Pipe Sleeve Seal With Dirt Pockets for Leak-Free Drain Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe sleeves in pressureless pipe systems, such as drain pipes, face challenges in ensuring a tight connection without cleaning the pipe end, which increases the risk of leaks due to contamination from self-lubricating sealants.
Innovation Solution
A pipe sleeve design featuring an elastic sealant with an inwardly pointing annular sealing lip, made from a thermoplastic elastomer, that is either integral to the base body or inserted into a bead, allowing for easy assembly and replacement, with dirt pockets on the insertion side to capture debris and facilitate deformation for a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If self-lubricating sealants are used to eliminate the need for pipe end lubrication, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination risk from applying lubricant to the pipe end
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of lubricant application to the pipe end is completely removed from the system. The self-lubricating sealant provides lubrication internally without requiring any external lubricant application, thereby eliminating the contamination risk entirely while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant acts as an intermediary that provides both sealing and lubricating functions. Instead of applying lubricant directly to the pipe end (which causes contamination), the lubricant is embedded within the sealant material itself, allowing it to lubricate during insertion without exposing the pipe end to contaminants.
2Strength
If the sealing ring is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then strength is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because the sealing ring cannot deform to accommodate insertion and sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions and under different conditions. During insertion, it deforms elastically to accommodate the pipe and create the seal. Once installed, it maintains sufficient rigidity to resist external pressures and maintain the sealing function. This local adaptation of properties resolves the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant transitions from a rigid state during installation to a flexible, deformable state during sealing, and then to a stabilized state during operation. The elastic material allows dynamic adaptation: it deforms during insertion to accommodate misalignments and then springs back to maintain sealing pressure, providing both adaptability and sustained strength.
3Ease of operation
If the sealant is made as an integral part of the pipe sleeve to simplify assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates because the sealant cannot be replaced independently
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separable functional components: the pipe sleeve structure and the sealant. The sealant can be designed as a separate element that is inserted into a groove or groove system in the pipe sleeve, allowing it to be replaced independently while maintaining the simplicity of assembly. The sealant groove acts as an interface that enables both easy installation and easy replacement.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the sealing ring is constrained by rigid elements on its radially outer side to maintain position, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because the sealing ring cannot expand radially outward during insertion and sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint on the sealing ring is made dynamic rather than static. During insertion, the radially outer constraint allows radial expansion to accommodate the pipe and create the seal. After insertion, the constraint stabilizes the sealing ring in its final position. This dynamic constraint provides both adaptability during installation and stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially outer constraint is designed with built-in compliance or cushioning that allows temporary radial expansion during insertion. This beforehand cushioning accommodates the deformation needed for sealing while preventing excessive displacement. After the sealing action is complete, the cushioning effect disappears and the constraint maintains stable positioning.
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
The design provides a simple, effective, and leak-proof connection without the need for end cleaning, ensuring reliable operation in pressureless pipe systems by utilizing an elastic sealant that can expand radially to form a secure seal and capture dirt, reducing the risk of contamination-induced leaks.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic sealing means, in particular the sealing ring, is preferably not limited by any rigid element on its radially outer side. This allows the sealing ring to expand radially outwards, for example when a pipe is inserted and the seal is deformed and prestressed.
Implementation Method 2
The dirt pockets, which are open towards the insertion side, have the advantage that any dirt that is on the tip end to be inserted can be wiped off and picked up in the dirt pockets.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A pipe socket (100), particularly for a non-pressurized pipe system, comprising a cylindrical base body (101) with an end-face opening (103) for inserting a pipe, and an elastic sealing element (1), wherein the sealing element (1) has a sealing ring (2) arranged in the base body (101) and an annular sealing lip (3) extending inwards from the sealing ring (2), wherein the sealing ring (2) and the sealing lip (3) are formed integrally, wherein the side of the sealing element (1) facing the opening (103) of the base body (101) is defined as the insertion side (7), and wherein the sealing element (1) has a plurality of dirt pockets (8) distributed along the circumference of the sealing element (1) on its insertion side (7), and wherein the sealing lip (3) has a chamfer (4) on the insertion side (7) which engages in a sealing surface (5) of the sealing lip (3). transitions, with the dirt pockets (8) being positioned in the ramp (4), but not in the sealing surface (5).