Pipe Branch Connection Insert for Tight Inliner Transverse Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection systems for pipes to main pipes, especially those renovated with inliners, face challenges in ensuring tightness and universality across various pipe wall thicknesses, requiring a solution that is easy to install, cost-effective, and provides high reliability.

Innovation Solution

A connection system featuring a hollow plug-shaped installation insert with a widened end section and bent tab, incorporating multiple fixing and contact elements, a sealing element that swells with water, and a flexible fixing means, allowing secure contact with the inliner and main pipe surfaces, thus ensuring tightness and adaptability across different pipe thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connection system uses a simple elastomer insert to achieve tightness, then the installation is easy and cost-effective, but it cannot prevent liquid penetration into the gap between the inliner and main pipe

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidconnection system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into multiple functional components: an installation insert with sealing elements for the transverse opening, and a separate inliner seal for preventing liquid penetration into the gap between the inliner and main pipe. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific sealing function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The installation insert acts as an intermediary component between the transverse opening and the inliner, providing a sealing bridge that prevents liquid from penetrating into the gap between the inliner and main pipe while maintaining the simplicity of the overall connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the connection system is designed to be universal for various pipe wall thicknesses, then it increases adaptability, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversality for different pipe wall thicknessesVSAvoidconnection system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The installation insert is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different pipe wall thicknesses. The inliner seal and sealing elements are configured to adapt to various dimensions, allowing the same connection system to be used across different pipe specifications without requiring multiple specialized components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system utilizes parameter changes in the inliner seal dimensions and positioning to adapt to different pipe wall thicknesses. By adjusting the seal parameters rather than changing the overall system structure, the system maintains simplicity while achieving universality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system achieves high reliability and universality in pipe connections, ensuring tightness and ease of installation, even on pipes with varying wall thicknesses, and allows for quick and secure sealing, preventing fluid penetration into gaps between the inliner and main pipe.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing element that swells with water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3985296B1Connection system
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 REHAU IND SE & CO KG
  • EP3985296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985296B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a connection system (100) for connecting a pipe (10) to a main pipe (20), a shaft, or the like, at a transverse opening (30), wherein the connection system (100) is connectable to the main pipe (20) or the shaft for this purpose, with a hollow plug-shaped, at least partially soft installation insert (50), the outer surface (51) of which is adapted to the transverse opening (30), and the inner surface (53) of which has a locking area (52), wherein the installation insert (50) has a flared end section (54) with at least one bent tab (55), which can be partially inserted into the main pipe (20) or shaft by pressing it together with the tab (55) leading through the transverse opening (30), and wherein an outer contact surface (57) of the installation insert (50) is connected to the main pipe (20) in a connected state in which the connection system (100) is connected to the main pipe (20) or shaft is connectedat least partially contacts a main tube inner surface (23) that borders and surrounds the transverse opening (30), and a relatively harder connecting stub (60) which has an engagement end (61), a cylindrical middle section (62) with locking projections (63) and a connecting end (64) which is characterized in that at least one contact element (90) is arranged on the end section (58) of the installation insert (50) opposite the flared end section (54) and at least one fixing element (70) is arranged on the end (59) of the contact surface (57) of the installation insert (50) opposite the flared end section (54).