Pipe Connector Wedge Seal Pull-Out Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connections lack effective pull-out protection, particularly in applications with cables like fiber optics, where accidental disassembly can damage the cables, and current solutions like clamping systems are tedious and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connection design featuring an annular seal with a wedge-shaped tip and a unique annular bead configuration that allows the seal to be inserted with its rear end resting on the bead's rear end and spaced from the front, ensuring the wedge-shaped tip is positioned between the pipes, providing a secure clamping mechanism that prevents disassembly without excessive force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pull-out protection device is added to prevent accidental separation of pipes, then cable protection is improved, but device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protectionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-out protection function is merged with the ring seal by integrating a wedge-shaped tip into the seal structure. This allows the seal to perform both sealing and pull-out protection functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate clamping systems and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ring seal with wedge-shaped tip automatically provides pull-out protection through its own structure. When insertion force is applied, the wedge tip deforms and creates a clamping effect between the pipes, preventing pull-out without requiring external activation or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a clamping system is attached to the outside of pipes during installation, then pull-out protection is improved, but installation time and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-out protectionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-out protection function is integrated into the ring seal structure itself through the wedge-shaped tip, eliminating the need for separate external clamping systems. This merging of functions reduces installation steps and time while maintaining reliable pull-out protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ring seal automatically activates pull-out protection during the insertion process itself. The wedge-shaped tip deforms under insertion force and creates a self-locking clamping effect, providing protection without requiring additional installation steps or external devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the ring seal is dimensioned to rest against the front end of the annular groove during insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but pull-out resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidpull-out resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The ring seal has different functional zones: the rear end provides sealing by resting against the annular groove during insertion, while the front wedge-shaped tip provides pull-out protection by creating a clamping effect. This local differentiation of functions allows both easy insertion and strong pull-out resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The ring seal transitions from a static sealing position during insertion to an active clamping position during pull-out attempts. The wedge-shaped tip dynamically deforms under load to create the clamping effect, providing pull-out resistance only when needed while maintaining ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively prevents accidental disassembly by requiring a significantly higher force to pull the pipes apart than to insert them, ensuring cable protection and simplifying assembly while enhancing the sealing mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the ring seal and the sealing lip are deformed towards the back side of the annular groove when the first pipe is inserted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the ring seal has a wedge-shaped tip which is positioned at the front end of the annular groove... the front wedge-shaped tip wedged in the gap between the first and second pipes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge mechanism: Wedge

Implementation Method 3

Disassembly is then only possible with several times the force required for insertion. In this way, a simple method is created to mount pipes that cannot be pulled apart again

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3892904B1Pipe connector
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 GEBR OSTENDORF KUNSTSTOFFE GMBH
  • EP3892904B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3892904B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pipe connection in which the spigot end of a first pipe can be inserted into the socket end of a second pipe which is provided with an annular groove, and a ring seal provided with a sealing lip can be inserted into the annular groove, wherein the annular groove has a front side facing the socket end and a back side facing away from the socket end, and the ring seal and the sealing lip are deformed towards the back side of the annular groove when the first pipe is inserted, and the ring seal has a wedge-shaped tip at the front end of the annular groove.This pipe connection is characterized by the fact that, after insertion of the first pipe, the ring seal rests with its rear end against the rear end of the ring groove and is simultaneously spaced apart from the front end of the ring groove, and that the ring seal is dimensioned in relation to the ring groove such that, when the first pipe is pulled out, the ring seal rests against the front of the ring groove and is spaced with its rear end against the rear end of the ring groove, and is wedged in the gap between the first pipe and the second pipe with its front wedge-shaped tip.