Heating and ventilation pipeline quick connector

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of pipeline connection, and particularly discloses a heating and ventilation pipeline quick connector which comprises a clamping ring body, a locking piece and a locking detection mechanism, the clamping ring body comprises two arc-shaped clamping bodies connected through a hinge, and sealing components are arranged on the inner side walls of the two arc-shaped clamping bodies; the locking piece is arranged at the end parts of the two arc-shaped clamping bodies; the locking detection mechanism is arranged on the peripheral wall of the clamping ring body and comprises a clamping anti-disengaging component connected with the clamping ring body and a sealing leakage detection component arranged on the opposite end face of the clamping ring body. The clamping anti-falling component is located at the two rotationally connected ends and extends to an inner cavity and an end opening of the clamping ring body respectively; the sealing leakage detection component comprises an elastic inflatable part which can be extruded by the clamping anti-falling component and a flexible detection pipe which is arranged at a port of the arc-shaped clamping body and is communicated with the elastic inflatable part, a liquid-sensitive color-changing medium is arranged on the flexible detection pipe, and the connector can be rapidly installed, improves the air tightness of the connecting position and realizes visual feedback of leakage at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pipe connection technology, and in particular to a quick connector for HVAC pipes. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of building HVAC and centralized heating systems, HVAC ducts are primarily used for transporting media such as hot water, cold water, and steam. The reliability of duct connections directly determines the system's operational efficiency and stability. Currently, the mainstream HVAC duct connection methods in the industry are flange connections and clamp (grooved) connections. Flange connections are mostly used for large-diameter, high-pressure applications, while clamp connections are widely used in conventional HVAC water systems and ventilation ducts due to their ease of installation. Together, they cover most of the duct connection needs of building electromechanical engineering.

[0003] Existing flange connections involve first fixing the flanges to the ends of two pipes by welding or threading, ensuring precise alignment of the sealing surfaces of the two flanges. A gasket is placed between the sealing surfaces, and then bolts are tightened evenly in groups distributed circumferentially. The preload of the bolts compresses the gasket, causing it to undergo elastic or plastic deformation and fill the tiny gaps in the flange sealing surfaces, thus achieving pipe connection and sealing. Clamp connections, on the other hand, involve first machining standard grooves on the pipe ends using a grooving machine. A special rubber sealing ring is then placed at the joint of the two pipes, and the clamp (including the upper and lower semi-arc clamps) is fastened to the outside of the groove. The clamp is then locked with bolts, ensuring a tight fit between the clamp's groove engagement structure and the pipe groove. Simultaneously, the rubber sealing ring is compressed, and the radial pressure of the sealing ring achieves pipe connection and sealing.

[0004] However, existing connection structures cannot simultaneously achieve rapid connection and high airtightness. Flange connections require precise alignment and bolt tightening group by group, making the installation process cumbersome and time-consuming, and cannot meet the needs of efficient assembly. While clamp connections are quick to install, their sealing effect relies entirely on the compression deformation of the rubber sealing ring, making it difficult to guarantee sealing reliability under high-pressure conditions. Furthermore, whether it is a flange connection or a clamp connection, the airtightness must be verified by additional pressure tests and soap solution tests after installation. It is impossible to confirm the sealing effect in a timely manner after the connection is completed or during subsequent use. If airtightness defects are caused by assembly deviations, impurities, or other hidden problems, media leakage will not only reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the HVAC system and increase energy consumption, but may also cause equipment corrosion or building structure damage due to hot water or steam leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application aims to propose a quick connector for HVAC ducts, so as to at least solve the technical problem that the connection structure of HVAC ducts in the prior art is difficult to achieve quick connection, high airtightness and real-time synchronous confirmation of sealing effect.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a quick connector for HVAC ducts, comprising: The main body of the retaining ring includes two arc-shaped retaining bodies connected by a hinge, and the inner sidewalls of the two arc-shaped retaining bodies are fitted with sealing components; A locking element is provided at the ends of the two arc-shaped clips opposite to the hinged connection, for locking and fixing the two arc-shaped clips; A locking detection mechanism is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring body. The locking detection mechanism includes a locking and anti-disengagement component rotatably connected to the retaining ring body, and a sealing and leak detection component provided on the opposite end face of the retaining ring body. The clamping and anti-detachment components extend from the ends of the rotating connection to the inner cavity and port of the retaining ring body, respectively. The sealing and leak detection component includes an elastic air expansion component that can be squeezed by the clamping and anti-detachment components, and a flexible detection tube disposed at the periphery of the port of the arc-shaped retaining body and communicating with the elastic air expansion component. The outer wall of the flexible detection tube is provided with a liquid-sensitive color-changing medium. When the elastic air expansion component is squeezed, the flexible hollow detection tube can fit against the outer wall of the HVAC pipe.

[0007] In some embodiments, the two sets of locking detection mechanisms are respectively arranged at opposite ports near the circlip body, and the two sets of locking detection mechanisms are mirror images of each other in the axial direction of the circlip body.

