Plastic Drain Pipe Screw Thread Sealing Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic sewage pipe systems face challenges with sealing and assembly due to limited compression of seals, leading to leaks and difficulties in connecting and disconnecting pipes, especially in pressurized systems and areas requiring frequent assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A plastic pipe system with a socket end featuring a screw thread and a screw ring that compresses an elastic ring seal, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without chamfers, and providing enhanced sealing and resistance to dirt and water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ring seal is used in a bead for connecting pipes, then the sealing function is provided, but the seal cannot be compressed sufficiently leading to leaks and limited use in pressurized systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidseal compression force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static seal compression mechanism into a dynamic one by introducing a screw ring that can be rotated to progressively compress the ring seal. This allows the sealing force to be adjusted and increased as needed, rather than being fixed at the initial installation stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the compression parameter of the ring seal from a fixed value determined by initial installation to a variable parameter that can be adjusted by rotating the screw ring. This enables sufficient compression force to be applied even in pressurized systems where higher sealing forces are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If pipes are connected using a bead and ring seal system, then the connection is formed, but assembly and disassembly become difficult especially after long-term use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The screw ring mechanism provides a dynamic connection system where the same component that ensures stable sealing through compression also enables easy disassembly by simply rotating the screw ring to release the seal, without requiring special tools or complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The screw ring serves dual functions: it maintains the sealing compression during service and enables easy disassembly when needed. The system is self-sufficient, requiring no additional mechanisms for installation or removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the spigot end is inserted into the socket without sufficient seal compression, then insertion is easy, but leaks occur and the line cross-section is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidsealing tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ring seal is pre-installed in the bead during manufacturing, positioned and oriented correctly before the pipe connection is made. This preliminary action ensures the seal is ready to be compressed uniformly when the screw ring is tightened, preventing misalignment issues during insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic compression mechanism allows the seal to be compressed to the appropriate degree after insertion, ensuring both ease of insertion and reliable sealing without requiring excessive initial compression force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If a test assembly is performed to check connections, then proper fittings can be selected, but the process is time-consuming and errors may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The screw ring mechanism with its clear rotational operation and visible compression effect provides immediate feedback during assembly, allowing operators to verify proper connection and sealing without requiring separate test procedures. The self-evident nature of the tightened connection reduces the need for additional testing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system ensures reliable sealing and easy connection/disconnection of pipes, preventing leaks and root growth, while maintaining sealing integrity even under high pressures and in challenging installation conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic ring seal which is inserted into the ring bead

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the front edge of the radially inner ring part compresses a ring seal inserted in the ring bead

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3428498B1Pipe, in particular plastic pipe for drain pipes
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 LUTEC GMBH VERWALTUNGS UND BETEILIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT
  • EP3428498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3428498B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3428498B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a pipe, in particular a plastic pipe for wastewater pipes, which has at least one socket end, which is provided with an annular groove (4) and a socket neck (3) and forms a first pipe (1), into whose socket end the spiky end of a second pipe or fitting (13) can be inserted and removed, and in which an elastic ring seal (6) is inserted into the annular groove (4).According to the invention, the socket neck (3) of the pipe is provided with a screw thread (9) onto which a screw ring (8) can be screwed, which contains an inner ring part (10) and an outer ring part (11) between which an annular gap is formed, and the ring parts (10, 11) are connected via an annular base (12) facing away from the ring groove (4), wherein the front edge (14) of the inner ring part (10) when the screw ring (8) is screwed onto the screw thread (9) compresses the ring seal (6) inserted into the ring groove (4) and locks the spigot end of the second pipe or fitting (13) in the first pipe (1).