Integrated Pipe Joint Insert for Restrained Polymer Pipe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spline-type, restrained pipe joint systems for non-metallic pipes like PVC require separate manufacturing and installation of spline grooves and seals, leading to high costs and labor inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece insert device with an annular body and integrated seal part is used, featuring a spline groove facing radially inward, which is molded or co-molded into the pipe end during the belling process, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and installation of spline grooves and seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate spline grooves and seals are manufactured and installed, then the pipe joint system achieves functional separation of components, but manufacturing costs and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spline groove and seal into a single integrated insert device that is molded as one piece. The insert device includes an annular body with a spline groove formed on its outer surface and a seal part integrated into the body, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and installation of spline grooves and seals as distinct components.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the spline groove for mechanical interlocking, incorporates the seal part for fluid tightness, and acts as a retention mechanism. This multi-functional component replaces what were previously separate specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Productivity
If separate spline grooves and seals are manufactured and installed, then each component can be optimized independently, but installation time and labor effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spline groove and seal are pre-integrated into the insert device during the molding process. This preliminary integration means that during installation, the entire assembly of spline groove and seal is installed as one unit rather than requiring separate installation steps for each component, significantly reducing installation time and labor effort.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional separate components are used, then manufacturing processes are well-established, but overall manufacturing cost increases due to multiple separate manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process merges the production of the spline groove and seal into a single molding operation. The insert device is manufactured as one integrated component using injection molding or similar processes, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing operations for spline grooves and seals, thereby reducing the total quantity of parts that must be manufactured.
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer pipe has a length between a first end and a second end. The length and the first end have a first diameter and the second end is a belled end having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. An insert device is received or pre-installed within the second end and has an annular body with a seal part coupled to the annular body and a spline groove formed in the annular body and facing radially inward. Another polymer pipe is inserted in the belled end to form a pipe joint assembly and has a mating spline groove on the outer surface. The spline groove and mating spline groove axially align and receive a spline therein to axially interlock the two polymer pipes to form a pipe joint assembly.