Pipe Stub Connector Sealing Against Elastomer Push-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector systems for sewer pipes face issues with maintaining a reliable seal due to the elastomeric seal's restoring forces causing the sealing section to be pushed out of the bore, leading to potential leakage and detachment, especially under differential soil compression and settlement conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of spring elements aligned like barbs within the filling chamber to secure the sealing section in place, combined with a flowable sealing compound and a soft seal on the contact collar to prevent leakage and ensure long-term adhesion, along with centering ribs for alignment and uniform sealing compound distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastomeric seal is used to create a seal between the connector and the sewer pipe, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the restoring forces of the elastomer cause the sealing section to be pushed out of the bore, compromising position stability
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are pre-compressed during insertion and are designed to automatically expand and engage with the bore walls when the elastomeric seal's restoring forces push the sealing section outward. This preliminary design anticipates and counteracts the destabilizing effect of the elastomer's restoring forces, converting a harmful effect into a positioning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements change their mechanical parameters (compression state, expansion state) in response to the elastomeric seal's restoring forces. When compressed during insertion, they store elastic energy; when pushed outward by the seal, they expand and engage with the bore walls, changing from a compact state to an engaged state that provides positioning stability.
2Reliability
If the sealing section is allowed to move outward due to elastomer restoring forces, then the contact collar can maintain contact with the sewer pipe surface, but the sealant may escape and the seal reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are designed to engage with the bore walls before sealant injection is complete, creating a preliminary mechanical barrier that prevents sealant escape. This preliminary engagement ensures that when sealant is injected, it remains contained within the sealing chamber and does not leak outward along with the moving sealing section.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring elements are added to counteract elastomer restoring forces, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are integrated into the sealing section as a unified component rather than being separate attachments. The spring elements are positioned within the sealing section's structure, combining the sealing function and the positioning function into a single integrated assembly, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements serve multiple functions: they act as positioning elements that engage with the bore walls, serve as mechanical stops that limit outward movement, and provide a spring-loaded mechanism that adapts to variations in bore diameter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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 solution effectively maintains a secure seal by counteracting the elastomeric seal's restoring forces, preventing leakage and detachment, while ensuring optimal contact and adhesion to the sewer pipe, even under varying soil conditions, thereby enhancing the sealing performance and stability of the connector.
Implementation Method 1
two spring elements are arranged in the filling chamber... the spring elements are oriented in a barbed manner so that they are initially compressed when the sealing section is inserted into the bore... Once this insertion movement is complete and a movement in the opposite direction begins due to the restoring forces of the elastomer seal, the barbed sections or spring elements automatically spread and interlock in the duct pipe
Implementation Method 2
the barbed sections or spring elements automatically spread and interlock in the duct pipe, thus making further movement in this opposite direction difficult or impossible
Implementation Method 3
a second seal is provided, designed as a liquid seal using a flowable sealant... This allows the sealant to be injected from the outside after the connector, with its sealing section, has been inserted into the bore of the sewer pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
In a connecting piece (1) designed as a pipe stub for the lateral connection of a plastic pipe to a mineral sewer pipe, comprising a sealing section (3) which has a circumferentially surrounding sealing chamber (6) for receiving an elastomer seal designed as a sealing ring, and comprising a contact collar (4) which limits the end ring depth of the sealing section (3) in a bore of the sewer pipe, and comprising a connecting section (2) for connection with the plastic pipe, the invention proposes that the sealing section (3) has a filling chamber (9) between the sealing chamber (6) and the contact collar (4), wherein a filling channel opens at one end into the filling chamber (9) and at the other end has a second opening (10) beyond the contact collar (4) on the outside of the connecting piece (1).