Pressfitting for a Pipe with Multifunctional Plastic Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing press fittings for pipes lack a multifunctional plastic ring that can simultaneously serve as a press indicator, secure the compression sleeve on the fitting body, and act as a stop for the press tool, while also providing galvanic isolation and position control, in a simple and efficient manner.

Innovation Solution

A press fitting design featuring a compression sleeve with edge recesses for elasticity and a plastic ring that secures the sleeve on the fitting body, provides resilience, and includes axially protruding projections that can be destroyed during compression, serving as a guide and indicator, while also ensuring galvanic isolation and position control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plastic ring is added to secure the compression sleeve and provide indication functions, then the functionality and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure seating of compression sleeveVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single plastic ring component: securing the compression sleeve to the fitting body, providing compression indication through destroyable projections, and acting as a stop for the compression tool. This consolidation improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as one multifunctional element replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic ring is designed as a universal element that simultaneously performs multiple functions: mechanical securing (through engagement with edge recesses), indication (through projections that break during compression), and tool guidance (as a stop surface). This multi-functionality addresses the contradiction by making a single component serve several purposes that would traditionally require separate elements.

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

2Ease of operation

If the compression sleeve is made elastic through edge recesses for easy assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly of compression sleeveVSAvoidstructural integrity of compression sleeve
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The compression sleeve is segmented with edge recesses that create flexible zones allowing the sleeve to expand and contract during assembly and compression. These recesses divide the continuous structure into sections that can move independently, enabling easy assembly while the overall circular geometry maintains structural strength through the distributed reinforcement of the recess features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design ensures secure seating of the compression sleeve on the fitting body without deformation, allows for easy assembly and twisting of the sleeve, maintains position control visibility, and provides effective galvanic isolation, while the plastic ring's projections indicate compression and guide the press tool.

Implementation Method 1

They usually have a compression sleeve, which is radially deformed by means of a compression tool, as a result of which the connection end of the pipe surrounded by the compression sleeve is pressed against a supporting body of the fitting and sealed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the plastic ring having at least one axially protruding projection which extends into the compression area of the compression sleeve and which can be destroyed when the compression tool acts on the compression sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial destruction by compression: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP1933073B1Pressfitting for a pipe
Publication Date: 2010.02.24 UPONOR INNOVATION AB
  • EP1933073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1933073B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1933073B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The press fitting (10) for a pipe, particularly a plastic pipe, consists of a fitting body (12) with a support body (16) in which a pipe is slideable. The press fitting has a press sleeve (30) with a holding end (34) on which the fitting body is held. There is a press region (66) on the holding end in which a pressing tool (62) operates.