Combined joint
The modular joint design solves the problem of high maintenance costs associated with integrated joints, enabling convenient maintenance and stable installation in the event of partial damage, reducing metal consumption and the risk of precipitation, and improving production efficiency and economy.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520212545.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-11
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, integrated joints require complete replacement when partial damage occurs, resulting in high maintenance costs and difficult processing. In addition, all-metal joints are expensive and pose a high risk of metal leaching.
It adopts a modular connector design, with a first connector and a second connector that can be detachably connected. Combined with a fixing component, the damaged component can be replaced in case of partial damage. It uses a metal and plastic composite to reduce the amount of metal used and the contact area.
It reduces maintenance difficulty and cost, improves installation stability and production qualification rate, reduces metal precipitation, and lowers manufacturing costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN223622476U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of connector technology, and more specifically, relates to a combined connector. Background Technology
[0002] A connector is a component used to connect two sections of pipe, fitting, or other equipment. Its main function is to ensure the seamless transport of fluids (such as water, gas, or oil) in a piping system while maintaining a certain level of tightness to prevent leakage.
[0003] In related technologies, most connectors are one-piece connectors, such as gas water heater connectors which are basically made of all-copper one piece. If such one-piece connectors are partially damaged, the entire connector often needs to be replaced, which results in high maintenance costs and urgently needs improvement. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the deficiencies or improvement needs of the prior art, this application provides a combined connector designed to reduce the maintenance cost of the connector.
[0005] This application provides a combined connector, specifically including a first connector and a second connector, wherein:
[0006] The first connector and the second connector are detachably connected along the axial direction to form a connector body with a through internal flow channel;
[0007] The connector body is connected to a fixing component, which has a connection structure for connecting to external components.
[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the combined joint, conceived in this application, is composed of multiple components. If partial damage occurs, the damaged components can be replaced to ensure normal operation, thus reducing maintenance difficulty and costs. Furthermore, the modular design reduces the processing difficulty of the original integrated joint, improving the production yield. Additionally, because this combined joint has a fixing component, it can be fixed to an external mounting base when connected to an external pipeline, enhancing installation stability.
[0009] As a further preferred embodiment, one of the first connector and the second connector is a metal connector, and the other is a plastic connector.
[0010] As a further preferred embodiment, the fixing component is sleeved and axially positioned on the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body, and the fixing component is detachably connected to the connector body.
[0011] As a further preferred embodiment, the fixing component and the second connector are an integral structure.
[0012] As a further preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral sidewall of the first connector is provided with a first positioning structure, and the outer peripheral sidewall of the second connector is provided with a second positioning structure, wherein the fixing component is axially positioned by the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure.
[0013] As a further preferred embodiment, the fixing component is anti-rotationally connected to the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body.
[0014] As a further preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the end of the second connector decreases from the first connector to the second connector.
[0015] As a further preferred embodiment, the end periphery of the first connector is provided with an annular groove for loading an external sealing ring.
[0016] As a further preferred embodiment, the end periphery of the first connector is provided with a protruding structure for positioning against the end face of the external pipe.
[0017] As a further preferred embodiment, a sealing structure is provided at the junction of the first connector and the second connector.
[0018] In summary, compared with the prior art, the technical solutions conceived in this application have the following main technical advantages:
[0019] 1. This modular joint is composed of multiple components. If the joint is partially damaged, the damaged components can be replaced to ensure normal use of the joint. This makes the joint easier to maintain and significantly reduces maintenance costs. In addition, when the modular joint is connected to an external pipeline, the fixing components can be installed and fixed on the external mounting base to improve the installation stability of the modular joint.
[0020] 2. This composite joint is made of metal and plastic. Compared with traditional all-metal joints, this composite joint uses less metal and has a lower manufacturing cost. At the same time, the contact area between the metal material and water in this joint is smaller than that in all-metal joints, resulting in less metal leaching into the water. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a front view of the combined connector provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the combined connector provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the combined connector provided in the embodiments of this application.
[0024] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements or structures, wherein:
[0025] 1. First connector; 2. Second connector; 3. Fixing component; 4-1. First positioning structure; 4-2. Second positioning structure; 5. Side edge; 6. Annular groove; 7. Protruding structure; 8. Sealing structure; 9. Perforation; 10. Inner flow channel; 11. Annular groove; 12. Through hole; 13. External thread. Detailed Implementation
[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.
[0027] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1-3 This application will be described in further detail.
[0028] This application discloses a combined connector. (Refer to...) Figures 1-3 The combined connector includes a first connector 1 and a second connector 2, wherein the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are detachably connected along the axial direction to form a connector body with a through internal flow channel 10; the connector body is connected to a fixing component 3, which has a connection structure for connecting with external components.
