Slotted Reinforcement Sleeve for Thin-Walled Cutting Ring Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting ring screw fittings for thin-walled metal and plastic pipes face challenges in achieving reliable connections due to permissible diameter and wall thickness tolerances, leading to deformation and impaired connection quality.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement sleeve with an axial slot is used, allowing for preload adjustment to equalize inside diameter tolerances and provide uniform axial positioning, which is achieved by compressing the sleeve to fit within the pipe and then relaxing it to lie against the inner wall, ensuring optimal preload and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a reinforcement sleeve is used to stabilize the connection point, then deformation is counteracted, but connection quality is impaired due to tolerance deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement sleeve is segmented by an axial slot that divides the sleeve into two flexible halves. This segmentation allows the sleeve to adapt to pipe inner diameter tolerances while maintaining uniform contact pressure, resolving the contradiction between providing stabilization and ensuring connection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial slot changes the mechanical parameters of the reinforcement sleeve by introducing flexibility. The slot allows the sleeve to deform elastically to match the pipe's inner diameter within tolerance ranges, transforming the sleeve from a rigid component to an adaptive one that maintains optimal contact pressure for both stability and connection quality.
2Force
If the reinforcement sleeve has a greater outside diameter than the pipe inside diameter, then preload can be applied, but tolerance equalization is difficult without an axial slot
Solution Approach 1:
The axial slot segments the reinforcement sleeve, enabling it to be compressed radially with preload force applied while maintaining the ability to expand and equalize tolerance variations. The segmented structure allows the sleeve to conform to the pipe's inner diameter while retaining the applied preload for stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial slot introduces dynamic flexibility to the reinforcement sleeve, allowing it to adapt its shape and size to match pipe tolerance variations. This dynamic capability enables the sleeve to equalize tolerances while maintaining the necessary preload force for stable connections.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the axial slot runs over the entire length of the reinforcement sleeve, then uniform preload is achieved, but the sleeve requires compression for insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion process requires preliminary compression of the reinforcement sleeve to reduce its outer diameter below the pipe's inner diameter. This preliminary action enables the sleeved to be inserted into the pipe, after which it expands to apply uniform preload distribution along its entire length, achieving both ease of insertion and uniform stabilization.
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
This solution effectively stabilizes the connection by equalizing inside diameter tolerances and absorbing forces uniformly, enhancing the reliability and stability of the connection between the cutting ring and pipe, thereby preventing deformation and ensuring a secure fit.
Implementation Method 1
the reinforcement sleeve is able to equalize tolerances within the pipe inside diameter. Due to the slot, the outside diameter of the sleeve can be reduced to such an extent that the sleeve can be introduced into the pipe under a preload
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting ring fitting for a thin-walled pipe, includes: a connecting body having a tapered cone; a cutting ring; a union nut which can be screwed onto the connecting body; and a reinforcing sleeve for insertion into the pipe, the reinforcing sleeve having an axial slot. A pipe includes such a cutting ring fitting, and a method mounts such a cutting ring fitting on a thin-walled pipe.