Pipe Lining Closure Cap Asymmetric Connecting Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe lining devices with sealing caps that are inclined at 30° to 60° angles are prone to loosening or leaking when turned inside out or inserted into a pipe, failing to provide a reliable seal.

Innovation Solution

A closure cap with a connecting surface featuring distinct regions, where one region extends further towards the hose end and is inclined at 20 to 80°, while the other region is inclined at 110 to 170°, ensuring the cap remains secure and leak-proof during insertion and can be easily detached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the closure cap is fixed with a connecting surface inclined at 30° to 60° to the longitudinal axis, then the closure cap can be attached to the hose, but it comes loose or leaks when turned inside out or introduced into the pipe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidclosure cap stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting surface is divided into two distinct regions: a first region with an inclination angle of 20° to 80° that extends further toward the first end of the hose, and a second region with an inclination angle of 110° to 170° that prevents loosening during inversion. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function, resolving the contradiction between initial attachment and subsequent stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the connecting surface are given different geometric properties (inclination angles and extension lengths) to suit different functional requirements. The first region's shallower angle facilitates initial engagement, while the second region's steeper angle provides mechanical interlocking to prevent loosening during the turning inside out process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the closure cap is securely fixed to prevent loosening, then the seal reliability improves, but the ease of detachment when necessary is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoiddetachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting surface geometry is designed to provide dynamic behavior: under normal conditions, the dual-region configuration maintains a secure locked state preventing loosening. However, when a pulling force is applied in the longitudinal direction, the design allows for controlled detachment, thus achieving both security during operation and ease of removal when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the connecting surface extends uniformly in all directions, then the attachment is symmetric and simple, but the closure cap cannot prevent loosening during turning inside out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting surface simplicityVSAvoidseal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting surface deliberately employs asymmetric geometry with two distinct regions having different inclination angles (20°-80° vs. 110°-170°) and different extension lengths toward the hose ends. This asymmetry creates a mechanical interlocking effect that prevents the closure cap from loosening during the turning inside out process, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3364092B1Device and a method which can be implemented using the device to clad a pipe
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 BODUS GMBH
  • EP3364092B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3364092B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3364092B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

In a method and a device for lining a pipe (20) comprising a hose (1) with a first end (2) and an opposing second end (3), a sealing cap (4) is arranged in the region of the second end (3) of the hose (1) on a first surface (5) of the hose (1) by means of a substantially closed connecting surface (9) which seals the hose (1) at its second end (3) across its cross-section. The connecting surface (9) has at least a first region (10) and a second region (11), wherein the connecting surface (9) extends at least partially in these regions in different directions, and the connecting surface (9) in the first region (10) extends further towards the first end (2) of the hose (1) than the connecting surface (9) in the second region (11).