Plastic Press Fitting for Direct Fitting-to-Fitting Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic press fittings cannot be directly connected to each other without an intervening pipe, leading to difficulties in calibration, deburring, and increased assembly time and costs, especially when attempting to create short pipe offsets.

Innovation Solution

A press fitting with a male end designed to insert into a pipe and a female end that simulates a pipe section, allowing direct connection to another press fitting without an additional pipe, using a base body made of plastic with specific deformation properties and a compression sleeve for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a piece of pipe is arranged between two press fittings to enable connection, then the press fittings can be connected, but the assembly time and assembly costs increase due to additional calibration and deburring operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate components (press fitting and pipe) into a single integrated component. The press fitting base body directly includes a connection interface that accepts another press fitting, eliminating the need for an intermediate pipe section and reducing assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The press fitting base body is designed with dual functionality: it serves as both the fitting body and a simulated pipe section. The female press connection piece at the second end allows it to function as both a terminal fitting and an intermediate connection element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If a very short piece of pipe is used between two press fittings to minimize space, then the offset height is reduced, but the piece of pipe becomes difficult if not impossible to calibrate and deburr

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffset heightVSAvoidcalibration and deburring
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The press fitting base body integrates the functions of both the fitting and the intermediate pipe section. By forming the connection interface directly on the base body, the patent eliminates the need for separate calibration and deburring operations on a short pipe piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the base body to directly provide the necessary connection interface. The female press connection piece is formed with appropriate dimensions and tolerances directly during manufacturing, avoiding post-processing challenges associated with very short pipe pieces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a piece of pipe is arranged between two press fittings, then the press fittings can be connected, but the space requirements increase due to the additional component

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconnectabilityVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the press fitting and the intermediate pipe section into a single integrated base body. This eliminates the additional volume occupied by a separate pipe piece while maintaining the connectability function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the fitting body structure, defines the fluid flow channel, and creates the female press connection interface. This multi-functionality reduces the overall space requirements compared to using separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables direct connection of press fittings, reduces space requirements, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for an additional pipe, while ensuring a secure and leak-proof press connection.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic must be sufficiently plastically deformable, with the deformation should be between 7.5% and 13%, so that a secure press connection can be produced.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3816495B1Press fitting
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 FRANKISCHE ROHRWERKE GEBR KIRCHNER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3816495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816495B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a press fitting (10) comprising a base body (12), wherein the base body (12) has a first end (16) and a second end (18), the first end (16) of the press fitting (10) being configured as a male press connection, which is designed to be at least partially inserted into a superior pipe section in order to serve as a support body (16) arranged therein for pressing the pipe section with the press fitting (10), the second end (18) of the press fitting (10) being configured as a female press connection, which is designed to provide a pipe section for pressing with another press fitting, and wherein the base body (12) is made of plastic. The invention further relates to a corresponding press connection.