Ball-Locking Pipe Connector for Fast Leak-Tight Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe connection methods are cumbersome and time-consuming, making it difficult for laypersons to connect pipes or pipe components efficiently, especially for forming extended or bent piping structures.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a hollow structure featuring ball insertion holes, a locking cap, plunger, and a fixing unit that allows for easy and secure connection of pipes using a combination of balls, a locking mechanism, and sealing members to ensure airtightness, facilitating rapid and convenient piping connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pipe connection methods (flange-coupling, brazing, flare-connection) are used, then connection strength and reliability are improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is divided into separate functional components: a connecting device body with ball insertion holes, multiple balls for sealing, a locking cap with pressing rim, a stopper cap, and a plunger assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall connection process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing rim portion is extracted as a separate functional element of the locking cap that can be moved to press the balls against the pipe outer surface. This extraction allows the sealing force to be applied independently through the locking cap mechanism rather than requiring complex integrated structures.
2Reliability
If conventional pipe connection methods are used, then connection reliability is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balls are pre-positioned in the ball insertion holes of the connecting device body before the pipe is inserted. The plunger assembly is also pre-positioned within the connecting device body. This preliminary arrangement of components eliminates the need for complex assembly operations during the connection process, reducing time consumption while ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
When the pipe is inserted into the connecting device body, the plunger automatically moves forward under spring force to press the packing against the pipe end, creating self-sealing. The locking cap can also be moved to automatically press the balls against the pipe outer surface, eliminating the need for external tightening operations.
3Ease of operation
If simple connection mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device employs localized sealing mechanisms at critical positions: balls are pressed against the pipe outer surface at the ball insertion holes to prevent lateral leakage, and packing is pressed by the plunger at the pipe end to prevent axial leakage. This localized application of sealing forces ensures comprehensive sealing reliability without requiring complex overall structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The balls serve as intermediary elements between the locking cap and the pipe, transmitting the pressing force from the locking cap to the pipe outer surface. The packing material acts as an intermediary between the plunger and the pipe end, enabling effective sealing through the plunger's pressing action. These intermediary elements enhance sealing reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
Enables quick and reliable connections between pipes or pipe components without leakage, simplifying the process for users and ensuring stable fluid flow, even for non-experts.
Implementation Method 1
a locking cap spring mounted in the connecting device body to press the locking cap toward a position at which the locking cap contacts the plurality of balls
Implementation Method 2
a plunger spring mounted in the connecting device body to press the plunger toward the pipe that is coupled to the one end of the connecting device body
Implementation Method 3
a packing disposed on the periphery of the plunger tube so as to come into contact with an end of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device for piping is disclosed. The connecting device for piping includes a connecting device body having therein ball insertion holes, balls inserted into the ball insertion holes so as to come into close contact with the outer surface of a pipe, a locking cap including a locking cap body movably coupled to the connecting device body and a pressing rim portion pressing the balls, a locking cap spring pressing the locking cap toward the position at which the locking cap contacts the balls, a stopper cap movably coupled to the connecting device body so as to limit movement of the locking cap, a plunger including a plunger body, a plunger tube inserted into the pipe, and a packing disposed on the periphery of the plunger tube so as to come into contact with the pipe, and a plunger spring pressing the plunger toward the pipe.