Pipe Socket Seal Structure for Lower Insertion Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe sleeve designs require high insertion forces due to inseparably connected sealants, making them difficult to assemble and use, especially with injection-molded or extruded pipes, and there is a need for a solution that simplifies the pluggability between the pipe socket and pipe end.
Innovation Solution
A pipe sleeve with a cylindrical base body and an elastic sealant consisting of a one-piece sealing ring and annular sealing lip, where the sealing ring is connected between two rigid rings or inserted into a bead, allowing radial expansion and deformation for easy insertion, with recesses along the circumference to facilitate bending and reduce insertion force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealant is inseparably bonded to the socket, then the sealant cannot be pushed out during insertion, but high insertion forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant is divided into two functional parts: a sealing ring with inwardly projecting sealing lips for sealing, and a radially outwardly extending support ring for structural support and connection to the socket. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be separated from the support function, enabling the sealing lips to deform easily during insertion while the support ring provides stable connection to the socket.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealant have different properties: the sealing ring portion is designed to be more elastic and deformable to facilitate easy insertion, while the support ring portion is designed to be stiffer to provide structural support and maintain connection to the socket. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and secure retention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sealing ring is connected to rigid rings, then the sealant is stable, but the insertion force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the sealing ring and rigid rings is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. The sealing ring can deform and move relative to the rigid rings during insertion, allowing the system to adapt to the insertion process. After insertion, the sealing ring stabilizes in its sealed position, providing both stability and ease of insertion.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealant is placed in a groove, then assembly is simple, but insertion forces remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant extends not only axially but also radially outwardly to form a support ring that connects to the rigid rings. This three-dimensional configuration allows the sealant to be simply assembled in the groove while the radially extending support ring provides the necessary structural connection without increasing insertion force.
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 reduces insertion forces by allowing the sealant to deform and expand radially, creating a secure seal with lower insertion pressures, suitable for pressureless pipe systems like drain pipes, and allows for easy replacement of the sealant in some configurations.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic sealant is located inside the pipe socket. This sealant consists of a sealing ring and an annular sealing lip. The sealing lip extends inwards from the sealing ring. The sealant is, for example, made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Implementation Method 2
This allows the sealing ring to expand radially outwards, for example, when a pipe is inserted, causing the seal to deform and become pre-stressed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A pipe socket (100), in particular 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 means (1), wherein the sealing means (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) is manufactured in one piece with the sealing lip (3), and wherein the side of the sealing means (1) facing the opening (103) of the base body (101) is defined as the insertion side (7), and the sealing means (1) has a plurality of recesses (8) on its insertion side (7) which are distributed along the circumference of the sealing means (1) and are located at least partially in the sealing lip (3).