[0008] In some embodiments, each group of locking detection mechanisms is provided with multiple locking detection mechanisms, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the retaining ring body; the inner sidewall of the arc-shaped retaining body is provided with multiple elastic protrusions at intervals along the circumference, and one end of each locking and anti-disengagement member passes through the arc-shaped retaining body and extends into the elastic protrusion; The elastic protrusion extends radially out of the inner wall of the arc-shaped clamp body. When the HVAC pipe is inserted into the clamp body, it can press the corresponding end of the clamping and anti-disengagement component through the elastic protrusion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the locking and anti-disengagement component includes a support disposed on the outer wall of the arc-shaped clamp body and an arc-shaped gripper rotatably connected to the support. One end of the arc-shaped gripper is rotatably connected to a ball-head rod that penetrates the arc-shaped clamp body and extends into the elastic protrusion. The other end of the arc-shaped gripper extends toward the port of the clamping ring body. When the HVAC pipe is inserted into the clamping ring body, its sidewall presses against one end of the ball-head rod to drive the opposite end of the arc-shaped gripper to rotate radially inward along the clamping ring body, thereby locking and limiting the outer wall of the HVAC pipe.

[0010] In some embodiments, a compression area is formed between the end of the arc-shaped gripper away from the ball head rod and the end face of the arc-shaped clamp body. The elastic air expansion member is fixedly connected to the end face of the arc-shaped clamp body within the compression area. When one end of the arc-shaped gripper rotates radially inward along the clamp body, the elastic air expansion member is compressed simultaneously.

[0011] In some embodiments, the flexible detection tube is coaxially disposed on the end face of the arc-shaped card body. The flexible detection tube includes an inner tube body communicating with the elastic air expansion member and a braided mesh sleeve coaxially sleeved on the inner tube body, wherein the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium is filled between the braided mesh sleeve and the inner tube body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the elastic air inflator includes an air bladder and a plurality of elastic sheets that enclose the air bladder. The elastic sheets are fitted onto the surface of the air bladder and are used to drive the air bladder body to return to its initial state when it is not compressed. The airbag is connected to the inner tube through a connecting tube. The airbag body has an expanded state and a compressed state. When the airbag body switches from the expanded state to the compressed state, it drives the inner tube body to expand radially toward the inner cavity formed by the retaining ring body.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sealing member is located at the middle of the retaining ring body along the axial direction, the sealing member has a pair of relatively close conical guide slopes, a sealing cavity is provided between the two conical guide slopes, and an inner sealing ring communicating with the sealing cavity is fixed at the inner intersection of the two conical guide slopes. Wherein, the diameter of the projected profile of the inner sealing ring along the axial direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the HVAC pipe, and when the two HVAC pipes are connected by the connector, the inner sealing ring is at least partially located between the opposite end faces of the two HVAC pipes.

[0014] In some embodiments, the locking member includes a locking screw fixedly connected to the end of one of the arc-shaped clamps, and a screw-on nut seat threadedly connected to the locking screw. The screw-on nut seat abuts against the end of the other arc-shaped clamp opposite to the hinge end, for locking the two arc-shaped clamps toward each other by screwing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the end of the arc-shaped card body is provided with a pressure-bearing boss, the pressure-bearing boss has a pressure-bearing surface facing the end face of the screw nut seat, an elastic pawl is rotatably connected to the pressure-bearing surface, and an external ratchet ring is provided on the peripheral sidewall of the screw nut seat near the pressure-bearing surface, the external ratchet ring and the elastic pawl form a one-way non-reverse meshing structure; When the screw-on nut seat is screwed until the outer ratchet ring engages with the one-way elastic pawl, the screw-on nut seat can only rotate in the tightening direction.

[0016] The one or more technical solutions provided in this application above have at least the following technical effects or advantages: The HVAC duct quick connector provided in this application, through the hinged connection of two arc-shaped clamps and locking components, can quickly complete the pipe connection and locking, forming a reliable sealing base with the sealing component on the inner wall of the arc-shaped clamps. The clamping and anti-disengagement component, through a rotating connection structure, extends to the inner cavity of the clamping ring body and the port at both ends, simultaneously achieving clamping positioning and anti-disengagement limitation when the pipe is inserted. At the same time, the rotation of the clamping and anti-disengagement component compresses the elastic air expansion component, causing the flexible detection tube that is connected to it to inflate, thus tightly fitting along the outer wall of the pipe. In this way, the flexible detection tube does not interfere with the installation of the HVAC duct. Meanwhile, when a media leak occurs at the pipe connection, the leaking medium will seep along the outer wall of the pipe to the flexible detection tube, where it will react with the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium layered on the outer wall of the flexible detection tube. This will cause the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium to produce a visual color change, enabling real-time visual feedback of the leak. The leak point can be quickly located without additional detection equipment. At the same time, the combination of the clamping and anti-loosening components and the locking components enhances the pull-out resistance and sealing stability of the connection structure. While ensuring rapid assembly and high-pressure sealing reliability, it can achieve intuitive and reliable leak detection, improving the safety and maintenance convenience of HVAC pipe connections.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the connector provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the connector provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 It is based on Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the retaining ring body according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the locking detection mechanism provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a second-view structural schematic diagram of the locking detection mechanism provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inner sealing ring provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the inner sealing ring provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 This is a second-view structural schematic diagram of the connector provided according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 It is based on Figure 9 A magnified view of part B in the diagram.

