Plastic Pipe Flange Marking Layout for Correct Bolt Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic pipe flanges made of weldable plastic for attaching to plastic pipes often suffer from assembly errors due to the lack of defined positioning of recesses, leading to misalignment during screw tightening, which can result in improper pressure distribution and assembly issues.
Innovation Solution
The pipe flange incorporates markings on the flange ring and washer to define the sequence of screw tightening, with an optional digital code for accessing additional assembly information, ensuring correct alignment and preventing assembly errors, and can be made from standard thermoplastics with a metal washer coated for corrosion protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pipe flange is attached using welded connection without predefined recess positions, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly precision deteriorates due to angular misalignment between pipe and flange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the positions of recesses relative to the pipe axis through angular markings on the flange ring. This allows the recesses to be positioned correctly before assembly, ensuring that fastening screws are inserted at the proper locations even when the pipe and flange are angularly misaligned during welding. The markings serve as pre-established reference information that guides correct assembly.
2Ease of operation
If markings are applied to plastic pipe, then assembly guidance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to twisting of flange relative to pipe causing assembly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary solution by placing markings on the flange ring instead of on the pipe. The flange ring acts as a stable reference component that does not twist or deform during assembly. The markings on the flange ring provide a fixed reference frame that remains reliable even when the pipe twists, thereby maintaining assembly guidance without compromising reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple markings are applied to flange ring and washer, then assembly precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the marking system into two independent parts: markings on the flange ring for defining recess positions, and markings on the washer for defining fastening screw positions. This segmentation allows each component to have its own simplified marking system, reducing the overall complexity while maintaining high assembly precision through the coordinated use of both marking sets.
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 marked pipe flange ensures accurate screw tightening sequence, preventing assembly errors and ensuring even pressure distribution, while the digital code provides supplementary assembly guidance, enhancing the reliability of the flange attachment process.
Implementation Method 1
the pipe flange can be welded to the end of a plastic pipe using appropriate welding processes
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the washer is coated with a corrosion protection layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a plastic pipe flange (01) for attachment to a plastic pipe, comprising a plastic flange ring (02), wherein the flange ring (02) has several recesses (04) through which fastening screws can pass, and wherein a weld collar (03) is integrally formed on the flange ring (02), which can be welded to the end of a plastic pipe, and wherein an annular washer (05) is arranged on the outer circumference of the weld collar (03), wherein the washer (05) has several recesses (06) arranged congruently with the recesses (04) in the flange ring (02), through which fastening screws can pass, wherein several markings (08) are provided on the end face and/or on the outer circumference (07) of the flange ring (02) and/or wherein several markings (08) are provided on the end face and/or on the outer circumference of the annular washer, each corresponding to a recess (04,06) in the flange ring (02) or in the annular washer (05), wherein the markings (08) define the sequence for tightening the fastening screws in the recesses (04, 06).