[0029] With this design, the combined connector is composed of multiple parts. If the connector is partially damaged, the normal use of the connector can be ensured by replacing the damaged parts. This makes the maintenance of the connector easier and significantly reduces the maintenance cost.
[0030] By designing the connector in two separate parts, the processing difficulty of the original one-piece connector is reduced, and the production qualification rate of the connector is improved. In addition, since this combined connector has a fixing component 3, when the combined connector is connected to an external pipeline, the fixing component 3 can be installed and fixed on the external mounting base to improve the installation stability of the combined connector.
[0031] Furthermore, in some embodiments, one of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 is a metal connector, and the other is a plastic connector. For example, the first connector 1 is a plastic connector, and the second connector 2 is a metal connector (such as a copper connector or a stainless steel connector).
[0032] Under this design, the composite joint is made of metal and plastic. Compared with the traditional all-metal joint, the composite joint uses less metal and has a lower manufacturing cost. At the same time, the contact area between the metal material and water in this joint is smaller than that in the all-metal joint, resulting in less metal leaching into the water.
[0033] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the fixing component 3 is a thin-walled plate (such as sheet metal), preferably made of stainless steel or brass, with through holes 12 provided on the plate for use as a connecting structure. Preferably, the plate is pentagonal in shape, with three through holes 12 distributed along its circumferential edge, and the three through holes 12 are preferably threaded holes. Of course, in other embodiments, the fixing component 3 can also take the form of a base, rod, or other structural forms.
[0034] In practical applications, screws, bolts, and other connectors can be installed along the through hole 12 to lock the plate onto external equipment, thereby improving the installation stability of the modular connector. For example, when installing this modular connector in a water heater, after the end of the modular connector is connected to the water heater pipe, the fixing component 3 of the modular connector can be fixed to the internal sheet metal structure, shell structure, etc. of the water heater to ensure the stability of the connector.
[0035] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the detachable connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 includes, but is not limited to, threaded connection, plug-in connection, etc.
[0036] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the connection scheme between the fixing component 3 and the connector body can be: the fixing component 3 and the connector body are detachably connected, that is, the fixing component 3, the first connector 1, and the second connector 2 are three independent components; or the fixing component 3 is fixed on the first connector 1 of the connector body; or the fixing component 3 is fixed on the second connector 2 of the connector body, for example, the fixing component 3 and the second connector 2 are an integral structure.
[0037] Preferably, in some embodiments, the fixing component 3 has a through hole 9, through which the fixing component 3 can be fitted and axially positioned on the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body. In order to achieve the axial positioning of the fixing component 3, in some embodiments, the outer peripheral sidewall of the first connector 1 is provided with a first positioning structure 4-1, and the outer peripheral sidewall of the second connector 2 is provided with a second positioning structure 4-2, and the fixing component 3 is axially positioned by the first positioning structure 4-1 and the second positioning structure 4-2.
[0038] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the fixing component 3 is connected to the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body in an anti-rotational manner. For example, one end of the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body has a plurality of side facets 5, and the through hole 9 of the fixing component 3 has an inner sidewall that fits the side facets 5. Through the cooperation between the side facets 5 and the inner sidewall, the anti-rotational installation of the fixing component 3 is achieved.
[0039] Generally speaking, the outer peripheral sidewall of one end of the connector body used to assemble the fixing component 3 is hexagonal (i.e., hexagonal) or quadrilateral, etc.; correspondingly, the through hole 9 of the fixing component 3 is a hexagonal hole (i.e., hexagonal) or quadrilateral, etc., to adapt to the shape.
[0040] Furthermore, in some embodiments, to improve the sealing performance of the connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2, a sealing structure 8 is provided at the joint between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2. The sealing structure 8 includes, but is not limited to, the use of a sealing ring.
[0041] Furthermore, in some embodiments, to facilitate the connection of the combined connector to the external pipeline, the outer diameter of the end of the second connector 2 furthest from the first connector 1 decreases in the direction from the first connector 1 to the second connector 2. With this design, the end of the second connector 2 is tapered, which facilitates the insertion of the combined connector into the connection port of the external pipeline.
[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the outer end of the first connector 1, away from the second connector 2, is provided with a protruding structure 7 for positioning against the end face of the external pipe. After the end of the connector body is inserted into the port of the pipe, the protruding structure 7 abuts against the end face of the pipe, which not only improves the installation stability of the combined connector and the external pipe, but also ensures that the connector body can be inserted at a suitable insertion depth.
[0043] Furthermore, in some embodiments, an annular groove 6 for loading an external sealing ring is provided on the periphery of the end of the first connector 1 away from the second connector 2 (i.e., the outer end). When a protruding structure 7 is provided on the connector body, the annular groove 6 is located on the side of the protruding structure 7 closer to the outer end. In actual use of this combined connector, a sealing ring can be fitted into the annular groove 6 to improve the sealing performance between the combined connector and the external pipeline.