[0020] Figure label: 100. Connector; 10. Snap ring body; 11. Arc-shaped snap ring body; 111. Hinge structure; 112. Elastic protrusion; 113. Sealing strip; 114. Pressure-bearing boss; 1141. Elastic pawl; 12. Sealing component; 121. Conical guide slope; 122. Sealing cavity; 123. Inner sealing ring; 20. Locking element; 21. Locking screw; 22. Tightening nut seat; 221. External ratchet ring; 30. Locking detection mechanism; 31. Clamping and anti-detachment component; 311. Support; 312. Arc-shaped gripper; 3121. Ball-head rod; 32. Sealing and leak detection component; 321. Elastic air expansion component; 3211. Airbag; 3212. Elastic sheet; 3213. Connecting pipe; 322. Flexible detection pipe; 3221. Inner tube body; 3222. Braided mesh sleeve; 3223. Liquid-sensitive color-changing medium. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0022] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 This embodiment provides a quick connector for HVAC ducts. The connector 100 is used for sealing the ends of two HVAC ducts. The connector 100 may include a retaining ring body 10, a locking element 20, and a locking detection mechanism 30. The retaining ring body 10 encloses a cavity to fix and limit the HVAC duct. The retaining ring body 10 includes two arc-shaped retaining bodies 11 that are hinged together, forming an openable semi-encircling structure. Each arc-shaped retaining body 11 can be arc-shaped and has a certain width along the axial direction of the retaining ring body 10 to wrap around the connection end of the HVAC duct and have a larger contact area, thereby making the connection more stable. The two arc-shaped retaining bodies 11 are rotatably connected by a hinge structure 111. The hinge structure 111 can be achieved by the cooperation of a rotating shaft and a shaft hole. The hinge connection design allows the two arc-shaped retaining bodies 11 to quickly open to fit the duct and then close and lock by the locking element 20, so that the duct connection can be completed without precise alignment.

[0025] Furthermore, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 The inner walls of the two arc-shaped clamps 11 are fitted with sealing members 12. When the locking member 20 applies a locking force, the sealing member 12 is squeezed and tightly fitted to the outer wall of the pipe, filling the gap between the pipe and the clamp body 10, forming a basic sealing barrier and blocking the leakage path of the medium. The locking member 20 is located at the end of the two arc-shaped clamps 11 away from the hinged connection, and is used to lock and fix the two arc-shaped clamps 11. The locking member 20 fixes the two arc-shaped clamps 11 in a closed state by mechanical locking and provides a pressing force to the sealing member 12, ensuring the stability of the fit between the sealing member 12 and the outer wall of the pipe, and avoiding sealing failure due to loose assembly.

[0026] Combination Figure 3The locking detection mechanism 30 is disposed on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring body 10. The locking detection mechanism 30 includes a locking and anti-detachment component 31 rotatably connected to the retaining ring body 10, and a sealing and leak detection component 32 disposed on the opposite end face of the retaining ring body 10. The locking and anti-detachment component 31 is rotatably connected to the outer side wall of the retaining ring body 10, and its rotation direction is towards the central axis of the retaining ring body 10. That is, the plane in which the locking and anti-detachment component 31 rotates is distributed along the radial direction of the retaining ring body 10. The locking and anti-detachment component 31 is located on both sides of the rotatable connection. The ends extend to the inner cavity and port of the retaining ring body 10, respectively, forming a linkage mechanism from inner trigger to outer action; the sealing and leak detection component 32 includes an elastic air expansion component 321 that can be squeezed by the clamping and anti-dislodgement component 31, and a flexible detection tube 322 disposed at the periphery of the port of the arc-shaped retaining body 11 and connected to the elastic air expansion component 321. The outer wall of the flexible detection tube 322 is provided with a liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223. When the elastic air expansion component 321 is squeezed, the flexible hollow detection tube can fit against the outer wall of the HVAC pipe.

[0027] It should be noted that when the HVAC pipe is inserted into the retaining ring body 10, the inner end of the clamping and anti-detachment component 31 rotates due to the pressure of the pipe. On the one hand, the outer end forms a clamping and anti-detachment effect on the pipe, and on the other hand, it squeezes the elastic air expansion element 321 of the sealing and leak detection component 32, causing the fluid medium inside the elastic air expansion element 321 to flow to the flexible detection tube 322, driving the flexible detection tube 322 to expand towards the pipe. Finally, the flexible detection tube 322 wraps around and fits along the outer wall of the pipe, and the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 layered on its outer wall directly contacts the outer wall of the pipe. The sealing and leak detection component 32 completes the fitting and installation with the pipe simultaneously through the squeezing action of the clamping and anti-detachment component 31. When the seal fails and the medium leaks, the leaking medium permeates along the outer wall of the pipe to the surface of the flexible detection tube 322, reacts with the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 to produce a visual color change, and the leak can be detected in real time without additional detection equipment.

