U-Shaped Driver Stop for Pipe Coupling Seal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connection technologies risk damaging the sealing ring when inserting a pipe end, especially with metal pipes, due to the lack of secure guidance for the protective ring, leading to potential deformation and failure of the seal.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped driver stop is integrated into the protective ring, encompassing the pipe end's end face on both sides, ensuring secure axial displacement and preventing deflection, thus protecting the sealing ring and enhancing the sealing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective ring is provided on the connection nipple to cover the sealing ring, then the risk of damage to the sealing ring is reduced, but the driver stop can be deflected by the pipe end towards the connection nipple causing the pipe end to slide over the protective ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing ring protectionVSAvoiddriver stop position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The driver stop is changed from a single-sided radial projection to a U-shaped cross-section that embraces the pipe end from both inside and outside, adding dimensional coverage to prevent deflection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The U-shaped driver stop combines multiple protective functions into a single structure: it provides the driving surface for axial displacement, prevents radial deflection through bilateral embracing, and maintains positioning stability throughout the insertion process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the protective ring is supported in front of the sealing ring, then the sealing ring is held under pretension, but this creates resistance to pipe end insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing ring positioningVSAvoidpipe end insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective ring is designed as a consumable component that is discarded after use, allowing it to be positioned in front of the sealing ring without creating insertion resistance, as it is replaced with each new pipe connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The support function for the sealing ring is extracted from the protective ring's primary position, allowing the protective ring to be placed in front of the sealing ring without holding it under pretension, thereby reducing insertion resistance while maintaining sealing reliability through the U-shaped driver stop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2706278B1Plug-in coupling for a pipe, in particular for water pipes

Publication Date: 2017.09.06 KE KELIT KUNSTSTOFFWERK GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The coupler has an inner seal ring (5) arranged between a tubular coupling piece (2) and a tube end (1). A protective ring (8) is supported and axially displaceable with respect to the coupling piece. The protective ring forms a radially managing U-shaped driver stop (9) at an end face of the tube end. The protective ring comprises the U-shaped driver stop in cross-section at inner and outer sides of the end face of the tube end. The tubular coupling piece encloses a clutch sleeve (3) with the inner seal ring.