Pipe Joint Seal Marker for Non-Contact Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing push-on type pipe joint structure for ductile cast iron pipes requires cumbersome operations, necessitating multiple operators to enter a trench and check the positioning of seal members, which increases excavation width and operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A pipe joint structure with a seal member featuring a heel section fitted to a recessed socket and a bulb section compressed between the socket and spigot, incorporating a marker member detectable from the spigot side, allowing non-contact verification of the seal member's position, and a pipe joint assembling device with image capturing devices and a pivoting mechanism for remote operation and reduced trench width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional push-on type pipe joint structure is used, then reliable sealing is achieved, but verification of seal member positioning requires multiple operators to enter the trench, increasing operational complexity and excavation width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidverification operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by providing the heel section of the seal member with a specific color (yellow) that differs from the bulb section (black). This color differentiation enables visual verification of the seal member's positioning and assembly status without requiring operators to enter the trench, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and verification operation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical verification method (operators physically entering the trench with feeler gauges or checkers) with an optical detection method. The colored marker on the heel section allows remote visual inspection through the trench opening, substituting mechanical human intervention with optical observation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple operators enter the trench to verify seal member positioning, then accurate assembly verification is achieved, but the trench width must be sufficiently large, increasing excavation work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly verification accuracyVSAvoidtrench width

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical verification tools (feeler gauges, assembling checkers) with an optical verification system. The colored heel section serves as a visual marker that can be detected from above the trench, eliminating the need for operators to physically access the seal member position and thereby reducing the required trench width

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a colored marker on the heel section as an intermediary element that transmits information about the seal member's positioning status. This marker acts as a mediator between the sealed joint (inside the trench) and the verification process (outside the trench), allowing accurate verification without physical access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If traditional assembly verification method is used, then seal member positioning can be checked, but the operation is extremely cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal member positioning checkVSAvoidassembly verification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical verification process (entering trench, using feeler gauges or checkers) with instant optical verification. The colored heel section provides immediate visual feedback on assembly status, dramatically reducing the time required for verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the assembly verification to be self-indicating through the colored marker on the heel section. The seal member itself provides the verification information through its color-coded design, eliminating the need for complex external verification procedures and reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10443772B2Pipe joint structure, seal member, assembled condition management method for pipe joint, and assembled condition management device for pipe joint

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A pipe joint structure provided with: a heel section configured so that a spigot formed on the end section of a pipe is inserted via a seal member into a socket formed in the end section of another pipe and seal member is fitted to a recessed section formed on the inner circumferential section of the socket; and a valve section compressed between the inner circumferential surface of the socket and the outer circumferential surface of the spigot. Additionally, a marker member is provided to the heel section that is accommodated in the recessed section. The socket circumference section of the pipe joint structure is subjected to non-contact inspection by a marker detection device from the spigot-side pipe along the axial direction of the pipe and the quality of the joining state of the pipe joint structure is determined on the basis of whether the marker member is detected.