Pipe Grip Ring Wedge Design for Metal and Plastic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe coupling designs are inadequate for gripping both metal and plastic pipes of intermediate sizes, as they either fail to provide sufficient retention or require adjustments and complex structures, leading to inefficiencies in handling axial forces and material feeding applications.
Innovation Solution
A grip ring with radially distributed grip elements featuring angled walls, large and small teeth, and coil springs, manufactured from medium-hardness steel, which can penetrate plastic pipes without distortion and securely hold metal pipes without adjustment, by utilizing the conical shape and compressive force to enhance pull-out resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pipe coupling design with adjustable bolt is used, then it can accommodate different pipe materials, but it requires adjustment and complex structure leading to installation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring incorporates a self-adjusting mechanism where the gripping elements automatically adapt to the pipe material and diameter through spring-loaded or elastomeric components. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual adjustment by the installer, reducing complexity and preventing installation errors while maintaining versatility for different pipe materials.
2Strength
If a grip ring with penetrating gripper is used, then it provides high holding power for metal pipes, but it requires high pressure that may distort plastic pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring applies different gripping mechanisms locally: penetrating grippers for metal pipes requiring high holding power, and non-penetrating elastomeric contact for plastic pipes to avoid distortion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength requirements for metal and protection requirements for plastic.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple grip ring design is used, then it is easy to manufacture, but it lacks the complexity needed to handle both metal and plastic pipes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The grip ring design incorporates gripping elements with variable parameters such as adjustable penetration depth, variable stiffness through elastomeric materials, and configurable gripping force through spring mechanisms. These parameter changes allow a single manufacturing process to produce elements that adapt to different pipe materials, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving versatility.
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 grip ring provides improved pull-out resistance and secure gripping for both metal and plastic pipes without adjustments, effectively handling axial forces and suitable for various pipe fittings and applications, including intermediate diameters and material feeding processes.
Implementation Method 1
Each pair of adjacent grip elements are connected to each other with an individual coil spring attached to side walls of the adjacent grip elements
Implementation Method 2
Two of said walls comprise angled side walls that convert the grip element into a wedge-like structure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A grip element (10) including a pipe-gripping wedge- like structure supporting a plate, an exposed outer surface (20) of the plate being provided with an array of large (22) and small (24) gripping teeth, the large teeth (22) projecting from the outer surface (20) of the plate further than the small teeth (24).