Drain Pipe Sealing Ring Geometry for Stable Insertion Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connection assemblies with circular sealing rings are prone to displacement during insertion, leading to faulty seals due to the lack of a stable sealing mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connection assembly featuring a sealing ring with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, including longitudinal ribs and a curved flange, where the slanting surface ends in a tip and the abutment surface has a smaller angle, facilitating easy insertion and compression to ensure a secure seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a circular sealing ring is used in prior art connections, then the sealing ring can be easily inserted into the groove, but the sealing ring may be displaced before or during insertion, causing a faulty seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape featuring a slanting surface that ends in a tip. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotational displacement during insertion while the tip facilitates easy insertion into the groove, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring incorporates different surface geometries at different locations: a slanting surface with a tip for insertion, an abutment surface for compression, and a curved surface for groove engagement. This local differentiation of properties ensures both easy insertion and reliable sealing without displacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a non-circular cross-sectional shape is used for the sealing ring, then displacement is prevented and sealing is stabilized, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring uses a non-circular cross-sectional shape with specific geometric parameters (slanting surface angle, tip geometry, abutment surface configuration) that can be controlled during manufacturing. This parameter optimization achieves stable sealing while maintaining manufacturability through precise dimensional control rather than complex multi-component design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the sealing ring is compressed during insertion, then a tight seal is achieved, but stiffer materials like silicone require higher compression forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal tightnessVSAvoidcompression force required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring incorporates a curved surface that engages with the curved groove, distributing compression forces more evenly. The curved geometry allows gradual compression of stiffer materials like silicone during insertion, reducing peak forces while achieving reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4065872B1Pipe connection assembly
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 PREVEX OY AB
  • EP4065872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4065872B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3d
  • EP4065872B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

A pipe assembly for a drainage system comprises a pipe (10) with a wall (10a) having an inner surface with a circumferential groove (10c). A sealing ring (14) is provided in a plane (P) and being arranged in the circumferential groove (10c), wherein the sealing ring (14) has a cross-sectional shape comprising an essentially planar, slanting surface (14b) facing away from circumferential groove (10c), the slanting surface being at a first angle (α) to the plane (P) of the sealing ring (14). By providing the sealing ring (14) with an abutment surface (14e) adjacent to the slanting surface (14b), the abutment surface (14e) having a surface being at a second angle (β) to the plane (P) that is smaller than the first angle (α), insertion of a connection pipe (20) into the pipe (10) is facilitated. A water trap with a pipe assembly and a sealing ring are also provided.