Press Fitting Clamping Lip Prevents Pipe Backward Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connections with metallic press fittings face challenges in preventing axial backward movement of pipes during assembly, leading to potential leaks and loose connections, especially in tight spaces, and existing solutions are complex, costly, and prone to damaging the sealing ring.

Innovation Solution

A metallic press fitting with an annular clamping element made of elastic material, arranged on the insertion-side end face, which creates a clamping lip to prevent backward movement without relying on the sealing ring, allowing for easy assembly and reducing the risk of damage to the sealing ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a retaining means is arranged in the insertion area of the press fitting to prevent axial backward movement, then the pipe connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe connection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the retaining function from the sealing ring and implements it through a separate annular clamping element. This clamping element is arranged on the insertion-side end face of the press fitting and features a clamping lip with a smaller inner diameter than the pipe outer diameter, creating an overlap that generates holding force to prevent axial backward movement. This separation allows the sealing ring to focus solely on sealing while the clamping element provides retention, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The annular clamping element acts as an intermediary component between the press fitting and the pipe. It features a clamping lip that creates elastic deformation when the pipe is inserted, generating holding force to prevent backward movement. The clamping element can be made from elastic materials or through elastic deformation of the press fitting itself, providing a simple yet effective retention mechanism without complex structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a retaining means is installed within the press fitting to prevent backward movement, then the pipe connection reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe connection reliabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the press fitting into distinct functional zones: the annular bead for sealing, the cylindrical section for structural support, and the insertion-side end face with the clamping element for retention. The clamping element can be implemented as a separate annular component or as an integrated feature of the press fitting, allowing for simplified manufacturing and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of installing the retaining means within the press fitting body, the invention positions the clamping element on the insertion-side end face, accessible from the outside. This inversion of the retention mechanism location makes it easier to manufacture and assemble, as the clamping element can be attached or formed as part of the press fitting's external structure rather than requiring internal installation in tight spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the sealing ring is used to provide holding force to prevent backward movement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing ring may be damaged during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsealing ring strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the holding force function from the sealing ring and assigns it to a dedicated clamping mechanism. The annular clamping element features a clamping lip that creates elastic deformation to generate holding force, while the sealing ring focuses exclusively on providing sealing. This functional separation prevents damage to the sealing ring during pipe insertion while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble pipe connection that prevents axial backward movement, reduces the risk of sealing ring damage, and allows for easy identification of the connection's condition, ensuring a secure and leak-free assembly.

Implementation Method 1

which is designed to create elastic deformation to generate holding force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the annular bead, including the sealing element inserted therein, is compressed radially to seal it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP1821019B1Pipe connection
Publication Date: 2009.02.11 GEBERIT TECHNIK AG
  • EP1821019B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP1821019B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2b
  • EP1821019B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4c

AI summary

The connector has a metallic press fitting (1), which has one section, which has a torus-like cross-section. The press fitting accommodates a sealing ring (4), an adjoining cylindrical section (2) oriented towards and/or away from the insertion end. The cylindrical section oriented away from the insertion end, runs into an adjacent cylindrical section and forms a stop. The inner diameter of the latter cylindrical section is smaller than the other cylindrical sections. The pipe connection also has a conduit. A flat end area of conduit rests on the inner stop of the press fitting, when inserted into the press fitting. Closing a pressing tool with two pressing plates encompassing the press fitting produces a non detachable and tight pipe connection. A sealing ring placed on the cylindrical section of the press fitting oriented towards or away from the insertion end, when the pressing plates act on the torus.