[0028] It should also be noted that the cooperation between the elastic air expansion component 321 and the flexible detection tube 322 serves two purposes. First, during the initial insertion of the HVAC pipe into the retaining ring body 10, interference between the flexible detection tube 322 and the HVAC pipe can be avoided. Second, during the insertion of the HVAC pipe into the end of the compression clamping anti-detachment component 31, the flexible detection tube 322 expands and tightly adheres to the circumferential surface of the HVAC pipe through linkage. The liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 can be a porous carrier-loaded color-changing medium or color-changing silica gel particles, etc. The porous carrier-loaded color-changing medium can use diatomaceous earth or porous ceramic particles as carriers to adsorb water-soluble dyes such as alkaline purple and fluorescein. When dry, it is white / light-colored and quickly adsorbs and develops color after contact with the leaking medium. The principle of color-changing silica gel particles is the same as that of porous carrier-loaded color-changing media. In order to have a better color development effect, color-changing silica gel particles are preferred in this embodiment.

[0029] The connector 100 provided in this embodiment, through the coordinated action of the two arc-shaped clamps 11 connected by hinges and the locking member 20, can quickly complete the docking and locking of the pipeline. The sealing member 12 on the inner side wall of the arc-shaped clamp 11 is tightly fitted to the outer wall and end of the pipeline under the locking force of the locking member 20, forming an initial sealing barrier. The clamping and anti-dislodgement member 31 is rotatably connected to the clamp ring body 10. When the pipeline is inserted, one end of the member 31 is squeezed by the outer wall of the pipeline, causing the whole to rotate around the pivot point. The other end simultaneously exerts a squeezing force on the elastic air expansion member 321, causing the gas or fluid medium in the elastic air expansion member 321 to flow into the flexible detection tube 322 along the conduction path after being compressed. This drives the flexible detection tube 322 to expand along the periphery of the arc-shaped clamp 11 port towards the pipeline, ultimately forming a fully fitted, surrounding arrangement with the outer wall of the pipeline. The liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 layered on the outer wall of the flexible detection tube 322 is directly The connection maintains close contact with the outer wall of the pipe. When a medium leaks due to seal failure at the pipe connection, the leaking medium will seep outward along the gap between the outer wall of the pipe and the sealing component 12, and then come into contact with the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 on the surface of the flexible detection tube 322 attached to the outer wall of the pipe. After being wetted by the leaking medium, the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 will quickly change color, which can not only provide real-time feedback on the occurrence of the leak, but also accurately locate the circumferential position of the leak point through the color-changing area. There is no need to carry out additional pressure testing or soap application and other auxiliary detection operations, so as to achieve rapid detection and accurate location of the leak. At the same time, the double locking structure formed by the clamping anti-detachment component 31 and the locking component 20 further improves the connection stability. Combined with the sealing effect of the sealing component 12, the risk of leakage is reduced. Finally, while ensuring rapid assembly efficiency and high-pressure sealing reliability, real-time leakage detection is achieved, which improves the safety and maintenance convenience of HVAC pipes at the connection.

[0030] Optional, please refer to Figure 4 To further improve the stability of the two arc-shaped clips 11 after tightening, a sealing strip 113 is provided at the end of the two arc-shaped clips 11 away from the hinge connection. The sealing strip 113 is made of rubber and is arranged along the axial direction of the clip body 10. When the two arc-shaped clips 11 are tightened, the two sealing strips 113 move towards each other and form a compression, thereby preventing the locking member 20 from making hard contact when tightening the two arc-shaped clips 11, which would damage the structure and rigidity of the arc-shaped clips 11.

[0031] In some embodiments, please continue reading Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4Since the two ports of the retaining ring body 10 are respectively fixed to two HVAC pipes to be connected, two sets of locking detection mechanisms 30 can be set. The two sets of locking detection mechanisms 30 are respectively arranged at the opposite ports near the retaining ring body 10, and the two sets of locking detection mechanisms are mirrored in the axial direction of the retaining ring body 10. The two sets of mirrored locking detection mechanisms 30 are adapted to the connection parts of the two pipes respectively. When the two pipes are inserted into the retaining ring body 10, the two sets of locking detection mechanisms 30 respond independently to the compression trigger of the corresponding pipes, and respectively complete the clamping and anti-detachment and leakage detection of the two pipes, forming a symmetrical structure with independent locking at both ends and independent leakage detection at both ends.

[0032] This configuration, with its mirrored layout, ensures symmetrical and balanced force and sealing monitoring at both ends of the retaining ring body 10, avoiding seal offset or loosening caused by uneven force on one side, thus improving the overall structural stability. The two sets of mechanisms can work independently to monitor the sealing status of the connection between the two HVAC pipes and the connector 100, accurately locating which pipe connection end the leak occurred at, further improving the accuracy of leak detection. At the same time, the symmetrical structure simplifies the assembly operation, eliminating the need to distinguish the pipe insertion direction, adapting to bidirectional assembly requirements, and enhancing the versatility of the connector 100.

