Anti-Disassembly Joint Assembly for Leakproof Pipe Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional split-type air conditioners face issues with refrigerant leakage due to improper disassembly, as hexagonal nuts are easily loosened and welding methods are costly and complex, lacking effective anti-disassembly functions in connecting evaporators and pipes.

Innovation Solution

An anti-disassembly joint with a thread portion, anti-disassembly raised blocks featuring stop and sliding surfaces, and a free spinning surface, which prevents loosening by allowing only tightening torque application, ensuring the joint remains fixed to the pipe connection nut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hexagonal nut is used to connect the evaporator and connecting pipe, then the connection can be easily assembled, but the connection can be easily loosened and lacks anti-disassembly function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidanti-disassembly function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint employs asymmetric surface designs including a stop surface perpendicular to the axis and an inclined surface at an angle, creating a one-way mechanical constraint that allows assembly in one direction while preventing disassembly in the opposite direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a conventional nut that can be freely tightened and loosened, the invention inverts the approach by designing a joint with asymmetric surfaces that inherently prevent the reverse action (disassembly) while maintaining the forward action (assembly)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If welding is used to connect the joint to the connecting pipe, then anti-disassembly function is achieved, but the operation becomes costly and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-disassembly functionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical joining) with a purely mechanical connection system using asymmetric surfaces and inclined planes, achieving permanent fixation through mechanical means rather than thermal or chemical processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint design uses simple mechanical elements that can be manufactured at low cost without requiring expensive welding equipment or specialized operational procedures, making the anti-disassembly solution more economically viable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If a conventional joint is used without anti-disassembly features, then the installation process is simple, but refrigerant leakage occurs due to wrong disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidrefrigerant leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The joint incorporates preliminary anti-action by pre-designing asymmetric stop and inclined surfaces that automatically prevent disassembly attempts before they can result in refrigerant leakage, creating an inherent protective mechanism against harmful outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potential harm of disassembly attempts into a beneficial locking mechanism where the inclined surface transforms any disassembly force into a tightening action, turning a potentially harmful event into a reinforcement of the connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 anti-disassembly joint effectively prevents disassembly, ensuring leakproofness and simplifying the connection process, reducing the risk of refrigerant leakage and operational complexity while maintaining reliability and ease of installation.

Implementation Method 1

The sliding surface is an inclined surface, and the sliding surface is smoothly connected to the free spinning surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP4123189B1Anti-disassembly joint and Anti-disassembly joint assembly

Publication Date: 2024.11.06 ZHEJIANG DUNAN ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

The present invention provides an anti-disassembly joint (100) and an anti-disassembly joint assembly (200). A first through hole (10) is disposed inside the anti-disassembly joint (100), a thread portion (20) having an external thread is provided on an outer surface of the anti-disassembly joint (100), the anti-disassembly joint (100) is connected to a pipe connection nut (210) via the thread portion (20), and an end portion of the anti-disassembly joint (100) extending out forms an anti-disassembly raised block (30), the anti-disassembly raised block (30) is provided with a stop surface (31) and a sliding surface (32), the stop surface (31) and the sliding surface (32) are disposed at two sides of the anti-disassembly raised block (30) away from each other, respectively, and the stop surface (31) is configured to be matched with an external tool to implement an installation of the anti-disassembly joint (100).