Sealing Sleeve and Mounting Section for Concealed Pipe

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for ensuring a closed water flow through a wall cladding from a concealed pipe to the room side are prone to leaks due to inadequate sealing, which can lead to undetected moisture damage, and require complex coordination between plumbers and tilers for precise installation and sealing.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a sealing sleeve that surrounds the connecting piece of the flush-mounted pipe, with a building plug inserted within, providing a continuous watertight seal from the concealed pipe to the room side, allowing for leak detection and remediation, and maintaining the seal throughout the construction process without requiring significant adjustments or specialized sealing collars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a building plug is used to seal the connecting piece and a sealing sleeve is pulled over it, then the connecting piece can be sealed watertight, but high friction between the building plug and sealing sleeve can damage the sealing sleeve and impair its sealing capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidsealing sleeve integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mounting section as an intermediary element between the building plug and the sealing sleeve. This mounting section features an outer profile that contacts the building plug and an inner profile that contacts the sealing sleeve, acting as a mediator that reduces direct friction and prevents damage to the sealing sleeve while maintaining the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the building plug for blocking, the sealing sleeve for sealing, and the mounting section for facilitating assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others, particularly protecting the sealing sleeve from damage during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the sealing sleeve is expanded to the size of the building plug over a long period, then it can seal the building plug, but it often does not contract sufficiently after the building plug is removed and is therefore only insufficiently in contact with the fitting connection piece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing contactVSAvoidsealing sleeve elasticity duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting section serves as a permanent intermediary structure that maintains the sealing relationship after the building plug is removed. The sealing sleeve seals against the mounting section rather than relying on contraction from the building plug, ensuring continuous sealing contact throughout the service life of the installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the connecting piece is sealed with a building plug during shell construction, then the water pipe can be tested for leaks, but the construction process requires complex coordination between plumbers, tilers, and fine installation craftsmen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak detection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting section is designed as a universal component that serves multiple functions: it facilitates initial sealing during shell construction, maintains sealing during wall cladding installation, and enables final fitting connection during fine installation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components for each construction phase and simplifies coordination between different craftsmen.

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

4Ease of operation

If a passage is provided in the wall cladding for the water pipe, then water flow to the room side is enabled, but there is a risk that water from the room side can get through to the flush-mounted side and cause permanent damage to the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater flow accessibilityVSAvoidmoisture damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing sleeve acts as a flexible sealing barrier that conforms to the mounting section and blocking body, creating a moisture-tight seal around the passage through the wall cladding. This flexible sealing membrane prevents water from penetrating through the passage to the flush-mounted side while allowing the water pipe to pass through.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3967815A1Kit with stoppers and sealing sleeve
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 TECE GMBH
  • EP3967815A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3967815A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3967815A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for providing a closed water flow from a cylindrically shaped connection nozzle 5 of a concealed pipe 50 of a water line, which is arranged on a concealed side of a wall covering, through the wall covering to a room side of the wall covering, wherein, in preparation for the construction of the wall covering, the connection nozzle 5 of the concealed pipe 50 is sealed watertight with a construction plug 2.To prepare for the installation of the wall cladding, a sealing sleeve 1 with a mounting section 11, which is arranged at a first axial end of the sealing sleeve 1, is arranged circumferentially around the connection stub 5 of the concealed pipe 50 and the construction plug 2, which seals the connection stub 5 watertight, is arranged inside the sealing sleeve 1, wherein after the installation of the wall cladding, a continuous guide is provided by the sealing sleeve 1 from the connection stub 5 of the concealed pipe to the room side of the wall cladding and the construction plug 2 is accessible from a second axial end of the sealing sleeve 1, which is arranged on the room side of the wall cladding.