Detachable Sealed Male-Female Joint With Tool-Free Arresting Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connection technologies require numerous complex components, leading to high manufacturing costs, risk of damage, and difficulties in assembly and disassembly, especially in industrial settings, where components may be missing or require specialized tools.

Innovation Solution

A detachable and optionally sealed interconnection system between a male and female construction part using a resilient arresting member with a conical groove and radial resting surfaces, allowing for smooth insertion and adjustable diameter, enabling easy assembly and disassembly without additional tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a resilient ring is used to secure the interconnection between male and female parts, then the connection can be maintained without additional components, but the ring is exposed to extreme stresses and may be impressed into the groove or damage the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidresilient ring strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient ring is divided into two separate components: a resilient expansion element that provides the securing function and a separate thick-walled insertion element that provides structural strength. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A thick-walled insertion element acts as an intermediary between the resilient expansion element and the groove. This intermediate component absorbs and distributes the extreme stresses, preventing the resilient ring from being impressed into the groove or damaging the surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a thin resilient ring is used to fit into the groove, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contact area is just a line and not a surface, exposing both the ring and contact surfaces to extreme stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresilient ring designVSAvoidconnection reliability under load
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design segments the functional elements: the resilient expansion element provides the securing action while the separate thick-walled insertion element provides the structural support and surface contact area needed to distribute loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion element changes the physical parameters of the connection by providing a thick-walled structure with sufficient contact area, transforming the stress distribution from concentrated line contact to distributed surface contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a special tool is required to compress the resilient ring for disassembly, then the connection can be securely maintained, but the ease of operation is reduced and additional tools are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion element is designed to be manually compressible between fingers, allowing the user to perform the compression function that would otherwise require a special tool. The component serves itself by incorporating the necessary geometric features for easy manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring a tool to compress the ring from the outside, the design allows compression from the inside by inverting the manipulation approach - the user compresses the expansion element between fingers to reduce its diameter for removal.

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

4Reliability

If multiple complex components are used to establish a sealed connection, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the risk of damage to individual components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged into the expansion element itself through integration of a sealing bead, eliminating the need for separate sealing components. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts, manufacturing steps, and potential failure points while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the securing action through expansion, creates the seal through the integrated sealing bead, and distributes loads through its thick-walled structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components.

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

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 system provides a reliable, cost-effective, and stress-reduced connection that can be easily assembled and disassembled, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement without damaging components, suitable for various materials and applications.

Implementation Method 1

said arresting member (3) is a resilient ring, which is due to allowing a reversible changing of its diameter circumferentially discontinued

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3884194B1Arrangement of detachable and optionally sealed interconnection between a male and female construction part
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA
  • EP3884194B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The purpose of the invention is to create, by means of simple measures and by using a small number of necessary components, a simple and reliable detachable interconnection between a female construction part (2) and a male construction part (1), which is axially insertable there-into. Such interconnection should be feasible both in the case, when said parts (1, 2) are tubular, as well as in the case, when one of said part (1, 2) is blank i.e. has a blank transversal cross-section. Besides, said interconnection between both construction parts (1, 2) may optionally also be sealed, and in each case such interconnection can be established quickly and simply, and upon that also quickly and simply disassembled, which is generally performed without any need on using supplemental parts or tools to this aim. To this aim, said male part (1) and said female part (2) are in their at least partially overlapping position along a common geometric axis (100) of said receiving cavity (21) in a female part (2) and said inserting protrusion (11) on said male part (1) detachably connectable with each other by means of an arresting member (3), and moreover, said interconnection between said male part (1) and said female part (2) is optionally sealable by means of at least one seal (4).