[0033] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 3 to 4 Multiple locking detection mechanisms 30 are provided in each group, and these mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the retaining ring body 10. Multiple elastic protrusions 112 are provided at intervals along the circumference of the inner wall of the arc-shaped retaining body 11. One end of each locking and anti-detachment component 31 passes through the arc-shaped retaining body 11 and extends into the elastic protrusion 112. The elastic protrusion 112 protrudes radially from the inner wall of the arc-shaped retaining body 11. When the HVAC pipe is inserted into the retaining ring body 10, it can press the corresponding end of the locking and anti-detachment component 31 through the elastic protrusion 112. Specifically, the elastic protrusion 112 can be made of rubber. The resulting hemispherical structure is adapted to the shape of one end of the locking and anti-detachment component 31. Multiple locking detection mechanisms 30 are arranged at intervals along the circumference, so that the locking force of the retaining ring body 10 on the pipe is evenly distributed along the circumference, avoiding pipe damage or sealing gaps caused by local force concentration. The elastic protrusion 112 protrudes from the inner wall of the arc-shaped retaining body 11. On the one hand, it can seal one end of the locking and anti-detachment component 31. On the other hand, when the HVAC pipe is inserted, the outer wall of the pipe first contacts the elastic protrusion 112, and squeezes the inner end of the locking and anti-detachment component 31 through the elastic protrusion 112, triggering the locking action.

[0034] It should be understood that the multiple sets of locking detection mechanisms 30, which are evenly distributed in the circumference, ensure that the pipe is subjected to uniform clamping force and sealing pressure in the circumference, thereby improving the sealing performance of the sealing component 12 and the outer wall of the pipe. The design of the elastic protrusion 112 not only avoids direct rigid contact between the inner end of the clamping and anti-detachment component 31 and the outer wall of the pipe, reducing the risk of scratches on the pipe surface, but also achieves sealing. At the same time, the buffering effect of the elastic protrusion 112 can effectively trigger the clamping and anti-detachment component 31, simplifying the assembly process and improving assembly efficiency.

[0035] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 4 to 5 The locking and anti-disengagement component 31 includes a support 311 disposed on the outer wall of the arc-shaped clamping body 11 and an arc-shaped gripper 312 rotatably connected to the support 311. One end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 is rotatably connected to a ball head rod 3121 that penetrates the arc-shaped clamping body 11 and extends into the elastic protrusion 112. The ball head rod 3121 is arranged radially along the arc-shaped clamping body 11, and the other end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 extends toward the port of the clamping ring body 10. When the HVAC pipe is inserted into the clamping ring body 10, its side wall presses one end of the ball head rod 3121 to drive the opposite end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 to rotate radially inward along the clamping ring body 10, thereby locking and limiting the outer wall of the HVAC pipe.

[0036] It should be noted that the support 311 provides a fixed rotation fulcrum for the arc-shaped gripper 312, forming a lever-type transmission structure; the inner end of the ball head rod 3121 is located inside the elastic protrusion 112, and the outer end is rotatably connected to the arc-shaped gripper 312. The ball head design allows the squeezing force to be flexibly transmitted, avoiding jamming; when the pipe is inserted into the inner end of the squeezing ball head rod 3121, the ball head rod 3121 pushes one end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 outward, causing the arc-shaped gripper 312 to rotate around the support 311, while its other end facing the port of the retaining ring body 10 swings radially inward, eventually fitting against the outer wall of the pipe to form a clamp.

[0037] With this configuration, the lever structure transforms the small-stroke compression of the ball-end rod 3121 into a large-stroke clamping action at the outer end of the arc-shaped gripper 312, enhancing the amplification effect of the clamping force and ensuring reliable positioning of the pipeline. This effectively prevents axial displacement or pull-out of HVAC pipelines during installation or use due to vibration, media impact, etc. The rotating connection design between the ball-end rod 3121 and the arc-shaped gripper 312 makes the transmission process smoother, adapts to the angular deviation when the pipeline is inserted, improves the reliability of the mechanism's action, and further strengthens the pull-out resistance and stability of the connection structure.

[0038] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 5 to 6An extrusion zone is formed between the end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 away from the ball head rod 3121 and the end face of the arc-shaped clamping body 11. The elastic air expansion member 321 is fixedly connected to the end face of the arc-shaped clamping body 11 within the extrusion zone. When one end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 rotates inward along the radial direction of the clamping ring body 10, it simultaneously extrudes the elastic air expansion member 321. Specifically, one end of the elastic air expansion member 321 can be fixed to the end face of the arc-shaped clamping body 11. The end of the arc-shaped gripper 312 away from the ball head rod 3121 is the extrusion end, and its rotation trajectory covers the extrusion zone where the elastic air expansion member 321 is located. When the pipe is inserted, triggering the arc-shaped gripper 312 to rotate inward and clamp the pipe, the extrusion end swings synchronously toward the elastic air expansion member 321, applying a compressive force to the elastic air expansion member 321, causing the elastic air expansion member 321 to deform and generate internal pressure.

