Segmented Pipe Connector for Pressed Axial Force Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connectors for plastic pipes, particularly those used in underground supply lines, face challenges such as high installation costs due to long welding and cooling times, difficulty in cold forming due to large wall thicknesses, and complex manufacturing processes, especially when dealing with axial and radial forces.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector with a segmented sleeve-like base body, composed of multiple identical segments, allows for easy installation by pressing, evenly distributing forces during connection, and utilizing bridge retaining elements to transmit axial forces, reducing wall thickness and material consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If pipe connectors use large wall thicknesses to withstand axial forces, then strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates because cold forming becomes almost impossible or very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is divided into multiple base body segments arranged circumferentially. Each segment can be cold formed independently using a pressing tool, avoiding the difficulty of cold forming large-thickness monolithic structures. The segments collectively provide the necessary axial force resistance through their combined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe connector uses a composite structure combining multiple base body segments with retaining elements. This composite design allows thin-walled segments to achieve the overall strength needed for axial force resistance while remaining amenable to cold forming processes.
2Reliability
If pipe connectors use large wall thicknesses to ensure sufficient compressive and tensile strength, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to inability to use injection molding and requirement for complex machining processes
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is segmented into multiple circumferential segments that can be manufactured using simple injection molding processes. Each segment is independently moldable, avoiding the need for complex machining. The segmented structure maintains connection reliability while enabling straightforward manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes from requiring large wall thicknesses to using multiple thin-walled segments. This parameter change enables the use of injection molding instead of complex machining, reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the multi-segment configuration.
3Strength
If pipe connectors are designed as monolithic structures to transmit axial forces, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because inserting pipe ends becomes more difficult in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is divided into multiple circumferential segments that can be compressed independently during the pressing operation. This segmentation allows the retaining elements to engage pipe ends more easily in confined spaces, improving ease of operation while the complete segmented structure maintains axial force transmission capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If pipe connectors use non-metallic materials to reduce weight and cost, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength deteriorates because large wall thicknesses are required which are difficult to cold form
Solution Approach 1:
The non-metallic base body is segmented into multiple thin-walled circumferential segments. This segmentation allows the use of non-metallic materials (improving ease of manufacture) while the multi-segment configuration collectively provides sufficient axial force resistance. Each segment can be cold formed from non-metallic material, and together they achieve the required strength.
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 enables a fast, secure, and durable connection with reduced material and manufacturing costs, suitable for larger pipe cross-sections, while maintaining structural integrity under axial and radial forces.
Implementation Method 1
cold forming using a pressing tool, as is known for metallic press connectors for pipes, for example
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe connector for tightly connecting a first pipe end to a second pipe end, with a sleeve-like base body which has a first receptacle for inserting a first pipe end and a second receptacle for inserting a second pipe end, with first retaining elements in the area of the first receptacle, which are designed to fixate a first pipe end inserted into the first receptacle in the first receptacle after the pipe connector has been pressed, and with second retaining elements in the area of the second receptacle, which are designed to fixate a second pipe end inserted into the first receptacle after the pipe connector has been pressed, wherein the base body is formed from a plurality of base body segments arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction. The invention further relates to a use of the pipe connector and to a method for tightly connecting a first pipe end to a second pipe end.