Adjustable Plumbing Fitting With Threaded Sleeve And Collar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable plumbing fittings face issues such as damage to pipes, complex assembly processes, and potential leakage due to external shocks, particularly when subjected to a water hammer effect, and often require tools for secure coupling.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable plumbing fitting comprising a sleeve member, a collar member, and a sealing member, where the sleeve member is threadedly engaged with the inlet pipe and the collar member with the supply pipe, allowing for adjustable length connection without tools and ensuring a secure, damage-free assembly with a dual locking mechanism and watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a gripping ring is used to secure the connection between pipes, then the connection strength is improved, but the gripping ring may cut into the pipe surface and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the gripping ring and the pipe surface. The sealing ring receives the gripping force from the coupling nut and transmits it to the pipe through a larger contact area, preventing the gripping ring from directly cutting into the pipe surface while maintaining secure connection
2Device complexity
If a single-edge gripping ring is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connection reliability deteriorates under external shock
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed with differentiated local properties: a circumferential contact surface that interfaces with the gripping ring for force reception, and a larger radial contact surface that distributes this force across the pipe surface. This local quality differentiation enables both simple structure and high reliability under external shock
3Strength
If a coupling nut is tightened to secure the connection, then the connection strength is improved, but tools are required and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling nut is designed with self-locking threads that automatically engage and secure the connection between pipes without requiring external tools. The threading mechanism provides self-service functionality, allowing workers to assemble the connection by hand while maintaining strong mechanical bonding
4Ease of operation
If conventional plumbing fittings are used, then the assembly process is simple, but water leakage may occur under water hammer effect
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is pre-installed on the pipe surface before the coupling nut is tightened. This beforehand cushioning creates a protective barrier that absorbs and distributes the shock from water hammer effects, preventing water leakage while maintaining the simplicity of the assembly process
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable plumbing fitting is adapted to adjust a length of connection between supply and inlet pipes, and includes a sleeve member, a collar member, and a sealing member. The sleeve member includes an annular section sleeved on and threadedly engaged with the inlet pipe, and a protrusion extending radially from an outer surface of the annular section and abutting against the supply pipe. The collar member includes a tube section sleeved on and threadedly engaged with the supply pipe, and a shoulder formed radially from an inner surface of the tube section and abutting against the protrusion to thereby interpose the protrusion between the shoulder and the supply pipe. The sealing member establishes a watertight seal between the inlet and supply pipes. The sleeve member is selectively displaced on the inlet pipe to vary a depth of insertion of the inlet pipe in the supply pipe.