Segmented Pipe Connector for Fast Leak-Safe Crimped Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe connectors for plastic pipes, particularly in underground supply lines, face challenges such as high installation effort due to long welding and cooling times, difficulty in deformation for cold forming, and increased material usage for large wall thicknesses to withstand radial and axial forces, making them unsuitable for easy installation and robustness under construction site conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pipe connector with a segmented base body formed from multiple, individually made and assembled segments, allowing for cold deformation and uniform radial force distribution without internal support, using bridge keeping elements to transfer axial forces and reduce material usage, enabling easy installation and durable connections for larger pipe cross-sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional compression connectors use large wall thicknesses to withstand radial and axial forces, then strength and reliability are improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates because plastic components with large wall thicknesses are almost impossible or very difficult to cold-form
Solution Approach 1:
The base body is divided into multiple base body segments arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction. These segments can be cold-formed individually and then assembled, avoiding the cold-forming difficulties of large-thickness monolithic components while maintaining the required strength through proper segment design and arrangement.
2Reliability
If conventional pipe connectors use integrated electrofusion coils for bonding, then reliability of connection is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to very long welding and cooling times
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal/electrofusion bonding system is replaced with a mechanical pressing system. The pipe connector is pressed together with the pipe ends using a pressing tool, creating a secure mechanical connection that eliminates the need for long welding and cooling times while maintaining connection reliability.
3Reliability
If pipe connectors with internal support bodies are used, then reliability of connection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because inserting pipe ends becomes more difficult, especially in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The internal support body is removed from the design. Instead of having internal support elements that complicate insertion, the base body segments themselves provide the necessary structural support, allowing pipe ends to be easily inserted even in confined spaces while maintaining connection reliability.
4Device complexity
If conventional compression connectors are made as single-piece components, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the inability to cold-form large wall thicknesses and the need for complex mechanical processing
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece base body is segmented into multiple base body segments. Each segment can be cold-formed independently using standard processes, then assembled together. This segmentation enables the use of cold-forming for manufacturing while maintaining the structural integrity required for withstanding radial and axial forces.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe connector (100, 200, 300, 400) for tightly connecting a first pipe end (4) to a second pipe end (6), comprising a sleeve-like base body (102, 202) having a first receptacle (104, 204) for inserting a first pipe end (4) and a second receptacle (106, 206) for inserting a second pipe end (6), with first retaining elements (116, 216) in the region of the first receptacle (104, 204) designed to fix a first pipe end (4) inserted into the first receptacle (104, 204) after crimping the pipe connector (100, 200, 300, 400) in the first receptacle (104, 204), and with second retaining elements (120, 220) in the region of the second receptacle (106, 206), which are designed to fix a second pipe end (6) inserted into the second receptacle (106, 206) after the pipe connector (100, 200, 300, 400) has been crimped in the second receptacle (106, 206), wherein the base body (102,202) is formed from several base body segments (108, 208) arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The invention further relates to a use of the pipe connector (100, 200, 300, 400) and a method for tightly connecting a first pipe end (4) with a second pipe end (6).