[0039] This design allows for synchronous linkage between the clamping of the pipe and the compression of the elastic air expansion component 321 through the rotation of the arc-shaped gripper 312. Triggering of the sealing and leak detection component 32 can be achieved without additional drive components, simplifying the structural design and reducing assembly complexity. The compression area ensures precise installation of the elastic air expansion component 321, guaranteeing the reliability of the arc-shaped gripper 312's compression and the stability of its force, preventing loose fit of the flexible detection tube 322 due to compression misalignment. The linkage design allows the locking action and leak detection preparation action to be completed simultaneously, providing immediate leak detection capability after assembly. This integrated process of assembly, locking, and leak detection readiness enhances ease of use.

[0040] In some embodiments, continue reading Figure 6 The flexible detection tube 322 is coaxially disposed on the end face of the arc-shaped card body 11. The flexible detection tube 322 includes an inner tube body 3221 that communicates with the elastic air expansion member 321 and a braided mesh sleeve 3222 that is coaxially sleeved on the inner tube body 3221. The space between the braided mesh sleeve 3222 and the inner tube body 3221 is filled with a liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223. Specifically, the inner tube body 3221 is made of flexible material and is in communication with the elastic air expansion member 321. When the elastic air expansion member 321 is squeezed, the internal fluid medium flows in. The inner tube 3221 expands, driving the entire flexible detection tube 322 to conform to the pipeline direction; the braided mesh sleeve 3222 can be made of transparent material, which can play a supporting and protective role, preventing the inner tube 3221 from over-expanding or being damaged, while its mesh structure does not hinder the leakage medium from penetrating into the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223; the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 fills the space between the inner tube 3221 and the braided mesh sleeve 3222, forming a uniform monitoring layer, which changes color rapidly when the leakage medium comes into contact with it.

[0041] It should be understood that the flexible design of the inner tube 3221 allows it to fit tightly against the outer wall of the pipe, adapting to the curved contour of the pipe and ensuring no blind spots in monitoring; the braided mesh sleeve 3222 enhances the structural strength and wear resistance of the flexible detection tube 322, extending its service life, while not affecting the contact between the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 and the leaking medium; the filling design of the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium 3223 makes the monitoring layer thickness uniform, the reaction more sensitive, and the color change more obvious, improving the intuitiveness of leak monitoring; the coaxial layout ensures that the flexible detection tube 322 is uniformly wrapped around the circumference of the pipe, avoiding monitoring blind spots, and further improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of leak detection.

[0042] In some embodiments, continue reading Figure 6 The elastic inflatable component 321 includes an air bladder 3211 and several elastic sheets 3212 surrounding the air bladder 3211. The elastic sheets 3212 are fitted onto the surface of the air bladder 3211 and are used to drive the air bladder 3211 body to return to its initial state when it is not compressed. The air bladder 3211 is connected to the inner tube 3221 via a connecting pipe 3213. The air bladder 3211 body has an expanded state and a compressed state. When the air bladder 3211 body switches from the expanded state to the compressed state, it drives the inner tube 3221 to expand radially towards the inner cavity formed by the retaining ring body 10, at least partially. Specifically, the air bladder 3211 is a storage and pressure-bearing component for fluid or gas media, and the elastic sheets 3212... The airbag 3211 is fitted along its surface to form an elastic support. When not assembled, the elastic force of the elastic plate 3212 keeps the airbag 3211 in an expanded state, while the inner tube 3221 is in a contracted state, facilitating pipe insertion. During assembly, the arc-shaped gripper 312 squeezes the airbag 3211 to switch it to a compressed state. The internal fluid or gas medium flows into the inner tube 3221 through the connecting pipe 3213, pushing the inner tube 3221 to expand radially and fit against the pipe. When the pipe is disassembled or the compression is released, the elastic force of the elastic plate 3212 drives the airbag 3211 to reset, the fluid medium in the inner tube 3221 flows back to the airbag 3211, and the inner tube 3221 contracts, facilitating the next assembly or maintenance.

[0043] It should be noted that the elastic sheet 3212 protects the airbag 3211, preventing it from being over-compressed or damaged by external forces, thus extending its service life; the connecting pipe 3213 enables stable communication between the airbag 3211 and the inner tube 3221, ensuring smooth fluid medium transmission, uniform expansion of the inner tube 3221, improving the fit with the pipeline, and ensuring the sensitivity of leak monitoring.

[0044] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8The sealing member 12 is located at the center of the retaining ring body 10 along the axial direction. The sealing member 12 has a pair of relatively close conical guide slopes 121. A sealing cavity 122 is provided between the two conical guide slopes 121, and an inner sealing ring 123 communicating with the sealing cavity 122 is fixed at the inner intersection of the two conical guide slopes 121. The diameter of the projected profile of the inner sealing ring 123 along the axial direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the HVAC pipe. When the two HVAC pipes are connected by the connector 100, the inner sealing ring 123 is at least partially located between the opposite end faces of the two HVAC pipes. The sealing component 12 is located in the middle of the main body 10 of the retaining ring along the axial direction, corresponding to the joint of the two pipes; the tapered guide slope 121 plays a guiding role when the pipe is inserted, guiding the pipe to accurately connect to the inner sealing ring 123; the diameter of the inner sealing ring 123 is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe. When the pipe is inserted into the docking state, the inner sealing ring 123 is squeezed by the end faces of the two pipes and undergoes elastic deformation, filling the gap between the end faces of the two pipes. At the same time, the sealing cavity 122 forms a buffer space to enhance the sealing elasticity; the tapered guide slope 121 fits against the outer wall of the pipe to form a secondary seal.

