Segmented Pipe Inner-Layer Connection Members for Accurate Lining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe repair structures face challenges in accurately disposing inner surface materials, requiring excessive labor and leading to unevenness and increased costs due to the need for expensive molds and complex assembly processes, especially for large-diameter pipes like sewerage pipes.

Innovation Solution

A pipe inner-layer structure featuring fixed members with band-like connection members that include first and second fitting portions, allowing for accurate placement and adjustment of inner surface materials, reducing labor requirements and preventing unevenness, with the connection members being divided and disposed on fixed members to simplify installation and enhance durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blocks made of synthetic resin are used to repair the pre-installed pipe, then the inner surface can be covered, but expensive molds are required and high cost and lot of labor are needed to assemble the blocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner surface coverageVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection member is divided into multiple segments (first connection member and second connection member) that can be assembled separately and then connected together. This segmentation allows for easier handling and assembly of large-diameter pipes while maintaining the integrity of the inner surface coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the connection member with the inner surface material in an integrated structure, where the connection member includes fitting portions that directly engage with the inner surface material. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Length of moving object

If continuous bodies of inner-surface members are used to increase repair length, then transport and manufacturing facilities problems are solved, but lot of labor is required to lock the inner-surface members to many fitting portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair lengthVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection member is segmented into multiple parts that can be independently positioned and then connected. This allows the inner surface material to span longer distances while maintaining ease of installation through modular assembly rather than requiring complex locking mechanisms at multiple fitting portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection member is designed with universal fitting portions that can engage with various types of inner surface materials and pipe configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single connection member design to handle different repair lengths and pipe sizes, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and simplifying the installation process.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If band-like synthetic resin inner surface materials are disposed along the circumferential direction, then the projected stripes can be fitted to notches, but the inner surface materials cannot be accurately disposed and unevenness is formed in the pipe-axial direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisposition easeVSAvoiddisposition precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection member incorporates asymmetric fitting portions with different shapes and orientations that correspond to specific notches in the inner surface material. This asymmetry ensures that the inner surface material can only be disposed in the correct orientation, preventing unevenness in the pipe-axial direction while maintaining ease of manufacture through the fitting design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The notches and fitting portions are pre-formed with precise geometries during manufacturing, establishing the correct disposition orientation before installation. This preliminary action ensures that when the inner surface material is installed, it automatically achieves the correct positioning and orientation, eliminating unevenness without requiring complex adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2913451B1Pipe inner-layer structure and connection member used therein
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 TAKIRON ENG
  • EP2913451B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP2913451B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP2913451B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

To provide a pipe inner-layer structure that allows inner surface materials to be accurately disposed, includes inner surface materials, simplifies installation work by saving labor in assembling component members, and has durability over a long period of time even after the completion of work, the pipe inner-layer structure of a pipe includes: fixed members 2 that are installed along an inner peripheral surface of a pre-installed pipe 1 at intervals in the pipe-axial direction of the pre-installed pipe 1; connection members 3 that are disposed on the fixed members 2 and include first fitting portions 31 to which an inner surface material 4 is fitted and second fitting portions 32 for installation to the fixed member 2; and the inner surface material 4 in the shape of a band, which is fitted to the first fitting portions 31 of the connection members 3 and is provided across fixed members 2 adjacent to each other in the pipe-axial direction. The connection members 3 are adapted so as to be divided and disposed on the fixed members 2 through the second fitting portions 32 included in the respective connection members 3.