Press Fitting Retaining Ring Contact Surfaces Against Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fittings with holding elements designed as cutting elements face challenges such as complex and expensive production, susceptibility to corrosion, and inadequate sealing against corrosive media due to thin material thickness and design flaws, which compromise their effectiveness in pipeline connections.
Innovation Solution
The holding element features contact surfaces that run partially in the circumferential direction, allowing for additional sealing and compressibility, even with dimensional deviations, and is designed with a metallic material for enhanced durability and resistance to corrosion, ensuring a tight connection and protection against corrosive media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the holding element is designed as a cutting element with complex shape and cutting edges, then the mechanical fixing capability is improved, but the production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed as a simple ring-shaped component made of soft, non-elastic material that can be easily produced and replaced. Instead of using complex, expensive cutting elements, the invention uses a simple compressible ring that achieves mechanical fixing through deformation and friction, accepting that the holding element may need replacement rather than being a permanent fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by using soft, non-elastic material instead of hard, rigid cutting elements. The holding element's ability to deform under compression and then maintain its deformed shape provides the mechanical fixing capability, replacing the need for sharp cutting edges while simplifying production.
2Strength
If the holding element is designed with thin material thickness to achieve complex cutting edge shapes, then the cutting capability is improved, but the corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the material thickness approach by using relatively thick material in a simple ring configuration. The soft, non-elastic material deforms under compression to create the fixing action, eliminating the need for thin cutting edges while providing sufficient material thickness to resist corrosion in the fitting's environment.
3Strength
If the holding element is designed with complex cutting edges, then the mechanical fixing is improved, but the sealing against corrosive media deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed as a homogeneous ring-shaped structure without complex geometric features, cutting edges, or openings. This simple, continuous ring configuration provides both mechanical fixing through compression and effective sealing by presenting a uniform barrier that prevents corrosive media from penetrating into the fitting's interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple ring design, while providing adequate sealing, can be easily replaced if needed, accepting the holding element as a consumable component rather than a permanent fixture. This simplifies the design and eliminates complex sealing features that would be difficult to manufacture.
4Ease of operation
If a recess remains in the holding element after pressing to ensure compressibility, then the ease of compression is improved, but the sealing against corrosive media deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach to compressibility by using material properties rather than geometric features. The soft, non-elastic material allows the ring to compress uniformly under pressure without requiring recesses or openings. The material's inherent deformability provides the necessary compressibility while maintaining a continuous sealing surface.
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
This configuration provides an additional sealing effect independent of temperature and medium, enhances the emergency running properties of the fitting, and prevents the ingress of corrosive media, while being cost-effective and simple to produce, thus addressing the limitations of existing fittings.
Implementation Method 1
at least the press section of the fitting is pressed radially inward with the pipe end, in particular using a press machine, thereby creating a tight, permanent connection
Implementation Method 2
The holding element usually consists of a hard, non-elastic material and enters into a non-positive or positive connection with the workpiece, in particular by pressing or cutting into the workpiece
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a fitting for producing a leaktight connection with a pipe end (4), having at least one pressing portion (6) which is designed for the insertion of a pipe end (4) and for pressing, having at least one sealing element (10) and having at least one retaining element (12), wherein the sealing element (10) and the retaining element (12) are arranged in the pressing portion (6), wherein the retaining element (12) is substantially annular, wherein the annular shape defines a circumferential direction and an axial direction and wherein the retaining element (12) has two ends (18, 18') with respect to the circumferential direction. The object of specifying a fitting with a retaining element (12) that has improved corrosion protection and can be produced in particular in a cost-effective manner is achieved in that the retaining element (12) has at each of the two ends (18, 18') at least one contact surface (20, 20', 20a, 20a', 20b, 20b') which extends at least partially in the circumferential direction and that the contact surfaces (20, 20', 20a, 20a', 20b, 20b') are designed to be brought into contact with one another upon pressing the pressing portion (6). The invention further relates to a system and a method for producing a leaktight connection between a fitting (2) according to the invention and a pipe end (4).