Polygonal Sealing Ring Geometry to Prevent Pipe Joint Twisting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connections with sealing rings of triangular cross-section are prone to twisting or turning inside out during assembly, which compromises the sealing effect and durability.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connection design featuring a sealing ring with a polygonal, symmetrical cross-section, such as pentagonal or hexagonal, ensures stable positioning and prevents twisting or turning by distributing forces symmetrically, utilizing crest lines for directed restoring forces and an angled transition for stable placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a sealing ring with triangular cross-section is used in a pipe connection, then the sealing ring can be manufactured simply and fits into a compact space, but the sealing ring is prone to twisting or turning inside out during assembly, compromising sealing effectiveness and durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a symmetrical triangular cross-section to an asymmetrical polygonal cross-section with specific geometric features including a first sealing surface, a second sealing surface, and a restoring force surface. This asymmetrical design creates directed restoring forces that prevent the sealing ring from twisting or turning inside out during assembly, thereby improving sealing reliability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through conventional molding processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Volume of moving object

If a sealing ring with triangular cross-section is used, then the structure is compact and space-efficient, but the sealing ring lacks stability and may invert during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidsealing ring stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing different regions of the sealing ring cross-section with distinct functions: the first and second sealing surfaces provide sealing contact, while the restoring force surface specifically generates directed restoring forces to prevent inversion. This localized functional differentiation enhances stability without significantly increasing the overall volume of the sealing ring, maintaining space efficiency in the pipe connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a polygonal sealing ring with symmetrical cross-section is used, then twisting or inversion is prevented through symmetrical pressure distribution, but the manufacturing complexity increases compared to a simple triangular design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing durabilityVSAvoidcross-section geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the sealing ring cross-section from a simple triangle to a polygon with specific surface configurations. The key parameter change is the introduction of the restoring force surface with specific angular relationships (alpha and beta angles) that generate directed restoring forces. This parameter optimization achieves enhanced sealing durability through symmetrical pressure distribution and inversion prevention, while the geometry remains manufacturable using standard molding techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4019821B1Tube connection
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 WALTER STAUFFENBERG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4019821B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4019821B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a sealing ring (5) for a pipe connection (1) comprising a connecting body (2), a nut (3) that can be screwed onto or into the connecting body, and a pipe (4) having an outwardly projecting projection (41) that can be clamped against the connecting body (2) via the nut (3). The sealing ring (5) is designed and suitable for sealing the pipe (4) against the connecting body (2), and the sealing ring (5) has a polygonal, symmetrical cross-section. The invention further relates to a pipe connection with such a sealing ring.