Plastic Pipe Reducer With Conical Inner Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe reducers require significant space and are laborious to assemble, especially when connecting pipes with large differences in inner diameters, due to their complex structure and limited space in installations.

Innovation Solution

A compact pipe reducer designed with two sections, where the second section has a decreasing cross-sectional area for transition, eliminating the need for a middle section and incorporating a shoulder with an undercut for stress reduction, and a conical inner wall for optimal flow guidance, allowing for a streamlined and easy connection between pipes with different diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pipe reducer uses a traditional three-section structure with a middle transition section, then it can connect pipes with different inner diameters, but it requires significant space and is difficult to assemble in limited spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAssembly easeVSAvoidPipe reducer size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe reducer is divided into two distinct sections: a first section with a shoulder featuring an undercut for stress reduction, and a second section with a conical inner wall for flow guidance. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally while reducing the overall complexity and size compared to traditional three-section designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by placing the ID reduction in the second section rather than using a separate middle transition section. The second section's conical inner wall performs the transition function, eliminating the need for a third middle section and reducing the overall pipe reducer size while maintaining assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a pipe reducer has a complex multi-section structure, then it can provide smooth transition, but it increases device complexity and manufacturing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFlow guidance qualityVSAvoidPipe reducer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the middle transition section from the traditional three-section pipe reducer. The transition function is integrated into the second section through its conical inner wall design, reducing the number of sections from three to two while maintaining smooth flow guidance and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The second section features a conical inner wall that provides a smooth, curved transition surface for fluid flow. This curved geometry ensures optimal flow guidance and minimizes turbulence, maintaining reliability while simplifying the overall structure compared to multiple sharp transitions that would require additional sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If a pipe reducer uses a should er without an undercut, then it is simpler to manufacture, but it creates stress peaks that reduce connection reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConnection reliabilityVSAvoidManufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potential harm of stress concentration at the shoulder into a benefit by introducing an undercut. The undercut geometry redistributes the stress, preventing stress peaks and notch effects that would otherwise compromise connection reliability. This additional feature, while slightly increasing manufacturing complexity, ensures reliable connections under tensile loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Loss of energy

If a pipe reducer has a non-flush transition between sections, then it is easier to manufacture, but it creates unfavorable flow guidance and increases pressure loss

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePressure lossVSAvoidManufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The second section employs a conical inner wall that creates a smooth, curved transition surface. This curved geometry guides fluid flow seamlessly from the first section to the outlet, minimizing turbulence and pressure loss. The flush transition between sections, achieved through precise machining of the conical surface, ensures continuous flow without abrupt changes that would increase energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2304305B1Pipe reduction piece made from plastic material

Publication Date: 2014.09.10 REHAU AG & CO

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AI summary

The invention relates to a pipe reduction piece (10) made from plastic material, having an interior volume (12) that is provided for being flowed through by a fluid in a predetermined flow direction, wherein the pipe reduction piece (10) is formed from a first section (14) and a second section (16), said sections having interior walls (18, 20) adjoining one another in a flush manner, wherein the interior wall (18) of the first section (14) delimits a first cylindrically configured partial volume (22) of the interior volume (12), and wherein the interior wall (20) of the second section (16) delimits a second partial volume (24) of the interior volume (12), said second partial volume being configured with a decreasing cross-sectional surface in the direction of the first partial volume (22).