S-Connector Extended Leg for Pipe Fitting Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing S-connectors for connecting water pipes to fittings face challenges in precise adjustment and installation, leading to visual and functional defects due to the limitations of tap extensions, which require significant assembly effort and often result in leaks and consequential damage.

Innovation Solution

An S-connector with a 1/2" male thread of at least 30 mm length, allowing direct screwing into the wall disk and adjustable to exact size, eliminating the need for tap extensions, ensuring precise positioning of the 3/4" external thread for a secure and visually appealing fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tap extensions are used to bridge the distance between the wall plate and the S-connection, then the distance can be adjusted, but the assembly effort increases significantly and precise positioning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustmentVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the distance adjustment function from separate tap extensions and integrates it directly into the S-connection body. The S-connection is provided with an extended leg that protrudes from the wall, allowing the distance to be adjusted by selecting different leg lengths rather than assembling multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the wall plate connection function and the distance extension function into a single integrated S-connection component. The extended leg is formed as an integral part of the S-connection, combining what were previously separate elements (wall plate, tap extensions, and S-connection) into one unified component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Length of stationary object

If tap extensions are used to achieve precise positioning, then the distance can be bridged, but visual defects occur due to exposed threads and the fitting cannot be properly sealed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance bridgingVSAvoidsealing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs the positioning action in advance by providing the extended leg with a predetermined length that protrudes exactly the required distance from the wall. This preliminary positioning ensures that the fitting can be correctly installed and sealed without requiring additional adjustment or resulting in exposed threads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of stationary object

If multiple tap extensions are combined to bridge larger distances, then the reach is increased, but the assembly time increases to two hours or more and leakage risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance reachVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the multi-component assembly requirement and replaces it with a single integrated extended leg component. This eliminates the need to assemble multiple tap extensions with different sealing requirements, reducing assembly time from two hours or more to a single straightforward installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the 3/4" external thread protrudes too far from the wall, then it can be easily accessed, but it cannot be completely covered by the rosette creating a visual defect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread accessibilityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of thread protrusion distance to an optimal value through the extended leg design. The leg length is specifically dimensioned to provide sufficient thread accessibility for fitting installation while ensuring that the thread protrudes exactly the right amount to be completely covered by the rosette, eliminating visual defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3242978B1S-shaped connection for connecting a water pipe to a fitting
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 BERNHARD FRANK
  • EP3242978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3242978B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3242978B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an S-shaped connection for connecting a water pipe and a fitting, comprising: • a 1/2" external thread for connection to the water pipe; and • a 3/4" external thread for connection to the fitting; • a longitudinal axis of the 1/2"external thread and a longitudinal axis of the 3/4" external thread run parallel to and at a distance (d) from each other; said S-shaped connection is characterized in that • the 1/2" external thread has a minimum length (l) of 30 mm.