Pipe Sealing Plug Rib Geometry for Low-Force Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for pipes require significant effort and time for a lightweight worker to insert and remove sealing plugs, due to high pressure resistance, which can damage the plug and compromise sealing integrity.
Innovation Solution
A conduit system with an inner cylindrical wall and a sealing plug featuring outer ribs and slanted sections that facilitate easy insertion by allowing initial contact with a slanted section before encountering resistance, reducing the force needed for insertion and maintaining sealing integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing plug is designed to sustain high pressure (10 bar) for effective sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but insertion effort and time increase significantly for lightweight workers
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit inlet is pre-formed with a smooth inlet end and rounded-off rim before the sealing plug is inserted. This preliminary preparation eliminates burrs and irregularities that would otherwise increase insertion resistance, allowing lightweight workers to insert plugs with reduced effort while maintaining the plug's ability to sustain 10 bar pressure for effective sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet end geometry is modified by rounding off the rim and creating a smooth surface, changing the physical parameters of the conduit opening. This reduces the contact resistance and friction during insertion, enabling easier insertion by lightweight workers without compromising the sealing plug's pressure-sustaining capability
2Device complexity
If a sealing plug is manually inserted without tools to simplify installation, then device complexity is reduced, but insertion time and physical effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit inlet is pre-prepared with a smooth, rounded geometry that facilitates tool-free insertion. This preliminary design eliminates the need for complex insertion tools while reducing insertion time, as lightweight workers can directly push the sealing plug into the pre-conditioned inlet without additional equipment or prolonged effort
3Ease of manufacture
If the conduit inlet has a sharp edge or irregular surface to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing is simplified, but the sealing plug surface may be damaged during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit inlet is pre-treated by rounding off the rim and creating a smooth surface through machining or forming operations. This preliminary action prevents damage to the sealing plug during insertion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility, ensuring the plug's outer surface remains intact for reliable sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
Only the inlet end region of the conduit is modified with a smooth, rounded surface, while the rest of the conduit maintains its original structural properties. This localized quality change protects the sealing plug during insertion without requiring complex manufacturing processes for the entire conduit, balancing ease of manufacture with sealing reliability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4a
AI summary
System for sealing in an opening space around a pipe (1), wherein the system comprises: a conduit (4) for forming the opening or for sealingly placing in or against the opening, and for ducting the pipe; and a sealing plug (3) for insertion in the conduit around the pipe, the conduit having an inner cylindrical wall defining an inner diameter, the sealing plug being provided with a number of outer ribs spaced apart in an insertion direction of the plug for realizing, in inserted condition, annular contact planes between the plug and the inner cylindrical wall of the conduit, wherein in uninserted condition of the plug each rib extends up to an outer diameter beyond a nominal plug diameter which corresponds to the inner diameter of the conduit for which the plug is designed, each rib having an annular contact surface with a contact length for providing in inserted condition a sealing length in insertion direction of the respective annular contact plane, the conduit further having at least one end for insertion of the sealing plug, wherein that at least one end is provided with a slanted section for facilitating insertion of the plug, the slanted section and each rib being such that during movement of the sealing plug in insertion direction, for each rib in undeformed condition of the plug contact is first established between the slanted section and a trailing end of the contact length of the respective annular contact surface.