[0045] This design simplifies the alignment operation of pipe connections and improves assembly efficiency. The inner sealing ring 123 achieves a tight seal between the two pipe end faces through elastic deformation, blocking the path of medium leakage from the end face gap and solving the problem of unreliable end face sealing in traditional connectors 100. The combination of the sealing cavity 122 and the inner sealing ring 123 allows the fluid medium to flow to the inner sealing ring 123 when the sealing cavity 122 is compressed. As a result, the inner sealing ring 123 fills the gap between the two pipe end faces, enabling the sealing component 12 to adapt to minor unevenness or assembly deviations of the pipe end faces, improving the sealing reliability under high pressure conditions, further enhancing the sealing effect, reducing leakage risk, and providing a more reliable basic sealing guarantee for subsequent leakage monitoring.

[0046] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The locking component 20 includes a locking screw 21 fixedly connected to the end of an arc-shaped clamp 11 and a screw-on nut seat 22 threadedly connected to the locking screw 21. The screw-on nut seat 22 abuts against the end of another arc-shaped clamp 11 away from the hinge end, and is used to drive the two arc-shaped clamps 11 to lock each other by screwing. Specifically, the locking screw 21 can be fixedly connected or rotatably connected to one side of the arc-shaped clamp 11, and the screw-on nut seat 22 is threadedly fitted onto the locking screw 21. When the screw-on nut seat 22 is screwed, it moves axially along the locking screw 21, applies a pushing force to the other side of the arc-shaped clamp 11, and causes the two arc-shaped clamps 11 to rotate towards each other around the hinge, gradually closing and forming a ring-like lock on the pipe, while providing a continuous clamping force for the sealing component 12.

[0047] It should be noted that the threaded connection structure can achieve precise adjustment and stable maintenance of the locking force. The degree of locking can be controlled by the turning angle, which can adapt to the connection needs of pipes with different wall thicknesses and materials. The abutment of the screw nut seat 22 and the arc-shaped clamp 11 ensures that the locking force is evenly transmitted to the arc-shaped clamp 11, ensuring that the sealing component 12 fits evenly with the outer wall of the pipe and improving the sealing reliability. Moreover, locking can be completed without special tools, realizing the need for rapid assembly and ensuring the long-term stability of the connection structure.

[0048] In some embodiments, continue reading Figure 9 and Figure 10 The arc-shaped locking body 11 has a pressure-bearing boss 114 protruding from its end. The pressure-bearing boss 114 has a pressure-bearing surface facing the end face of the screw-on nut seat 22. An elastic pawl 1141 is rotatably connected to the pressure-bearing surface. An outer ratchet ring 221 is provided on the peripheral side wall of the screw-on nut seat 22 near the pressure-bearing surface. The outer ratchet ring 221 and the elastic pawl 1141 form a one-way anti-reverse engagement structure. When the screw-on nut seat 22 is screwed until the outer ratchet ring 221 engages with the one-way elastic pawl 1141, the screw-on nut seat 22 can only rotate in the tightening direction. Specifically... The pressure-bearing boss 114 provides an installation reference and force support for the elastic pawl 1141. The elastic pawl 1141 achieves elastic swing through a rotating connection. When the nut seat 22 is tightened, the tooth surface of the outer ratchet ring 221 pushes the elastic pawl 1141 to swing, without hindering the tightening action. When the nut seat 22 has a tendency to loosen in the reverse direction, the tooth surface of the outer ratchet ring 221 and the ratchet of the elastic pawl 1141 engage with each other. The elastic pawl 1141 is blocked by the pressure surface and cannot swing in the reverse direction, thereby restricting the rotation of the nut seat 22.

[0049] This design effectively prevents the nut seat 22 from loosening in the reverse direction due to system vibration, media impact, or misoperation, ensuring long-term stable locking force and preventing leakage of the sealing component 12 due to insufficient clamping force, thus further improving the reliability and safety of the connection structure. The design of the elastic pawl 1141 makes the tightening operation smooth, and locking can be completed without additional unlocking action. The reverse anti-reverse action is automatically activated, making it convenient to use. At the same time, when it is necessary to disassemble the retaining ring body 10, the elastic pawl 1141 is moved to disengage the one-way anti-reverse engagement with the outer ratchet ring 221, thereby enabling the reverse rotation of the nut seat 22. The pressure-bearing boss 114 enhances the structural strength of the end of the arc-shaped retaining body 11, preventing deformation under the action of locking force, ensuring the reliability of the anti-reverse structure, and extending the service life of the connector 100.

