Slotted Locking Ring for Corrugated Pipe Water-Impact Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection arrangements for corrugated pipes are either complex and prone to damage or fail to ensure a reliable, tight connection, particularly when subjected to high-pressure cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement featuring a single latching unit with a slotted ring locking element carrier, where latching elements are arranged in a continuous sequence for enhanced sealing and impact resistance, and a U-shaped base element with integral securing and guide surfaces to ensure secure engagement and non-destructive detachment, along with a sealing element for fluid-tight performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single locking unit with continuous locking elements is used, then connection reliability and tightness are improved, but device complexity increases due to the continuous sequence requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection tightnessVSAvoidlocking unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are connected by thin membranes (less than 0.1 mm thick, preferably less than 0.05 mm) that form a flexible continuous structure. These membranes allow the locking elements to expand and contract while maintaining connectivity, creating an effective baffle against high-pressure water without requiring a rigid complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The locking unit is designed to be dynamically removable and installable. The locking elements can expand to engage with the corrugated tube during installation, then contract to allow removal. This dynamic behavior enables a single locking unit to provide reliable continuous coverage while maintaining ease of installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If locking elements are arranged in continuous sequence around the circumference, then resistance to high-pressure water impact is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater impact resistanceVSAvoidlocking element assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thin flexible membranes connecting adjacent locking elements can be easily manufactured and assembled. Their flexibility allows them to conform to the corrugated tube surface while maintaining continuous coverage. The membranes are thin enough to tear when needed for expansion but sufficient to form an effective baffle against water pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous locking structure is segmented into discrete locking elements connected by membranes. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured separately and then assembled in sequence around the corrugated tube, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining continuous coverage for water pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the locking unit is designed for secure engagement, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement securityVSAvoidremoval ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements exhibit dynamic behavior - they expand to engage securely with the corrugated tube during installation, providing reliable holding. For removal, the locking elements can contract and the membranes can tear or detach, allowing easy removal without requiring complex release mechanisms. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between secure engagement and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 simple, robust, and reliable connection that withstands high-pressure cleaning, ensures secure holding of the corrugated pipe, and prevents unintentional detachment, while maintaining the integrity of the sealing mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the locking elements, arranged substantially continuously next to one another around the entire circumference of the slotted ring, can form a baffle that deflects the force of the impacting water away from the sealing elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBaffle effect:

Implementation Method 2

the locking element carrier can also elastically deflect the inserted corrugated tube in these sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deflection: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the locking unit comprise at least one locking element which can be engaged with a corresponding counter-locking element of the base body to secure the locking unit to the base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3581838B1Connection arrangement for corrugated pipe
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 FRISCHE IND PIPES
  • EP3581838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581838B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (10) for connecting to a corrugated tube (12). The connection arrangement (10) comprises a base body (14) with a receiving recess (14a) for receiving the corrugated tube (12) and a locking unit (16) that can be inserted into the receiving recess (14a) through a circumferential opening (14c) of the base body (14). The locking unit (16) comprises a locking element carrier (20) and a plurality of locking elements (22) formed integrally with the locking element carrier (20). The locking elements (22) are configured to engage in a corrugation trough (12b) of the corrugated tube (12) and to resist movement of the corrugated tube (12) out of the receiving recess. According to the invention, the locking element carrier (20) is designed as a slotted ring, with the locking elements (22) arranged uniformly distributed along the circumference of the locking element carrier (20).