Profiled Tube Fluid Channeling with Angular Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for connecting and distributing fluids in pressure or depression suffer from unstable tube fixation due to reduced fixing surfaces and unbalanced force distribution, leading to bulkiness and poor versatility, as well as issues with shrinkage and fragility in hot extrusion processes.

Innovation Solution

The system employs extruded profiled tubes with T-section longitudinal notches and angular grooves, providing a larger support surface for connection plates and screws, and a square section with uniform thickness to ensure stable fixation and reduced volume in assembled condition, using fixing means that cooperate with both longitudinal and angular grooves, and incorporating cylindrical couplings with seal rings for fluid sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plates are screwed to tubes with longitudinal grooves, then tubes can be connected, but the fixing surface is reduced leading to unstable tube fixation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube fixation stabilityVSAvoidfixing surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a third dimension by creating angular grooves that extend radially inward from the tube surface, transforming the fixing interface from a two-dimensional surface attachment to a three-dimensional interlocking structure. The connection plate engages both the longitudinal groove (providing linear guidance) and the angular groove (providing radial support), creating a multi-dimensional fixing architecture that significantly increases the effective fixing surface area and stability without increasing the protrusion volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If longitudinal grooves are provided on tube walls, then tubes can be connected, but the stems of fixing screws become unbalanced leading to unstable fixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidforce distribution balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs asymmetric groove geometry where the angular groove is positioned at a 45-degree angle relative to the tube axis and intersects the longitudinal groove at a specific angle. This asymmetric configuration creates a balanced force distribution system where the connection plate experiences equal support forces from both groove types, preventing the unbalanced force distribution that occurs with longitudinal grooves alone and eliminating the instability caused by uneven screw stem loading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If plates and screw heads protrude from tubes, then connections can be made, but the volume increases causing bulkiness and poor versatility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidassembled volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a nested groove structure where the angular groove is positioned within the radial depth of the tube wall and the longitudinal groove extends along the tube surface. The connection plate is nested within the combined groove structure, with its support surface engaged inside the angular groove and its guiding edge engaged in the longitudinal groove. This nesting arrangement allows the connection mechanism to be embedded within the tube structure itself, eliminating the need for large protruding plates and screw heads, thereby reducing the overall assembled volume while maintaining full connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2677222B1A system for channeling and distributing fluids in pressure or depression
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 C T A S R L DEI FRAT TORRESI
  • EP2677222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A system for channeling and distributing fluids in pressure or depression comprising: at least one pair of consecutive profiled tubes (3) that are mutually connected, each of them comprising four longitudinal side walls (31) and four longitudinal corners (32); each of said profiled tubes (3) being provided, in the proximity of at least one of said corners (32), with two longitudinal grooves (5); said longitudinal grooves (5) comprising a cavity (52), an opening (50) and a pair of lateral wings (51) that define said opening (50); fixing means (7, 8) that connect said pair of consecutive profiled tubes (3); at least one corner of each profiled tube (3) comprises an angular groove (6) obtained on the corner (32), such angular groove (6) is provided with a basically T- shaped section inclined by 45° towards the center of the profiled tube (3).