[0050] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial direction", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the invention.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0052] Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. The reference to "embodiment" herein means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily indicate the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0053] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A quick connector for HVAC ducts, characterized in that, include: The main body of the retaining ring includes two arc-shaped retaining bodies connected by a hinge, and the inner sidewalls of the two arc-shaped retaining bodies are fitted with sealing components; A locking element is provided at the ends of the two arc-shaped clips opposite to the hinged connection, for locking and fixing the two arc-shaped clips; A locking detection mechanism is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the retaining ring body. The locking detection mechanism includes a locking and anti-disengagement component rotatably connected to the retaining ring body, and a sealing and leak detection component provided on the opposite end face of the retaining ring body. The clamping and anti-detachment components extend from the ends of the rotating connection to the inner cavity and port of the retaining ring body, respectively. The sealing and leak detection component includes an elastic air expansion component that can be squeezed by the clamping and anti-detachment components, and a flexible detection tube disposed at the periphery of the port of the arc-shaped retaining body and communicating with the elastic air expansion component. The outer wall of the flexible detection tube is provided with a liquid-sensitive color-changing medium. When the elastic air expansion component is squeezed, the flexible hollow detection tube can fit against the outer wall of the HVAC pipe.

2. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two sets of locking detection mechanisms are respectively arranged at opposite ports near the main body of the retaining ring, and the two sets of locking detection mechanisms are mirror images of each other in the axial direction of the main body of the retaining ring.

3. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of locking detection mechanisms in each group is set to multiple, and the multiple locking detection mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the retaining ring body; the inner sidewall of the arc-shaped retaining body is provided with multiple elastic protrusions at intervals along the circumference, and one end of each locking and anti-disengagement component passes through the arc-shaped retaining body and extends into the elastic protrusion; The elastic protrusion extends radially out of the inner wall of the arc-shaped clamp body. When the HVAC pipe is inserted into the clamp body, it can press the corresponding end of the clamping and anti-disengagement component through the elastic protrusion.

4. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping and anti-disengagement component includes a support disposed on the outer wall of the arc-shaped clamp body and an arc-shaped gripper rotatably connected to the support. One end of the arc-shaped gripper is rotatably connected to a ball-head rod that penetrates the arc-shaped clamp body and extends into the elastic protrusion. The other end of the arc-shaped gripper extends toward the port of the clamping ring body. When the HVAC pipe is inserted into the clamping ring body, its sidewall presses against one end of the ball-head rod to drive the opposite end of the arc-shaped gripper to rotate radially inward along the clamping ring body, thereby clamping and limiting the outer wall of the HVAC pipe.

5. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 4, characterized in that, The arc-shaped gripper forms a compression area between the end of the arc-shaped gripper away from the ball head rod and the end face of the arc-shaped clamp body. The elastic air expansion member is fixedly connected to the end face of the arc-shaped clamp body within the compression area. When one end of the arc-shaped gripper rotates radially inward along the main body of the clamp ring, it simultaneously compresses the elastic air expansion member.

6. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible detection tube is coaxially disposed on the end face of the arc-shaped card body. The flexible detection tube includes an inner tube body that communicates with the elastic air expansion member and a braided mesh sleeve coaxially sleeved on the inner tube body. The space between the braided mesh sleeve and the inner tube body is filled with the liquid-sensitive color-changing medium.

7. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 6, characterized in that, The elastic air inflator includes an air bladder and a plurality of elastic sheets that wrap around the air bladder. The elastic sheets are fitted onto the surface of the air bladder and are used to drive the air bladder back to its initial state when it is not compressed. The airbag is connected to the inner tube through a connecting tube. The airbag body has an extended state and a compressed state. When the airbag body switches from the extended state to the compressed state, it drives at least a portion of the inner tube to expand radially toward the inner cavity formed by the retaining ring body.

8. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing member is located in the middle of the main body of the retaining ring along the axial direction. The sealing member has a pair of relatively close conical guide slopes. A sealing cavity is provided between the two conical guide slopes, and an inner sealing ring communicating with the sealing cavity is fixed at the inner intersection of the two conical guide slopes. Wherein, the diameter of the projected profile of the inner sealing ring along the axial direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the HVAC pipe, and when the two HVAC pipes are connected by the connector, the inner sealing ring is at least partially located between the opposite end faces of the two HVAC pipes.

9. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking component includes a locking screw fixedly connected to the end of one of the arc-shaped clamping bodies, and a screw-on nut seat threadedly connected to the locking screw. The screw-on nut seat abuts against the end of the other arc-shaped clamping body opposite to the hinge end, and is used to drive the two arc-shaped clamping bodies to lock towards each other by screwing.

10. The quick connector for HVAC ducts according to claim 9, characterized in that, The end of the arc-shaped clamp body is provided with a pressure-bearing boss, the pressure-bearing boss has a pressure-bearing surface facing the end face of the screw nut seat, an elastic pawl is rotatably connected to the pressure-bearing surface, and an external ratchet ring is provided on the peripheral side wall of the screw nut seat near the pressure-bearing surface. The external ratchet ring and the elastic pawl form a one-way non-reverse meshing structure. When the screw-on nut seat is screwed until the outer ratchet ring engages with the one-way elastic pawl, the screw-on nut seat can only rotate in the tightening direction.

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