Plug-Type Pipe Joint With Concealed Spring Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Releasable plug-type pipe connections with outer safety clamps pose risks of injury from sharp edges and snagging during handling and can damage sealing elements during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A plug-type connection with a spring element on the inner pipe and a widened portion on the outer pipe, where the outer pipe engages over the spring element to provide a concealed securing function, allowing for manual assembly and dismantling while minimizing the risk of injury and damage to sealing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an outer safety clamp is used to secure the pipe connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the risk of injury from sharp edges and snagging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidrisk of injury from sharp edges and snagging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the outer safety clamp from the design and replaces it with a spring element integrated into the inner pipe. This extraction eliminates the harmful sharp edges and snagging risks while maintaining the securing function through the spring element's engagement with the outer pipe's engagement structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element serves as an intermediary between the inner pipe and outer pipe, providing the securing function without requiring an outer safety clamp. The spring element's elastic properties allow it to engage securely with the outer pipe while presenting a smooth, safe exterior surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an outer safety clamp is used to secure the pipe connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the sealing element may be adversely affected during joining

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to sealing element during joining

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the outer safety clamp and replacing it with an integrated spring element on the inner pipe, the joining process becomes simpler and less prone to damaging the sealing element. The spring element engages with the outer pipe without requiring the complex assembly operations that could harm the sealing element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a spring element is used instead of an outer safety clamp, then the risk of injury is reduced, but the securing function must be integrated into the inner pipe structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of injury from sharp edges and snaggingVSAvoidintegration complexity of spring element into inner pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is merged with the inner pipe structure, forming an integrated assembly. The fastening structure on the inner pipe combines the mounting function with the pipe body, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity despite the functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the outer pipe is spaced apart from the inner pipe in the region of the first widened portion, then the spring element engagement is enabled, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring element engagementVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The outer pipe is spaced apart from the inner pipe only in the specific region of the first widened portion where spring element engagement is required. Other regions of the pipes maintain close proximity, minimizing the overall installation space while enabling the necessary securing function locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 secures the connection without sharp edges or snagging risks, ensures the sealing element's integrity, and facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, reducing the likelihood of damage and injury.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element is arranged on the outside of the inner pipe in the region of its said end; the outer pipe has a first widened portion at its said end, in the region of which first widened portion the outer pipe is spaced apart from the inner pipe and engages over the spring element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230408010A1Plug-type pipe connection

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 WITZENMANN GMBH

AI summary

A plug-type connection (1) having an inner pipe (2) and an outer pipe (3), which outer pipe (3) is plugged with one of end thereof onto one end of the inner pipe (2). The plug-type connection (1) has a spring element (4) arranged on the outside of the inner pipe (2) in the region of the end thereof, and the outer pipe (3) has a first widened portion (3a) at that end, in a region of which the outer pipe (3) is spaced apart (A) from the inner pipe (2) and engages over the spring element (4). The outer pipe (3) has an engagement structure (3b) in the region of the first widened portion (3a), with which engagement structure (3b) the spring element (4) is in engagement.