Sealing Sleeve Segmentation for Pipe Connection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing sleeves for connecting pipes, especially corrugated tubes, face issues with stability, ease of assembly, and reliability due to high connecting forces, O-ring slippage, and unclear pipe positioning, leading to potential leaks and deformation of seals.
Innovation Solution
A sealing sleeve design featuring a sleeve element with a pipe section, a sealing section, and an insert section, including elastic seals and latching elements for secure engagement, allowing for easy assembly and secure holding of pipes without requiring extensive training or tools, with features like snap-in openings and retaining catches for enhanced stability and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high connecting forces are used to secure the pipe in the socket, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates as the pipe must be pushed with great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into multiple functional parts: a socket portion, a pipe portion with locking claws, and a separate sealing element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the locking claws provide mechanical retention while the sealing element ensures leak prevention, reducing the overall assembly force required
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is pre-installed in the socket portion before the pipe is inserted. This preliminary action ensures that the seal is already in position and properly oriented, eliminating the need for high insertion forces to push the seal through the pipe during assembly
2Reliability
If the O-ring is placed over the pipe and then inserted into the sleeve with the pipe, then the sealing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-installed in the socket portion before the pipe is inserted. This preliminary action ensures that the seal is already in position and properly oriented, eliminating the need for high insertion forces to push the seal through the pipe during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The socket portion acts as an intermediary structure that holds the sealing element in place during assembly. This intermediary arrangement allows the seal to be positioned correctly without requiring it to be stretched over the pipe first, simplifying the overall assembly process
3Strength
If the seal is pressed into a one-piece shell, then the structural integrity is improved, but the seal deformation increases leading to insufficient sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into a socket portion and a pipe portion, with the sealing element as a separate component. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be installed in the socket portion without being subjected to high compression forces that would cause deformation, while still achieving a secure mechanical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The socket portion is designed with specific local features including a sealing surface and a retention groove that accommodate the sealing element. These localized structural adaptations ensure proper seal positioning and prevent deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity
4Device complexity
If locking claws are designed to hold both the sliding sleeve and the corrugated pipe, then the function is consolidated, but the reliability decreases as misalignment can block the pipe insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into two separate components: locking claws on the pipe portion that engage with the socket portion, and a separate sealing element. This segmentation ensures that the locking mechanism and sealing function are independent, so misalignment of one does not block the other during insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The socket portion serves as an intermediary structure that guides the pipe portion during insertion. The guiding surfaces and retention groove in the socket portion ensure proper alignment of the locking claws before engagement, preventing blocking during the insertion process
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 solution provides a sturdy, easy-to-assemble sealing sleeve that securely connects pipes with minimal effort, reduces the risk of leaks, and maintains seal integrity by ensuring proper positioning and reducing deformation, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of pipe connections.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing sleeve (100) for sealingly connecting to at least one installation pipe (4), with a sealing area (13) arranged between the pipe area (11) and the insert area (14), and having an elastic seal (2) for establishing a sealed connection with at least one installation pipe (4)
Implementation Method 2
an insert (3) with at least one first connecting element (36) for latching the insert (3) with the sleeve element (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
A sealing sleeve for sealing connection with at least one installation pipe (4) comprises a sleeve element (1) with a pipe section (11) and a sleeve section (12), wherein the sleeve section (12) has a sealing section (13) and an insertion section (14). The sealing sleeve also comprises an elastic seal (2) for creating a sealed connection with at least one installation pipe (4), wherein the seal (2) can be arranged in the sealing section (13) of the sleeve element (1). Furthermore, the sealing sleeve comprises an insert (3) with at least one first connecting element (36) for snapping the insert (3) into the sleeve element (1) and with at least one retaining lug (35) for holding an installation pipe (4), wherein the insert (3) can be inserted into the insertion section (14) of the sleeve element (1).The sealing area (13) is arranged between the pipe area (11) and the insertion area (14), and the sleeve element (1) has at least one second connecting element (16) in the insertion area (14) with which the at least one first connecting element (36) of the insert (3) can be snapped into place.