Pipe-to-Opening Assembly with Pre-Compressed Seal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual assembly of a pipe onto a receiving structure is challenging due to the reaction of the compressed seal, leading to alignment issues and potential sealing and fluid flow problems.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first structure bearing a skirt around one orifice and a second structure with a cooperation interface, where the skirt compresses a seal against a surface, allowing guided assembly without affecting the seal's compression, using a tightening mechanism and snap-fitting mechanisms for secure alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual forced placement of the pipe against the receiving structure is done, then the seal is compressed at the periphery of the join, but the assembly becomes difficult and alignment problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the seal using a compression device before the actual assembly operation. The seal is compressed between the pipe and a compression device, and then this pre-compressed assembly is inserted into the receiving structure. This eliminates the need for forceful manual placement during assembly, making the operation easier while ensuring reliable sealing from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device serves as an intermediary tool that facilitates the assembly process. It temporarily holds and compresses the seal during the assembly operation, allowing the pipe to be inserted without direct forceful manipulation. The compression device mediates between the pipe and receiving structure, ensuring proper seal compression while guiding alignment.
2Reliability
If the seal is compressed to ensure sealing, then sealing is achieved, but the reaction force creates alignment defects and inclination of the pipe end surface
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-compressed using the compression device before insertion, so the compression action occurs separately from the insertion operation. This preliminary compression ensures sealing reliability while the subsequent insertion can proceed without fighting against seal reaction forces, thereby maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing and alignment operations into distinct steps: first, the seal is compressed using the compression device; second, the pre-compressed seal with the pipe is inserted into the receiving structure. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently, ensuring both sealing reliability and alignment precision without interference between the two functions.
3Reliability
If forceful positioning is used to assemble the pipe, then the seal is compressed, but the assembly operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-compressing the seal with the compression device before insertion, the patent eliminates the need for time-consuming forceful positioning during assembly. The pre-compressed seal is simply inserted into the receiving structure, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device acts as an intermediary that performs the seal compression function separately from the insertion operation. This mediation allows the assembly process to proceed efficiently without the productivity loss associated with forceful manual positioning, as the compression and insertion steps are decoupled.
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
Facilitates easy and accurate assembly of the pipe with the receiving structure, ensuring a tight seal and maintaining alignment, thus preventing sealing and fluid flow issues.
Implementation Method 1
the skirt of the first interface and/or an extension of the skirt compresses at least a part of the seal against a part of the second interface
Implementation Method 2
at least one tightening means generating a tightening force in order to bring the first structure toward the second structure
Implementation Method 3
at least one snap-fitting mechanism comprising a tongue and a loop allowing the snap-fitting of the pipe with the receiving structure
Data Source
AI summary
A device for assembling a pipe with a receiving opening is provided, including a first structure bearing an interface surrounding a first opening. The interface has at least one peripheral skirt. A second structure bears an interface surrounding a second opening. A peripheral sealing gasket seals the junction between the two interfaces. The two interfaces are positioned facing each other so that the skirt of the first interface is positioned on the periphery of the second cooperating interface surrounding the second opening, and so that this skirt has at least a portion of the sealing gasket against the second interface.