[0044] It should be clarified that whether the outer diameter of the second connector 2 is reduced from the first connector 1 to the second connector 2, or the protrusion structure 7 and the annular groove 6 are provided at the outer end of the first connector 1, they are all for the purpose of facilitating the installation of the connector body and the external pipeline. In some embodiments, an external thread can be provided on the outer circumference of the end of the connector body, a flange can be provided at the end, or any other feasible existing installation structure can be provided to facilitate the installation of the combined connector and the external pipeline.
[0045] In practice, the assembled connector body has two outer ends. In some embodiments, the two outer ends of the connector body can be configured such that the outer diameter of both outer ends decreases from the middle to the end of the connector body; or, both outer ends are provided with a protrusion structure 7 and an annular groove 6; or, the outer diameter of one outer end decreases from the middle to the end of the connector body, and the other outer end is provided with a protrusion structure 7 and an annular groove 6.
[0046] Example:
[0047] like Figures 1-3As shown, the first connector 1 is a plastic connector. The first connector 1 has a flow channel that extends axially. At one axial end of the first connector 1, a first positioning structure 4-1, an annular groove 11, and an external thread 13 are sequentially provided from the middle of the first connector 1 to that end. At the other axial end of the first connector 1, a protrusion structure 7 and an annular groove 6 are sequentially provided from the middle of the first connector 1 to that end. The flow channel opening at the end of the first connector 1 with the first positioning structure 4-1 is smaller than the flow channel opening at the end with the protrusion structure 7.
[0048] The second connector 2 is a metal connector. A positioning structure 4-2 and a side face 5 are sequentially provided on the outer periphery of one axial end of the second connector 2 along the direction from the middle to the end. Furthermore, an internal thread and an annular groove 11 are sequentially provided on the inner side of this axial end along the direction from the middle to the end. The outer diameter of the other axial end of the second connector 2 decreases from the middle towards the end.
[0049] The fixing component 3 is a sheet metal, and the wall thickness direction of the sheet metal is consistent with the axial direction of the first joint 1. Three threaded holes are provided along the wall thickness direction at the outer edge of the sheet metal. The middle part of the sheet metal has a through hole 9, and the through hole 9 has an inner sidewall that fits the side edge 5.
[0050] The assembly principle of a combined connector according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: First, a sealing ring is installed at the annular groove 11 of the second connector 2. Then, the fixing component 3 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the end of the second connector 2 with the side edge 5, so that the end face of the fixing component 3 fits with the second positioning structure 4-2 of the second connector 2, and the inner wall of the through hole 9 in the fixing component 3 fits with the side edge 5 of the second connector 2. Then, the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are screw-assembled, and the fixing component 3 is axially positioned by the first positioning structure 4-1 and the second positioning structure 4-2 to form a combined connector.
[0051] It should be understood that expressions such as "comprising" and "may include" as used in this application indicate the existence of the disclosed functions, operations, or constituent elements, and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, and constituent elements. In this application, terms such as "comprising" and / or "having" may be interpreted as indicating a specific characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component, or combination thereof, but should not be interpreted as excluding the existence or possibility of adding one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof.
[0052] It should be understood that the terms “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential” indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.
[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0054] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0055] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A combined connector, characterized in that, Includes a first connector (1) and a second connector (2), wherein: The first connector (1) and the second connector (2) are detachably connected along the axial direction to form a connector body with a through internal flow channel (10); The connector body is connected to a fixing component (3), which has a connection structure for connecting with external components.
2. The combined connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2) is a metal connector, and the other is a plastic connector.
3. The combined connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing component (3) is sleeved and axially positioned on the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body, and the fixing component (3) is detachably connected to the connector body.
4. The combined connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing component (3) and the second connector (2) are an integral structure.
5. The combined connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The outer peripheral sidewall of the first connector (1) is provided with a first positioning structure (4-1), and the outer peripheral sidewall of the second connector (2) is provided with a second positioning structure (4-2). The fixing component (3) is axially positioned by the first positioning structure (4-1) and the second positioning structure (4-2).
6. The combined connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The fixing component (3) is anti-rotationally connected to the outer peripheral sidewall of the connector body.
7. The combined connector as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the end of the second connector (2) decreases from the first connector (1) to the second connector (2).
8. The combined connector as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first connector (1) has an annular groove (6) on its end periphery for loading an external sealing ring.
9. The combined connector as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first connector (1) has a raised structure (7) on its end periphery for positioning against the end face of the external pipe.
10. The combined connector as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, A sealing structure (8) is provided at the junction of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2).