2b) a flange (16) with a contact surface (17) tapering conically towards the free end (1b) of the pipe section (1a) of the conical socket (2)
Implementation Method 3
with at least one seal (6) that is inserted between the free ends (1b, 2b) of the pipe sections and seals them off from one another
Implementation Method 4
the flange-like widening (3) is provided with an external thread (9) on the outside, in which the conical socket (2) has at its free end (2b) a flange (16) with a contact surface (17) tapering conically towards the free end (1b) of the pipe section (1a) of the conical socket (2), with a union nut (11) that engages behind the flange (16) of the conical socket (2) and has an internal thread (10) that can be brought into engagement with the external thread (9) of the threaded socket (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe fitting, particularly for food and chemical applications, comprising a threaded fitting 1 forming a first pipe section 1a and a conical fitting 2 forming a second pipe section 2a, wherein the pipe sections 1a, 2a are aligned with their free ends 1b, 2b as intended. The threaded fitting 1 has a flange-like extension 3 at its free end, which forms a pipe connection section 4 projecting along its circumference towards the free end of the pipe section 1b of the threaded fitting 1. The pipe connection section 4 has an internal conical fitting guide surface 7, and the flange-like extension 3 is provided with an external thread 9 on its external side. The conical nozzle 2 has a flange 16 at its free end with a contact surface 17 that tapers conically towards the free end 2b of the pipe section 2a of the conical nozzle 2.The flange 16 of the conical fitting is engaged by a union nut 11, which has an internal thread 10 that can be engaged with the external thread 9 of the threaded fitting 1, and is supported against a spacer 12 arranged between the projecting pipe connection section 4 and a stop surface 14 of the union nut 11 facing the free end 1b of the pipe section 1a.